Review: The Kiss of Deception

 The Kiss of Deception
 The Remnant Chronicles
 Mary E. Pearson


When her father, the King, agrees to align a marriage for her with the Prince of another Kingdom, Lia is taken aback. How can one marry someone else who they've never met, never mind do not love? She had asked to be able to meet her betrothed, and was denied.

To take back her life, moments before she is to married off, she runs.

With her best friend Pauline in tow they make off into the woods to Pauline's birth-town. The two blend in and find jobs with an old friend of the family who promises to keep their secret.

Little does anyone know, there are two men after Lia: An Assassin and the Prince.

The two men happen to meet and become civil to each other, but unaware of what the other's true purpose is. Both are taken with Lia when the meet her at first, and as the story continues, the secrets holding everyone to their new life will slowly unravel.


An intriguing opening to this trilogy.
Pearson writes it so that we do not know which man is the Prince or the Assassin until later on in the story and has you guessing the whole time (there are hints if you pick them up, but it's fun to let your mind just enjoy the story). Lia's predicament is both sad and funny at the same time. There are times when you root for one scenario and boy, but then the next chapter will have you changing your mind. The beginning is a bit slow, but bear with it; it is worth it.
What I love most about this is that there is a map on the inside cover (what booklover doesn't love maps?!) so you can track the route that these characters travel throughout the story.
Only time will tell where they end up.