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The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear
When she stumbles upon a series of long-buried secrets that threaten to dismantle their carefully crafted lives, she faces a harrowing choice: expose the truth and risk everything or remain silent and let the lies continue. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, she must decide who to trust in a game where betrayal lurks around every corner.
Will Angelette have the courage to face the darkness, or will her fear silence her forever?
Will Angelette have the courage to face the darkness, or will her fear silence her forever?
180 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 30, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this ARC
I was eager to read this debut novel by Heather Ogden. Although YA is not my usual genre, I enjoyed this first installment that sets the stage for a rich and complex series. The story follows Angelette who is the daughter of a dictator, Valerius Arabella. Outwardly, it would seem that she enjoys a life of privilege but the reader quickly realizes that there is a compelling conflict and deep struggle between loyalty and truth, silence and safety. The book blends dystopian elements with magical realism into a tapestry of reflection on personal integrity versus societal pressures.
Angelette must choose between exposing secrets or preserving the fragile facade of safety under her father's rule. The reader will immerse in the tension of betrayal and moral courage. Ogden is building a world with layers of mystique and poignancy. This is an ambitious plot that will undoubtedly reveal masterfully in subsequent releases and leave the reader guessing, pondering, and yearning for more.
Ogden delivers a bold and thematically resonant debut that hits the shelves in October 2025.
I was eager to read this debut novel by Heather Ogden. Although YA is not my usual genre, I enjoyed this first installment that sets the stage for a rich and complex series. The story follows Angelette who is the daughter of a dictator, Valerius Arabella. Outwardly, it would seem that she enjoys a life of privilege but the reader quickly realizes that there is a compelling conflict and deep struggle between loyalty and truth, silence and safety. The book blends dystopian elements with magical realism into a tapestry of reflection on personal integrity versus societal pressures.
Angelette must choose between exposing secrets or preserving the fragile facade of safety under her father's rule. The reader will immerse in the tension of betrayal and moral courage. Ogden is building a world with layers of mystique and poignancy. This is an ambitious plot that will undoubtedly reveal masterfully in subsequent releases and leave the reader guessing, pondering, and yearning for more.
Ogden delivers a bold and thematically resonant debut that hits the shelves in October 2025.
October 14, 2025
Gifted physical ARC copy with the option in the back for a digital copy as well.
A dystopian YA series, book 1 is The Lies We Fear. The main characters are a young girl, Angelette, and her father, Valerius Arabella.
As the dictator of Estela, both Valerius and Angelette are never sure who they can trust, including each other There always seems to be a rebellion on the rise, and you can never be sure of who is loyal.
Short chapters, fast read, and ends on a cliffhanger, so my question is, how long til book 2? 😆
Thanks @heatherogden @prbythebook and @morganjamespub
A dystopian YA series, book 1 is The Lies We Fear. The main characters are a young girl, Angelette, and her father, Valerius Arabella.
As the dictator of Estela, both Valerius and Angelette are never sure who they can trust, including each other There always seems to be a rebellion on the rise, and you can never be sure of who is loyal.
Short chapters, fast read, and ends on a cliffhanger, so my question is, how long til book 2? 😆
Thanks @heatherogden @prbythebook and @morganjamespub
September 8, 2025
The Betrayal by Hether Odgens immediately drew me in with its moody, gothic atmosphere infused with a modern twist. It lived up to my expectations as the first book in a series, and I believe it has strong potential to grow into something truly captivating.
The story follows Angelette Arabella. As the daughter of Valerius Arabella, a ruthless dictator, she is bound by duty until she uncovers a series of dangerous, long-buried secrets. Forced to choose between truth and survival, Angelette becomes caught in a tense game of shifting loyalties and hidden betrayals.
The premise feels fresh and compelling, with high stakes and plenty of room for character and plot development as the series continues. The writing delivers a strong sense of atmosphere, immersing readers in its dark yet elegant world.
Overall, this is a promising start to a series I’d definitely recommend to others. It sets the stage for intrigue, power struggles, and revelations that will surely keep readers invested.
The story follows Angelette Arabella. As the daughter of Valerius Arabella, a ruthless dictator, she is bound by duty until she uncovers a series of dangerous, long-buried secrets. Forced to choose between truth and survival, Angelette becomes caught in a tense game of shifting loyalties and hidden betrayals.
The premise feels fresh and compelling, with high stakes and plenty of room for character and plot development as the series continues. The writing delivers a strong sense of atmosphere, immersing readers in its dark yet elegant world.
Overall, this is a promising start to a series I’d definitely recommend to others. It sets the stage for intrigue, power struggles, and revelations that will surely keep readers invested.
October 8, 2025
Heather Ogden’s "The Betrayal - The Lies We Fear" is a tautly woven dystopian fantasy that plunges readers into the fractured world of Libertis, a city ruled with icy precision by Valerius Arabella. The story opens with a chilling portrayal of isolation and control, as Valerius’s dominance over his city—and his own family—is depicted through glassy, dangerous encounters and whispered reports of rebellion. Ogden crafts each scene with an evocative melancholy, leveraging the suspense of magic, hidden motives, and tense familial love to build a world at once fantastical and terrifyingly plausible.
The novel’s core is the Arabella family drama, centering on Angelette, Valerius’s youngest daughter. Through her wide-eyed perspective, readers experience the double-edged sword of paternal affection and authoritarian shadow, explored through birthday rituals, school tensions, and secret discoveries. As Angelette uncovers veiled truths about her mother’s disappearance and mysterious powers lurking beneath her father’s rule, Ogden deftly builds an atmosphere thick with suspicion and heartache—each revelation distilled through the everyday moments of homework, family dinners, and clandestine conversations in hidden rooms.
Ogden’s narrative skill is most evident in her ability to intertwine action and emotion. Scenes of magical confrontations and rebel hunts are rendered with cinematic immediacy, their stakes magnified by the vulnerability and agency of young characters. The gradual awakening of magic—and the hazards and responsibilities it brings—mirror Angelette’s coming-of-age, as she grapples with trust, betrayal, and the reality of living under constant surveillance. Side plots involving characters like Hunter, Elfi, and Silas add richness to the tapestry, revealing how rebellion and loyalty ripple through social, political, and personal spaces.
Stylistically, "The Betrayal - The Lies We Fear" is compelling for its sharp, modern prose and psychological insight. Ogden balances suspense and introspection, ensuring that every magical ritual, heated argument, and moment of solace carries the weight of history and the uncertainty of the future. Ultimately, the narrative’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers—each character’s choices are tangled in webs of family, magic, and power, culminating in a haunting meditation on survival and selfhood in a world ruled by lies and fear.
The novel’s core is the Arabella family drama, centering on Angelette, Valerius’s youngest daughter. Through her wide-eyed perspective, readers experience the double-edged sword of paternal affection and authoritarian shadow, explored through birthday rituals, school tensions, and secret discoveries. As Angelette uncovers veiled truths about her mother’s disappearance and mysterious powers lurking beneath her father’s rule, Ogden deftly builds an atmosphere thick with suspicion and heartache—each revelation distilled through the everyday moments of homework, family dinners, and clandestine conversations in hidden rooms.
Ogden’s narrative skill is most evident in her ability to intertwine action and emotion. Scenes of magical confrontations and rebel hunts are rendered with cinematic immediacy, their stakes magnified by the vulnerability and agency of young characters. The gradual awakening of magic—and the hazards and responsibilities it brings—mirror Angelette’s coming-of-age, as she grapples with trust, betrayal, and the reality of living under constant surveillance. Side plots involving characters like Hunter, Elfi, and Silas add richness to the tapestry, revealing how rebellion and loyalty ripple through social, political, and personal spaces.
Stylistically, "The Betrayal - The Lies We Fear" is compelling for its sharp, modern prose and psychological insight. Ogden balances suspense and introspection, ensuring that every magical ritual, heated argument, and moment of solace carries the weight of history and the uncertainty of the future. Ultimately, the narrative’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers—each character’s choices are tangled in webs of family, magic, and power, culminating in a haunting meditation on survival and selfhood in a world ruled by lies and fear.
October 7, 2025
The Betrayal is Heather Ogden's debut novel, a YA fantasy focused on uncovering the truth of the world you live in and the family that raised you, and deciding to take a stand against injustice. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for sending me a copy of this new release for review. As always, my thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Overall, I found The Betrayal to be an interesting debut, introducing a world rife with magic, secrets, and intrigue. I thought the story overall showed potential, with the characters and pieces there to become something great. However, as can often be the case with debuts, I did think the execution of the story needed a bit more development. Parts of the story felt a bit quick or shallow, though I did appreciate the book overall being a fast and punchy read. I can definitely see this series becoming something easily bingeable once it's entirely out!
The writing style also didn't entirely work for me. It was fairly simplistic in nature, and I've always been someone for more flowery or lyrical writing in books, especially within the fantasy genre. I also felt like the writing was a bit static, more so telling me a series of events as they happened rather than making me truly feel them and experience them how our main character did. This, along with the simpler writing, led to a bit of distance between me as the reader and Angelette, though she did grow more into herself by the end of this story already.
In the end, The Betrayal is a quick read and great for younger readers looking for a fast story to get a taste of the fantasy genre, or explore the beginnings of themes of injustice, authority, and identity.
Overall, I found The Betrayal to be an interesting debut, introducing a world rife with magic, secrets, and intrigue. I thought the story overall showed potential, with the characters and pieces there to become something great. However, as can often be the case with debuts, I did think the execution of the story needed a bit more development. Parts of the story felt a bit quick or shallow, though I did appreciate the book overall being a fast and punchy read. I can definitely see this series becoming something easily bingeable once it's entirely out!
The writing style also didn't entirely work for me. It was fairly simplistic in nature, and I've always been someone for more flowery or lyrical writing in books, especially within the fantasy genre. I also felt like the writing was a bit static, more so telling me a series of events as they happened rather than making me truly feel them and experience them how our main character did. This, along with the simpler writing, led to a bit of distance between me as the reader and Angelette, though she did grow more into herself by the end of this story already.
In the end, The Betrayal is a quick read and great for younger readers looking for a fast story to get a taste of the fantasy genre, or explore the beginnings of themes of injustice, authority, and identity.
October 7, 2025
Heather Ogden writes a gripping tale of betrayal
In The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear, the reader is brought into the lives of Angelette, her ruthless father, Valerius. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. This author has a grand imagination, and the storyline is character-driven. Intrigue, betrayal and quest for freedom are just a part of this complex story that makes you question the real motives behind character's actions. Loyalty is a major part of the plot, weaved into the story, showing the different sides of Angelette, where her father is more outward than she is. The story has layers, and each character has his or her own depths, perfections and flaws. Valerius is one of those antagonists that even though you should be hoping he'd change, at least for his daughter, is a dynamic character, but in ways that are transparent. Angelette tries to figure out the line between freedom and her love for her father. It's not wrong to like Valerius, and I'm sure he was fun to write about. The pacing is well-balanced, some action filled scenes that speed up, and then, the calmer scenes of reflection and strategy. There are a lot of characters in this story, and multiple subplots, but it's worth the read, and hopefully an opening to expand on this story in a sequel. The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that readers of this book, be kind, and also write a review.
In The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear, the reader is brought into the lives of Angelette, her ruthless father, Valerius. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. This author has a grand imagination, and the storyline is character-driven. Intrigue, betrayal and quest for freedom are just a part of this complex story that makes you question the real motives behind character's actions. Loyalty is a major part of the plot, weaved into the story, showing the different sides of Angelette, where her father is more outward than she is. The story has layers, and each character has his or her own depths, perfections and flaws. Valerius is one of those antagonists that even though you should be hoping he'd change, at least for his daughter, is a dynamic character, but in ways that are transparent. Angelette tries to figure out the line between freedom and her love for her father. It's not wrong to like Valerius, and I'm sure he was fun to write about. The pacing is well-balanced, some action filled scenes that speed up, and then, the calmer scenes of reflection and strategy. There are a lot of characters in this story, and multiple subplots, but it's worth the read, and hopefully an opening to expand on this story in a sequel. The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that readers of this book, be kind, and also write a review.
January 15, 2026
📚The Betrayal
✍🏻Heather Ogden
Blurb"
When she stumbles upon a series of long-buried secrets that threaten to dismantle their carefully crafted lives, she faces a harrowing choice: expose the truth and risk everything or remain silent and let the lies continue. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, she must decide who to trust in a game where betrayal lurks around every corner.
Will Angelette have the courage to face the darkness, or will her fear silence her forever?
My Thoughts:
The Betrayal is Heather Ogden's debut novel, a YA fantasy focused on uncovering the truth of the world you live in and the family that raised you, and deciding to take a stand against injustice. Angelette must choose between exposing secrets or preserving the fragile facade of safety under her father's rule. Angelette has mostly lived a sheltered life with staff who attend to all of her needs.Angelette, the daughter of a dictator who discovers dark secrets that force her to choose between loyalty and truth. Each character’s choices are tangled in webs of family, magic, and power, culminating in a haunting meditation on survival and selfhood in a world ruled by the unknown.
Thanks NetGalley, Morgan James YA Fiction and Author Heather Ogden for the advanced copy of "The Betrayal: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#MorganJamesYAFiction
#HeatherOgden
#TheBetrayal
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Heather Ogden
Blurb"
When she stumbles upon a series of long-buried secrets that threaten to dismantle their carefully crafted lives, she faces a harrowing choice: expose the truth and risk everything or remain silent and let the lies continue. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, she must decide who to trust in a game where betrayal lurks around every corner.
Will Angelette have the courage to face the darkness, or will her fear silence her forever?
My Thoughts:
The Betrayal is Heather Ogden's debut novel, a YA fantasy focused on uncovering the truth of the world you live in and the family that raised you, and deciding to take a stand against injustice. Angelette must choose between exposing secrets or preserving the fragile facade of safety under her father's rule. Angelette has mostly lived a sheltered life with staff who attend to all of her needs.Angelette, the daughter of a dictator who discovers dark secrets that force her to choose between loyalty and truth. Each character’s choices are tangled in webs of family, magic, and power, culminating in a haunting meditation on survival and selfhood in a world ruled by the unknown.
Thanks NetGalley, Morgan James YA Fiction and Author Heather Ogden for the advanced copy of "The Betrayal: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#MorganJamesYAFiction
#HeatherOgden
#TheBetrayal
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC book.
This was one of those books that started off a little rocky for me, but by the end, I found myself surprisingly invested. The story follows Angelette, the daughter of the powerful and manipulative Valerius, as she grows up in his shadow. It spans several years of her life, from age ten to fifteen, and while I wish it had been longer and more detailed, it did a good job setting the stage for the series to come.
I struggled a bit with the writing style switching between first and third person and a few plot details that didn’t quite make sense. I was also frustrated at first by Angelette’s lack of suspicion toward her father, but as the story progresses, she becomes more independent and starts to push back against his control. Watching her character grow was one of the most satisfying parts.
Despite some pacing issues and time jumps that felt glossed over, I ended up enjoying the story and the relationships it developed, especially between Angelette and Hunter. It’s a solid start to a series that has potential, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes her.
This was one of those books that started off a little rocky for me, but by the end, I found myself surprisingly invested. The story follows Angelette, the daughter of the powerful and manipulative Valerius, as she grows up in his shadow. It spans several years of her life, from age ten to fifteen, and while I wish it had been longer and more detailed, it did a good job setting the stage for the series to come.
I struggled a bit with the writing style switching between first and third person and a few plot details that didn’t quite make sense. I was also frustrated at first by Angelette’s lack of suspicion toward her father, but as the story progresses, she becomes more independent and starts to push back against his control. Watching her character grow was one of the most satisfying parts.
Despite some pacing issues and time jumps that felt glossed over, I ended up enjoying the story and the relationships it developed, especially between Angelette and Hunter. It’s a solid start to a series that has potential, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes her.
October 25, 2025
First and foremost I want to sincerely thank PR by the Book and Heather Ogden for the opportunity to read and review a physical ARC of Heather's debut album, Betrayal.
I loved how Heather worked such a controversial topic into this book *gasp* it's politics! It absolutely has President Snow vibes and that felt like a cordial nod to Suzanne Collins. Other themes that felt very familiar were the dystopian setting and a very toxic family dynamic.
The story starts by introducing us to Angelette "Angel" Arabella. She's the daughter to a very power hungry dictator. Let's just say things between Angel and Valerius (farher) are not positive. He is manipulative, possessive, essentially every bad "-ive" you can think of.
While the concept of the story remained intriguing from beginning to end, there are some areas that could definitely be cleaned up. It felt like the change in POVs (first to third, and back again) happened frequently and not as smoothly as you'd like them to be. Keeping in mind that this is a debut novel, and the first in a brand new series, I am hopeful that the second book will reflect the author's growth over time.
I loved how Heather worked such a controversial topic into this book *gasp* it's politics! It absolutely has President Snow vibes and that felt like a cordial nod to Suzanne Collins. Other themes that felt very familiar were the dystopian setting and a very toxic family dynamic.
The story starts by introducing us to Angelette "Angel" Arabella. She's the daughter to a very power hungry dictator. Let's just say things between Angel and Valerius (farher) are not positive. He is manipulative, possessive, essentially every bad "-ive" you can think of.
While the concept of the story remained intriguing from beginning to end, there are some areas that could definitely be cleaned up. It felt like the change in POVs (first to third, and back again) happened frequently and not as smoothly as you'd like them to be. Keeping in mind that this is a debut novel, and the first in a brand new series, I am hopeful that the second book will reflect the author's growth over time.
October 10, 2025
Kudos to Heather Ogden for her debut, The Lies We Fear: The Betrayal—what a ride! The story follows Angelette, who grows up in a powerful (and seriously intimidating) family. As those closest to her start disappearing, the mystery ramps up, and she’s caught between fear of her strict father and the pull of a magical realm that reveals secrets—and a boy in danger. With suspense, family drama, and plenty of action, this book keeps the pace moving so there’s no chance to get bored. A strong debut that leaves you wanting more!
September 10, 2025
thank you netgalley for this ARC.
so it goes without saying I didn't quite like this book. but I'm sure others will love it just wasn't for me. it's short, redundant and feels rushed.
so it goes without saying I didn't quite like this book. but I'm sure others will love it just wasn't for me. it's short, redundant and feels rushed.
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September 23, 2025The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear, by Heather Ogden, marks the first installment in a series about a powerful family embroiled in secrets and lies. Read more: https://loom.ly/2twNKhQ
September 30, 2025
The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear is the author’s debut book. This book is intriguing and so well written. For me it was a quick read and that was because I didn’t want to put it down. It pulled me in the from the beginning and left me wanting more pages and more of the story by the end.
The story starts out introducing the readers to Angelette Arabella and her family. At the beginning she is a small child but the author moves her up in age as the story goes along. She is a teenager by the end of the story. Angelette grew up wealthy and part of a very powerful family. Her father is Valerius Arabella, a ruler who no one wants to mess with. There are those who are part of a one of the rebellions that want to try to overthrow his ruling but so far no one has. He is not someone to mess with and he even made me nervous just reading the story.
Angelette has mostly lived a sheltered life with staff who attend to all of her needs. They are all also under the control of her father. The people that she has been close to has all seemed to disappear for one reason or another. She doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Then one day she discovers a place where there is magic and she starts finding out about many secrets. Then she meets a teenage boy named Hunter whose life is in danger. When she attempts to help him it just leads her into a more dangerous position where she is not certain of what will happen next. There is so much that she doesn’t know and now she is not sure what to do with all the information. Will she continue to live under the carefully controlled ways of her father or will she secretly join or start a rebellion of her own to take her father down?
I enjoyed the entire book. There is action, suspense, friendship and so much more that makes the plot of this story so good. The characters continued to surprise me and by the end I was like wait what just happened? I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, which I hope is soon!
The story starts out introducing the readers to Angelette Arabella and her family. At the beginning she is a small child but the author moves her up in age as the story goes along. She is a teenager by the end of the story. Angelette grew up wealthy and part of a very powerful family. Her father is Valerius Arabella, a ruler who no one wants to mess with. There are those who are part of a one of the rebellions that want to try to overthrow his ruling but so far no one has. He is not someone to mess with and he even made me nervous just reading the story.
Angelette has mostly lived a sheltered life with staff who attend to all of her needs. They are all also under the control of her father. The people that she has been close to has all seemed to disappear for one reason or another. She doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Then one day she discovers a place where there is magic and she starts finding out about many secrets. Then she meets a teenage boy named Hunter whose life is in danger. When she attempts to help him it just leads her into a more dangerous position where she is not certain of what will happen next. There is so much that she doesn’t know and now she is not sure what to do with all the information. Will she continue to live under the carefully controlled ways of her father or will she secretly join or start a rebellion of her own to take her father down?
I enjoyed the entire book. There is action, suspense, friendship and so much more that makes the plot of this story so good. The characters continued to surprise me and by the end I was like wait what just happened? I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, which I hope is soon!
November 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was an interesting read. I liked the plot and the characters were entertaining and engaging. There were times when the pacing was a bit rushed in my opinion and the characters needed a BIT more development.
Still had a good time and I'm interested in trying out this author's work in the future again
This was an interesting read. I liked the plot and the characters were entertaining and engaging. There were times when the pacing was a bit rushed in my opinion and the characters needed a BIT more development.
Still had a good time and I'm interested in trying out this author's work in the future again
September 29, 2025
This has a lot of great potential! The plot and characters are intriguing, I just think they need more development. The book felt a bit rushed and the writing focused more on telling instead of showing. The ending left me wanting more though, so I may pick up the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own!
December 3, 2025
Thank you so much to PR by the Book and author Heather Ogden for sending me a copy of this book.
This intriguing story drew me in with its moody, gothic atmosphere filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal.
We follow Angelette, a young woman raised in privilege who believes wholeheartedly in the good her dictator father is doing—until she uncovers a series of long-buried secrets that shatter her worldview. As the truth comes to light, she’s forced to choose between survival and doing what’s right.
Overall, it’s a strong and promising start to an exciting new fantasy series.
This intriguing story drew me in with its moody, gothic atmosphere filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal.
We follow Angelette, a young woman raised in privilege who believes wholeheartedly in the good her dictator father is doing—until she uncovers a series of long-buried secrets that shatter her worldview. As the truth comes to light, she’s forced to choose between survival and doing what’s right.
Overall, it’s a strong and promising start to an exciting new fantasy series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews