Queen of Deception

Empire of Shattered Crowns #1

by May Freighter

If you were offered a second life, would you take it?

Emilia died. She thought it was all over but then she opens her eyes and realizes she’s a child with all the memories of her past life and her eidetic memory intact.

Not just that. She’s now living in a medieval world that resembles her favourite fantasy novel—The Cruel Empire. Instead of being a main character, she’s reborn into the role of a princess fated to die before the age of eighteen.

As years go by, and she realises she’s not waking from a dream, she settles into her new life with only a goal in mind—survival.

Having years ahead of her before her new life is cut short, Emilia pulls the strings and builds a network of friends that will help her with her goal—stop Prince Thessian from killing her with the rest of her despicable family and make him her ally.
If she can do this, she can rule to improve her kingdom’s conditions and support Thessian’s goal to become emperor of the neighbouring empire.

But when a side character messes with the main plot, what will happen to Emilia’s future now that she has no idea of what other events she has set in motion?

Find out in Queen of Deception, a thrilling Fantasy Novel by May Freighter.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Young Adult, Royalty, Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

246 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2023

About the author

May Freighter is an award-winning, internationally bestselling author from Ireland. She writes Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Sci-Fi Mysteries that will keep you entertained, mystified, and hopefully craving more. Currently, she's attempting to parent two little monsters and hasn't slept in over 4 years.

Who needs sleep these days, anyway?

On days when May can join her fictional characters on an adventure, stars must align in the sky and meteors will probably rain down. So keep an eye out.

Her hobbies are photography, drawing, plotting different ways of characters' demise, and picking up toys after her kids. Not exactly in that order, either.

Sign up to May's Urban Fantasy Newsletter and get DESIRED for free here!

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Website: https://authormayfreighter.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/May-Freighter/...
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/authormayfre...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayfreighter/

*****
HELENA HAWTHORN SERIES:
- Alexander: Memoirs (Prequel)
- Russian Roulette
- Demon Gates
- Crumbling Control
- Desired (Spin-off Novella)
- Alexander: Monochrome Interview
- Fated Origins
- Cherished (Spin-off Novella)
- Dark Affiliations
- Blood Witch
- Twisted Truths
- TBA

*****
ANNALISE STORM CHRONICLES:
- Case: 0
- Case: 1
- Case: 2

*****
EMPIRE OF SHATTERED CROWNS
- Queen of Deception
- Queen of Ashes
- Queen of Hope
- Queen of Hearts
- Queen of Dante (Release Sept 30, 2024)
- Queen of Vows (TBA)

Reviews

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟
When I read the description, I was instantly reminded of all the reincarnation Manhwas I read online (and offline).
And if you imagine the whole story/book as a Manhwas aka in pictures it works perfectly.
But: I think it’s way too short and the ending was abrupt and had a weird cliffhanger.

Characters 🌟🌟🌟
I think the author did a good job with the characters, but because of the short length of the book they were rather simple.
Still, they had personality in some way.
But in my opinion the introduction of too many side characters made it seem like the book would be longer than it was. Which made the ending more abrupt.

Relationship 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I liked that Emilia had all these loyal people around her.
There’s no direct romance (yet). But a lot of found family.

Writing 🌟🌟🌟
The writing itself seemed simple, but fast paced.
It’s written in multiple POVs which is entertaining and shows the story from different perspectives.
All in all I think the book could’ve been longer instead of dividing it into more than one.
Still, I enjoyed it.

[Once Upon a Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Deception is a YA fantasy story about reincarnation into a fantasy, ancient era novel. It has three pov's and while I usually am not a fan of that, it works amazingly well for this book. The storyline is intriguing, intense and I love the hints to other creatures and magical elements! The writing reads away smoothly and pulls you in right from the start. The story picks up right off the bat and is more fast than medium paced, which I personally prefer in a book! It works well and despite the fast pace is has plenty of depth. There is hints to romance but they are too vague to tell who's interested in who, and I actually adore that.

The prince and his second in command, basically any interactions between them give me life! I kind of ship them 😂 Though I don't think that they are gay/bisexual, I would genuinely absolutely adore it if they are.

This book has so many elements and I loved all diverse characters from the start! I recommend everyone to read this book. Personally I can't wait to read more! 📖✨

[rachel ♡ chapterswithrae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen of Deception is a young adult fantasy novel with comedic elements. May Freighter pulled me in right away and left me wanting more at the end!

Thank you May Freighter for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my fair and unbiased review!

What I loved:
- The pacing was perfect. It was fast, engaging, and held my attention.
- The cast of characters was so great! I loved Emilia as a FMC - she was cunning, intelligent, and overall badass. She kept me on my toes, and I was impressed by her strength, both mentally and physically.
- The supporting cast was amazing tbh. I loved Lionhart, Ambrose, Cali, Clayton, Sir Rowell… all of them! They were dependable, lovable, and kept the plot moving.
- The premise of the plot was very interesting. While the idea living inside of a book is not uncommon, Freighter took this idea to a new level with inserting Emilia into a book as a main player who could shape the future of the book. This was super cool and I look forward to where this goes!

Room to improve:
- I wish we had more insight into how Emilia died in her first life, how or why she got reincarnated, and how she ended up in the Kingdom of Dante.

Overall, I was quite pleased with Queen of Deception and am rating it 4.25 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4 for Goodreads.) This rating is equivalent to “this was very entertaining and I’d recommend it to others!” on my personal rating scale. This is perfect for fantasy readers who want something fast-paced, engaging, and lighthearted.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy always has my heart and the info blurb pulled me to read this. Can we just talk about how Emilia is a kick butt FMC straight off the bat, I mean doing her research and literally doing anything to change her fate. The multiple POV helped build the storyline in a unique way, it also builds to surprise you about a character butttt no spoilers! It is a great read!

I received this ARC for free and am leaving this voluntarily. All thoughts/opinions above and my own!

[Erica Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my days! I loved this. What a brilliant idea and such a clever twist on the fantasy genre. The book has complex plots, well rounded characters with believable motivations that link to their actions and a fast paced narrative that makes you wonder how the author has managed to weave all the elements together so beautifully.

I’m shattered today, after reading the whole book in one sitting. Can’t wait to start the second book as soon as I’ve posted this review!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.

It releases on Amazon on 31st August. 😊

Ever since she reincarnated into a fantasy novel she once read—The Cruel Empire—as a pitiful side character, Emilia was desperate to change her fate.

Firstly, I just want to say that the cover for this book is stunning. I am an absolute magpie for covers!

The premise of QoD, as above is that Emilia once a modern day girl, finds herself reincarnated in her favourite book. Now, I’ve not read anything like this for a while and the story itself is something I really liked.

Emilia as a character, I genuinely liked. The fact she went out of her way to change the path she was given by The Cruel Empires author, is really cool imo. The way she manoeuvres and explains herself is well done.

Thessian our MMC is someone I’d have liked to see more of. He has his POV’s and his story is explained, I just wish there was a little more depth with his character. He’s likeable though, don’t get me wrong.

In terms of how I rated this book, I gave it a 3.5/5. It was a quick read and I did want to know what happened. The issues for me are that I wished there was more development in certain areas. Emilia’s youth and when she realised she was in her favourite book, would have been great to read about imo. There’s also brief explanations about how when she was younger she did certain things to help set her ideas into motion, (I don’t want to be specific here because spoilers) that I would have loved to have had more detail also.

In terms of the writing, I think it sometimes comes across a little blunt. Which a lot may be absolutely ok with! Just for me, I feeling fully immersed into my story and bluntness can pull me out of it a little.

All in all, I think this is a good read. I liked it and if it had more depth in the storyline it would have easily been a 4/5 for me! I’d still rec it though for anyone who wants a quick fantasy read because again, who wouldn’t want to be dropped in their favourite book?!

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read for anyone who’s looking for something new and refreshing.

I had never read a “reincarnation” story but I absolutely loved this one.

The world building was very well done. I also really liked the main character. She is very funny and honestly, so relatable.

The action starts from the first page and had me instantly hooked.

I also loved the politics of this fantasy world, as they were really thought out.

I can’t wait for the next book!

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Queen of Deception” by May Freighter is a riveting tale set in a medieval fantasy world, full of intrigue, betrayal, and political maneuvering. The novel follows the story of Emilia, a seventeen-year-old princess who is determined to change her fate, considered cursed by the Church of the Holy Light since birth. Emilia’s character is a blend of strength, intelligence, and resilience, making her an engaging protagonist in this high-stakes narrative. Emilia’s partnership with Thessian Alexey Hellios, the second prince of an enemy empire, is central to the story. Her decision to aid him in overthrowing her father’s kingdom and taking over as regent showcases her bold and strategic mind. Freighter does an excellent job of building a complex relationship between Emilia and Thessian, filled with tension and mutual distrust that evolves as the story progresses.

The novel excels in its intricate plot and detailed world-building. The author has created a vivid, believable medieval fantasy world where alliances are fragile, and deception is a common tool for survival. Emilia’s reincarnation into the novel “The Cruel Empire” with memories of her past life adds an intriguing twist to the story, as she uses this knowledge to influence events and aid Thessian’s rise to power.

The secondary characters, such as Lionhart and Sir Laurence Oswald, add depth to the story. Emilia’s relationship with Lionhart and her willingness to sacrifice her shoulder in a duel to win his support demonstrate her commitment to her goals. The discovery of the betrayal of their political ally and the unfolding plot against Thessian by his brother adds layers of intrigue and suspense.

Freighter skilfully handles the action sequences, particularly the funeral procession attack and the assassination attempt in Emilia’s bedchambers. These scenes are well-executed, showcasing Emilia’s combat skills and her ability to outmaneuver her enemies. The addition of the assassin from House Escariot and his pledge of allegiance to Emilia is a fascinating development, highlighting the complexity of alliances in this world.

As the new Queen of Dante, Emilia faces challenges from various factions, including the duke who wishes to dethrone her. Her cunning and intelligence are on full display as she navigates these obstacles, further establishing her as a formidable ruler.

Overall, “Queen of Deception” is a captivating read, offering a perfect blend of fantasy, action, and political intrigue. May Freighter has crafted a compelling narrative with a strong female lead, making it a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre. The novel is a testament to the author’s storytelling prowess and her ability to create a rich, immersive world.

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
“She will do anything to survive.”

Emilia was in her twenties when she passed but did she really?🤔

She ends up being reincarnated into a fantasy novel she has read many times in her past life.

Her position isn’t the best and for years she’s planned a way to get her freedom back.

I guess it’s pretty easy when you’re thrown into a novel you’ve read before and know exactly what’s going to happen.

Emilia has gained some power and making changes to the ending of the story. She realizes that she’s now changed the future and it won’t be as easy as she assumed. Plans have to be changed, more danger is upon them, and a few men have caught Emilia’s eye.

“Your shoulder is not a great cushion, Sir Laurence. Next time, you have my permission to use your thigh.”
Sir Laurence is known as the one that all the ladies fall to their feet for. The prince’s second in command. His nightmare kept me on my toes and I wonder if we will find out more about that in the series.

“I never expected us to share our most intimate secrets when we made that deal in your tower.”
Prince Thessian put his trust in Emilia’s plan and they created a deal. His big heart and how much he cares for others does not go unnoticed but he is a warrior as well.

“What was that? If my looks are above average, you would let me have your first time?”
Clayton! Okay, I loved him right off the bat. The test had me laughing so hard at this part of the book. I feel like there is more to his story and can’t wait to learn about it.

I’m actually a big fan of Sir Laurence, Prince Thessian, and Clayton. Can she just have them all? Lol nothing wrong with a why choose.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Book 2! So many twists and turns. I could not put this book down! I already grabbed that ARC so my review will be coming soon.

Thank you Booksprout for the free EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts.

[Anne Bollmann (Annelise Lestrange) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I loved this plot from the second I've read the blurb of "Queen of Deception" ! I think we all have wondered, at least once, how it would be to live inside our favorite novel, movie or show.

Emilia, reborn as a safeguarded princess after her death in the "real world", gets her second chance in her favorite novel. Having knowledge of how things will play off, she spends her "new life" preparing and waiting for the right moment to escape trouble and, just maybe, grow old this time.

But when Emilia notices that her actions change the original "plot", she has to trust her instincts to survive and suddenly this isn't a game anymore. NOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW AWESOME THIS IS????

I bonded with Emilia a lot, as I used to pretend I lived inside the Lord of the Rings movies when I was a child (and Lord knows why, as nowadays I'd like to live inside a spa ad LMAO). She's a strong protagonist that doesn't fear risks, as she already died once. It's amazing.

Another cool thing is that we get different third person points of view through the book, allowing us to understand character's motivation better. I'm in love with Thessian, to be honest.

If you like fantasy, strong females, swoony males with just a hint of mystery and suspense, this book will be your favorite, as it is mine now. I can't wait to start book 2!

[Nikkolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just emerged from the captivating world of Queen of Deception by May Freighter, and WOW, what an exhilarating journey it has been! This novel presents one of the coolest and most imaginative concepts I've come across: a girl's untimely demise leads her to wake up as a character in her favorite novel.

May Freighter weaves a mesmerizing tale where our protagonist possesses foreknowledge of the story's events, the characters' personalities, and their well-hidden secrets. With this newfound awareness, she embarks on an enthralling mission to alter the narrative's course.

The author's skillful storytelling and seamless blend of fantasy and reality immerse the reader deeply into the pages, making it a truly engaging experience.

Queen of Deception left me craving more! I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment, and I'm certain that May Freighter has more surprises in store for us.

A special shout-out to May for providing me with the ARC. Thank you for gifting me this unforgettable journey! I absolutely loved it, and I'm excited to share this gem with my fellow bookworms!

[Neevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed!

And a little peeved at that Cliffhanger!!!!
Wonderful story that I just cannot wait to continue.
The characters are distinct and well written, they each have a personality all their own. Each individual focus or POV gives us a fun insight into the thoughts of the characters, and their reactions and emotions around the evocative plot.
I love a good isekai, and this one is really good!

Lovable MC who gets a new lease on life, making use of her knowledge from her previous life, and giving us all giggles at the fangirl moments. My fellow fanfiction fans will get a kick out of some parts.
Many interesting side characters and possible love interests or allies, as well as enemies.
I look forward to seeing it all progress!!

I need ship names for the character pairings now haha

[Simoné Wolmarans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found myself on several occasions saying “I really like this book.”

The concept - being reincarnated into your favorite fantasy novel - is just absolutely brilliant and I love that Emilia knows all these things about the characters and they have no idea what’s going on.

It is filled with amazingly written characters, intrigue, mystery and secrets and there is definitely some sort of love story on the rise, I can just not yet figure out between who!! Haha I hope it’s Thessian though.

I loved the vibe and feel of this book. It truly feels like you’re in that world watching these characters go about their plotting and intricate decision making.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!

[Utena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An American version of the Isakei'ed Universe? SIGN ME UP! (ARC Version)

5/5

a reader's guide to books and reviews | Pillowfort | Bookbub | LibraryThing | The Story Graph | livejournal | Litsy

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was sad that I finished it so fast and didn't have the next book with me.

What would happen if your biggest wish (living in your favorite fantasy book) got answered? But instead of being the main character you get reincarnated into the story as a side character that dies early on. But you have all your memories from your real life and decide to use your knowledge and survive instead. Well that's exactly what happens in this book.

I highly recommend reading this series if you are a fantasy reader.

My only suggestion is make SURE you have the next book ready as it end on a cliffhanger.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read with an unusual story scenario. May Freighter, the author, has a smooth writing style. The main characters are well imagined. Nice humour and banter. This is the sort of easy read fantasy that suits me down to the ground. Unfortunately, the book ends with a cliff-hanger. Good news I’m looking forward to more from this author and the characters introduced in Queen of Deception. Thank you to May Freighter and BookSirens for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Queen Of Deception was a really entertaining read. It was rather short, yet filled with plot and characters. The premise is intriguing, since the heroine is reincarnated and thrown into a magical world she read about in a novel. Now, she needs to try and find her place in this new world, and she is so good at it. There is no romance in the first installment but I guess we will see more in the following books. I cannot wait to go onto the next one!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love books about magic, fantasy, royal families? Don’t miss this one!
This story is about Emilia, who passes away, only to wake up in her favorite book. As her character is fated to die, Emilia has to change her story so she can survive. Can she make foes into friends, can she save herself? Read the book to find out 😉
This series gets better with every book and has me on the edge of my seat to what happens next. The 5th one is out for pre-order now and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Nicole Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great world building and character development. The premise of the book has me thinking non stop which of the many books that I have read would I want to be reincarnated into!! Very strong female characters without making them awful. You get enough of each character’s story to decide how you feel about them and honestly Emilia is a badass and I will be patiently waiting for the next book!!.

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

[Jill Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every fantasy book is a different story, and this is no exception. I really enjoyed this one. After Emilia dies, she wakes up as at 18 year old girl. She secretly makes friendships with those in her castle and builds alliances as well as learns to make her own money. Emilia is a strong young woman as it appears she has died over and over again and has gained more knowledge that any of them would be aware of. She's learned to take care of herself but also take care of the people.

[Paul Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Anaïsu Anaïsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page-turner this book is. I read it in one sitting and now I'm devasted because I want to keep reading about these fantastic characters and amazing world.

Love the FMC, the storyline, and the rest of the characters. I got it for the cover I stay for the story.

An Epic Read. Highly recommend it!

[Ashley Birkenhauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader. I am a lover of all things fantasy and this was just awesome. I love how the FMC is aware of what will happen and is doing everything she can to avoid it. The MMC was great but would have loved more in depth to him. The overall story was fantastic and I look forward to more from this author.

[Ainsely Layden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down it always had my attention. I love how there are a few different points of view. I like how you can see the story from each person. The writing of the story went so perfectly together. Any question I had was answered in the next part. I can't wait to read more from this author.

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

[Paula lily · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as I liked the description of the book, the book started just as the description was written. I mean that I felt like the book could use a bit more easing into the plot rather than just starting at the depth of the plot. This made it really hard to connect to characters and the plot in general. Otherwise the writing was alright, I just struggled with the plot.

[Dawn M. Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story draws you into the book, every character is interesting and they each character have a clever history of their own. Wonderful book I can't wait for the next book in the series! If they make this into a movie it would be a blockbuster.

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

[MRS C MARSHALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book and giving my honest review.
What a great book, plenty going on, magic, twist, what an adventure.
The book is really interesting from start to end.
Not spoiling you have to read for yourself. I am sure you will enjoy it. Left on a cliff hanger.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO excited to receive this book and I highly enjoyed it! Action, suspense, romance, and swords?! YES! Such a good book and I look forward to the next one!!.

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

[Hunter Miller ~ "The world is cruel, but I am crueler." · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading Queen of Deception, I was hooked. I was so excited to learn more about Emilia, Thessian, and Laurence. As it went on and we met new characters, I was devouring the writing style, but the only thing I think was lacking was character development. We see a lot of story continuation and not enough background information. As this book is the story of our protagonist, Emilia, and how she is reincarnated into her favorite fantasy novel, the Cruel Empire, she knows how the story ends. As she changes her fate of death before the age of 18 and becomes the queen of Dante, she learns more about the world around her, but she still never forgets her previous life.
Laurence was probably my favorite character, though I liked them all. Despite being Prince Thessian's personal guard, he was always a light character and sometimes slightly immature.
I loved seeing Laurence and Thessian's unbreakable bond, though what I would like to know is how they met and how they both came to be.
This concludes my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for supplying me with this beautiful ARC.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book