I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Published by Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan on 2014-07-08
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 496
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.
In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.
My Thoughts:
The Kiss of Deception is one of those books that I had a hard time putting down. It’s also one of those novels that I wanted to last longer, even though it stopped at nearly 500 pages. While epic historical fantasy, especially in the young adult genre, isn’t something that I pick up all that often because it’s hard to do right, Mary E. Pearson has written a fantastic book one in The Remnant Chronicles series. This is epic fantasy done right, with beautiful settings come to life and realistic situations just tweaked enough to make everything magical.
Princess Lia has grown up independent and head strong, with three older brothers who were free to live their life as they wished. To make a political alliance with another country, the king has promised Lia to wed the prince of another country–sight unseen–and Lia isn’t happy with the situation. She’s so unhappy that she escapes along with her attendant Pauline to a small town far from the capital, settling down with Pauline’s aunt and working as barmaids in the local tavern/inn. But unbeknownst to Princess Lia, who is trying hard to remain anonymous, the Prince has gone after her, as well as an assassin sent by a neighboring territory of so-called Barbarians. The two men meet up outside the tavern, enter together, and compete for Lia’s attentions–all without Lia finding out who the men really are.
I loved Lia. She is such a strong, smart, independent, resourceful, and loyal woman. Certainly not what one would expect a typical royal to be, Lia enjoys working hard at the tavern, and she loves her attendant Pauline like family. Getting away from her father and mother, away from the micromanaging advisors that her father has in court is the best thing for her, and in the small town of Terravin, she’s able to really come into her own as a person. And it’s here that she falls for one of the handsome men that walk into the tavern together, not knowing his true identity.
While it may seem like there’s a love triangle here, Lia really only has eyes for one man. I spent the first 300 pages hoping that she had fallen for the prince, because Mary E. Pearson keeps you guessing as to the identity of which man is the assassin and which is the prince. But I didn’t really mind since these point of view switches from Lia to the small chapters from Kaden and Rafe were seemless and informative. And I was still wrong in my guess of who was who!
I give The Kiss of Deception a five out of five. With romance, political intrigue, warring factions, gypsies, a fun festival, and even an ancient prophecy that is seeming to come into play towards the end of the book, there’s a little bit of everything to enjoy here. Lia is a lively and fun main character, and she isn’t a shrinking violet waiting for someone to save her at any point in the book (which is good for the second half). The two potential love interests are well fleshed out and sympathetic, and I loved how you didn’t know who was who until much later in the book. I can’t wait for book two!
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Did you guys change the site around? It looks awesome!
Anyway, I have to say that I’m just getting into epic fantasy. I started reading the Wheel of Time series. Besides LOTR, I haven’t really done much of the epic stuff. It’s piqued my interest. There’s something very alluring about the idea of falling into a different world and time for a lot of pages or books.
At any rate, I’ll put this on my to-read epic fantasy list at your recommendation.
Katie Cross recently posted..The Numbers of Publishing
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Danny probably changed a few things. She does that every once in a while.
I really don’t read much epic fantasy, it’s just never been my thing. Truthfully, I’m a bit scared to try much else after the utter greatness of The Kiss of Deception and The Winner’s Curse.
Definitely read this book. I think you’d enjoy it 🙂
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
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I do like the clean look and goodness I like the sound of Princess Lia
ailynk recently posted..Living Treasures
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Princess Lia is such an anti-princess that it’s so refreshing. She’s awesome.
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
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LOVED this book!! I read it in one day because it was impossible to set aside.
“But I didn’t really mind since these point of view switches from Lia to the small chapters from Kaden and Rafe were seemless and informative. And I was still wrong in my guess of who was who!” – Agreed! Multiple POV’s always worry me, but Pearson did a great job. And she also totally fooled me when it came to who was K & R!
Fantastic review 🙂
Lea @ YA Book Queen recently posted..Review: THE VANISHING SEASON by Jodi Lynn Anderson
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I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t guess which guy was which. In the beginning chapters, I actually went back and reread to see if I had just missed a name in there until I realized that the author was keeping it a secret. I kind of liked not knowing!
I don’t know how you got through this in one day. LOL, my days of reading a 500 page book in one day are over. I just can’t do it anymore since I work and stare at computer screens all day now (because we’re a paperless environment). The eye strain is getting to me, so I was glad to read this one as a paper ARC. Even then, I was staying up late just to get a few more pages in and reading it over my lunch break.
I’m glad that you loved The Kiss of Deception too!
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
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If I didn’t have other books that needed to be read, I’d be tempted to go back and reread – just to see what hints are dropped regarding K & R! I agree though, it was fun not being sure. It’s always nice when an author can keep you curious!
Ha! I barely managed! I read on a Sunday, so my day was free, but I had to keep taking breaks to rest my eyes 😉
Glad you enjoyed it too! The wait for book two is going to be torture!
Lea @ YA Book Queen recently posted..Review: CHARM & STRANGE by Stephanie Kuehn
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I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for forever! Only one more week left and I can’t wait!
Janice recently posted..My Thinking Room
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Once you get The Kiss of Deception, I recommend that you start it soon. It is an amazing book, Janice!
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
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I am looking forward to it so SO MUCH!! Thanks!
Janice recently posted..Cousins
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🙂
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
While I’m not a fan of the triangle (yes, yes. Eyes for only one…but there are still two guys involved…), this one really has me intrigued. Now, why doesn’t the assassin kill her once he realizes she’s the one he’s supposed to kill? Is he already in love with her? Bad assassin! No feelings for the target! For shame.
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The assassin doesn’t just kill her right away because the prince is around her constantly. He knows that Lia is the one he’s supposed to kill right off the bat, but he’s intrigued because she doesn’t act like a royal at all. She’s working in a tavern, willing to cook and clean and deal with rowdy soldiers, standing up for herself. The assassin just keeps putting off killing her because he wants to see what she’ll do next. I don’t think that he exactly loves her, but he’s definitely not what he seems.
This book is so good. I can’t wait for you to read it too!
Heather recently posted..Absolutely Fabulous Historical Fantasy – The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
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I’m loving this book! I’m nearly done, and have been surprised more than once. In the best way possible, which is great. Lia is such a great heroine, and those boys. Oh my. So glad you enjoyed the story and wonderful review, Heather 🙂
kim { Book Swoon } recently posted..Book Review: Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper
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I’m glad that you’re loving The Kiss of Deception too, Kim! It’s so great! Now we have to wait forever for book two. Okay, I’m being dramatic, but it feels like forever to wait for the next book, lol!
Heather recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {17} – Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
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I’ve been waiting for this book ever since I came across it on GR! It has everything I want in a story from the sound of it and that gorgeous cover is a bonus. I’m glad you love it and great review!
Dea S. recently posted..Jenny Han Book Signing Event #JennyHaninPH
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I can’t wait for you to be able to pick up The Kiss of Deception, Dea! At least it comes out on Tuesday so you can get it soon. It’s so good!
Heather recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {17} – Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
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I’m so happy and excited to hear this one is good. I had already planned to read it but I passed my copy to my friend Tina to review since she has had the WORST lucky with books lately I think she’s 1 and 2 starred almost everything she read last month practically. This fantasy will be so right up her alley!
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted..Review: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
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I hope your friend Tina enjoys The Kiss of Deception, and I can’t wait for you to get a chance to read it. I feel like a broken record, but it’s such a good book!
Heather recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {17} – Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
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I bought a copy of this at ALA to have it signed because the bloggers that were in line with me told me it was an amazing book. I’m glad to see that you really loved it as well and now it must be pushed up on my reading pile.
Thanks for the great review!
Alexa recently posted..Reading Goals: July 2014
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Definitely push The Kiss of Deception up your pile and read it sooner, Alexa. I’m glad that you could snag a copy at ALA!
Heather recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {17} – Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
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Hi – I’ve noticed on that past few reviews on the site, that the links to Amazon and Goodreads are broken. Just thought I’d let you know.
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Thanks for letting me know. I fixed the Goodreads link on this post (the Amazon link was fine). I’ll check out the rest and let my co-bloggers know.
Heather recently posted..Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date by Katie Heaney
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I LOVED this book so much. The writing, characters, story, romance…just perfection 🙂
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