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The Book of Words #2
A Man Betrayed
At Castle Harvell demented Prince Kylock grabs the reins of power and hate by murdering his father. Harvell's two young refugees are torn apart by the storms of war:
Headstrong young Melliandra is captured by brutal slavers and Jack, whose wild power works miracles, falls prey to a smuggler's lying charms and a woman's seductive schemes. Meanwhile, in the distant stronghold of Bren, Kylock's betrothed, beautiful, mad Catherine, dabbles with darkest sorceries.
A knight's shattered destiny is about to lead from death-sport pits to the blood-strewn creation of an empire--and a wondrous epic of grandeur and magic continues...
Headstrong young Melliandra is captured by brutal slavers and Jack, whose wild power works miracles, falls prey to a smuggler's lying charms and a woman's seductive schemes. Meanwhile, in the distant stronghold of Bren, Kylock's betrothed, beautiful, mad Catherine, dabbles with darkest sorceries.
A knight's shattered destiny is about to lead from death-sport pits to the blood-strewn creation of an empire--and a wondrous epic of grandeur and magic continues...
598 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
37 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
About the author
J.V. Jones
29 books868 followersJulie Victoria Jones was born in Liverpool, England. She has been writing for years, and is currently working The End Lords. She lives in San Diego, California.
All three books in The Book Of Words Trilogy are #1 national bestsellers, and have been bought for publication in England, Poland, Russia, Germany, France and Holland. Her fifth book, A Cavern of Black Ice, is the first in a new series.
J.V. enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, playing RPG's, watching old black-and-white movies, and pottering around the house!
All three books in The Book Of Words Trilogy are #1 national bestsellers, and have been bought for publication in England, Poland, Russia, Germany, France and Holland. Her fifth book, A Cavern of Black Ice, is the first in a new series.
J.V. enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, playing RPG's, watching old black-and-white movies, and pottering around the house!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 16, 2016
The epic fantasy continues.
The story continues as it did in book one, bouncing back and forth between the main characters' story lines. Though this book had more of a build to it's own climax, it still has all the earmarks of building up to something much, much bigger. This slow building process is a bit frustrating at times because it makes the book progress at a snails pace. It makes you really need to invest the time into the book with the hopes that it won't disappoint when you finally get to the end of the third book.
The characters are still great and I became I bit more invested in some of them. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more character building than there was. Most of the book was spend furthering the plot. Jack remains my favorite character. I just wish more time was spent on his character.
If you enjoy "epic" fantasy novels than this is shaping up to be a good one. Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out in the last book.
April 13, 2022
Magic, prophecies, human trafficking, politics, and the human heart in conflict with itself highlight the middle installment of Jones’ The Book of Words series. A Man Betrayed continues the stories of Jack, Melli, and Tawl as they head towards their destiny all the while Kylock forges a northern empire.
Jones continued her mixture of classical fantasy tropes and darker elements with the heroic journey and the set up for a stab in the back featured in falling the titular character. While Melli’s human trafficking journey to Bren and eventually meeting with Tawl, whose own redemption arc is beginning thanks to Nabber, mixes sex and politics with her eventual—very short—marriage to the Duke of Bren upending the plans of several individuals it was Jack’s personal journey of misguided vengeance—tricked in believing the worst of Melli’s fate—and eventual magical rage that sets him up at the end of the book to learn to control his magically “curse”. The political machinations of Baralis and Maybor while in Bren are thrown all over the place with Kylock’s actions and the Duke of Bren’s countermoves, but Baralis’ alliance with the duke’s daughter seems him on the verge of his decades-long ambition. Unlike the previous installment there were no questionable issues that distracted me even though it was obviously that Jack was being set up by the those he was around after his split with Melli that he was going to be betrayed, however it and the consequences were well written.
A Man Betrayed is a good middle of a trilogy installment as J.V. Jones develops her characters and moves the pieces of the narrative into a situation in which the ultimate climax appears to be something special.
Jones continued her mixture of classical fantasy tropes and darker elements with the heroic journey and the set up for a stab in the back featured in falling the titular character. While Melli’s human trafficking journey to Bren and eventually meeting with Tawl, whose own redemption arc is beginning thanks to Nabber, mixes sex and politics with her eventual—very short—marriage to the Duke of Bren upending the plans of several individuals it was Jack’s personal journey of misguided vengeance—tricked in believing the worst of Melli’s fate—and eventual magical rage that sets him up at the end of the book to learn to control his magically “curse”. The political machinations of Baralis and Maybor while in Bren are thrown all over the place with Kylock’s actions and the Duke of Bren’s countermoves, but Baralis’ alliance with the duke’s daughter seems him on the verge of his decades-long ambition. Unlike the previous installment there were no questionable issues that distracted me even though it was obviously that Jack was being set up by the those he was around after his split with Melli that he was going to be betrayed, however it and the consequences were well written.
A Man Betrayed is a good middle of a trilogy installment as J.V. Jones develops her characters and moves the pieces of the narrative into a situation in which the ultimate climax appears to be something special.
April 8, 2015
Wow what a cliffhanger ending. Can't wait to read the third book in the trilogy to find out how the whole trilogy/plot ends and gets resolved.
March 19, 2011
Series really moves on at this point. A good example of a middle book that leaves you wanting more. DO NOT START THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU HAVE "Master and Fool" IN HAND!
February 1, 2023
Yes! This is the second book of three, following "The Baker's Boy", which was also great. This story moves, and is full of great characters. Especially the villians. It would be tough to imagine someone nastier than Lord Baralis or the Archbishop. And even the heroes are dark and moved to whatever action is necessary, (or realistic- depends how you look at it.) For some reason I am a big fan of Lord Maybor, the vain, opportunistic, and clever boss of the Eastlands. I find his unsaid background thoughts hilarious and insightful. Hopefully he is able to have Baralis killed in the third book. Finishing the third now. These are going on the "classic" shelf of stories that I will probably read again someday. I found the first one randomly at the library a couple of years ago, and had always meant to buy the other two.
December 13, 2018
Another good read in this really enjoyable series.
December 28, 2021
More wonderful scheming vile aristocratic characters as the plot for power thickens. This one was in every way as good as it’s predecessor. The disillusioned former knight Tawl and his thieving friend Nabber won the day for me. Such incredible chapters. Am so excited to begin the final book. Just plain fantastic so far.
December 23, 2022
3.5 rounded up
This one gives us more grounding in the world and character lives. The magic starts to get explained a bit better and it was a fun classic fantasy time.
This one gives us more grounding in the world and character lives. The magic starts to get explained a bit better and it was a fun classic fantasy time.
November 1, 2023
4 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
As fugitive Jack the baker's boy and Melli the heiress each try to find their way to safety, things keep going from bad to worse for them, with betrayal and back luck constantly thwarting their best efforts to control different kinds of power.
Review
A Man Betrayed is very much a continuation of The Baker’s Boy. If it weren’t for the size (1,500 pages combined), the books would read comfortably as one behemoth story. In fact, that’s how I’m doing it now, in Hachette’s useful, but frankly not that well put together e-book version – there’s a much needed map, but it’s only in book III; there’s no cover art for the omnibus at all; and the style and layout changes somewhat between books.
The story, though is worth it. It’s not exactly surprising, but the twists and turns are more than enough to keep the book interesting. Poor hero Jack is usually anguished, and Jones does perhaps go a little too far in always having some accident destroy his hopes, but he remains interesting. Melli, the heroine, starts to come into her own more in this volume, where before she was sketched in in broader outline. Note that there are things in both books so far that would look odd today if a man wrote them, but Jones is more able to get away with.
Geography continues to be important but a bit vague, and the map hidden (in this edition) in book III is useful. Magic, in some ways the crux of the whole trilogy, is also vague. It has a high price, and Jack doesn’t know how it works, but unfortunately neither do we.
I did like the fact that Grift and Bodger, two guards used as comic relief and to convey information throughout the books, are drawn deeper into the story in this book. They’re not only authorial mechanisms, though they are that and do it well.
All in all, not quite as thrilling as the first book, adventure-wise, but with more character development and still plenty of action. A fine middle book
Summary
As fugitive Jack the baker's boy and Melli the heiress each try to find their way to safety, things keep going from bad to worse for them, with betrayal and back luck constantly thwarting their best efforts to control different kinds of power.
Review
A Man Betrayed is very much a continuation of The Baker’s Boy. If it weren’t for the size (1,500 pages combined), the books would read comfortably as one behemoth story. In fact, that’s how I’m doing it now, in Hachette’s useful, but frankly not that well put together e-book version – there’s a much needed map, but it’s only in book III; there’s no cover art for the omnibus at all; and the style and layout changes somewhat between books.
The story, though is worth it. It’s not exactly surprising, but the twists and turns are more than enough to keep the book interesting. Poor hero Jack is usually anguished, and Jones does perhaps go a little too far in always having some accident destroy his hopes, but he remains interesting. Melli, the heroine, starts to come into her own more in this volume, where before she was sketched in in broader outline. Note that there are things in both books so far that would look odd today if a man wrote them, but Jones is more able to get away with.
Geography continues to be important but a bit vague, and the map hidden (in this edition) in book III is useful. Magic, in some ways the crux of the whole trilogy, is also vague. It has a high price, and Jack doesn’t know how it works, but unfortunately neither do we.
I did like the fact that Grift and Bodger, two guards used as comic relief and to convey information throughout the books, are drawn deeper into the story in this book. They’re not only authorial mechanisms, though they are that and do it well.
All in all, not quite as thrilling as the first book, adventure-wise, but with more character development and still plenty of action. A fine middle book
May 26, 2012
I love these books!! The plot and subplots are amazing!
I <3 Tawl :p
In this book basically Melli is seperated by Jack, and taken to be sold, but gets sold to the duke of Bren. Meanwhile Tawl has lost his ways and is becoming dodge in the city of Bren while Nabber tries to help him. Kylock is envading countries causing war, while Baralis is overseeing that the mariage will come through. Then Jack is taken to a family that decieves him and at teh very end he is being taught by a real man who can teach him how to control the socerey.
I <3 Tawl :p
In this book basically Melli is seperated by Jack, and taken to be sold, but gets sold to the duke of Bren. Meanwhile Tawl has lost his ways and is becoming dodge in the city of Bren while Nabber tries to help him. Kylock is envading countries causing war, while Baralis is overseeing that the mariage will come through. Then Jack is taken to a family that decieves him and at teh very end he is being taught by a real man who can teach him how to control the socerey.
February 21, 2011
The story continues and it holds the reader's interest, or it did mine. The second volume in a trilogy often slows down a bit to "tie things together". Not so much here. Ms. Jones takes familiar character "types" and (I think) weaves a good story.
February 14, 2015
One of the exclusive club of books I haven't finished. I threw it across the room not for the astonishingly poor characterisation and world-building, but for the bit that read like nothing more than the author's own rape fantasies.
July 16, 2009
Damn it! I want to know what is in Crope's box.... >.<'
May 5, 2020
Similar issues to the first book but better.
We start off pretty much where we left off in the last book. Jack and Melli are on the run again, Maybor and Baralis are heading off to Bren, and so are Tawl and Nabber. Most of the action in this book centers on Bren, except for Jack who gets involved with a mysterious family. Tavalisk is still in Rorn sensually eating food and tormenting his aide.
I still don't know what to make of these books! I am definitely interested in them but they are so slow paced. That is not a problem in and of itself but there is not much growth of characters and it really doesn't seem like much happens. Nearly all the action happens off screen except for a few moments. Maybe it's because they are billed as epic fantasy whereas they are probably more low or political fantasy. Like if the much vaunted prophecy actually comes to pass it will create a new empire in one small part of the world, yes it would be bad for the people living there but it is definitely not the end of the world type of event.
Jack is one of the most annoying main characters I have ever come across, though Melli is not far behind. He is constantly being helped out by people, given things but learns absolutely nothing and just bungles his way from one dire situation to another. Melli is practically the same but I have some more sympathy for her, though that evaporated towards the end of the book. The villains are best, and some of the other random POV's we get. Yes they are pretty caricaturesque but I still enjoy reading about them, Maybor is actually growing on me. They have almost a tongue in cheek villainous to them which actually makes them interesting to read about. Nabber is probably the only actual nice person in the book and he is a thief!
If this book wasn't written by a woman I would also wonder if the author was slightly misogynistic. Pretty much all the women in the book are tavern wenches or maids who are willing to sleep with anybody for a bit of money. All the men have no problem with hitting women, Jack raises his hand to a girl because she angers him and Tawl our white knight actually slaps one. We won't talk about the villains. Now it could be the author trying to show a very chauvinist world but it could be off putting for some people.
Like the previous book even though I have quite a few issues with it I am enjoying the series overall, it could be the author's writing even though nothing has stood out for me but I do tend to miss such things. Looking forward to the final volume and hopefully things might start happening.
Please see this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/
We start off pretty much where we left off in the last book. Jack and Melli are on the run again, Maybor and Baralis are heading off to Bren, and so are Tawl and Nabber. Most of the action in this book centers on Bren, except for Jack who gets involved with a mysterious family. Tavalisk is still in Rorn sensually eating food and tormenting his aide.
I still don't know what to make of these books! I am definitely interested in them but they are so slow paced. That is not a problem in and of itself but there is not much growth of characters and it really doesn't seem like much happens. Nearly all the action happens off screen except for a few moments. Maybe it's because they are billed as epic fantasy whereas they are probably more low or political fantasy. Like if the much vaunted prophecy actually comes to pass it will create a new empire in one small part of the world, yes it would be bad for the people living there but it is definitely not the end of the world type of event.
Jack is one of the most annoying main characters I have ever come across, though Melli is not far behind. He is constantly being helped out by people, given things but learns absolutely nothing and just bungles his way from one dire situation to another. Melli is practically the same but I have some more sympathy for her, though that evaporated towards the end of the book. The villains are best, and some of the other random POV's we get. Yes they are pretty caricaturesque but I still enjoy reading about them, Maybor is actually growing on me. They have almost a tongue in cheek villainous to them which actually makes them interesting to read about. Nabber is probably the only actual nice person in the book and he is a thief!
If this book wasn't written by a woman I would also wonder if the author was slightly misogynistic. Pretty much all the women in the book are tavern wenches or maids who are willing to sleep with anybody for a bit of money. All the men have no problem with hitting women, Jack raises his hand to a girl because she angers him and Tawl our white knight actually slaps one. We won't talk about the villains. Now it could be the author trying to show a very chauvinist world but it could be off putting for some people.
Like the previous book even though I have quite a few issues with it I am enjoying the series overall, it could be the author's writing even though nothing has stood out for me but I do tend to miss such things. Looking forward to the final volume and hopefully things might start happening.
Please see this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/
December 13, 2024
The second book does what most second books of trilogies fail to accomplish (according to all the pundits out there), and that is that it escapes second book syndrome.
Typically, your first book is your world building, your third book climaxes the story with resolutions, and our poor second book may drag by virtue of wandering, questing, etc.
A Man Betrayed follows up the story and just keeps the plot going. In fact, these two novels flow so immediately that it all feels like one huge book. Indeed, my Kindle edition (that I got for only a buck!), is the entire series, so I'm actually reading a 2000 page book here.
There is zero lag in the story here, and, as promised by many reviewers, J.V. Jones' writing here is markedly better than the first book. This is pretty exciting because I am also assured by reviewers that her writing quality continues to improve with each successive novel.
I will say that I have hit a point where, given that I have read over 1200 pages of this story, with another 700 to go, my eyes are beginning to longingly gaze at my to-read list, which has done nothing but grow for the past month I've been in this series.
My M.O. in the past has been to break up series but I'm afraid that if I stray now I may be disinclined to come back, even though the story is still pretty good. So I'm staying in!
As a whole I am still levelled off at the four stars rating, and I am hoping that she wows me in the third installment. No matter what happens, though, I will continue to read her continuously improving books. She is doing great so far!
Typically, your first book is your world building, your third book climaxes the story with resolutions, and our poor second book may drag by virtue of wandering, questing, etc.
A Man Betrayed follows up the story and just keeps the plot going. In fact, these two novels flow so immediately that it all feels like one huge book. Indeed, my Kindle edition (that I got for only a buck!), is the entire series, so I'm actually reading a 2000 page book here.
There is zero lag in the story here, and, as promised by many reviewers, J.V. Jones' writing here is markedly better than the first book. This is pretty exciting because I am also assured by reviewers that her writing quality continues to improve with each successive novel.
I will say that I have hit a point where, given that I have read over 1200 pages of this story, with another 700 to go, my eyes are beginning to longingly gaze at my to-read list, which has done nothing but grow for the past month I've been in this series.
My M.O. in the past has been to break up series but I'm afraid that if I stray now I may be disinclined to come back, even though the story is still pretty good. So I'm staying in!
As a whole I am still levelled off at the four stars rating, and I am hoping that she wows me in the third installment. No matter what happens, though, I will continue to read her continuously improving books. She is doing great so far!
November 17, 2011
Part 2 of J.V. Jones’ Book of Words trilogy is pretty much on a par with the first one. That is to say, I read it and basically enjoyed it, but still wish I hadn’t read her later stand alone, The Barbed Coil, first. To be fair, this trilogy were Ms. Jones first published works, and it is good to see that she got better with later stories.
The storyline continues from The Baker’s Boy, with Jack and Melli still on the run from their respective troubles at Castle Harvell, the evil Prince Kylock still maneuvering to take control of the kingdom, and various other nobles and clergy adding to the political machinations.
It is the political intrigue that keeps this book interesting. There is a lot of backstage intrigue, alliances made and betrayed, and no one is completely who they seem to be. Unfortunately, the characters are still a bit flat and clichéd- Jack is the innocent youth with potential he doesn’t quite grasp, Melli is the spoiled young noblewoman who discovers a strength and resolve no one gave her credit for, and Prince Kylock is the cold and ambitious heir who kills the ill and bedridden king in order to take over the throne. There is some growth in a few characters, but nothing too far outside the expected. I still find the interspersed fill-in-the-blanks scenes with Bodger and Grift a bit on the annoying side, despite the humor in their exchanges. The one character I do enjoy is the boy, Nabber. He is fun and interesting, with a bit more personality than some others, even though his is not a main plot line.
There is not a lot of in-depth world building in the book, as well. The world is made up of the usual rival kingdoms, each vying for dominance. It’s a decent setting and serves the story well.
All that aside, A Man Betrayed is still not a bad read, even with its shortcomings. The plotlines around the various major characters, as well as some minor ones, are drawn rather nicely together, pulling the story to its climax. It reads fairly quickly with good pacing. I would recommend the two I have read so far (and I will go on to the third to see how the whole picture plays out) for those looking for a decent, but not extremely deep, fantasy series.
The storyline continues from The Baker’s Boy, with Jack and Melli still on the run from their respective troubles at Castle Harvell, the evil Prince Kylock still maneuvering to take control of the kingdom, and various other nobles and clergy adding to the political machinations.
It is the political intrigue that keeps this book interesting. There is a lot of backstage intrigue, alliances made and betrayed, and no one is completely who they seem to be. Unfortunately, the characters are still a bit flat and clichéd- Jack is the innocent youth with potential he doesn’t quite grasp, Melli is the spoiled young noblewoman who discovers a strength and resolve no one gave her credit for, and Prince Kylock is the cold and ambitious heir who kills the ill and bedridden king in order to take over the throne. There is some growth in a few characters, but nothing too far outside the expected. I still find the interspersed fill-in-the-blanks scenes with Bodger and Grift a bit on the annoying side, despite the humor in their exchanges. The one character I do enjoy is the boy, Nabber. He is fun and interesting, with a bit more personality than some others, even though his is not a main plot line.
There is not a lot of in-depth world building in the book, as well. The world is made up of the usual rival kingdoms, each vying for dominance. It’s a decent setting and serves the story well.
All that aside, A Man Betrayed is still not a bad read, even with its shortcomings. The plotlines around the various major characters, as well as some minor ones, are drawn rather nicely together, pulling the story to its climax. It reads fairly quickly with good pacing. I would recommend the two I have read so far (and I will go on to the third to see how the whole picture plays out) for those looking for a decent, but not extremely deep, fantasy series.
November 21, 2014
I always worry about the middle book of a trilogy, especially a traditional high fantasy trilogy. While the first book can be used for introducing characters, developing plot, world building, etc. and the third book contains the final build-up to the hopefully awesome climax, the middle book is often left with the task of bridging the two. Movie trilogies are sometimes successful (Empire Strikes Back and Godfather II come to mind) but it seems rare that a trilogy of novels can pull it off.
JV Jones has done it. While I enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, The Baker's Boy, I thought this one was quite a bit better. It's also the second published by the author and her progress as a writer is a delight to behold. It certainly promises great things for the third book of the series. As for the book itself, I was pleased to see that this was not merely a bridge to a final book but rather had a nicely developed structure and plot as well as further character development. Several sub plots are hatched and completed within this volume, all serving to move the larger story along. We get to learn much more about the main characters from the first book and are introduced to new characters as well. Especially noteworthy are the introduction of the two guards, Grift and Bodger. They have minor roles (but one critical role) and really serve as a sort of comic relief between chapters. Guards are usually relegated to the background color in fantasy novels so it's nice to see what a couple of bored guardsmen talk about to pass the time.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see how far Ms. Jones has deviated from the traditional and predictable "assistant pig-keeper" plot that the first book suffered from. Lots of palace intrigue here, political maneuvering, romantic maneuvering, all in the name of power. The stakes are getting higher and the end of this book definitely sets us up for a rousing climax in the third book. I was very close to a 5-star rating for this one and expect the third book might just do it.
JV Jones has done it. While I enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, The Baker's Boy, I thought this one was quite a bit better. It's also the second published by the author and her progress as a writer is a delight to behold. It certainly promises great things for the third book of the series. As for the book itself, I was pleased to see that this was not merely a bridge to a final book but rather had a nicely developed structure and plot as well as further character development. Several sub plots are hatched and completed within this volume, all serving to move the larger story along. We get to learn much more about the main characters from the first book and are introduced to new characters as well. Especially noteworthy are the introduction of the two guards, Grift and Bodger. They have minor roles (but one critical role) and really serve as a sort of comic relief between chapters. Guards are usually relegated to the background color in fantasy novels so it's nice to see what a couple of bored guardsmen talk about to pass the time.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see how far Ms. Jones has deviated from the traditional and predictable "assistant pig-keeper" plot that the first book suffered from. Lots of palace intrigue here, political maneuvering, romantic maneuvering, all in the name of power. The stakes are getting higher and the end of this book definitely sets us up for a rousing climax in the third book. I was very close to a 5-star rating for this one and expect the third book might just do it.
February 5, 2023
This is a fantasy written in the '90s, and you can tell.
Firstly, it relies on misogynistic tropes, which were also present in the first book in this series. Melli (the main female POV character) does undergo some needed character development, but it feels more of a retcon than true development. If you're thinking of picking up these books, keep in mind that there is rape, attempted rape, and general sexual harassment in these books. Female characters usually exist to further men's stories, be their love interests, or be "whores" in order to spice up the worldbuilding. Men don't get off lightly in this book either; if you're a man and you're feeling guilty, confused, or scared about what's going on in your life, you're going to develop major anger issues and lash out at women, because you just can't control your emotions.
Second, and not nearly as damning: this book is fairly traditional in its archetypes and storytelling for a political fantasy. I'm not well-read in adult fantasy (I'm more familiar with kidlit), but I still was able to pick out the tropes.
Despite all of that, this book (and the series) is compelling. Though I felt a couple of POV characters had their personalities changed drastically to the point of retconning, it gave the story needed drive throughout. Melli's chapters in particular captivated me this time around, and I loved the way the static POV characters of Bodger and Grift were utilized for both comedic relief and surprisingly important plot elements.
Tawl and Nabber continue to be my favorite characters, and the Baralis/Maybor rivalry, while interesting in the last book, was a bit more clever and fun this time around.
I'm excited to read the last book and find out exactly how this prophecy is going to unfold!
Firstly, it relies on misogynistic tropes, which were also present in the first book in this series. Melli (the main female POV character) does undergo some needed character development, but it feels more of a retcon than true development. If you're thinking of picking up these books, keep in mind that there is rape, attempted rape, and general sexual harassment in these books. Female characters usually exist to further men's stories, be their love interests, or be "whores" in order to spice up the worldbuilding. Men don't get off lightly in this book either; if you're a man and you're feeling guilty, confused, or scared about what's going on in your life, you're going to develop major anger issues and lash out at women, because you just can't control your emotions.
Second, and not nearly as damning: this book is fairly traditional in its archetypes and storytelling for a political fantasy. I'm not well-read in adult fantasy (I'm more familiar with kidlit), but I still was able to pick out the tropes.
Despite all of that, this book (and the series) is compelling. Though I felt a couple of POV characters had their personalities changed drastically to the point of retconning, it gave the story needed drive throughout. Melli's chapters in particular captivated me this time around, and I loved the way the static POV characters of Bodger and Grift were utilized for both comedic relief and surprisingly important plot elements.
Tawl and Nabber continue to be my favorite characters, and the Baralis/Maybor rivalry, while interesting in the last book, was a bit more clever and fun this time around.
I'm excited to read the last book and find out exactly how this prophecy is going to unfold!
November 16, 2020
After having read both The Baker's Boy and A Man Betrayed, I can say this with certainty: J.V. Jones in an author I'd love to have coffee with.
A Man Betrayed picks up where The Baker's Boy left off. Jack and Melli are travelling together; Tawl is disgraced after his murder of Bevlin; Tavalisk, Barallis, and Maybor are all very confident that they have the upper hand over one another; and Nabber is looking for his lost friend Tawl. When Jack and Melli take shelter in the wrong place, they are both captured for wildly different reasons: Jack is to play assassin for a slimy merchant, whilst Melli is to be sold to a flesh-trader.
The way Jones writes is nothing short of brilliant. Cleverness and warmth radiate off the page even during passages that have no right to be anything but boring. Nevertheless, Jones manages to make such unimportant characters as the guards Bodger and Griff, Moth and Clem, and Tavalisk and his assistant, all fun to read about. That's not to say that her principal characters are uninteresting, of course. Jack, Melli, and Nabber are all particularly invigorating to read from the point of view of, and there are some strong passages from characters like Maybor and Baralis, as scheming and manipulative as they may be. In fact, I would argue that much of the puppeteering and blunders from all sides are what make A Man Betrayed such a delight to read.
While the Book of Words trilogy is certainly rife with very common sword-and-sorcery tropes, it's Jones's writing that truly elevates her story. I look forward quite eagerly to book three, Master and Fool.
A Man Betrayed picks up where The Baker's Boy left off. Jack and Melli are travelling together; Tawl is disgraced after his murder of Bevlin; Tavalisk, Barallis, and Maybor are all very confident that they have the upper hand over one another; and Nabber is looking for his lost friend Tawl. When Jack and Melli take shelter in the wrong place, they are both captured for wildly different reasons: Jack is to play assassin for a slimy merchant, whilst Melli is to be sold to a flesh-trader.
The way Jones writes is nothing short of brilliant. Cleverness and warmth radiate off the page even during passages that have no right to be anything but boring. Nevertheless, Jones manages to make such unimportant characters as the guards Bodger and Griff, Moth and Clem, and Tavalisk and his assistant, all fun to read about. That's not to say that her principal characters are uninteresting, of course. Jack, Melli, and Nabber are all particularly invigorating to read from the point of view of, and there are some strong passages from characters like Maybor and Baralis, as scheming and manipulative as they may be. In fact, I would argue that much of the puppeteering and blunders from all sides are what make A Man Betrayed such a delight to read.
While the Book of Words trilogy is certainly rife with very common sword-and-sorcery tropes, it's Jones's writing that truly elevates her story. I look forward quite eagerly to book three, Master and Fool.
March 9, 2010
This book is full of protagonists that murder, sleep around, betray, and pretty much do nothing useful. In this book though, the villan Prince Krylock finally makes his move. It becomes clear that the man is completely crazy and needs to be stopped. So while the good guys are not all that good, the bad guy is enough worse that he definately needs to be stopped. Barallis, who appeared to be the bad guy in the first book has completely lost his grip on controlling events. Sure he does some damage, but he no longer is a main player in the downfall of the north. I find the storyline still mostly boring, but at least the characters are interesting. I still think that Baralis and Maybor are the best part of the book. I am also still waiting for Jack to be anything but a complete bore.
September 15, 2021
Good continuation of the story, enjoyable characters and dialogue, good plot without many plotholes.
Some characters' story slows down, some speeds up. Because the story was centered around Bren most of the time, it was a bit tedious to get through everything. The finale was rather limited and not very epic, as it was quite predictable.
All in all a decent book, but not as good as the first. Still good enough to continue with the series though.
Some characters' story slows down, some speeds up. Because the story was centered around Bren most of the time, it was a bit tedious to get through everything. The finale was rather limited and not very epic, as it was quite predictable.
All in all a decent book, but not as good as the first. Still good enough to continue with the series though.
January 21, 2018
Further build-up, nothing earth shattering but still a fun and fast read.
March 11, 2017
Jack and Melliandra continue their flight through the lands of Halcus, seeking refuge in the distant city of Bren. Meanwhile, the mad Prince Kylock has seized his father's throne and embarked on a bloody invasion of Halcus, committing atrocity after atrocity. In Bren, Chancellor Baralis and Lord Maybor have arrived to arrange the marriage between Kylock and the Duke's daughter, to the Duke's disquiet, as well as continuing their own bitter feud. And in the fighting pits of the city, a disgraced knight struggles to find his redemption.
A Man Betrayed is the middle volume of the Book of Words trilogy and is a prime example of a novel that falls foul of 'middle book syndrome'. The book has no real opening and no real end (though there's a hell of a cliffhanger) and the plot is a mixture of dynamic forward movement in some storylines and some slightly tedious wheel-spinning in others.
In one of the more successful storylines, Melliandra is kidnapped (again), but this time around is able to turn her circumstances to her favour. She goes from victim to political player over the course of the novel in a transition that is convincingly-handled by the author. On the other hand, Jack's storyline becomes seriously bogged down. Jones clearly had to find something to do to prevent him from travelling straight to Bren and getting involved in events there, and somewhat unconvincingly lands him with a screwed-up family unit living in the backwoods and getting involved in a murder plot. There's some attempts to turn it into important character-building material for Jack but, aside from the titular betrayal at the subplot's climax, it fails to resonate.
More successful is Tawl's storyline, which is a more traditional arc of seeking redemption following the heinous crime he commits (though unwillingly) at the end of the first volume. Though there is little surprising in this storyline, it's handled well by the author, particularly in the use of the previously tedious 'lovable rogue' Nabber to help Tawl along his path. Elsewhere, Baralis is as fiendishly (if occasionally cartoonishly) evil and Machivellian as ever, Maybor becomes a more interesting character and Tavalisk's observations-from-afar of the main plot remain amusing. Bodger and Grift (the trilogy's answer to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) also get a bit more involved in the plot as well as providing the book's more comical moments.
Overall, A Man Betrayed (***½) is not without its shortcomings but is a stronger book than The Baker's Boy. Jones's writing has improved, and she juggles the multiple character arcs with confidence. Aside from Jack's repetitive storyline, this is an entertaining fantasy novel, though one that does not stray far from familiar ground.
A Man Betrayed is the middle volume of the Book of Words trilogy and is a prime example of a novel that falls foul of 'middle book syndrome'. The book has no real opening and no real end (though there's a hell of a cliffhanger) and the plot is a mixture of dynamic forward movement in some storylines and some slightly tedious wheel-spinning in others.
In one of the more successful storylines, Melliandra is kidnapped (again), but this time around is able to turn her circumstances to her favour. She goes from victim to political player over the course of the novel in a transition that is convincingly-handled by the author. On the other hand, Jack's storyline becomes seriously bogged down. Jones clearly had to find something to do to prevent him from travelling straight to Bren and getting involved in events there, and somewhat unconvincingly lands him with a screwed-up family unit living in the backwoods and getting involved in a murder plot. There's some attempts to turn it into important character-building material for Jack but, aside from the titular betrayal at the subplot's climax, it fails to resonate.
More successful is Tawl's storyline, which is a more traditional arc of seeking redemption following the heinous crime he commits (though unwillingly) at the end of the first volume. Though there is little surprising in this storyline, it's handled well by the author, particularly in the use of the previously tedious 'lovable rogue' Nabber to help Tawl along his path. Elsewhere, Baralis is as fiendishly (if occasionally cartoonishly) evil and Machivellian as ever, Maybor becomes a more interesting character and Tavalisk's observations-from-afar of the main plot remain amusing. Bodger and Grift (the trilogy's answer to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) also get a bit more involved in the plot as well as providing the book's more comical moments.
Overall, A Man Betrayed (***½) is not without its shortcomings but is a stronger book than The Baker's Boy. Jones's writing has improved, and she juggles the multiple character arcs with confidence. Aside from Jack's repetitive storyline, this is an entertaining fantasy novel, though one that does not stray far from familiar ground.
May 1, 2025
I absolutely did NOT remember book 1 (which goodreads kindly reminded me that I read in 2016!) so it was a bit of struggle trying to pinpoint who's who but I gave that up right quick so I don't get bogged down. The first 150 pages actually flew quite quickly because I enjoyed this pacing which I think is quite different from the way fantasy is being written these days.
Of course, there is a knight though he's a little bit sad and depressed here but he still kicks ass. And there is a damsel in distress who is naive and feisty at the same time. A nobody boy who had a lot of growing up to do. And a series of other characters with their own foibles and purposes. An overall fun read though it could be a tad shorted lol
Of course, there is a knight though he's a little bit sad and depressed here but he still kicks ass. And there is a damsel in distress who is naive and feisty at the same time. A nobody boy who had a lot of growing up to do. And a series of other characters with their own foibles and purposes. An overall fun read though it could be a tad shorted lol
April 7, 2020
The second time reading through this book I am finding that I have forgotten enough details that I am getting surprised more than I expected. I am engrossed in the plot and enjoying the intrigues. There are characters I like and a few I hate. The writing is good, and the tropes that were slightly annoying in the first book are getting more interesting in this book. Dark epic fantasy...and I forget how it ends...although I keep remembering a few pages before I get to some of the main points.
I am glad that I have time to re-read one of the my favorite fantasy series from twenty years ago.
I am glad that I have time to re-read one of the my favorite fantasy series from twenty years ago.
January 15, 2019
Just not my cup of tea. I always wondered why I never finished this series when I was younger and reading book two reminded me. The sexual/rapey vibe is just too much for me and just made me uncomfortable and unable to enjoy the story. I'm sure it would be fine for others, just not a book/series I can get into.
September 7, 2020
I couldn't finish the book. The writing is amateur at best. No lord with any amount of common sense would have a "no I'm more of a murderer" argument with another lord. And what assassin would ask for land as payment for an assassination of an extremely powerful man? None! The storyline is as ridiculous as its writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
Much like the first book in this series, it took a lot of effort to finish. It's not bad per se, it's just kind of blah. What kills it for me is that not one single character is interesting. In a rare circumstance for me, I won't be reading the last book of the trilogy. I just don't care about any of these characters.
April 28, 2019
I great read! I love finding books that aren't very well known and learning that they are gems! I am so in love with the world that Jones has created in The Baker's Boy and A Man Betrayed I can think of few books I have read faster. I am onto the next one already and very eggar to read on!
June 22, 2021
The plot, and the plotting, thickens! This remains an interesting tale, with lots of intrigue, some colorful characters, a few are quite horrible. Jones keeps me invested. I keep wanting to know how it's all going to come together. 3.5, rounded up to a 4.
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