The Decoy Princess Audiobook By Dawn Cook - as Kim Harrison cover art

The Decoy Princess

Princess, Book 1

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The Decoy Princess

By: Dawn Cook - as Kim Harrison
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
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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. But that doesn't make Contessa less of a royal target.

©2005 Dawn Cook (P)2014 Audible Inc. Action & Adventure Classics Fantasy Fiction Historical Royalty
Strong Female Protagonist • Engaging Fantasy Adventure • Wonderful Narrator • Compelling Heroine • Political Intrigue
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The cover of the book makes you think it's a teen book but it isn't, one of the best books I've listened to in awhile..loved it!!! I already listened to the second book and it was even better. I can't watt till the third book in the series!!!!

great book awesome story!!!!

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This is a highly original story with a different take on the usual princess thing. Great writing, and tight plotting.

Tess has been raised as the princess of Constenopolie. Although she has suffered from a prophecy that predicts possible dire consequences for the wrong person who might try to marry her (causing frequent attempts on her life for some reason), she has had a fairly easy and happy life so far. She has been primarily guarded and trained by the kingdom’s chancellor, Cavinlo. She thinks her primary skill is shopping, but Cavinlo has taught her many other things too.

There has been a project to have her married going on. When her future intended shows up at her parents’ palace months early, Tess tries to get in to have a look at him even though she is not supposed to. When she is discovered, it sets in motion a bad set of events during which her parents first tell her she is not, in fact, their daughter the princess and then Prince Garrett kills them and attempts to imprison her to marry her right away. This is all to fulfill some sort of scheme of his own to seize power and do it early. He rapidly reveals himself to be a psycho, and Tess needs to get out fast.

The rest of the story is of Tess’s adventures as she seeks to reunite with Cavinlo, who has been sent to retrieve the real princess, and then return to reclaim the palace and get rid of the horrible Prince Garrett.

I agree that I didn’t think too much about the narrator while I was listening to the book, so she must have done a good job.

I knew I would like this book!

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I grabbed this because Kim Harrison is the author and I loved her Hollows series. Unfortunately, this book did not stand out for me. It is a fantasy novel I have read a thousand times. Tess had too much weakness and was just not a character I could enjoy. It was a romance novel set in a fantasy setting with a predictable outcome. Nothing makes this story stand out for me. I love Harrison, but I doubt I will continue to follow this series. There is always hopes for whatever she has next.

The narration saves it for me and was likely the reason I listened to the entire story. Gavin is great as always.

Harrison name...but just not the same.

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I was thrilled to see there were other books to read by Kim Harrison, especially after i finished the Rachel Morgan series. I needed something to fill the ache of saying goodbye to Rachel, one of my favorite literary heroes. Tess reminds me of Rachel in some ways, without being the same person. I didn't fall quite as in love with Tess or her world, but it was a good trip to take while I wait for the next project from Kim Harrison.

Kim Harrison fans

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this is a excellent book. I can't wait to get the next one in the series so I could know what's going to happen next. Hope you'll be reading it too

excellent book

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Enjoyable light read. I adore the the way M. Gavin reads a story too.
Can't wait to listen to book 2 in this series.

I always enjoy this author!

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I love the Hollows series and and I love Margueite Gavin as a narrator so I figured I would give this series a try. I went into it knowing it was Ms. Harrision's earlier work and meant for a younger audience. I also like plenty of books meant for teens/young adults so I assumed I would enjoy it.

It started out good, with secrets and betrayal. And then it just got kind of blah and cliche. The writing was good, but I could see every twist and turn coming from a mile away, and the characters were really predictable.

And as much as I love Ms. Gavin, she has a very husky, mature voice, which oddly seemed to work for Rachel Morgan (the Hollows) but seemed out of place in this adventure. Perhaps because even though the two characters from the series may have been similar in age, Rachel was more self-assured and worldly. She knew her craft and got better. Princess Contessa didn't even know herself, let alone the world around her or place in it. It made the reading very jarring at times and I had to keep reminding myself that Contessa was only 18 or so.

Overall this isn't a bad book, it's a good beach read/listen and would actually be great fantasy for 12-15 teens. But it's fluff with no substance and not something I would read again or keep on my bookshelf.

Okay Book But Not My Taste

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What made the experience of listening to The Decoy Princess the most enjoyable?

Margeurite Gavin. She's a wonderful narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Decoy Princess?

When Tess (the decoy princess) realizes she isn't a real princess after all.

Which character – as performed by Marguerite Gavin – was your favorite?

Tess, definitely. She is a good, strong woman ... like all of Kim Harrison's heroines.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. And basically, I did.

Any additional comments?

It isn't as good as Kim's later books, but it's a lot better than I expected. It's a bit young, written early in Ms. Harrison's career ... but it's still a good book. Sort of a trial run for later characters.

ALMOST GREAT

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I think one more book to be sure I like the series. Otherwise a promising start. I hate having to add more words

I liked it but..,.

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Great writing kept me listening loved the first book about to listen to the second one thank you

The decoy princess

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