#BookReview: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: The Kiss of Deception 
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Author: Mary E. Pearson 
Format: ebook, 496 pages
Published: July 8th 2014 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ISBN: 162779218X
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 4.5/5

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.

The Kiss of Deception is the first book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles.

Thoughts:
"Greater stories will have their way.” 

THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson is an incredible historical YA fantasy that I devoured!  It's an impressive start to the author's new Remnant Chronicles series teeming with romance, danger, intrigue, action and magic.   Our heroine, Princess Lia, and our hero, the Prince, are strong, empathetic characters reminiscent of Buttercup and Wesley in The Princess Bride.  Supporting characters were amazing from Lia's maid and brother, the gypsies and more.  The villain, the Assassin, was an heinous heel.  I liked the author's utilization of varying POV by chapter giving the reader valuable insight into the mind of each of the major characters, including the villain.  

“Who was this girl who thumbed her nose at two kingdoms and did as she pleased?”

As the story opens, the Princess is preparing for her wedding to the Prince.     

“Today was the day a thousand dreams would die and a single dream would be born.
The wind knew. It was the first of June, but cold gusts bit at the hilltop citadel as fiercely as deepest winter, shaking the windows with curses and winding through drafty halls with warning whispers. There was no escaping what was to come.” 

She is being forced to marry to connect the two kingdoms.  Lia had dreamed of marrying for love.  She was not willing to give up her life-long aspiration and be doomed to an unhappy life with a mate who cared naught for her.  With the help of her loyal maid, Lia dramatically bolts from her arranged marriage on her wedding day and commences a journey fraught with danger.   Her chosen action will result in far-reaching complications within her family, her kingdom and neighboring kingdoms.  Along the way, she will make new friends, discover strengths she didn't know she had and lose her heart.  Both male characters head out on a mission to find her.  One is sent to kill her and the other wants to deduce why she left him at the altar.  As the die is cast, the future is determined....   

Lia was strong and feisty.  She was a kick-ass princess!  The Prince was swoon worthy and courageous with a good heart.   There was a cursed love triangle for a substantial part of the book; but, in my mind, it was really down to a duo by the end of the book.  I mean... when your choice is between a kissable Prince who makes your heart go pitty-pat really fast and a devious Assassin who hurts you, who would you choose?  Surely...  I appreciated watching the Prince and, most notably, the Princess mature in leaps and bounds as the story progressed.  The Assassin was a tortured character, loyal to his kingdom even though his heart was torn.  Lia's maid was a friend that we all long for; She stuck by Lia through thick and thin.  

The only reason I'm not rating this book five wine glasses is because there's a MAJOR cliffhanger ending that will keep me up nights until the next one!  I grasp to hope that all will be well with a few favorite quotes from the book:    

“I will find you.
In the farthest corner, I will find you.” 

“Some things last.” 
I faced him. “Really? And just what would that be?” 
“The things that matter.” 

“Ascente cha ores ri ve breazza."
"Turn your ear to the wind," she interpreted. "Stand strong.” 

This is the first book I've ever read by Mary E. Pearson.  Her writing was first class.  The pacing was perfect.  The storyline was brilliant.  Characters were well drawn and developed fully;  Each of the characters were genuine and realistic.  The world the author created was incredible and totally believable.  Her writing placed me in each scene.  If you are looking for a book with an engrossing storyline and suspense that keeps you turning the pages until the very end, then I highly recommend THE KISS OF DECEPTION.  If you’re a YA fantasy fan, this is a must-read series!  The next book in the series, THE HEART OF BETRAYAL, is due to be released in 2015.  I need it NOW!