The Decoy Princess [Mass Market Paperback]

Dawn Cook (Author)

Book Description

Series: Princess | Publication Date: October 26, 2010

The Princess Contessa of Constenopolie has just learned of her true identity-that of an orphan adopted and raised as a decoy to protect the real princess. That doesn't make Contessa less of a royal target.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Ace (October 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441013554
• ISBN-13: 978-0441013555
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun adventure, May 3, 2006

By 

L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Decoy Princess (Mass Market Paperback)

This fun book reads much like Robin Hobb's outstanding Farseer series; not quite as great but solidly above the mainstream nevertheless. All the elements of a great heroic fantasy are found within these pages. There is plenty of political intrigue, lots of captivating characters, rousing action, terrific pacing, and a solid albeit not horribly original plot. Tess, the heroine, is pretty believable as a somewhat spoiled princess who was tricked by her mentor Kavenlow into learning the skills necessary to escape Prince Garrett's evil clutches, outwit guard captain Jeck, and do what is necessary to survive as a royal decoy on the run. Were it not written in first person I doubt the author could have plausibly pulled all that off. Tess's level-headedness after the murder of her parents, the Misdev occupation, and her flight to freedom strikes the right balance to affirm her skills and potential without coming across as overdone or trite. I enjoy characters that rely more on their brains than their brawn and Tess has a charming way of finding practical uses for skills like shopping to as great extent as she does with blowguns and poison darts. She is quick-witted and alluring. Duncan, the card shark, makes a likeable sidekick/distraction. I really like the "players" concept too. It builds another level of intrigue and excitement.

Overall this is a fine fantasy. Not superlative, but very well worth reading nevertheless. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel, Princess at Sea.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Blinded by the Night, among other titles

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Surprising Story, June 1, 2006

By 

loonigrrl (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Decoy Princess (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of those books that gets better with every turn of the page. Although enjoyable to begin with, The Decoy Princess steadily became more intriguing the farther on I read. I was so wrapped up in the story that I simultaneously didn't want it to end, but couldn't wait to see how it concluded such that I had to force myself not to skip ahead.

The Decoy Princess is about Tess, the unwitting apprentice to a man who rules the kingdom so adeptly that not even the King and Queen realize they are merely pawns in his game. Although she is raised believing she is the Crown Princess, Tess must quickly adjust to her new circumstances when a neigboring Prince, her betrothed, betrays them all and attemps to take over her kingdom. Tess spends the book on the run to save her own life, the real Princess's life and the lives of all the people in her Kingdom. Dawn Cook does an amazing job developing Tess from self absorbed girl to a strong and resilient player in a very large game of chess. The Decoy Princess is a continually surprising book and a thoroughly satisfying read. I definitely recommend it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It grows on you..., May 22, 2006

By 

guitarchick24 (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Decoy Princess (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't like this book at first. I've read all of the Truth books, and really enjoyed them. Just like "First Truth," "The Decoy Princess" is sort of a slow start.

"The Decoy Princess" is a pretty easy read, and at first the storyline seems really simple and straightforward. If that was all there was to this book - beggar girl saving the kingdom - I would have listed it for sale shortly after finishing it.

But then I got to around the middle of the book, where the author hits you with her surprise twist. And then I couldn't put the book down!

Somewhere in the midst of the "I've heard this before" story the author comes up with this fascinating reason for why the main character is the way she is and was put in the situation she faces. It's great world-within-a-world building and was just one of the most creative elements I've read in awhile (and I read a lot!) I can't spoil it, as much as I'd like to, but for that element alone, I found "The Decoy Princess" worth reading and keeping.

Plus, it will make the rest of the series really interesting. I can't wait for the sequel.