The Kiss of Deception / The Heart of Betrayal / The Beauty of Darkness

The Remnant Chronicles #1-3

by Mary E. Pearson

The New York Times-bestselling Remnant Chronicles from YA fantasy author Mary E. Pearson, now in a beautiful paperback boxed set for the first time.

Mary E. Pearson’s young adult series, The Remnant Chronicles, focuses on Lia, a princess who’s determined to change her preordained fate. Born into a highly traditional society, Lia decides to run away from home and an arranged marriage in The Kiss of Deception. While on the run, she encounters the prince she was promised to and an assassin who’s been sent to kill her. The three become bonded as they explore new kingdoms and meet new friends and enemies all while Lia wrestles with love, her loyalties to her home country, and tries to forge her own destiny.

Read all of The Remnant Chronicles:
The Kiss of Deception
The Heart of Betrayal
The Beauty of Darkness

“Packs a wallop . . . solid and absorbing high fantasy, with a sudden breathless hook to the next installment.” —Kirkus Reviews on the New York Times-bestselling The Heart of Betrayal

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Romantasy, Paranormal, Fiction

1500 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2018

About the author

Mary E. Pearson is the International and NYT bestselling and award-winning author of multiple novels including her adult debut novel, The Courting of Bristol Keats, about a woman from a small town who is unexpectedly plunged into a world of gods, fae, and monsters.

Her other books include The Remnant Chronicles—The Kiss of Deception, The Heart of Betrayal, and The Beauty of Darkness—and its spin-off duology Dance of Thieves and Vow of Thieves. Mary's awards and honors include the Golden Kite for fiction, ALA Best Books, NYPL Best Books, IRA Choice Books, YALSA Teens Top Ten, Arkansas and South Carolina Young Adult Book Awards, and her science-fiction novel, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, was an Andre Norton Award Finalist. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages world-wide.

As a child she loved reading about and living in fantasy worlds. They were a portal to possibility that provided both escape and power. These days she loves writing about those worlds for the same reasons. She totally believes in magic, because, as one of her characters once whispered to her, “What is magic, but what we don’t yet understand?”

When she is not creating dangerous fantasy worlds, she enjoys the relatively safe pleasures of travel, gardening, friends, and family. Visit Mary on Instagram @maryepearson for book news and updates.

Reviews

[Mads (book.wirm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put: wow. This series is absolutely incredible. I feel like a teenager again, just devouring one book after another and forsaking reality for a few days in favour of living in this beautifully complex and compelling world. I’m getting back into fantasy and this series serves as the perfect little reintroduction to the genre.

I love how clever Pearson’s style is, leaving you to make assumptions that you take for fact, then whipping the proverbial rug out from under you with her wicked reveals. Her world-building is also off the charts and the way Lia navigates the new worlds outside her kingdom is a joy to read. Learning new rules for different kingdoms is endlessly fascinating and I adore the way Lia’s status as a princess is presented. She’s knowledgeable about the workings of her people and intelligent enough to adapt to the workings of those who aren’t. Pearson’s ability to pull all of her carefully laid clues together truly never ceases to amaze me. I adore every excerpt from the lost texts, and the way Lia can seamlessly grow from princess to barmaid to prisoner to leader, almost imperceptibly.

Of course, the love-triangle is also a bit of fun but I love the way it’s not the main focus of the series. It’s also one of the best-resolved love-triangles I’ve ever encountered so that was a nice change! I won’t say much—BUT I ABSOLUTELY COULD—about the villain, but I’m obsessed with how intelligent and terrifying he is. Basically, Pearson sent me tumbling down a spiral staircase of emotions and all lovers of fantasy need to read these books asap.

Madi

[Darby Velazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were honestly AMAZING. The characters are so so good, great character development, amazing chemistry with the love interests, such a good plot, new fantasy I haven’t heard of. It was refreshing. I just fell in love instantly. These books honestly make me so happy. I haven’t felt this way about books since … well ever. They truly will have a special place in my heart.

[Alice McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie, I had some misgivings about this series in the beginning. I fully expected to put down the first book and never touch the series again, but Pearson reeled me back in at the last second. The Remnant Chronicles follows Princess Lia and her path to creating her own destiny apart from the one laid out for her. Many books have tackled the subject of destiny or fate, and after the first 100 or so pages of the first book I was fairly convinced that this series just didn’t have what it takes. But it was a charming story that at least had a somewhat decent love triangle, so I kept reading. And then I got hooked on that sweet sweet cliffhanger at the end of the first book. Thank goodness.

Throughout the entire series the characters all experience a maturing and sobering growth that leaves its reader both grateful for their growing responsibility and mourning the loss of their innocence. Princess Lia herself grows from a girl seeking meaning and romance to a regent charging into battle for her country, making sacrifices for her one true love: her people. Other characters such as Rafe and Kaden learn their own lessons about duty and forgiveness, and each of them struggles with the sacrifices they must make for the things they believe are important. They don’t change at the flip of a switch either. In fact, it’s such a gradual change that I was pleasantly surprised when I looked back on the series and realized that I had watched these main characters grow through their experiences. Each new reaction can be traced back to some event that happened to the characters throughout the course of the story.

As for the setting and world-building aspects of the series, The Remnant Chronicles begins in Morrighan, Princess Lia’s home country, which is a fairly practical country that prefers to stick to their long held traditions and calls themselves the chosen remnant. Through Lia’s best friend Pauline (and a few lines of poetry between chapters) we slowly learn about the world’s history and the mysterious ancients. While I won’t touch on the questions about the ancients that are answered within the series, I can say that it’s a nice background element to the story and serves as a warning to the characters that even the mightiest people can fall.

From Berdi’s tavern in Terravin, to Sanctum Hall in Venda, and all the way back to the citadelle in Civica, Pearson was an imagery beast. She brought her fantasy settings to life, which is just as well considering there were several references to the world itself being a breathing and knowing thing that guides the characters on their journeys through a sixth sense, called the gift.

In the end, I would rate this a 3-star book. I still think the first book was a little slow to get started and it felt like a bunch of silly teenagers slacking off while the political world moves around them. If I hadn’t hit that cliffhanger at the very end of the book I would have never come back for the second installment. But The Heart of Betrayal grabbed me by the collar and refused to let go until I walked away with the lesson it had to teach: “It has to be someone… Why not you?”

[Kaylee DG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-developed, adventurous, and action packed series. From book to book, the way the story changes is both unexpected and satisfying. The author takes you on a journey with the different character POVs, winding them together again and again.

Things I didn’t like were 1) The main romance. I was honestly rooting for Lia and Kaden by the 2nd book. Maybe I’m just a sucker for enemies to lovers but by the 2nd and 3rd book, Lia and Rafe just did not seem compatible. His loyalty towards her was beautiful of course but his lack of respect for the gift and his controlling nature turned me off. Kaden’s character development felt much more satisfying and I was hoping he and Lia would end up together. The ending between Lia and Rafe was very sweet and I appreciated how the author gave her more agency than simply marrying him and being his queen.

2) This could be because I listened to the audiobook versions of the books, but I did not follow the ancient remanant stories very well. The books following Venda, Morrighan, and Gaddrell (pardon any spelling errors) got mixed together in the way the excerpts at the beginning of some chapters were formatted. But they were still a great addition to the book. They added a fantasy and world-building element that made the story feel more grounded and exciting.

Overall, very enjoyable series and I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book to give myself a prologue of sorts to the Dance of Thieves Now I am a little bit scared to start that duology.

Honestly the only thing that kept me reading the series was hoping for a relationship with the Assasin (Kaden) and the promised love triangle. WHERE WAS IT?! Or did I skip a few chapters?? The way she clung onto Rade just wanted me to climb into the book and shake some sense into her, but no. Lia keeps clinging onto Rafe >:(

The second book was actually pretty good, the plot was enjoyable. BUT STILL NOTHING WITH KADEN. But then the 3rd book. Now I wanted the relationship to be with the Komizar, but still nothing. I was hoping really bad. But oh well.

Okay, I know thos series is supposed to be all about her finding her own way, but at least sneak a little bit of romance. Im not asking for much :(

(i might be asking for much)

Otherwise I kinda enjoyed Lia, she seemed like that annoying friend that you just want to keep around. STILL ANGRY ABOUT KADEN THOUGH. The plot was really easy to read and the descriptions were to die for (so thank you for that)

I was kidding about the Dance of Thieves its on my tbr list for the past month :)

[Alicia Kacer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book at FIRST. Lia had some major character development as well as Kaden which i love in a book. The characters were well developed and the story itself is amazing. However, my one and only reason i give this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I think Lia should have ended up with Kaden. I was so angry that she didn't. I do like Rafe as a character, but I feel that throughout the book Lia and Kaden developed together and had a better understanding of each other than Rafe and Lia.

[Fay Tannerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars!
I really enjoyed this series. It was awesome with twist and turns at every corner. Filled with strong and interesting characters and even a love triangle, this was definitely one of my favorite trilogies. I loved the plot and the details of Lia's mesmerizing world. I would definitely recommended this trilogy to fans of fantasy novels.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one that I can read over and over again. A story of a princess running away from an arranged marriage. The prince who follows after, and a secret assassin who has a change of heart. This series has it all!

[Aubrey Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is your typical YA storyline. Love story. Mission impossible. You know the drill.

BUT the details of this book are the magic. The small parts that don’t necessarily build the storyline, but build the main character are so so so damn good. So worth reading. So unique to this series.

[Amé Lambrechts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… just wow. Thats the only way to describe these books, they are absolutely amazing. It made me cry, laugh, smile and mad. The romance in the books are incredible. Well written and definitely thought through. Such good books, definitely read them

[Letty M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the best series! I secretly hope they make this story into a movie one day❤️

[Red Panda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kiss of Deception (book 1) 2.5 Stars- Perhaps listening rather than actually reading changes a person's perspective of a book, though I have conflicted feelings on Lia's story. The Kiss of Deception follows Lia, a defiant princess who flees to avoid an arranged marriage and shares of her new life away from the crown. Apparently this marriage is designed to force an alliance between two kingdoms, though the reason is unclear as is Lia's gift, the sight (or lack of). While I will at least finish book one, I do not think the information on alliances versus enemies and intensions is clear. Nor do I think the kept secrets add to the depth of the story; instead, they are simply frustrating. Further, I think it is too long and should reach certain milestones and revelations sooner. At least I finally understand who is her betrothed and who is her assassin. I am able to anticipate the potential of the remainder of the series and will, for the time being, continue.

The Heart of Betrayal (book 2) 3 Stars- Continuing to listen to Lia's journey from princess to waitress to prisoner, book two shows her growth as a person while struggling with divided loyalties. Rafe has her heart, but Morrighan has her history. Destined to lead rival kingdoms, can their relationship survive taking a backseat to royal obligations? Will stereotypical gender divides be their ultimate downfall? New friends are made, while the need to protect old friends remains a constant whisper. For the foreseeable future, loyalty to each of their kingdoms takes precedence over love. Further, I grew tired of men seeking confirmation from Rafe rather than giving Leah the respect she deserves and of Rafe making decisions for her, despite his good intensions.

The Beauty of Darkness (book 3) 4 Stars- Like a fine wine, The Remnant Chronicles get better with age (progression). In book three, The Beauty of Darkness, Lia must formulate a plan to save her kingdom of Morrighan before the komisar destorys it. Rafe grants Lia her freedom, the one thing that Kaden never gave her. Half way through I speculate the Komisar will capture Morrighan, but will Lia survive to get word to Rafe before Dalbreck becomes his next victim? Will she want to? And may she convince those who wish her dead to fight alongside her (to save a rival kingdom)?

Notes:
(1) Prediction: If this series continued, Pauline and Kaden would rule Venda thus allowing Lia to be with Rafe in Dalbreck.
(2) Throughout the series of The Remnant Chronicles, despite having multiple narrators, often within the same chapter, the lead female narrator also read for secondary male characters and it is painfully obvious and unfortunate. I cannot stand the attempts to have one person speak distinctly for multiple voices. It fails each time. Please note this is not unique to this series.
(3) Kingdom = Dalbreck (pronounced as such) and also pronounced as Dalbrech

[Sophia Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I really enjoyed this series.
The plot was quite alluring, and I was so excited to read it, but I did get rather bored with it at first. I was so disappointed! But I kept reading, and I'm so glad I did! During the first half of the kiss of deception, I think I just got too confused by the different POVs and the story's intention. And then enter the plot twist and cliffhanger at the end, and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book! Mary E. Pearson created an enchanting story with endearing characters, and of course, she wrote it in such a magical way. I mean, that twist? I loved the way she wrote the POVS, though it was confusing (as I said) it really did make the plot so much more enticing. I'm not gonna lie, I did sometimes find myself a little put off by the "girlpower-ness" of Lia's character, but what can I say? The conclusion of the book was a little unsatisfying, especially after all that, but it does leave room for imagination and allows the reader to create their own happily ever after. Overall, such a captivating tale, and if you're looking for thrilling series to keep you on the edge of your seat, I would suggest!

[Hope Gramm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly amazing tale set in a wonderfully complex world. Pearson does a spectacular job at weaving complicated relationships together with political and cultural details. The depth of the hidden histories and how interconnected they are is breathtaking.
Following Lia's character growth and puzzling out who is the prince and who is the assassin are some of the most fulfilling parts. As the title may suggest, there are multiple deceptions throughout this story, however they are not without proper consequence. The romance is well-crafted, prominent but balanced out with the discovery of self and coming-of-age. I would love a complete work with the writings of Venda, Gaudier and Morrighan and I'm sure other fans would agree. This is an amazing series that draws you in and keeps you engaged.

[Toni Suzuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this whole series pretty quickly back-to-back on audio, so I'm reviewing it as a whole rather than as individual books.

The series is nearly ten years old now, but I'd say it holds up pretty decently. There were a few elements that betrayed its age, but I still think it's a good read.

Out of the three books, I enjoyed the first the most. I figured out which boy was which fairly early on, but it was still fun to follow the story to the reveal near the end. The other two books were more brutal than I expected, but in a compelling way. That being said, I don't think this is a series that will stick with me, though it might've if I'd been able to read it as a teen.

[Anna Katalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first an last book that I physically wasn't able to put down. I was reading it when I woke up, during breakfast, lunch, dinner... I devoured it in a day or two! Same with the other volumes.

This book is unreal. The way it's written drags you into a whole other dimension and locks you up. I haven't found a book written as mesmerizingly as this one. I have no words to describe it, and too many to summarize at the same time!

It makes you feel like a teenager, an adult, a child, and an elder at the same time. I can't possibly tell you enough how perfect this series is. Read it, and pray you get over it one day <3

[Isabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars out of 5
She should’ve ended up with Kaden or nobody. I really thought things were done between her and Rafe, and I feel like the ending would have been better if he didn’t come back. How is that relationship gonna work? I also felt that Kaden and Pauline’s relationship was rushed and just a convenient way to end the love triangle. Also, why did nobody important die? It was all randoms and I would have preferred some dramatic deaths to spice things up. Pauline should’ve died 🤷🏽‍♀️Gwyneth was a baddie as always, wish there was more of her. This series was a 7.5/10

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was gonna be a series I eventually never finished. I hate love triangles, but for whatever reason, I finished the first book. Then I needed to find out what happens next. The third book was what I wanted! All the peril, a waging war, love set aside, for a few minutes. My favorite was the constant message of hope for peace between rivals.

[sarahthebibliomania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series had me daydreaming all kinds of scenarios in my head. It even had me reading whilst I was at family events! It’s simply one of the best series that I’ve gotten the chance to read and I definitely recommend it.

[Taralee Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot begin to explain how much I adored this series! It was very difficult for me to wait to get the next book from the library. I love the mystery of the first book, and the character growth through the series.

[Maybe]

I could not stand the FMC this girl was annoying asf. MATTER A FACT I HATED ALLLLL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE. I swear the whole time this bitch crying. Like bro plz stop😒 crying won’t fix shit I can tell ya that much ho. I want my life back from this garbage ass series.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, but wouldn't recommend it for the school library. 2 main characters have sex twice in the 2nd or 3rd book. (not detailed). The 2nd and 3rd books also talk more about prophecies and visions and Lia being a savior. Too many Biblical ties.

[Angelica Ibarreta · Rating 1 out of 5]

i gave it a Shot, but the character development of the female Main character is Just so slow. i've reached 2nd book without the Protagonist manifesting great Power. Lot of talkings and less action. boring.

[Chelsea Steyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative, consistent “world development,” complicated/engaging characters and surprising plot twists. I enjoyed all three!

[Carmen]

Amazing romance and action. kind of expended but not...

[Andrea Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome trilogy! Didn't want the story to end, and kept me interested all the way! Look forward to read more of the authors books :)

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it but wouldn't recommend it.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Just read them

[Sara Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of this entire series. Every single sentence.

[layla sarai &#x1faf6;&#x1f3fd; · Rating 4 out of 5]

very solid 4 star series for me...just didn't get that 5 star feeling 🤷🏽‍♀️😭