What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Kiss of Deception’

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Updated 06 May 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Kiss of Deception’

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  • The novel is written in a distinctive style, with Lia’s perspective telling the first half of the story and Rafe and Kaden’s narrative telling the second

Author: Mary E. Pearson

“The Kiss of Deception” by Mary E. Pearson, the first book in the “Remnant Chronicles” series, is a young adult fantasy novel published in 2014 that follows the story of Lia, the princess of the Kingdom of Morrighan. She is set to marry a prince from a neighboring country whom she has never met, but insted decides to run away on her wedding day.  

The plot thickens as Lia is on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets and finds herself falling in love. The book introduces a diverse cast of characters, including Lia’s best friend Pauline, and two young men named Rafe and Kaden, who have their own secrets and motives.  

The fantasy novel establishes the groundwork for an interesting and exciting story with a compelling plot and well-rounded characters.

The novel is written in a distinctive style, with Lia’s perspective telling the first half of the story and Rafe and Kaden’s narrative telling the second.

The story has more depth because of its narrative style, which gives readers a glimpse into the motivations and mindset of each character.

The reader is drawn into Morrighan’s world and kept interested in the plot by Pearson’s vivid and captivating language. The novel moves along at a good clip, with action and tension increasing throughout to provide a satisfying finish. The world-building is also well-crafted, with intricate details and a rich history that adds depth to the story.

However, the novel’s main mystery is solved early on, which takes a significant amount of the narrative’s tension and suspense away. Even while the world-building and character development are excellent, some readers might find it challenging to immerse themselves in the story completely due to its predictable plot.

As the characters work through a convoluted web of lies and covert objectives, “The Kiss of Deception” tackles many topics, including destiny, responsibility, adventure, love, and friendship. It also dives deeply into the theme of deception and secrets.

Readers are reminded of the value of self-discovery and remaining true to oneself despite social pressures and expectations through Lia’s journey.

“The Kiss of Deception” marked a notable contribution to the young adult genre, particularly in the realm of fantasy. The novel offers a unique take on the traditional princess story, with a strong and independent female protagonist who is not defined by her royal status.   

People of color are among the book’s varied array of characters, which is still uncommon in mainstream young adult fiction. All things considered, “The Kiss of Deception” is a unique and refreshing addition to the canon of young adult fantasy.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Doctors by Nature’ by Jaap De Roode

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Doctors by Nature’ by Jaap De Roode
Updated 21 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Doctors by Nature’ by Jaap De Roode

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Doctors by Nature’ by Jaap De Roode

Ages before the dawn of modern medicine, wild animals were harnessing the power of nature’s pharmacy to heal themselves.

“Doctors by Nature” reveals what researchers are now learning about the medical wonders of the animal world. In this visionary book, Jaap de Roode argues that we have underestimated the healing potential of nature for too long and shows how the study of self-medicating animals could impact the practice of human medicine.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Once More to the Lake’

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Updated 21 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Once More to the Lake’

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  • What makes the essay unforgettable is its quiet dread

E.B. White’s 1941 essay “Once More to the Lake” (from his collection “One Man’s Meat”) is a masterclass in how nostalgia can warp our grip on time.

Returning to a childhood vacation spot in Maine — now with his son in tow — White confronts a haunting truth: Places outlive people, even as they mirror our mortality.

At its heart, the essay is about doubling. Watching his son fish and swim in the same waters, White slips into a surreal haze torn between seeing himself as father and child. The lake’s stillness tricks him into believing nothing has changed — until modernity intrudes.

Those once-quiet mornings? Now punctured by motorboats, their “restless” engines churning the peace he remembers.

What makes the essay unforgettable is its quiet dread. White’s prose drips with tactile details: The “sweet chill” of a dawn swim, the scent of pine needles and the creak of old rowboats.

But this vividness sharpens the sting of his realization. In the final lines, a sudden rainstorm snaps the illusion. As his son buttons a raincoat, White feels time’s verdict: “Suddenly my groin felt the cold chill of death.”

Stylistically, White avoids grand pronouncements. Instead, he lets small moments — a dragonfly’s hover, the click of a fishing rod — carry the weight of existential awe.

Decades later, the essay still resonates. Why? Because we have all clung to a memory-place, willing it to defy time. White’s genius lies in showing how that very act binds us to life’s fleetingness.

For me, the most haunting takeaway is this: We are all temporary visitors to “fade-proof” landscapes. The lake remains. We do not.

 


What We Are Reading Today: John and Paul by Ian Leslie

What We Are Reading Today: John and Paul by Ian Leslie
Updated 20 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: John and Paul by Ian Leslie

What We Are Reading Today: John and Paul by Ian Leslie

Ian Leslie’s “John and Paul” traces the shared journey of John Lennon and Paul McCartney before, during and after The Beatles, offering us both a new look at two of the greatest icons in music history, and rich insights into the nature of creativity, collaboration, and human intimacy.

The two shared a private language, rooted in the stories, comedy and songs they both loved as teenagers, and later, in the lyrics of Beatles songs.


What We Are Reading Today: The Revolution to Come

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Updated 19 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Revolution to Come

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  • “The Revolution to Come” traces how evolving conceptions of history ushered in a faith in the power of revolution to create more just and reasonable societies

Author: Dan Edelstein

Political thinkers from Plato to John Adams saw revolutions as a grave threat to society and advocated for a constitution that prevented them by balancing social interests and forms of government.
“The Revolution to Come” traces how evolving conceptions of history ushered in a faith in the power of revolution to create more just and reasonable societies.
Taking readers from Greek antiquity to Leninist Russia, Dan Edelstein describes how classical philosophers viewed history as chaotic and directionless, and sought to keep historical change, especially revolutions, at bay.

 


What We Are Reading Today: Pronoun Trouble

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Updated 18 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Pronoun Trouble

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  • A prolific author of books on language, McWhorter continues to captivate readers with his trademark humour and flair

Author: John McWhorter

This concise overview of English pronouns covers various linguistic topics in an accessible manner. Author John McWhorter maintains a straightforward approach but incorporates engaging elements to keep the book captivating.

McWhorter’s writing style is consistently enjoyable.

He possesses a talent for simplifying complex concepts through humour and relatable examples from popular culture.

A prolific author of books on language, McWhorter continues to captivate readers with his trademark humour and flair. In this book, the renowned linguist and professor debunks myths and illuminates the history of the most contentious language topic: pronouns. McWhorter‚ presentation of linguistics and language evolution is clear, entertaining, and persuasive.