The deceiver's heart

In the opening of this middle book in the Traitor's Game trilogy, Kestra, the Infidante, confronts the megalomaniacal Lord Endrick but fails to kill him. Instead, he replaces her memories and charges Kestra with destroying the Corak rebellion. The rebels rescue Kestra when they see the plan has failed, but she acts as if they are strangers abducting her; worse, if Endrick's magic can't be reversed, a new Infidante can only be chosen if Kestra dies. Simon, her star-crossed lover, is naturally against this. While the Coraks bicker, the Halderians and Brillians, both uneasy allies, implement their own secret plans. The memory wipe keeps Kestra frustratingly devoid of agency for much of the book, and readers invested in her relationship with Simon will need patience, for he spends much of his time pining. The convoluted political maneuvering is compelling, with bloody results, and while Kestra's memory problem is solved, the result leaves her forever changed and in even more danger. Though uneven, this is an angsty, high-stakes setup for the final volume.--Krista Hutley Copyright 2018 Booklist

Afflicted by magic, a young woman is not quite herselfand is unsure of who she wants to become.Sixteen-year-old Kestra Dallisor returns to the royal Antoran court, now (reluctantly) the Infidante: the prophesized wielder of the Olden Blade, potential destroyer of evil Lord Endrick, and thus, savior of the Banished (Halderian) people. When an assassination attempt goes awry, Lord Endrickthe Dominion leader and last known Endrean magic usermeddles with her memories and remakes her into an obedient Ironheart. Uncertain of her loyalties and love interests, Kestra must decide if she will rejoin the Corack rebels or rekindle her relationship with Simon Hatch, once a servant and now revealed as the Halderian heir. Repetitive political machinations, melodramatic lovers' miscommunications, explosion-filled action sequences, and requisite romantic triangles ensue. Unaffected by the magic, co-narrator Simon provides a more logical perspective and linear counternarrative, but amnesia essentially (frustratingly) resets Kestra's journey. Nielsen's (Resistance, 2018, etc.) generic fantasy settingpre-industrial (barring the evildoers' tech), vaguely Northern Europeanunevenly explained magic, and obligatorily odd fantasy beasts are standard, stale fare. Kestra and Simon are presumably white.A serviceable sequel that establishes obstacles for the young lovers to overcome in the next installment but contributes little else. (Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

I lowered my head and redoubled my grip on the Olden Blade. Endrick's footsteps were behind me and coming closer. It felt like he was deliberately walking slowly, drawing out the torture. Maybe he was. Finally, I sensed his presence behind me, like a corporeal shadow, like he was death itself. He raised his hand to part my hair, seeking a solid grip on my neck, but as he did, I leapt to my feet, swinging around with the blade and leaving a deep cut in his side. "No!" Now Sir Henry was rushing down the steps, his sword already out. I swung back in the opposite direction, this time with a much better aim. I started to bring the blade down on Endrick's chest, but he grabbed my arm, using the grip glove to send a wave of pain through me. Had he not been injured, that pulse of magic probably would have stopped my heart. I fell to the ground, gasping with breath. Endrick stood over me, clutching his wound and shouting, "A Dallisor child is the Infidante? Where did you find that blade?" I couldn't speak, couldn't form words, but I stumbled to my feet, trying to put any distance between us. Sir Henry tried to dart forward, but Endrick raised a hand, motioning him back. "It doesn't matter where I found it," I said. "It's mine, and I will kill you with it." Excerpted from The Deceiver's Heart 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.