It felt like very repetitive writing.
Everything felt over-detailed (much more than the world building I’d usually thrive on)

Unfortunately an unlikeable MMC with a narration I just didn’t enjoy. A shame because I love a bodyguard trope and it was LGBTQ+. I will however give a shoutout to Robin being a lost prince rather than the usual lost princess- that was refreshing.

Betrayal of Storms swept me into a world of elemental magic, intrigue, and emotional twists. The story had a great mix of political tension and personal stakes, and I really enjoyed watching the characters navigate shifting loyalties and power struggles. The writing had a lyrical quality at times, and the storm imagery was vivid and memorable. That said, there were a few slower sections where I wished the plot would move a bit faster—but overall, it delivered a strong fantasy journey with just the right amount of drama and magic. A solid pick for fans of elemental fantasy with heart.

What a fun read! While it took me a bit to get into the story (100% could have been my mental state) I really enjoyed how this story developed. The tension was fun, but thank you for not making it too slow-burn. I sense some heartbreak in the future and more romantic twists and turns, while our MMC finds himself and where he belongs in his world.

Wow what an interesting book which almost turns a typical fantasy novel on its head!

The book is centred on a land where humans are hunters and the fey are hunted. Once robin who is half human and fey gets abducted the sanction starts and just stop!

Lots of spicy mm romance and great read!

A Betrayal of Storms serves as a solid introduction to The Realm of Fey series, appealing to fans of LGBTQ+ romantasy who enjoy familiar tropes in a fey-centric setting. While it doesn’t break new ground, its engaging narrative and accessible writing style make it a suitable choice for readers seeking an easy, enjoyable fantasy read. There is room for growth in character development and world-building, and future installments will hopefully delve deeper into these aspects. If you’re a fan of court intrigue, hidden magic, and queer romance, this book is worth considering.


thank you to net galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *

I tried this one so many times and just never could connect. I wanted to love it, but it just wasn't a story that ended up drawing me in.

I unfortunately couldn't get into this book at all. It just wasn't my cup of tea, fell flat in many areas, and felt repetitive, almost like it was missing something. It did have potential, and I'm sure it will get better as the series goes on, but not for me.

Thank you so much to the publishers for this e-arc

While A Betrayal of Storms might work for readers looking for a light fantasy romance with familiar tropes and an easy-to-read style, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. The potential was there, but undercooked character arcs, shallow world-building, and a lack of narrative depth held it back.

Would recommend only with tempered expectations—especially if you're a fan of the more immersive, layered stories it's being compared to.

A promising start to the series. Some of the writing is a bit clunky and the dialogue does feel very stilted in places.

A Betrayal of Storms is an epic fantasy full of political tension, sweeping worldbuilding, and characters caught between duty and desire. Ben Anderson crafts a richly layered narrative, where magic simmers beneath the surface and betrayal lurks in every shadow. The pacing is deliberate, building tension steadily as the plot twists unfold with precision. It’s a gripping tale of power, sacrifice, and resilience—perfect for readers who love fantasy with depth, intrigue, and emotional stakes.

Loads of political intrigue and fey romance. Fantasy romance world. Engaging characters and it felt very in the moment and modern. Very enjoyable.

I've started and stopped this book 4 or 5 times now in the first quarter, but I can't get over the writing style. Or the initial dialogue between those who I suppose will be the MMCs.
When I look away, I keep thinking it's somewhat interesting and I should try harder, but when I'm on the page I find myself skipping whole paragraphs trying to get to something that will suck me in the story.

This is probably one of those cases where I'm sure many other readers will love this book, and it just wasn't a good fit for me.
Imo some editor trimming and aiding in adding some bite to the story and the exchanges could really do wonders, as the writing itself is not awful, just... Diluted?

I may try again to read this in the future and amend my ratings if it did happen to be a me problem.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

The title of this book couldn’t have been more apt after reading it. I just felt betrayed because I deeply believed that A Betrayal of Storms was in the same vein as A Court of Roses and Thorns only to find out that I was misled by the blurb. Using ACOTAR as the standard, A Betrayal of Storms would really fall short since it doesn’t have the charisma, the heart, and the whimsy the former has. While I was reading A Betrayal of Storms, I felt like I was running a daily errand that I just want to finish as fast as possible.

A Betrayal of Storms is not a bad book but it’s just so hard to develop a relationship with it. The characters are underdeveloped and unrelatable. I just couldn’t connect with them despite my efforts. I find Robin bland as a character and his relationship with Gideon didn’t elicit any fluttery feelings in me. Althea is also character that seemed superficial and her “feminine strength” felt forced and unconvincing. The other characters were also so-so; some even made me question their value to the story.

Speaking of the plot, it suffered the same fate as the character development of the story. Kind of boring. Kind of recycled. Predictable. The usual boy of destiny theme. Nothing new to the table. I love fae stories so I am always on the hunt for the next best one. You can say that ACOTAR has been my standard for fae stories because it’s been the main reasons that made me love fae stories. So when something comes out in the market, being promoted as ACOTAR, I have no choice but to read it. :D Unfortunately, A Betrayal of Storms is nothing like ACOTAR. The execution was not impressive. It was okay but nothing remarkable or nothing that made my heart beat or made me bite my nails.

When it comes to world building and magical system, A Betrayal of Storms also fell short because it is just so simple and nothing unique. Look, I get that with all the fae books out there, it’s inevitable that there will be some similarities with magical systems but what I’m looking for is there’s an effort to spin something new in the familiar. That did not happen in this book.

To cut this review short, all I can say is read this if you have time to spare. This is not necessarily a bad book but my reading experience felt like a chore. I just could not wait to be done and move on to the next book. Right now, it’s hard for me to believe that this is published by Angry Robot because per experience, the publishing company really knows how to choose well.

Robin’s journey from an outsider to the lost heir of the Icethorn Court is filled with tension, betrayal, and difficult choices. The revelation of his hidden power—long believed to have perished with his mother—sets him at odds with those who seek war against humanity. With the fierce and alluring Erix as his personal guard and the determined Princess Althea by his side, Robin must navigate shifting alliances and deadly threats, all while grappling with his true identity and the weight of his family’s legacy.

❄️📚 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📚❄️

A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
*Book 1 in Realm of Fey series*

SYNOPSIS:
Wychwood, the realm of the fey prepare for war against the humans who hate, hunt and kill them for coin.

All until Robin Vale reveals himself to be the last Icethorn heir. A hope for the humans he has grown up amongst, but to the detriment of many who would see him dead before ruining their years of preparation.

Thrust into a world of betrayal, murder and lies he must survive long enough to have the choice; listen to fate and claim his families power, or let it wreak havoc on a realm that turned its back on him for becoming who he was truly meant to be.

REVIEW:
Where do I even begin?! This was the first book by Ben Alderson that I've read and I can't wait to read more! Also how amazing is this cover?! 😍

I loved this book so much! The world building and MM romance were just incredible, and I couldn't stop turning the pages.

I loved the relationship between Robin and Erix. The relationship between them was so easy and I loved how accepting they are of each other - even though they came from such different worlds. The spice just added to the bond between them and was always at the perfect time. I can't wait to get into the rest of the series and see how Robin's story continues and learn more about the world built in the first book. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book and loved every twist and turn that Ben threw at me.

Highly recommend giving this book a read, and I can't wait to read some more of Ben's books!

A massive thank you to @benaldersonauthor and @angryrobotbooks for the ARC. I immediately went out and bought the books and can't wait to force them on everyone I know!

Do you have any fantasy recommendations - particularly LGBTQ+ ones?

#BookLover #Bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #ABetrayalofStorms #BenAlderson #Robin #Icethorn #Erix #Althea #RealmofFey #Wychwood #Elmdew #Cedarfall #Oakstorm #Ice #Althea #Fey #Humans #Family #BookReview #FeyRomance #QueerRomance #LGBTQ #AngryRobots #Hunters

I can always count on a Ben Alderson book to bring me out of a slump and this book is no exception. I love reading this book ( and the following in the series) over and over. This book really shows how Ben’s writing is maturing and getting better with every book.

I love the world and magic systems created in this book. I find that I really want to be there. The characters are beautifully written and I love how they interact with the world and each other. Robin is an incredible character that goes from being nothing and no one to becoming someone that people rely on, but he still makes mistakes that makes him feel more relatable.

I cannot wait to finish this series.

I was not a fan of the romance elements, and I felt the story to be repetitive at times/the pacing felt off. It had an interesting premise and I was looking forward to it, but just ended up falling flat for me.

"I woke to the uncaring kiss of a dagger at my throat."
And thus begins the story of Robin, half human and half fey, main character and narrator of A Betrayal of Storms, the first book in the Realm of Fey series.

This is a magical universe with great world building, and I loved uncovering details of the Fey world alongside Robin, who has grown up with humans. There are lots of really interesting characters, and in true Ben Alderson fashion, you never know who you can trust. Althea was an amazingly strong character that I was just in awe of, and I totally want to be her!! The teasing, sarcasm and flirtation between Robin and Erix had me giggle from the start, and there are some really well written spicy scenes throughout this book, including a "this is not our bed...." one that I simply adored — also shoutout to Althea at the end of 26 for making me laugh out loud!!

The magic system is fascinating, in that the strength of magical powers a Fey has depend on how many family members there are, and I'm really intrigued by the various courts, and hope to learn more about them over the course of his series.

Robin's character development throughout the book was everything I hoped for, and I was not disappointed by where he ended up! That being said, the cliffhanger at the end of this book has me glad I don't have to wait to book 2 to release! However, I know Ben Alderson is still writing this series, and I really hope he won't keep us waiting too long for book 4!

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes new adult gay fantasy romance series with lots of badass characters, dangerous creatures, a fascinating magical world, spectacular twists and turns, and a "I will protect you, no matter what" type of love story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I couldn't get into this one - early on I was favor the MMC. There was so much build for his character, his development and potential and I felt like he was always getting caught, having to get rescued. I enjoyed the love aspect of this, but not much of anything else. I won't be continuing with the series.

Ben Anderson has not disappointed me at all in this book.

I loved the story. Humans hunting Fey whilst the Fey have an age old vendetta against the humans for the kidnapping and death of their people. All whilst untamed wild magic threatens them all with destructive winter storms.

Robin always knew he was half Fey from his mother but never got the chance to know her. He is thrown into the Fey world when he was kidnapped just for being Fey and thrust into a world he knows nothing about.

Action, friendship, adventure, spicy scenes betrayal and love.

Will Robin accept his destiny and become who he was born to be? Well, I'm not going to spoil it for you