Narilka's Reviews > A Traitor's War

A Traitor's War picks up directly where book one leaves off, dealing with the fallout of events on the Boston docks. Vampire General Chloe Armitage has her own agenda to take over rulership of the Vampire Dominion and the Order's actions are dovetailing nicely into her plan. Anton and Li find refuge with an Order of Thoth team where they continue to train. What no one knows is there is a traitor in their midst, a Red Empire agent who may be what tips the balance of the stalemate for the Metaframe.

This installment is well titled. There is so much betrayal on all sides of what's turning into a highly complicated war. Plots within plots! Who is the Raven? Do they know they're just a pawn and being used by one of the other sides? There are so many splinter factions that it's

The characters are growing on me. Li and Anton are starting to mature, both as people and fighters. Their continued Order training is turning them into a formidable team. I'm quite curious about Li's new "aura" ability and hope it is explored more in the future. Chloe remains as mysterious as ever. I like the two different factions that are starting to emerge in Shadowstone through James Haley and Louise Wesson. Something tells me that Louise will have a bigger role to play as the story progresses. She has potential to be a key ally for the Order if only they knew. I enjoyed getting to know the Mirovar team and having our first look at an Order Loremaster with Juliette. I have no doubt the friendships Anton is starting to forge will serve him well in the fights to come. The insight into Cornelius Crane's background and unique ability are frightening. Luckily it seems to have a limit to it or he'd definitely be ruling the world already.

Once again the story builds up to an exciting climax, one that is breathless with the action and left me wanting more immediately. The authors writing also continues to improve as many of the odd punctuation is gone and the dialog has smoothed out.