Traitor

A Crown of Lilies #1

by Melissa Ragland

Swordplay. Spycraft. These are the skills Elivya has studied all her life - skills she must keep secret at all costs.

As the sole heir to one of the kingdom’s Great Houses, the time has come for her debut at court. One whisper of her unorthodox training could ruin her prospects and spell the end of her ancient bloodline. Under the watchful eye of her father’s deadliest - and most irritating - guard, Elivya joins the nobility’s vicious game of gossip, seduction, and ambition to secure her family's future.

But the stakes are far higher than she ever imagined.

A shadow grows in the East, a ruthless empire bent on conquest. When a foreign agent infiltrates the royal court, whispering in the king’s ear and sowing the seeds of war, Elivya knows that exposing him will take every one of her carefully-hidden skills. A single misstep could destroy her House - or doom her nation.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

491 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

A voracious reader from her youth, Melissa Ragland has spent her life absorbing stories. In libraries and bookstores, she devoted three decades to the study of fiction, dissecting the weave and weft of good storytelling.

​Now, after a long stint in the much-beloved heat of Austin, Texas, Ragland has returned to the Midwest woodlands of her youth to pursue her lifelong passion for writing. Her lush and unapologetic debut fantasy series has earned accolades from readers and fellow authors alike, with book one ('Traitor') being selected as a Page Turner Awards finalist and earning a Reedsy Discovery five-star review.

Reviews

[Comhghall McKeating · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Traitor, the first of what promises to be an exciting series, we follow the noble-born Elivya fen Lazerin from her rebellious teens to her equally rebellious, if a little more tempered, twenties. Pugnacious and head-strong, Elivya is fighter, spy, and courtier in one, a fantastic protagonist whose own desires, hopes, dreams tie-in beautifully with a broader theme of duty, love, and faith.

The story is heroic in nature, with a strong flare of romance, perhaps a tad predictable, but Ragland's wonderful prose makes us feel as though we are on a rollercoaster. We can see the track, yes, but the twists and turns will make our stomachs lurch nonetheless.

Highly recommended if you're looking for a book with a strong, multi-faceted, female protagonist, an immersive world, and beautiful imagery.

[Tony Duxbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story, very well written, a page-turner. Elivya should have been a boy, so she became a tomboy instead. Stubborn and bloodyminded, she was the bane of her parent's lives. Despite her years of rebellion, at last she had to concede to her parent's wishes. The only heir to a noble bloodline and female at that, she had to ensure the continuation of her noble house. The story takes the reader through her life from a teenager through to a mature woman. There are secrets, revelations, betrayals, love, hate, loyalty and fear. A roller-coaster ride. Enough said. I would recommend this to any fantasy fan.

[OldBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL;DR: A familiar plot, but told with winning narration and a maturity that's not often seen in indie fantasy. Intelligent and emotional, it challenges you not to be drawn in to this fantastical and complex low fantasy world. A slow-burn to savour.

You know that feeling you get that you've read this story before? I did get a little of that when starting this book. About 30% of the way in, I wondered if I needed to read another story of a high-born girl growing to womanhood, acting the rough-n-tumble tomboy in a world where female heirs are supposed to be brood mares while managing a flourishing love life on the side. The blurb makes it sound like just one of those YA novels, all feminist outrage with yet another "feisty" heroine to take down the patriarchy while getting tangled up in fast-paced political intrigues.

Traitor is not this book. It is an emotionally intelligent, maturely written coming of age tale that, while following the same basic origins trope, slows everything down and doesn't make big bombastic set pieces out of each twist and turn. It's more new adult than young adult, and though it's reasonably clean (fade to black sexy tiemz, a smattering of swear words) it doesn't feel dumbed down to be acceptable. The writing and narration is gorgeous, and that's what kept me hooked.

The basic story is of Elivya fen Lazerin, the last heir to her noble house in a world where blood purity has dictated the ruling classes since mythological times. She longs to learn the way of the sword and bow, not because she wants to be a warrior, but just because she wants to prove she can master any skill. Her father is less than impressed, and despite her parents' lenient upbringing it's up to her to devise ways of getting what she wants, even if it can be reckless. As she grows and schemes and plans, she discovers there's more to her world than the overt politics of court. Friendships are made, loves come and go, but when she hears whispers of dangers stirring she cannot stay away. She is heir to House Lazerin, and she will be cowed by no one.

It's darned impossible to sum up this book without spoiling it, but suffice to say there's a lot more going on under the hood than a blurb can safely deliver. Basically it reads like a historical romance set in a politically difficult time... Only it's a fantasy land, probably coming up to Regency time, and the romance isn't the only thing that influences the heroine's journey.

I say it's slow because despite being titled "Traitor", it's not about our heroine actually being a traitor on the run, but about how she came to be one. Each little piece of her life gradually pulls together, even if you aren't sure how it can fit into the bigger picture. It's not big and loud storytelling; it's wonderfully subtle and natural in how it flows.

Elivya is a great protagonist. Tough, but not unbelievably so; smart, but not whipping out deus ex machina at every turn; a good learner, but despite training montages she doesn't go from 0 to Master Warrior in five seconds flat. She has flaws. She feels fear, doubt and regret without going into melodrama. Her romantic liaisons are utterly believable, and despite the obvious setup available for a love triangle (or quadrilateral maybe), it doesn't go for the cheap drama of jealousy and pining. It's subtle, enchanting stuff.

In fact, the romance worked for me because it was so believable and, despite being a big theme, fairly low-key. The boys are all likeable in their own way (finally, no cliched bad boys who treat 'em mean while the lady simpers!) We don't spend the whole book sitting out will-they-won't-they scenarios filled with confected conflicts just to add that YAish ~drama~ that every love story supposedly needs.

My only issues, other than that the main plot isn't the most original, is that there are so many names. Think a Game of Thrones number of lesser noble houses with different allegiances. While the major side characters are interesting and well fleshed out (from broody Quintin to gruff James, the quiet Shena, the steely mother... and even if he was a walking trope being the semi-secretly gay BFF, scatterbrained romantic Aubrey is love), there are many others who I kept forgetting who was who. The pacing may also be a bit of a problem to some, purely because it takes so long to get to the semi-familiar political intrigues bit.

Regardless by the end I felt emotionally invested in Elivya's story, and even the over-familiarity of the political situation couldn't make the cliffhanger any less heartbreaking. Book 2 is where the originality could come, and I think it's worth looking forward to.

-I received a free copy of this e-book from a giveaway. This does not influence my review-

[S.W. Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first moment that I started reading, I was instantly hooked. This is not my usual genre but the story was so well-written with an intelligent voice that I could not put it down. The author takes you along on an emotional journey with the main character Elivya. At the beginning of the book, the author also provides a breakdown of the numerous houses and a map of the territory which was useful in keeping things straight. I am not a fast reader but this took me even longer to read than most especially because of the intricate world in which this story takes place. I look forward to reading more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In TRAITOR, this first book of a series, the author immediately pulled me—not typically a fan of fantasy—into an irresistibly resplendent world. I could not get enough of the rich visual details and the delightful repartee. What I found particularly compelling was to see this world come to life through the eyes of a strong, beautiful, resilient, warm hearted protagonist.

The unfolding plot combined with complex character development make TRAITOR an unforgettable page turner. The difficult ethical choices and the resulting consequences will stay with you. Once you reach the last page, expect to be doing everything you can to get your hands on Book 2 of the series, LAZERIN.

[Daniele Kasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong characters, lots of action and a girl determined to make her own destiny. Elivya is a daughter born in a man's world. Her duty is to marry and produce an heir to the title but all she wants is to learn to fight and rule. With the heart of a warrior, Elivya isn't going to quietly resign herself to being a meek and mild mannered wife and lady with no future except to bear children. As a tomboy myself, I connected immediately with her as a character. She is strong willed, loud mouthed and I loved her. Rebellious and headstrong, she is going to fight for the life she wants to lead, not the one she is forced into. An excellent tale and I am looking forward to diving into the sequel.

[Lianne Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have rarely had the pleasure of reading something as well-written as this. The author really knows how to write. That honestly is what drew me more than anything. Another reviewer says she has an incredible imagination, and I agree!

This is a tale of a girl who grows into a strong woman. I really really liked Quintin. He was by-far my favorite character. I too felt the romance between the heroine and Adrian was rushed, and so I never really fell in love with his character.

I look forward to seeing her story unfold more.

[Tara Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start the characters, scenery and pace draw you into a world of vivid imaginings. The plot was utterly incredible with multiple twists and turns to keep you on your toes! The main character resonated with me and I found her to be created so thoroughly that it was like looking in a mirror! I cannot wait for the continuation of this story, the cliff hanger is killing me!
Wonderful story!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. But to be clear, this is not a happy tale. From the first sentence you know Elivya is in for hard times. There is happiness in it and it's told with love but always with a tinge of sadness. Elivya's destiny was determined for her but the path is of her own choosing. There are reflections and shadows of current political, religious and social world events, all of which affect Elivya in some form or another.

The first three-quarters of the book cover Elivya's life from a young girl to a young woman and then things come to a head in the last quarter. It's really well-written, I never felt like I was reading about something. More like I was listening to someone tell the story of their life. It's also a book that I had to ration to keep from getting too caught up in and it still affected my dreams. Elivya's story does not end with this book and from the author's tag at the end, Elivya's trouble has just begun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Disney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I love Elivya’s journey and everything her mother teaches her. Her training is intense and Quintin is a tough teacher but he’s a reliable guard, and probably my favorite character. I really enjoyed going through the ups and downs of Elivya’s love life; it really felt like a real young lady experiencing love for the first time and then finding it again for real later on in life. Overall amazing story and I need to get the sequel!

[Naethan Pais · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing opening leads to a tale full of mysteries, questions and suspense all wrapped up in beautiful, dreamy atmosphere to make up a solid fun read!

[Nancy Camtergiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a tale of fantasy....the characters are realistic, the settings are well-drawn, and the details well thought out and believable. You get to know the characters and care about them, and want to know what will happen next.

[Nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elivya is an engaging, headstrong young woman who gradually draws you into her tale of Court politics and intrigue. This is a fantasy story with real potential and by the end of the book you are eager for the sequel...which is not yet available. It's YA but it's mostly clever and thoughtful and shows genuine character development... despite occasional bouts of teenage angst and self loathing. I received this as a free copy for review....but it is also free to read on Kindle Unlimited....and is certainly worth a read....

[Tealover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would love it until I finished reading half of it. I thought this would be a short story, and was surprised that it is really long. It's like reading a trilogy. It could be slow read at some point. But there is a character building. I love them all. Elivya is not your idiotic heroine. Yes, she has her pride to the brim, but she is not a damsel trying to be a hero but has to be saved every f****** time. oh, and the twists in the love story. It was a surprise. It is not a Game of Thrones, nor Tearling, and definitely not ACOTAR, but I love it.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a fan of fantasy and strong female characters this book is for you. I loved it. Written from the main character Elivya’s point of view you follow her journey from adolescence to adult hood while she experiences life’s great highs and lows shaping her in to a complex and multilayered character you can root for. I’d highly recommend this book and I hope it gets the praise and accolades it deserves.

[Jo V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Was gripping from the first page to the end. Good for people who like to read about strong female characters.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not usually read fantasy novels, but I was looking for books that would intrigue my 13-year-old granddaughter. But Traitor by Melissa Ragland is not going to be one of them. I was given a review copy of the book in return for my honest review. This is me, being honest.

I appreciated how Ms. Ragland introduced the characters, and all their complex relationships, without being pedantic. I also appreciated the maps that I could download from her website. I would like to have been able to do the same with the excellent list of characters provided at the front of the book. Reading in an e-book does not lend itself for flipping back and forth to remind myself who’s who.

The book Is well written. That this book is the author’s debut novel is amazing. Her character development and world creating is very skilled and mature. The book has plenty of action and there are interesting characters. Unfortunately, there is a lot in this book that I found off-putting. Idol worship? Maybe; maybe not. F-bombs and S-bombs? Yep. I almost stopped reading because of the foul language. But, given the storyline, not cursing might have weakened the ambience. I do think that an author that can invent an entire world and its kingdoms, could come up with alternative, yet just as powerful, curse words. And, while there is no explicit sex, the seeming acceptance of sex at 15 and same-sex liaisons is not something I want to encounter in a book that I might give to my granddaughter.

Elivya is strong-willed, impetuous, seriously out-spoken and inconsiderate. She has no filter, Even though her mother schools her in the art of social intrigue and manipulation. She is also uncommonly sure that she is right, that she knows more than those around her. My granddaughter is already showing those traits. I’m not sure I want to encourage that behavior.

I cannot comment on the ending. Others have said it is a cliffhanger. I would like to know how Elivya’s story turns out, but what ultimately led to my not finishing the book was Elivya herself. Yes, she “grew up”, but she did not grow wise. At least, not at the point I decided to quit reading the book. Despite the training she received, both in warcraft and on comportment and intrigue, I just couldn’t keep reading about Elivya’s heedless disregard for the advice and feelings and well-being of others.

[Hannah Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

After spending quite some time with this book and giving it a valiant effort, I'm taking a step back from it for the time being and at least soft-DNFing it for now. I quite enjoyed the opening chapters, where Elivya spent time at home with her family and friends. Once she left for court and for her debut, though, the story shifted for me, and not in a way I really enjoyed.

Elivya is a very selfish character, which is fine, as she is only fifteen years old. However, when you throw in topics of marriage and courtship into the mix, being a typical fifteen-year-old doesn't always mix. For me, this was not fun to read. I would have preferred a more mature heroine, especially if romance was going to be such a main focus in the plot. Again, not necessarily older, just maybe a more mature version of a fifteen-year-old. It didn't quite work for me. However, I can see how this writing and the characters would work for younger to average-aged YA readers.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Men often dislike what they can’t control’

‘Yer father might let ye play at bein’ a lordling, but ye haven’t the stones for aught else but a lady’s lot.’
Samson forgets that females DO have stones – they’re higher up than men’s and much, much bigger...
We learn that from our mothers and other female role models – sometimes by deed, sometimes by word:
‘You have much to learn if you think the only weapons in this world are made of steel … I know you are your father’s child, but you will always be a woman, Elivya. And in case you’ve somehow confused the two, that is not the same as being helpless.’

Statecraft is not just about diplomacy. It’s what’s said yet not said; seen yet not seen. Cattiness and sarcasm are deemed witty; words destroy more than the swords of war.


Some sage advice from the author:
Train your non-dominant hand
Mold yourself into what you want to be
If you want to live, sometimes you will need to run

Fave quote:
‘Nothing puts coin on the table like war’


When I finished, my heart was racing!
Starting the next book ‘Lazerin’ very soon.

[Kris10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazingly action-packed wild ride!! This was the first time I read this author and I'm hooked!! Ragland knows her stuff when writing fantasy!! I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book, wondering how Elivya was going to make it to the end of the book. There were plenty of twists that made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster while reading. Obviously, I read this book in one sitting because I just HAD TO KNOW how it ended!! This book is a great start to a very promising series!!

[Rochelle E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a long book but I wanted to see how it was going end, especially since there is a traitor. Then, I got to the end only to find out I would have to get the 2nd book to find out how it ends. No, thank you!

[°мαggιє° (っ⚈ᴥ⚈)っ™ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that the love match with Adrian was a little too rushed

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing beginning to a new series. Elivya has special training that no one can know about. Danger is everywhere. How will this all end. Loved the characters and can’t wait to read more.

[Gasparde · Rating 1 out of 5]

500 pages avec un triangle, voire un carré amoureux, pas possible