Member Reviews
Kat S, Reviewer
I AM UNFUCKINGWELL. I want to go into a coma until the next book is released. I CANNOT. wtf am I even going to do with myself? My chest. It hurts. Someone send help
Megan B, Reviewer
Be ready for a hell of a ride, this whirlwind addition to the Realm of Fey books starts a few weeks after book two, picks of pace and doesn’t stop!!!
There is so much character development in this book, Robin has grown and is coming into himself while finally accepting his position as winter King. While Duncan and the return of Erix bring new feeling with emotional tribulation!
In this installment we get a bunch of world building from new characters to fall in love with, new locations to explore, and great evils to insight nightmares!
While there is romance and love in this book, expect a great amount of heartbreak. This one is gonna hurt and knowing Ben, I expect book four to rip our hearts completely out.
Sigh… and as always WTF Ben the cliffhangers are gonna send me to a cardiologist! Love you though! 💜😭
You all will need to take a moment to cope and just stare at the wall after reading this one. I am on the edge of my seat and can’t wait for book four to get in my hands!
For fans of
- Even more betrayal! 🪶
- Queer romance 🏳️🌈
- Love triangles 📐
- Trama 😳
- Cliffhangers 🧗
Tonya F, Reviewer
A Deception of Courts is the third book in Ben Alderson's "Realm of Fey" series. I enjoyed both A Betrayal of Storms and A Kingdom of Lies and liked this most recent release in the queer romantasy series as well, though not quite as much as the first two.
Like the previous two books, this one is fast-paced with lots of action and some big twists. It builds on the religious aspect introduced in A Kingdom of Lies and introduces new allies to aid Robin's fight against his enemies.
A Kingdom of Lies remains my favorite book in this series but there were a lot of great things in this one. Duncan and Robin's relationship intensifies and continues to be the best part of the series even with the many complications introduced. Althea also gets a little more focus in this book, and Robin begins to truly step into his role as King, adding some great character moments.
My only complaint is that the entire middle of the book got bogged down with too many negotiations involving the new characters. The beginning and ending of the book were both very exciting but I do think this book could have benefited from trimming down some of these repetitive discussions.
One warning, A Deception of Courts ends on a really big and emotional cliffhanger that left me shocked and near tears. Thankfully, A Game of Monsters will be released in May so we won't have to wait too long to see it resolved.
Cylvan B, Reviewer
~The Prose~
The pace: Breakneck
The body count: Devastating
The betrayal: Gut-wrenching
So far this series despite its treachery did not have me reaching for the tissue box, but A Deception of Courts broke that streak. Robin continues fight for his own survival on top of his fight for the survival of the ENTIRE WORLD and has to make choices not only to save his own hide but everyone he holds dear. I can't describe how heart breaking these pages are watching alliances crumble and backs be stabbed. By the end of the book you are left feeling like you won 1st place in a marathon only to have someone break your legs as you cross the finish line.
~The Cons~
The only sin committed in this book is the following phrase "inhaling the reality of him until his scent lathered the back of my throat" EXCUSE ME WHAT? This felt like reaching into cloudy sink water and accidentally touching old wet food.
Mary H, Reviewer
I’ve been enjoying the characters and dark themes throughout. This series has the potential to be a fan favorite within the right audience.
The plot twists were constant and overdone, taking away from the story as anytime you felt comfortable reading, the world flipped upside down. The pacing is to fast and could use a few slower chapters to help break everything up.
