3 Ways to Spot the Truth When Authority Figures Lie

In dystopian and YA thrillers, one of the most chilling elements is the discovery that authority figures — the people who are supposed to protect and guide — are often the ones hiding the truth. Lies and half-truths ripple through the system, leaving characters to piece together what’s real.

But here’s the thing: this lesson isn’t just for fiction. Learning how to spot the truth in a world filled with mixed messages, spin, and outright deception is one of the most valuable skills we can practice.

Here are three powerful ways both characters in fiction and we in real life can separate truth from lies.

1. Look for the Gaps

In dystopian stories, the lies often show up in what isn’t said: unexplained illnesses, missing children, whispered rumors. When authority avoids questions or leaves suspicious gaps, it’s a red flag.

Real-life takeaway: Pay attention not just to what people say, but to what they carefully leave out. Silence often speaks louder than words.

2. Compare Words With Actions

Characters quickly learn that authority figures may say one thing while doing another — like promising safety while secretly hiding dangerous experiments.

Real-life takeaway: The truth is revealed in action. When words don’t line up with behavior, trust the behavior.

3. Follow the Rumors

In thrillers, rumors are dismissed as unreliable — until they’re not. Whispers about what really happens in the shadows often contain fragments of the truth.

Real-life takeaway: While gossip isn’t always fact, consistent patterns in what different people are saying can point you toward reality. Pay attention when multiple voices echo the same suspicion.

Dystopian fiction reminds us that lies are often dressed as comfort. The people in power may try to control the story, but sharp eyes and curious minds always find the cracks.

Learning to spot the truth isn’t about paranoia — it’s about awareness. And just like the characters we love, the more we practice, the stronger we become at separating fact from fiction.

Want to experience this kind of tension firsthand? Step into the world of Shattered, where Marris Sheffield uncovers the chilling truths hidden within her academy.

Grab Shattered today → Amazon (US) | Buy Direct at EmeryRoad.com