Princess Lia of Morrighan does not want the life that is expected of her. She doesn't want to be controlled by her father and his Chancellor. She doesn't want to marry the snooty prince to whom she is betrothed but has never met. She doesn't want to be royal anymore. So she runs away with her maiden and best friend, Pauline, escaping to the tranquil seaside town of Terravin to work as a serving girl and live a simple life. But a princess cannot escape her former life so easily. She is tracked. She is hunted. In alternating chapters told by Lia, the Prince, and the Assassin, the story of Lia, her ancient family and the grand history of Morrighan is revealed, along with a lot of adventure and a little romance.
Why It's Worth Reading:
This is easy, accessible fantasy romance at its best. The fantasy elements are there, but it's so easy to forget that this story is anything but realistic. At its heart, it's a tale of a girl who wants a different life for herself than the one that she's been given; who wants to be her own person outside of the expectations of others. Everyone can relate to that on some level, right? With all of the adventure that comes from epic journeys and assassins, plus a solid love triangle romance (I do love a fictional love triangle), The Kiss of Deception has a little something for everyone. And it's the first book in a series, so there's more to come. Win-win!
Book Details:
ISBN: 9780805099232
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Source: NetGalley, then Library
Awards: 3 starred reviews
Do We Own a Copy?: Yes, several.