Deception so Deadly (Run to You #1) by Clara Kensie
Synopsis
Originally published as the Run to You serial parts 1-3: First Sight, Second Glance, and Third Charm.
Deception So Deadly is the complete first novel in the two-book Run to You series, a riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…
Sarah Spencer has a secret: her real name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from.
As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can’t even tell him her real name. But Tristan won’t be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…
Run to You is Tessa and Tristan’s story—two full-length books about psychic gifts, secret lives and dangerous loves. Danger. Deception. Betrayal. It must be true love.
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My Review
The story starts off with a bang as Sarah, aka Tessa, gets a text while sitting in class that it’s time to run. Again. Something her family has been doing for the past eight years. Her family isn’t normal. They have secrets. Secrets that the government wants.
Tessa doesn’t make friends, because what’s the point? But when they settle into Twelve Lakes, she’s pursued by Tristan, a boy with beautiful blue eyes and broad shoulders. She initially pushes back, but she’s a girl and he’s a boy and…hormones. While Tessa keeps her true identity from Tristan, she can’t help falling for the sweet boy who makes her feel things she never has before.
The push and pull of their relationship is raw and real and kept me turning the page. As Tristan and Tessa fall for each other, Tessa is constantly looking over her shoulder, never able to relax and be normal, because at any moment she’ll be on the run again, leaving Tristan behind forever.
Plot
The plot is a dual-pronged. It’s the story of Tristan and Tessa, but it’s also the story of Tessa’s family and their survival. They must stay one step ahead of their pursuers, never knowing when they’ll be found, because it is only a matter of when, not if. Both plots are very well done and kept me on the edge of my seat. They’re woven together seamlessly, each driving the other in complex fashion.
Characters
Tessa is complex, deep, and wounded — everything you want your teen protagonist to be. And while I liked the other characters, I didn’t get the same level of depth from them. Even Tristan didn’t come across as fully-developed as I would have liked. That may have been deliberate on the author’s part, though. We see the world and the other characters through Tessa’s eyes, and she’s got a lot going on, what she chooses to observe and not observe are part of her character. Tessa’s well-developed enough, I don’t know that the lack of depth of the other characters is really a problem, but I did notice it.
World Building
The world of psychic gifts is a central part of the book, and while there isn’t anything really new here, it’s detailed and flows effortlessly through the story.
Writing
Clara Kensie does a great job of building tension, making Deception So Deadly read much like a thriller, but without the gore, violence, and language often found in adult thrillers. A number of twists wind their way through the plot like vines. Some I saw coming, some not so much, and the pacing was damn near perfect.
Ending
Considering this is the first of a two-book series, I thought the author did a great job of wrapping up the main story lines, leaving me satisfied, but still wanting to read the second book.
Top Five Things I enjoyed about Deception So Deadly:
1. The psychic abilities. Let’s face it, no matter what you call them, super powers rock!
2. Tessa. All four-foot-ten of her. She’s feisty, determined, and loyal. In her case, size really doesn’t matter.
3. The twists and turns. I won’t mention any of them because even one could spoil things, but I love the plotting in this book.
4. Tristan. I was hot and cold on Tristan throughout the book and I think that’s part of his appeal. Just like Tessa, the author was able to pull me in before making me doubt him and his motives, then pull me in again, only to question everything I thought I knew about him all over again.
5. Jillian and Logan. As Tessa’s older sister and younger brother, they look out for Tessa, but they each bring something different to the dynamic. Jillian pushes Tessa to have fun, to fall in love, because even love lost is better than not at all. Logan is two years younger, but he acts more like an older brother at times, protecting Tiny Little Tessa at all cost.
Bottom Line
Deception So Deadly is a fun, fast-paced young adult paranormal romantic adventure that is as much about the danger as it is about the romance.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: Deception So Deadly
Series: Run to You #1
Author: Clara Kensie
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2015
Pages: 264
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
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Author Clara Kensie
About the Author
…don’t forget to breathe…
Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago, reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries. She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she’s swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional, but otherwise she hasn’t changed one bit.
Today Clara is the author of dark fiction for young adults. Her debut series is the romantic thriller RUN TO YOU: Deception So Deadly and Deception So Dark.
Her favorite foods are guacamole and cookie dough. But not together. That would be gross.
Where to Find Clara Kensie
Goodreads | Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
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