Queen of Deception

This book is the great start to what promises to be a very interesting series. The premise is unique, and I like how the author is developing the cast of characters. I am very interested in seeing where things go from here. The main character has a lot of opportunity to improve the world around her, and as she consolidates her status in her new world, I see great opportunity for her. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Incredible storytelling, this book will draw you in and have you wish for more. I can honestly say that I feel sad to have completed this first installment and I’m yearning for more. The main heroine is orchestrated perfectly, synchronizing parts of her past life into her current fictionalized embodiment. How cleverly crafted the plot is to incorporate complex elements in a way that flows beautifully. The character relationships/interactions develop nicely as you read. This book hits all the right notes for a fantastic fantasy and keeps your interest. Nothing plain or simple, quite entrancing. Definitely a storyline that will grasp on to its readers and pull them in, (hopefully not in their next life, haha), although I wouldn’t mind meeting some of the main protagonists! If you enjoy fantasy settings with charming characters and a plot that has you turning the page to learn more, this should definitely be on your list.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

When I saw that this book was inspired by the manga/manhua/manhwa with the isakei'd theme I was ecstatic. I had not seen a novel have this sort of theme attached. Mostly seen in Asian comics but never tried out in American novels. So, this was exciting to see.

Our female lead has died in her real life and has been reincarnated into a character from her favorite novel, The Cruel Kingdom. Her character, a young princess named Emilia also known as the Cursed Princess, was destined to share the same fate as her own family, but with her knowledge of the novel's plot, she uses it to her advantage - gather her own network of people and offer the information on her family to the one destined to kill them - Thessian, Duke of Darkgate.

As she navigates through this novel, she must use her knowledge of the book's details in order to continue widening her alliance while making good on her promise to make Thessian the future king of Hellion.

But as she uses the storyline to her advantage, things are starting to change in the novel, characters never mentioned have begun to appear and the novel's story is beginning to change altogether.

It is finally nice to find a strong female character in the fantasy genre. It is essential for diversifying and enriching the stories and characters in the genre. It helps break gender stereotypes and encourages inclusivity, ultimately leading to a more significant and engaged audience.

It is true that strong female leads are not always found in the Isakei realm. More often than not, they are relegated to supporting roles or are portrayed as heartless villains that need to be vanquished.

However, Emilia is an exception to this rule. She defies the stereotypical portrayal of female characters in this genre. Instead of being a passive participant in her own story, she is an active character who takes charge of her own destiny.

In addition, while romance does play a significant role in the Isakei genre, it is refreshing to see that it is not the only driving force in Emilia's story. Her character development is not solely focused on her relationship with the male lead, but rather, on her experiences and growth as an individual.

Regarding the assumption that romance may begin to appear in the second novel, it is entirely possible. However, it is also essential to note that the Isakei genre is not solely focused on romantic relationships. Therefore, it would be interesting to see how the author chooses to develop Emilia's story in future installments.

Final Thought:

To finally have Isakei coming into American fantasy novels is wonderful to see. I hope that this book will encourage other American writers to dip their toes into this particular genre. I would love to see it grow.