Deception's Pawn (Princesses of Myth) (Deception's Princess, #2)

by Esther Friesner

[inlibrisveritas]

Deception’s Pawn picks up shortly after Deception’s Princess leaves off, with Princess Maeve entering into fosterage at Lord Artegal’s home in hopes of finding Ea again and of preventing her father in using her as a pawn piece.

Maeve is still that fiery girl who would willingly chase down a bull to prove a point, but she’s faced with new challenges during her fosterage and they are unlike anything she’s faced before. She makes new friends in her foster sisters, but learns that not all friends are so easily tendered and kept as she had hoped. I loved seeing her weather through cruelties and jests, and it was nice to see that held her own in her own way. She’s incredibly diplomatic and has a good head on her shoulders, and despite making mistakes she always seeks to correct them when she is able. Plus Maeve is capable, intelligent, and willing to go that extra length to make sure her people are happy. She task risks, some of them a bit brash, but she always tries to do what she thinks is right. My one complaint about this situation with her foster sisters is that I would have loved to see them form a stronger bond, because there are too few books out there with strong female friendships that are not tainted with underhanded insults and catty-ness.

Maeve also has to deal with the hearts of two young men, which is deftly tries to fend off at every available opportunity and finds herself unsure of her resolve. Kian and Conchobar are both rather full of themselves, and like to mark territory, but Maeve has them stumped. Every loaded compliment is met with humor and a change of subject, and in the end I think I warmed up to the two of them. Despite their rather brash nature at times both are incredibly caring in their own ways, though they could probably work on it a bit more. That being said there is no true love triangle in this, and I appreciate the inclusion of these boys and the way Maeve handled each moment of self doubt, confusion, and attraction with poise and dignity.And that ending! It’s so fitting for Maeve and everything she works to stand for!

I am so glad I recieved both of these books for review because I’ve found a new author. Esther Friesner has such rich and detailed writing that the story simply draws you in and before you know it you’re done and looking for more! I would say that Deception’s Pawn is an excellent finish to the duology, and though I’m said to see Maeve’s story end I’m really happy I got the chance to read it.