Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Traitor Son is fierce, immersive, and emotionally layered—an unflinching story about legacy, loyalty, and the cost of truth. Melissa J. Cave weaves a world soaked in betrayal, where power is inherited but trust must be earned, and every choice carves its weight into flesh.

The protagonist is torn between blood and conscience, navigating a brutal political landscape where nothing is sacred—not even family. The pacing is sharp, the worldbuilding rich with tension, and the emotional beats land hard. There’s a depth to the character arcs that lingers, a sense that every act of rebellion is both survival and surrender.

Cave doesn’t shy away from moral complexity. This isn’t a story of clean heroes or easy victories—it’s about what’s left when you finally choose yourself, even if it makes you the villain in someone else’s story. Gritty, gripping, and unforgettable.

Melissa Cave (https://melissajcave.com) is the author of two novels. Stardust Child was published last November and is the first book in her Empire of the Stars series. It is the 24th book I completed reading in 2025.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to violence, mature situations, and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.

Ramin Grimjaw is only 24 but has achieved much as a young knight. In fact, he is the Empire’s greatest hero, though his parents had been named traitors. After seven years at war, an army led by Grimjaw finally defeated the Vallethi invaders. For his victory, Grimjaw is awarded a Dutchy on the edge of the Empire bordering with Valleth. Beyond the wealth he has gathered, he is promised a daughter of the Emperor as his bride.

Seventeen-year-old Princess Ophele Agnephus is an illegitimate daughter of the Emperor and has spent her young life in isolation. Those caring for her have taken advantage of her and poorly prepared her for a life befitting a princess. The Emperor, a father she had never met, has given her to Grimjaw. She only discovers her fate when Grimjaw and some of his knights arrive to claim her.

Quickly married on the way to Grimjaw’s new Dutchy, the pair have little time to get to know each other. Because of his reputation, she is terrified of him. She feels the Emperor has tricked him by giving her, a bastard, to be his wife. The Emperor has publicly lauded his victories, but behind the scenes has schemed and sent assassins to kill him. Grimjaw fears that Ophele may be just one more plot against him by the Emperor.

The long journey takes Grimjaw and Ophele to their new home. The lands of Andeline are vast, but there has been little development. The small but growing community struggles to survive. Magical beasts thought to have been called forth by Valleri magicians threaten all those living there. During the warmer months of the year, the settlers are beset by the creatures almost every night.

Ophele is a timid girl who, down deep, feels she is not worthy of being Grimjaw’s wife. She tries hard to fit into the struggling community. Her efforts leave a lasting good impression on those working to establish their new home. She still fears Grimjaw for what he might do when he finally discovers how inadequate she is.

Grimjaw struggles to establish the community and protect his people. Most of those settling in Andelin are soldiers from his army. He has lived beside them for years. His attachment to Ophele is growing, but he still fears that she is a trick to be played upon him by the Emperor.

The two strive to come to an acceptance of each other. Only after a long struggle does their relationship evolve beyond feelings of fear and betrayal.

I enjoyed the 10.5+ hours I spent reading this 394-page fantasy (more of a romantasy). While there is some action in the novel, most of the story revolves around the struggle to construct a new home in the wilderness, and the internal struggles of both Grimjaw and Ophele to come to terms with one another. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.2 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

I loved this book.

This book was true fantasy story telling and I loved every moment of it. Not only was this fantasy heavy on world building, but the building of the characters and their dreams.

This book is a true testament to how a book can keep you riveted without continuous high-stakes action sequences. And really it had no right to keep me as entertained as it did.

Although there were still a few elements that seemed overused in fantasy, this is definitely a book for epic fantasy readers who want a little more romance without dipping into the flimsy world building of some modern romantasies.

Cannot wait to read the second book.

As always, I would like to start by thanking the author and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I am overjoyed to have found this series! I finished this book in three days, but it took that long only because I had to go to work. I was hooked from the very first page, and the character development throughout was great.

The relationship development between Remin and Ophele was done very well. The author showed two people who have been wronged on opposite sides being able to come together and work through these issues. The scene at the end where he writes up a will that will allow her to live and be taken care of after she kills him, and she refuses. I had goosebumps reading this excerpt.

Then you go and look at the relationship development with Ophele and the men/knights of the land. The hard work she does for them and the land shows how she is slowly breaking out of her shell and becoming her own. I like that she and Miche have this almost older brother/sister relationship. It may have started that he was protecting her because she is Remin's wife. However, you see it change, and that he cares about her well-being. Then you add the relationship that Remin has with his knights, and it's a complete 180. By far, I love Wen and how Ophele can get him to soften towards her. '

Traitor Son is basically everything I adore in a High Fantasy city building adventure novel. It was an easy but interesting read that had me hooked on both plot on characters. I almost felt as if I was reading an extremely entertaining history book based in a Fantasy world. I found it pretty ironic that I was mirroring the main character, Ophele, and how she buried her head in books to escape her upbringing.

The romance had such a beautiful build up, reaching the perfect crescendo at the end, and I loved how the side characters and friendships with them were also thoroughly fleshed out. I especially loved the relationship between Sir Miche and Ophele during the time where her marriage was on rocky grounds.

I loved the take on enemies to lovers in this book, because neither of them had any true reason to be enemies of each other. They were almost enemies by proxy, and I think this really added to the slow burn of love and trust that grew over the book. It was really beautifully written.

I also really appreciated the in depth explanations as to why Remin was so tough, grumpy and stern. I liked the fact that he wasn't just a big macho, alpha male-type character "just because", but that he had actual trauma and past experiences that made him harden and become that stony man that was scary and intimidating at first. Reading his healing journey, especially with Ophele, was particularly touching.

Traitor Son left just the right amount of unanswered questions for me to be happy with the first book and excited for the second. I will be starting book 2 immediately.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Owl & Bear for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A near-perfect book for me! 4.5 stars.

I absolutely loved the setting of post-war with a plot that centres on what happens after the struggles and the conflict.

Both Remin and Ophele are quiet, determined souls with difficult, intertwined pasts. Their character development was handled so extremely well. I have very little tolerance for the trope of miscommunication and misunderstanding in books, but it absolutely worked in this book because of the nuanced way it was weaved into growth of the characters.

They are both weighed down by the their past — with Remin learning to survive with strength and cautiousness, while Ophele, by contrast, survived by cowering and making herself invisible. This delicate handling of her abusive childhood and conditioned meekness was, in my opinion, essential to how the characters grew over the course of the book and was the heart of the book.

I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the series!

It was my first time reading such a medieval fantasy debut with the feel of fantasy inspired by history and regency romance. It was a bit slower-paced at the beginning, but what was surprising was the spice in the book and the way the spicy scenes were written.

Melissa's writing style was the most beautiful aspect of the book with emphasis on swoony and romantic scenes and on atmosphere, the storytelling kept the plot moving forward with battles and adventures weaved in it. I adored Ophele and Remin, but somewhere in the book they lacked a solid character ARC, probably in the middle part of the book. There were a few places it felt like a lot of information was given within a big block of text.

Thanks Victoria Co-op & Melissa J Cave for an ARC on NetGalley .

Here is the review I left on my Goodreads!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7489613542

I really enjoyed this book and I’m so thankful I was able to be chosen to read this work of art! I have already started the second book on my Kindle! Next step, I need to buy the physical copies for my shelf!

The first impression was that the author's note impressed me a lot. And the next thing was that 40% of the book flew by. It is an addictive story, and I don’t know where it had been all this time, that I hadn’t read it yet. Finally, I finished it and loved the plot and the characters.

I wanted to yell at Remin with no end to it. He was being a arse but the end just quelled my anger for him and making me curious what comes next with the pair. The journey is not going to be easy. Enemies are lurking in the shadows, and I want to see how they both will get it all managed as a united front.

It is a big book, not by the page number but by the fantasy dialect. It took me some time to read. I loved and hated both the detailing of the storyline. I loved it bc how well it had all been written and considered to explain it all with precision. It felt like a movie going on in front of your eyes, but at the same time, from the fifty per cent of the book till the seventy, I was like, please move fast (that 20% was a bit for me).

Ophele is my favourite, and she has such sweetness in her nature. I seriously forgot how young she is in the book. She’s intelligent, emotional, lovable, compassionate and a scary cat. She is not an everyday heroine, but I’m impressed with how mature she behaves. Well, all-in-all, I have enjoyed the book and I look forward to the next one.

I really enjoyed this book, it almost felt like watching a movie! I fell in love with the characters of this story; Remin the broken war hero, Ophele the unwanted princess, the loyal soldiers who became family, and Master Eugene the adorable donkey. This historical fantasy had such a way with drawing me in thru the writing make me feel invested and a part of the story. By the end Remin’s dream for Tresingale and the Andelin Valley felt like my dream, and I want nothing more than for the young man who has known nothing but war and assassination attempts his whole life to find his peace and happily ever after and for Ophele who has never been wanted or cared for to know true happiness and belonging.

If you looking for a book thats less fantasy world building and more romance this is not that. (Although I did enjoy the bit of romance there was and how it developed slowly and organically.) This book gives more old school fantasy book vibes and is obviously a build up and stepping stone to a much bigger plot and story that I personally can’t wait to get into.

I NEED to know what happened to those who traveled to the other villages outside the wall? Who are the two traitors in town? Why are there so many devils now and where are they coming from? What are the Valleth up to? Will the Emperor try to manipulate Ophele?

Off to read book 2!

Thank you Netgalley, Melissa Cave and Owl and Bear publishing for granting me this book.

BIIIIIG thank you to Owl & Bear (I'm already screaming at that) & NetGalley for this BEAUTY.

This was unexpectedly excellent for a book that is like 85% land development. The writing is great; I LOVED the world building, and felt like the characters were all very well-fleshed out. Ophele is a wonderful FMC ❤️

I bought the next book in the series (which follows the same couple) before I was even halfway done!

I LOVE YOU, MICHE!!!

I just can't and I feel really bad about DNFing this book because a lot of people liked it. It is just not for me.

I just can't get over the fact that the FMC is a minor (17 y/o) and there is spicy scenes with an adult man. I feel gross reading it.

I thought the writing was well done but I just can't get past that.

Thank you net galley and Owl and Bear for providing me with this ARC in return for my honest review

Read this book! I haven’t even finished it yet and it checks off all my boxes for a good story. I love the writing and the characters I highly recommend it for fantasy lovers 🥰🥰

This was a instant 5 stars for me, a cozy slow burn romance fantasy, plus great world building. I could not put this book down, Ophele and Remin's journey together is a rocky but lovely one once they start actually communicating with each other. I cannot wait to see what the relationship becomes in book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Melissa Cave!

Cave
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25/5)

I really enjoyed Traitor Son! The pacing was solid and kept me hooked all the way through. Melissa Cave’s writing style was super readable and easy to get into, which made it a great experience overall.

There were quite a few names and places to keep track of (a classic fantasy struggle), and I did have to flip back a few times to remind myself who was who. But honestly, that didn’t take away much from the story for me.

What really stood out was the character development. The main characters had great depth, and it was genuinely satisfying to watch them grow and evolve. You get properly invested in their journeys, which is always a big win in fantasy for me.

The world building was also really well done. Everything felt vivid and fully imagined — from the scenery to the lore, I could picture it all so clearly. It’s the kind of world I’d love to explore more of, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series takes us.

I’d say this is definitely one to recommend to fellow fantasy readers. It’s got heart, action, solid characters, and a world that feels alive.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC copy — I’m really glad I got the chance to read this one!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book l. While the FMC was young and a little naive, the MMC was stoic and mistrusting ( though with cause), I really enjoyed their story. I would reccomend this to any fan of the romantasy genre.

I loved this book. An FMC that tries to atone for her parents sins, a troubled MMC too afraid of being hurt. A world set against both of them. Side characters with lovely (and grumpy) personalities. A love story that is believable and over the course of months. Dangerous monsters lurking in the shadows.
The writing captured me and I read this in one sitting.
I cant wait for the sequel.

🌾✨ This book felt like curling up in your favorite hoodie after a long day, with a warm drink in hand and the sound of pixelated chickens clucking softly in the background. If Minecraft had a plot-rich fantasy mode with Witcher-style monster encounters and Harvest Moon’s heartwarming town vibes, THIS WOULD BE IT. 🏡🗡️💕

The story follows Remin “Grimjaw,” a war-hardened hero granted his deepest wish by the Emperor after a near-impossible mission—land, title, and a bride: the Emperor’s daughter, Ophele. She’s quiet, clever, raised in isolation, and completely unprepared for the grumpy, brooding man who’s now her husband. Their arranged marriage starts rocky (she’s literally up a tree when they meet and he thinks she might assassinate him), but slowly—beautifully—they go from awkward strangers to something much deeper. And all of this unfolds while political scheming, star-magic secrets, and monsters creep at the edges of their growing connection.

The love story? Soft and slow and utterly swoonworthy. He falls first (of course he does), and the way he looks at her? Ugh. I need someone to look at me like I’m their safe place in a world of monsters. It’s one of those rare romances where miscommunication feels earned and character growth is everything. Tender, hilarious, and sometimes spicy in the best, cozy kind of way.

My favorite quotes:
✨ “He had commanded whole armies and ordered thousands of men to march to their deaths, but he had never been responsible for anything as fragile as a girl.”
✨ “Her eyes went immediately to Remin, happy and laughing and wanting to share it with him, and suddenly it felt as if everything else in the world dissolved away, leaving only her.”
✨ “Looking into her golden eyes was like falling into the stars.”

I wasn’t even five chapters in before I realized I had discovered a new comfort read. The kind you revisit just to spend time with the characters and feel a little less alone in the world.

It’s cozy fantasy at its finest—low on angst, high on vibes, with enough action to keep you flipping pages way past your bedtime. If you’ve ever wanted a game-turned-book where the stakes feel real but the love is soft and the world is healing? This one’s for you. 🍂🛏️🐐

10/10 would trade my city life for a little plot of land, a sword, and someone who looks at me like I hung the stars.

Review will also be posted on April 22nd on Goodreads and its will be posted within the next 2-3 days on retail sites: Amazon, Thalia and Hugendubel,

I received an ARC of Traitor Son by Melissa J. Cave, and I genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It’s a thoughtful, character-driven fantasy with a solid blend of political strategy, a slow-burn romance, and just enough lurking-monster tension to keep things interesting.

The world-building is surprisingly grounded, especially for a fantasy novel. There’s a strong focus on rebuilding and city planning after destruction, which sounds dry on paper—but Cave manages to make it engaging and relevant to the characters’ personal growth. The themes of survival, leadership, and community really shine through.

Now, let’s talk about Miche. He’s hands down my favorite character—sharp-tongued, sarcastic, and always ready with a one-liner that made me laugh out loud. His humor added much-needed levity without ever feeling forced or out of place. One of his lines—“Remind me again why I don’t let you do the talking?”—had me cackling. He’s the kind of character who brings balance to heavier moments and reminds you not to take everything too seriously.

The romance is a true slow burn, with all the tension and quiet vulnerability that makes enemies-to-lovers so satisfying. Their dynamic evolves gradually and naturally, and I found myself really rooting for them. There’s one moment—“I don’t have to like you to protect you”—that hit like a punch to the chest in the best way.

That said, the middle of the book did lose a bit of steam for me. Some of the pacing dragged during the political maneuvering and logistics, and it felt like the momentum paused before ramping up again toward the end. But even when it slowed down, the characters and emotional stakes kept me turning pages.

Overall, Traitor Son was a refreshing mix of humor, heart, and fantasy realism. It’s not your typical action-packed ride, but it delivers something more layered—something that lingers. I’m giving it a solid 4 stars, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Melissa J. Cave writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the EARC of Traitor Son, by Melissa J Cave.

Going into this novel, I wasn't sure what to expect. The summary about enemies to lovers, working towards rebuilding a city really attracted me.

I really enjoyed the interactions between all of the characters, and the imagery of Ophele as a squirrel and Remin as a bear. Miche was another favourite character of mine in the whole of the story. A lot of the characters had wonderful descriptions and personality, and for that I give the stars this novel deserved.

However, I was a little disappointed at the unexpected spice in this. It feel like it was unnecessary.

There was also many unanswered questions.

The end of the novel didn't exactly leave on a cliffhanger either. Unsatisfactory, unfortunately. I hope the second novel wraps up all the nuances and details of the world.

3/5 stars