The Traitor’s Game (The Traitor’s Game, Book 1) by Jennifer A Neilson

The Kingdom of Antora has been taken over by Lord Endrick, a self proclaimed king, Lord of the Dominion, who leads with an iron fist with the magic stolen from the Endorians who he conquered (along with the Halderians) in the war which won him the throne. The Dallisors, the rightful rulers, bow down to the power of their Lord, with Henry Dallisor, Endrick’s enforcer, responsible for much of the devastation placed upon the people of the kingdom who are now basically slaves to the whims of this evil overlord. Anyone who dares to complain is swiftly “taken care of” since the common townsfolk are considered expendable often rounded up with the rebels and executed for crimes they did not commit. The Coracks are waiting in the wings, ready for their chance to overthrow the government and the Halderons are keeping their heads down trying to stay out of trouble, although a few have their eye on the prize. The various factions distrust one another and it’s every man for himself. Unfortunately, all the Endorians have been wiped out by Lord Endrick, but if any were still left their lives would be in danger since their kind are hated by everyone for the evilness inherent in their magical powers.

Enter Kestra, daughter of Henry Dallisor, who has been sequestered for three years in Lava Fields after an unsuccessful kidnapping attempt by the Halderians. The event, however, has left her scarred, so her protector, Darrow, has taught her some battle moves, including how to wield a knife. When out of the blue her father sends the Dominion Soldiers to bring her home, Kestra is able to use her survival skills when her carriage is waylaid by the Coracks, but she is forced to give herself up in order to save the lives of Darrow and her lady’s maid, Celia.

Grey Tenger, the leader of Corack rebels, has a task in mind that Kestra is uniquely able to accomplish – finding the Olden Blade, the only weapon which can destroy the immortal king. This mythical object is supposedly hidden in her castle home and she has four days to find it or forfeit the lives of her “friends”. Accompanied by Simon and Trina, disguised as her protector and lady’s maid, they are there to make sure the job gets done. Yet when she arrives “home” she discovers her father has plans for her which threaten to interfere with her stated mission. Lord Endrick also plays a role in determining her future, although from the looks of things she, too, has become expendable in the vast intrigue of palace politics.

The plot of The Traitor’s Game is a YA Fantasy which advances via the points of view of both Krestrel and Simon. The two teenagers have somewhat of a past, since Simon. served as one of her slaves when they were young, but through a series of unpleasant events, he was able to gain his freedom. Their parting left an unpleasant taste in both their mouths, but their close proximity in some fretful situations has softened their mutual feelings of hatred leading to some romantic interludes as their mission progresses. Kestrel is headstrong, acting out without thought to the consequences which sometimes are quite swift and severe. Simon is conflicted, trying to remain loyal to the cause but questioning how he can protect Kestra while staying true to his oath of fealty. Trina, also a teen, is thoughtless and careless, but her determination to succeed at any cost makes her a worthy adversary. All three have daddy issues and each has their own agenda resulting in twists and turns as they move towards their mutual goal.

I thought this was, for the most part, a fast paced story with lots of action and unexpected detours. I didn’t mind the romance (a few kisses) since the two seventeen year olds were in a life and death situation which heightened their emotions, plus they were probably hormonal. The author, Jennifer A Neilson, took her time getting to the climax and, with only thirty pages left, I was afraid there would be no resolution at all, just a cliff hanger to be taken up in book two of the Traitor’s Game series (aptly named because everyone seems to turn on each other whenever it seems expedient). However, there was a somewhat satisfying ending which, although a little rushed and a bit confusing, was mostly unexpected.

I liked it! Four stars and a thank you to Edelweiss for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shimmer and Burn by Mary Taranta

You might have seen these fantasy themes before: An overpopulated community stuck within the confines of a certain set of boundaries due to the threat of a plague which has destroyed the outside world with the home-bound population being controlled by magic and death/execution – a common occurrence meant to keep everyone in line. In Shimmer and Burn by Mary Taranta, that’s not enough, the King requires an obedience bond between himself and his subjects, administered when they become “adults”. Thus our rebels are teenagers who know there is something out there worth risking everything, even their lives, to discover.

Of course, each has their own motivations. Faris Locke originally wanted a better life than one of eking out an existence in the Brim, a slum like community, but now she is forced to fight her way to the prize to save her sister from being used as a drone at the workhouse. Princess Bryn is determined to be Queen of Brindaigel, so she magically binds Feris to her as a servant to not only protect, but to serve as a virtual “whipping boy” who absorbs any pain the princess experiences (even if maliciously self-inflicted). Upon entering the forbidden Avinea they immediately get captured, but are rescued by North, a nomadic magician who wants to free his beloved homeland from the deadly sickness which is creeping throughout the kingdom.

I’m thinking this book should be included under the Steampunk Category. This is a YA fantasy novel full of intrigue, violence, greed/self interests, and a bit of romance, all entangled with the power of magic which can both protect and destroy. While the premise has a few twists using this common theme, the concept is muddled enough to require a bit of an explanation instead of simply leaking details on the fly as the plot unfolds. After a few attempts, I gave up trying to make sense of events by rereading passages which leave out the clues necessary to provide any cohesiveness. While the characters are intriguing, there are so many secrets and scams, it is easy to get confused about their motivations. These young people all have complicated relationships with their parents, most of whom are out of the picture for one reason or another, but who influence their actions, which makes discovering who’s who and what’s what requiring the skills of a detective.

However, the book is readable if unpredictable (for various reasons), just don’t expect a definitive conclusion as the ending is a cliff hanger leading to book 2 of the series. Three stars.

A thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Betsy Cornwell was born in New Hampshire, but currently resides overseas with her horse-trainer husband, and it’s the mystique of Ireland which has infiltrated the fanciful tale called Mechanica. At twenty seven, Cornwell has not forgotten her childhood, as she embues life into her youthful characters. Mechanica is Nicolette Delacourt Lampton’s story beginning in her early years when she is trained by her engineering mother instead of being forced into the traditional schooling of her peers. At a young age she is able to repair the fanciful creations of her mom, Margot, which her father, William, sells at an exhorbitant price to the curious. You see, her mom has magic in her touch, faerie magic, which makes her creations of delightful, winged insects come alive. Ironically, it is the fey croup which eventually kills her, the one whose only cure is the forbidden Lovesbane. After the Queen’s death from an overdose of this medication (more than a few drops is fatal), magic was banished from the realm. William, swayed by the hysteria, rejects all things fey and refuses to purchase this expensive item from the black market as he helplessly watches his wife die. The nine year old Nicolette is devastated by this loss, but continues to practice the craft her mother had taught her under the supervision of Mr Candery, the half faerie housekeeper/nursemaid, until the day her father brings home a new wife, Lady Halving, and her two beautiful daughters, Piety and Chastity, to Lampton Manor. Nicolette’s excitement on acquiring two playmates quality dissipates as her step sisters immediately show their scorn at her attempts at welcome and decide to mockingly refer to her as Nick. While out of town peddling his wares, her father is caught in the beginning hostilities between fey and man, becoming one of the first casualties of the banishment of faerie life. At the age of ten, Nicolette finds her life totally transformed with the immediate dismissal of the only link to her past, Mr Candery, and her new job title of household servant. Run ragged by her step family, her chores are made easier by the bits of magic left behind by the kindly Candery as well as various household cleaning inventions which lighten the load. On her sixteenth birthday, Nick mysteriously finds a letter from her mom leading her to a secret workshop containing her mother’s fanciful creations. Back in her element, Nick practices her craft and begins to design new creations with the help of Jules, a tiny intelligent mechanical horse who organizes the others to help his new mistress in her numerous chores, including the sewing of the many outfits demanded by her greedy and vain stepsisters. When news of a ball is announced, they both must have new, stunning ball gowns just in case they get to meet the secluded, closely guarded Heir. Nick is more concerned about the Inventor’s Exposition, a sort of invention convention, to be held the following day. Here is her opportunity to break free of life under “The Steps” and set up her own business, if she could only find a likely sponsor interested in backing her designs.

As you might have guessed, this story is a unique twist on the Cinderella tale. While there is no fairy godmother, there is the magical Jules and the talented and resourceful Nicolette who has her own magic touch. With the help from her dwindling storehouse of fey “magic dust” and a couple of secret friends, Nick sets out to accomplish her goals of independence.

Utilizing elements of steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction (which in this instance tweaks 19th century technology with elements of Victorianesque society sprinkled with bits of fantasy), Cornwell has created a unique world complete with a struggle for power where nothing is what it seems. Some of the twists and turns are obvious while others are a surprise. The ending leaves wiggle room for a sequel as the threat of an all out war between the fey and the kingdom looms on the horizon. Beautifully written, the reader has been transported to this wonderland which casts a spell on all who enter. Fascinating more for the setting than the plot, the tale is told in exquisite detail, although the ending feels a little rushed and confusing and the two mysterious friends could use some additional fleshing out. In spite of the possible comparisons to Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, Mechanica readily stands on its own merit. Four stars.

An electronic copy of this book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.