It’s time for the sequel! Remember reading The Betrothed by Kiera Cass and being irritated you didn’t have the sequel handy? How do you feel now after reading The Betrayed? It didn’t let us down… and we are confident you feel the same. 

This isn’t your typical follow-up—it’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, intrigue, and unexpected twists that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.

Sure, at its core, there’s still plenty of romance—think swoon-worthy kings, star-crossed lovers, and enough heartache to make you reach for the tissues. But, beneath the surface, there’s a whole lot more going on.

As Hollis continues to navigate the complexities of courtly life, she finds herself faced with even tougher decisions and greater challenges. The stakes are higher, the risks are greater, and the consequences more dire than ever before.

After fleeing Coroa and leaving behind the memories of her beloved Silas, Hollis finds herself navigating the unfamiliar territory of Isolte, which is no walk in the park.

The Eastoffe family offers some solace to her weary spirit, but there’s a storm brewing on the horizon. Etan, a brooding cousin with a serious grudge against Coroans, threatens to disrupt the fragile peace she’s found. Talk about adding fuel to the fire!

But, that’s not all—tensions are escalating both at home and across the kingdom of Isolte. The Eastoffes possess the power to overthrow a tyrannical king, and all they need is Hollis’s help to do it. No pressure, right?

As the stakes get higher and the pressure mounts, Hollis finds herself torn between her loyalty to her adopted homeland and the secret longings of her heart. Can she put aside her own desires for the greater good, or will she risk everything for love? It’s a nail-biting question that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.

Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, Hollis discovers a newfound resilience and determination. She’s not about to let anyone or anything stand in the way of what she wants, even if it means going against the expectations of society and the people she loves.

Does The Betrayed get our stamp of approval?

Engaging Plot: Does the book have a compelling storyline that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end? We were not prepared for what was coming. The setup from the previous book in the series left us with so many questions, and Kiera Cass wasted no time giving us answers as well as more curve balls than we could hit. To say the least, if you blinked, you missed something.  

Well-Developed Characters: Are the characters multidimensional, with realistic motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story? Just when you thought you knew the characters, Kiera Cass revealed a different side to them. 

Strong Writing: Is the prose well-crafted, with vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and a consistent narrative voice? Per usual, the writing of Kiera Cass spoke for itself. She is an amazing writer. 

Emotional Impact: Does the book evoke a range of emotions in readers, from laughter and joy to sadness and empathy? There were punches to the gut, giddy laughs, and smiles that crept up to our eyes. We couldn’t make ourselves emotionally unavailable. 

Originality: Does the book bring something fresh and unique to its genre or subject matter, avoiding clichés and predictable plot twists? The spin on the whole royal romance situation was definitely not something we’ve seen before. Kiera Cass really stepped outside of the box to wrap this series up. 

Pacing: Is the pacing of the story appropriate, with a good balance of action, exposition, and character development? With just enough time to catch your breath in between life-changing events, Kiera Cass kept you on the edge of your seat. She didn’t move fast enough to buck you off, but kept the pace pretty quick. 

World-Building: Does the book create a richly imagined world that feels immersive and believable? With every new setting Kiera Cass introduces, we have a new place to fantasize about.

Theme and Message: Does the book explore meaningful themes and deliver a message that resonates with readers?. Stick to your guns, know your worth, love will prevail – the list could go on and on. Hollis was a very strong female protagonist with plenty of lessons to learn. 

Resolution: Does the book provide a satisfying resolution to its central conflicts and story arcs? Though part of the ending was predictable, part of it was not. We were pleasantly surprised. 

Overall Enjoyment: Most importantly, did we enjoy the book? This book was a great ending to the series and we definitely enjoyed reading it. While some say this series isn’t as good as others Kiera Cass has written, we beg to differ and encourage you to read it for yourself. 

Have you read The Betrayed yet?

If you’ve read The Betrayed, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read it yet, are you going to?