The Ninja Betrayed

Lily Wong #3

by Tori Eldridge

Things get personal for Chinese-Norwegian modern-day ninja Lily Wong in Hong Kong when she dives into the dangerous world of triads, romance, and corporate disaster during the height of the pro-democracy protests.

Lily’s mother has been summoned by her grandfather, Gung-Gung to attend an emergency board meeting, and Lily is happy to take her father’s place for exotic travel, family reunions, and romantic dates with her new boyfriend, Daniel Kwok, who's there for business. Lily and her mother stay at her grandparents' hillside home on Hong Kong Island, but tension between Gung-Gung and Ma makes it hard to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, especially with the city in turmoil. Gung-Gung won’t say anything about the meeting and Ma is worried that her career is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the teenage daughter of Gung-Gung's driver is pulled into the dangerous riots.

As Lily and Ma discover shaky finances, questionable loans, and plans for the future involving them both, Lily's escalating romance with Daniel puts her heart at risk. Will her ninja skills allow her to protect her mother, the family business, and the renegade teen while navigating love, corporate intrigue, and murderous triads?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Romance, Crime, Family

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2021

About the author

Tori Eldridge is the bestselling author of the Lily Wong mystery thrillers as well as a two-time Anthony Award nominee, Lefty and Macavity Awards finalist, and winner of the 2021 Crimson Scribe Award for Best Book of the Year. She penned the standalone Dance Among the Flames and will launch her new Ranger Makalani Pahukula mystery series with Kaua‘i Storm on May 20, 2025. In addition to novels, Tori's short stories have been featured in numerous literary, crime fiction, and horror anthologies. Born and raised in Honolulu—of Hawaiian, Chinese, and Norwegian descent—she lived in New York and Los Angeles before settling in Portland, Oregon, where her grandchildren live. Before writing, Tori performed on Broadway, television, and film; and holds a 5th degree black belt in To-Shin Do ninja martial arts.

Find her online at ToriEldridge.com
Facebook @ToriEldridgeAuthor
Instagram @writer.tori
Twitter @ToriEldridge
Bookbub @ToriEldridge

Aloha and thanks for visiting!

Reviews

[Woman Reading (is away exploring) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ☆

First rule of defense: don't be there.

That's a difficult rule to follow for 25 year old Lily Wong, ninja and self-appointed protector of women. Lily works for Aleisha's Refuge as the tracker and defender of its domestic abuse victims. But this first rule becomes nearly impossible when Lily accompanies her mother Violet Wong overseas for a crucial board meeting.

Violet's entire career has been entwined with the financial investment firm HKIF founded by her father Shaozu Wong. From his base in Hong Kong, Shaozu retains majority control of HKIF and thus influence over his only child Violet, who is the Los Angeles director. Despite Lily's grandparents' recent visit to California, a mysterious yet urgent board vote requires Violet's presence. It's really not an opportune time to visit the former British colony as pro-democracy protesters continue to agitate and disrupt the densely-packed city of millions.

Ninjas fought from the shadows, but they didn't hide.

Once in Hong Kong, Lily's protective instincts surge to the surface as the tension between her grandfather and her mother is palpable. Lily begins to investigate the other HKIF board members. Violence erupts, not just from the government's response to the peaceful pro-democracy protesters but also from incidents that are targeting the board members. Complicating Lily's emotional equilibrium is the appearance of handsome and oh-so-eligible Daniel Kwok, who had begun dating Lily in California just two months earlier. Ever since the brutal murder of her 15-year old sister Rose, however, Lily has avoided romantic entanglements in order to grieve and to atone for her sibling's death. But Daniel is persistent and irresistible.

Since when do you run from what's hard?

The Ninja Betrayed is the best installment so far in this series as it is a total page-turner. (This can be read as a standalone.) Family has consistently played a significant role in the Lily Wong series, and this time the focus is on Lily's relationship with her mother. Conflict abounds on multiple levels as the generational and gender expectations among family members are exposed against the backdrop of Hong Kong's civic unrest. The detailed descriptions of the political situation and cityscape are evocative and immersive (especially the food descriptions). All of Lily's martial arts skills are heavily put through their paces while Lily simultaneously avoids drawing the attention of the Hong Kong authorities. The recasting of a minor character in order to assist Lily as well as Lily's stealthiest escapade, however, did seem a bit of a stretch. A bigger grievance though is the number of typos I found just in the first ten percent of the book. But what always increases my enjoyment is when an author can touch my heart. I've followed Lily Wong since her beginning in The Ninja Daughter and this character's emotional and mental journey is appealing and utterly relatable. I'm looking forward to the next installment as Lily appears to be bound for Shanghai.

Thank you to the author, Polis Books, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Quotations are from the ebook (ISBN 9781951709365), which was published on September 14, 2021.

#1 The Ninja Daughter 4 ☆
#2 The Ninja's Blade 3.5 ☆

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was roaming the streets of Hong Kong with Lily Wong in The Ninja’s Betrayal by Tori Eldridge. Great action and character building.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Wong finds herself in Hong Kong alongside her mother who has been summoned by her grandfather to attend an emergency board meeting. The trip has an air of tension, but Lily is looking forward to family reunions and the possibility of a romantic date or two with her new boyfriend, Daniel, who also happens to be in town. As the truth of the meeting comes to the surface, Lily finds herself investigating her grandfather’s business. When men with scorpion tattoos begin targeting Lily and those around her she realizes that she might be in over her head.

Last year I fell in love with Tori Eldridge’s character Lily Wong. She’s a badass modern-day ninja who uses her skills to work to save those in danger. While in the states she is familiar with her Los Angeles territory, this book finds Lily in Hong Kong where she must work double-time to unravel the mystery at hand. Eldridge does an incredible job of bringing the setting of this story to life and I instantly felt like I was racing down the streets of Hong Kong alongside Lily. Being able to feel fully immersed within the location of this book made it easy to reconnect with Lily and form a bond with our cast of characters.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book and the series as a whole is the way Eldridge portrays family relationships. Everything is incredibly genuine and the reader is able to see not only the tensions and disputes that happen in families, but also the deep love that thrives to keep them together. This familial bond helps to form the characters in these books and give them depth. Mixed with an exhilarating and mysterious triad that clearly have murderous intentions there’s a nice balance to the story. I loved my time with Lily once more and look forward to future installments in this series!

A huge thank you to Tori Eldridge for my gifted copy!

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's long established tradition of lethal Ninja warriors to dabble in the creative arts to improve Wa. This is true from Sho Kosugi, to his portrayal of Cho Osaki in REVENGE OF THE NINJA, and of course, Tori Eldridge. With a 5th degree black belt in To-Shin Do Ninjutsu, Tori Eldridge is the real deal, and lends credence to heroine Lily Wong's exploits, the latest of which is THE NINJA BETRAYED. Yes, Lily Wong, aka Lei Lei, aka Dumpling--is back. A quick arrest of a degenerate abuser on the way to the airport and Lily Wong is off to Hong Kong with her Ma to mend fences and placate an uncle. What could go wrong? Of course, all hell breaks loose.

Fresh off an adventure stopping human traffickers in their tracks, Lily Wong is due for a vacation, but it's never time to slack. Lei Lei's all hard planes, cut muscles, feminine curves, and forged steel. She trains to live and lives to train. The ultimate credo. What better place to kick back than Hong Kong? Handling trouble in the family business, assisting a wayward teenager amid the HK protests, and finding love are on the agenda for Dumpling, though not necessarily in that order. Used to dealing with street gangs, sex traffickers, sketchy politicians and assassins, new facets of family affairs, boardroom antics, and HK politics have Dumpling baffled, but the Kunoichi prevails. No Karambit? No problem!

As the Brody Family discovered in JAWS, not being from Amity and thus not considered an islander, Lily Wong is the quintessential American among the true Hongkongers; dressed for action rather than attraction, she stands out like a canary in a coal mine. And action is on the menu deep in the hotbed of the pro-Democracy Hong Kong uprising, where Dumpling and her Ma navigate protestors, Raptors, and family pitfalls. It's a story of love lost, honor found, family discovered, the past buried, sins forgiven, and grief overcome. The thing to heed as an American in Hong Kong is to do it HK style: don't stop, don't block, don't crowd.

THE NINJA BETRAYED is thrilling action about the quirks, customs, landmarks, food, and superstitions of Hong Kong. And the what's what on Triads. On top of that, the exploits'll enlighten about money laundering, smurfing, and shell companies. A wholly modern approach to a novel, the third Lily Wong installment offers texting interactions taking a part of the prose, and it works. Does she look for trouble or does trouble find Lily? Find out as you go along on this roller coaster ride to Hong Kong, where nothing is as it seems, and trouble may prevent everything coming up roses in Fragrant Harbor. So, don't borrow trouble but get this book, and discover the wisdom behind 'a fool in a hurry drinks tea with a fork'.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve secretly hoped Tori Eldridge would give us a glimpse into Lily Wong’s family dynamic and the latest installment in her heroine’s adventures delivers. In “The Ninja Betrayed,” Lily goes home to Hong Kong, discovering that the world her ancestors knew is changing. Her mother’s job is at risk. Her relationship with Daniel takes an unexpected twist and our heroine is targeted by a gang who wants her out of the way. Present day political conflicts provide a tense undercurrent that gives the story an authenticity that parallels today’s news headlines. Tori’s brilliant plotting and rich characters are in full flower in “The Ninja Betrayed,” a worthy addition to the Lily Wong canon which answers fans’ burning questions, even as Tori raises new ones.

[Kathryn Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ninja Betrayed by Tori Eldridge is an entertaining read, especially if you like novels set in exotic locations, such as Hong Kong. The writing is beautiful, and Lily, the female protagonist is strong and likeable, though she has her moments of fragility which add to her likeability. As an avid reader of mysteries, I was expecting to have the mystery appear sooner and drive the story forward. The subplots of Lily’s romance with Daniel plus Lily’s forays to keep a young woman safe during the demonstrations in Hong Kong kept taking our Ninja heroine’s attention away from the main story. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would read this author again. In fact, I've already ordered the other two books in this series.

[ForTheThrillofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a modern day Ninja who can kick some serious a$$? When Lily’s mother is summoned back to Hong Kong for business, Lily is more than happy to tag along. While hoping for some sight seeing, meeting up with her new flame and catching up with family, Lily also gets thrown into some political turmoil as well as plenty of family drama. What is really going on with the family business? Can her ninja skills protect her and her family from murderous triads?

First of all, do not read this book while hungry!!!! I’m still salivating from all the delicious food in this book 😂. This is the third book in a series and I loved learning more about the family, being transported to Hong Kong and following Lily’s budding romance with Daniel. A good amount of action, family dynamics, humour and witty banter made for a very entertaining read, perfect for readers of all genres!

[Patrick Whitehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Anyone who likes their heroes tough yet human, plots to die for, and action and intrigue, look no further than The Ninja Betrayed. Couldn't put the latest Lily Wong down and looking forward to more of her Ninja exploits!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment in the Ninja series does not disappoint. There's plenty of action and more romance than unusual, which is a good thing. I really enjoyed how the family dynamic is evolving; I even cried at one point, which surprised me! The plot gets a little complicated, but the author stops and recaps it for the reader, which was really needed. There are plenty of great fight scenes and a balanced perspective on the relationship between China and Hong Kong. I've been watching the news lately, but I really enjoyed a personalized take on the situation; I think it helped me to get a more nuanced understanding of the current unrest. Lastly, as always, the book is a foodie's delight. Fans of the series, enjoy!

[Sarah Baenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about Lily Wong, a smart, strong, and brave woman who will always step in to battle injustice. This book was a little different from the previous ones in the series because she was not dealing with abused young women. Instead, she has fighting injustice within her grandpa’s and mom’s business. Although some of the financial explanations were a bit overwhelming, I still understood the gist of what I needed to know to understand characters’ motivations and actions. In this book, I was especially interested in hearing about Hong Kong and the pro-democracy protests. In fact, I would have liked that subplot to be even more prominent than it was. I also liked the evolving relationship between Lily and Daniel. I could kind of see where that was headed, but it will make the next book even more interesting to read, I think. I can’t wait for book number four.

ARC from NetGalley

[Sheila Sobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lily Wong’s world, nothing is ever as it seems. Having been summoned to Hong Kong for an emergency board meeting at her father’s company, Lily’s mother remains in the dark and her father, Gung-Gung, is unwilling to share any details about the ominous gathering. What should have been a fabulous opportunity to spend time with her mother and her grandparents in Hong Kong, becomes a challenge even before she and her mother can leave the airport terminal. With a massive crowd of political protesters blocking the exits, their trip gets off to a rocky start.

In The Ninja Betrayed, the third book in the Lily Wong series, Tori Eldridge brings the exotic city of Hong Kong to life with her vivid imagery of towering skyscrapers, lush gardens, and mouth-watering delicacies. Filled with high personal stakes, dangerous gangs, corporate intrigue and the wondrous possibilities of a budding romance, this action-packed adventure is a great addition to the series.

[Hobart · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S THE NINJA BETRAYED ABOUT?
Hot on the heels of their trip to L.A., Lily's grandfather summons her mother to Hong Kong for a board meeting where it looks like her mother's future will be decided (and it doesn't look like a bright future). Lily comes along with her mother for emotional support and to spend some time with her grandparents. The fact that her love interest, Daniel Kwok, is in the city on business doesn't hurt either.

As things start to look grim for her mother, Lily's spider-sense goes off and she starts looking into things. She has to learn a little about international finance and corporate politics (dicey in the first place, but worse when family is added in) in order to make sense of things—and it gets more complicated when someone attacks her when she's at the home of a family friend.

Lily has to balance her under-the-radar investigation, dating, family obligations, and tourism (and a little extra-curricular fun, see below)—what could go wrong?

PROTESTS AND PERIL
Pro-democracy protests are common at the time of the visit—and Lily notices how the police are treating the protesters—at times goading them into a riot, or reacting more violently than a situation calls for (or a combination of the two). Her grandparents, and others of similar age/social standing, have a very different take on the protests than those who are closer to Lily's age.

Because romance and financial intrigue aren't enough to occupy her mind, Lily gets involved in a little more trouble. Her grandfather's driver, Mr. Tam strikes up a friendship with Lily—she helps him extract his daughter from a couple of heavy situations related to the protests.

Both Mr. Tam's relationship with Lily and her escapades near the protests are the most fun part of the novel—they're the closest this book gets to being an action movie. But it's more than that—there's something about these scenes where Lily is more herself, she's not trying to say and do the right things around her grandfather's business (or for her mother), she's not trying to figure out the right things to say and do with Daniel—it's the closest to her being the L.A. version of Lily—no airs, just trying to keep a young woman out of trouble.

THIS'LL EVEN WARM THE COCKLES OF YOUR HEART

I sank lower and snuggled my face against my mother’s heart, clutching her waist as she rocked me like a child. What childish woes used to bring me to such despair? A broken toy? A stubbed toe? An injured bird? Id had no idea about the true meaning of pain. Nor had my mother.

“I can’t lose you, Lily.”

“I know, Ma.”

The emotional stresses Lily and her mother are under—from family, her mother's professional circumstances, and the physical peril that Lily is in and has survived since their arrival in Hong Kong (some of which her mother is aware of for a change) brings them to a breaking point—and brings them closer than we've ever seen them. By a long way. Possibly closer than they've been since the death of her sister. Knowing her mother, possibly ever.

I'm assuming that once everyone is back in L.A., things will return to how they were before Hong Kong—or at least close to it. But this warming of the relationship (however temporary it may be) was really great to see and adds depth and nuance to both characters. I've really been intrigued by the Wong family dynamic throughout this series and this just made the whole thing better.

WHISKY TANGO FOXTROT?
There was a moment near the end (that's as specific as I'm going to get) where Eldrige literally caused me to yell, "WHAT?" at the book. I didn't drop the book, but I may have bobbled it a bit. It was something I absolutely didn't see coming, yet was completely believable.

And I've probably said too much about it. I could easily do at least another two paragraphs, though.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE NINJA BETRAYED?
This was almost a one-sitting read for me, and I was gripped throughout. Due to an appointment, I had to set it aside with only 30 pages left to go, and it took me about eight hours to get back to it—talk about torture.

This is Eldridge's best so far—in terms of action, suspense, emotional weight, complexity—and sheer entertainment value. Lily's brain is almost as important as her fighting skills this time—it was almost possible for Lily to save the day without having to exercise any of her martial arts. Almost—fans might want character growth and development, but we want to see Lily do her thing.

There's a lot of strong character growth and development, some new layers to the relationships in Lily's life—a worrying development with a character back in L.A.—and a heckuva secret is revealed. There's almost nothing to complain about here and a lot to relish.

I can't wait to see what happens next—the last chapter doesn't really end on a cliff-hanger, but it sure propels the reader toward the opening pages of the next Lily Wong adventure.

Go read this.

[Lee Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori Eldridge does not disappoint with The Ninja Betrayed, the third installment of her Lily Wong Ninja series. In fact, I'd say that it's demonstrably the best in the series to date.

Taking place immediately following the second book, The Ninja's Blade, it picks up as Lily and her mother fly to Hong Kong for an ominous Board meeting of Lily's mother's family-owned company. In addition to supporting (and protecting) her mother, Lily is thrown into the politics and demonstrations of Hong Kong's Democracy protests.

Because the novel is set over a specific week in 2019, viewing these events from multiple perspectives and attitudes knowing what we know in 2022 definitely adds to the depth and complexity of Eldridge's story.

As with the previous outings, there is plenty of physical action for Lily, but in addition as her relation to Daniel Kwok continues and deepens, Lily is forced to confront what she ultimately wants out of life and what direction she envisions her life taking.

As one who has visited Hong Kong many times, and read many novels set there, I found it fascinating to see the events of the Democracy movement from the multiple viewpoints and attitudes Eldridge gives us. I can't speak with the authority of a Hong Kong resident or insider, but the Hong Kong she shows us feels completely authentic.

I've deliberately mentioned very little of the plot because there are many surprises and twists (along with a stunning climax), and I wanted to write a review that wouldn't include any spoilers.

If you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, your experience will be enriched if you read the first two books first, but it isn't necessary, and Eldridge is careful not to reveal any spoilers from them here. However we get to know Lily and her family even more deeply than in the earlier books.

Obviously, I recommend this novel unreservedly. Like it's two predecessors, it does contain a considerable amount of violence, so if that's a deal-breaker for you, consider yourself warned. I should also add that the last few lines of the book set up what I fervently hope will be the fourth book in this series.

Personally, I can't wait!

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better!
I love how I dive in with all these preconceived notions of where the story is going to go, who is going to be the antagonist, who are “the bad guys” vs “good guys” and by the end everything is flipped on its head! (For more details, see SPOILERS below.)

I love the glimpses into Lily’s Ninja training. How the words and practices of her teacher guide her choices and how she lives her life.

I love the fight scenes. Lily is such a total bad-ass! I love how the author uses the names of the maneuver with a description so the scene flows while remaining true to the Ninja training.

Oh! And the food! I got so hungry with the descriptions of the food in Hong Kong. 🤤

And that reference to Astrid of CRA-it was perfect! (I could see it. Lily summoning her inner Astrid and slaying it in her yellow dress).

****SPOILERS AHEAD****














I went in thinking Gung-Gung was mostly a jerk who was totally willing to throw his daughter under the bus. The truth? It’s more complicated than that.

I went in thinking Daniel Kwok was a quiet, sweet, funny, strong guy who liked Lily because she was unconventional. Turns out, he’s a turd. (Yes, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but he’s not the sweet caring guy I thought he was.)

I thought Lily’s mom, Violet, would always kowtow to her cultural ways (never show affection, don’t compliment, remain stoic, etc). But that got flipped upside down in a beautiful scene with Lily.

And Lee Chang! The curmudgeonly cook at Baba’s restaurant! Holy crap! There’s a WHOLE other side to him. (And I loved it!)

And we catch another glimpse of J Tran. I WANT MORE LILY & J TRAN! 🫣❤️😁

Things I need answers to in book 4:

What’s going on with Baba? He can’t be sick. Violet is the rock and Baba is the heart of this family. We can’t lose Baba.😢

J Tran. I need more. Who is he? Where does he come from? What happened in his past that made him who he is today? Why did he turn up in Hong Kong & help Lily? Will he and Lily ever be friends or possibly more?

Lee Chang! How did he go from enforcer to cook? How & why did the Triad let him go? (No one just gets to walk away from that life. What deal did he make?) Why did the Triad take his niece?

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Wong is back and this time she’s taking her stealth, sass, and signature ass-kicking international.

The Ninja Betrayed sends our Chinese-Norwegian modern-day ninja heroine straight into the storm of Hong Kong’s political unrest, corporate family drama, and yes, her first real boyfriend (bless you, Daniel Kwok, you dreamy spreadsheet-slinger).

This is less of a gritty LA crime dive and more of a ninja-in-a-blazer navigating boardroom warfare, family secrets, and explosive protests with a romance subplot that actually works. In other words? A vibe.

Lily accompanies her mother to Hong Kong for what should be a simple family business check-in. Keyword: should. Instead, we get:
* Corporate shenanigans that could ruin her mom’s career
* Family feuds so sharp they could slice dim sum
* A missing teen caught in the middle of violent political protests
* A triad that’s lurking in the shadows (as they do)
* And a relationship with Daniel that's either blossoming or doomed depending on the next assassination attempt
Oh, and all of this while staying in her grandparents’ swanky hillside mansion. Casual.

Imagine if James Bond had unresolved family trauma, mad respect for social justice, and a tiger mom breathing down his neck. Or if Crazy Rich Asians had a subplot involving data leaks, money laundering, and high-stakes rooftop ninja combat. Mix that with real-world unrest, and you’ve got The Ninja Betrayed.

The Ninja Betrayed is a high-intensity fusion of political thriller, family drama, and romantic suspense, all with Lily Wong’s signature precision and power. Whether she’s trading punches or PowerPoint presentations, you’ll root for her from page one. It's smart, sharp, deeply human, and surprisingly tender in its quiet moments. Also, let’s be real—every series needs a “spy thriller meets meet-the-grandparents” instalment.

[AndiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ninja Betrayed is the 3rd in a series of novels featuring Lilly Wong. Although this is the first book I have read, I felt right at home and believe the author includes more than enough background information to catch you up on the action.

And there is a lot of action! Lilly Wong has the ultracool job of defending women escaping abuse at a local shelter. A modern day Ninja, she has all the tools to defend herself and others and does so in the memory of her sister who was murdered 7 years before.

In this book Lilly travels to Hong Kong to accompany her mother who has been called home by her father to
discuss family business. Very quickly elements of espionage ​and

The descriptions of food, shopping, culture and intrapersonal family relationships were fascinating. I love learning about other cultures through novels and this book provides lots of information that I had never come across in other China-based novels. They mystery was well crafted and I was dying to know what was going on right until the end. My only complaint is that the romance was a little too YA. I didn't buy Lilly's lack of a romantic life or the reason for the lack. It detracted from the story a bit.

Overall, loved this story and recommend it to anyone looking for a strong female character in mystery and action genres. The author has done a fantastic job creating characters that I would like to follow. I will definitely going back to read book 1 and 2! Thank you to #NetGalley and #Agorabooks for this arc in exchange for a fair review.

[Tom Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve enjoyed Tori Eldridge’s two previous Lily Wong novels, ‘The Ninja Daughter’ and ’The Ninja’s Blade’, be prepared: Eldridge’s latest, ‘The Ninja Betrayed’, is an entirely different plate of dim sum.

Lily, for a change, is deep in the bosom of her mother’s Hong Kong family. Instead of her 18-speed racing bicycle, Lily gets around The Fragrant Harbor city in a Mercedes limousine, chauffeured by an affable and attentive gentleman named Tam.

Violet Wong, Lily's mother, Director for Los Angeles and the US for her father’s investment firm, is summoned to an important board meeting at its Hong Kong headquarters. Violet asks Lily to travel along to spend time with her maternal-side family. Strange comments and evasive answers about her mother and the business alarm Lily.

Signs and portents become ever more clear; a replacement waiting in the wings is rumored. A palace coup maybe staged to depose Violet Wong and remove her from the corporation. Why? How? By whom? When? To mix languages and metaphors, there is a thick fog wrapping the question “Cui bono?” As to the title betrayal, there may be more than one. Surprises and plot twists continue to the very last page.

A puzzling mystery as well as an action thriller, ‘The Ninja Betrayed’ is strongly recommended.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily’s mother has been summoned by her grandfather, Gung-Gung to attend an emergency board meeting, and Lily is happy to take her father’s place for exotic travel, family reunions, and romantic dates with her new boyfriend, Daniel Kwok, who's there for business. Lily and her mother stay at her grandparents' hillside home on Hong Kong Island, but tension between Gung-Gung and Ma makes it hard to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, especially with the city in turmoil. Gung-Gung won’t say anything about the meeting and Ma is worried that her career is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the teenage daughter of Gung-Gung's driver is pulled into the dangerous riots.
As Lily and Ma discover shaky finances, questionable loans, and plans for the future involving them both, Lily's escalating romance with Daniel puts her heart at risk. Will her ninja skills allow her to protect her mother, the family business, and the renegade teen while navigating love, corporate intrigue, and murderous triads?
Lily learns about financial markets, corruption , and money laundering as she gets caught up saving her families business after one of the partners gets involved with the Triad.
She also finds out how little her new love interest actually thinks of her.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Wong is in Hong Kong with her mother - and she's in for a lot of surprises. Turns out the board of her grandfather's company, is about to take a vote and it looks like her mother will be pushed out. But why? Lily, who usually spends her time protecting abused women, turns her ninja skills to protecting her mom, especially once it becomes apparent someone is out to get her. This blends corporate intrigue with Hong Kong politics with triad activity and kept me, like Lily, guessing. Oh, and Lily's father who owns a restaurant back home, falls and hits his head. Oh and Lily learns a secret about Uncle Lee, who works fo her dad. And there's a little romance. I loved this for the Hong Kong atmospherics (oh those switchbacks and the food!) as well as for the complex story. Eldridge has effectively merged the topical (the protests) with family dynamics and well, lots of other stuff. It's also funny in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I adore this series but think this would be fine as a standalone. I'm eager to know what happens next.

[Linda Cina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Ninja Betrayed" by Tori Eldridge is a gripping and intense thriller that masterfully blends ninja lore, action, and suspense. The story follows Lily Wong, a skilled and deadly ninja, as she navigates treacherous alliances, family secrets, and ancient prophecies.

Eldridge's writing shines with:

1. Strong female protagonist: Lily's complexity and determination make her relatable and formidable.
2. Intricate plot: Twists and turns keep you on the edge, questioning loyalties and motives.
3. Rich world-building: The ninja world comes alive with meticulous research and authenticity.
4. Heart-pumping action: Fight scenes are expertly choreographed and thrilling.

This book exceeded expectations, delivering a compelling narrative that explores identity, honor, and redemption. Highly recommended for fans of ninja-themed fiction, action-packed thrillers, and strong female leads!

_Favorite aspect:_ Lily Wong's character development and the seamless blend of ninja mythology and modern-day intrigue.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Wong’s mother Violet is called by her CEO father to attend an emergency board meeting in Hong Kong. Lily is happy to accompany her there and is looking forward to eating exotic food and spending time with her new boyfriend Daniel Kwok. Instead, Lily and her mother arrive in a city in turmoil as angry protests are ratcheting up. To Violet's shock, it appears that the entire board of directors is preparing to oust her as head of the Los Angeles division. Lily soon finds evidence of financial wrongdoings that involve the dangerous triads. When the teenaged daughter of her grandfather's driver Jing joins the protestors, Lily steps in to protect the naive young girl from danger. And with the surprising help of family friend and her dad's chef Uncle, Lily tries to negotiate a truce with the triad head. But Lily is not ready for a closer betrayal that will shatter her heart and affect the fate of her family's business.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Polis Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

[Mac Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in this series about the ninja trained defender of women Lily Wong, were hard to put down and this one is no exception. Lily has left her home town of San Francisco to travel to Hong Kong with her mother to attend a surprise board meeting of her grandfather's business. There are rumblings that the board intends to replace Lily's mother as the head of the US operations with a younger version. But is it just business. Lily is soon up to her neck in intrigue as she tries to find the real reasons behind the takeover. Throw in her promise to protect a young girl from violent protesters and her trip is not going to be a relaxing vacation. Oh, and did I mention there's also a complicated romance?

I have thoroughly enjoyed all three Lily Wong adventures and am looking forward to reading her next one.

[Mary Araujo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily in Hong Kong going toe to toe with a triad?! Yes please! There was so much going on in this novel but it all blended together so well. From the plot to vote out Lily's mom in their family's company, to the pro-democracy protests around the city, to the rise and fall of Lily's relationship with Daniel, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster! I knew something wasn't right about Daniel, but I could not have foreseen his betrayal! Lily's trust issues may never be healed after this unfortunately. Also, we have a sighting of J Tran at the end?? What a tease! I hope he is in the 4th installment of the series "The Ninja's Oath", and we see him and Lily work side by side again. Lily is so multi-faceted as a character, and I think she is one of my favorite FMC's I've ever read. If there's only one book in the series that you read, I recommend this one!

[Roxanne Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in the Lily Wong series! Lily and her mother travel to Hong Kong for a board meeting in her maternal grandfather's company, and discover things amiss. Lily's "secret identity" as a ninja who protects battered women has begun to erode when her father discovered her activities in the previous book. Her mother suspects that there's more to Lily than the college drop-out persona, but doesn't want to confront Lily's hazardous life as she's still grieving her younger daughter.

Lily uncovers many secrets in The Ninja Betrayed and must confront her feelings about herself and her family. This book kept me hooked until the last page...and I'm already impatient for the next book!

Thanks to Polis Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many things call out to me, and I see them like little friends within the pages - the delicious Chinese food referenced throughout the book tells me the writer knows what they’re talking about, and I’m excited. Even though I’ve never been to Hong Kong, her descriptions of the places and the food bring the city to life - I really sped through this book. The family dynamics and the business politics portrayed here almost remind me of Chinese dramas; there’s intrigue, romance, and the family as the heart. The prose is easygoing, and I found myself finishing it quickly. While I can’t say whether the ninja scenes are written realistically, I don’t think they’re overdone. I would say it’s a great light read, and recommend it among all the horror books you might find yourself reading this month!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily, who doesn't seem to get along with her mother Violet, agrees to go with her to Hong Kong to be her support when Lily's grandfather suggests that her mother's job as head of the US operations is in jeopardy. At the emergency board meeting it appears that even Violet's long time supporters have turned against her. Of course, Lily begins to investigate the lack of loyalty everyone seems to have for her mother. And as she does she keeps running into thugs who want nothing better than Lily's death. These thugs are part of the Hong Kong Triads making them even more dangerous. As usual Lily's ninja skills come to the rescue saving both her and her mother. I thought that this was a trilogy but apparently it is a series since this novel left us with a big cliff hanger.

[Bruin Mccon · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sleep with a blade in your hand, and pray you wake in time to use it.”

In Ninja Betrayed, secret ninja Lily Wong joins her mother in Hong Kong and ends up embroiled in a fight for her mother’s job at her grandfather’s firm. Lots of street fighting and attempted kidnapping with a little dating thrown in. It has taken me months to finish this book but as soon as I did, I went back to see if I might read the first two books in the series. Turns out they include storylines that would be too difficult for me to read. This one is just fine.

I loved the story of the LA girl who is just trying to keep her family safe with some light grappling. Maybe a stabbing, few broken noses.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review. This is the third installment of the Lily Wong series. A modern day ninja vigilante for women and children who are in abusive situations. In this book Lily and her mom travel to Hong Kong. I like that we learn more about Lily's mom and grandparents. I'm looking forward to the next boom, but hope we return to the US. This series is starting to feel more and more like Ava Lee, but that isn't what I want. I also hope the editor does a better job - lots of sloppy mistakes (muscle tea should he muscle tee).

[Jessica M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been lucky enough to receive arcs of all 3 books of this series by Tori Eldridge, and was so excited to get a copy of the final book in the series. Tori is a passionate author who infuses so much character into Lily, the main character of the series.

In this last installment with Lily, we see her still fighting to balance the elements of her life while she fights to both help her family and work on her relationship with her new boyfriend. As usual, the reader can't help but be behind her 110% as she uses her ninja skills to protect what matters most to her.

Highly recommend!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the character, Lily Wong, so much. She's remarkably strong (both physically and mentally) and yet emotionally frail due to her sister's murder and subsequent guilt. She has strong family relationships with her parents and a huge sense of loyalty. Here, she and her mom go to Hong Kong, for her mom's family business and board meeting. Lily becomes embroiled in a family business takeover as well as the democracy movements in Hong Kong. And, she finally allows romance to bloom. The plots were so well integrated and timely. I'm really looking forward to Lily's next adventure!