This book review contains spoilers for The Betrothed!
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Betrothed
Audience: YA
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Synopsis
Can you follow your heart when it’s already broken?
After fleeing Coroa and leaving the memory of her beloved Silas behind, Hollis is unsteadily adjusting to life in Isolte. The Eastoffe family’s affection is a balm on her weary spirit, though Etan, a surly cousin with a deep distaste for Coroans, threatens to upset the uneasy peace she’s found.
While tensions at home ratchet up, disquiet in the kingdom of Isolte is reaching a fever pitch. The Eastoffes may have the power to unseat a tyrannical king—but only with Hollis’s help.
Can a girl who’s lost it all put the fate of her adopted homeland over the secret longings of her heart?
Plot / Storyline
The betrayed begins where The betrothed has ended. Hollis, along with the Eastoffe women, leaves Coroa and travels to Isolte. Etan, Silas’ nephew, accompanies them. Hollis tries adapt to her new life once she’s in Isolte. However, it’s not that easy as she hoped it would be.
Writing Style
The story is told through Hollis’s eyes and is easy to read. No complex words are used. Hollis is less critical than in the first book. You can see from that that she has grown a bit as a person.
Characters
Hollis Brite
Hollis is the main character of this book. She’s now a widow because her husband, Silas, was murdered shortly after the wedding along with the other men of the Eastoffe line.
Jameson Barclay
Jameson is the king. After Hollis rejected him, he apparently became insane.
Delia Grace
Delia Grace was Hollis’ best friend but immediately took her place when her friend turned down Jameson.
Etan Northcott
Ethan is the cousin of Hollis’ late husband, Silas. He protects the Eastoffes as they travel back to Isolte.
Scarlet
Scarlet is Silas’ sister and a good friend of Hollis.
Romance
In the beginning it is mainly about mourning for Silas, but later there is some romance again. Is there hope for Hollis after all?
What I liked the most
It’s only a short moment but I really liked the scene where Hollis described her dream castle. She regains her enthusiasm. I could really imagine that castle. I would also like to live in the castle…
Conclusion
Best of YA books was kind enough to send me a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I must say, in the beginning I found the book a bit slow and therefore it pulled me a little less than the Betrothed, but of course I kept reading! Eventually the ball started to roll and it slowly became more difficult to put the book down. Hollis is gradually becoming more confident and that personality growth is nice to see. I also think there is a lot more action in this book than in the first book. There is some humor in the book to make it a little more lighthearted.
Hollis makes a long journey from The Betrothed to the end of The Betrayed and learns how high the price of love can be sometimes.
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