New to You (16): Morgan Reviews The Kiss of Deception by Mary Pearson

Posted September 12, 2018 by Andi in Books, New to You, Review / 0 Comments

Welcome to New to You!

This idea came along last year when I was supporting Lauren Miller’s newest book All Things New and I asked Kelsey to read and review Parallel, a book I have read more than once. I didn’t really get it going until December when I offered people the chance to sign up to read and review a book that has been a favorite of mine that they have never read. I got a great response and I’m happy to tell you (minus January) you will see a New to You post twice a month.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next up for New to You is Morgan from The Bookish Beagle. She will be reviewing a long time favorite of mine, The Kiss of Deception! I know Morgan loves a good fantasy so this was a perfect option for her. Let’s see what she had to say about it.

New to You (16): Morgan Reviews The Kiss of Deception by Mary Pearson

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published: June 2, 2015
Buy on Amazon
Add to Goodreads

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 escapes 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.

The Kiss of Deception is one of those books that had Morgan written so clearly on it that I preordered it back in 2014…. and promptly read it this year, at Andi’s urging. Darn those pesky TBR piles! Luckily it was worth the wait and I’m eager to continue the series. Mary Pearson’s writing style is detailed and engaging- I was afraid of getting bogged down in worldbuilding but she does it so well that it was easy to keep reading. The opening scene with Lia’s wedding kavah (such a beautiful sounding tradition akin to henna) sets everything up perfectly. And I always love getting glimpses of fictional history and hidden stories.

Lia is a character I loved rooting for; a lot of her actions could definitely be seen as selfish but she knows what she wants and she doesn’t go out of her way to be cruel. I was surprised that there were POV chapters from the assassin as well as the prince, but it really added to the mystery of their identities while also allowing a glimpse into their psyche. Reading a scene from all three POVs was so neat! It’s so fascinating to see what the different characters pick up on. Of course I had a ship in this triangle and if you thought it was the one where they constantly argued you’d be right haha. I didn’t love the references to barbarians and savages- it feels racially charged even if it wasn’t meant that way- but there is plenty of action, magic, intrigue, and romance to go around in The Kiss of Deception. The reveals and twists pile up quickly in the last act and it absolutely leaves you wanting more!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Morgan for signing up for New to You! I’m so happy you enjoyed you introduction to The Remnant Chronicles.

Have you read anything by Mary Pearson?