The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction I tell you this book lives up to its name. It's damn full of betrayal, and it makes you cry and mourn. Then next, you need to put down the book to get your feels back together. Mainly all of the above happens because this whole thing is a betrayal to readers and maybe even humanity. Yes guys, I'm crying because this book is that terrible. |
Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.
Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.
Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.
I wasn't that big a fan of The Kiss of Deception so starting this book initially, I had no idea what was gonna happen. It can't be that bad right?
Wrong. Reaction after the book:
Please have mercy on my soul.
But to bash it up is kind of crude since I have gained so much insight from this book and have been inspired to write. Here, you can read some of it:
Dummy's Guide For Captives by Lia:
#1 Do not act as if superior: This might lead to you walking around in a scandalous potato sack and you would end up thinking how much your pathetic life sucks. However if you're in the book world, you would be lucky. You might get away with it and appear wise and bold at the same time.
But to bash it up is kind of crude since I have gained so much insight from this book and have been inspired to write. Here, you can read some of it:
Dummy's Guide For Captives by Lia:
#1 Do not act as if superior: This might lead to you walking around in a scandalous potato sack and you would end up thinking how much your pathetic life sucks. However if you're in the book world, you would be lucky. You might get away with it and appear wise and bold at the same time.
"And if you're going to address me with ridicule," I added, "I'll ask that you at least address me correctly, Jezelia. My name is Jezelia." |
My dear, please take a seat.
#2 Do not stare at your conspirer when you have an audience: It might become a little too obvious and hence used against you in future. Lia: I tried my best, but Komizar was too observant.
#2 Do not stare at your conspirer when you have an audience: It might become a little too obvious and hence used against you in future. Lia: I tried my best, but Komizar was too observant.
I wondered how the farmer I had fallen in love with could have so many sides I hadn't known. I watch his lips move, the faint lines fanning out from his eyes when he smiled, the breadth of his shoulders. A prince. How had I not even suspected? I recalled the scowl on his face that first night I serve him at the tavern - the bite of every word he spoke to me. How I left him at the altar.
(Trust me, I had to get through half a page of that several times. It wasn't pretty)
And then the Komizar notices Lia's stare. Lia: OH SHIT! Wait wait, I'm smart right? I can surely pull this off!
And then the Komizar notices Lia's stare. Lia: OH SHIT! Wait wait, I'm smart right? I can surely pull this off!
I pushed back my chair and stood next to Kaden. I lifted my palm to his cheek, then drew his face to mine, kissing him long and passionately. |
I'm sure that was convincing!
#3 Try not to kiss your captor: Or talk to him even. Unless it's a lovely night, then you discuss about your kingdoms, customs and horrible parents together. If you meet a miracle and he takes you around the town, there's no need to take note of the surroundings that might help your escape. And also if there's interesting ruins and tea along the way, just sit down with the person who dragged you to Vendan against your will and have a civil talk about tea leaves together!
#3 Try not to kiss your captor: Or talk to him even. Unless it's a lovely night, then you discuss about your kingdoms, customs and horrible parents together. If you meet a miracle and he takes you around the town, there's no need to take note of the surroundings that might help your escape. And also if there's interesting ruins and tea along the way, just sit down with the person who dragged you to Vendan against your will and have a civil talk about tea leaves together!
#4 Try not to take out your only weapon that might help during your escape when you are pms-ing:Remember only take it out when you feel like slicing off someone's finger, then everything would be worth. It's okay if your only weapon is confiscated and your room will be searched. As long as you manage to look bad ass, it's fine.
#5 Do not show that you know how to use a knife skillfully: This is one thing no one will expect, so keep it to yourself. But if you're pms-ing again and there's a wooden sword, go for it.
#5 Do not show that you know how to use a knife skillfully: This is one thing no one will expect, so keep it to yourself. But if you're pms-ing again and there's a wooden sword, go for it.
"I played with these with my brothers when I was a child." I looked back at him, my jaw set. "Afraid?" |
Assassin? There was an assassin? How is it possible I missed it?
Can you imagine having such an insufferable main character for 470 pages? Before this book, Komizar sounded like a promising character. I envisioned him to be vicious, cunning, unpredictable, brutal. I wish I never thought so. How much smarter can someone Lia defeated be? Answer: He broke the moron-meter scale, together with Lia. Here's a short guide that he probably would have written:
Dummy's Guide for captors
#1 Stay calm and respond coolly: Us captors shall not be easily irritated or infuriated by others.
Can you imagine having such an insufferable main character for 470 pages? Before this book, Komizar sounded like a promising character. I envisioned him to be vicious, cunning, unpredictable, brutal. I wish I never thought so. How much smarter can someone Lia defeated be? Answer: He broke the moron-meter scale, together with Lia. Here's a short guide that he probably would have written:
Dummy's Guide for captors
#1 Stay calm and respond coolly: Us captors shall not be easily irritated or infuriated by others.
"So... you have a tongue after all." |
I'M CALM PEOPLE, I REPEAT, I AM CALM AND NOT ISSUING THREATS THEREAFTER.
#2 Keep pretending to be intimidating so it actually looks good: If you want to threaten a girl: Move closer, whisper into her ear or touch her face and neck, both is fine too. Then, bring her around to witness you slaughtering people and being cruel so you can relish the incredulity on her face and feel for once that you are actually a villain.
#3 Search her things: Basic procedure. Make sure she is actually empty ended. But it's okay, just leave the knife and suspicious-looking, mysterious texts untouched.
#4 Appear wise and know when will there be a need for privacy:
#2 Keep pretending to be intimidating so it actually looks good: If you want to threaten a girl: Move closer, whisper into her ear or touch her face and neck, both is fine too. Then, bring her around to witness you slaughtering people and being cruel so you can relish the incredulity on her face and feel for once that you are actually a villain.
#3 Search her things: Basic procedure. Make sure she is actually empty ended. But it's okay, just leave the knife and suspicious-looking, mysterious texts untouched.
#4 Appear wise and know when will there be a need for privacy:
A small candle lit a table in the center, leaving the rest of the room cast in black. I saw the faint outline of the Komizar sitting in a chair, his boots propped on the table, leisurely watching me as I entered. |
Yeah guys, didn't you read the paper? We hear with our eyes now.
And this guys, should help you write a fast-paced and bad ass story of escaping! But if you're going to write fantasy, here would also be a good platform for inspiration to write riddles that don't make sense so as to pass your world off as a fantasy world. Trust me, it works like magic. Up till now, I have no idea what the bullshit Lia is sprouting everyday and why people like listening to a lunatic giving insight on nonsense.
The Heart of Betrayal is definitely a book I would recommend if you want a good read on how a prince and princess rot away together in a so-called prison. If you need help to get through this faster, well first take up the book. Next, flip to the last chapter. Read from there. You won't be missing out on anything other than new characters as plot device aka useless people.
And this guys, should help you write a fast-paced and bad ass story of escaping! But if you're going to write fantasy, here would also be a good platform for inspiration to write riddles that don't make sense so as to pass your world off as a fantasy world. Trust me, it works like magic. Up till now, I have no idea what the bullshit Lia is sprouting everyday and why people like listening to a lunatic giving insight on nonsense.
The Heart of Betrayal is definitely a book I would recommend if you want a good read on how a prince and princess rot away together in a so-called prison. If you need help to get through this faster, well first take up the book. Next, flip to the last chapter. Read from there. You won't be missing out on anything other than new characters as plot device aka useless people.