This was just...eh. The characters talk like I’d expect characters in a high school creative writing class project to speak, and the author really loves the word “blimey”. Full of typical YA royal fantasy tropes, some obvious “twists”, and a flimsy world that feels like a cardboard cutout. The characters and the locations could really be anywhere. Nothing in this had any depth. It was a fast, entertaining read with a few lingering questions that I’m sure are addressed in the rest of the series, but I don’t think I care enough to read more (especially since I’m fairly certain I already know the answers).

I was a huge fan of the previous companion series to this, True Reign, and that made me twice as nervous to pick this up. I was more than a little scared this wouldn’t live up to the huge precedent set by the first series and so I put it off for months. The last book in the previous trilogy didn’t quite live up to the sheer awesome of the first two, which made it even worse.

Then finally, I picked this up one evening, thinking I’d just read “a few chapters” and call it a night. That endeavor ended at 12:38 a.m. with a cliffhanger, a finished book, and a revitalized fangirl. THE AWESOME IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE.

The plot:
One of my favorite things about Davis’ plots is how they slip away. You get so caught up in what’s happening that suddenly it’s been two hundred pages and you didn’t even notice. They move quickly and don’t waste time, which is an underrated quality, particularly in fantasy books.

There was also a bit of the “aw” romance I adored so much in the first trilogy and I certainly did not mind that. <3

The characters:
I wasn’t sure about Allyssa at first. I knew it was either going to be hit or miss with her—no middle ground was possible. The author managed to make her have certain similarities to her mother, but at the same time, she’s clearly her own person. I came to admire and adore her and it’s impossible not to root for her. She was definitely a hit.

Rema and Darmik made me go “come on, guys” more than once, but the whole arranged marriage thing didn’t make me hate them as much as I thought it would. After reading the first trilogy, it felt a little hypocritical of them, but the book makes you understand. I still love them just as I love Allyssa with her prince and I NEED THE NEXT BOOK.

I also want to see more of my old buddy Nathanek. The author has promised to bring him back with an apprentice who will play and important role and that’s just another reason I need book 2.

The world of Emperion is back with a vengeance and I love it!

Court intrigue and political deception mix with adventure and romance to create a great fantasy novel in Cage of Deceit.

I loved reading cage of Deceit! I have recently become an avid reader of the fantasy genre and Cage of Deceit is right at the top of my list of favourite books read in 2015. It checked all the boxes I like for a good fantasy book to have: good world building, great and interesting characters, court intrigue and chicanery, plus plenty of action.

I was really impressed with Jennifer Anne Davis’ writing and the characters she brought to life in Cage of Deceit. I especially liked how she bucked tradition with the portrayal of Allyssa’s parents. A lot of parents, especially royal ones, are written as unfeeling, only thinking about the crown, etc. And while their kingdom was certainly important to them, it was clear that Allyssa had loving parents. And Allyssa herself, while being a strong independent young woman, still was aware of how important she was to Emperion and that that required her to do certain things.

Although some of the scenes were a bit predictable, Cage of Deceit is a great story with a strong female character. It has just the right mix of adventure and romance and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! I’m looking forward to the continuation of the Reign of Secrets series and to find out what happens with Allyssa and the rest of the characters from Cage of Deceit.

Pretty fun, but I do struggle a little to understand how all these smart people couldn't see this 'twist' coming from miles away. It was a little too obvious. But I still enjoyed reading this book.

This was an entertaining read. It was more on the “young” side of young adult and it was very predictable and cheesy.

Oh my God, I really loved the story and now I have four more books to buy because I really want to find out how this series ends.

This is the first in a new series, Reign of Secrets. The Heir Allyssa appears to be an ideal princess, but she fights crime at night. This of course gets her in hot water when she has to marry to stop a war. It was good, I liked it, a bit predictable but good enough that I want to read the second book.
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Audiobook is terrible, but the story made it bearable.

Oh my god, I knew it! I totally predicted that ending! Woot!