A Single Dream would be Born

Imagine your family thought your only worth was to be a bride? In Mary E. Pearson’s The Kiss of Deception, this is one of the many problems Lia, the main character, has to endure. All Lia’s life, she has wanted to be more than a Princess and more than a piece to the puzzle of her country Morrigaham. 

On Lia’s wedding day, she decides that she is more than a puzzle piece. She is a person and she has feelings and she deserves every chance at happiness. With her servant and best friend, Pauline, she makes a run for freedom. They leave behind Morrigaham, her mother and father, her grieving brothers, a prince, who is angry about being left at the altar, and an assassin from a competing country, Venda, chasing after her. 

The story overflows with breathtaking dialogue that gives readers a good description and feel for each individual character. Readers get a feeling of Rafe, through the dialogue, and how he is kind of moody. The visuals are as stunning as the dialogue. Pearson goes into depth and detail of the places and people Lia is experiencing. For example, when Lia sees Terravin, the village she runs off too, she describes Terravin as a giant fruit bowl.  

Another intriguing detail to this story that impacts the main character is the “gift” that certain children/people get.  Readers will enjoy the little specks of fantasy sprinkled throughout the book.

Lia, formally known as Arabella Celestine Idris Jezelia, faces many problems in the real world. But Lia learns how to tackle her problems straight on throughout her journey and becomes more independent. She also learns more about love and family. Lia realizes leaving Morrigham might have made her happy, but she abandoned her family back home.

In Pearson’s astounding novel, reader’s will enjoy the love triangle between Rafe, Kaden, and Lia.  Even though one of the striking men in this novel is her rejected prince and the other an assassin, they both fall madly in love with her. They help Lia find herself and her worth, and they give her something she has never had before: a choice between them.

Pauline shows Lia that she is not some piece to be used. She is much more than the snotty princess most people depict her as. Pauline reminds Lia that she is a strong, brave, and a bold young woman. 

Pearson leaves readers with a cliff-hanger, wanting and guessing who the assassin and prince are, especially since readers are allowed to read from their perspectives in third person. 

The Kiss of Deception is not only one astounding book, it is  the first in a trilogy that includes The Heart of Betrayal and The Beauty of Darkness. The plot turns keep readers reading till the last word of the last book. 

Pearson’s The Kiss of Deception is an absolute ten. Pearson keeps readers engaged and wanting to know more. The end of the story leaves readers needing the next book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books with complicated romances. 

p Afterall, who doesn’t want to read about a strong powerful woman becoming herself and following her dreams?

Copyright: 2014

Publisher: Square Fish 

Pages: 512

March 29, 2021