Title: The Heart of Betrayal (Second book in The Remnant Chronicles)
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Release Date: 7th July 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Age Range/Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Number of Pages: 470
ISBN: 9780805099249
Rating:✭✭✭✭1/2
Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar’s interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.
Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there’s Rafe, who lied to Lia, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country… and her own destiny.
See my review of the first book in The Remnant Chronicles, The Kiss of Deception
RATING: 4.5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS:
After reading and enjoying The Kiss of Deception, the first book in The Remnant Chronicles, I quickly decided to read the second! I completely loved the first book, and the The Heart of Betrayal did not disappoint me. I was ripped apart and put back together again by The Heart of Betrayal.
The Heart of Betrayal was a vastly different read for me, than The Kiss of Deception as I feel we really get a feel for both Kaden and Rafe in this book.
Before I start talking about the book I would just like to appreciate the BEAUTIFUL covers of both The Kiss of Deception, and The Heart of Betrayal! I give full marks for the covers, and the beautiful colours and title. I am waiting in anticipation for the final book cover in the series! 😀
The start of the second book begins exactly from where Mary E. Pearson leaves off in the first book. In The Heart of Betrayal we learn much more about Vendan, and the different style of life. The world building was vivid, and I really got a feel for the city and world. The character building was also fantastic. The slow evolution of how Lia views these people that she has only heard about is brilliantly written, and I quickly came to love Aster and the various Vendons within the city. Similarly both Kaden and Rafe’s characters are given more depth in The Heart of Betrayal and they both define themselves from the other.
Lia’s character grows and she becomes more responsible for her actions. I love her character and her fiery, headstrong, assertiveness. The Komizar is also introduced; he is a brilliantly cunning, deceptive, and dark character. Similarly to The Heart of Betrayal there are many secrets the characters are holding back. One of the best parts of both the first two books in The Remnant Chronicles for me is the mystery woven through all the characters, world and the plot line.
The Heart of Betrayal also includes Pauline’s POV giving the reader an insight to what is happening in Morrighan. While only a small section of the book is Pauline’s POV a lot is revealed, and my heart broke in the last chapter from Pauline.
Additionally the romance in The Heart of Betrayal is captivating. The relationship with Lia between both Kaden and Rafe is sweet and harrowing. The romance is slow, similar to the first novel in that Lia doesn’t suddenly fall deeply in love with one boy. However, the relationship between Lia and Rafe grows heartwarmingly. Personally I love Lia and Rafe together 😀 While she still has feelings for Kaden, I think that she is more deeply in love with Rafe, and you can see that through the novel due to the various actions she takes. Rafe’s feelings for Lia are sometimes hard to define as he is masterful at deception, but it is clear that he is doing everything for Lia. Similarly Kaden begins to question what he believes due to Lia, and his love for her is strong. Even though there is a love triangle, I would say that it is weak, as Lia has stronger feelings for Rafe.
The plot was thrilling, especially towards the end of the novel. More is revealed about the mystical books and songs about the past, and it is explained in more depth from the first book. The different strands of the story are cleverly fitted together, so that more is revealed as you read further through the book. Additionally the reveal of the army, and the plan the Komizar has for Venda, Morrighan and Dalbreck are horrifying. The Heat of Betrayal defiantly hints at an action packed final novel in the series!
The ending of The Heart of Betrayal is just as horrifying as The Kiss of Deception, however has some hope for the characters. I won’t reveal what happens, but I am waiting in anticipation for the final book! If anything happenes to Rafe, Lia or Kaden I am going to be upset!
The Heart of Betrayal is a brilliant book which carries on expertly from The Kiss of Deception. I personally thought it was going to be hard to carry on due to the massive plot twist from the first book, and was pleasantly pleased by the thrilling second book in the series. The plot twist from The Kiss of Deception was masterful, and while The Heart of Betrayal was just as clever, I felt the plot twist were less surprising, which is why I have rated the book 4.5 stars instead of the full 5 stars. However, don’t let this deter you from reading the book!
Overall The Heart of Betrayal was a fantastic read, and I recommend it for any lover of epic fantasy, mystery, action and romance!
Books in The Remnant Chronicles:
- The Kiss of Deception (Released 8th July 2014)
- The Heart of Betrayal (Released 7th July 2015)
- The Beauty of Darkness (Expected to be released 2016)
Happy Reading xxx
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