Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won’t stop her from being drawn back into her father’s palace politics. He’s the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well — and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what — and who — it is they’re fighting for.
Description taken from Goodreads.
So excited that Jennifer Nielsen is coming out with a new series! I can’t wait for you all to read it. I’ve been a fan of her work since her debut novel The False Prince, which was one of my favorite books as a middle-grader, and I’m honored by the opportunity to be a part of introducing The Traitor’s Game.
This book is pitched as YA fantasy, but I found that I liked it more as a gateway novel into YA lit than a straight up-and-down YA high fantasy. I was a MG reviewer for a little over three years, and during that time, it was difficult to find books that strike the perfect mix between the two genres. The False Prince was one perfect example of one, and so is The Traitor’s Game.
I was quickly drawn into the pacing of the story. It starts out with a kidnapping and takes off running from there. Every part of the story moves quickly, from the romance to the action, and I loved diving into every part of the novel.
Kestra’s a tough, complex heroine, and the conflict that Simon faced was clear without being overwhelming.
The real start of The Traitor’s Game is the incredible plot. Nielsen has a knack for creating intricate yet seamless plot-lines, and there were several unexpected twists and turns to the story. By the end, I was left wanting more, and I’m excited to see what the rest of this series has to offer.
Overall, I’d recommend this book for middle-grade readers looking to get into YA and fans of Nielsen’s other books.
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