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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Patchy but interesting idea, February 28, 2008
This review is from: Betrayed (Mass Market Paperback)
What if a curse, by a slighted woman, affected someone's life over a thousand years? This story explores how the lives of a particular woman, who is reborn each century, are entwined with that of a man who has been cursed and is now a statue. Each lifetime Kalyss slowly begins to 'remember' about her history, her former life with Dreux, the man she married and spent one night with before the curse caught up with him. And each lifetime Dreux's half brother Kai has to kill Kalyss to prevent her from rescuing Dreux from his stony state, the man that Kai believes is a murderer. Kalyss has the help of Geoffrey, the man who originally betrayed Dreux to Kai and who has been trying to make up for it for almost a thousand lifetimes. The story is told with various flashbacks, mostly to the time that Kalyss (then called Kynedrithe) and Dreux first met, but also to other times when Kalyss was killed by Kai. The main part of the story is set in 2004 where Kalyss is recovering from an abusive marriage and has learned self-defence and become a stronger person than in her previous nine lives. However, in order to gather that strength she has sworn off romantic love, instead feeling a strong brotherly bond with her friend Alex. When her memories of Dreux start to reappear, as they do at some point each lifetime, she has a chance to deal differently with the situation because of her changed nature. However this time Geoffrey has set things in motion so that Dreux is rescued from his statue state and is a living, breathing man again. Dreux and Kalyss have to try to rescue Alex and Geoffrey who are kidnapped by Kai but also to learn about each other and to understand how they are both different from the couple that married almost a thousand years before. The story is rather patchy with some really good parts but other parts that dragged, particularly the beginning. The writing style was good, the characterisation believable (although Dreux was possibly a bit too good to be true) and the setting well described. The flashbacks worked quite well and enabled the author to gradually reveal parts of the plot to the reader as the story progressed. There were some additional characters, including some angels, which were perhaps a bit overcomplicated but overall the story was well told. It's certainly an original idea for a book although I sometimes felt the attempted marriage of reincarnation, the Christian God, angels, curses and undying people didn't quite all fit together. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2008
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7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques, January 1, 2008
This review is from: Betrayed (Mass Market Paperback)
For hundreds of years, they have repeated the same pattern. Kalyss is reborn and, aided by the trusty Geoffrey, attempts to restore her lost love to life. Trapped in stone, Dreux has watched, helpless, as the love of his life is murdered again and again. But this time the cycle has changed, and the differences may mean success for our heroic couple. It must, else all they've fought for is lost forever. Newcomer Jamie Leigh Hansen tackles a complex and intriguing story in her first published novel, Betrayed, proving she has the mettle for a career in the writing arena. Ably crafting a fascinating tale that spanning a full millennium, the author never loses the reader, even with numerous flashbacks interjected throughout the story. Indeed, the way these flashbacks are strategically placed keeps the suspense high as the story unfolds. In Kalyss, Ms. Hansen creates a heroine who is powerful in her own right, both of spirit and body. Although she certainly has help from her companions and hero at times, Kalyss is fully capable of defending herself and is never hesitant to come to the aid of another. She is truly a woman to be admired, and it is no wonder that our hero falls passionately in love with her. Dreux is the stuff dreams are made of - a hero who is more than willing to protect those he loves, but is quick to recognize when his heroine needs to do for herself. His unending patience and consideration for Kalyss will melt the readers' hearts, if his absolute hunkiness doesn't get them first! Jamie Leigh Hansen should be proud of her first book. Betrayed is a story of love, forgiveness, and loyalty that will be certain to have her readers eagerly awaiting her next release!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome as a debut novel...Must buy and read the same night, February 10, 2008
This review is from: Betrayed (Mass Market Paperback)
Wow! I initially picked up the book because of Christine Feehan's endorsement on the cover and then read the back and thought I would give it a try. Boy am I glad that I did. The book is very creative and wonderful. It is a book that you can't put down and you get lost in it (in a good way). I am glad to read in another review that a sequel is coming next and hope she continues to write the same. I am interested in how the light and the dark angels will "continue" to overcome the bad angel that is now awake. Please keep it up. I loved the whole story-line, very original. Thanks!
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