Book Review: The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook

Book 1 in the Princess duology
Pages: 356
Publisher: Ace
Received: Bought
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, Special Shelf
Goodreads

Way back in 2012 I asked you for book recommendations based on my Special Shelf court fantasy favorites (think, Crown Duel, The False Prince, Poison Study, etc). Scarlett recommended The Decoy Princess, and she was fairly confident that I would love it, and she was absolutely right!

Seriously, this book has it all: court intrigue, a totally sleepover-worthy main character, a swoony slow burn romance with a guy who stands on his own as a worthwhile character, a swoony villain who is actually interesting in his own right, peril, fun side characters, chases, magic, horses, murder, impending war between kingdoms, ah this book has everything I love!

Even though the book ends pretty much midway through the overarching story (though not on a big cliffhanger—think The False Prince type of ending), I've been pushing off reading the sequel because I've been wanting to "save it." By this point, though, I really need to re-read the first book before starting in on the second because all the intrigue details are a little fuzzy now.

Which is totally fine because as a Special Shelf book I fully intend to re-read The Decoy Princess until my copy falls apart. It's that kind of love.

The Decoy Princess is written by "Dawn Cook" but really that's just another name used by the dark urban fantasy author Kim Harrison. I've never read anything under her Kim Harrison name, but I'm guessing the tone is very different. The writing style used in The Decoy Princess is extremely reminiscent of my other fantasy favorites Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith and The Conjurer Princess by Vivian Vande Velde. Basically, perfect for me.

Looking for another book like this? 

You might like (all the books mentioned above, and): 

 

Click on the covers to go to my reviews/Goodreads

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Waiting on Wednesday (21)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we all feature upcoming books we're eagerly anticipating.

I've altered things a little to include one book that hasn't come out yet and one that has already been published but I still haven't gotten around to reading yet.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook

Goodreads description of The Penderwicks at Point Mouette (May 10, 2011):

When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey.

That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor.  But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode?  Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune?  And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family?

It's a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!

Why I want to read it:  

Authors take note! This is the third book in a series and I practically need a paper back to stop my joyous hyperventilating at the thought of finally reading this book...AND THERE WERE NO CLIFFHANGERS INVOLVED! In fact, both the first and the second book in the series ended neatly as if they were standalone books. Yet I'm more excited to read the latest Penderwick installment than I am to find out the conclusion of most of the series I am in the middle of.

Why? Because this series is made of awesome, that's why. I want to be a Penderwick, but since that's not really possible, the next best thing is to read about another one of their utterly charming, hilarious, and heartwarming adventures. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then I highly advise you to drop whatever it is you're doing and go get yourself a copy of The Penderwicks (review).

 Product description of The Decoy Princess (November 29, 2005):

Princess Contessa of Costenopolie knows everything a royal should about diplomacy, self-defense, politics…and shopping. She ought to. She had every reason to believe that she was groomed to rule. But her next lesson is in betrayal.

The sudden arrival of her betrothed, a prince from the kingdom of Misdev, has forced Tess’s parents to come clean: She’s no princess. Their real daughter was raised in a nunnery for fear of assassins. Tess is nothing but a beggar’s child bought off the streets as an infant and reared as a decoy.

So what’s a royal highness to do when she discovers she’s a royal target? Ditch the Misdev soldiers occupying the palace, use magical abilities she didn’t even know she had, restore the real princess to the throne, and save her own neck! But first, Tess has to deal with the scoundrel who’s urging her to run away from it all, and the Misdev captain who’s determined to thwart her plans…

Why I want to read it:

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this plotline. Sure it’s not exactly original (though this book did come out six years ago), but who cares when it includes princesses (or decoy princesses), a kick butt female heroine, magic, courtly intrigue, assassins, and maybe (hopefully) romance? Sign me up, again, and again, and again!

Have any of you read either of these books? Would you recommend them? 
 

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