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Tales of the Mystics #2
Traitor
Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes-if only it didn't require betraying her new fianc�.
Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.
Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.
Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family. But her devoted, caring fianc� makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she'd rather keep buried far beneath her pristine exterior.
When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fianc�, putting her reputation on the line once more. And her heart.
Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?
Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.
Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.
Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family. But her devoted, caring fianc� makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she'd rather keep buried far beneath her pristine exterior.
When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fianc�, putting her reputation on the line once more. And her heart.
Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?
310 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2021
About the author
Laurie Lucking
18 books91 followersLaurie Lucking has always loved diving into imaginary worlds through books, but didn’t start writing her own stories until she left her career as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom. After growing up in Wisconsin, she hopped the border into Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Law School, and she continues to make Minnesota her home with her husband and two young sons. When she gets a break from playing super heroes and driving wind-up cars, Laurie enjoys reading, singing, connecting with other moms, and writing young adult fantasy, always with a central love story to satisfy her inner romantic.
Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW Chapter and a co-founder of www.LandsUncharted.com, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. Find out more about Laurie and her writing at www.laurielucking.com.
Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW Chapter and a co-founder of www.LandsUncharted.com, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. Find out more about Laurie and her writing at www.laurielucking.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 26, 2021
Well done, author!
While I didn't "hate" Penelope at the end of Common, I found her to not always be the most enduring character to root for. Despite her mistakes, I felt she genuinely loved Nicholas and only wished to be happy. Being so deeply hurt from his words and actions, I felt a lot of compassion for her.
However, that slowly "dried up" in the first quarter/half. She is a VERY real character who is relatable and has real pains. I think it made it harder to "enjoy" her story because I saw so much of myself in her actions of wanting to guard her heart and make choices with the best intentions, but then it not pan out the way she hoped/expected. It was hard seeing that she doesn't need to be as closed off as her past may lead her to believe.
Vander was probably my favorite character because he is SUCH a good man! He is so noble, compassionate, and caring. He is such a wonderful example of loving others when they feel at their worst. I deeply enjoyed seeing him on page and seeing his heart radiate with love for Penelope. Again, he is such a good man!
The last quarter of the book was VERY intense! It pulled me in and I refused to let go until I could finish reading in one sitting! Penelope's arc really spoke to my heart on a deep level and brought tears to my eyes. It was very moving and one I needed right now.
Overall, I really enjoyed Traitor! This author has a very compelling way of writing with very real characters that not only move the heart, but stir the embers of relatability. I'm very excited to read Scarred and find out which perspective we will see next!
*(I received an ARC from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
While I didn't "hate" Penelope at the end of Common, I found her to not always be the most enduring character to root for. Despite her mistakes, I felt she genuinely loved Nicholas and only wished to be happy. Being so deeply hurt from his words and actions, I felt a lot of compassion for her.
However, that slowly "dried up" in the first quarter/half. She is a VERY real character who is relatable and has real pains. I think it made it harder to "enjoy" her story because I saw so much of myself in her actions of wanting to guard her heart and make choices with the best intentions, but then it not pan out the way she hoped/expected. It was hard seeing that she doesn't need to be as closed off as her past may lead her to believe.
Vander was probably my favorite character because he is SUCH a good man! He is so noble, compassionate, and caring. He is such a wonderful example of loving others when they feel at their worst. I deeply enjoyed seeing him on page and seeing his heart radiate with love for Penelope. Again, he is such a good man!
The last quarter of the book was VERY intense! It pulled me in and I refused to let go until I could finish reading in one sitting! Penelope's arc really spoke to my heart on a deep level and brought tears to my eyes. It was very moving and one I needed right now.
Overall, I really enjoyed Traitor! This author has a very compelling way of writing with very real characters that not only move the heart, but stir the embers of relatability. I'm very excited to read Scarred and find out which perspective we will see next!
*(I received an ARC from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
April 26, 2021
I so enjoyed this book! What a delight! It swept me away to a richly detailed new land of differing cultures, filled with relatable characters and a sweet tale of marriage alliance and searching for redemption.
It was an intriguing twist to follow Princess Penelope, an antagonist from the previous book, Common. (Note: you’ll appreciate parts of Traitor more if you’ve read Common, but it’s not necessary. Despite being hazy on the details of Common since it was awhile since I read it, I still enjoyed this one immensely.) I wasn’t sure about her at first but I loved getting her perspective on things and I quickly grew to feel for her, traveling far away to a new country to marry the son of an emperor.
Prince Vander is the NICEST HUMAN. I kept wanting to shake Penelope and tell her to appreciate this good soul! XD I loved how appreciative he was and how anxious to make her at home in his country, despite her tendency to build walls around her heart. He truly cared and was SO SWEET but also human and I loved that.
Side characters were fun too, from cameos of characters from the first book (eep!) to spirited Princess Dionne, guards, loyal lady’s maid Victoria…
I adored Delunia! Experiencing Penelope’s head-first immersion in this colorful new culture and new language was neat. The setting was so gorgeous!
Penelope’s past mistakes haunted her in a very real way and led to said wall-building around her heart, pushing away those who cared about her from fear of being hurt again by opening herself to love. It could be frustrating at times to see her make those choices, but eye-opening as well, and the journey she took was ultimately so satisfying.
Loved it!
(I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Review also posted on my blog, here: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...
It was an intriguing twist to follow Princess Penelope, an antagonist from the previous book, Common. (Note: you’ll appreciate parts of Traitor more if you’ve read Common, but it’s not necessary. Despite being hazy on the details of Common since it was awhile since I read it, I still enjoyed this one immensely.) I wasn’t sure about her at first but I loved getting her perspective on things and I quickly grew to feel for her, traveling far away to a new country to marry the son of an emperor.
Prince Vander is the NICEST HUMAN. I kept wanting to shake Penelope and tell her to appreciate this good soul! XD I loved how appreciative he was and how anxious to make her at home in his country, despite her tendency to build walls around her heart. He truly cared and was SO SWEET but also human and I loved that.
Side characters were fun too, from cameos of characters from the first book (eep!) to spirited Princess Dionne, guards, loyal lady’s maid Victoria…
I adored Delunia! Experiencing Penelope’s head-first immersion in this colorful new culture and new language was neat. The setting was so gorgeous!
Penelope’s past mistakes haunted her in a very real way and led to said wall-building around her heart, pushing away those who cared about her from fear of being hurt again by opening herself to love. It could be frustrating at times to see her make those choices, but eye-opening as well, and the journey she took was ultimately so satisfying.
Loved it!
(I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Review also posted on my blog, here: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...
April 24, 2021
In Traitor, Tale of the Mystics book 2, we meet Princess Penelope again. Her failed arranged engagement to Prince Rafe has made her an outcast, humiliated and pitiful. Nevertheless, she's determined to do her duty and agree to another arranged marriage, only this time in a far away country. After the last attempt at an arranged marriage went so poorly, this one has to be better, right?
There are cameos of previous characters (#RafeandLeah!) but plenty of new characters and places to discover.
In Traitor, Ms. Lucking has crafted a lovely tale of redemption, forgiveness, and true love. Make space for it on your shelf!
There are cameos of previous characters (#RafeandLeah!) but plenty of new characters and places to discover.
In Traitor, Ms. Lucking has crafted a lovely tale of redemption, forgiveness, and true love. Make space for it on your shelf!
April 20, 2021
Pretty sure Laurie Lucking can't write a bad book.
June 17, 2021
absolutely beautiful // I loved returning to this world // Princess Penelope is such a messed up little bundle of nerves, she's darling and I love her, even if she's constantly trusting all the wrong people // Prince Vander!!!!! HE IS THE BESTEST EVER! // Princess Dionne was such a little clandestine spitfire, the perfect little sister character // Victoria is a ray of sunshine // the plot was more straightforward and though I had a feeling I knew what was coming, I'm still amazed at HOW MUCH of the plot ended up being in the last 20% of the book // kind of a slow-burn plot that is very character driven and builds extremely slowly (but not at all in a way that is boring, it's just not extremely action-packed) and then absolutely explodes all over the place at the last minute, but still gets nicely wrapped up to my extreme satisfaction
(more coherent review to come... I do these mini review things to remind myself of what I want to write later) :-D
(more coherent review to come... I do these mini review things to remind myself of what I want to write later) :-D
April 15, 2021
Traitor, by Lauri Lucking, is the sequel to her debut novel, Common.
Having previously read and enjoyed Common made me both excited and hesitant to dive into Traitor. Traitor is about Princess Penelope, the antagonist of Common.
I really struggled to get into the story. This girl was really unlikable in the first book, and I was not ready to forgive her.
But surprise, forgiveness is the whole theme of the novel. This story was an excellent example of forgiveness, how we can never do enough good on our own to earn it, it is a gift, and how sometimes the person we most need forgiveness from is ourselves.
Once you spend a couple chapters with Penelope, you will like her, I promise. She knows she did wrong, and she has to live with the consequences. But she also works really hard to redeem herself by learning from her mistakes.
What I most liked about this book was the country of Delunia. It has a very exotic feeling compared to the very European feel of the previous book's Imperia.
One thing that struck me as odd about Common was how magic was not mentioned until suddenly it was. Traitor mentions magic from the beginning and naturally builds to its climatic moment.
*I received an advanced copy of this book. A review wasn't required, but I left one anyway, because that's how I do things.*
Having previously read and enjoyed Common made me both excited and hesitant to dive into Traitor. Traitor is about Princess Penelope, the antagonist of Common.
I really struggled to get into the story. This girl was really unlikable in the first book, and I was not ready to forgive her.
But surprise, forgiveness is the whole theme of the novel. This story was an excellent example of forgiveness, how we can never do enough good on our own to earn it, it is a gift, and how sometimes the person we most need forgiveness from is ourselves.
Once you spend a couple chapters with Penelope, you will like her, I promise. She knows she did wrong, and she has to live with the consequences. But she also works really hard to redeem herself by learning from her mistakes.
What I most liked about this book was the country of Delunia. It has a very exotic feeling compared to the very European feel of the previous book's Imperia.
One thing that struck me as odd about Common was how magic was not mentioned until suddenly it was. Traitor mentions magic from the beginning and naturally builds to its climatic moment.
*I received an advanced copy of this book. A review wasn't required, but I left one anyway, because that's how I do things.*
May 8, 2021
I’m a sucker for the arranged marriage trope. Two characters engaged, uncertain if there’s the possibility of love? Um, yeah, I’M IN. So when I found out that Laurie Lucking -- THE next Melanie Dickerson -- had written an arranged marriage romance set in a medieval fantasy kingdom, I jumped at the chance to read it.
Traitor tells the story of Penelope, a princess haunted by a love that once threatened to tear a kingdom apart. Now, she walks in disgrace -- until a message from across the sea arrives with an invitation… an invitation to become the next queen of Delunia.
I’m fairly certain I’ll love every Laurie Lucking novel I read.
The characters were frighteningly realistic. Penelope’s storyline from Common, Traitor’s predecessor, is expanded, light sparkling across its edges to explore feelings of shame, regret, loneliness, fear, and belonging. Vander -- our mysterious heir to Delunia -- is shy and uncertain, pursued by rejection and an unrequited love. Our prince and princess meet at odds, neither one fully sure of the other. But as past and future mistakes come into view, their opinions -- and their love -- begin to change.
Traitor is a sweet and slow portrait of unexpected love, healing, and redemption. It is the second volume in Tales of the Mystics, now available from L2L2 Publishing.
(I received a free copy of Traitor in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.)
Traitor tells the story of Penelope, a princess haunted by a love that once threatened to tear a kingdom apart. Now, she walks in disgrace -- until a message from across the sea arrives with an invitation… an invitation to become the next queen of Delunia.
I’m fairly certain I’ll love every Laurie Lucking novel I read.
The characters were frighteningly realistic. Penelope’s storyline from Common, Traitor’s predecessor, is expanded, light sparkling across its edges to explore feelings of shame, regret, loneliness, fear, and belonging. Vander -- our mysterious heir to Delunia -- is shy and uncertain, pursued by rejection and an unrequited love. Our prince and princess meet at odds, neither one fully sure of the other. But as past and future mistakes come into view, their opinions -- and their love -- begin to change.
Traitor is a sweet and slow portrait of unexpected love, healing, and redemption. It is the second volume in Tales of the Mystics, now available from L2L2 Publishing.
(I received a free copy of Traitor in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.)
May 5, 2021
A wonderful story of redemption
My rating is 4.5 stars
Told exclusively from Princess Penelope's perspective, Traitor captivated me. I was so surprised that Penelope was the heroine of the story - after all, she wasn't exactly anyone's favorite character in Common! I experienced her pain over the way she was treated in her kingdom and in Imperia. And understood her determination to not allow her heart to even hope for more than an amiable marriage to the stranger-prince her father betrothed her to.
I loved that I was able to relate to her so well while still hating the choices she made. Reading Traitor was the perfect way to spend a relaxing morning!
Though Traitor could stand alone, I strongly suggest reading the books as a complete set.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
My rating is 4.5 stars
Told exclusively from Princess Penelope's perspective, Traitor captivated me. I was so surprised that Penelope was the heroine of the story - after all, she wasn't exactly anyone's favorite character in Common! I experienced her pain over the way she was treated in her kingdom and in Imperia. And understood her determination to not allow her heart to even hope for more than an amiable marriage to the stranger-prince her father betrothed her to.
I loved that I was able to relate to her so well while still hating the choices she made. Reading Traitor was the perfect way to spend a relaxing morning!
Though Traitor could stand alone, I strongly suggest reading the books as a complete set.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
April 5, 2021
I'm not sure I can say enough good things about Traitor, book 2 in Laurie Lucking's Tales of the Mystics series. The gentle (but sometimes painful) emotional journey Penelope must take is so REAL. It is beautiful and fulfilling. The romance is sweet and wonderful, and I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Two thumbs up!
May 2, 2021
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I really loved the characters and the
plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down! I am really forward to
reading the next book in this wonderful series!
plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down! I am really forward to
reading the next book in this wonderful series!
Want to Read
May 5, 2021 Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
May 26, 2021
Traitor by Laurie Lucking is a princess story on the hunt for a wedding filled with dark magic on the side. The main heroine is worried about the backlash from what occurred in the past at another match making event. The romance starts off a little slow with some hesitation on both people’s part. The writing is wonderful. The plot moved along at a rapidly fast pace, and kept my attention while I read the story. It was a unique story with a completely predictable ending, but as Lucking wrote the story, it did not lead toward this ending, which I actually enjoyed. I had no problem seeing the new castle with the new characters as they ate the variety of food that Lucking showed in the story. Readers will be delighted to understand that this is not the last book in the series because there are two more novels coming, which is a great thing. The next book can’t come soon enough.
I received a complimentary copy of Traitor by Laurie Lucking from Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of Traitor by Laurie Lucking from Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
January 2, 2023
I wasn't sure what to make of this book at first, but it was pretty fantastic. The unique challenges and ghosts that haunt the protagonist grabbed me from the get-go, and it did a fantastic job exploring her psychology and character arc. You don't need to have read the first book to be able to enjoy this (I hadn't), but I'd presume it would help to do that as well. (: Either way: this is a fantasy romance well worth reading.
Rating: 4 Stars (Very Good).
Rating: 4 Stars (Very Good).
March 12, 2025
I briefly remember Penelope from Common. Yet, I can't recall that if I liked her. Yet, in this book, she shined, and I did like her a lot. If anything, you could say that this book is her redemption story.
Penelope's lady in waiting, Victoria is kind. I liked her and the budding romance that she had going on with one of the guards. There is also Princess Dionne, who becomes a good friend to Penelope. Yet don't treat her family wrong including her brother, Prince Vander as she is fiercely protective.
Speaking of Prince Vander, he is kindhearted. I thought he was very patient with Penelope, and I liked that he was aware of her feelings. Due to Penelope's past relationship, it did play a big part in her current relationship with Vander. She was very guarded, and it took a very long while to accept Vander's kindness and that his feelings for her were real.
The last third of the story really picked up. Overall, I enjoyed this book and getting to know Penelope better. She is a fierce one.
Penelope's lady in waiting, Victoria is kind. I liked her and the budding romance that she had going on with one of the guards. There is also Princess Dionne, who becomes a good friend to Penelope. Yet don't treat her family wrong including her brother, Prince Vander as she is fiercely protective.
Speaking of Prince Vander, he is kindhearted. I thought he was very patient with Penelope, and I liked that he was aware of her feelings. Due to Penelope's past relationship, it did play a big part in her current relationship with Vander. She was very guarded, and it took a very long while to accept Vander's kindness and that his feelings for her were real.
The last third of the story really picked up. Overall, I enjoyed this book and getting to know Penelope better. She is a fierce one.
March 19, 2025
Traitor by Laurie Lucking
🚩 A new land
🚩 Trying to make amends
🚩 Overcoming the past
🚩 Losing her heart?
🚩 Sweet romance, just kisses (no spice)
Genre: Romantic fantasy
I enjoyed this one even more than book 1! After her first failed engagement, Penelope is a new land with a new fiance. Helping a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates seems like a great way to make amends for her past mistakes but....
Really enjoyed the way the arranged marriage trope was used in this one! No insta love here! And I liked the language barrier as well. Definitely recommend this series!
Book 2 in the Tales of the Mystics series, best read in order
Favorite character: Penelope
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🚩 A new land
🚩 Trying to make amends
🚩 Overcoming the past
🚩 Losing her heart?
🚩 Sweet romance, just kisses (no spice)
Genre: Romantic fantasy
I enjoyed this one even more than book 1! After her first failed engagement, Penelope is a new land with a new fiance. Helping a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates seems like a great way to make amends for her past mistakes but....
Really enjoyed the way the arranged marriage trope was used in this one! No insta love here! And I liked the language barrier as well. Definitely recommend this series!
Book 2 in the Tales of the Mystics series, best read in order
Favorite character: Penelope
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 6, 2022
The tale pulled me in, though I hadn't read book 1. I plan to go back and read it because I believe that heroine will be more to my liking. In Traitor, I enjoyed the setting and hero much more than the heroine. She was a bit too whiney and timid for my taste, though in the end, she finally overcomes her limitations. The world is well drawn and quite interesting, as is the magic, though it isn't used much or explained in great detail. Still worth the listen. The narrator was quite good.
February 27, 2022
the actual Plot felt like it started relatively late? The character arc was pretty decent, and the writing worked for me, but I wasn't really drawn in until some conflict over the stele started happening, but since that started so late it wasn't too complicated and resolved quickly. The romance was sweet enough, though.
March 10, 2025
Great sequel
I thought this series would be good. I was wrong it was better than I thought. Laurie lucking writing was beautiful. I loved the characters, and I thought the romance was well handled. The Story of forgiveness and unconditional love was amazing.
I thought this series would be good. I was wrong it was better than I thought. Laurie lucking writing was beautiful. I loved the characters, and I thought the romance was well handled. The Story of forgiveness and unconditional love was amazing.
September 19, 2021
A sweet story of a shamed princess looking for hope and redemption. This was a good follow up to Common, book 1 in the Tales of the Mystics. An easy, enjoyable read!
June 8, 2025
Three and a half. Sir Colin was such an interesting character! I didn't like Penelope much but the plot was fascinating. Glad she finally got a little smarter.
March 7, 2025
The historical fantasy feel, the cultural beauty, the intrigue!!! So well written, you can hate and love the main character all at the same time!! Common was one of my favorite reads last year, and I think the only reason Traitor didn't quite hit that same level, is the love/hate feelings I had towards Penelope. Such a good book!
March 15, 2025
(I read the re-published version through Monster Ivy Publishing, but the author assured me the plot is the same, so I posted my review for both versions.)
What a wonderful book, what a beautiful redemption story!
I absolutely LOVED Common, it was one of my favorite reads last year, so of course I wanted to read Traitor. But to be honest, Penelope is a far less likeable main character than Leah, so I was really curious if I could enjoy this second book of the Tales of the Mystics as much as the first.
And you already guessed it - I did!
Even despite her part in an assassination attempt in the last book I empathized with Penelope from the beginning. I actually did not only feel for her but really really liked her. It definitely surprised me, but here we are.
Penelope is ridden with guilt and shame for what she did and while she hates how people treat her now after her failed engagement she still is heartbroken for being sent away.
She does believe in the Luminate, but thinks that He could never forgive, never love someone like her. Someone who trusted the wrong people and did take part in an attack on the royal family of her fiancé.
(The only thing that didn’t completely convince me was that she wasn’t punished for her part in the plan. Even though she wasn’t the driving force and was pricked by her conscience, she still knew what was at stake and didn’t stop the man she thought loved her.)
So this made for an absolutely amazing redemption arc! And one that actually taught me a lesson too. Because in theory I know we are never too far gone for God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. But I still kept waiting for a better explanation than “she was in love with Nicholas”. I mean, she had to be misled and didn’t know about his murder plans, right? Could I root for a main character that really would have gone along with killing a whole family so her lover could have more power..?
And then it hit me - there is not a specific sin, not even murder, that will separate us from God if we are willing to repent.
So I obviously knew that already but it took me a while to understand that this applied to Penelope too.
Like I said - a beautiful redemption story. Penelope is a flawed character with a truly tainted past. But she is so sweet and caring. She is trying so hard to make up for her mistakes, she is vulnerable and surprisingly relatable. I really loved her as the main character.
Now let’s talk about Vander. What a sweet and wonderful man! He was so patient, so thoughtful, so understanding even when Penelope rejected him. He is a bit shy and awkward, but in an absolutely endearing way. And I personally am thrilled that he is “not as handsome as some”. He is not the tall broody muscular guy with the defined jawline and bulging biceps. The last part about his bicep is only a guess because Laurie Lucking doesn’t go into too much detail and I’m grateful for that. We get to know and love Vander for his character and not for his looks and so does Penelope. I loved him so much as a character and since the overly attractive guy is everywhere in romance books I appreciate him even more being a pretty regular looking guy who more than made up for any possible physical flaw by being kind and brave.
It’s an arranged marriage, a slow burn romance, an unrequited love story (at first) and I enjoyed it very very much!
I also really liked the side characters, especially Penelope’s lady’s maid and dear friend Victoria. She is such a blessing to Penelope, a real sweetheart and despite her own homesickness the one who brings a bit of sunshine in Penelope’s days, especially when they first arrived in Delunia.
The worldbuilding was really great and even though I suspected the “revelation” at the beginning of the book when a certain character is introduced, I absolutely enjoyed the mystery and how the story progressed.
There obviously is faith content and the strongest point is in my opinion Penelope’s growth in character and faith. The story doesn’t get preachy, but even though this is a fantasy world with light magic, faith is woven throughout the whole story.
Okay I’m done now even though I could talk a lot more about why I love Traitor so much. (Already got my paperback copy because this is a book I want on my shelf!)
It’s a beautiful story about second chances, about healing, forgiveness, redemption, about friendships, family and loyalty and of course about love that slowly sneaks up on you.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
What a wonderful book, what a beautiful redemption story!
I absolutely LOVED Common, it was one of my favorite reads last year, so of course I wanted to read Traitor. But to be honest, Penelope is a far less likeable main character than Leah, so I was really curious if I could enjoy this second book of the Tales of the Mystics as much as the first.
And you already guessed it - I did!
Even despite her part in an assassination attempt in the last book I empathized with Penelope from the beginning. I actually did not only feel for her but really really liked her. It definitely surprised me, but here we are.
Penelope is ridden with guilt and shame for what she did and while she hates how people treat her now after her failed engagement she still is heartbroken for being sent away.
She does believe in the Luminate, but thinks that He could never forgive, never love someone like her. Someone who trusted the wrong people and did take part in an attack on the royal family of her fiancé.
(The only thing that didn’t completely convince me was that she wasn’t punished for her part in the plan. Even though she wasn’t the driving force and was pricked by her conscience, she still knew what was at stake and didn’t stop the man she thought loved her.)
So this made for an absolutely amazing redemption arc! And one that actually taught me a lesson too. Because in theory I know we are never too far gone for God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. But I still kept waiting for a better explanation than “she was in love with Nicholas”. I mean, she had to be misled and didn’t know about his murder plans, right? Could I root for a main character that really would have gone along with killing a whole family so her lover could have more power..?
And then it hit me - there is not a specific sin, not even murder, that will separate us from God if we are willing to repent.
So I obviously knew that already but it took me a while to understand that this applied to Penelope too.
Like I said - a beautiful redemption story. Penelope is a flawed character with a truly tainted past. But she is so sweet and caring. She is trying so hard to make up for her mistakes, she is vulnerable and surprisingly relatable. I really loved her as the main character.
Now let’s talk about Vander. What a sweet and wonderful man! He was so patient, so thoughtful, so understanding even when Penelope rejected him. He is a bit shy and awkward, but in an absolutely endearing way. And I personally am thrilled that he is “not as handsome as some”. He is not the tall broody muscular guy with the defined jawline and bulging biceps. The last part about his bicep is only a guess because Laurie Lucking doesn’t go into too much detail and I’m grateful for that. We get to know and love Vander for his character and not for his looks and so does Penelope. I loved him so much as a character and since the overly attractive guy is everywhere in romance books I appreciate him even more being a pretty regular looking guy who more than made up for any possible physical flaw by being kind and brave.
It’s an arranged marriage, a slow burn romance, an unrequited love story (at first) and I enjoyed it very very much!
I also really liked the side characters, especially Penelope’s lady’s maid and dear friend Victoria. She is such a blessing to Penelope, a real sweetheart and despite her own homesickness the one who brings a bit of sunshine in Penelope’s days, especially when they first arrived in Delunia.
The worldbuilding was really great and even though I suspected the “revelation” at the beginning of the book when a certain character is introduced, I absolutely enjoyed the mystery and how the story progressed.
There obviously is faith content and the strongest point is in my opinion Penelope’s growth in character and faith. The story doesn’t get preachy, but even though this is a fantasy world with light magic, faith is woven throughout the whole story.
Okay I’m done now even though I could talk a lot more about why I love Traitor so much. (Already got my paperback copy because this is a book I want on my shelf!)
It’s a beautiful story about second chances, about healing, forgiveness, redemption, about friendships, family and loyalty and of course about love that slowly sneaks up on you.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
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