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Betrayed #3
Shiva
In a top-secret mission to the Congo, Special Forces operative Vincent Brandt stumbles upon a young girl rumored to have the power to heal. Is she the savior prophesied in the ancient writings of Moses? Or is she an innocent child being manipulated by religious zealots? Determined to uncover the truth, Brandt and his fianc?e, archaeologist Rebecca Monroe, embark upon a perilous journey that will carry them across three continents and through the annals of history, as they race to distinguish fact from myth before they are overtaken by men who will do anything ? even kill ? to protect an ancient lie. Every step they take brings the world closer to the brink of religious war, until Rebecca and Brandt are forced to decide once and for all what price they?re willing to pay for peace.
477 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2012
17 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn McCray
136 books336 followersThis is a pen name of Goodreads author Cristyn West.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 8, 2013
This was the final book of the trilogy, and as with the second one it didn't live up to the promise of the first book. However if you are looking for something to read over the summer I can highly recommend this series. I would suggest that you try reading the whole betrayed series, as this will also include the link novellas.
I did find some of this book highly unlikely, but for pure escapism and a tense action packed book I have been impressed. I have grown to like Brandt's team and the way that they interact with each other, and now that I have finished the series I shall miss them. I did find that the Knot were more believable enemies than the Disciples
I did find some of this book highly unlikely, but for pure escapism and a tense action packed book I have been impressed. I have grown to like Brandt's team and the way that they interact with each other, and now that I have finished the series I shall miss them. I did find that the Knot were more believable enemies than the Disciples
February 16, 2013
What an over the top adventure! After hearing about a little girl in the Congo with healing powers, all sorts of people are after her. Believing is is possible the child is the black Madonna which Moses spoke about, a Special Forces team, an archaelogist, and various religious zealots all try to snatch the little girl. With the child causing earthquakes and new volcanoes, the race is on!
February 1, 2013
Carolyn McCray writes extreme action packed, historical, yet enticing thrillers that always leaves you wanting more! She does a great job on her historical background in which the reader is enlightened yet not bored but questioning which is fact and fiction. I especially enjoy that aspect of her books. I love to learn new history and like to be left pondering "Well could that have really happened?".
Her characters are all very exciting and work dynamically together. I love the tight night structure of this group and even when they face the worst possible situations, they work together to come out of it all. It shows what great team work should really look like and how well you really should know your partners.
The story itself was the third installment of the Betrayed series. I just picked a book from my kindle to read not realizing I should have read the second book before hand. In this series you need to start from the beginning book 30 Pieces of Silver (which I also loved) and it gives you more background to the characters you will be reading about. Even though I didn't read the second book I was still able to grasp the story line and figure out what was happening and why.
Usually you are left with questions by the end of a book. For me there were only two and it just had to do with other characters. Granted the epilogue did leave you a bit wondering, and not so much as a cliffhanger it could have been, but you know there will be another book. It's not over yet!
I honestly do not want to give anything about this book away. This is a series you need to read on your own without looking to other review where they for tell the whole book. All I can say is just look for the STARS and go based on that.
Her characters are all very exciting and work dynamically together. I love the tight night structure of this group and even when they face the worst possible situations, they work together to come out of it all. It shows what great team work should really look like and how well you really should know your partners.
The story itself was the third installment of the Betrayed series. I just picked a book from my kindle to read not realizing I should have read the second book before hand. In this series you need to start from the beginning book 30 Pieces of Silver (which I also loved) and it gives you more background to the characters you will be reading about. Even though I didn't read the second book I was still able to grasp the story line and figure out what was happening and why.
Usually you are left with questions by the end of a book. For me there were only two and it just had to do with other characters. Granted the epilogue did leave you a bit wondering, and not so much as a cliffhanger it could have been, but you know there will be another book. It's not over yet!
I honestly do not want to give anything about this book away. This is a series you need to read on your own without looking to other review where they for tell the whole book. All I can say is just look for the STARS and go based on that.
January 1, 2013
I love starting the year off with a good book and Shiva was definitely a good choice.
I LOVE the dynamic between Brandt and Rebecca and it only improves in this third installment. Shiva is just as action packed as the previous titles and probably my second favorite so far (following the first). The mystery here is less complex than in Havoc and easier to follow but I felt that at times, actions taken by the protagonists are a little questionable. It doesn't really detract from the story per se, it's just a little odd that they're doing the things that they're doing.
There were a lot of things that I found too convenient . But McCray is great with fast paced action so the reader doesn't really get too much of a chance to dwell too long.
A great addition to the series. Not too much of a teaser in the epilogue so the next novel is totally up in the air.
I LOVE the dynamic between Brandt and Rebecca and it only improves in this third installment. Shiva is just as action packed as the previous titles and probably my second favorite so far (following the first). The mystery here is less complex than in Havoc and easier to follow but I felt that at times, actions taken by the protagonists are a little questionable. It doesn't really detract from the story per se, it's just a little odd that they're doing the things that they're doing.
There were a lot of things that I found too convenient . But McCray is great with fast paced action so the reader doesn't really get too much of a chance to dwell too long.
A great addition to the series. Not too much of a teaser in the epilogue so the next novel is totally up in the air.
December 3, 2013
Another quick read, another adventure, more fantastical stuff...all in a day for Brandt et al. I would say that Shiva was very similar to Havoc, in that it started with a historical passage and then used the info to whisk this group of adventurers away on a fantastic voyage of mayhem and mirth. Good book, quick read, fantastic and in places unbelievable action...and a happy ending.
Hmm...I think it may be time to review the trilogy.
While I like Havoc and Shiva, and they did complete the story, the true gem of the series was 30 Pieces. One element of the first book that made it a true gem, and was sorely lacking from the last 2 books, was the dual tales; one in antiquity and one in the present day. Both of these stories captured your mind and brought you with them trying to untangle 2 sides of the same puzzle. It was only when both of them were concluded, and the puzzle was revealed from both angles, did everything become clear.
Overall a good book, an good trilogy and a great start.
Hmm...I think it may be time to review the trilogy.
While I like Havoc and Shiva, and they did complete the story, the true gem of the series was 30 Pieces. One element of the first book that made it a true gem, and was sorely lacking from the last 2 books, was the dual tales; one in antiquity and one in the present day. Both of these stories captured your mind and brought you with them trying to untangle 2 sides of the same puzzle. It was only when both of them were concluded, and the puzzle was revealed from both angles, did everything become clear.
Overall a good book, an good trilogy and a great start.
June 13, 2013
Someone has got to edit these books. "Breath" instead of "breathe," "to" where it should be "too" and "wane" instead of "wan" which completely changes the meaning! The author also needs to cool it with fragments. She's using them too often for them to have impact and again, at times, it makes her writing unclear. One more thing: Does Lopez really have to invent a new kind of "surfing" in every book? We. Get. It.
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June 16, 2020If you like action thrillers, this book, like the rest of the series, is perfect for you. The characters are constantly fighting for their lives. The book description describes the book as a religious thriller and it, certaily fits the bill. If you are a devout christioan or Jew, this might not be your best choice. Let's just say it doesn't follow the Torah or the bible but stands it on it's head.
April 9, 2021
This writers should have quit after the first book which was marginally better than the rest un this series.
July 7, 2017
Sad to say but the law of diminishing returns applies here. It seems with each outing, the central mystery is more outrageous and preposterous. Even beyond Dan Brown level of ridiculousness.
But, as with the first two books in this trilogy, the action is fantastic! High voltage, thrilling and fairly non-stop. The military and tech again is detailed and adds much depth and authenticity to the series.
Humor in this novel is very welcome, as it breaks up the unrelenting go, go, go action of the story telling. But speaking of action, Lopez and his crazy stunts continues to be the highlight of this series. I always look forward to seeing what wacky hijinks Lopez comes up with to help the team effect their getaway.
And just like in the Harry Potter series with its revolving door of Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, here, the joke involves the point man position. Although I do like this concept, it can be taken too far, but luckily, since this seems to be the final book in this particular series, it ends here, as this “joke” will get stale if carried on too long.
Still, CM needs to ditch this idea once and for all.
Finally, although the author probably didn't mean it as a revolving joke, we have yet another change in Rebecca's middle name. Does this character just have a long string of middle names, or can CM not keep track of this character properly?! Sloppy, sloppy, tsk, tsk.
Again, character development is not a strength of this novel, and never has been since the beginning of the series. As with “Havoc” [book 2 in this trilogy], “Shiva” gets a bump in ratings from me mainly because the book does live up to its genre in that this was indeed a thrilling “thriller”.
But, as with the first two books in this trilogy, the action is fantastic! High voltage, thrilling and fairly non-stop. The military and tech again is detailed and adds much depth and authenticity to the series.
Humor in this novel is very welcome, as it breaks up the unrelenting go, go, go action of the story telling. But speaking of action, Lopez and his crazy stunts continues to be the highlight of this series. I always look forward to seeing what wacky hijinks Lopez comes up with to help the team effect their getaway.
And just like in the Harry Potter series with its revolving door of Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, here, the joke involves the point man position. Although I do like this concept, it can be taken too far, but luckily, since this seems to be the final book in this particular series, it ends here, as this “joke” will get stale if carried on too long.
Still, CM needs to ditch this idea once and for all.
Finally, although the author probably didn't mean it as a revolving joke, we have yet another change in Rebecca's middle name. Does this character just have a long string of middle names, or can CM not keep track of this character properly?! Sloppy, sloppy, tsk, tsk.
Again, character development is not a strength of this novel, and never has been since the beginning of the series. As with “Havoc” [book 2 in this trilogy], “Shiva” gets a bump in ratings from me mainly because the book does live up to its genre in that this was indeed a thrilling “thriller”.
July 14, 2013
Carolyn McCray has done it again! The third installment of The Betrayed Series is just as action packed as the previous two. From Brandt and Rebecca's race to get to the church on time to the epilogue that leaves us wanting more, the story keeps us hooked. McCray's research for her books as always intrigues me and makes me learn more about the times, events, areas and people she features. I'm glad I'll have the post-story for Shiva, Mayhem, to tide me over until the next book comes out. Carolyn McCray is a very talented writer who I am very happy to recommend to other readers who love action, mystery, a little romance and breathtaking thrills! I can't wait to see what she has in store for this series next!
December 31, 2014
I loved this book!! The characters, the unexpected twists and the overall story line were excellent. I really enjoyed this series and am a little disappointed that i cannot obtain the short stories/bridging books without being the book set. The story line of the whole series heavily involves religious (Judaism and Christianity)belief or challenging those beliefs. If that does not interest you, i would not recommend these books. I did enjoy the series so much I just purchased one of her other series.
July 22, 2015
Brandt and Rebecca are set to have a typical Southern style wedding....... Brandt is late as they are fighting the bad guys.... then before they can start the wedding... Brandt is kidnapped... Rebecca and the team head off after him only to be called off the search. They don't listen well and continue their search. Throughout the book they are plagued by the Disciples finding them. Is there a rat?
The Black Madonna is the religious artifact that is the center of the attack and the search.
The Black Madonna is the religious artifact that is the center of the attack and the search.
May 27, 2013
This is another excellent book that follows in the 30 pieces of Silver trilogy. One thing that I noticed is how this book is just as controversial as the others. I honestly enjoyed how Ms. McCray spun history to make you scratch your head.
I have seen some negative reviews about this series, but I look at it this way. It's fiction, so it's not ment to be accurate or follow along history. It is a fun book to read to just say, "what if!"
I have seen some negative reviews about this series, but I look at it this way. It's fiction, so it's not ment to be accurate or follow along history. It is a fun book to read to just say, "what if!"
February 1, 2013
McCray does not disappoint with another suspense filled and action packed story that takes the special ops team across the globe. As usual, the complex relationships between the parties really keep you guessing about where this missions betrayal comes from. Shiva has a little less romance drama, but it certainly makes up for it with action.
March 25, 2013
little bit surreal this one but still thoroughly enjoyed. Want entirely sure where McCray was going to take this one but loved the concept of a messiah. The ending was a little unnecessary but added an interesting supernatural element which seemed out of place but didn't ruin the story for me. Loving this series.
January 22, 2016
A very very good book/story still in the original vein with a tear jerker and surprise ending. If you've been invested in the series up to this point, you know that there is plenty of action, daring escapes and rescues, traps, and actual thinking on the part of the heroes to remain alive. A very good book.
February 21, 2013
Where is my sixth star? I can't wait for more books in Betrayed series. I highly recommend all of the books in this series. I haven't picked up the novellas, but will do that next. Love all the characters and the quick moving plots. Had me on the edge of my seat for the entire read. THANKS !
October 24, 2015
Amazing! Absolutely LOVED this book. Ends on a cliff hanger of course, so I want to know more! Now to find the short story that follows. This series has made McCray one of my favorite authors of all time! :D ABSOLUTELY. LOVE. HER. WORK.
August 12, 2016
another exciting read! This book was as exciting as the first two. Kept me on the edge of my seat to the end. Same of the great characters that were in the first two, with new ones introduced. Loved this series.
July 3, 2013
Loved the whole series!!! Couldn't put them down and finished them in a week. Can't wait to read more of her books.
February 16, 2013
The third in the series. Fast read. Plenty of action. And all have controversial plots. Very interesting.
June 12, 2013
Excellent addition to the Betrayed series. I love all the historical aspects of these tales.
October 19, 2014
unbelievable plot but great characters and dialogue.
January 9, 2016
omg.... Vasaka there are no words.... Lopez ummm I would go on an adventure with him anytime.
February 3, 2016
Solid, and the Bridezilla and MOBridezilla subplot is quite funny.
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January 23, 2014There is not one page without action and humor
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews