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The Last Oracle #5
The Book of Betrayal
Helena Davies knows all about keeping secrets.
Now her secrets will come to light.
Helena’s encounter with a terrible creature whose kind are bent on destroying the world revealed a terrible truth: a cabal of rogue humans works with those monsters, intent on gaining power. Charged to remain silent while her superiors prepare to attack the traitors, Helena fears trusting her friends, her colleagues, even her secret lover Malcolm Campbell. Any of them might betray her.
When an unexpected attack by the hidden enemy devastates magi around the world, it draws Helena deeper into the web of conspiracy. With Malcolm suffering his own loss, and friends betraying friends, Helena confronts the reality that no secret can last forever.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2019
120 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McShane
94 books860 followersMelissa grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 25, 2019
My as-yet non-standard disclaimer applies, yet again. While I strive for as much honesty as I can, it's true that we (the author and I) have lived together for more than half my lifetime, now. I'm not saying how much more than half, either. So feel free to disregard my review as biased because I've no defense against the claim.
Because this is Contemporary Fantasy, and is like Urban Fantasy in that each book builds on the others, you definitely want to read in order. Having done so, you know more or less what to expect and Melissa doesn't disappoint. And that's just as well because this book has a lot of developments that fundamentally alter the series. Which is appropriate as it turns out that this book is exactly the middle of the series (yes, the others are written and in the pipeline so that's not an estimate). Which is amazing because Melissa figured there'd be more so it wasn't on purpose. This is a pivot point for the series in so many ways:
* Malcolm and Helena's relationship
* Malcolm's family
* Viv and her personal life
* The truth of the invaders
* The Board of Neutralities
* Detectives Green and Acosta
* We meet Wallach the mad inventor
* Lucia . . . 'nough said
I could burble on with any of the above but I doubt I could do it without revealing too much. So I'm going to avoid spoilers by stopping here. This is an easy five-star read and I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
A note about inside baseball: Melissa didn't get far into this one before lamenting that she needed better familiarity with the area for some of her locations. We hadn't lived in Portland for long enough that she wasn't certain she could do some of those scenes justice, starting right in the first chapter. Being the problem solver and supportive spouse that I am I suggested we take a break and check it out. So we took a mini-vacation and spent a glorious few days exploring Portland and had a great time. It's the first, and so far only, author research vacation we've had...
A note about Chaste: At this point, Helena and Malcolm are an established couple and it's clear that they're sexually active. We don't get details or anatomy or anything, but it's clear sex is happening. Which I still consider chaste, but others may not.
Because this is Contemporary Fantasy, and is like Urban Fantasy in that each book builds on the others, you definitely want to read in order. Having done so, you know more or less what to expect and Melissa doesn't disappoint. And that's just as well because this book has a lot of developments that fundamentally alter the series. Which is appropriate as it turns out that this book is exactly the middle of the series (yes, the others are written and in the pipeline so that's not an estimate). Which is amazing because Melissa figured there'd be more so it wasn't on purpose. This is a pivot point for the series in so many ways:
* Malcolm and Helena's relationship
* Malcolm's family
* Viv and her personal life
* The truth of the invaders
* The Board of Neutralities
* Detectives Green and Acosta
* We meet Wallach the mad inventor
* Lucia . . . 'nough said
I could burble on with any of the above but I doubt I could do it without revealing too much. So I'm going to avoid spoilers by stopping here. This is an easy five-star read and I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
A note about inside baseball: Melissa didn't get far into this one before lamenting that she needed better familiarity with the area for some of her locations. We hadn't lived in Portland for long enough that she wasn't certain she could do some of those scenes justice, starting right in the first chapter. Being the problem solver and supportive spouse that I am I suggested we take a break and check it out. So we took a mini-vacation and spent a glorious few days exploring Portland and had a great time. It's the first, and so far only, author research vacation we've had...
A note about Chaste: At this point, Helena and Malcolm are an established couple and it's clear that they're sexually active. We don't get details or anatomy or anything, but it's clear sex is happening. Which I still consider chaste, but others may not.
Read
February 3, 2024Re-read 1/4/24: Still sick with flu, but not sick enough not to need distraction. I love this book. It all worked out as perfectly as I hoped. I like the solution to Malcolm's problem with missing his aegis, I like that Helena finally outs herself, and I love the final confrontation with the Board of Neutralities. As in my edit below, I still can't remember much of the act of writing this, which feels odd.
Listened to audio files for review 12/16/20: Normally I wouldn't mark this again as read, but this time it was so surreal re-reading the text as I checked it against the audio file I wanted to make a note to myself. I know I wrote the book, but my memory of parts of it has faded--not the details of the plot, but twists of phrase, some of them very clever. And I have no memory of how thoroughly I plotted the story or whether I was spitballing through most of it. Just surreal. Granted, it's been most of four years since I finished writing it, but you'd think the act of writing would be more memorable...or is that just me?
9/19/19: This is one of my favorites in the series. It marks the center point not only because it is book 5 of 9, but because the truth about the conflict that's been brewing since the beginning is revealed not just to the reader, but to the Wardens as a whole. I had no idea the series would go this way back when I wrote the first book, and there are things that happen I did not plan on.
This is also the point in the series where my limited memory of Portland had to expand. So over a Labor Day weekend, my husband and I flew up there, rented a car, and drove to all the places I'd either cited or had in mind as I wrote so I'd have a better visual reference. Google Earth can only do so much. I put as much detail into the story as I could manage, down to the aggressive geese that walk the waterfront and the terrifying lack of shoulder on the Banfield.
I like to use these reviews for revealing some inside information I think might interest readers. One note is that Helena watching the movie Notorious is actually highly improbable. When we were viewing classic films as I wrote this series, I could not find a new copy, virtual or real, anywhere. So Helena probably picked hers up when she was very young. But it's a movie I remember fondly, so it made it into the story. This is also the first book where I include a list of the movies Helena refers to, in case anyone wants to duplicate her viewing experience.
Darius Wallach came into the world fully-formed, as if he is a real person I have simply described. I loved the idea of someone unafraid of pushing boundaries, and he tries to take over all the later books--though he wants to pursue an experiment involving Helena that I kept having to push back because there wasn't room. It ended up in book 8 and I think it's suitable there. (He is named for two remarkable men, the author Darius Gray and the actor Eli Wallach.)
I hope this story will satisfy readers. Many issues are resolved just as new problems arise, and the story's shape changes after this one--another reason it's at the center of the series. One last spoiler, for the series this time: I look forward to releasing the next book.
Listened to audio files for review 12/16/20: Normally I wouldn't mark this again as read, but this time it was so surreal re-reading the text as I checked it against the audio file I wanted to make a note to myself. I know I wrote the book, but my memory of parts of it has faded--not the details of the plot, but twists of phrase, some of them very clever. And I have no memory of how thoroughly I plotted the story or whether I was spitballing through most of it. Just surreal. Granted, it's been most of four years since I finished writing it, but you'd think the act of writing would be more memorable...or is that just me?
9/19/19: This is one of my favorites in the series. It marks the center point not only because it is book 5 of 9, but because the truth about the conflict that's been brewing since the beginning is revealed not just to the reader, but to the Wardens as a whole. I had no idea the series would go this way back when I wrote the first book, and there are things that happen I did not plan on.
This is also the point in the series where my limited memory of Portland had to expand. So over a Labor Day weekend, my husband and I flew up there, rented a car, and drove to all the places I'd either cited or had in mind as I wrote so I'd have a better visual reference. Google Earth can only do so much. I put as much detail into the story as I could manage, down to the aggressive geese that walk the waterfront and the terrifying lack of shoulder on the Banfield.
I like to use these reviews for revealing some inside information I think might interest readers. One note is that Helena watching the movie Notorious is actually highly improbable. When we were viewing classic films as I wrote this series, I could not find a new copy, virtual or real, anywhere. So Helena probably picked hers up when she was very young. But it's a movie I remember fondly, so it made it into the story. This is also the first book where I include a list of the movies Helena refers to, in case anyone wants to duplicate her viewing experience.
Darius Wallach came into the world fully-formed, as if he is a real person I have simply described. I loved the idea of someone unafraid of pushing boundaries, and he tries to take over all the later books--though he wants to pursue an experiment involving Helena that I kept having to push back because there wasn't room. It ended up in book 8 and I think it's suitable there. (He is named for two remarkable men, the author Darius Gray and the actor Eli Wallach.)
I hope this story will satisfy readers. Many issues are resolved just as new problems arise, and the story's shape changes after this one--another reason it's at the center of the series. One last spoiler, for the series this time: I look forward to releasing the next book.
October 18, 2019
This is actually a hard book to review besides saying I really liked it. It's the center point of the series and it's the place where a lot of things change. This makes for a powerful narrative on many fronts. Many of the major relationships change. What we know about the invaders and the Long War changes and fleshes out, and everyone realizes that what they've done upto this point isn't working and that the holding pattern means they're losing. So everyone has to face assumptions and secrets and make choices about how they'll move on regardless of the consequences. I'm pleased that the author doesn't shy away from those realities, even when some of them are heart breaking in their consequences.
Yes, you need to have read the rest of the series for this one. And I'm anxious for what comes next!
And that's all I'm going to say. If you want to squee about spoilers let me know. I'll do that!
Yes, you need to have read the rest of the series for this one. And I'm anxious for what comes next!
And that's all I'm going to say. If you want to squee about spoilers let me know. I'll do that!
September 26, 2019
Disclaimer time: I know the author. I'm a fan girl. My opinions are mine.
This is actually a hard book to review besides saying I really liked it. It's the center point of the series and it's the place where a lot of things change. This makes for a powerful narrative on many fronts. Many of the major relationships change. What we know about the invaders and the Long War changes and fleshes out, and everyone realizes that what they've done upto this point isn't working and that the holding pattern means they're losing. So everyone has to face assumptions and secrets and make choices about how they'll move on regardless of the consequences. I'm pleased that the author doesn't shy away from those realities, even when some of them are heart breaking in their consequences.
Yes, you need to have read the rest of the series for this one. And I'm anxious for what comes next!
And that's all I'm going to say. If you want to squee about spoilers let me know. I'll do that!
This is actually a hard book to review besides saying I really liked it. It's the center point of the series and it's the place where a lot of things change. This makes for a powerful narrative on many fronts. Many of the major relationships change. What we know about the invaders and the Long War changes and fleshes out, and everyone realizes that what they've done upto this point isn't working and that the holding pattern means they're losing. So everyone has to face assumptions and secrets and make choices about how they'll move on regardless of the consequences. I'm pleased that the author doesn't shy away from those realities, even when some of them are heart breaking in their consequences.
Yes, you need to have read the rest of the series for this one. And I'm anxious for what comes next!
And that's all I'm going to say. If you want to squee about spoilers let me know. I'll do that!
May 10, 2020
Annddd I'm done. I can't anymore with this character. No. Done. I read the story for the supporting characters up until this point. But I can only take so much of "my mother is the best cook ever. Seriously, a full on chef of untouchable proportions" and "I'm so super tough and smart but I'm basically a failed person in every other way but who cares because I'm so tough." I want to read about how it all works. The idea? Superb. The execution? Annoyingly vapid. I cannot do it anymore.
March 15, 2021
I like this series in terms of fantasy world building, oracular divination, and magical bad guys. In this fifth book, all that takes a back seat to resolving the secret lovers. It works but way too lovey doves, hearts and flowers for me.
April 18, 2020
impressed with her strength
the way the author writes helena, i believe her selflessness. the affection between helena and malcolm annoys me. it feels juvenile? but perhaps i am jaded. she did make an amazing argument to the board. and she is obviously special. i look forward to more.
the way the author writes helena, i believe her selflessness. the affection between helena and malcolm annoys me. it feels juvenile? but perhaps i am jaded. she did make an amazing argument to the board. and she is obviously special. i look forward to more.
February 17, 2021
I liked this book best in the series so far - Helena got her own thing going, the big plot was revealed and explored, Lucia solidified as my favourite character and some big changes happened. I hoped that certain events would have more consequences and was a bit disappointed then they didn't, but overall I really enjoyed it.
May 13, 2020
An exciting book all around, so many surprises all through this book, you won't be expecting what happens. The relationship between Helena and Malcolm grows stronger, meanwhile the detectives become more insistent on breaking the mystery surrounding Abernathy's. A wonderful addition to the series.
October 11, 2020
The invader plotline is good, but you can safely skim or flat out skip the wide-eyed naive speeches from the protagonist and the whole Pretty Woman montage for the last few pages. Both are exceedingly dull.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! So, so much!!! Definitely in my top-10 paranormal series ever! Every next book manages to tell new stories while also maintaining the character-development and world-building in ways that make sense and are interesting and engaging.
I think this book was my favourite since the first book. This one was so personal for Helena, and really saw her grow and grow up into her role as custodian of Abernathy's. This plot was awesome, and I was all in all the way through. So much so that I read this in just a day and a half. I couldn't wait to find out how this one especially was going to end. Without giving spoilers, I will say I was entirely satisfied with how this book ended!
I really, really just love this world! Melissa McShane obviously has tons of stories in her, because I've read other books from her that are totally different from this series, but just as engaging, and just as wonderfully written. I have a particular soft spot for this series, however. I mean, a magical bookstore, run by a nerdy girl who loves classic movies?! Yes, thank you - that's for me!!
This series is a keeper if you like magical stuff, likable characters doing interesting things, and magical worlds with all kinds of drama and shenanigans. Highly recommended!
I think this book was my favourite since the first book. This one was so personal for Helena, and really saw her grow and grow up into her role as custodian of Abernathy's. This plot was awesome, and I was all in all the way through. So much so that I read this in just a day and a half. I couldn't wait to find out how this one especially was going to end. Without giving spoilers, I will say I was entirely satisfied with how this book ended!
I really, really just love this world! Melissa McShane obviously has tons of stories in her, because I've read other books from her that are totally different from this series, but just as engaging, and just as wonderfully written. I have a particular soft spot for this series, however. I mean, a magical bookstore, run by a nerdy girl who loves classic movies?! Yes, thank you - that's for me!!
This series is a keeper if you like magical stuff, likable characters doing interesting things, and magical worlds with all kinds of drama and shenanigans. Highly recommended!
April 19, 2022
This series always provides a fun, quick read. But in this book, I started to notice that the world building is pretty thin in parts. Like, Malcolm loses his magic for a while, and I realized I'd never really seen him use magic in any meaningful way. So I was supposed to feel sad that he wouldn't be a magus anymore, but I'd never really thought of magic being an important part of who he was. And, more generally, I just don't really understand exactly what the magic does or how it works. That's not really been a problem in past books, and it wasn't fatal in this one, but I could just see through the facade a bit more than usual. Abernathy's is still awesome! I like that it seems to be rooting for Helena. I wish I had a bookstore that liked me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2025
A wobbly 3*. I began listening to The Last Oracle series during the early days of Covid lockdown. The books were light and distracting at a scary time for us all. I thought picking the series up again would be fun but now that I am back out in the world it didn't hold my interest. I noticed the writing more and it is very basic; the story itself, particularly in this outing, is firmly young adult. This is a great series for the right audience, maybe high school or college students. And, though it isn't for me now, I will forever be grateful to the author for bringing me joy when there was so much fear, suffering, and sorrow to endure.
January 31, 2023
While I enjoyed this installment, it wasn’t quite as engaging for me as the others.
I am very vested in Malcolm and Helena and I found their plot line to be a bit upsetting. I enjoyed the development of the “intelligent invaders” and how that continued to create complexities in this world.
The friendship trio with Helena, Judy, and Viv is so lovely and fun. I enjoy their interactions immensely.
I am very vested in Malcolm and Helena and I found their plot line to be a bit upsetting. I enjoyed the development of the “intelligent invaders” and how that continued to create complexities in this world.
The friendship trio with Helena, Judy, and Viv is so lovely and fun. I enjoy their interactions immensely.
April 1, 2022
This installment had a few surprises and eager to star ready next installment. The author has grown in her abilities to convey the story without repeat part that the reader would already know from reading the previous books, which was refreshing. Also, once again the story is enthralling and a page turner.
January 9, 2021
Well this one was certainly a roller-coaster of emotion! It felt like so much was happening that I was afraid of losing track. This one definitely grabbed my attention in a stranglehold and did not let go. Now onto the next one, which is sadly not available as an audiobook ☹
May 5, 2023
This was an odd one, plot wise. It starts with the tense near-death car crash action scene, and then moves along through various parallel developments including a climactic ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING. It felt... interstitial.
December 4, 2024
Helena vs the world. And she wins, sort of. She remains the custodian of Abernathy’s and now she’s publicly Malcolm’s girlfriend. She’s got the best of both worlds but one simple problem—Ragsdale. Will she be able to win his respect and friendship again or is she doomed to be his enemy forever now?
July 12, 2021
The best yet!
October 14, 2021
Very good series about a woman who's hired to work for an unusual bookstore and learns she's now part of a magical world she had no idea existed.
March 1, 2023
This book gets an entire star just for the extortion 😩😩🤌🏻🤌🏻✨✨
April 18, 2023
Not my favorite but still good and entertaining.
October 20, 2023
Very exciting read!
December 20, 2023
I had a lot of fun reading this series.
June 1, 2024
I enjoy the overall world and plot but Helena annoys me. Why does she think she can talk her way out of everything
August 23, 2025
Not sure I'll go any further with this series, the books are starting to feel the same.
December 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. And aim super happy for Helena.
June 15, 2023
"The Book of Betrayal" is another fast paced and compelling volume in "The Last Oracle" series. In this book, the Wardens face new challenges from within that may destroy them all together. Additionally, Helena and Malcom are in for a wild ride as his health is impacted by a magical attack.
October 24, 2019
The Book of Betrayal gets off to McShane ' s usual rapid action with a life-threatening accident that puts Malcolm in the hospital with his magic gone, the result of a sudden overwhelming attack against the steel mage who are the strongest mages in the long war. Add to that the realization that some of the mages, including many who are friends of Helena , have become traitors to the close-knit mage communities, and you have desperate times. To raise the stakes even higher, Helena decides she can no longer keep her love for Malcolm secret, which means she has to challenge the rules governing her beloved position as custodian of the Oracle. I won't reveal the outcome of all these plot points , but this is the first book in the series I do not believe would be enjoyable as a stand-alone book. I hope this does not discourage readers from starting the series, which is one of the most imaginative fantasy - romance series I have come across . Start now at the first book so you won't miss out on what will doubtless be the thrilling wrap-up to come.
I feel when I give less than 5 stars to such a good book, I ought to say why. This is somewhat ticklish because I hate giving spoilers. If you hate reading them, stop here!
I felt that Malcolm regained his magic a little too easily. He did not work for it, but simply had it reinstalled. Also, the last few scenes with Helena and Malcolm had a sort of "pretty woman" vibe, and I don't think Helena would have reacted quite the way she was portrayed as.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book but there was no expectation or requirement for a review. This is my honest and independent review of the book.
I feel when I give less than 5 stars to such a good book, I ought to say why. This is somewhat ticklish because I hate giving spoilers. If you hate reading them, stop here!
I felt that Malcolm regained his magic a little too easily. He did not work for it, but simply had it reinstalled. Also, the last few scenes with Helena and Malcolm had a sort of "pretty woman" vibe, and I don't think Helena would have reacted quite the way she was portrayed as.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book but there was no expectation or requirement for a review. This is my honest and independent review of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews