3.5/5 gifted by the publisher

Written in the form of a diary, this story follows an unnamed MMC as he recounts his complex relationship with his muse. In traditional Russian novelists' all vibes no plot, overthinking with existential crisis, poetic prose that gets philosophical, DECEIT examines the truth behind human nature in a world where lies, love, and obsessions are intricately intertwined. While I can't say I enjoyed being in the mind of this *problematic* protagonist and unreliable narrator, I appreciate Felsen's honesty in portraying the deception one performs when they are in love.