D. Rebbitt’s Deception follows Prince Gregor Jungen, the reluctant heir to Evergreen, a distant world divided between the imperial government and the poorer society of Berane. Greg would rather escape ceremony than prepare to rule, but rising unrest in the shared port city of Kotor pulls him into a conflict his father can no longer keep at a distance. Princess Danica of Berane becomes his uneasy partner as both royal families argue over mining rights, military security, and the future of the planet. When violence begins to spread, and official explanations don't match what Greg can see, he realizes someone is using old resentment to push Evergreen and Berane toward war. To protect his people, Greg must discover who is lying before the deception becomes impossible to contain.

D. Rebbitt’s Deception is excellent political science fiction, and Rebbitt makes the conflict believable by showing how people can be manipulated before they understand the larger plan. I found Dragan, a young Beranian soldier, especially interesting because he joins the army to help his family and truly believes Evergreen caused his people’s poverty. His later treatment by an Evergreen doctor makes the war personal because the man he expects to hate is the person trying to save his life. Madame Petrovich, Greg’s former governess and head of household, is wonderful too because she can still speak to the prince as the boy she helped raise. The military technology is extensive, but the people making decisions inside it are the best part. Well written and ambitious, readers who enjoy political science fiction will love this first book in Rebbitt's The Cyborg Wars series. Very highly recommended.

Deception is the first book in The Cyborg Wars by D. Rebbitt. The frontier principalities of Evergreen and Berane have existed as two distinct self-governing principalities until rumors and propaganda turned them into enemies. Prince Gregor thinks about his father Emperor Mikolavich's dream of uniting the two peoples through the prince’s marriage to Princess Danica. However, Empress Jelena, Danica’s mother, has other plans. Beranian troops are secretly shipped into the port of Kotor in cargo containers; they seize the city, and the emperor mobilizes his troops, only to be slain with most of his soldiers. Gregor ascends to the throne and faces a second invasion with almost no army. Desperate, he turns to Dr. Konatar, the famed inventor of the “brain blade,” which they use to turn thousands of Beranian prisoners into docile cyborg soldiers. Can the tide turn for Gregor this time?

The title is perfect and aptly describes this book. The conflict runs on betrayal and disguises. For instance, Danica manipulates Greg, and her mother’s lifelong humiliation morphs into regicide. Then there are hidden rail guns in Kazan. Character work is impeccable, and Gregor’s arc becomes the dark heart of the story, evolving from the carefree young man who once dyed Danica's hair orange into an emperor capable of ordering summary executions. Deception is fast-paced, and the initial chapters are leavened by humor, making them light before accelerating with the conflict and the intrigue. D. Rebbitt writes in excellent, descriptive prose, bringing to life a world filled with conflict and advanced technology, with an orbital station and brutality at the Talum palace.

Deception is the first book in The Cyborg Wars series by D. Rebbitt. Set in the principality of Evergreen, the story follows Prince Greg, the heir to a peaceful realm that has long shared its world with the neighboring Beranian people. Even though both civilizations have been living next to each other for many years, the influence of propaganda and misinformation has created a rift between them. Despite the tireless work of Emperor Mikolavich to maintain unity and provide a brighter future for all, some unknown elements create distrust and are leading the two civilizations to catastrophe. Alongside political negotiations and deception, Greg starts to realize that the biggest danger for Evergreen is not their enemies but the deceptions that try to divide them. What started as a fight for peace becomes the first part of a bigger fight for humanity. All Prince Greg has to do is find the culprits. But what if those people are beyond his reach?

Author D. Rebbitt created an incredible novel that gave equal attention to the main characters and building a new world. The young Prince Greg is a likable protagonist. I loved his witty sense of humor, the drive he had to make life better for his people, and the maturity that he gradually gains. I loved his relationship with Princess Danica and how the two interacted. I didn’t like her at first, but she brought some lightness to Greg. While I don’t usually choose political novels, Deception had just the right amount of action, intensity, and suspense to make the story enjoyable. The fast-paced narrative and Greg’s character development were perfect. The ending dialogue gave me chills, and I loved that. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next novel in the series.

At the height of the Great Expansion, a Beranian colony ship crash-landing in the Evergreen system set off an unusual scenario: two different groups were forced to find a way to coexist for the good of all involved. Centuries later, that impromptu experiment looks to have yielded fruit in the eyes of the Evergreen leadership. Prince Gregor, the son of the Evergreen emperor, prepares to meet Princess Danica, the daughter of their Beranian counterparts, with hopes that a wedding will seal a lasting union. Gregor prefers to concentrate on the lighter aspects of life rather than be bothered by such matters. All that changes overnight when destruction stares the people of Evergreen in the face. Gregor must decide if he is prepared to do what is needed for the survival of his people in D. Rebbitt’s Deception: The Cyborg Wars, Book 1.

In Deception, D. Rebbitt combines an extensive introduction and a detailed glossary at the end to explain the complexities of the relationship between Berane and Evergreen, and the principal actors. This approach makes it easier for perceptive readers to decode the double meanings in the subtleties displayed by both sides as the narrative unfolds and their relationship becomes more complicated. The dialogue initially takes on a playful tone when the narrative focuses on Gregor and Danica’s courtship, but subtly transitions to a mix of insidious and strategic as it shifts to Danica’s mother’s interaction with the emperor. Rebbitt complements fascinating wordplay with impressively detailed battle scenes that will appeal to action enthusiasts. The author weaves these elements together with strategically placed clues, a subtle romantic subplot, and a breathtaking pace, ultimately crafting a science fiction masterpiece that readers will not want to put down. I look forward to the next installment of this fascinating series.