Cage of Deceit by Jennifer Anne Davis
Clean Teen Publishing © 2015
*I received an Advanced Copy from the Author*
Fantasy
Reviewed by Leah
We have flawed, judgmental characters who feel truly human. There's political intrigue and deceit so thick you can disappear inside of it. And threats that gleam like a blade in the night. Welcome to the Cage of Deceit, where even a princess isn't all she's cracked up to be.
Summary:
When you're born to rule, you must learn to have two faces. One for your subjects, who seek to adore you. The other for yourself, so you remember that you are not perfect.
This is a lesson Allyssa has not only learned well, but taken to a whole new level. Active and restless like her father, Emperor Darmik, Allyssa takes her duty of ensuring her people's safety more to heart than her own. And she escapes her gilded cage as often as night descends to pull on yet another mask: Lilly of the streets and thief wrangler alongside her best friend, Grevik.
Of course, all of her masks are put to the test when Prince Odar and his squire, Jarvik, appear. Marriage negotiations are under way and she's got to please one or the other of them, because this alliance is necessary to defeat a looming threat. It's time for Allyssa to learn what sacrifice really is.
Review That Deviates From Formula, Because All of Jennifer's Books Do:
If you want a book with flawed characters who are quick to judge, easily offended, and act like real human beings, then Cage of Deceit is for you.
Darmik and Rema are overprotective and secretive. Allyssa is a restless rebel. Grevik is ambitious. Prince Odar is vain. Jarvik is arrogant. Everyone is flawed, but with good intentions. They feel like real people and I enjoyed that aspect immensely. (And if you're anything like me, you'll yell at all of them. Often.)
As far as the plot goes, an arranged marriage to forge a necessary alliance is clearly within the realm of possibility. It also leads to a very interesting character dynamic. The relationships forged and maintained are very interesting to witness.
Unlike the series which is its predecessor, Cage of Deceit does not thrive off the plot alone. This is very much character oriented. But that is not to say that there isn't a very real danger here. Rather, Allyssa's reaction to danger is the focus. And the amount of aid she is willing to accept is admirable … for such a stubborn individual.
I'm not going to lie here: the beginning didn't pull me in. It was slow going at firs and the vigilante princess didn't appeal to me right off the bat. However, once we made some headway, I was hooked. I read whenever I had a free moment--and sometimes when I didn't. The characters were engaging and the plot made several revelations at a good pace.
This being part of a series, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment and am fairly certain I will enjoy it even more than CoD.
Overall, I'd have to say that this is an enjoyable read filled with characters who are given no easy decisions and who rise to the challenges set for them. There are equally strong male and females and their relationships were well worth reading about. Definitely recommended.
Review That Deviates From Formula, Because All of Jennifer's Books Do:
If you want a book with flawed characters who are quick to judge, easily offended, and act like real human beings, then Cage of Deceit is for you.
Darmik and Rema are overprotective and secretive. Allyssa is a restless rebel. Grevik is ambitious. Prince Odar is vain. Jarvik is arrogant. Everyone is flawed, but with good intentions. They feel like real people and I enjoyed that aspect immensely. (And if you're anything like me, you'll yell at all of them. Often.)
As far as the plot goes, an arranged marriage to forge a necessary alliance is clearly within the realm of possibility. It also leads to a very interesting character dynamic. The relationships forged and maintained are very interesting to witness.
Unlike the series which is its predecessor, Cage of Deceit does not thrive off the plot alone. This is very much character oriented. But that is not to say that there isn't a very real danger here. Rather, Allyssa's reaction to danger is the focus. And the amount of aid she is willing to accept is admirable … for such a stubborn individual.
I'm not going to lie here: the beginning didn't pull me in. It was slow going at firs and the vigilante princess didn't appeal to me right off the bat. However, once we made some headway, I was hooked. I read whenever I had a free moment--and sometimes when I didn't. The characters were engaging and the plot made several revelations at a good pace.
This being part of a series, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment and am fairly certain I will enjoy it even more than CoD.
Overall, I'd have to say that this is an enjoyable read filled with characters who are given no easy decisions and who rise to the challenges set for them. There are equally strong male and females and their relationships were well worth reading about. Definitely recommended.
