It does feel a bit like Brave, but this is Maeve of Connacht, iron age princess, and star of ancient ballads. Fiesty, clever, strong-willed Maeve is her father's treasure; after that incident with the bull, anyway. Friesner deftly walks the line of story, keeping to a realistic depiction of what such a life may have looked liked historically while drawing her audience inexorably along, behind Maeve's courageous, forthright, wildly intelligent example. It's much like reading a really good King Arthur retelling, but refreshing that she's bringing such a different mythological tradition to life. And I like a strong princess, one who's learning hard lessons in betrayal and manipulation and staying true to her own honor. ( )

Oh. Oh my. I really think this book and its successor fell waaaay short of what it could have been.

It is a meandering tale of young Maeve of Connacht, about whom the historical record is sketchy, as she grows up in her father's household, he being the High King of Ireland and she his "spark." She is the youngest of the daughters and early on gained a lot of bardic tales when she managed to escape from her father's prized black bull. As she grows and her sisters go into fosterage, she becomes a prize to be won for any young man as she will inherit a worthy dowry.

It sounds like it would be a great book for young women, as Maeve rules her own kingdom according to "The Castle Raid of Cooley" written by early Christian monks. And I liked Esther Friesner's treatment of Helen of Troy in two previous books I read of her. And maybe it is for women whose male relatives let them down repeatedly? Or keep them under a constant, watchful eye whilst making promises only to undo them in devious ways? Maybe that was the audience? But if so, why does not Maeve learn from her experiences; why is this learning not part of the teaching tool of YA lit for this book?

This tale contains far too many events to try to prove a point, rather than tell a tale, causing it to be extremely scattered and unfocused. And there is one incident towards the end of the book that is horrendously cruel and could have been re-worked with similar results; the characters would wind up going on their separate journeys without such needless destruction.

Any author can make her characters' actions different, and I wish Friesner had done so with her dominant characters, and created a more substantial plotline. ( )

A pleasant tale, but frankly it was a bit boring. ( )

I'd give this book a 3.5

I thought Esther Friesner's Deception's Princess was a great period piece with Maeve as a headstrong, determined, sharp-tongued, strong-willed, intelligent and quick-witted heroine.
As a lover of Irish and Celtic Mythology, I thought this book did a lot to quench my thirst for rich world and excellent character building.
Deception's Princess follows Maeve (which is based on Queen Maeve (Medb) of Connacht ), who is very true to herself,continually showing her intelligence and strong will throughout the novel. Maeve knows how to read and play people but she's really not into playing games and while she has few friends, they're friends for life.
I thought this was an great coming of age and historical novel. When I think of Maeve, I think of my daughter who is also determined, intelligent, beautiful, funny, etc. Who can't help but love her!
Jack Murphy ( )

Interesting with a driven heroine and descriptive narrative, but I found the ending rather unsatisfying. ( )