Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Publication Date: July 8th 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure
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Synopsis: 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 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.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: This book was fantastic in every way possible! It definitely blew my mind away, with crazy twists and turns, action and adventure around every corner. This book will go down as one of the best in 2014.

Lia is a princess, but she doesn't want to be. When her parents force her into an arranged marriage with a prince she’s never met before, Lia decides that it’s in her best interest to run away. With her best friend Pauline, she escapes to a nearby town. Yet it’s not that easy for a wanted princess to escape, she soon finds herself in the presence of an assassin who’s on a mission to kill her, and the heartbroken prince she’s never met before. As Lia starts her new life, she has to watch out not only for her safety but also for the two strange boys who are head-over-heels in love with her.

Lia’s character is one of the most lovable characters I have ever encountered. Not only is she outspoken (meaning she doesn't take crap from anyone) but she’s also caring, determined and hardworking. I honestly wish that she was a real person so that I could become best friends with her. Even though Lia is a princess, she would rather be a normal girl and earn her keep rather than be given everything. She’s not snobby like most princesses are, she’s the complete opposite. Even though she can be a little naïve at times, she’s still very intellectual when it comes to survival. Her character is honestly perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing about her.

I’m guessing that when you read the synopsis for this book, you immediately thought something like “Oh no, not another love-triangle!” Well don’t worry, because even though it seems like this book has one, it does not!

Our two main boys, Kaden and Rafe are hot as hell. Both these boys are muscular, handsome and not to mention smart and skilled in battle. As these two fight over Lia’s attention, they also help protect her from some of the danger she gets herself into. In the beginning I couldn't decide who I liked more. I love the idea of assassins and find them very interesting, but the idea of a prince running away from his kingdom just to find out about the girl who wouldn't marry him seemed really sweet and cute. In the end I picked a favorite, but let me tell you it was hard, because they are both such good characters.

When it comes to world-building, this book does not lack in it at all. All of the settings were described in such detail that I honestly could picture every moment in my head like a movie. This book definitely has one of the best worlds I have ever read about, and I definitely wish I could live in it.
Overall, this book is absolutely amazing! I feel like anyone who reads this book can easily fall in love with it because it has so many great aspects to it. I wish I read this book much sooner, and I will be recommending it to everyone I meet.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta