In a world where belief fuels power, lies don’t disappear—they manifest.
When a carefully hidden truth begins to fracture the boundary between two realms, everything Selene thought she understood about magic, loyalty, and herself begins to unravel. As ancient forces awaken and long-buried secrets surface, she must decide whether protecting the lie that shaped her world is worth the destruction it will cause.
Because some truths don’t set you free.
They burn everything down.
What if the magic you were taught to fear was the only thing keeping your world alive?
And what if the truth came at a cost no one could survive?
Readers will like this book if they enjoy immersive fantasy worlds, slow-burn magic systems, and emotionally grounded heroines discovering who they are beneath inherited legacies. The Manifested Lie blends academy fantasy, portal worlds, found family, and quiet romance with high emotional stakes and long-buried secrets that refuse to stay hidden.
Academy fantasy with depth – A richly imagined magical school, layered lore, and a manifestation system tied to ancestry, history, and suppressed power.
Character-driven growth – A relatable heroine navigating identity, legacy, friendship, and self-doubt while uncovering truths no one prepared her for.
Portals, realms, and hidden truths – Parallel worlds, ancient magic, and secrets that reshape everything Selene thought she knew about her family and herself.
Selene is a student at the Academy of Arcane Wonders, waiting for her magic to finally manifest when she suddenly finds herself pulled into the adventure of a lifetime. Dangerous though it may be, she isn’t alone. Selene is joined by a group of friends from both the academy and another realm.
The story has some slow parts in the beginning, but it really picks up in the middle and carries that momentum through the end. The adventure gave me Indiana Jones vibes… if Indiana Jones had magic, teens, and travel between realms.
I also really enjoyed Selene’s friend group. Well… most of them anyway. Not the betrayer, obviously. But the others? Definitely.
Overall, this is a fun fantasy adventure with magic, friendship, and high-stakes exploration.
Long, long, time ago Leia and Kofi were married and had a daughter. Her name was Selene. When she went off to school to find out what she was going to manifest as. Her roomate is Astrid, and others who become part of the group, Sunna, Zephyr then they meet Caspian and Killian. There is a secret that nobody knows but must be found and solved.
Magic can be a tricky thing to unblock and for Selene she feels it may never manifest. She and her friends both old and new attempt to find their way through the Academy of Arcane Wonders and strange new lands they are drug into finding secrets that should’ve stayed buried. Can her blood save them or will it be the curse that undoes them all? Will she find the betrayer in their midst?
Very YA appropriate. Personally I was a tad confused during points and a few paragraphs seemed repetitive but overall it’s a good read. Magical politics, portals, secret libraries, betrayal, secret royalty, and high stakes survival. Interesting story about finding your true self amongst the problems of the past.
Selene's magic hasn't just not manifested yet. It's blocked. To protect her. She and her group of friends stumble and fumble their way seeking answers. Portals don't work exactly like they're supposed to, often leading to hilarious landings. Someone is lying.
This is a good YA appropriate portal fantasy story for readers of all ages.
Sneak Peek
My heart pounded in my chest as I dashed through the dense forest, leaves and branches whipping past me. My skin glistened with sweat as I ran, breath ragged, pulse screaming in my ears.
The thunderous roar of the dragon shook the ground behind me. I didn’t dare look back. I already knew how close it was.
I reached deep within myself, grasping for the power that answered only when I was desperate enough to need it. Roots surged from the earth at my command, twisting and cracking beneath the dragon’s weight—but it wasn’t enough.
Fire scorched my back. Pain exploded through me. Still, I ran.
The Academy of Arcane Wonders was close. I could feel it. And if I didn’t reach its walls in time, I wouldn’t survive long enough to uncover the truth about who I was—or the lie that had been shaping my life from the very beginning.
I’m a book-obsessed wordsmith who’s happiest with a cup of coffee in one hand and a keyboard in the other. Writing is my love language, and I split my creative energies between two identities: as Sheyanne Warren, I craft fantastical worlds full of magic and adventure for YA readers; as Ashley Johnson, I dive deep into gritty mysteries and spine-tingling paranormal tales. When I’m not weaving stories, you’ll find me lost in a good book, plotting my next twist, or pretending I’m not adding yet another novel to my TBR pile. Let’s get lost in the stories together!”
