"Excellent fantasy"
She grew up believing she was Princess Contessa of
Costenopolie, but when her betrothed Prince Garrett,
second son of the King of Misdev, arrives unannounced,
her "parents" tell her the truth that she is not a royal
only a foundling. They admit that their real daughter is
safe in a monastery while Tess has grown up as the target
of assassins. Garrett, coveting his own kingdom, kills
Tess' parents and sends his men to assassinate the real
princess and Chancellor Kavenlow, who has helped keep Tess
safe all these years. Tess escapes to a tavern where she wins a stake at cards
that she hopes to use towards warning Kavenlow whom she
loves like a father and the real princess about the danger
Garrett poses. One of the card players, Duncan is a cheat,
but with no options, Tess teams up with him until
Garrett's man Captain Jeck captures her with instructions
to bring her back to the castle. She escapes and meets up
with Duncan again. Together they warn Kavenlow; who
confesses that he and Jeck are the real powers behind the
thrones and that he raised Tess to be his apprencice.
However before she can make any plans for the future, she
and her allies must dispose preferably without killing
Garrett. Dawn Cook is one of the brightest new stars in the fantasy
genre. Her characters are believable which insures her
otherworldly settings feel real too. There is plenty of
action once Garrett sets in motion his devious plot, a
touch of romance, and a ton of intrigue throughout the
delightful THE DECOY PRINCESS. The feisty protagonist is
determined to make her own decisions while doing what she
believes is right for the people of Costenopolie. Readers
will respect this fine woman while also anxiously waiting
what happens next to the unroyal target. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 10, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 25, 2007
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