The traitor's game

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Kestra Dallisor is the defiant 16-year-old daughter of Sir Henry Dallisor, chief counsel to Antora's evil and possibly immortal ruler, Lord Endrick. Kestra is returning home following a three-year exile when Corack rebels ambush her carriage. Her attackers kidnap and threaten to kill Kestra's driver and handmaid unless she smuggles two insurgents, Simon and Trina, into Sir Henry's estate and helps them find the Olden Blade. The Blade is purportedly the only weapon capable of killing Lord Endrick, and it's rumored to be hidden in the Dallisor dungeons. Kestra only cooperates because she must, but the longer she spends in the Coracks' company, the more she questions what she knows about her kingdom, her family, and herself. First in a trilogy, this entertaining but uneven fantasy novel from Nielsen (the Mark of the Thief trilogy) advocates tolerance while championing female self-empowerment. Kestra and Simon's alternating narratives are engaging and distinctive, but although Nielsen's characters harbor plenty of secrets, they are somewhat one-dimensional, reducing the emotional impact of an otherwise action-packed, romance-laden tale. Ages 12-up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 6-8-The world has been engulfed in perpetual war. Kestra, the daughter of the emperorlike leader of the Dominion, is blackmailed into stealing a powerful artifact called the Olden Blade which can tilt the balance of power in the region. Between the onslaught of warring tribes and ever-changing loyalties, the book is replete with tense moments that propel the story forward. Nielsen does a masterful job keeping readers off guard while tightening the screws of tension throughout, satisfying even the most reluctant readers. The dialogue can read dry at times, but the plot-based twists and turns more than make up for it. An otherworldly story with a side of fantasy on the surface, the setup and struggle feels universal. Small plot reveals are meted out every few scenes to keep teens intrigued and thirsting for more. This is clearly the first of a series, as the ending is just the reckoning that some much larger battle is at hand. VERDICT A competent addition to any middle school library, especially where there are fans of Cassandra Clare and Suzanne Collins.-Brian Hoff, Elmwood Park High School, IL © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

Kestra Dallisor, daughter of the ruling class of Antora, is kidnapped by rebel Coracks and forced to betray her family by finding the mythological Olden Blade to kill evil usurper Lord Endrick. She's accompanied by childhood friend Simon (who splits narrative duties with her) and obstinate, mysterious Trina; obstacles threaten their lives, test their uneasy alliance, and reveal numerous secrets. Plot twists and turns make this fantasy trilogy-opener compelling reading. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A rebellious lady fends off and flirts with actual rebels in this series starter.Recalled after three years of desert exile, 16-year-old white Kestra Dallisor is kidnappedyet againby Corack rebels while en route. Blackmailed and released to the wary supervision of former servant Simon Hatch and erratic Trina, Kestra returns home with a mission: find a book, find a blade, and help overthrow the evil Lord Endrick, last of the Endrean magic users, leader of the Dominion and ruthless ruler of Antora. Predictably, the headstrong, now-lethal lady's homecoming is complicated by an aloof father, upper-class expectations, and an unwanted suitor. Not as kick-butt as Katniss, Kestra is nevertheless disturbingly accustomed to violence, as are her fellow characters, with some scenes verging on Tarantino territory. Alternating narrators Kestra and Simon brim with righteous indignation and rigid views, spouting polarized political propaganda until their shared past and star-crossed passion make them question everything. Front-loaded with worldbuilding and evidently lacking characters of color, the mostly medieval, somewhat fantasy tale ricochets among underdog rebellion, improbable heist, and torrid, florid, forbidden romance. Nielsen's fans will eagerly anticipate sequels, but newcomers may find this first entry too little different from others in the genre to persist. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Like everyone in Antora, I feared Lord Endrick, but I'd be a fool not to respect his power. Lord Endrick could not be defeated. He could not be killed or even wounded, certainly not by the Coracks. At best, they were like fleas to him, a persistent irritation, but a pestilence he would eventually crush between his fingers. Sooner than later, I hoped. "Endrick is no ordinary man," I said. "Bring an army of a hundred thousand against him if you want. It will do you no good." "Not yet, my lady. That's where you come in." Almost unwittingly, I sat up straight, shaking my head as fiercely as possible. "What you want cannot be done." Tenger leaned in to me. "It will be done, and you will do it. The Coracks have not yet decided who will replace Endrick as ruler of the Scarlet Throne, but he will be replaced." "You will hang for this." I tilted my head toward Simon, to be sure the message was clear. "All of you." "So you've said." Tenger had probably heard that threat as often as the church bells chimed. "You'll attend our hanging, I assume." "I'll give the executioner his orders, gladly." My voice became ice. It frightened me to hear it, to realize I was capable of such words. Tenger smiled at my threat. "If you fail us, with similar enthusiasm we will execute your servant girl and driver. Only our methods are far more painful, I can promise you that. Now, what do you know about the Olden Blade?" My gut twisted, but I tried not to let my worry show. If the Coracks knew about that dagger, then they needed my help to complete their wicked plans. They intended to make a traitor of me too. If I was not careful, I would hang with them. Excerpted from The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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