"Today was the day a thousand dreams would die and a single dream would be born.The wind knew. It was the first of June, but cold gusts bit at the hilltop citadelle as fiercely as deepest winter, shaking the windows with curses and winding through drafty halls with warning whispers. There was no escaping what was to come." 
 Fast-paced and captivating, The Kiss of Deception ended the reading slump I had fallen into. I don't know how Mary E. Pearson does it, but this book sucks you in and doesn't let go. Princesses, princes, assassins, and fighting kingdoms reign throughout the pages AND IT'S SO ADDICTING. 
 The best part: the characters. The female protagonist, Lia, is amazing. She doesn't want to get married to some guy she's never met so she runs away with her best friend, Pauline, who is equally awesome. Not to mention, Lia is strong, witty, and kind. She's exactly what I want in a lead character. Also, the prince and the assassin have several chapters in their point of view; however, you don't know who's the assassin and who's the prince until it's too late. It keeps you guessing in the best way possible. 
 Warning: there is somewhat of a love triangle. I know this may throw some people off and normally I'm not the biggest fan BUT it's so well done. It's pretty clear from the beginning who she's leaning more towards and you don't know if the guy she favors is the prince or the assassin MUHAHAA. 
 And now I have to wait until 2015 for the sequel. SOBS.