Review: Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

Deceptions (Cainsville #3)
By Kelley Armstrong

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published August 20th 2015 by Sphere

Average Rating: 4.16

Olivia’s life has exploded. She’s discovered she’s not only adopted, but her real parents are convicted serial killers. Fleeing the media frenzy, she took refuge in the oddly secluded town of Cainsville. She has since solved the town’s mysteries and finds herself not only the target of its secretive elders, but also her stalker ex-fiancé.

Visions continue to haunt her: particularly a little blond girl in a green sundress who insists she has an important message for Olivia, one that may help her balance the light and darkness within herself. Death stalks Olivia and the two men most important to her, as she desperately searches to understand whether ancient scripts are dictating their triangle. Will darkness prevail or does Olivia have the power to prevent a tragic fate?

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I don’t know why I’m so interested in this series!! Ok, I do know why, but it surprises me how much I actually enjoy this series.

Let me say, Deceptions lived up to the previous two books.

First, I really like the format of the book. It’s mostly written in first person POV (Olivia’s) but there is an occasional chapter in Gabriel or Ricky’s POV. (Most are in Gabriel’s.  ) I really love going into Gabriel’s head. He’s so different from most male literary characters and that is refreshing as hell. He doesn’t know how to comfort, he’s awkward when it comes to tears; he’s like a robot. A very, very successful lawyer robot. He has lots of social issues too and in Deceptions I wanted some character development from Gabriel and I got it. Kind of. They were more like teeny tiny baby steps but who cares? They are happening and Gabriel is a contender for Olivia’s attention/love, along with Ricky.

Now, you would think I would be upset with this love triangle thing going on but, it’s not even a love triangle. I do prefer Gabriel but if Olivia ends up with Ricky, I would be okay with that too. The thing with Kelley Armstrong’s books, especially her YA series, the romance is like a tertiary plot. Not even secondary. Romance is not her main conflict and that is also refreshing when reading her novels! She concentrates on the story and the Cainsville series is no exception, which is even more mature and realistic.

Ricky. Ricky is someone Olivia can go to for help and I love their relationship. She trusts him and he trusts her and that’s all you can ask for. You find out he’s entwined into her world more than we thought, which I was kinda, not really, sorta expecting. Also, Ricky and Olivia are like some horny teenagers. Love me some Ricky and Olivia scenes but one was like, really? You guys really gonna do it in an alleyway? Is that really necessary? On the other hand, it made for an entertaining (and scandalous) read! I really do like Ricky and Olivia’s relationship, so whoever she ends up with I’m good both ways! (Okay, I lied before, the mini love triangle does annoy me, but it’s hardly prominent in the story that I don’t even notice.)

So, let’s talk Olivia’s ex. He was creeepy in this novel. He went full stalker on Olivia, and I knew in the back of my mind, something was up. I was right. (Thumbs up to the plot twist, Kelley!) He has everything to do with everything.

In Deceptions, we really get some answers about everything! EVERYTHING. I’m so happy we got some answers! For me, with mystery novels I solve the case along with the characters but for Deceptions, I was a clueless bimbo. *cringe* Maybe it’s because I read this book late at night so I wasn’t comprehending to the best of my abilities, but it was bad. There were moments where I should’ve been like, I KNEW IT! It was more like, Wow, I feel stupid now. And to an extent, that is the best kind of book: when the reader is reading along blind, and having no idea how it’s going to end. It was like Armstrong was leading me along a dark hallway and anything could happen. The previous novels hinted at some big reveals that would be epic and they lived up to the climatic turn of events because everything kinda happened. (I don’t know how accurate I can attest to the plot twists due to the lack of mental awareness while reading BUT. But they were pretty good and original and I was on a rollercoaster of thrills and mystery.)

I don’t really want to spoil anything else because this novel is very intricate and every detail matters. This book had me flipping pages non-stop, reeling me into Olivia’s world once more. It was like no time has passed and I had no problem going into the novel again.

Although, the ending sucked. It left me wanting more, and ugh. I need the next book. So, I guess that means it wasn’t actually sucked huh? Damn. Then the ending was AMAZING if you want to feel empty and book hungover. Deceptions ended on a good note, but with more books coming, readers can expect more obstacles for our dear heroine, Olivia. Again, the ending sucked (or was amazing, depending how you see it). YOU CAN’T JUST END IT LIKE THAT!!!! *in turmoil*

Deceptions is a nail-biting, page-turning, make-you-lose-sleep novel. With this latest addition to Kelley Armstrong’s finished works and the third addition to her Cainsville series, it will suck you into its world and make you crave more once you finished.

Keep calm and read on,

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