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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fabulous Romantic Fantasy!, April 16, 2009
This review is from: The Betrayal (Mass Market Paperback)
With hints of a looming invasion from a clan that was once part of the Aelven and long ago ousted for their vampiric ways, their leader, Shalar is determined to provide survival for her clan with whatever means she can provide. Feeling unjustly persecuted and aiming for revenge, the leader of Clan Darkshore plans an overtaking of the Aelven land her clan once governed.
Eliani is nextkin of her father to govern one of the Aelven lands known as Alpinon. She meets Turisan, the son of another governor from another Aelven land when he travels to honor and witness the ceremony that marks Eliani as nextkin. Learning that she and Turisan have a very special, very rare ability called mindspeech, Eliani is afraid that if she should give in and allow herself to speak with Turisan that she will lose herself, opening herself up to heartache that would far surpass what she has already experienced. Now with the fear of an attack from the Aelvens enemy, the kobalen (an inferior race of beings), and quite possibly the beginning of a new war, Eliani is faced with a decision she is reluctant to make. But if she doesn't choose to mindspeak with Turisan, and accept this ability they now share, she could be making a most grievous error. With the land and its people in turmoil, Eliani and Turisan have the ability to sway things in the favor of the Aelven people.
What an awesome new world to get lost in. Pati Nagle really has a wonderful, vivid, and extremely imaginative creation in The Bertayal and the world of the Aelven. A very well fleshed out story with fantastic world-building. Never that I can recall have I read a book where I felt a strong compassion for the antagonists like I did in this book. Shalar and her people are not evil bent only on destruction and revenge, and I am very intrigued to see how the story further unfolds in future books.
The romance was not a strong one, meaning it was not what drove the plot forward, but it was a fine romance. It was enough that kept me in tune to see how the plot would unfold as well as the relationship between Eliani and Turisan. Being that I primarily read romance, I find it necessary to have it in my reading, and The Betrayal had a very nice, slow building romance that added to the overall plot. I thought this was an amazing first book!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
exciting romantic fantasy, March 29, 2009
This review is from: The Betrayal (Mass Market Paperback)
Eliani's spirit was shattered when her beloved rejected her after their after cup bonding. Despondent and feeling like she wasted a year and a day, Eliani enlists as an Alpinon Guard warrior, one of the most dangerous jobs an aelven can accept as death is a typical outcome but that no longer matters to her. She vows no male will ever get her heart again except her father whom she has become his top aid.
Turisan leaves Glenwhollow feeling upbeat about life as he goes to deliver a message from his father to congratulate the daughter of a family friend on her election as governor. He journeys through the invigorating woodlands but realizes someone is following him, whom he identifies as an Alpinon Guard. However, instead of an assault, he is taken to Hightstone where he receives great honors.
When he and Eliani meet they are not just attracted to one another; they share the legendary mindspeech. Both are appalled and frightened yet euphoric. Neither realizes their paranormal connection as much as their respective heart ties will be the main hope when the outlawed exiled former aelven clan Darkshore led by the bloodsucking Queen Shalr are crossing the Ebon Mountains to reclaim more than their lost status; they come to conquer and dine on the blood of their once allies.
This is an exciting romantic fantasy starring two intriguing protagonists and a solid support cast who add societal depth to the aelven clans or the vampiric alben. The reactions to the mindspeech between Eliani and Turisan are terrific as each covets the link but also fears what is going on. Fans will appreciate Pati Nagle's appropriately titled tale and look forward to me adventures in Alpinon and beyond.
Harriet Klausner
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost better than "Oz!" [ SPOILERS ], May 21, 2009
This review is from: The Betrayal (Mass Market Paperback)
Well most everything has been covered so far, but here are my thoughts: the cover is gorgeous, the back cover intriguing enough to make me buy it and the prose and vivid world Ms. Nagle creates in "The Betrayal" is enchanting!
I do disagree and was somewhat disppointed in the pace and lack of action in places. That is the only thing that I would have rated this 4 1/2 vs. 5* had I been able. And like one reviewer mentioned I was very disappointed to get near the end and realize 'this is NOT the end.' While I read trilogies and series books too, it's nice to be able to pick a book up once in awhile, have a good read... period! I thought that's what I was getting when I picked up "The Betrayal." I even checked the last couple pages of this book before buying, seeing there was no "read on for the next..." so I thought "Yeah!" A good book! Single quick easy read. =(
By the time the next book comes out, sadly, I will have forgotten most of the details of this book. And an interesting question as to the title "The Betrayal" to whom I wonder does it really refer? Shalar who wants retribution for herself and her clan? After all, they supposedly could not help what happened to them and only now are council members beginning to further question, "should we have asked more? Been more understanding or offered more suppport?" And while Shalar is what she is, she does not come across as needlessly cruel, only needlessly surviving.
So could Dareth be the betrayer then? And it is only at this point that Shalar seems to or will turn harder. Kelevon? Whom has already betrayed Eliani, his clan... his loyalty seems to change with the wind.
But thank you so much for not letting "Luruthin" linger in his pain at least! Aside from that, *sigh* well I guess I will to have to wait...for the rest of the story! =)
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