City of Lies and Legends by Kayla Edwards Summary

City of Lies and Legends is the third installment in Kayla Edwards' House of Devils urban fantasy series, following Loren Calla as she struggles with amnesia while navigating a dark world filled with Darkslayers, devils, and powerful magic. The book features multiple POVs including the main couple Loren and Darien, plus Roman and Shay's enemies-to-lovers romance, as loyalties are tested and characters face revelations from their past across dangerous settings like Yveswich.

Kayla Edwards is the author of the House of Devils series, which includes City of Gods and Monsters, City of Souls and Sinners, City of Lies and Legends, and the upcoming City of Smoke and Brimstone. She began writing the first book in high school, making these characters deeply personal to her. Edwards also wrote the upper-YA romantasy novel Dreams of Ice and Iron and engages with readers through her Facebook group Dare's Devils and social media @kaylaedwardsauthor.

City of Lies and Legends receives exceptional praise from readers who describe it as a five-star masterpiece with perfect pacing, incredible world-building, and beautifully written relationships. Reviewers highlight the action-packed plot balanced with emotional depth, multiple compelling POVs, and the author's ability to handle complex tropes like amnesia realistically without rushing resolution. Fans consistently rate it as one of the best urban fantasy books they've read, praising its intricate magic system and organic world-building.

City of Lies and Legends is perfect for readers who love dark, intense urban fantasy with multiple romance storylines and complex world-building. This book appeals to fans of romantasy with explicit content (spice level 4/5), shapeshifters, magic systems, and character-driven plots featuring familiars and supernatural creatures. Readers should be prepared for emotional intensity, dark themes, and lengthy reads—this installment requires investment in the previous two books and suits those who enjoy delayed gratification and intricate storylines.

Loren Calla wakes up with amnesia following the cliffhanger ending of book two, struggling throughout City of Lies and Legends to recover her memories. Kayla Edwards takes time to develop Loren's amnesia realistically rather than resolving it quickly, showing her progression and the emotional toll on both her and Darien. Loren awakens because of Darien's voice, and her journey involves rediscovering relationships, facing past revelations, and continuing to survive in the dangerous world alongside new and familiar characters.

Roman and Shay receive their own POV chapters in City of Lies and Legends, developing an enemies-to-lovers romance that becomes a fan-favorite relationship. Roman is described as a "cinnamon roll devil," while Shay brings tension and banter to their dynamic with constant "truth or lie" moments. Their storyline features them saving and showing up for each other, progressing from hatred to love throughout the book, with readers praising their chemistry and over-the-top romantic tension.

The House of Devils series by Kayla Edwards follows this reading order: City of Gods and Monsters (book 1), City of Souls and Sinners (book 2), City of Lies and Legends (book 3), and City of Smoke and Brimstone (book 4, releasing December 9, 2025). The series features interconnected storylines that build upon each other, making it essential to read in order. Edwards also has plans for a fifth book and a prequel (book 0.5) in the series.

Familiars are beloved creatures throughout the House of Devils series, with new ones introduced in City of Lies and Legends. Readers particularly highlight Bandit as a favorite familiar in this installment. The familiars add depth to the magic system and world-building, serving as important companions to characters while contributing to the urban fantasy's supernatural elements and emotional connections within the story.

City of Lies and Legends surpasses expectations with faster pacing than City of Souls and Sinners, which some readers found slower. While maintaining the series' signature dark themes and intricate world-building, book three introduces multiple new POVs, settings like Yveswich, and relationships that add layers to the overall story. The plot grows more complex and darker, with perfect balance between action-packed sequences and character development, making it an unputdownable installment that leaves readers anxiously awaiting book four.

City of Lies and Legends takes readers beyond Angelthene to Yveswich, expanding the dark and dangerous urban fantasy world. The world-building is seamlessly woven throughout the narrative without heavy info-dumps, allowing readers to learn organically about the magic system, creatures like Darkslayers and devils, and the modern urban setting. Reviewers praise how the world feels authentic rather than forced, with thoughtful magic systems and supernatural elements that create an immersive experience where readers forget they're not actually there.

City of Lies and Legends features beautifully written relationships across multiple couples, with Loren and Darien's main romance showcasing deep devotion despite Loren's amnesia. Darien's protective nature shines through when he calls Loren "baby" and constantly ensures her safety, while their connection proves strong enough to wake her from unconsciousness. The addition of Roman and Shay's enemies-to-lovers arc provides fresh romantic tension, and the book balances explicit romantic content (spice level 4/5) with emotional depth and character progression.

City of Lies and Legends receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, though readers note the book's length and dark themes require emotional preparation. Some mention the extended separation of the main group, though most found this element well-executed in this installment. The series' increasing complexity and darker direction may not suit readers seeking lighter fantasy, and the book ends with nerve-shredding tension that leaves readers stressed while eagerly anticipating the fourth book.