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The Traitor's Game #2
The Deceiver's Heart
Kestra Dallisor has finally gained possession of the Olden Blade. With the dagger in her control, she attempts to destroy the tyrannical Lord Endrick. But when Kestra fails, the king strips her of her memory, and leaves her weak and uncertain, bound to obey him. Heartbroken, Simon is desperate to return Kestra to the rebel she was, but refuses to use magic to heal her. With untrusting Coracks and Halderians threatening to capture and kill her, and war looming on the horizon, Kestra and Simon will have to learn to trust each other again if they have any hope of surviving. But can a heart once broken ever be healed?
11 pages, Audio CD
First published February 26, 2019
351 people are currently reading
7598 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
53 books9,586 followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 602 reviews
March 4, 2020
Reread #3: Long, drawn-out, incoherent screaming
Reread #2: Hello, I am so obsessed with this series that I have attempted (and failed) four seperate pieces of fanart, read the book three times, literally scream about it while walking down my own street, and made a ship playlist for my babies. (Kestrimon? Should that be their ship name or is it too unwieldy?)
THE BRIDGE SCENE.
THE ENDING.
THE DRAGON.
EVERYTHING.
*screams*
Reread #1: Yes, I did just read this AGAIN.
All I can say is that my children had better have a happy ending.
Also, Simon and Kestra’s theme, in my humble opinion, is “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
OF COURSE IT'S FIVE STARS, WHY WOULD IT BE ANYTHING LESS?!
I'm not sure why this series is so unpopular/disliked. It's fantastic. It's SO GOOD. The characters are the greatest thing ever, the worldbuilding is impeccable, and while the writing style is imperfect, it's still AWESOME. And the plot twists! The cliffhangers! Excuse while I go DIE because I think I might die.
SOME THINGS TO LOVE:
-SIMON HAAAAAAAATCH. My word, this cinnamon roll is shaping up to become one of my favorite characters of all time. He's so complex and detailed--neither he nor Kestra is just a "love interest" in this story, but both of them are wildly necessary and ridiculously strong. And this time, Simon is on the run from 99.99999% of Antora, and he's a wreck...oh my word, I can't even explain my love for my little bullheaded beloved son.
-I guess Kestra's pretty good too. (Kidding, kidding, she was fantastic as always.) She dims in comparison to Simon, but oh my word, she was still the GREATEST. Her sass isn't quite as strong in this book, as she struggles with her identity and her heart, but AGH. Character-driven authors, take note. THIS is how to write a feisty strong female lead.
-Trina and Tenger weren't as important this time, but they still kept the plot twisting and their loyalties were a question mark for the entire book.
-The whole SCALE felt way bigger this time. Instead of a couple of bickering clans and a heist situation, this one was full-on war. And it was mind-blowing.
-The new characters? Meh. I didn't like Wynnow, Loelle is weird, and Harlyn can go die if she doesn't mind. (Seriously, I know what she said, but I HATED Harlyn. Keep your hands to yourself, girl.)
-Surprisingly, I liked Basil this time? At least, I liked him a little better. He's such an honorable person--to draw comparison to another Nielsen novel, he's kind of become the Tobias of the series and I loved that about him.
-This whole series is so stabby and full of grey loyalties and honestly that reminds me so much of my own stories? So I loved that.
-I'm not gonna lie--I was pretty happy when a certain character died. I mean, there was someone else I wish had died more (Harlyn, lol) but this person was in a close second. *slow applause* *sips lemonade*
-The plot twists, while not as major in this one as in the first, were still mind-blowing.
-I CAN'T BELIEVE SIMON DID THE THING.
-OR THAT HE DID THE OTHER THING.
-SIMON YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED HERE AND IT WON'T BE FOR LACK OF TRYING.
-I must admit, I was remarkably mad that a certain somebody died. It was a minor character, but MAN that made me angry.
-Did I mention Simon is fantastic?
-And that I hate Harlyn?
-Trina, though. Trina is something else. *wavers between shooting Trina with a disc and sending her heart eyes*
-I have no words.
SOME THINGS NOT TO LOVE:
-Nielsen, can you please be nice to your poor characters? Please?! They deserve life! They do not deserve white discs and All Spirits Forest and amnesia and explosions and DAH! (Please excuse me while I glare daggers at the Halderians here because GOSH I hate the Halderians)
-That ending. That was NOT okay. Not in the least. I think I got a defective copy because there is NO WAY that was the actual ending. Basically, someone needs to die, someone else needs to not die, another person needs to REALLY not die, and someone else needs to STOP BEING A PUSHOVER. *glares at every character in this book and shakes them until their teeth rattle*
OVERALL:
This was my most anticipated book of the year (as you probably all know), and it BLEW ME AWAY. I don't even have words beyond what I've said here. If you've read it/as soon as you've read it, LET ME KNOW because I neeeeeeeed someone to scream with over that ending (and the other plot twists, because WHAT THE HECK!) also, can I get a title/cover/ARC of book 3? Please? I have NO IDEA how this is going to end and I'd really like to know. *screams*
Reread #2: Hello, I am so obsessed with this series that I have attempted (and failed) four seperate pieces of fanart, read the book three times, literally scream about it while walking down my own street, and made a ship playlist for my babies. (Kestrimon? Should that be their ship name or is it too unwieldy?)
THE BRIDGE SCENE.
THE ENDING.
THE DRAGON.
EVERYTHING.
*screams*
Reread #1: Yes, I did just read this AGAIN.
All I can say is that my children had better have a happy ending.
Also, Simon and Kestra’s theme, in my humble opinion, is “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
OF COURSE IT'S FIVE STARS, WHY WOULD IT BE ANYTHING LESS?!
I'm not sure why this series is so unpopular/disliked. It's fantastic. It's SO GOOD. The characters are the greatest thing ever, the worldbuilding is impeccable, and while the writing style is imperfect, it's still AWESOME. And the plot twists! The cliffhangers! Excuse while I go DIE because I think I might die.
SOME THINGS TO LOVE:
-SIMON HAAAAAAAATCH. My word, this cinnamon roll is shaping up to become one of my favorite characters of all time. He's so complex and detailed--neither he nor Kestra is just a "love interest" in this story, but both of them are wildly necessary and ridiculously strong. And this time, Simon is on the run from 99.99999% of Antora, and he's a wreck...oh my word, I can't even explain my love for my little bullheaded beloved son.
-I guess Kestra's pretty good too. (Kidding, kidding, she was fantastic as always.) She dims in comparison to Simon, but oh my word, she was still the GREATEST. Her sass isn't quite as strong in this book, as she struggles with her identity and her heart, but AGH. Character-driven authors, take note. THIS is how to write a feisty strong female lead.
-Trina and Tenger weren't as important this time, but they still kept the plot twisting and their loyalties were a question mark for the entire book.
-The whole SCALE felt way bigger this time. Instead of a couple of bickering clans and a heist situation, this one was full-on war. And it was mind-blowing.
-The new characters? Meh. I didn't like Wynnow, Loelle is weird, and Harlyn can go die if she doesn't mind. (Seriously, I know what she said, but I HATED Harlyn. Keep your hands to yourself, girl.)
-Surprisingly, I liked Basil this time? At least, I liked him a little better. He's such an honorable person--to draw comparison to another Nielsen novel, he's kind of become the Tobias of the series and I loved that about him.
-This whole series is so stabby and full of grey loyalties and honestly that reminds me so much of my own stories? So I loved that.
-I'm not gonna lie--I was pretty happy when a certain character died. I mean, there was someone else I wish had died more (Harlyn, lol) but this person was in a close second. *slow applause* *sips lemonade*
-The plot twists, while not as major in this one as in the first, were still mind-blowing.
-I CAN'T BELIEVE SIMON DID THE THING.
-OR THAT HE DID THE OTHER THING.
-SIMON YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED HERE AND IT WON'T BE FOR LACK OF TRYING.
-I must admit, I was remarkably mad that a certain somebody died. It was a minor character, but MAN that made me angry.
-Did I mention Simon is fantastic?
-And that I hate Harlyn?
-Trina, though. Trina is something else. *wavers between shooting Trina with a disc and sending her heart eyes*
-I have no words.
SOME THINGS NOT TO LOVE:
-Nielsen, can you please be nice to your poor characters? Please?! They deserve life! They do not deserve white discs and All Spirits Forest and amnesia and explosions and DAH! (Please excuse me while I glare daggers at the Halderians here because GOSH I hate the Halderians)
-That ending. That was NOT okay. Not in the least. I think I got a defective copy because there is NO WAY that was the actual ending. Basically, someone needs to die, someone else needs to not die, another person needs to REALLY not die, and someone else needs to STOP BEING A PUSHOVER. *glares at every character in this book and shakes them until their teeth rattle*
OVERALL:
This was my most anticipated book of the year (as you probably all know), and it BLEW ME AWAY. I don't even have words beyond what I've said here. If you've read it/as soon as you've read it, LET ME KNOW because I neeeeeeeed someone to scream with over that ending (and the other plot twists, because WHAT THE HECK!) also, can I get a title/cover/ARC of book 3? Please? I have NO IDEA how this is going to end and I'd really like to know. *screams*
January 15, 2024
Harlyn needs to go die in a hole. Simon's annoying so I don't even see why she likes him at all but GOSHDARN SHE'S GETTING IN THE WAY OF SIMON AND KESTRA AS IF THEY NEEDED MORE OBSTACLES BETWEEN THEM *ugly crying*
Right, so, now that I've gotten that out of my system.... this book was definitely better than the first one. There was more ✨tension✨, more ✨action✨, and definitely more ✨intrigue✨. The characters didn't change too much; Kestra's still an awesome baddie queen and Simon's still a bland piece of cardboard and I would still die for them to be together *gives thumbs up*
One thing that's funny, though, is that Simon really doesn't have a character outside of obsession with Kestra. Like actually....
His motives: Kestra
His greatest weakness: Kestra
His greatest strength: Kestra
His main reason for living: Kestra
Thing that matters to him most in the world-
YOU GUESSED IT.
✨Kestra✨
Like C'MON. Does my man like to read? Fish? Crochet? Sing? Does he like cats or dogs? What's his favorite weather????? GIVE ME SOME CHARACTER TRAITS TO WORK WITH!!!!
Because unless it has to do with Kestra, he's 100% indifferent. He even changed his entire world view because of her.
I appreciate his loyalty and simpy-ness but it's starting to go overboard...
Anyway I didn't mean for this review to be a rant so THE BOOK WAS PRETTY GOOD! Better than book #1 by a lot. I'll definitely read the last book to find out how it ends 😉💞
Right, so, now that I've gotten that out of my system.... this book was definitely better than the first one. There was more ✨tension✨, more ✨action✨, and definitely more ✨intrigue✨. The characters didn't change too much; Kestra's still an awesome baddie queen and Simon's still a bland piece of cardboard and I would still die for them to be together *gives thumbs up*
One thing that's funny, though, is that Simon really doesn't have a character outside of obsession with Kestra. Like actually....
His motives: Kestra
His greatest weakness: Kestra
His greatest strength: Kestra
His main reason for living: Kestra
Thing that matters to him most in the world-
YOU GUESSED IT.
✨Kestra✨
Like C'MON. Does my man like to read? Fish? Crochet? Sing? Does he like cats or dogs? What's his favorite weather????? GIVE ME SOME CHARACTER TRAITS TO WORK WITH!!!!
Because unless it has to do with Kestra, he's 100% indifferent. He even changed his entire world view because of her.
I appreciate his loyalty and simpy-ness but it's starting to go overboard...
Anyway I didn't mean for this review to be a rant so THE BOOK WAS PRETTY GOOD! Better than book #1 by a lot. I'll definitely read the last book to find out how it ends 😉💞
August 5, 2024
The beginning of this book was a bit hard because it began with the heroine, Keastra, losing her memories. She was helpless, clueless of her potential and the villain was winning scene after scene.
It got better though, halfway through the story, she regained her lost memories, and even gained more power through magic.
The battle is far from over though, the tyrant ruler is still on the throne, and more than ever before Keastra’s life is in danger, until she defeats Lord Endrick, his evilness.
There is also the matter of her relationship with Simon, and how they’re going to find each other yet again.
The last book in the series should be Interesting; I am eager to see how all the loose ends come together.
3.5 stars!
It got better though, halfway through the story, she regained her lost memories, and even gained more power through magic.
The battle is far from over though, the tyrant ruler is still on the throne, and more than ever before Keastra’s life is in danger, until she defeats Lord Endrick, his evilness.
There is also the matter of her relationship with Simon, and how they’re going to find each other yet again.
The last book in the series should be Interesting; I am eager to see how all the loose ends come together.
3.5 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
The beginning and ending was good but I started losing interest in the middle and the romance is annoying me
March 24, 2019
Oof, RIP me as I wait for the next book. That was absolutely brutal.
CAN I JUST SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE JENNIFER NEILSON BOOKS??? They are so twisty and stabby and pretty much a roller coaster for your brain.
Also, this book was clean so that just adds to the epicness scale.
This book was more of Simon's book, which kinda disappointed me just a little bit because I love Kestra so much and I really would have liked to have spent more time in her crafty mind, but also I can't complain because SIMON <3
It's official guys, I found Easton's long lost brother Simon Hatch.
I literally don't know what else to say. I loved it, maybe not as much as the first book. There was too much separation between some characters *glares*. Also, I read it while I was sick so there were some parts where I had a hard time keeping up.
I've always wanted to like Trina, and I'm glad to say that I now finally do.
Also, Basil is my baby and he'd better be treated right. You all know what I'm talking about.
I don't technically hate Harlyn, that is too strong emotion for what I feel for her because I think she means well, but she and Basil need to get together in a broken heart's club or something.
DARROW!!!!!
The idea of magic corrupting a person over time? LOVE IT!!!
Also, I would like to take a moment and appreciate the cover. Both the covers in this series are so beautiful and hope of seeing the next book's cover might be the only one to sustain me until I get a release date and a synopsis.
Also, Simon and Kestra <3 <3 <3 <3
BUT... BUT... THAT CAN'T BE HOW IT ENDS!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!
... and that about sums up my thoughts.
CAN I JUST SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE JENNIFER NEILSON BOOKS??? They are so twisty and stabby and pretty much a roller coaster for your brain.
Also, this book was clean so that just adds to the epicness scale.
This book was more of Simon's book, which kinda disappointed me just a little bit because I love Kestra so much and I really would have liked to have spent more time in her crafty mind, but also I can't complain because SIMON <3
It's official guys, I found Easton's long lost brother Simon Hatch.
I literally don't know what else to say. I loved it, maybe not as much as the first book. There was too much separation between some characters *glares*. Also, I read it while I was sick so there were some parts where I had a hard time keeping up.
I've always wanted to like Trina, and I'm glad to say that I now finally do.
Also, Basil is my baby and he'd better be treated right. You all know what I'm talking about.
I don't technically hate Harlyn, that is too strong emotion for what I feel for her because I think she means well, but she and Basil need to get together in a broken heart's club or something.
DARROW!!!!!
The idea of magic corrupting a person over time? LOVE IT!!!
Also, I would like to take a moment and appreciate the cover. Both the covers in this series are so beautiful and hope of seeing the next book's cover might be the only one to sustain me until I get a release date and a synopsis.
Also, Simon and Kestra <3 <3 <3 <3
BUT... BUT... THAT CAN'T BE HOW IT ENDS!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!
... and that about sums up my thoughts.
January 27, 2021
Afflicted by magic, a young woman is not quite herself…and is unsure of who she wants to become. Sixteen-year-old Kestra Dallisor returns to the royal Antoran court, now (reluctantly) the Infidante: the prophesized wielder of the Olden Blade, potential destroyer of evil Lord Endrick, and thus, savior of the Banished (Halderian) people. When an assassination attempt goes awry, Lord Endrick—the Dominion leader and last known Endrean magic user—meddles with her memories and remakes her into an obedient Ironheart. Uncertain of her loyalties and love interests, Kestra must decide if she will rejoin the Corack rebels or rekindle her relationship with Simon Hatch, once a servant and now revealed as the Halderian heir. Repetitive political machinations, melodramatic lovers’ miscommunications, explosion-filled action sequences, and requisite romantic triangles ensue. Unaffected by the magic, co-narrator Simon provides a more logical perspective and linear counternarrative, but amnesia essentially (frustratingly) resets Kestra’s journey. Nielsen’s (Resistance, 2018, etc.) generic fantasy setting—pre-industrial (barring the evildoers’ tech), vaguely Northern European—unevenly explained magic, and obligatorily odd fantasy beasts are standard, stale fare. Kestra and Simon are presumably white.
JESUS! This book is - is....THE BOOK. THE BOOK I've been looking for, for so long! I mean WoW! Jennifer - you have definitely outdone yourself! I want more!!!! The third book is something I'm a little too exited for!! I hope I can read more books like these!
Can people please give more hype to these books?! This series definitely needs more hype.
My favorite character was Simon! His love for Kestra is just - ahahahahahha!!! I wish I had a Simon who could love me like that! My least favorite character is kinda the obvious - Trina - who is just *Makes a horrible looking face* HORRIBLE!
Overall I loved this book and I would give it a 4.999/ 5 stars ;)
Thank you Brooke for reading this amazing book with me!
JESUS! This book is - is....THE BOOK. THE BOOK I've been looking for, for so long! I mean WoW! Jennifer - you have definitely outdone yourself! I want more!!!! The third book is something I'm a little too exited for!! I hope I can read more books like these!
Can people please give more hype to these books?! This series definitely needs more hype.
My favorite character was Simon! His love for Kestra is just - ahahahahahha!!! I wish I had a Simon who could love me like that! My least favorite character is kinda the obvious - Trina - who is just *Makes a horrible looking face* HORRIBLE!
Overall I loved this book and I would give it a 4.999/ 5 stars ;)
Thank you Brooke for reading this amazing book with me!
May 15, 2021
O kadar sinir bozucu bir kitap ki bu 😱
Kim kimin kuyusunu kazıyor gerçekten belli değil. Herkesten şüpheleniyorum saf Simon dışında 😒
Kestra yerinde olsam o kıymet bilmez, bencil, pislik Halderianlılara asla yardım etmezdim. Bırakırdım Lord Endrick onları parçalasın. Ay tam saç baş yolmalık kıvamda 🤬
Kim kimin kuyusunu kazıyor gerçekten belli değil. Herkesten şüpheleniyorum saf Simon dışında 😒
Kestra yerinde olsam o kıymet bilmez, bencil, pislik Halderianlılara asla yardım etmezdim. Bırakırdım Lord Endrick onları parçalasın. Ay tam saç baş yolmalık kıvamda 🤬
May 21, 2021
2,5 / 5
İlk kitapta Kestra ve Simon'nın 2 günde birbirlerine delicesine aşık olmalarına laf etmiştim. Bu kitapta da olayların oluş hızına şaştım. İlk kitap ve bu kitabın yarısindan fazlasında olan olaylarin tamamı 2 haftada oluyor. Yaşananların sadece bu sürede olması inandırıcı değil, kafamda kurguya, kronolijiye oturtamadım bir türlü. Bir de bunların ülkesi Antora bayaaa küçük bir ülke sanırım. Karakterler bir uçtan diğerine atla yarım günde gidebiliyor, her yere zamanında yetişebiliyorlar 😆 Bir deee sürekli bir kaçırılma ve akabinde hemen kurtarılma mevzusu var, o da komik.
Anlayamadığım bir olay da kolye mevzusu. Baskından sonra ne değeri kaldı ki o kolyenin de herkes aman çok onemli diye peşinde koşuyor 🤔
Son olarak yazar bir ihanetler, hainlikler silsilesi yaratmaya çalışmış ama çok zorlamış, olmamış bana göre.
Elimde olduğu için 3.kitabı da okuyacağım ama keşke bu seriyi basmak yerine yarım kalan diğer seriyi tamamlasaydı Yabancı Yayınları 😒
İlk kitapta Kestra ve Simon'nın 2 günde birbirlerine delicesine aşık olmalarına laf etmiştim. Bu kitapta da olayların oluş hızına şaştım. İlk kitap ve bu kitabın yarısindan fazlasında olan olaylarin tamamı 2 haftada oluyor. Yaşananların sadece bu sürede olması inandırıcı değil, kafamda kurguya, kronolijiye oturtamadım bir türlü. Bir de bunların ülkesi Antora bayaaa küçük bir ülke sanırım. Karakterler bir uçtan diğerine atla yarım günde gidebiliyor, her yere zamanında yetişebiliyorlar 😆 Bir deee sürekli bir kaçırılma ve akabinde hemen kurtarılma mevzusu var, o da komik.
Anlayamadığım bir olay da kolye mevzusu. Baskından sonra ne değeri kaldı ki o kolyenin de herkes aman çok onemli diye peşinde koşuyor 🤔
Son olarak yazar bir ihanetler, hainlikler silsilesi yaratmaya çalışmış ama çok zorlamış, olmamış bana göre.
Elimde olduğu için 3.kitabı da okuyacağım ama keşke bu seriyi basmak yerine yarım kalan diğer seriyi tamamlasaydı Yabancı Yayınları 😒
January 20, 2025
(Super short review, because I forgot to do it a few weeks ago. For a longer one, check my review for the third book, Warrior’s Curse)
Stars: 3.75
Review: I liked this one less than the first. It felt way slower, and the plot felt repetitive.
However, I love the way Jennifer A. Nielsen writes her books. The style of the writing brings you into the book. I felt like I was there with all the characters.
Stars: 3.75
Review: I liked this one less than the first. It felt way slower, and the plot felt repetitive.
However, I love the way Jennifer A. Nielsen writes her books. The style of the writing brings you into the book. I felt like I was there with all the characters.
March 28, 2020
Ugh. So much happened in this book that I didn't like.
The Deceiver's Heart really betrayed me. I loved Simon and Kestra together and all but ugh, that ending. I don't accept it and never will. I'm also hoping that the third book will give me better news than this one did.
Other than that, the romance and rebels are still going strong. I didn't really like that Simon could have other love interests in this book. Then there's the whole "arranged" marriage again and it just seems like Simon is just doing whatever someone tells him. At least use your brain and make your own decision dude.
Besides him completely frustrating me, Kestra wasn't much better. She did finally come into her power.. it just made her more dangerous to everyone around her. I feel bad for the girl and I have no idea what is coming next for her (or anyone else in this book).
Just hoping that I don't want to throw my phone at something while listening to the third book.
The Deceiver's Heart really betrayed me. I loved Simon and Kestra together and all but ugh, that ending. I don't accept it and never will. I'm also hoping that the third book will give me better news than this one did.
Other than that, the romance and rebels are still going strong. I didn't really like that Simon could have other love interests in this book. Then there's the whole "arranged" marriage again and it just seems like Simon is just doing whatever someone tells him. At least use your brain and make your own decision dude.
Besides him completely frustrating me, Kestra wasn't much better. She did finally come into her power.. it just made her more dangerous to everyone around her. I feel bad for the girl and I have no idea what is coming next for her (or anyone else in this book).
Just hoping that I don't want to throw my phone at something while listening to the third book.
April 4, 2020
THAT ENDING.
I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEXT BOOK.
*BANGS HEAD AGAINST WALL while screaming*
-This was fantastic! FANTASTIC. Probably better than the first one.
-Simon! I LOVE SIMON. That's really all I have to say about him, he's a gem.
-Kestra was amazing. She's so fierce and determined. However, I was not digging what happened to her at the beginning of the book....that was NOT OKAY. It was a great twist though, sooooo.
-Basil? I liked Basil. He was so honorable! Huh, who would've guessed.
-Harlyn can like, die. Seriously, she needs to go away. Like right now. Asap. LEAVE.
-Sometimes I love Trina and sometimes I don't? *shrugs*
I really need the next one...
HOW DARE IT END LIKE THAT?!?!
I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEXT BOOK.
*BANGS HEAD AGAINST WALL while screaming*
-This was fantastic! FANTASTIC. Probably better than the first one.
-Simon! I LOVE SIMON. That's really all I have to say about him, he's a gem.
-Kestra was amazing. She's so fierce and determined. However, I was not digging what happened to her at the beginning of the book....that was NOT OKAY. It was a great twist though, sooooo.
-Basil? I liked Basil. He was so honorable! Huh, who would've guessed.
-Harlyn can like, die. Seriously, she needs to go away. Like right now. Asap. LEAVE.
-Sometimes I love Trina and sometimes I don't? *shrugs*
I really need the next one...
HOW DARE IT END LIKE THAT?!?!
February 27, 2021
1/25/26
I want to cry but I want to jump up and down!! *cries whiles jumping up and down*
RTC!!!
1/26/21
I need to start The Warrior's Curse!! Ahh!!! Thank you Sara for agreeing to read this series with me! It's been so fun to talk about this with you and plot against certain characters!
Characters: 5/5
Simon is still my favorite!! He's so caring and loving. Ahhh!! I just love his character and his personality. He keeps growing as a person!
Harwyn. Well.
Kestra. I really like Kestra! She's a total badass and doesn't give up in a fight.
Plot: I really like the plots in these books! They're so adventurous and a completely wild ride!! It got very, I mean VERY confusing in the end. I can never guess where this series will go. There's always some characters and some crazy plan working in the background. If there are two things I've taken away from reading a lot of fantasy/dystopias:
1- Never trust doctors
2- Rebels have plans A-Z
Setting/description: The settings are so well done and thought through. Who has the upper hand in the battles, why? Jennifer A. Nielsen is such a talented author and I'm so happy she decided to write YA Fantasy!! Show not tell and descriptions is one of her strongest skills. Nielsen is very good at keeping readers engaged!
*screams in fangirl*
The Traitor's Game series is a new type of fantasy that I can't help loving! The new creatures, countries, and magic are so creative and well imagined. I trust Jennifer A. Nielsen to give me a good ending! I'm going to go read The Warrior's Curse.
This book has become a part of my heart!
I want to cry but I want to jump up and down!! *cries whiles jumping up and down*
RTC!!!
1/26/21
I need to start The Warrior's Curse!! Ahh!!! Thank you Sara for agreeing to read this series with me! It's been so fun to talk about this with you and plot against certain characters!
Characters: 5/5
Simon is still my favorite!! He's so caring and loving. Ahhh!! I just love his character and his personality. He keeps growing as a person!
Harwyn. Well.
Kestra. I really like Kestra! She's a total badass and doesn't give up in a fight.
Plot: I really like the plots in these books! They're so adventurous and a completely wild ride!! It got very, I mean VERY confusing in the end. I can never guess where this series will go. There's always some characters and some crazy plan working in the background. If there are two things I've taken away from reading a lot of fantasy/dystopias:
1- Never trust doctors
2- Rebels have plans A-Z
Setting/description: The settings are so well done and thought through. Who has the upper hand in the battles, why? Jennifer A. Nielsen is such a talented author and I'm so happy she decided to write YA Fantasy!! Show not tell and descriptions is one of her strongest skills. Nielsen is very good at keeping readers engaged!
*screams in fangirl*
The Traitor's Game series is a new type of fantasy that I can't help loving! The new creatures, countries, and magic are so creative and well imagined. I trust Jennifer A. Nielsen to give me a good ending! I'm going to go read The Warrior's Curse.
This book has become a part of my heart!
April 15, 2025
The ending….
Also I read this book in one afternoon 🤦🏻♀️😂
Also, HARLYN. Just go away. 🤦🏻♀️😒😠 Just. Go. Away.
Also I read this book in one afternoon 🤦🏻♀️😂
Also, HARLYN. Just go away. 🤦🏻♀️😒😠 Just. Go. Away.
April 23, 2019
Okay. So. I’ve been thinking about this series and my rating for the previous book. (I can just see Faith, Nicki, and Lila biting their nails right now. XD)
See, I think I bought waaaayyyy into the hype for the first one, which was why I gave it four stars. But, now that I’m thinking about it, I just feel "meh" about The Traitor's Game. Don’t get me wrong - I still liked it! But it’s more of a three stars for me right now.
(Obviously, I’m very fickle, so that might change.)
So. On to why I think the Deceiver's Heart was better than The Traitor's Game.
1. Mind manipulation / amnesia.
I am a major sucker for any book that includes these elements. A book will automatically get four stars or higher if it includes this.
And I LOVED how it happened in the Deceiver's Heart. The EMOTION from Simon and the CONFICTEDNESS of Kestra and just AAAACKKKK I LOVE IT.
But - I was disappointed that the mind manipulation part really only lasted for the first 150 pages.
2. Magic / magic training.
I’m one of those weird people who actually like reading about training, so the parts where Kestra got her magic and learned how to use it were amazing. I love her ability!
3. Lots of almost-death situations.
Okay, this sounds weird, I know. What I mean by this is that I like those scenes where a character is extremely weak/sick/emotionally broken/vulnerable/desperate/almost dying. Not ACTUALLY dying, mind you, just on the brink of it. And this book was chock-full of those situations.
4. The ending.
I LOVED the ending SO MUCH. That’s all I can say without spoilers. ;)
Now, why didn’t this get five stars?
Honestly, I think it’s because of three things:
1. I think I just have trouble with the writing style??? This is a me-problem, but I had the same issue with Nielsen's other books. Something about the way they’re written makes it hard for me to connect. I’m not sure why.
2. Parts of the plot left me confused. I guess I missed the part where it was revealed that Simon has the chance to become king, because I was confused as to where that came from. Which pretty much meant that I skimmed most of the second half of the book - especially Simon's POV.
3. I was a GIANT BALL OF STRESS throughout the entire thing because all the characters are LITERALLY IDIOTS, especially Basil. This entire stressful situation could have been easily avoided if he’d just TOLD THEM WHERE THE OLDEN SWORD WAS. -_-
Yes, I am aware that they are teenagers, and that there needs to be a plot to the story. But I just went through 300 pages of romantic angst between Simon and Kestra and my nerves are FRAYED, let me tell you.
Sorry, I had to get that last point off my chest. XD
Apologies, that was a long review. I just needed to get my thoughts out.
Now, can book 3 come out a little quicker? I CANNOT WAIT!
See, I think I bought waaaayyyy into the hype for the first one, which was why I gave it four stars. But, now that I’m thinking about it, I just feel "meh" about The Traitor's Game. Don’t get me wrong - I still liked it! But it’s more of a three stars for me right now.
(Obviously, I’m very fickle, so that might change.)
So. On to why I think the Deceiver's Heart was better than The Traitor's Game.
1. Mind manipulation / amnesia.
I am a major sucker for any book that includes these elements. A book will automatically get four stars or higher if it includes this.
And I LOVED how it happened in the Deceiver's Heart. The EMOTION from Simon and the CONFICTEDNESS of Kestra and just AAAACKKKK I LOVE IT.
But - I was disappointed that the mind manipulation part really only lasted for the first 150 pages.
2. Magic / magic training.
I’m one of those weird people who actually like reading about training, so the parts where Kestra got her magic and learned how to use it were amazing. I love her ability!
3. Lots of almost-death situations.
Okay, this sounds weird, I know. What I mean by this is that I like those scenes where a character is extremely weak/sick/emotionally broken/vulnerable/desperate/almost dying. Not ACTUALLY dying, mind you, just on the brink of it. And this book was chock-full of those situations.
4. The ending.
I LOVED the ending SO MUCH. That’s all I can say without spoilers. ;)
Now, why didn’t this get five stars?
Honestly, I think it’s because of three things:
1. I think I just have trouble with the writing style??? This is a me-problem, but I had the same issue with Nielsen's other books. Something about the way they’re written makes it hard for me to connect. I’m not sure why.
2. Parts of the plot left me confused. I guess I missed the part where it was revealed that Simon has the chance to become king, because I was confused as to where that came from. Which pretty much meant that I skimmed most of the second half of the book - especially Simon's POV.
3. I was a GIANT BALL OF STRESS throughout the entire thing because all the characters are LITERALLY IDIOTS, especially Basil. This entire stressful situation could have been easily avoided if he’d just TOLD THEM WHERE THE OLDEN SWORD WAS. -_-
Yes, I am aware that they are teenagers, and that there needs to be a plot to the story. But I just went through 300 pages of romantic angst between Simon and Kestra and my nerves are FRAYED, let me tell you.
Sorry, I had to get that last point off my chest. XD
Apologies, that was a long review. I just needed to get my thoughts out.
Now, can book 3 come out a little quicker? I CANNOT WAIT!
March 8, 2019
Before I begin, I want to let you all know that I am a huge fan of Jennifer A. Nielsen. I have read every book she's written and heartily enjoyed each one. They're unique and capture my attention and admiration.
With that said, I was disappointed in this book. I have a few issues with this book. I didn't particularly enjoy the first book in this series (The Traitor's Game) either, but the second was worse. So many times throughout this book, the characters were cornered into making a decision and each time the motive was lacking. There was placed such an emphasis on one aspect of their decision but the importance of element was never made clear to the reader. I was left wondering why they made those decisions. Likewise, none of the characters (in either the first or second book) had the depth that the characters in her other books have. Many times Kestra let others sacrifice for her, saying that she would just come up with another plan. She usually ended up saving them, yes, but the fact that in one moment she is fiercely defending Darrow and Celia (book 1) and the next letting her new friends sacrifice themselves for her at every new turn shows an inconsistency in her character that, again, I couldn't find the motive behind it.
When I found that Jennifer A. Nielsen had a new series out, I was beyond excited, but this series has let me down. Between the plot holes, unexplained motives, and character inconsistencies, I just could not enjoy this book to the extent that I enjoyed her others.
Read it, if you must. But I have warned you.
With that said, I was disappointed in this book. I have a few issues with this book. I didn't particularly enjoy the first book in this series (The Traitor's Game) either, but the second was worse. So many times throughout this book, the characters were cornered into making a decision and each time the motive was lacking. There was placed such an emphasis on one aspect of their decision but the importance of element was never made clear to the reader. I was left wondering why they made those decisions. Likewise, none of the characters (in either the first or second book) had the depth that the characters in her other books have. Many times Kestra let others sacrifice for her, saying that she would just come up with another plan. She usually ended up saving them, yes, but the fact that in one moment she is fiercely defending Darrow and Celia (book 1) and the next letting her new friends sacrifice themselves for her at every new turn shows an inconsistency in her character that, again, I couldn't find the motive behind it.
When I found that Jennifer A. Nielsen had a new series out, I was beyond excited, but this series has let me down. Between the plot holes, unexplained motives, and character inconsistencies, I just could not enjoy this book to the extent that I enjoyed her others.
Read it, if you must. But I have warned you.
April 12, 2020
I gotta say, while the pace picked up towards the end, I didn't really like this book too much. Mainly because of Kestra not knowing who anyone was. That is strange when you have such a fierce character - and for her to be like Sage and Nic - to lose all memory of herself. Looking forward to the third!
January 28, 2019
I didn't really love The Traitor's Game, but after seeing this synopsis, I was intrigued, but unfortunately, this book let me down.
A lot seemed to take place in this book, but the action only happened within a page or two and then it was over and there was a lot of nothing happening the pages between.
I wanted the big plots to happen over more just a page, it felt rushed and I wanted action descriptions of what was happening, instead of just them fighting and then they're all done and everything is good!
Kestra was more annoying then usual in this book, and let me tell you, that got annoying after a while! She was just so bland in this book and I felt like that was trying to a plot device, but just ended up being a flop.
I really wanted to like this book, I did, but it just fell short for me.
A lot seemed to take place in this book, but the action only happened within a page or two and then it was over and there was a lot of nothing happening the pages between.
I wanted the big plots to happen over more just a page, it felt rushed and I wanted action descriptions of what was happening, instead of just them fighting and then they're all done and everything is good!
Kestra was more annoying then usual in this book, and let me tell you, that got annoying after a while! She was just so bland in this book and I felt like that was trying to a plot device, but just ended up being a flop.
I really wanted to like this book, I did, but it just fell short for me.
February 25, 2023
I ship Simon and Kestra so hard <3
March 31, 2025
Okay so going into this book, I was basically salty about the whole thing? And everything I'm salty about is a lowkey spoiler so I can't even rant about it here? So why four stars instead of the three I want to give it?
THAT ENDING THAT'S WHY.
Here's what I will say. Simon is on my nerves. This new girl Harlyn is gonna be murdered by me. Loelle is on my nerves. Wynnow better hope she never has to face me because death to her too!!!!
Kestra is the only person I'm not mad at because she's actually the only one who's a true victim in this book. All the crap she had to endure... I just don't know how she can still stand.
I now need book three because the ending is yet another cliffhanger. Even though I can already tell book three will probably annoy me too. I HAVE TO KNOW HOW IT ALL ENDS!!!
four stars. Only because of the last sentence in the book.
THAT ENDING THAT'S WHY.
Here's what I will say. Simon is on my nerves. This new girl Harlyn is gonna be murdered by me. Loelle is on my nerves. Wynnow better hope she never has to face me because death to her too!!!!
Kestra is the only person I'm not mad at because she's actually the only one who's a true victim in this book. All the crap she had to endure... I just don't know how she can still stand.
I now need book three because the ending is yet another cliffhanger. Even though I can already tell book three will probably annoy me too. I HAVE TO KNOW HOW IT ALL ENDS!!!
four stars. Only because of the last sentence in the book.
March 22, 2019
I have a lot of thoughts, but allow me to condense all of them into one simple statement:
This trilogy does not suffer from second book syndrome.
This trilogy does not suffer from second book syndrome.
November 22, 2021
4.5 ✨! RTC
July 7, 2024
3.5
Just decide 🤦♀️
I feel as if the twists I expected but never had the thoughts of predicting it? Ik that makes no sense, but it’s true.
Just decide 🤦♀️
I feel as if the twists I expected but never had the thoughts of predicting it? Ik that makes no sense, but it’s true.
November 11, 2019
Ugh, this was so bad and I won’t be continuing this series. As I feared after realizing Kestra loses her memories within the first chapter, we have to relive all of book one in the first half of this. Honestly my least favorite writing move, so lazy. I also couldn’t care less about the magic in this, which is seemingly nameless and takes no real shape. There seems to be no real rules for it, it just manifests however the author wants it to at each time.
I also could not care less about Kes and Simon being together. Talk about a forced romance. Just because she’s a girl and he’s a boy does not make instant chemistry, which is what they’re aiming for every time there’s longing looks and unexplainable feelings. And 90% of the book is just inner monologues of teenage longing and confusion. Nothing else seems to matter while they’re trying to kill a magical tyrant and save the world, their flat teenage love is more important.
And the plot is just so so boring, there’s like 50 people all trying to get MAGICAL SPECIAL KESTRA. And everyone NEEDS SIMON TO BE A KING despite having no real talents or personality past an obsession with Kestra. Everyone seems to think this witless wonder will be a great king.
The whole book is just those two chasing each other, and while there is constant action, it feels like nothing is happening during those either. Super repetitive capturing, escaping, capturing, escaping, all within like three pages.
I also could not care less about Kes and Simon being together. Talk about a forced romance. Just because she’s a girl and he’s a boy does not make instant chemistry, which is what they’re aiming for every time there’s longing looks and unexplainable feelings. And 90% of the book is just inner monologues of teenage longing and confusion. Nothing else seems to matter while they’re trying to kill a magical tyrant and save the world, their flat teenage love is more important.
And the plot is just so so boring, there’s like 50 people all trying to get MAGICAL SPECIAL KESTRA. And everyone NEEDS SIMON TO BE A KING despite having no real talents or personality past an obsession with Kestra. Everyone seems to think this witless wonder will be a great king.
The whole book is just those two chasing each other, and while there is constant action, it feels like nothing is happening during those either. Super repetitive capturing, escaping, capturing, escaping, all within like three pages.
January 9, 2021
Omgosh. This book. I am utterly speechless at how this ended. 5 stars.
November 15, 2018
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! IT COULD NOT END LIKE THAT!!!!! THERE IS COMPLETELY NONONONONO WAY THAT THE BOOK ENDS LIKE THAT!!! I THINK THERE IS A 3RD BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so wonderful and sad and much more stuff I can't say. If there is no continuation, then I don't know what to do... I was crying and there were many flows of emotions! I didn't hear that there was a continuation but I don't think I heard it because THIS book isn't really out yet... Now I'll have to wait a couple of years to wait and see if the book is out... IF there will never be a third book (Which I doubt 😜), then... I... Have no idea what to do... It's so wonderful but... I CAN'T WAIT TILL ANOTHER 3RD BOOK COMES OUT! 😱😓😰 I still loved this book so much that I HAD to write a lot!!!!! I'm sorry if this is too long... but... whatever... I needed to show my emotions... I cried a few times because it is very sad... I hoped you enjoyed my VERY VERY VERY VERY looooooooooooooooooooong summary and I hope you have a... something... day! READ THIS BOOK AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! 💖💔💝
February 24, 2019
Due to the timing of my reading of Part 1, I was able to read Part 2 immediately following making it one long narrative. The advantage to this is that all of the key players are very fresh in my mind. I am also in a good position to compare one to the other. I did like the second part better. Reading the story from the POV of Simon and Kestra is more interesting when they are not in the same place. When they were together so much in the first book, I found it more difficult to distinguish their voices. The action ramps up quite a bit in Part 2 and they add dragons into the story. We should enjoy more of that element in the third book and I am looking forward to its release in 2020.
A big thank you to Scholastic and Edelweiss for a digital ARC of this sequel in exchange for an honest review.
A big thank you to Scholastic and Edelweiss for a digital ARC of this sequel in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2019
This book didn't know what direction it wanted the plot to go in. It was the epitome of romance overshadowing the start of a magic-fuelled war. The main characters both became annoying and I stopped caring. The predictability was boring.
I'll probably read the third book just to see how the trilogy ends, but it won't be high on my TBR...
I'll probably read the third book just to see how the trilogy ends, but it won't be high on my TBR...
Want to read
June 28, 2018The first book was disappointing, but perhaps this one can redeem the series for me
March 24, 2020
This book moves the series from a good yet simple read to a multi-faceted masterpiece. The series still very much remains plot-driven, but the characters in this story are delved into much deeper and they have much more complex thought processes and feelings about things. The love story as well, while still being in part made up of sappiness and tropes, also had doubt and passion and real sacrifice which I always love from a high fantasy.
Honestly, I didn’t really care for the new characters introduced. I really liked Harlyn at first because she seemed like a really down to earth character who is aware of her surroundings and her situation, but towards the end and especially after a huge event that happens at the end of the book, I just wanted to shake her and say “what are you doing?” She turned utterly petty and conniving in a snide sort of way that I wasn’t here for. She turned into a complete archetype for a high school mean girl!
The brillians seemed to be an odd addition as well. I get that the author is trying to expand the world, but we don’t really need to see anything other than Antora and the hiplands. They;re not necessary. Also this is kind of petty but their name? Really? The name is just so obvious and unoriginal.
I was a bit irritated by the whole “I love you, but I can’t be with you” trope. Sometimes it works out, mostly when the characters actually can’t be together, but here it just seemed like just another plot device to create drama and tension. They could obviously end up together if they just put their two heads together and thought for awhile. This is a non-spoilery review, but I will say there is one major factor keeping them apart that comes into play around mid-book that I think is absolutely stupid. LIKE STOP. I also thought it was weird how adamant Tanger was that Kestra and Simon weren’t to end up together. Like, why do you care?
edit after 2nd reread;
first of all, i hate how this review was written, so just please ignore everything i've said above, especially since i don't agree with most of it now, reexamining it with the advantage of hindsight. as of writing this i haven't yet started the warrior's curse, but my feelings will probably change after i read that too.
*expect spoilers from now on*
i think the main reason i didn't like this book was because it just completely ruins the first book. that's why i don't really read series in general any more, but it's especially true in this book now that Kestra has lost her memories. don't get me wrong, i really enjoyed reading about her being brainwashed and slowly discovering the truth and it was fun to be in her point of view when she first went with the Coraks, disdaining them all.
My problem with this change in direction is that we never really restore Kestra to her original state; the character we left in the traitor's game will never be seen again. There was never this one moment of epiphany where suddenly kestra remembers everything and she is restored to her state before endrick's mind control. she comes to the conclusion even before she has her memories back that she can't stay with the dominion, fine, but then how she gets her memories was arduous and long and painful and made her into a different person. i'm all for character growth, but this felt forced and unnatural. she is not simply more developed, she is a different character. and throw in all of this nonsense with corruption and magic and stuff and there's no doubt she's gone.
and the way that simon deals with it- can you be any more annoying? i understand he believes magic is a corrupting force and he doesn't want kestra to go to the blue caves, yeah that's whatever, and honestly, it's consistent with his character, but then after she goes to the blue caves TO SAVE HER OWN LIFE BY THE WAY he's acting all holier than thou and “oh now i can't possibly be with you even though your magic was the reason that i am alive” simon, get off your high horse and love your girlfriend like she deserves. and i'm sure in the next book we'll see kestra struggle with being like endrick and feeling the evil inside her and whatever, but that's no cause for simon to be a total duchebag and make her feel like crap for something that wasn't really her decision. i'm sorry if she's not all apologetic for being dragged to the blue caves, SIMON.
AND OH MY FREAKING GOD HARLYNN. HARLYNN STOP. JENNIFER, JUST STOP. there are so many things wrong with her character but i think what i'm most mad about is that the way she was brought in and with the bearing she holds on the story, she had the potential to be a great, complex character that we could really root for. and it looks like it's going to be that way with the first scene she's in but then her character does a full 180 and becomes a complete bitch, trying to get simon to like her for god knows what reason. and at the end she full on assaulted him, kept kissing him although it was clear that he was EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and so was I in that moment. i just finished rereading like 30 minutes ago and just thinking about it i still physically react in disgust. there is such a double standard going on here- if this were a guy kissing a girl on the cheek without her permission all hell would break loose, but since it's a girl she gets to be a potential love interest for book 3?
and from a story stand point, it just doesn't make sense to introduce her in this way. it creates an odd dynamic of a love triangle that is unevenly powered. harlynn is clearly gunning for simon in any way she can, and simon might have to accept her love for political reasons, but he clearly has a lot more going on with kestra, you know, THE MAIN CHARACTER. he's either going to end up with her or alone- bc of this whole corruption thing she might not be a viable option- in the end, there is no way in hell he's going to end up with harlynn, that just wouldn't make sense. the author knows it, the readers know it, hell even simon knows it. you can't make a love triangle for simon because he is not the main character- he himself is the love interest to kestra. it just doesn't make sense why the author would do this.
so anyways, yeah, those were my ranty, unorganized thoughts. i know you probably have trouble believing this, but despite all that, this was still fairly entertaining to read. i liked the parts, basically the full first half and spilling into the second, where kestra was still brainwashed, i just don't like the long lasting effects it had-ones that could have been avoided if the book was written differently. excecution-wise this book was probably like a two, but i had fun reading it- up until the end- and my orignal rating was four, so i think i'm just going to knock it down one star to a three. i normally don't even move it at all upon second read idk why, i just don't like to, but the issues with this were so glaringly obvious that my rating has to reflect them in some way.
i started rereading this series in the first place because the third book just came out, the warrior's curse. i was really excited for it considering how much i liked the first two of the series. that's still true, i still do like them, esp. the first book, but the way things left off in the deceiver's heart was absolutely abhorrent and i'm scared that the third book is just going to be more of that. wish me luck...
Honestly, I didn’t really care for the new characters introduced. I really liked Harlyn at first because she seemed like a really down to earth character who is aware of her surroundings and her situation, but towards the end and especially after a huge event that happens at the end of the book, I just wanted to shake her and say “what are you doing?” She turned utterly petty and conniving in a snide sort of way that I wasn’t here for. She turned into a complete archetype for a high school mean girl!
The brillians seemed to be an odd addition as well. I get that the author is trying to expand the world, but we don’t really need to see anything other than Antora and the hiplands. They;re not necessary. Also this is kind of petty but their name? Really? The name is just so obvious and unoriginal.
I was a bit irritated by the whole “I love you, but I can’t be with you” trope. Sometimes it works out, mostly when the characters actually can’t be together, but here it just seemed like just another plot device to create drama and tension. They could obviously end up together if they just put their two heads together and thought for awhile. This is a non-spoilery review, but I will say there is one major factor keeping them apart that comes into play around mid-book that I think is absolutely stupid. LIKE STOP. I also thought it was weird how adamant Tanger was that Kestra and Simon weren’t to end up together. Like, why do you care?
edit after 2nd reread;
first of all, i hate how this review was written, so just please ignore everything i've said above, especially since i don't agree with most of it now, reexamining it with the advantage of hindsight. as of writing this i haven't yet started the warrior's curse, but my feelings will probably change after i read that too.
*expect spoilers from now on*
i think the main reason i didn't like this book was because it just completely ruins the first book. that's why i don't really read series in general any more, but it's especially true in this book now that Kestra has lost her memories. don't get me wrong, i really enjoyed reading about her being brainwashed and slowly discovering the truth and it was fun to be in her point of view when she first went with the Coraks, disdaining them all.
My problem with this change in direction is that we never really restore Kestra to her original state; the character we left in the traitor's game will never be seen again. There was never this one moment of epiphany where suddenly kestra remembers everything and she is restored to her state before endrick's mind control. she comes to the conclusion even before she has her memories back that she can't stay with the dominion, fine, but then how she gets her memories was arduous and long and painful and made her into a different person. i'm all for character growth, but this felt forced and unnatural. she is not simply more developed, she is a different character. and throw in all of this nonsense with corruption and magic and stuff and there's no doubt she's gone.
and the way that simon deals with it- can you be any more annoying? i understand he believes magic is a corrupting force and he doesn't want kestra to go to the blue caves, yeah that's whatever, and honestly, it's consistent with his character, but then after she goes to the blue caves TO SAVE HER OWN LIFE BY THE WAY he's acting all holier than thou and “oh now i can't possibly be with you even though your magic was the reason that i am alive” simon, get off your high horse and love your girlfriend like she deserves. and i'm sure in the next book we'll see kestra struggle with being like endrick and feeling the evil inside her and whatever, but that's no cause for simon to be a total duchebag and make her feel like crap for something that wasn't really her decision. i'm sorry if she's not all apologetic for being dragged to the blue caves, SIMON.
AND OH MY FREAKING GOD HARLYNN. HARLYNN STOP. JENNIFER, JUST STOP. there are so many things wrong with her character but i think what i'm most mad about is that the way she was brought in and with the bearing she holds on the story, she had the potential to be a great, complex character that we could really root for. and it looks like it's going to be that way with the first scene she's in but then her character does a full 180 and becomes a complete bitch, trying to get simon to like her for god knows what reason. and at the end she full on assaulted him, kept kissing him although it was clear that he was EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and so was I in that moment. i just finished rereading like 30 minutes ago and just thinking about it i still physically react in disgust. there is such a double standard going on here- if this were a guy kissing a girl on the cheek without her permission all hell would break loose, but since it's a girl she gets to be a potential love interest for book 3?
and from a story stand point, it just doesn't make sense to introduce her in this way. it creates an odd dynamic of a love triangle that is unevenly powered. harlynn is clearly gunning for simon in any way she can, and simon might have to accept her love for political reasons, but he clearly has a lot more going on with kestra, you know, THE MAIN CHARACTER. he's either going to end up with her or alone- bc of this whole corruption thing she might not be a viable option- in the end, there is no way in hell he's going to end up with harlynn, that just wouldn't make sense. the author knows it, the readers know it, hell even simon knows it. you can't make a love triangle for simon because he is not the main character- he himself is the love interest to kestra. it just doesn't make sense why the author would do this.
so anyways, yeah, those were my ranty, unorganized thoughts. i know you probably have trouble believing this, but despite all that, this was still fairly entertaining to read. i liked the parts, basically the full first half and spilling into the second, where kestra was still brainwashed, i just don't like the long lasting effects it had-ones that could have been avoided if the book was written differently. excecution-wise this book was probably like a two, but i had fun reading it- up until the end- and my orignal rating was four, so i think i'm just going to knock it down one star to a three. i normally don't even move it at all upon second read idk why, i just don't like to, but the issues with this were so glaringly obvious that my rating has to reflect them in some way.
i started rereading this series in the first place because the third book just came out, the warrior's curse. i was really excited for it considering how much i liked the first two of the series. that's still true, i still do like them, esp. the first book, but the way things left off in the deceiver's heart was absolutely abhorrent and i'm scared that the third book is just going to be more of that. wish me luck...
August 31, 2024
first read
rating: 4/5
second read
post-read
ugh i'm so done with this series but i'm too stubborn to dnf
review
Enjoyment Rating: 1.5/5
Technical Rating: 1/5
Characters: 1/5
Kestra: Oh, how I hate her. All her character development was completely negated. She's turned into a weak little puppet for Lord Endrick at the very beginning of the story, losing pretty much every change that was made to her character in the first book. The only character she has is being a speshul snowflake: being the Infidante, being half Endrean, and having an eleventh cluster of magic because GOD FORBID she be like anyone else. She's incredibly selfish, still insisting upon the fact that "Simon is hers" when it's incredibly dangerous and Harlyn is the politically advantageous match. I want to rewrite all my arranged marriages now just so they don't resemble this one.
Simon: When has he had any character development? Who is he outside of his romance with Kestra? He has no motivations, no hobbies, no relationships that aren't connected to her. I love a devoted male lead, but I also want him to be a character on his own. When Simon was separated from Kestra, he became awkward, boring, and downright stupid. He doesn't have a personality aside from being in love with Kestra.
Miscellaneous: These poor female characters. Any that aren't the protagonist are incredibly one-dimensional. Trina is power-hungry and impulsive. Wynnow is disdainful and calculating. Loelle is motherly and kind. Harlyn's only personality is that she likes Simon and perhaps that she can shoot a bow. None of them have a personality outside of one or two traits. The male characters are given slightly more development--Henry Dallisor and Captain Tenger have some semblance of motivation--but still not much.
Villain: 1/5
Guess how many scenes the villain had? Two. Right in a row. At the very beginning. And he was never seen again. I think it's okay to have a somewhat hidden villain, but they need to be present enough to be developed. I still don't know what Lord Endrick wants, or even why he's so bad. This kind of destroys the stakes of the story.
Character Relationships: 0/5
ENOUGH WITH THE FREAKING LOVE TRIANGLES. I think it's good to have characters in multiple relationships over the course of the story--it's a lot more realistic than just marrying the first person you date--but I absolutely hate it when characters "fight" over another, or when the lead has to "choose" between two suitors. Guess what, we get both. For the first half of the book, Simon and Basil fight over Kestra, both of them trying to be the one she trusts, both of them being smug and annoying to the other when Kestra even touches them. Truthfully, I don't know why they want her so bad. Then, after Basil gets captured by the Dominion, the love triangle switches to Simon-Kestra-Harlyn and Harlyn is antagonized because she gets in the way of the main ship. I seem to remember a third love triangle in the third book, and the thought just makes me roll my eyes.
The potential for romantic development after Kestra's memory loss also abruptly died. They were kissing again 40% into the book. I am a firm believer in doing all things romantic slowly, and after the egregiously fast development in the first book, this was a nice opportunity for a proper slow burn. Nope. I think some kind of record has been broken.
Writing Style: 2/5
There was still quite a bit of telling over showing. I only hear about the emotions these characters are feeling, never see them. I love it when an author paints a vivid picture of a character becoming murderously angry and I get to see them slowly deteriorate into rage. In this book, it's more like "I was furious." Thank you for letting us know.
I also thought the dialogue got very juvenile at times. At one point Kestra was talking about what would happen when she "turned bad," and I was just cringing to death. That sounds like how little kids say someone joined the villain. Say "became corrupted." Say "lost her soul" like in Wings of Fire. Say "deteriorated into madness" if you want, I don't care. Just please don't say "turned bad" in a YA book. And what was up with everyone asking "does it hurt?" every time someone got injured? Yeah, Simon's shoulder got sliced open and then burned by a mini dragon, but we have to make sure. Oh, it does hurt? What a shock.
World Building/Exposition: 0/5
A list of kingdoms/cultures/regions that were mentioned: Reddengrad, Brill, Blue Caves, All Spirits Forest, Antora, Halderians
A list of cultures that were developed and richly crafted and had more than one basic trait their people somehow collectively possess:
*crickets*
I think I've made my point.
Plot/Premise: 1/5
It's great to have your characters fail occasionally, but let it develop their character, please, not just act as an excuse to remove their memories. Kestra's failure to kill Lord Endrick doesn't change her character, it doesn't affect her motivations or her confidence. She just continues on like nothing happened. It takes her roughly a hundred pages to get her memories back, and then the entire first book is rendered useless.
I liked it a bit better when they got into the war.
Climax/Ending: 2/5
Simon should have died. If you're going to hype up a death, either have the protagonist brilliantly thwart the plot or kill them. Somehow Kestra has exactly the right (undiscovered) power to save Simon's life/soul. Are we going to talk about the fact that both of them now have only half a soul? Does that do anything to them whatsoever?
Then we had to end with another sappy romantic line. It was cute in the first book, now it's just cringey. And poor Trina having to deliver that message. I'd hate to be that girl.
rating: 1/5
rating: 4/5
second read
post-read
ugh i'm so done with this series but i'm too stubborn to dnf
review
Enjoyment Rating: 1.5/5
Technical Rating: 1/5
Characters: 1/5
Kestra: Oh, how I hate her. All her character development was completely negated. She's turned into a weak little puppet for Lord Endrick at the very beginning of the story, losing pretty much every change that was made to her character in the first book. The only character she has is being a speshul snowflake: being the Infidante, being half Endrean, and having an eleventh cluster of magic because GOD FORBID she be like anyone else. She's incredibly selfish, still insisting upon the fact that "Simon is hers" when it's incredibly dangerous and Harlyn is the politically advantageous match. I want to rewrite all my arranged marriages now just so they don't resemble this one.
Simon: When has he had any character development? Who is he outside of his romance with Kestra? He has no motivations, no hobbies, no relationships that aren't connected to her. I love a devoted male lead, but I also want him to be a character on his own. When Simon was separated from Kestra, he became awkward, boring, and downright stupid. He doesn't have a personality aside from being in love with Kestra.
Miscellaneous: These poor female characters. Any that aren't the protagonist are incredibly one-dimensional. Trina is power-hungry and impulsive. Wynnow is disdainful and calculating. Loelle is motherly and kind. Harlyn's only personality is that she likes Simon and perhaps that she can shoot a bow. None of them have a personality outside of one or two traits. The male characters are given slightly more development--Henry Dallisor and Captain Tenger have some semblance of motivation--but still not much.
Villain: 1/5
Guess how many scenes the villain had? Two. Right in a row. At the very beginning. And he was never seen again. I think it's okay to have a somewhat hidden villain, but they need to be present enough to be developed. I still don't know what Lord Endrick wants, or even why he's so bad. This kind of destroys the stakes of the story.
Character Relationships: 0/5
ENOUGH WITH THE FREAKING LOVE TRIANGLES. I think it's good to have characters in multiple relationships over the course of the story--it's a lot more realistic than just marrying the first person you date--but I absolutely hate it when characters "fight" over another, or when the lead has to "choose" between two suitors. Guess what, we get both. For the first half of the book, Simon and Basil fight over Kestra, both of them trying to be the one she trusts, both of them being smug and annoying to the other when Kestra even touches them. Truthfully, I don't know why they want her so bad. Then, after Basil gets captured by the Dominion, the love triangle switches to Simon-Kestra-Harlyn and Harlyn is antagonized because she gets in the way of the main ship. I seem to remember a third love triangle in the third book, and the thought just makes me roll my eyes.
The potential for romantic development after Kestra's memory loss also abruptly died. They were kissing again 40% into the book. I am a firm believer in doing all things romantic slowly, and after the egregiously fast development in the first book, this was a nice opportunity for a proper slow burn. Nope. I think some kind of record has been broken.
Writing Style: 2/5
There was still quite a bit of telling over showing. I only hear about the emotions these characters are feeling, never see them. I love it when an author paints a vivid picture of a character becoming murderously angry and I get to see them slowly deteriorate into rage. In this book, it's more like "I was furious." Thank you for letting us know.
I also thought the dialogue got very juvenile at times. At one point Kestra was talking about what would happen when she "turned bad," and I was just cringing to death. That sounds like how little kids say someone joined the villain. Say "became corrupted." Say "lost her soul" like in Wings of Fire. Say "deteriorated into madness" if you want, I don't care. Just please don't say "turned bad" in a YA book. And what was up with everyone asking "does it hurt?" every time someone got injured? Yeah, Simon's shoulder got sliced open and then burned by a mini dragon, but we have to make sure. Oh, it does hurt? What a shock.
World Building/Exposition: 0/5
A list of kingdoms/cultures/regions that were mentioned: Reddengrad, Brill, Blue Caves, All Spirits Forest, Antora, Halderians
A list of cultures that were developed and richly crafted and had more than one basic trait their people somehow collectively possess:
*crickets*
I think I've made my point.
Plot/Premise: 1/5
It's great to have your characters fail occasionally, but let it develop their character, please, not just act as an excuse to remove their memories. Kestra's failure to kill Lord Endrick doesn't change her character, it doesn't affect her motivations or her confidence. She just continues on like nothing happened. It takes her roughly a hundred pages to get her memories back, and then the entire first book is rendered useless.
I liked it a bit better when they got into the war.
Climax/Ending: 2/5
Simon should have died. If you're going to hype up a death, either have the protagonist brilliantly thwart the plot or kill them. Somehow Kestra has exactly the right (undiscovered) power to save Simon's life/soul. Are we going to talk about the fact that both of them now have only half a soul? Does that do anything to them whatsoever?
Then we had to end with another sappy romantic line. It was cute in the first book, now it's just cringey. And poor Trina having to deliver that message. I'd hate to be that girl.
rating: 1/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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