Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Review: The Kiss of Deception



Title: The Kiss of Deception
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Genres: YA, fantasy, romance, adventure
Publisher: Henry Holt
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Source: Purchased at Barnes and Noble
Format: Paperback
Page Number: 492




A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.




Rating: 4/5 stars

This was the July pick for my book club here on GoodReads, We The Bibliophiles, and I have to say, it was a perfect pick for the first book we all read together! This book had a bit of everything; magic, romance, great writing, an intriguing story and, of course, some swoon-worthy characters.

*inserts a smirking gif here*

All right, let's start this review by talking about the characters, starting with, *takes a deep breath*

Princess Arabella Celestine Idris Jezelia,
A.K.A. Lia: Wow, talk about a great main character! Mary E. Pearson flawlessly created a strong, independent character while still giving her realistic weaknesses and a unique personality. All in all, a very well-put together character. There was a relationship she had with another character that vaguely reminded me of Frodo and Sam from the Lord of the Rings, and that was her relationship with her maid,

Pauline: Without Pauline, Lia wouldn't have made it very far. Starting out in the very beginning, she is already helping Lia do what she needs to do. She supports her, and, to be perfectly honest, I felt really bad for her. Pauline deserves to be sitting in a hammock on a beach with a coconut filled with a fruity beverage--complete with an umbrella on top--in her hand. Now let's talk about one of the swoon-worthy boys,

Rafe: Whew, talk about swoon-worthy. *fans self* I loved the personality given to him. The character development he went through in the book, and it's implied, also throughout his entire life, was very impressive and well-executed. His and Lia's relationship was abso-freakin-lutely adorable! Now, in order to avoid giving away his identity, let's move onto the other swoon-worthy boy,

Kaden: Mrs. Pearson, why do you have to make it so difficult to choose who I'm rooting for? At first Rafe and Lia's adorable relationship totally had me going for him, but after more chapters from Kaden's P.O.V., I can honestly say I don't really know who I love more! I really wish there was more development on his side though... I felt like he kind of got slighted... Desperately hoping for more Kaden in 'The Heart of Betrayal'!

Now let's talk about Mary E. Pearson's

Writing: Mrs. Pearson's writing was beautiful. It was straight and to the point, but at the same time managed to be lyrical and flow well together. She was able to develop this story beautifully.
Onto the... *drumroll*

Plot: I loved it. Everything about it was great! The world was so well put together, interesting, unique... And man that plot twist!! It absolutely killed me. It was one of those times when you physically have to shut the book and take a deep breath for a moment before continuing reading. I was out on my dad's boat while I read the part, and he just kind of gave me this weird look, but at this point he knows not to ask. My only problems with the plot was that I felt like the beginning could be condensed a bit; it seemed to be a bit draggy, and I wish there had been more development in Kaden.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes:
-Throne of Glass
-Daughter of Smoke and Bone
or
-Ranger's Apprentice


Cheers!
Leah

3 comments :

  1. I completely loved this book! The characters were fantastic, the world so rich and vast! I'm in the same situation, I can't choose between Rafe and Kaden. They both are so swoon-worthy, and I don't know what to do! I haven't read Heart of Betrayal yet, but from what I hear, it's just as good :)
    Great review!
    ~Erika @ Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.

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    1. Ah, same here! I am so torn between the two, but I'm hoping to decide which one I prefer in The Heart of Betrayal!

      Thanks Erika! <3

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  2. Haha I love how distressed you are about who you should ship with the main character.
    Great review!

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