ARC Review: The Kiss of Deception

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson

Published July 15, 2014

Goodreads / Amazon

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for granting me a copy to review. In no way did this influence my opinion. 

Premise

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 assasin 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.

If I could describe this book in one single word, that word would be stunning. The writing was gorgeous and the plot riveting. Also, two gorgeous guys who are falling for our main girl? Both who could either be the Prince or the Assassin. I know I had my personal favorite, and I think y’all will too when you read The Kiss of Deception. Because you will read it.

This book was positively epic. NO! Epic squared. I loved the writing and the details were so vivid and I could see absolutely everything in this book like I was seeing it before my eyes.

It all starts with a Princess who doesn’t want her destiny has the bravery to change it. She runs from her arranged marriage with her best friend and goes to a no so nearby town and takes up residence there. She stays in hiding but does not know she was followed by the Prince who she was supposed to marry and the assassin who was supposed to kill her. After becoming her friend, getting close to her, seeing who she really is, they both fall in love with her. She only falls in love with one. It’s sort of a sad little love triangle that isn’t exactly a love triangle. Ish. Thing. Anyways, she liked the guy I liked so all is well. Except for that part. . . and that part. . . and that- OKAY ALL IS NOT WELL. Sheesh.

This lovely not-so-little book has it all: action and romance and adventure. It was rather glorious. With the lyrical writing, believable characters and emotion that felt real, this was a very me book.

One of my favorite (and most confusing) parts was how you never really knew (well until the close to end) which one of the boys was the prince and which one was the assassin. I really liked this; it made the book seem even more mysterious than it already was.

The Kiss of Deception was about fate and choosing your own destiny. And I’ve got to say, I loved every second of it. 

This book was magnificent. I really hope that y'all read it. Also, how do you feel about love triangles?