The Heart of
Betrayal #2
Mary E. Pearson
(The Remnant Chronicles #2)
Published: July 7th, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Intrigue abounds in this hotly anticipated sequel to The Kiss of Deception!
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.
{AMAZON} {BARNES & NOBLE}
Check out my review of book one, THE KISS OF DECEPTION HERE!
DON'T MISS THE REST OF THE SERIES:
WARING, SPOILERS BELOW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK ONE, THE KISS OF DECEPTION.
YOU'RE WARNED, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF SPOILERY...;)
YOU'RE WARNED, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF SPOILERY...;)
LETS START THIS REVIEW OFF WITH A HOT GRAPHIC TEASER SHALL WE?
A broken world built on bitter deception, ultimate betrayals, kindest friendships, faithful loyalties, sweet romance, unbreakable love, and the most deserving murders... THE HEART OF BETRAYAL will capture your heart and soul, and leave you breathless and utterly satisfied, but still craving more!!!
I don't even know where to begin to express my love for this book—series!! It's breathtaking, and the betrayals and revelations were beyond shocking and utterly heart wrenching to endure. At one point my heart became so entangled in where and who my loyalties lie with, that I wanted to scream at Pearson for creating such a flawless book, with brilliant character developments, and stunning chemistry, that I wanted Lia with BOTH of her love interest. Even though I knew it couldn't happen, but there were still moments in which I said, "Why-CAN'T-SHE-HAVE-THEM-BOTH???? WHY??????" And then I came back to my sense and was all #Team_Rafe again. BUT... I have to shamelessly admit after seeing Kaden in a new light, my love has grown tenfold for him in this book. And who knows, maybe by the end of the next book my loyalties could have easily switched to Kaden. And I have a gnawing feeling it's going to be an all out war choosing where and who I ultimately stand with at the end of this series. I just hope Pearson doesn't kill of one of the love interest. That would shatter my heart and make me beyond furious. But I don't think she'd take the easy out like that, at least I hope not!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
LIA:
Lia is one of the best female protagonist I've ever read! And like the other characters in this book her character development is tremendous from the first book, yet with just the right amount of imperfections to make her realistic, yet flawed. And though she is a prisoner of Venda, she's still able to turn the wheel and grip control from time to time—enough that sometimes it's the only reason she's able to survive. Lia's intelligent, cunning, manipulative, and so determined to make it out of Venda with the one she loves, no matter the consequences she has to endure. But she's also kind-hearted, compassionate, understanding, helpful to those in need, and willing to stand up for those who can't. Now all those qualities combined make Lia a deadly combination—A force not to be reckoned with. And the girl is totally badass with a wooden sword, and even lethal with a steel one...
RAFE:
Rafe, where do I even begin to tell you how awesome he is? But at the same time I felt sorry for him, and the things he had to endure and do in order to keep his true motives and identity a secret. For that reason his character had many rolls in this book. He couldn't be the strong, determined, unwavering Prince, solider, and lover that he is. No, he had to suppress himself and bury his true inner being from all of Venda, because if his true identity was ever revealed, he would be going home pieces at a time, and Lia would be left in Venda, at the mercy of the Komizar, and that is something Rafe cannot let happen. I loved Rafe's patience's and self control over the situation he was in. He had to watch and endure much to conceal his identity, and it was slowly killing him, but he proved that he could endure the unthinkable for the chance to save the one he loved. And that made me love his character so much more then before. And I think the next book will mostly be in Dalbreck, and I'm hoping we'll finally get to see the REAL Rafe, and I cannot WAIT!!!
KADEN:
Kaden has tremendously grown on me in this book. So much in fact that I absolutely LOVE his character. He's bruised, and scarred, and blinded by his vengeance's. But he's also grown so much in this book too, and watching him go through the motions was moving, and made me understand him so much more, and his reasoning behind why he did/does the things that have accrued in his path. And for him Lia was the turning point that allowed him to view things differently. So much in fact that his love for her was evident to everyone in Venda, but sometimes was a blinding rage that consumed him. Lia is utterly Kaden's downfall, but also his savior... And I'm really curious to see what will happen between him and Lia in the next book. And for most of this book I was divided where my loyalties lie, Rafe or Kaden. But at the end of this book it was obvious where my heart lie, #TEAM_RAFE ALL THE WAY!!! But Kaden still holds a big part of my heart too. So we shall see if book three is the turning point for my ultimate love and loyalties! ;)
THE PLOT
Betrayed, captured, and kidnapped by the assassin Kaden, Lia is dragged hundreds of miles by Kaden's group of blood-thirsty Vendan's, and forcefully taken to the barbarian City of Venda, where she will have to convince the ruling Komizar that she is worth much more keeping alive then dead. If not, she may have to do the unthinkable to stay alive...
After enduring a harrowing journey, and watching someone she desperately loved murdered before her eyes, Lia thought it couldn't possibly get anymore complicated then this, but boy was she wrong. It's about to become a raging battle for survival, but not with weapons or fist. No, to beat this viciously cruel Komizar at his own game, Lia will have to become the ultimate weapon, and use not only her body and mind, but also every ounce of strength and skill she possesses, if she has any chance of escaping Venda alive. But first, she will have to become the enemy, to beat her enemy...
Being forced into enemy territory is not at all what Lia anticipated. After a horrific and challenging few weeks, Lia has endured much, but she is finally welcomed by a highly respected Vendan Clan, and gains support and privilege faster then she ever imagined. But that power also comes with it's own price. A price she's not sure she can pay?
But how can Lia possibly betray the same people who welcomed and believed in her? How can she crush the only fervor they've had in such a long time? But there is also one thing she cannot forget no matter how welcomed she thinks she is. She is still a prisoner of Venda, and no matter how good they treat her, or how much they put their faith in her, one way or another, she will pay for their generosity, even if it's with her body, or even her life...
Things become even more distressing when Rafe shows up and puts everything on the line, and gives Lia a reason to keep fighting. But Rafe also brings a hope with him that she thought was lost. A faith that help is on the way, that four of his most faithful and skilled soldiers are coming to aid in their escape. Even if it's only six people against thousands, Lia is still determined to keep fighting, even when it seems like an unbeatable battle.
Lia's world is an uproar of chaos and destruction, as her new life collides with her growing gift that unleashes when least suspected, her new roll in Venda, and the Komizar's threat that hangs in the balance. But even more unnerving is the ongoing weight that something more sinister is brewing in Venda, something that could even shatter all the kingdoms combined. Topped with her unwavering concealed deep affection for Rafe, Prince of Dalbreck, and her confusing relationship with the assassin Kaden, the supposed enemy. Lia's life has gone from bad to extremely deadly in a matter of weeks, and all she can do is bide her time and wait until the moment comes to strike, and strike she will, even if she has to kill for it...
My love for this book and series runs deep. I loved just about everything about these driven characters and broken world on the brink of war. I cannot think of any serious reason not to love this book as much as I do. Only thing I can say that was any bother whatsoever was the pacing and lack of steady action. It wasn't as fast paced as I would of liked, and at times felt like it dragged on some parts. The first book was like that too, and I think (I can't really remember) that's why I gave book one four stars and not the five I really wanted too. And their also wasn't really that much action. But even with the slow pace and unsteady flow of action, it didn't slow down my racing heart or gnawing desire for vengeance against all who wronged Lia. Or the sweet awe every time Rafe and Lia had stolen kisses hidden deep within the sanctum, or the complete and utter bliss when THE HEART OF BETRAYAL came to an end, or the fierce need for book three when the last words were read!! So even with it's minor flaws, I still very much loved this book and would get lost in it over and over again. Matter of fact, I'm rereading it now for my second time as I write this review. If that isn't love for a book then I don't know what is! ;)
Overall, THE HEART OF BETRAYAL was everything I thought it would be and some! I loved the beauty and horrific history in which this world was built upon, the exquisite culture and the remembrances that were created and brought to life, the fierce devotion in which our characters were willing to endure the unthinkable to fight for what they believed in. I could sit here all day naming the many reasons why I loved this book and thought it was the best. But theirs only three words I can think of that would do it any justice...
UNTOUCHABLE, UNSTOPPABLE, AND INCOMPARABLE...
P.S. And by the gods help me when book three, THE BEAUTY OF DARKNESS releases!!! OMG, I am going to shatter into a million pieces when that LONG, TORTUROUS, wait finally puts that EPIC book in my needy little hands!! Come on Pearson, give us that EXPLOSIVE ending that we're all craving!! So yeah, I think it's safe to say I absolutely loved this book,
SO FREAKING HARD!!!! ;)
NOTE: I received a physical ARC from Henry Holt (Macmillan) for reviewing purposes! All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way!
4.5 BONE HEARTS
Mary E. Pearson is the award-winning author of The Jenna Fox Chronicles, The Miles Between, A Room on Lorelei, and Scribbler of Dreams. She writes full-time from her home office in California where she lives with her husband and two golden retrievers.
