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The Wars of the Roses #2
A Traitor's Fate
A Traitor's Fate is the long-awaited sequel to Feud and second book in the Rebels & Brothers series set during the Wars of the Roses.
Peace never lasts…
It is 1464. Ned Elder and his two sisters, Emma & Eleanor, have won a hard-fought peace and their feud with the Radcliffes seems long over, but one man never accepted the outcome. After three bitter years of waiting to destroy the Elders, a new ally provides him with a fresh opportunity for revenge.
When Ned is summoned to confront a Lancastrian revolt by the new king, Edward of York, he finds his enemies are not just amongst the ranks of the rebels. Branded a traitor by his own commander, the Earl of Warwick, Ned is soon a wanted man in hostile territory and the price on his head only rises when he stumbles upon a royal secret.
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Emma watch over Ned’s pregnant wife, Amelie, with only a small garrison of old men and boys to protect them. The feud may have ended, but the scars run deep for all three women and they must hold their nerve and prepare to defend themselves at any cost.
A condemned man, Ned must find a way to escape his pursuers or else the whole Elder family will be destroyed.
Peace never lasts…
It is 1464. Ned Elder and his two sisters, Emma & Eleanor, have won a hard-fought peace and their feud with the Radcliffes seems long over, but one man never accepted the outcome. After three bitter years of waiting to destroy the Elders, a new ally provides him with a fresh opportunity for revenge.
When Ned is summoned to confront a Lancastrian revolt by the new king, Edward of York, he finds his enemies are not just amongst the ranks of the rebels. Branded a traitor by his own commander, the Earl of Warwick, Ned is soon a wanted man in hostile territory and the price on his head only rises when he stumbles upon a royal secret.
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Emma watch over Ned’s pregnant wife, Amelie, with only a small garrison of old men and boys to protect them. The feud may have ended, but the scars run deep for all three women and they must hold their nerve and prepare to defend themselves at any cost.
A condemned man, Ned must find a way to escape his pursuers or else the whole Elder family will be destroyed.
541 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
50 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Derek Birks
24 books98 followersDerek lives in Dorset but was born in Hampshire and spent his teenage years in Auckland, New Zealand, where he still has strong family ties. For many years he taught history in a Berkshire secondary school, but took early retirement to concentrate on his writing. Apart from writing, he spends his time walking, watching films and taking part in archaeological digs.
Interested in a wide range of historical themes, Derek began his writing career with the late medieval period. He writes character-driven, action-packed fiction which is rooted in accurate history. His debut historical novel, Feud, is the first of a series of eight books and one novella entitled The Wars of the Roses which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family.
Derek has also written an Amazon bestselling trilogy set largely in post-Roman Britain. The Last of The Romans focuses on the real Romano-British character of Ambrosius Aurelianus during the fifth century AD.
Recently, Derek has published Rebel Sword, the first of a new historical fiction series set during the Anarchy of twelfth century England.
A new venture is the publication by Pen and Sword of a non-fiction history book entitled: A Guide to the Wars of the Roses.
Derek has written and produced over 40 podcasts on the Wars of the Roses. With historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly, he also co-hosts the podcast series, A Slice of Medieval, which is a fusion of history and historical fiction featuring popular historical novelists and medieval historians.
Interested in a wide range of historical themes, Derek began his writing career with the late medieval period. He writes character-driven, action-packed fiction which is rooted in accurate history. His debut historical novel, Feud, is the first of a series of eight books and one novella entitled The Wars of the Roses which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family.
Derek has also written an Amazon bestselling trilogy set largely in post-Roman Britain. The Last of The Romans focuses on the real Romano-British character of Ambrosius Aurelianus during the fifth century AD.
Recently, Derek has published Rebel Sword, the first of a new historical fiction series set during the Anarchy of twelfth century England.
A new venture is the publication by Pen and Sword of a non-fiction history book entitled: A Guide to the Wars of the Roses.
Derek has written and produced over 40 podcasts on the Wars of the Roses. With historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly, he also co-hosts the podcast series, A Slice of Medieval, which is a fusion of history and historical fiction featuring popular historical novelists and medieval historians.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2015
We’re back in the 15th Century, England, the Wars of The Roses and our main man, Ned Elder now 23, is with the Yorkists - being a landowner, a Lord, from Yorkshire, ‘Yoredale,’ as he is and all. He’s still got problems up to his eyeballs. He’s still got a feud to deal with, a threat of death hanging over his head, a castle to get back to, a wife to rescue and very little money. But he is ‘rich’ where it really matters; he has a close family and a handful of faithful friends around him.
What ‘Fate’ does, is move away from the armies and the more formal set-pieces of the larger, nationwide struggle, between the forces of York and Lancaster. That is in the background, mostly. Book One, ’Feud,’ started with the feud (!) and moved outwards to involve the characters in the big picture. What ATF does and does very well, is to turn round and look back into its story, concentrating on what started the whole story rolling, that feud between the Elders, half-Elders and the Radcliffes.
Set in and around a part of England, Yorkshire, I know well (having lived there for 26 years), there are twists and turns, suspicions and deceptions, deaths being stared in the face and improbably rescues a-plenty. There are bloody battles on a grand scale and desperate skirmished in forests and fords. Nasty characters (mostly) get their just desserts, but well-loved characters also reach the end of the line, story-wise. It’s non-stop from the get-go, but with periods of reflection and a level of writing that is a forward step even from what was a fabulous first book.
I did think it was a bit long. It wouldn’t have suffered from being a little shorter, more compact. I can’t quite think what should have been cut out, maybe a bit of the to-ing and fro-ing in the forests towards the end - but then I’m not a writer, just a reader. I also thought that some of the - admittedly more minor - character’s deaths were unnecessary. For the story development, even long-term, or for the enjoyment value. Some writers seem to think almost that they have no control over where the story will lead and that the death of a well-loved minor character, is therefore unavoidable. I can understand this. And I can’t. Some writers seem to enjoy the killing off of some characters as occurring purely because it is pleasurable for them. It's all very well liking something, liking doing something, like saying you just killed off a main character, or a minor loved one, trying maybe to shock your audience, certainly to tantalise them (into buying the next book). However, you have to, in the final end - and this is your job - take a step back and say 'does it work?' Not 'do I like doing it?' subjective, but 'does it work?' objective.
There were a few deaths here, that were avoidable. And that leads me to my other criticism - it was all bit unnecessarily bloody. It's all very well and may indeed reflect the troubled and violent times and as one of the characters says, surely speaking to the writer; “You’re good at bloody chaos, I’ll give you that, my lord.” Yeah it happened, yeah it 'has' to go in, but - quite so often? So much? I’m with that it was bloody, that appealing things went on, but I don’t want to get battle fatigue just reading the book! The characters might have suffered, but the story wouldn’t have from leaving some of it out. Maybe that’s what could have been left out? Some of the hacking and the slicing and the wading through the pools of blood.
Through familiarity, with the characters, the story, the period and the author, it obviously can’t quite have the same punch in the face affect that the first (‘Feud’) had. It is to DB’s credit, that he doesn’t try and do the same again. There’s no doubt this is a middle of a trilogy (or fourology, actually) story, though, somehow, it doesn’t actually read like one underway. It is pretty self-contained and I do remember thinking it would be possible to read this, not having read the first - but why deny yourself that pleasure, eh? Then by the end of it, with all the threads hanging loose (dripping blood, probably), you’ll be ordering number three. Like me. And the fourth, what seems to the the final book in the saga, is on the old writing desk as we speak, probably while the good Mr Birks looks though his drawers for blotting paper. Not for ink blotches, for the blood.
What ‘Fate’ does, is move away from the armies and the more formal set-pieces of the larger, nationwide struggle, between the forces of York and Lancaster. That is in the background, mostly. Book One, ’Feud,’ started with the feud (!) and moved outwards to involve the characters in the big picture. What ATF does and does very well, is to turn round and look back into its story, concentrating on what started the whole story rolling, that feud between the Elders, half-Elders and the Radcliffes.
Set in and around a part of England, Yorkshire, I know well (having lived there for 26 years), there are twists and turns, suspicions and deceptions, deaths being stared in the face and improbably rescues a-plenty. There are bloody battles on a grand scale and desperate skirmished in forests and fords. Nasty characters (mostly) get their just desserts, but well-loved characters also reach the end of the line, story-wise. It’s non-stop from the get-go, but with periods of reflection and a level of writing that is a forward step even from what was a fabulous first book.
I did think it was a bit long. It wouldn’t have suffered from being a little shorter, more compact. I can’t quite think what should have been cut out, maybe a bit of the to-ing and fro-ing in the forests towards the end - but then I’m not a writer, just a reader. I also thought that some of the - admittedly more minor - character’s deaths were unnecessary. For the story development, even long-term, or for the enjoyment value. Some writers seem to think almost that they have no control over where the story will lead and that the death of a well-loved minor character, is therefore unavoidable. I can understand this. And I can’t. Some writers seem to enjoy the killing off of some characters as occurring purely because it is pleasurable for them. It's all very well liking something, liking doing something, like saying you just killed off a main character, or a minor loved one, trying maybe to shock your audience, certainly to tantalise them (into buying the next book). However, you have to, in the final end - and this is your job - take a step back and say 'does it work?' Not 'do I like doing it?' subjective, but 'does it work?' objective.
There were a few deaths here, that were avoidable. And that leads me to my other criticism - it was all bit unnecessarily bloody. It's all very well and may indeed reflect the troubled and violent times and as one of the characters says, surely speaking to the writer; “You’re good at bloody chaos, I’ll give you that, my lord.” Yeah it happened, yeah it 'has' to go in, but - quite so often? So much? I’m with that it was bloody, that appealing things went on, but I don’t want to get battle fatigue just reading the book! The characters might have suffered, but the story wouldn’t have from leaving some of it out. Maybe that’s what could have been left out? Some of the hacking and the slicing and the wading through the pools of blood.
Through familiarity, with the characters, the story, the period and the author, it obviously can’t quite have the same punch in the face affect that the first (‘Feud’) had. It is to DB’s credit, that he doesn’t try and do the same again. There’s no doubt this is a middle of a trilogy (or fourology, actually) story, though, somehow, it doesn’t actually read like one underway. It is pretty self-contained and I do remember thinking it would be possible to read this, not having read the first - but why deny yourself that pleasure, eh? Then by the end of it, with all the threads hanging loose (dripping blood, probably), you’ll be ordering number three. Like me. And the fourth, what seems to the the final book in the saga, is on the old writing desk as we speak, probably while the good Mr Birks looks though his drawers for blotting paper. Not for ink blotches, for the blood.
December 20, 2013
An excellent follow-up to Feud, with plenty of action, nail-biting tension, and epic adventure - I've got a much more wordy version at my blog, but the gist of it is that if you liked Feud, you'll definitely enjoy this one. (http://heatherdomin.wordpress.com/201...)
November 24, 2015
again, so much carnage! but I can't put the story down.
December 4, 2018
Having read Feud I was expecting great things from the 2nd book – and it did not disappoint. The story is told in great detail, the action is fast-paced and the characters elicit a great deal of sympathy and empathy. A Traitor’s Fate is one of those increasingly rare stories which are impossible to put down – and yet, at the same time as you can’t wait to get to the end, you don’t want it to finish.
July 13, 2021
CHARACTER ASSASSINATION
Don't get too involved with most characters in Birks' novels. It is remarkable and infuriating how so many characters are despatched with impunity. It's a fool's game to get too invested in the author's individuals. Some, like Black, are doomed for extinction despite the myriad advantages further development of their story lines would provide. It's amazing that Hal, so far, has not run afoul of the author!
Don't get too involved with most characters in Birks' novels. It is remarkable and infuriating how so many characters are despatched with impunity. It's a fool's game to get too invested in the author's individuals. Some, like Black, are doomed for extinction despite the myriad advantages further development of their story lines would provide. It's amazing that Hal, so far, has not run afoul of the author!
September 28, 2020
well...that was enjoyable but also predictable. Neds sisters seriously need a good thrashing...i really couldn't stand either of them. in the end I was rooting for Joan!
April 18, 2021
A Riveting sequel
I enjoyed the first and this sequel has also kept my attention from start to finish. I am now looking forward to part 3
I enjoyed the first and this sequel has also kept my attention from start to finish. I am now looking forward to part 3
January 23, 2014
This book drew me in from the first page, just like the first book in the trilogy, Feud.
This was a great action historical fantasy. There is a lot of carnage in the book—whole families get slaughtered, as well as main characters that I loved from the first book. But the writer has grown clearly, in that this book was “unputdownable,” and I read it straight through, because I had to know what happened next.
There were great scenes of action so real that I could imagine them happening. The author has a knack for fight scenes. While I am certain a tremendous amount of the battles are historical, there were skirmishes detailed that are probably not in any history book, and yet they were as realistic as the large battle scenes.
Ned, the main character, is by now an old friend, though he’s had about every terrible thing possible done to him by this book’s end. I also enjoyed the characters of the brave women Amelie and Eleanor and Emma, Ned’s relations. Everyone is harder, darker, and more vivid in this book than the last one, including the vicious Henry, Ned’s half-brother, and his evil wife, Joan, who is just about the most awful, ruthless, and power hungry woman I’ve seen in fiction. While only minor characters in the last book, these two rise to major characters of this book, along with Warwick, to form a trilogy out for Ned’s blood and that of his family. The latter brands him a traitor—hence the title—and the plot of this book is Ned trying to survive and clear his name, which seems impossible at times.
In summary: In a word: riveting! And the kind of book that’s good enough that I tell others about it and encourage them to read it. Sequel NOW, please!
This was a great action historical fantasy. There is a lot of carnage in the book—whole families get slaughtered, as well as main characters that I loved from the first book. But the writer has grown clearly, in that this book was “unputdownable,” and I read it straight through, because I had to know what happened next.
There were great scenes of action so real that I could imagine them happening. The author has a knack for fight scenes. While I am certain a tremendous amount of the battles are historical, there were skirmishes detailed that are probably not in any history book, and yet they were as realistic as the large battle scenes.
Ned, the main character, is by now an old friend, though he’s had about every terrible thing possible done to him by this book’s end. I also enjoyed the characters of the brave women Amelie and Eleanor and Emma, Ned’s relations. Everyone is harder, darker, and more vivid in this book than the last one, including the vicious Henry, Ned’s half-brother, and his evil wife, Joan, who is just about the most awful, ruthless, and power hungry woman I’ve seen in fiction. While only minor characters in the last book, these two rise to major characters of this book, along with Warwick, to form a trilogy out for Ned’s blood and that of his family. The latter brands him a traitor—hence the title—and the plot of this book is Ned trying to survive and clear his name, which seems impossible at times.
In summary: In a word: riveting! And the kind of book that’s good enough that I tell others about it and encourage them to read it. Sequel NOW, please!
January 20, 2014
3.5 stars. "A Traitor's Fate" is the second book in Derek Birks' Rebels and Brothers series. This book follows the continuing adventures of Ned and his sisters, Eleanor and Emma. In order to really get the most out of this book, you really should read the first book first so you are able to "get" this book and understand the characters a little bit better. With good characters and fascinating detail, this historical fiction tale will definitely be worth your while.
This book started out a little bit slowly for me but it eventually picked up the pace as the action picks up. This book continues to cover the War of the Roses, which is really fascinating to me. Things were changing for England so quickly. I love that you get a first hand look at how some of those people surrounding the fighting families were also affected. You get to see what they were contending with and how everyone was forced to choose a side.
One of the things that I really liked about this book is that you get a taste of both the male and female point of view of this time. You don't always get that in books, especially not historical fiction. Ned, Eleanor, and Emma share the stage in this book and it is through them that we get to see a lot of different perspectives of the time period. I thought that the author did a really good job of balancing between all of the different main characters. You really do get a chance to know all of them well! Balance like that can be hard to find.
This book started out a little bit slowly for me but it eventually picked up the pace as the action picks up. This book continues to cover the War of the Roses, which is really fascinating to me. Things were changing for England so quickly. I love that you get a first hand look at how some of those people surrounding the fighting families were also affected. You get to see what they were contending with and how everyone was forced to choose a side.
One of the things that I really liked about this book is that you get a taste of both the male and female point of view of this time. You don't always get that in books, especially not historical fiction. Ned, Eleanor, and Emma share the stage in this book and it is through them that we get to see a lot of different perspectives of the time period. I thought that the author did a really good job of balancing between all of the different main characters. You really do get a chance to know all of them well! Balance like that can be hard to find.
September 5, 2014
This is the second book in the series and one that I really was looking forward to reading as the first book really got my attention. The author does a masterful job in creating a story filled with wonderful characters and great story lines. This period of English history is one that I find fascinating and to come across well written fiction that deals with this period is a big plus. The author has done a superb job in creating a page turning, drama filled tale[one that kept me up later than I would like at times :-) ]. He has also left me wanting more...I cannot wait to read book 3. I give it 5 stars and a hearty recommendation.
March 5, 2014
I enjoyed this book as much as the 1st book in the Rebels and Brothers trilogy series and await release of the final book.
June 13, 2014
We are proud to announce that A TRAITOR’S FATE by Derek Birks is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews