Alyson Santos

To be honest, this book was gifted to me by a book friend. She absolutely loved it and thought I would enjoy it. In the vein of review honest, based on the blurb I would have never one clicked for myself. But, never to turn a trusted book friends recommendation to the pile of every growing "I'll get around to reading it" pile and based on the positive reviews I saw, I gave it a read. This is going to be one of those: in defense of rather than fangirling love reviews I do. In the plethora of 5 star reviews from my book friends, I feel like I'm swimming in the sea of "not for me" and need to defend my (lack of) stars. I'll try this without spoilers...

The main subject matter deals with depression, suicide and grief. This is my real life. When I read, I choose to escape - not rehash my day to day. In addition working in mental health treatment, I struggled with some of the storyline. Let's end that here and just chalk this up to separating reality from fiction is what I prefer.

It's got some romance and the introduction of a triangle with the addition of Casey. Or not? I felt that Casey was treated as a secondary but acted like primary and maybe he's there to muddy the feelings waters or not. I dunno. I felt like Casey grew important but rather overshadowed and confused his place for me in Luke and Callie's character arcs.

Lastly, I lost interest at the last third of the novel. The author is a talented musician who shares this gift with both the music and book world. Her love of music spilled over into this novel. Although interesting at first, it got too technical for me to enjoy. I started to skim...which is a sign for me that the book has lost my interest.

Now, let's end on a positive: What did I enjoy? I like watching Luke and Callie's unlikely friendship unfold at the diner of all places. Watching Callie not take no for an answer and peel back Luke's layers was interesting to watch.

What do I think of her writing and storytelling skills? As this is a debut in contemporary fiction genre, she shows promise. Not all debut authors 'hit a home run' first time up to bat with everyone. Would I be willing to read Ms. Santos again if the novel's blurb is something I know I'll enjoy? Yes of course. She has talent for storytelling. Just this one wasn't necessarily for me. So chalk up the star rating based on my personal preference and not where the author was lacking.

So recommendation? That's the hard part. If the world had 'do overs', I wouldn't pick it nor will I re-read it. But go out and read some of the 5 and 4 star reviews. Weigh them carefully and decide if this story is for you.


… (lisätietoja)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-6/6/18

This was such an unexpected little gem; so emotive and heart-wrenching in its brutality.
But also strangely uplifting and profound at the same time.
I felt so connected to the storyline and its characters here and this was one read that definitely snuck up on me in stealth mode; catching me completely unawares with its rawness and individuality.
From the second of starting this, I was ever so intrigued; The tale told here was so unique and so different it was in a genre all of its own class and I found myself struggling to classify this as it crossed so many lines with its profound message and agenda.
A real standout story that captured my attention with its ultimate distinctiveness.
"Traitor" in its first half almost seemed to rely more on the sentiment and simple interactions between Kaleb and Andie than any shock tactics to hook and draw in its reader and that was a real plus point for me.
Maybe that’s why in the second half the sheer brutality portrayed was such a contrast; it really reflected back the almost simplistic beginning here when placed and held up against such utter savagery as we encountered in “The prisoner” chapters; truly shocking.
The prose used here was so good Building anticipation and a sense of almost injustice against this post-apocalyptic waste-ground.
There was such originality in the way this story unfolded; Its a tale of two halves and though told in dual POV rather than it being alternate chapters; which is the usual norm; this book is split down the centre; with Andie's perspective first; closely followed by Kaleb's.
And rather than chapters dedicated to the build-up in Kaleb and Andie's relationship; what we get is a series of flashbacks to more closely explain how there deep and profound connection ultimately developed.
This was such an original way of narrating and one I really adored.
The author doesn't go into great back detail; it is assumed that the reader is somewhat aware of previous past endeavours; I found that this was not a great issue as the story is somewhat self-explanatory and so easy to follow along with.
As I mentioned previously; this has a sort of dystopian apocalyptic feel to it; A civil war rages across all fronts and our two main characters both seem to have there own personal roles to play.
This is almost a love across the barricades romance; one where you are forced to pick a faction but where both are equally abhorrent in their ultimate behaviour and intention; both sides guilty; nether innocent; both awash in shades of grey; is the real sense you take away from this touching poignant tale.
In fact, its poor Kaleb who gets caught in this crossfire who is the ultimate victim here; a pawn in this stalemate of wills and at the mercy and whims of powerful individuals; it's truly heartbreaking to witness the extent of his suffering at the hands of a monster.
I could have wept rivers of pain for his agony, torment and terror.
How much misery and despair he must have endured internally to swallow his pride and beg for mercy in the way he did; truly tragic and dehumanising; a casualty of war not of his making.
But we also get to experience the other side of the coin; how just when you think life cant give you any more surprises it throws you curveballs.
That hope is not lost and people can still amaze you with there ingrained humanity.
Ultimately what I took away from this was a profound sense of faith and that even in the dark there can be a glimmer of light; for Kaleb, that is Andie she is his very beacon of hope.
Loved the ending here; I was worried for a second; so was so pleased to not have my expectations dashed just for cruel shock value ; It was a bit of a phew moment for me there.
This was my first book by this author but so won't be my last; I cant recommend this read enough; this is fiction at its best outstanding.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Traitor (Twisted Fate, #1) " of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com… (lisätietoja)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-6/6/18

This was such an unexpected little gem; so emotive and heart-wrenching in its brutality.
But also strangely uplifting and profound at the same time.
I felt so connected to the storyline and its characters here and this was one read that definitely snuck up on me in stealth mode; catching me completely unawares with its rawness and individuality.
From the second of starting this, I was ever so intrigued; The tale told here was so unique and so different it was in a genre all of its own class and I found myself struggling to classify this as it crossed so many lines with its profound message and agenda.
A real standout story that captured my attention with its ultimate distinctiveness.
"Traitor" in its first half almost seemed to rely more on the sentiment and simple interactions between Kaleb and Andie than any shock tactics to hook and draw in its reader and that was a real plus point for me.
Maybe that’s why in the second half the sheer brutality portrayed was such a contrast; it really reflected back the almost simplistic beginning here when placed and held up against such utter savagery as we encountered in “The prisoner” chapters; truly shocking.
The prose used here was so good Building anticipation and a sense of almost injustice against this post-apocalyptic waste-ground.
There was such originality in the way this story unfolded; Its a tale of two halves and though told in dual POV rather than it being alternate chapters; which is the usual norm; this book is split down the centre; with Andie's perspective first; closely followed by Kaleb's.
And rather than chapters dedicated to the build-up in Kaleb and Andie's relationship; what we get is a series of flashbacks to more closely explain how there deep and profound connection ultimately developed.
This was such an original way of narrating and one I really adored.
The author doesn't go into great back detail; it is assumed that the reader is somewhat aware of previous past endeavours; I found that this was not a great issue as the story is somewhat self-explanatory and so easy to follow along with.
As I mentioned previously; this has a sort of dystopian apocalyptic feel to it; A civil war rages across all fronts and our two main characters both seem to have there own personal roles to play.
This is almost a love across the barricades romance; one where you are forced to pick a faction but where both are equally abhorrent in their ultimate behaviour and intention; both sides guilty; nether innocent; both awash in shades of grey; is the real sense you take away from this touching poignant tale.
In fact, its poor Kaleb who gets caught in this crossfire who is the ultimate victim here; a pawn in this stalemate of wills and at the mercy and whims of powerful individuals; it's truly heartbreaking to witness the extent of his suffering at the hands of a monster.
I could have wept rivers of pain for his agony, torment and terror.
How much misery and despair he must have endured internally to swallow his pride and beg for mercy in the way he did; truly tragic and dehumanising; a casualty of war not of his making.
But we also get to experience the other side of the coin; how just when you think life cant give you any more surprises it throws you curveballs.
That hope is not lost and people can still amaze you with there ingrained humanity.
Ultimately what I took away from this was a profound sense of faith and that even in the dark there can be a glimmer of light; for Kaleb, that is Andie she is his very beacon of hope.
Loved the ending here; I was worried for a second; so was so pleased to not have my expectations dashed just for cruel shock value ; It was a bit of a phew moment for me there.
This was my first book by this author but so won't be my last; I cant recommend this read enough; this is fiction at its best outstanding.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Traitor (Twisted Fate, #1) " of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com… (lisätietoja)