Traitors

by Willa Hollis

She’s been lied to. So has the whole world.

Seraphine Austen, raised by the Ravellian rebels, has spent her life below, hidden in the shadows after a ruthless regime drove magic wielders and Nulls into hiding below ground. Above, Whitefall, a projected idealistic society, keeps peace and order by practicing law over lore. Gifted with dangerous power, Seraphine has never known independence, instead fiercely protected by her father, the Ravellian leader. Tired of hiding and burning with anger at the injustices above, she’s ready to step into the light and prove herself.

He carries the truth that could change everything.

Tark Lowell is the son of the regime itself. As the Commander of Whitefall’s military forces, he enforces order without mercy and is loyal without question. Burdened by duty and the weight of those he’s sworn to protect, the pressure of it all threatens to expose him.

When Tark captures Seraphine after a mission gone wrong, their meeting creates a chain of events neither anticipated. Ugly truths are exposed, and loyalties fracture, blurring the line between enemy and ally.

Surrounded by deception, Seraphine and Tark must decide whether trusting each other is the greatest risk or their only chance at survival—because how do you trust someone who’s betrayed the only world you’ve ever known?

We’re all traitors in the end.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Willa Hollis is a fantasy author with a background in psychology. Willa lives in New England with her family. She is a stay at home mother to two beautifully wild children. Stay up to date on her future projects by visiting her Instagram page, @willaholliswrites.

Reviews

[Victoria ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the profound pleasure of receiving an ARC from the author.

Truth be told, I’m not the type of reader who generally goes for a book without the promise of a HEA. In choosing to pick up Traitors by Willa Hollis, I knowingly stepped outside of my comfort zone and I couldn’t be happier for doing so.

I’m a sucker for a fierce FMC and our little Rebel was one to be admired. I loved being able to walk along side her and watch as she processed wave after wave of betrayal, mistrust, consequences - you name it. It’s books like this that remind us that in times of war, happiness isn’t always guaranteed.

I devoured this book in one sitting and the last few pages had me feeling every emotion under the sun in a way I haven’t since I read Heartless by Marissa Meyers (if you know, you know).

Am I creating my own conclusions based of that ending with hopes for a future? You bet. Am I secretly hoping for a sequel? Also yes.

But… no matter what, in one way or another, we’re all traitors in the end.⚔️

[Brittany Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Willa Hollis for sending me an early copy! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and these thoughts are 100% my own.
& Oh my GOOOOOD she hit it out of the park with this one 😭 an incredible fantasy dystopian novel displaying how tragically flawed humans are.
No spoilers! If you are a fan of Katniss Everdeen, Daenerys Targaryen or Tris Prior, I cannot recommend this enough.
Quotes that almost made me weep:
🤍 “On the other side of this, there’s light.”
🤍 “Her life is worth it all. And I would risk a life of freedom than spend another moment in this cage of lies, time and time again.”
🤍 “No one ever suspects the woman, little bird. It’s what makes us far more dangerous. We hold all the power.”
🤍 Grief isn’t logical. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Sorrow and anguish so consuming sinks its claws into you, eradicating who you were, everything you knew, and replacing it with something new. Something sharper. Harder. A rewiring of the synapses, making you new. New, but never whole. Never again.”

[Katie Lavoie]

Another fast-paced, plot-driven dystopian fantasy from Willa Hollis!

The characters are great independently and together. I am a sucker for a fierce and capable FMC, and Seraphine delivers on that, as the daughter of the head of the rebel movement. Meanwhile, Tark is a commander in the army and son to the tyrant leader, but also a healer and incredible kind hearted.

I’ll be honest, I could critique the book but am not going to. Yes, there are flaws. Yet I sat down to read and three hours later found myself finishing the book. So even with the flaws I was pulled in and clearly interested which is ultimately what matters to me.

Thanks to Willa Hollis for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhiannon Grenier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Willa Hollis for an Advanced Reader Copy of "Traitors"

This is a book I was super excited for when the sign up to read it came out. I love a strong female protagonist (which is what you get) who is fighting for something bigger than herself. The magic system is very interesting and not the same old same old, rather an interesting take on power structure.

Good stand alone, would have been an even better trilogy/series if given the chance. In general the story is really fast paced and side characters don't play as big of a role as they should. I wanted a lot more from them in the beginning, so when/if they appeared later it would be even more satisfying.

The quotes in this book hit hard! I kept highlighting them while reading because they stuck out. I had a hard time choosing one for my book journal on which was the best.

Seraphine is a sassy heroine with big dreams, goals and values that make her into the strong protagonist she is. I enjoyed watching her journey and how strong she is and seeing her become her true self.

Tark is the handsome romantic interest that is more than he first seems. I really appreciate characters who are stuck under a villains claw growing into themselves and following what they believe is right and not the status quo.

This book is incredibly fast paced and isn't always consistent. The start is strong but as we hit the halfway point, things get rushed, characters appear randomly where more build up could have occurred. One of the main reasons this should have been more than one book is so we could really see these character and plot dynamics, rather than just having a step by step play of everything that happened all at once. Also the romance happens so fast. First they hate each other and then 20ish pages later they start falling for each other. I feel like all of these bumps would smooth out if we were given more than one book to build a world with a complex political and magic system, introduce all of the characters and really define who they are and their role in the bigger picture, and flush out how we get to each big event. I wanted more!
(Reminder I read an ARC so all the spelling, grammar and tense issues shouldn't be an issue in the final product

I enjoyed my time reading "Traitors" and wish there was more. Writing a standalone fantasy is hard. There is a lot to love about this book even still. Give it a shot if you'd like a story about fighting for what's right.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me while I disappear into a corner and ugly cry 😭… because this book absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way!!

First, a huge thank you to Willa Hollis for trusting me with an advanced copy of Traitors. I’m extremely grateful and honored❤️

I honestly don’t even know where to begin because Traitors completely stole my heart. I know I say this all the time, but truthfully really amazing books steal my heart. I don’t know what else you want me to say 🤣

This wasn’t just a five-star read it was an unforgettable experience. I devoured every page in under 24 hours because putting it down simply wasn’t an option. Every chapter pulled me deeper into a story I never wanted to leave.

Seraphine and Tark completely consumed my thoughts. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is electric, and the slow-building tension between them had me grinning like an idiot while I was at work, might I add🙈 And that cake scene? 😍 Um WHAT!!!! 😍 I was kicking my feet and squealing because it was absolutely perfect!!!!

The world feels vast, immersive, and vividly alive. Every page is layered with rich lore, emotion, and beautiful prose that immediately pulls you into the heart of the story. You can truly feel how much passion and care went into creating this world.
I already know I’ll be hunting down a beautiful special edition because this is one of those books that deserves a permanent place on my bookshelf😍😍

Then came that ending😭😭 Ugly crying!!!
I wasn’t prepared. My heart shattered into countless tiny pieces, and when I finished the final page, I literally sat in complete silence staring at the wall, trying to process everything I had just experienced.

As much as this story destroyed me emotionally, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Traitors is powerful, unforgettable, and one of those rare fantasy novels that lingers long after you’ve closed the book. I’ll be recommending it to every fantasy lover I know.

Willa Hollis has officially earned a permanent spot on my author list. I cannot wait to dive into everything else she’s has written because if this is any indication of what’s to come, I’m all in baby!!!

[Rxbookreviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. The bones of the plot are genuinely interesting — a secret tyrant, a commander son caught between loyalty and truth, and a rebel FMC with shadow powers navigating a world built on illusion. That's a strong premise, and I don't want that to get lost in this review.
But the execution kept pulling me out of the story.

The biggest issue for me was the amount of telling over showing. So much of the emotional weight - the friendships that later get betrayed, the reasons Seraphine hates Whitefall society, the "consistency" she supposedly finds in Tark - is stated rather than earned. We're told these bonds exist instead of watching them form, so when the big swings happen (betrayals, declarations, forgiveness), they don't land the way they're clearly meant to.

That trickles into the central relationship too. Tark and Seraphine's dynamic swings from full argument to "she's so cute" in the same breath, and it made the romance feel like a tonal whiplash. I wanted to feel the tension and romance build, instead I mostly felt confused about where they actually stood with each other.

The pacing and structure had some rough patches as well. A mixed POV that didn't always work for me, a magic system that raised more questions than it answered (why do the shadows whisper to Seraphine?), and a plot device with the runes that felt underused given how much narrative weight it was asked to carry at the beginning and end.

I will say, Jed's redemption arc genuinely worked for me. While we didn’t see too much of him throughout the story, it felt sincere in a way a lot of the other emotional beats didn't, and it's proof the writing can hit when it's given room to build.

Overall, this reads like a book with a compelling world and premise that needed another pass to let the relationships and stakes breathe. I'd still be curious to see what this author does next, especially with more space for the character work.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Traitors from the author! 🫶

“Her life is worth it all. And I would risk a life of freedom than spend another moment in this cage of lies, time and time again.”

It’s time to give a standing ovation to Traitors because this book is a masterpiece and I love it with all my heart and soul! 🥹🖤 I could not put it down and I binged the whole thing in less than 24 hours because that’s how incredible this book is! 🫶

If you mixed the vibes from Daggermouth, Throne of Glass, and To Cage A Wild Bird and stirred it all together these are the vibes of this book and I am obsessed! 😍 The banter, tension, and chemistry between Seraphine and Tark is *chef’s kiss* and don’t even get me started with that cake scene because that had me squealing with excitement! 🤭🔥🍰 The world building is out of this world and the writing style hooks the reader into the story instantly! 🥰 It truly is such a special book with such heart and soul and it’s one of those stories that will forever be a part of my heart. I already had a copy of this book preordered prior to reading this but now that I finished reading this I am absolutely going to need to buy myself a special edition. Don’t even get me started on the ending because it broke my heart into a million pieces and legitimately had me staring at the wall for 15 minutes after finishing! 😳😱🤯🙊😭💔 Despite this book emotionally devastating me this book is one that absolutely needs to be read and I will be recommending this book to everyone I know! 🫶

Willa Hollis is are officially an autobuy author for me and I can’t wait to go and read every other book she has written! 🫶

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly wanted to love this book, it has such a fun premise. Dystopian novels were all the rage awhile back and lost favor and it’s great to see new dystopian stories!

I struggled to finish this book for a few reasons. I think it all boils down to it needing a few more rounds of edits. For example, in the first few chapters there was one paragraph and one phrase/paragraph opener that were repeated verbatim in other parts of the chapter. A few more rounds of edits would’ve cut both of those copies and not pulled me from the story.

The author relied heavily on telling rather than showing. Characters are incredibly well spoken about their feelings which did not feel realistic. In real life, people don’t tend to say exactly what they are feeling, or if they do they aren’t able to articulate perfectly. This made the characters feel not fully fleshed out and their feelings, thoughts felt too clinical, too clean and well-explained.

Additionally, the relationship between Tark and Seraphine didn’t feel realistic to me. Their emotions changed so quickly from hate to “I would die for her/him,” from “I just killed my brother who almost raped you” to “*giggle* let’s not be so serious,” etc.

What I will say is that the last few chapters, at least to me, were written in a much better quality than the rest of the book. The character issues and telling rather than showing were still present but the writing had better pacing and was more intriguing to me.

I just wish the rest of the book was as good as the last few pages.

[Natoshia Blaylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Willa Hollis for providing me with an ARC for me to review and provide my honest opinion.


Where do I start with this book? I just finished and I’m like what just happened. This book is about Seraphine who is from the below gets captured by the commander from the above. He ends up caring for her and falling in love with her. His mom finds out and to prevent a scandal and to try to make the people think she cares, she makes them get engaged. Seraphine’s people find out and call her a traitor. Tark’s people think he is a traitor for marrying someone from below. They devise a plan to take down his mom who has deceived everyone into believing that no one has magical powers by poisoning their food to contain their powers. She does this to maintain control of everyone. Come to find out his mom knows all about Seraphine’s powers and wants to use her to continue taking over other lands. Tove, Tark’s mom, was initially supposed to be with Seraphine’s dad, but he fell in love with Seraphine’s mom and decided to be with her instead. Tove has had a grudge against Seraphine’s dad ever since. Tove has allowed her anger to control her. In the end Seraphine finds out the Tove was the one who killed her mom. Serephine allows her anger to control her and takes revenge on Tove. Seraphine had me mad a few times in this book. I guess I am the type of person that thinks love conquers all. Seraphine is not that character. She constantly reminds Tark who his mom is and pulls away from him. I do believe she loves him, but she just can’t get past who his mom is and what she has done.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traitors by @willaholliswrites is a dark dystopian fantasy. It starts in the below, a series of tunnels and homes carved out of rock, where the rebels live in hiding from the rulers above ground. Magic is outlawed, except for the royal family and those in their inner circle. They rule through fear and propaganda that people possessing magical abilities are to be feared and destroyed. Seraphine has never experienced the above, except for short missions to collect resources, until the day she is caught. She finds herself at the mercy of Tark, the cruel and depraved son and commander of the ruling family's army. What follows is a whirlwind of secrets, betrayal and heart wrenching choices. There's lots of yearning and angst thrown in, my favorite things in a book! I won't lie, this book may destroy you, but you'll be ok...eventually. I spent a good amount of time just laying in bed wondering how to move on with my life, so I did what any normal arc reader does. I slid into Willa's DMs to ask if the book was a standalone or part of a series (it's a standalone FYI) and then let her know that the end was a straight kick to the crotch and absolutely epic. I LOVED it!! So, if you love pain and suffering and emotional devastation then this book will satisfy all your angsty cravings!

Traitors will be available on August 20, 2026 and is available now for preorder.

[Lilly Romine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy Received from Author

I went into Traitors knowing it didn't have a traditional HEA, which honestly made me nervous because I'm usually a HEA girl through and through.

I ended up enjoying this tho. Seraphine and Tark kept me invested from the start, and I loved watching both of them navigate a world full of betrayal, difficult choices, and shifting loyalties. Tark was easily one of my favorite parts of the book, and I found myself rooting for him the entire time.

That said, Seraphine was testing my patience near the end 😭. I understood where she was coming from, but there were definitely moments where I was rolling my eyes and wanting to shake some sense into her.

My biggest criticism is that I wished this had been longer. The world, politics, magic, and relationships all had so much potential, and I would have loved more time to really sit with the characters and their development.

As for the ending... it definitely left me staring at the wall for a while. I was expecting something devastating, and while it wasn't the ending I typically gravitate toward, it felt fitting for the story. Honestly, it could have been so much worse.

Overall, this was an engaging fantasy with betrayal, rebellion, and characters I genuinely cared about. If you're willing to step outside the typical fantasy romance formula, it's definitely worth giving a try.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traitors was a story that completely surprised me. I went in not knowing what to expect, but I did know the author had warned beforehand that this wouldn’t be a happy ending — so I was prepared for that going in. Even so, I still wasn’t fully ready for how everything unfolded.

I really loved that Seraphine and Tark aren’t written as perfect characters. They’re flawed, complicated, and make mistakes — but that’s what made them feel real. Their choices, struggles, and emotions made this story so much more engaging because they weren’t just perfect characters following a predictable path.

One of my favorite things was seeing Tark fall first. There’s something about watching those feelings develop and seeing the emotional side of a character that makes a story so much more enjoyable.

I also appreciated that this book didn’t end with a perfectly wrapped-up, mushy happily ever after. As the author warned, the ending was anything but that — it was unexpected and left me thinking about the characters and their journey long after I finished reading.

If you enjoy stories with morally gray characters, complicated relationships, and endings you won’t see coming, Traitors is definitely one to add to your TBR!

Thank you to Willa Hollis and the ARC team for the opportunity to read this early! ✨

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~ARC REVIEW INCOMING~~
If it's a traitor they want, it's a traitor they will get.
Holy feminine rage. I have entered my feminine rage era and could not be happier that this book is in my life.
We meet Seraphine who is strong willed and outspoken and lives down below with the rebellion. We meet Tark, son of the leaders up above. Our two main characters meet and everything implodes from there.
The world building in this novel is refreshing and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, which is something I love. While the magic system is not completely unique, but does show fresh angles and makes it feel almost unique in this setting.
I do wish it was a bit more drawn out on the enemies to lovers aspect. It did feel a little rushed, but I was definitely falling for these characters as they were falling for each other.
The last 40% of this book had me on the edge of my seat. Adrenaline was pumping with every page turn. Iwould say that the ending as you are probably aware is not a happy ending, but it does feel right in the themes with this book. Diabolical but right.
Absolutely worth all 4 stars that was given. I am excited to read more from this author and see her career grow.

[Ruxi Avram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review of advanced copy

Everyone is a traitor. Everyone hides things, everyone pretends to tell the truth, yet all are traitors to each other: parents to children, children to parents, brothers and sisters and so called friends.
Traitors is a book about different sides of betrayal, about how truth is seen from different sides.
The main characters, Seraphine and Tark are a fantasy distopian world Juliet and Romeo, fated to love each other passionately but,since they are part of enemy families, to have a difficult position.
We have a fractured world, two separate societies that fight each other: the almost natzi society of Whitefall ruled by Lowell family, and Ravelle, the rebels hidden in plain sight,that try to keep the magic alive. And the fast pace of the story keept me glued to it!
The chemistry between the characters is burning fire in the shadows, and the action is extreme! She fights for freedom, he fights for her, and it's just what the reader wants!

Thank you, Willa Hollis for this book, I enjoyed immensely to read it! Would have loved a different ending, you know what I mean, but it was wonderfully perfect even so!
I have received this book as ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Whimsyy_wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We are all traitors in the end."
Um hello...this book wasn't supposed to leave the kind of impact that it did. I love love loved the way mental health was portrayed. It was raw, it was genuine, it was everything. It felt as if I was feeling all the feelings alongside the characters. The weight of the expectations... Majority of us understand that and I believe will relate immensely with Tark and Seraphine as I did.
From the dedication to that last traitorous line, I was ABSORBED. I needed the answers. I kept reading throughout the night.
This book is for readers who enjoy
. Morally gray
. Betrayals
. Secrets
. Fake engagement
. Trusting absolutely no one
. Defying duty
. Shadow mommy
. Dismantling the system
Who doesn't like a fierce FMC whose loyalty knows no bounds, who's willing to put herself on the front lines to protect those she cares about. Seraphine is just that FMC.
And Tark, such a sweet guy honestly. He's honest, ruthless when he needs to be, but feels just as much as we do. I love how he was portrayed.
I loved Tanner's character. We didn't see much of him but he still found a way to find himself a fan (that's me).

"Dare to be traitorous"

[Yanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Willa Hollis for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.25 ⭐️

Firstly, this is usually a book I won't go for as Willa Hollis has been clear that there's no happy ending. However, the plot was intriguing, and I decided to give it a shot. And I have no regrets reading this book!!

I couldn't stop reading, the pace was quite fast, and I was hooked right from the start. There was so much going on with Seraphine and Tark, betrayals, hard choices, and constant tension between them. Tark quickly became my favorite character, and I really felt for him throughout the story.

Towards the end, though, Seraphine left me with mixed feelings. There were moments where her actions kinda frustrated me.

Overall, I still really enjoyed this book! In fact, I wished it wasn't a standalone. I think a duology or trilogy would have let the world and characters be fully expanded. The plot has so much potential that I will happily pick up a sequel if one ever comes along.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fast paced, but fully packed with a wild and exciting story. Phi is such a strong women whose held up so much for her family and her life and the lives of others. She’s such a badass FMC, and even in a moment where she’s basically taken and goes through a lot all alone, she never backs down. Tark was also just as brave but in a different way, you could feel and see the struggle he had within himself and what he’s been forced to do and go through. Together, they made such a wild team that fought and schemed. There was betrayal, pain, and so much emotional moments through out this book. And every time you thought something was about to go right, it went wrong and then you were surprised by a twist. The amount of stress that I went through with even how fast-paced this story was, had me in such a chokehold. And that ending….the scream I scrumpt. I had to re read that a few times, wanting to pull my hair out and yell at everyone. ……also I’ll never look at chocolate cake the same.

[KindledbyKisses · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRAITORS !!! What an ending omg 😱 what a ride !!! When I first started reading this book the characters , the premise and the plot gave daggermouth but with power enhanced beings which caught me off guard for a bit but it picked up and changed into it’s own story in its own kind of way. This is my first book from this author so I go in with no expectations and simply give every book a fair read. Seraphine is a strong beautiful FMC I just wish she saw what we all saw in her but her traumatic past we know time and love could conquer all. With Tark by her side and them being the outsiders us readers felt the connection and need to cheer for their love and survival multiple times throughout the book. Willa showed how each main character battled internally and externally their true emotions which was love. 🥹🥰🫶🏽 I definitely wished to read more about Seraphine training her powers and evolving with them instead just through emotions but overall you’re left with so many more questions then answers lol 😂 can’t wait for the release so others can be just as shocked as I was 😩🥹😮‍💨

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a lover of happy endings so going into this book, knowing I wasn’t going to get that did have me a little scared. When filling out the ARC form I almost changed my mind because I was so nervous about the no HEA, but I decided to go for it anyway and I’m so glad I did!
I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m not going to go into too much detail.
The story was very fast paced but I do feel like it took me a little while to really get into it completely, but once I did I was obsessed.
Seraphine and Tark, you could not only see their struggles but you could feel them. They both had a lot of weight and expectations falling on them and had to deal with so much. Together they made such a powerful duo. I loved both of them so much, I can’t even put it into words. Phi was such a badass fmc. Tark was obsessed with her and he had every reason to be.
While I knew there was no HEA, I still did not expect that ending… I’m still speechless.
While this book was heartbreaking, it was so so worth it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kaitlyn Singer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC!

This book was...good. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible. It definitely didn't pick up until the last half and the first couple chapters set the tone and foundation. But I felt it was a little repetitive with Seraphine's inner monologue and then we jumped to Tark's POV and had basically a similar experience.

The plot and magic system has lots of potential, but some chapters didn't flow smoothly into the next. It felt a little jarring. And I had to pause to make sure I wasn't missing important events.

What I did like was Seraphine's growth into her power. And her sassiness. Her character development was done well standing up to her father and anyone else who underestimated her. Her grief towards the end and the darkness that overtakes her is so relatable!

Overall, the writing (and some editing) could use some work, but it was a pretty decent story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Willa Hollis, for the ARC of this book, Traitors.

3.75 ⭐
This book was good! Not anything spectacular, but good enough to finish and I would probably recommend it to others.

Pros:I thought Phi was a badass, when seen in the eyes of Tark. When she said, "Silly boy, I live in the shadows. You're dumber than you look if you think I need my magic to best you." I LOVED it. Poor Phi was betrayed by everyone in her life, poor girl.
I did like the battle and fighting. It went quickly, but I think it did end well. I don't typically go for books that I know are not HEA, but because I knew it wasn't a HEA, I didn't put a lot of emotion into any characters.

Cons: Writing and editing needs works. First couple chapters were disjointed and kind of all over the place.
I thought the enemies to lovers was a little fast.
I wanted more of Phi's feminine rage and power. I wanted more destruction and power
It took a little bit to pick up, but once it did, it was great!

[Peti Capko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Willa for the ARC.

I said multiple times that I love this comeback of dystopian books and it's true. This one just didn't hit that special place in my soul.

What I loved is the enemies to lovers concept, you can't go wrong with that. Also, the political aspect was interesting, divided society, rebellion vs. the rich who tried to control everyone (it reminded me of Hunger Games) and the actual fighting between them I really enjoyed. I also really liked the MMC.

What I did not enjoy was basically everything else. This book is a standalone, it wasn't that long and still, there was a ton of inner monologue that wasn't going anywhere. I also disliked the FMC and the way she treated the MMC, the way she turned out to be wasn't exactly flattering and by the end of the book I was literally asking myself what was the point of it all.

[Kate Dawe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally just finished this & woah, what an ending.

Willa has been clear this is not a HEA but I was not expecting *that*.

Seraphine & Tark were kept central to the story which made the fact that they are (emotionally) lost in a huge unknown & uncertain world somehow feel claustrophobic. I've not read a story giving this feeling before. Excellent writing.

The love between them is quiet & unpretentious, but passionate & real. Two people finding each other in a terrible world, trying to survive, to trust & learn to work together.

The despair of them both was hard to read but so well done. My heart broke for them both - so real with the well intentioned but not great things they said.

Wonderfully written with beautiful descriptions of the landscape, the sights & smells that placed me in the scene.

I'd have liked a map because I'm nosey 🫶🏼

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review ‘Traitors’

The world is separated between those who wield magic and those who banned it.
People are living a lie.
Rebels are hiding and one of them is Seraphine. Her magic is awesome, but also terrifying. Her character has a lot of issues to go through, deception is what makes her decisions sway a lot. But She is strong willed and stops at nothing to take down those who rule Whitefall.

Untill Tark, a commander who is so tired of all the deceit.
Burdened by seeing what people are going through, he tries to help which makes him look like the bad guy, and makes him indecisive at times too.

Their chemistry is a push and pull, but understandable due to their situation. Their 🌶️ is sweet with a slight buildup. But there is very minimal 🌶️.

The ending was not what I expected, but it totally goes with the book’s theme. So I definitely enjoyed that ending.😁

4/5⭐️

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you Willa Hollis for offering me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest I’m not sure how I feel about this whole thing. I know I’m sad at the ending, which was expected since the author did warn us there was no HEA. However, I feel like there should be more. The way it just ends leaves me feeling like the ending was left open in case more books do come. Rather than a true standalone which truly wraps up whether the ending is happy or not.

Seraphine was an interesting character. Sometimes I liked her, sometimes I didn’t. I also feel like her actions and feelings at the end completely contradicted the rest of the book.

Tark, love him. Absolute green flag. Just want this poor boy to be happy 😭.

Overall the story was fine. Got me invested enough to feel things, but not enough that I will be thinking about it for days to come.

[Ash DS · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received an ARC copy from the author via Book Funnel for free. This does not impact my review.***

Wow! What an adventure. I have done a LOT of ARC reads and knowing this one wouldn’t have a HEA, I didn’t have high hopes.

The start was a bit slow and I was craving more dialogue and more from some of the side characters. However, once the action started things never stopped! The dialogue was organic, the tension and emotion felt real and raw, it was a fast and exciting read!

I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and enjoy any type of overthrowing of the oppressors! Tark really surprised everyone and I came to really adore him. Seraphine has some growing to do but I understand her trauma and it feels genuine.

Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Ashley Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much for this ARC. There are spoilers in this review.

I wanted to like this book. It started out intriguing and then became confusing in regards to the different classes of people and magic in the beginning.

I like dystopian stories but unfortunately this just didn’t quite get there. 2.5⭐️

I really could not deal with the extreme insta love of the main characters. I did not feel the chemistry and some of the spice was cringy.

At one point the MMC in his excitement, has an internal monologue of: “I about come in my pants from the sight of her free of undergarments.”

I just can’t…

Several things just did not flow or make sense to me. It made no sense that Tove would have them get engaged instead of just unaliving the FMC.

[Michelle-Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fab fantasy dystopian this was! It was the type of tragic story that crawls under your skin, binds itself to your soul and becomes part of you forever. And that ending.... wow!!! My jaw was well and truly on the floor!

This story explores the difference between what it is to survive and what it is to really live, with themes of betrayal, love, obsession and loyalty. Learning that sometimes even the purest of hearts can lose their humanity to grief, and power is found in communities of like minded people, not in individuals.

The biggest lesson I took away from reading this book is sometimes there is only one way to be truly free.

I am so honoured to have had the pleasure of reading this before it is released and I am excited to see other people's thoughts!

[TJRSKAT · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Traitors" begins with a captivating entrance into a world divided. Seraphine, the daughter of the rebellion's overprotective leader, yearns to escape her protective bubble and join in the fight fpr truth and freedom. Little does she know the universe complies, and in a failed attempt to assist her cause, she is thrust directly into yhe path of Tark, the militant son of the man she hates most.

Readers of fast-paced dystopian fantasy will love the unique underground society that reads like "City of Ember" meets "The Giver." This book has secrets and broken alliances, jilted lovers, magic, betrayal, and the stark reality that no one is left untouched in the midst of war.

[Angiewagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE Seraphine. Her family & friend have kept secrets from her, her entire life.
Living underground in peace.
But when she doesn’t listen to her father and she goes above ground to the other realm.
Her life changes. Captured by Tark Lowell "the son of the enemy"
She really doesn't know how much her life will change.
Discovering she has magic & a dark magic at that.
To falling for the one person she never should have.
I loved everything about this book, action/magic/found family/love/spice!!!
I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.