At Montverre, a monasterial academy in an alternate version of 1930s Europe, young men study and train for one purpose: perfection in the grand jeu, a mysterious game that combines maths, music, performance, philosophy, and religious worship. Leo Martin, a former student of Montverre and now a politician in disgrace, has returned as an exile. Back in his old school, he encounters Magister Claire Dryden, Montverre's first woman in a professorial role, and long-hidden truths begin to reveal themselves.

If you loved Bridget Collins's first adult novel, The Binding, chances are you'll love this one as well. Though they're fairly different in plot and genre (don't come in expecting a fantasy novel with magic of the sort used in The Binding), they're stylistically similar, with Collins's ghostly, dreamy, haunting writing working to great effect in this tale of an obscure worship/game/academic form, dark secrets, and the inexorable ruthlessness of looming fascism.

The story has a slow build for the first half of the book, but it's a rich slowness, a slowness to be savoured; it's slow but inevitable, slow but precise, like an avalanche building up from just a little fall of snow. By the time revelations have started to unknot themselves and plot lines begin to come together, like tangled threads unraveling and then being rewoven into a smoothly perfect whole, an exquisite tapestry of despair, the avalanche is devastating and undeniable. This isn't a fast-paced, adventurous, action-oriented book, but rather the compelling, absorbing sketch of characters and world. There is in Collins's writing an inexorable revelatoriness, like the slow untangling of a deep, breathtaking secret, like stars hanging against the black sky on a sharply cold winter night. It's a beautiful and mesmerizing novel, and a deeply moving successor to one of my favorite reads of last year.


CW: Suicide, mental illness, fascism.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advance review copy!

I was a huge fan of The Binding, so I was very excited to get stuck into Bridget Collins’ latest offering. In fact, I requested it without even reading a summary and therefore had no idea what I was getting into.

Montverre is an exclusive academy that only takes on the brightest minds to write and perfect the grand jeu, a complex, enigmatic competition. Fallen politician Léo Martin is a Montverre alumnus but he finds himself back behind its walls, rediscovering his passion for the game. For the first time ever, a woman holds the highest post as Magister Ludi. Claire Dryden bears a striking resemblance to someone from Léo’s past. He’s sure they’ve never met before but something is pulling him closer to her.

Montverre itself is a looming, spectacular sight and almost a character of its own. I could feel all of its history seeping through the walls and I strongly suspect that it holds multiple secrets that weren’t even touched upon in the novel. It’s an institution that has seen generations of triumph, failure, illicit connections and betrayal. You could spend years living there and still not know everything about it and that makes it a truly fascinating entity.

One of its deepest, best kept secrets is the existence of The Rat. I spent such a long time not really knowing who or even what she was and I was in awe of the way that Collins wrote her scenes. Her story is so dark and as more of it came to light, the pieces slowly started to slot together in my mind to create a bleak, shocking picture.

This world is run by an elite patriarchy, so a successful woman is viewed with a lot of suspicion and disdain. Claire has smashed through every single barrier to get to where she is, so that goes some way to ascertaining how talented she is. She has a copy of Léo’s teenage diary and at first, I couldn’t work out why she was so interested in getting into his past other than the possibility that she was feeling some type of way for him. However, her backstory has a huge twist in it and I was completely floored when it was revealed. Everything made sense in the best way and I have to congratulate Collins for slowly revealing it.

The passion and tension between Léo and his rival Aimé Carfax de Courcy is electric. In the diary extracts, we watch them form this intense relationship edged with competitive energy that inevitably morphs into something so sizzlingly sexual. Then we go through again, when Léo realises his connection to Claire. The pace of the writing reflects the racing thoughts and heartbeat and I couldn’t help but be thoroughly Léo, experiencing all of his physiological processes.

We never really find out exactly what the grand jeu is. We can only gingerly place certain pieces of information together and try to figure out what it is. Perhaps it’s different things to different people. Perhaps the grand jeu is a celebration and amalgamation of the finest human creations. Perhaps it’s simply whatever you want it to be. If you can’t stand ambiguity about a vital part of a book’s plot, this book probably isn’t for you because you may find yourself tearing your hair out, trying to work out exactly what this precious ‘game’ actually is!

The author’s note at the end of the book mentions that The Betrayals is inspired by Hermann Hesse’s The Glass Bead Game. I have neither read nor heard of this novel, so of course I didn’t pick up on any of the source material in the book. However, interestingly I did pick up on a couple of Shakespeare parallels. The Tempest is referenced and I couldn’t shake the similarities between The Rat and the story of Caliban. Banished to living a small, squalid existence and hidden from the world, developing animalistic tendencies -this has to be deliberate, right? There is also another Twelfth Night parallel that I won’t talk about here due to spoilers but when you see it, you’ll be shook!

The Betrayals is an intricate, clever book with a vast world that barely gets a look in on the narrative. I’ll admit that I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as The Binding and I’m not entirely sure why that is. The characterisations are just as rich, the plot is just as unique but the world wasn’t quite as absorbing. However, the writing is wonderful, so I’d certainly recommend it if you’re looking for a crazy ride fuelled by a multitude of extraordinary stories.

I can’t express how excited I was to be approved for an early copy of this book. I adored The Bindings, so I was really excited for this to come out. A house move put the brakes on my finishing it before the publication date....

Anyway, this book certainly lives up to The Binding, it’s set in an old academy (I had visions of Eton), where pupils are trained in the Grand Jeu (great game), a blend of music and maths. A ex-pupil is sent back there as punishment for defying the government whilst a minister.

However, things have changed, there is a new headteacher (Magister Ludi), and lies and secrets start to come out.

I loved this book, as with The Binding, there is an atmosphere in this book, I never felt comfortable (if that makes sense), it holds you in its grasp but you never feel secure...there is always a sense of danger...I was quite exhausted by the time I got to the end - in the best way possible.

Absolutely wonderful! My thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the advance copy.

Bridget Collins has such a beautiful and intriguing way of writing that you cannot help be drawn deeply into her stories.

The Betrayals is no different.

Set in mysterious academy called Montverre where people are trained to participate in the mysterious grand jeu. The grand jeu is never really explained in the story but more like it has been eluded to, from what I can understand about it, is that it seems to be a game with many subjects including history, philosophy, maths and music. It’s not for us to know, it only makes sense if you’re a competitor.

The story centres around Léo Martin, a failed politician who has been sent back to Montverre where he was trained to live out his life there in study of the grand jeu. More interesting though, the previously male only position of Magister Ludi is now held by a mysterious woman called Claire Dryden, the only female Magister. I really like Claire’s character but it is clear she is fearful of Léo’s presence and whether it means he has been sent by the government to spy on her and threaten her coveted position as Magister Ludi. Despite this though, the two are drawn to each other.

I loved the ‘are they friends or enemies’ trope with Carfax and Léo and how the events of their relationship had such an impact on Léo and his fear for returning to Montverre.

Another interesting character to mention is the ‘Rat’ who is the first character we meet. An unusual one but provides little tidbits of information and an interesting plot twist.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. it IS a slow burner and admittedly, I do prefer the Binding to the Betrayals but perhaps this book deserves a second read. Much like a film, the second watch you’ll often find things you may have missed out and maybe we’ll have a better chance of understanding the game.

A beautiful book, both inside and out.

The Binding is one of my favourite reads ever so as you can imagine I was very excited to receive The Betrayals. Collins style of writing takes you on a magical journey and you feel like you are in the story with her. This book is beautifully written and so very descriptive however I always felt something was missing story wise. A great mix of characters. Some you will like others you may not!

I enjoyed the read. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Thank you to #Netgalley for an ARC of #TheBetrayals by #BridgetCollins for an honest review.
The Betrayals is set in an unnamed country but to me most likely France in a similar timeframe to the 1930s. The book is set in Montverre a school for the brightest and the best where the leaders of the future learn to play " le grand jeu". Montverre is an ancient school hidebound by traditions and struggling to stay relevant under the new political regime.
The story begins with the return of disgraced ex-Culture Minister Leo Martin, a former Gold Medal winner. 10 years previously Leo was the star of the school with Aime Carfax de Courcey. What happened at end of the summer term 10 years and why does the only female Magister in the school, Claire Dryden seem to hate him? How does the creature Rat who lives in the eaves
feature? All these questions have answers as the book progresses. The narrative flips back and forth to 10 years ago and the present. Leo's fall from grace is also included.
This is a novel which covers many topics and themes. At times gothic at others almost Orwellian.but also about friendship and how the toxic atmosphere of an institution can poison the most genuine of relationships.
The characters are well drawn Rat and her wanderings in the shadow, Leo and his apparent shallowness which turns out to be a mask to allow him to survive in a dangerous world and the guilt he carries for his friend Cardex. Claire and her ability to survive in a male dominated world and the mask she too must wear.
There are so many threads in #TheBetrayals but Bridget Collins could be a champion of "le grand jeu" given the dexterity she shows in bringing her book to a climax at The Midsummer Game where old and new ideologies clash and some characters arise like the Phoenix and others find themselves finished.
The Betrayals combines fantasy, magic, the arcane, gothic symbolism and so much more. I found it to be a novel that kept me reading and trying to figure out what patterns were being designed. The book itself seemed to me to be a template for "le grand jeu", with music, mathematics, physics and meditation all used. Perhaps "le grand jeu" is a metaphor for life? I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

I want to start off by saying thank you to Bridget Collins, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.

This is very hard for me to review as I have no clue what I just read.
There are lots of positive reviews from people who adored this book, I unfortunately just did not vibe with it at all.

Book includes: bisexuality, suicide.

I was very intrigued by the description of this book, but after finishing it, I honestly cannot tell you what it was about.
The story revolves around something called the grand jeu, a mysterious "game" of sorts. They sort of try to explain what it is, but I still don't really understand the point to it or how it is done.
I found myself engrossed in the story but also getting fed up of it.
One thing I love about Bridget's storytelling is her writing, and her first person chapters where some of my favourites.
I felt like there wasn't much of a plot other than 2 people reliving the past after meeting in a common place with lots of personal history. It was definitely character driven which I think is why I had a hard time getting through this 400 page book.
I was not expecting the "plot" twist near the end, but I felt like that was the only thing shocking and "wow" for me.
Some point of views seemed a little.. pointless?
I was really hoping to get more explanation about how the grand jeux are preformed and what their purpose is during the Midsummer Games, but atlas.

I honestly would of DNF this if it wasn't for the fact it was an arc I requested and as I loved Bridget's The Binding.

Thank you again for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I would like to give it another chance in the future so I can better recommend it to readers but it didn’t engage me enough to want to keep going for now.

The Betrayals is an intricately plotted book that confuses and amazes in equal quantities. It is extremely imaginative and could be described as a fantasy, mystery, political allegory with a touch of romance.

Leo Martin, a culture minister in an authoritarian government voices disapproval at fascist bills that are being proposed such as the Heritage Bill to tax books to the hilt and the Purity Bill to remove rights from undesirables such as Christians, communists and the homeless. For voicing decent loses his job as a minister and is sent to Montverre, where he was a former scholar, to feed back information to the government. Montverre a place where the ‘national game’ of Grand Jeu is studied; an elusive game that combines prayer, maths, music and ideas in an atmosphere of meditation, and is taught and overseen by a Magister. We first see Montverre through the eyes of ‘The Rat’ hiding in the shadows and possibly not a rat. Montverre is a male only establishment but by mistake they have appointed Claire Dryden as a Magister. Leo can’t help but notice that Claire looks like his old friend and rival when he was previously studying at Montverre. With the stage set we now settle in to two stories as we learn about Leo’s previous time spent at the college and the current events.

The novel keeps you guessing as what happened in the past and how they affect current events until near the end where there is a very satisfying final twist. Highly entertaining, highly recommended.

Thankyou Netgalley and Harpercollins for the chance to read this book. Not my usual genre but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it took me a while to adapt to reading a new genre once I got into it I sailed through and couldn't put this book down. I had to know how it ended and how certain aspects of the book were relevant as they were revealed. If you are a fan of her debut adult novel The Binding then The Betrayals will not disappoint.

I was unsure what to expect from ‘The Betrayals’ by Bridget Collins as I had previously read her previous novel The Binding and found it hard to get into. Her new book though is very different and I loved it. I don’t think I will ever really understand what a ‘Grand Jeu’ is but regardless I loved the story and the unexpected twist.

Well written but ultimately unsatisfying read.

I’m definitely in the minority here but I just really didn’t enjoy reading this book. I loved the Binding, and this is equally as well written but the storyline and various elements within it just didn’t gel with me. It would have been better if the “grand jeu” was explained abit more at the outset of the Novel.

I’m sure others will love it and I expect it to be a great success, just not for me unfortunately.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K./The Borough for an eARC via NetGalley of the highly anticipated ‘The Betrayals’ by Bridget Collins in exchange for an honest review. I have since ordered its exquisitely bound hardback edition.

‘The grand jeu is worship, isn’t it? One way for humans to approach the divine. Trying to embody truth and beauty. A testament to the grace of God in the minds of men.’ - Carfax de Courcy, ‘The Betrayals.

‘The Betrayals’ is set in the late 1930s primarily at Montverre, a remote university in an unnamed European country, that is dedicated to the study of the grand jeu, an arcane game that brings together elements of music and mathematics.

Léo Martin is a former scholar, who had gone on to be appointed Minister of Culture. However, in his opening chapter he is forced to resign from this position for voicing dissent at the Government’s policies. They ‘suggest’ he return to Montverre to continue to study the national game further.

So Léo is not a happy bunny. On arriving at Montverre he is further disturbed to find that despite it being an all-male institution that a woman, Claire Dryden, has been appointed to serve in the grand jeu’s highest office of Magister Ludi.
When Léo first sees Claire he senses an odd connection with her, though he’s sure they have never met before.

The narrative moves between a number of points of view: there is Léo and Claire, entries from Léo’s
diary from his original time at Montverre, and the occasional chapter by the enigmatic Rat. This last is an odd one though it eventually pays off.

Given that the novel’s Epigraph is a quote from the ‘Glass Bead Game’ by Hermann Hesse, the descriptions of the grand jeu, and the title of Magister Ludi it was obvious that Hesse’s novel had been an important inspiration for ‘The Betrayals’. For many years ‘The Glass Bead Game’ has been a novel that I have wanted to read but felt intimidated by.

Like its inspiration this is a novel rich in ideas and as with her debut adult novel, ‘The Binding’, Collins’ world building is excellent. Collins also confidently combines genres including elements of Gothic mystery, romance, campus novel, fantasy, political dystopia, and literary fiction.

Overall, given its intellectual focus on the elusive grand jeu, and musical and mathematical theory, I found this a somewhat more challenging reading experience than ‘The Binding’, though it was very rewarding and beautifully written. It is a novel that I likely will reread in order to appreciate its multiple layers and subtleties.

I'm so sorry but this one isn't for me. I've tried picking it up a few times but just can't connect with it. I can see the writing is as good as her previous story but something about it isn't grabbing me. I tried getting it as an audiobook as well as sometimes that helps but not in this case. Maybe I'll revisit in future but for now, sadly it will have to be a DNF.

Happy Publication Day 🍂

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC of The Betrayals, the second adult book by Bridget Collins.

This one is a slow burner, so strap yourself in for the long haul, but the ending is so worth it. Set in a mysterious, privileged school (Montverre) that studies the cryptic ‘grand jeu’ which is a game, but isn’t a game, but you play it and basically I’m still no further enlightened on what it is 🤔😂 there are lots of twists and turns to be had. I really liked the way this jumped to different narrators and from the present-day to Leo’s diaries, but a bit of a quicker pace and a greater understanding of the grand jeu earlier on would have made this an even better read for me ✨

Happy pub day to The Betrayals by Bridget Collins, the most aesthetically pleasing beb on the planet. While I unfortunately didn’t love this one, there have been so many smashing reviews so I’m definitely in the minority.

The long and short of it is that it was just too slow and too long for my personal taste. The air of mystery in the story left me confused for large parts of the book and I’m not entirely sure what I read. It was just a really difficult read for me and as such I found it hard to enjoy.

Thank you so much to netgalley, The Borough Press, Harper Collins and the author for both the advanced ecopy and the listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Really sorry for requesting it twice and then not liking it.

Having read and enjoyed The Binding, I was really keen to read and review The Betrayals, the new novel by Bridget Collins. It is very different, but still fabulous.
Mysterious and other worldly, this book is an atmospheric, captivating and beautiful read. I thought the story had elements of Nazi Germany, but it could also be set in the future. As with The Binding, you have to suspend your sense of reality and go with the stunning prose, plot and characterisations. This is pure escapism. a grown-up Harry Potter. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to @NetGalley, the author and to and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review #TheBetrayal. Historical fantasy is now one of my new favourite genres, .

This has been a book I have been looking forward to reading - Bridget Collins' previous novel The Binding is one of my favourite reads of recent years, so I've anticipated this in an 'I want to get on and read it' way, but also a 'don't let me down! way and I can fully declare it doesn't.

Full of the raw energy and emotion that Bridget Collins is so good at portraying, The Betrayals is a captivating read.

Montverre is a school, remote, forbidding and exclusive, where students come to play the Grand Jeu - a mysterious, mathematical, musical something. With themes of the forbidden, the hidden, persecution, life and death, the whole novel is mysterious as are its characters.

The characters grabbed a hold of me from the beginning - Leo, a once gold medal student now returning in a different capacity; the Magister Ludi, the first woman in that office; The Rat - a secretive and covert figure; the politicians, the other students and Magisters - each one a distinct personality, each one intriguing.

The story is equally captivating - as the characters develop themselves and their interactions and relationships evolve, as the game progresses and events bring change.

Interesting to read at the end where Bridget Collins had taken the basis for her story from, I like to learn how stories come to their authors.

Highly recommended.

Very immersive, captivating read from Collins. I liked it more than The Binding actually. It was mysterious and hard to put down.
Thanks a lot to the publisher and NG for this copy.

When I was younger, my late mum had a strange habit, one I couldn't get my head around. She'd ring and tell me about some wonderful book she was reading or a TV programme she was enthralled by. That doesn't sound very strange of course, but the odd bit was that she'd tell me she couldn't bear to read or watch anymore. Her reason, because once she did, it would be done and the joy of it would be over. I'd constantly encourage her to keep going not really understanding her perspective. However, a few days ago, I finally got it.

I've been reading The Betrayals by Bridget Collins, her second adult novel and I didn't want it to end. I was desperate to reach a conclusion, but part of me wanted to hold back because once it was done, that would be it and the world the author had created would no longer be available for me to escape to. I did finish the book, but it has left me feeling somewhat bereft (I think some describe it as a book hangover).

This book is hard to describe, so I'm not going to try. I'm sure there are plenty of other reviews that will provide details should you want to find out more. All I can say is that the writing enchanted me. The story and the world the reader finds themselves in is mysterious, compelling and thought-provoking.

It's out today (12th November), and the hardback version looks as beautiful on the outside as the words are inside.

Thanks to Bridget Collins, Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest review.