Where Traitors Fall

A Hellish Fairytale #2

by Kate Callaghan

Many moons have passed since Klara Lucifer fought to claim the throne of the Dark Forest of Malum.

The new treaty between the Fae Lands of Kalos and Malum has eased border restrictions, and a tense peace is holding between the two lands. However, when rumours of dark creatures going missing begin to reach Klara, the young queen worries that the concord is even more fragile than it appears. Could the Realms be hovering on the brink of war?

When the Fae Queen, Aemella of Kalos, invites Klara to a Kalion ball to honour their lasting peace and treaty, it's the perfect opportunity to find out what is lurking beneath Kalos' perfect surface - but it's not long before old enemies and Malum's dark history return to haunt Klara in a way she never could have expected. She soon will learn that the enemy of her enemy is not to be trusted.

A lavish evening hiding deadly secrets.

The rise of those fallen.

An unexpected ally.

Can Klara do what she must to save herself and those she loves... or will she end up imprisoned in a cage of her own making?

Tropes & Themes:
🔮 Palace Politics
🍄 Found Family
🎃 Warring Realms
😈 Missing Creatures Mystery
❤️ Love & Betrayal

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Supernatural, Paranormal

474 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Kate Callaghan is an Irish author who writes adult fantasy, romantic suspense, and feel-good Christmas romance. She’s the creator of the Hellish Fairytale series, blending dark magic and intrigue, as well as festive romcoms like The Naughty or Nice Clause. Whether she’s spinning tales of dangerous love or cozy holiday magic, you’ll find her in a Dublin café with an iced coffee, plotting her next twist.

Mailing List https://forms.gle/mBcib2vHhBaf5XRe9
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katecallagh...
Tiktok 🍄 tiktok.com/@katecallaghanwriter

Reviews

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Where Traitors Fall is the second installment within A Hellish Fairtytale series. Just like the first book, I completely devoured this with zero regrets. With Klara's new role, she has to take on a new game: politics. It also doesn't help that she has to try and maintain the peace throughout the lands as well. Honestly, I do not envy her position at all.

Besides that, we get to see more of the hell and Fae worlds. I couldn't tell you which I enjoyed more because they were all fascinating. Also, if someone is willing to bring me a hellhound, I wouldn't say no to one. Just saying.

The twists and turns kept this a page turner. One couldn't help rooting for Klara because she's not as strong as she would like to be. She's definitely getting there, but it's nice to see someone in power admit to being weak in certain areas. There's always room for growth in my eyes and I'm glad that Klara realized this. I also really enjoyed Lokey because he was entertaining the entire time.

In the end, I'm so excited to get my hands on the next book because I need to know what is going to happen next.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy publication day Kate! Kate works so hard and I love her writing so much, the cherry on top being how wonderful this series is.

If you enjoyed The Prison Healer, I would say 100% you’ll enjoy this series. With a constant ball of anxiety in the pit of your stomach from not knowing what will happen, this book is an exciting rollercoaster.

“After writing “thereby” and “agrees to” far too many times, she grew exceptionally bored.”

There is a lot more politics this time around and Klara has a hell (hehe) of a time trying to keep the peace between the lands. With even more creatures and landmarks I was enthralled! I would also like a hell hound or two please.

More words, more world building - just more. There’s so much more to immerse yourself in and you can’t help but love the characters and feel connected to their struggle.

Whilst I would have loved more action like in the first book, there’s danger hidden behind every door and it never lets up. We’re developing leads and gleaning more knowledge and YES maybe I do love Lucifer a lot even if I’m not really meant to.

I can’t wait to continue reading in this series and I hope for Kate’s continued success!

[Jessica Reads It · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Traitors Fall is the epic sequel to Crowned a Traitor and is perfect for lovers of dark fantasy who enjoy non-stop action, headstrong female protagonists, intricately woven plotlines, and phenomenal world-building.

For those who haven't read the first book, Klara is the daughter of Lucifer the Devil and the Aemella of Kalos-Fae Queen making her the poster child for morally grey. As Klara accepts her role as ruler of the dark forest of Malum she begins to understand that ruling a people isn't always black and white.

One thing I relish about Kate Callaghan's writing is her ability to "keep it real." Yes, she is writing fictional characters in a fictional universe, but her characters are raw and honest with a vulnerability and authenticity that simply captivates readers.

Klara isn't the strongest or the smartest but this is easily trumped by her determination and sheer willpower to see grievous wrongs righted. I truly enjoyed seeing my dark queen's valiant attempts at being a guardian to Lottie, a Lycaon alpha in training. Klara's constant struggle for equilibrium between being a ruler, daughter, parent, friend, and teacher was startlingly realistic.

Perhaps the profound lesson to be learned from Where Traitors Fall is that there is strength in admitting weakness, in admitting to being lost and needing help. Klara has been truly and utterly defeated yet she does not waver from her beliefs or regret her decisions. She has grown tremendously from the girl in book one and I am enraptured by her journey to the crown of Hell.

I also relished the author's handling of the secondary characters who add much-needed dimension and flavor to the plotline. Klara cannot be all things and, whatever she lacks is made up by the other players. From Lokey's wit to Frendal's unwavering devotion and Lucifer's God complex, I never once felt like something was missing.

There is something intensely satisfying about finding a book that captivates you from the very first page and takes you on an adventure unlike any other.

Thank you to Independent Book Publishers Association, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I’ve clearly been missing out because when I stumbled on this book I didn’t realise that it’s a sequel but nevertheless this is a book I’m very happy to recommend. I was completely pulled into this world divided with its unique slant on Hell, the Fae and just what it could mean to be Lucifers daughter ! Klara is our protagonist and all she wants is to protect the forest she’s Queen of and all the Creatures that live there. Now that’s not an easy task because with old rivalries, jealousy and power struggles coming from seemingly every side just who can Klara really trust ?
Ok I won’t ruin the plot but will say it was lovely to follow Klara as she battled against such dishonesty and betrayal. All this whilst trying to not just protect others but also follow her own heart. Klara does have feelings and is unafraid to embrace them but as so much was thrown at her it became increasingly obvious that she is the one who makes the hard decisions. Yes she’s caught up in other people’s thoroughly nasty machinations but she always stood tall and was a heroine I could easily get behind . I really enjoyed this but will warn my fellow readers that the ending will leave you desperate for more !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique Lucifer's Daughter story and I'm loving it.
The twists are swift, I had trouble keeping up, in a good way. There's always something, deceit, lies, truth, and all while protecting the future. Klara really has the work cut out for her. Many balls in the air at the same time. Maybe a little too much? And OhMyGod that ending. Like WHAT. If you haven't yet, read the first book Crowned a Traitor NOW!!

And I LOVE the cover.

[Bozena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this book is definitely an excellent sequel to the first book Crowned A Traitor.

I love every single page of it 😍

Unbelievable gripping, suspenseful and fascinating story of Hell's and Fea's world and their creatures.

Ones I I started, I couldn't stop reading it.
What an exciting and nerve-wracking ride though the world of intrigues, power games and plots.
What an amazing mysterious world of magic and illusions.

I never thought living in the hell could be so exciting.
Partly shocking and terrifying of course,  but also incredible creepy fascinating 😳 😬

Klara’s fight for a better world and her vision of a peaceful forest and it's happy inhabitants is unfortunately more difficult than she initially thought.

She tries to keep her emotions in check and to rule with her clear intellect, but it's easier said than done.
How do you do that without being able to trust anyone?
How do you do that without someone by her side whom she can tell everything without fear of being betrayed?

So yes, this book is also full of anxious emotions and feelings, but also a beautiful romance between Klara and the hell's general Frendall ❤ 🔥 😍
Gosh! The chemistry between them is so damn hot 🔥 😍

But her relationship with Frendall is overshadowed by his loyalty to her father.
Her relationship with her mother is a constant power struggle.
Her relationship with her father is a struggle to prove that she can rule independently.

So without spoiling more of this dramatic story "welcome to the hell" 😈🖤
This book is a must-read page-turner that you don't want to miss.

This book is a part of a series and ends with a cliffhanger from hell 🤨😂

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do you hurt me so? Do you secretly hate me?


I literally can't stop crying the emotions I feel hurt so much. This was so good. You had no right to make me feel this way, NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE??? HOW DARE YOU! THIS WORLD IS MY HAPPY PLACE AND LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID.


Now excuse me while I wait for my signed copies I bought immediately after reading this till I can get my hands on the next one.



Xoxo
Littlemissfukit - tiktok

[ReadingInPyjamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in the series, but this sequel was even better. Werewolves, vampires, fae, witches, a unique magic system, mystery, political plots and a bit of romance, we're all wonderfully woven into the story. The action is fairly paced, leaving room for character development and it also expands in terms of world-building. There was never a dull moment. Klara is still a badass heroine and her character growth was impressive. She takes on so many responsibilities and I couldn't help but admire her even more. Plus her romantic interest, Frendall, made this story even sweeter. I devoured every scene with those two. The plot was intriguing enough to keep my interest until the last page of this book and as expected it ended with another cliffhanger that left me hungry for more. I'm really curious to see what will happen next.

[Estelle Tudor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, what a sequel! I loved Crowned a Traitor, but Callaghan has added another layer of finesse to this book. So much more rich, vivid detail, and delicious description. I felt like I was actually there, seeing everything through Klara's eyes.

I enjoyed the new characters and revisiting old ones and seeing how Klara handled being a new queen with a budding romance, a precocious charge to care for, along with all the politics of running the forest.

The end has me desperate for more. Looking forward to book 3!

[Bookscamilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Traitors Fall is the second book in A Hellish Fairytale and let me tell you; I did not think this series could get any better, but it just did. Everything about this book was amazing and I was left with a feeling of wanting more right away!

It is a story filled with drama, twists, suspense, magic, politics, villains and romance. I knew from the beginning that this one was going to be good and I was not disappointed. The captivating storyline, pace that fit the story so well, characters and world building was amazing.

Something I especially loved about this book is the characters because of their unique and fun personalities. We’re following Klara on her journey after claiming the throne of the Dark Forest of Malum and we’re seeing her grow as both a person and a queen. She is a total bad ass and a fierce queen, but I also enjoyed seeing the very caring side of her. Also loved the chemistry between Frendall and Klara

This was definitely an emotional rollercoaster and I still haven’t forgiven Kate Callaghan for that cliffhanger at the end. I want the next book in the series now!

I recommend you to read this series if you haven’t already!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I want to start off by thanking NetGalley and the publishers for an Arc of Where Traitors Fall in exchange for an honest review

I want to start off by saying Wow! The character growth from the first book to this book (book 2) is amazing. Like wow!

The pace, characters, and all of the twists draws you into this world. You love all the characters even love to hate some of them. I love Klara, the definition of morally grey, seeing her mature and grow so much between the two books is incredible. If you liked book 1 you will love book 2! I was captivated in this series from the very first page and not many books can actually do that. I’m a tad picky.

Klara learns that ruling over people isn’t as easy as she thought and you see her struggles come to life. I constantly found myself being Klara, if that makes sense to you like it does me. She was handled very well. But I was incredibly impressed with how the side/secondary characters were handled. Most authors don’t put so much depth into the side characters' lives/personalities.

A unique Lucifer’s daughter telling with so much truth, lies, deception and all while trying to save the future of their world

I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I’m still so emotional. My husband definitely saw me bawling over this book and had many questions.

I strongly recommend this book series!!

[Karlee Berrios · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the sequel to Kate Callaghan's Crowned a Traitor, we once again find Klara dealing with cutthroat politics, unstable alliances, and the threat of a gruesome war. In Where Traitors Fall, she's been the queen of Malum for one year and spent that time rebuilding after the horrors suffered from Abadan. But now, she's faced with whispers among her subjects of creatures disappearing, a summons from her father, Lucifer (yes, that one), and seemingly harmless tricks from her mother, queen of the Fae Lands. Family drama, am I right?

Callaghan is great at addressing some of the most loved tropes in YA high fantasy novels and altering them just enough to keep it surprising. The best example of this is in the premise itself, taking fae, vampires, werewolves, etc., and adding elements not usually seen with them, namely demons and angels. It's refreshing to see them combined in a way that feels so natural.

On top of that, the storyline is an intriguing mystery wrapped in high fantasy. Readers will try to figure out where it's all going to lead. But believe me when I tell you that you won't see the betrayal(s) coming. Is that spoiler-y? I mean... it is called Where Traitors Fall, so you can't be too surprised. (Even with the very clear warning in the title, my poor phone almost got thrown across the room.)

Something readers may struggle with is all the introspection. Because of Klara's pseudo-mindreading abilities, the story is primarily led by Klara's inner monologue. There's also a lot of background information, set-up for future plotlines, and recapping the first book. Because of these issues, parts of the book can be slow-moving. But if you have a little patience, it pays off.

With the above mentioned, I rate Where Traitors Fall four out of five stars. It's a nuanced storyline, with unique details, complete world-building, and really, really, (really, really, really) detestable villains. But because of the complexity, explaining it all slows down the flow of the story sometimes.

Where Traitors Fall is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas who are looking for something without sexually explicit content. While adult content is implied, it's minimal and vague. The violence is a little more on the brutal side, but there's nothing too graphic. It was a fun read, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an intricate YA high fantasy.

Lastly, Kate, please, for the love of all that is unholy, give us some peace in book three.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing mix of faeries, demons, werewolves, vampires, etc, etc. The book is narrated from the pov of Klara, the daughter of Lucifer and the Queen of the Faeries, the Queen of kingdom Malum.

Klara is an infinitely better queen than her predecessors. She's trying her best to give a good life for her subjects. But she's tested with unrests from all sides.

First her subjects, some of whom have wholeheartedly accepted her, and some who still hate her.
And then the issue of the werewolves, who are trying their best to steal away her young ward Lottie, the future alpha of the werewolves.
Oh, and people who go to the fae realm in search of better lives are going missing.

As Klara struggles to put out multiple fires at once, and at the same time get the best possible outcome for her subjects and her ward, she faces more and more unique challenges, and encounters multiple unexpected betrayals. And the book ends on a devastating cliffhanger 🥲 I very anxiously await the release of book 3 💔

This book was a perfect blend of fantasy, intrigue and romance. If you love to read YA fantasy, this book is a must-add to your tbr!

[Come_read_with_me_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow,

Crowned a traitor was good (Book 1), Where traitors Fall (Book 2) is even better.
I loved every second of this book.
Like Crowned a traitor, this book is dark however there is a glimmer of humour and romance throughout. Klara still has a long journey ahead of her, who to trust and who will betray her are consistent thoughts throughout, even with her mother and father.

Frendall is amazing. Ahhhhhh SO MANY EMOTIONS!!!!! The ending!! Why, Kate, why! haha!! I loved it so much, I need more.

I highly recommend this book, if you are a fan of dark fantasy romance.

Thank you to the author for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tmarie.0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me on the best kind of adventures.
One of my top reads for 2021, I did enjoy this one more than the first but the first was pretty good.
The writing style was amazing and so descriptive.
Klara? Ugh she's so bada**
This book is a high 4⭐ for me.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up until 3am to finish this book! This took me for a loop in spots. Cliffhangers! Aaaahhh! More coherent review to come.

[Erica Bernier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Kate Callaghan from providing me with an ARC of her book in exchange for an honest review.

It took me quite a long time to read Where Traitors Fall and it wasn't for a lack of excitement or interest in the book. I was simply not in the mood to read fantasy at the time I picked up the book, which ended up in me putting it down for a while.

I did find the middle part of it a bit tougher to get trough actually. The first 30% of the book flew real quick, but I had a bit of a tougher time reading it until I was around the 70% mark. Then it was a shit show! Kate really did a great job with all the plot twist and action scene in this book! AND WHAT OF THE ENDING!!! I wish I could tell you about it, but it would be spoiling all the book. But hell, what a ride!

Kate's writing style and world building is really on point and I can't find any lack in it. She really put all her heart and soul in the story and it shows.

If you are looking for a good fantasy trilogy, I highly recommend that one!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing YA dark fantasy series!! I thought CROWNED A TRAITOR was good, WHERE TRAITORS FALL took everything about this series to the next level - it's darker, it's grittier, it's more emotional and I loved being along for the ride. Loved seeing the growth of the main character as she discovers her place in the world and how powerful she really is. Can't wait to read more from this author and continue this series!

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[diary.of.a.hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

This book was so good! I got completely engrossed in the story and eagerly devoured every page.

The plot was very well done and the characters didn't disappoint either. I loved seeing the bond between Klara and Lottie develop further as it was one of my favourite things in the first book.

There was this one quote that I particularly liked: "Tragedy should breed compassion, not more tragedy". I think that the message it relays is relevant, especially in current times.

The book ended with a cliffhanger and I am very excited to find out what happens next!

Content Warnings: violence & torture

[hollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book is a disappointment to me, especially because I remember really enjoying book one. However, I think with the lack of recapping the plot of book one into book two (i.e. dropping sentences like it's been a year since...) and the snail's like pacing, I really forgot what happened in book one and just didn't enjoy this one.

As I mentioned, all I remembered from book one was our MC was Lucifer's daughter and now she was a Queen. Everything that happened between that is a blur and typically in series, the first chapter subtly reintroduces you back into the story and we didn't get any of that. I may have enjoyed this book more if it wasn't months between reading book one and book two. But this is could also just be me and my reading preference. I also know that despite enjoying the first book, it clearly wasn't overly memorable for me.
But my biggest issue with this book was the pacing. I was already 30% in and nothing had happened. We were stuck in the same setting with the same people and I was already rolling my eyes. The pacing was worse than slow. And I am a reader who needs a fast-paced book.

This book just took me forever to read and I will admit to skimming reading a lot of chapters and not actually missing any of the plot. This was a shame because I really liked the first book and I love how pretty these covers are.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Sarah J Maas then you’ll like Where Traitors Fall by Kate Callaghan! The world building was very intricate and well thought out but not too difficult to understand. I had never read any books by her until I received an ARC and had to go back and read Crowned a Traitor first, and I’m very glad I did! The tropes were *chefs kiss* and while smut is implied, there’s nothing graphic so it’s a perfect YA fantasy! Can’t wait for book three! I just hope it doesn’t break my heart.

[S.J. Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is an author to watch, if her books aren’t on your TBR they should be! This books is a fun tale and I found myself more drawn to this story than I was to the first. It felt nonstop and before I knew it I reached the end of the book! Can’t wait for the third book!! I’m excited to see where she takes this series.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series! I felt things were more established and loved all the intrigue and court politics. Felt it ended just as things were hyping up so can't wait for the sequel!

Thanks very much to the author for granting me an ARC of this! :)

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

This second book in A Hellish Fairytale is an improvement for the first book.

Plot

Klara is now Queen of Malum and there's a new treaty between the Fae lands and Malum to ease the border and a tense peace is holding between these two lands. However, there are rumors of dark creatures who are disappearing in Kalos and when they reach Klara, she worries that this peace is more fragile than what she had imagined.

One problem in this book was the pacing. The plot could have been interesting, but the pacing was supper slow. When I reach the 30% in the book, I noticed the book was still in the same place with the same characters. The ending had more action and it was definitely more interesting.

Characters

Klara

She grew as a character in this book. She has more compassion and she accepted her rule as queen. She tries to do what is best for the creatures in the forest and to try to protect them.

Frendall

Frendall is a character that I don't know how I feel about him. I like how he tries to help Klara and how much he cares for her, but at the same time, he is loyal to Lucifer and that loyalty comes first. I still don't like what he did to her in the ending.

Lottie

Lottie here is now Klara's ward. She is training because she is going to be the alpha some day. I liked her and her personality. I also liked the relationship and the dynamic between Lottie and Klara, which is so different from the dynamic between Klara and the queens.

Lucifer

Lucifer is actually an interesting character. I would have like to see more of him, but more than that, I really want to know what happened in the end for him to react the way he did.

Aemella

For the villain in this story, I found her to be a bit cliche and I would like her to be developed a little bit more.

Writing

I think the writing improved in this book. I liked the dialogue between the characters more here, but sometimes the descriptions were to much for me and that didn't help the pacing of the book that was already slow.

World-Building

The world-building was better here. I liked how she explained the fae culture and how she explained more of the magic system, especially the factory.

Romance

The romance is not the main theme in the book, but the reader still gets some. I liked the romance. It wasn't one of the best I have read, but the couple has some potential and I want to see what will happen between them after the betrayal.

Final Thoughts

It was a good improvement and I'm actually excited to read the third and last book to see what will happen to this characters.

My other rating and review for the other book in this trilogy

Crowned a Traitor - 2,5 stars

[ThatBeMeDiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pacing 3/5
Romance 4/5
Characters 4/5
Action 3.5/5

Have you ever watched an anime where the whole show is built around this couple getting together, dancing around each other; and when finally the two come together and admit their feelings it just.... ENDS. Aren't you disappointed? Don't you ever wish you could see more of them dating? You just want the juicy details!

Well, good for you in that this book provides you that sense of satisfaction. The first couple chapters of the book goes over the nitty gritty details of how Klara is as the Queen of Malum. You get to see her make treaties, network, and of course play the big sister role for her ward, Lottie. While the book was a slow build up to the conflict of the story that occurred about half-way in, it was a great time feeling Klara's exhaustion and desperateness at trying to keep peace. Kate Callaghan wrote beautiful, authentic characters who were not afraid to admit to their weaknesses. Klara is trying her best to be a good, strong, and fair leader but trouble keeps coming her way. She is frustrated. So frustrated. At the world. Her parents. She's frustrated at how the world is run and how people can trick themselves into believing they are in the right when she is faced with something that is clearly wrong. And she's always being placed in the spot to make the hard decisions, despite how fair it is. But she doesn't complain. She accepts her present and always tries her best.

The story did not just focus on Klara too. It dove into the support characters' own troubles and kept you wanting to jump around to see what happens next with one character. The love story was not in the main spotlight the whole time, but it was sprinkled in where it was needed and had some spice to it. If fantasy is something you want, this book HAS IT. So many different creatures trying to live together and the lore behind each was fascinating to read.

The only complaint I had was that the detailing did drag on a bit too much in some parts, and I wanted to jump straight to the emotions and the Why behind people's actions sooner - but I can't complain when a book keeps me so entertained that I have to keep flipping to the next page.

Warm regards,
Diana Banana

[Blanche Maze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and twisted like I love!

-Big thanks to the author and Netgalley for the eARC-

SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 IN THE NEXT PARAGRAPH.
It's been some time since Klara claimed her place on the throne of Malum. The peace treaty between the Fae Lands and hers has eased some tensions, but there are rumors of creatures going missing. Klara fears a war coming and when she's invited by the Fae Queen, she takes the opportunity to investigate. When old enemies come lurking back, she will have to be careful who she can trust to save her kingdom.

There's just something about this series that lures me in. It might be because I admire Klara so much. She has her flaws, of course, but she knows herself well enough to understand them and act accordingly, which makes her incredibly strong. I love her for that and it makes her really relatable. I enjoyed the romance in this book a lot. Frendall is...well, he's swoon-worthy and I can't say I blame Klara for falling so hard. I also really liked the tutor role our Queen takes in this sequel. It added some maturity to her decisions and I found it very interesting. The politics of the world are complicated, yes, but the author helps us understand what's happening and what's at stakes, which makes it easy to follow. We feel a lot in this book, it's a real roller-coaster of emotions and I was there for it. It was full of action, humor and danger with all the threats Klara has to face, and I really enjoyed the different subplots, which made the story even more entertaining. I look forward to reading the sequel because that ending had me gaping in anticipation! I didn't expect it and I can't wait to read the final installment in this amazing trilogy!

I definitely recommend to dark fantasy readers all around!

"To sustain life, some must fall. It is the circle in which we live."

[Jeraca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this free eARC novel from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This book has so much happening, it's non stop action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat! I do feel that the writing was better in this book than the first one, either because the author did some changes or because I got used to her writing style - not sure which.

I feel for Klara. Her parents, both, are awful people and they play so many mind games, that my head is hurting from trying to figure everything out. I want them both to suffer by the end of this series!

I don't know how Klara is a product of these two, because she has heart, she cares about what is right and her parents are only looking out for themselves and what will benefit them the most. It's disgusting.

Frendall disappointed me the most. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation, but I can't get over his betrayal and I really hope that Klara won't forgive him right away... or ever if I'm being honest, though I'm sure that's not the case. She better make him work for it though.

I am very excited to dive into the next book to see how things get wrapped up! And to see Klara outsmart both of her conniving parents, hopefully!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an e-arc of this from netgalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WHAT CAN I SAY FOLKS, KATE CALLAGHAN HAS DONE IT AGAIN!

If you haven't read book one of a hellish fairytale (crowned a traitor) I would highly suggest it because *chef kiss*

This was such an amazing sequel, I was blown away with the characters and the amazing worldbuilding that Kate has put into this book. The world is so intricate and thought out that I applaud her brilliant mind!

We follow Klara ( Aka Lucifer's daughter) as she tries to come to terms with her new role as Queen of Malum ( which she isnt too keen on) and the story has a time jump of a year after her crowning! I loved Klara as our main character ( even if she sometimes made the STUPIDEST decisions) she was powerful, loyal to her subjects, never backed down and was an absolute pleasure to follow on her adventure.

THE END. need I say more people?! The absolute 💯 break your heart but leaves you wanting more betrayal at the end I just.....I still haven't processed it fully!

[Jay Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very satisfying follow up to Crowned a Traitor (Book 1). Both have their own strengths but, for me, I liked this Where Traitors Fall more. It dives much deeper into the Klara's emotions, the magic system, relationships between the characters, and the politics of the Realm.

Callaghan does a fantastic job of building suspense and keeping her readers on their toes! So if you pick up this book, you're in for a ride.

If you are looking for a YA dark fantasy romance series with a strong female lead, look no further. This series ticks some key boxes:
- A fantastic cast of well-developed characters.
- Action.
- ALL sorts of emotional twists and turns.
- An endearing and steamy love story.
- Angst.
- Drama. Drama. Drama.
- Epic endings.

Looking forward to the next one!

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin with this review. I absolutely cannot get enough for this series. Joined by the familiar cast of characters this installment of the Hellish Fairytale series was explosive. The personal stakes so much higher, the political tension so much tighter, and the scheming and betrayal is to die for. Klara kept surprising me at every turn. Her character development was a seamless transition of a young heiress into the budding queens she is meant to be. Kate Callaghan has not only managed to create delicious MCs but her support cast is made up of unforgettable characters that will root and take hold of your heart. I cannot wait I for the third installment as I am dying to know what lays ahead for Klara and her kingdom.

Thank you to @netgalley for a copy for my honest review.