Title: The Kiss of Deception
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Publication Date: July 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book One
Synopsis can be found here.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
You can read my interview with Mary E. Pearson here!
Review:
AHHH!!
Lia, a betrothed princess, flees her wedding seeking freedom. She thinks she has won, but two men are sent after her – one her betrothed, one an assassin. On the brink of war, Lia encounters heartbreak, survival and love.
There is amazing stuff in this book. I loved Lia, her bravery and search for happiness and freedom. It’s a coming of age story where Lia discovers she is more than just a princess. She’s a strong willed, adventure seeking character. Easily likeable!  I also really liked both men. You don’t know who is the assassin and who is the Prince, but both characters are fully formed and yummy. They’re each strong in their own ways and though I’m not a huge fan of love triangles at the moment, it’s easy to see why Lia likes them. It’s easy to see why they like Lia. And it’s not a love triangle that beats you over the head again and again. It’s subtle and in the end, hard for this reader to really know who she wants Lia to end up with.
There’s fighting and adventure and magic. There’s beautiful words and full colored characters and romance. Â There’s this world that you get lost in and you don’t want to find your way back. I really enjoyed the personal challenges against the political and bigger pictures ones. There’s a lot happening in this book and every chapter is amazing.
I may have read this book in the car. Waiting for a movie. In the kitchen when I was boiling water to make pasta. It’s that good.
OMG, GO GET IT NOW!
How long do I have to wait for the second one?
(head slap)
Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome like Cookies and Ice Cream
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
Haha nice! I love it when a book is so good that you are sneaking it in places.
So glad you really enjoyed it!! I really liked it as well. I’m so excited for a new series from Mary!!!! Cannot wait to read the sequel.
I think this is the kind that might require waiting to read until all are out LOL
Tabitha! Yes. I have those series. That’s why I haven’t started reading Bloodlines by RIchelle Mead yet. I need to have them all out so I can just sail right on through!
Great review, it’s on my TBR list but now I think it’s on the top of the list. I’m not a big fan of love triangles but this one sounds palatable.
I’ve wanted to read this ever since it came out, but I still haven’t gotten to it. Everyone says it’s amazing, so I’m really excited to read it. I’m glad to see that you loved it too! I mean it has magic, fighting, adventure, and romance! What more could I ask for?!
I absolutely love books that are impossible to put down! That is the best feeling!
What an exciting book! Interesting cover. Thanks for sharing the great review.
I’ve heard mixed reviews about this one but it sounds so good I’m gonna have to read it!
I won the book through a giveaway and I can’t wait to read the book, it sounds AMAZING!! 🙂
Everyone has been talking about thiss book! I’m going to give in sooner or later.. The cover is eerie!
This review has really made me want to go read this book!! It caught my eye a few days ago and then I see it on your blog! Thanks for helping convince me! 😀
Sounds great. love rebellious princesses.
This book looks awesome! I am glad it lived up to all the hype!
I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about this book but your enthusiastic review made me want to read it more! Thanks for your thoughts!
LOL, I am so glad to see that you did the same thing I did, carried it EVERYWHERE! I received an ARC of this a while back, and I fell in LOVE with this series. Now I am waiting, impatiently I might add, for book 2.
I can’t wait to read this one! You make it sound soooooo good!!
this book sounds very interesting, adding to my tbr
Thanks for the great review! I’ve heard awesome reviews about this book so I definitely need to get it! 🙂
I am so glad you loved this! The reviews I have read about it have been pretty consistent. I am really looking forward to reading it once I get it!
This was one of my favorite reads of 2014!! It was so freaking amazing, and I agree about everything you said concerning the love triangle. It didn’t really even feel like one. And I love that I have no clue where this is going. I’m even thinking of doing a reread soon because I feel like it’d be even richer after knowing everything beforehand. Great review! 🙂
That’s a cool twist, not knowing whose who. I’m glad the love triangle isn’t the obnoxious kind too. I didn’t realize there was magic in this book too! Okay, I’m going out to find it once it’s not so cold out there.
I hope you like it. I really enjoyed it!