Traitor Son is a Medieval inspired slow burn romance. You have an arranged marriage of those born to be enemies, some kind of magic system that isn't delved into very much, and the construction of a new city. I tore through the first 40% or so of this book, but I found the endless chapters on building the new city and treating your spouse horribly very tedious and I mostly lost my initial enthusiasm for the book and just felt like trudging on.
This book has the classic elements we romantasy readers are always looking for, but it needs to be cleaned up quite a bit in the middle to really reach the level of the best of the genre. Overall three stars, but a bit doubtful I will pick up the sequels.

This book was amazing! The world was wonderful and it was so well written. This book has so many of my favorite tropes and I would highly recommend this book!

First of all, I DEVOURED this book. Wow. What a gem. This is not the story of a long, brutal, grueling war, but everything that comes after. Rebuilding, starting anew, and creating a vision of the future. Though the war has been won, there is still so much to do and still-looming threats to contend with.

Remin Grimjaw is feared and revered across the empire. Known as a hero, a knight-general, and Duke of Andelin, he has waged and won a war spanning the last seven years where he has never lost a battle and is now ready to collect what he is owed by the Divine Emperor, including a marriage to his daughter. Ophele has been exiled as punishment for her mother’s betrayal to the empire and has never stepped foot out of her abusive guardian’s property. Suddenly, she is stolen away from everything she has ever known to start a new life miles and miles away in the valley of Andelin, where Remin plans to create the new jewel of the empire. He is gruff, war-hardened, and knows absolutely nothing about women, and Ophele just wants to survive and make up for the wrongs her father has done.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when starting this book but was so delighted and surprised at how quickly I was sucked into this story and the depth and emotions explored. It is so refreshing to have characters with real flaws and motivations that make sense and stay true to character. Remin is expecting a spoiled noble lady but Ophele is not the typical strong-willed, sassy, outspoken heroine. She is naive, alone, scared, and all of the other things that you would expect from a young girl who had to bear the consequences of other’s actions her whole life, but she is strong and brave in her own way. And for Remin, underneath that hardened war general exterior, he is paranoid and extremely cautious after people attempting to kill him since he was nine years old and losing his entire family. He just wants to rebuild the home that was taken from him and dreams of creating a new legacy that will stand generations. And it is so heartwarming seeing how they slowly learn how to fit together and help each other. They are both so endearing, but especially Remin who has lived lifetimes through battle but is an awkward mess when it comes to having a wife. I think my favorite thing about this book was watching their tumultuous relationship grow into something genuine and beautiful.

Melissa J Cave does an incredible job at building a world that feels so immersive and real and making characters come alive off the pages. Her writing has made me emotionally invested in infrastructural development, which is something I never thought I would say, as well as a certain donkey, a ferocious cook, and the rest of the Brede Knights. I felt dread when things got dicey. I gasped, and laughed, and cried and was on the edge of my seat almost the whole time. I really loved it and felt like this was such a unique story and I can’t wait to see where it goes. And the foundations were set beautifully for the rest of the series. I daresay this has become my favorite read of the year and I cannot wait to dive into the sequel and find out what happens next!

I recommend this to lovers of medieval fantasy, unique characters, vast (and literal) worldbuilding, hard-earned romance, fighting demons and monsters, learning to overcome emotional trauma, and found family.

This forced proximity through an arranged marriage had me drawn in and wanting more! I loved the chivalry of knights as they travel the land and build up their new homeland, and the comraderie of their found family cast of characters make you eager for more of their adventures as much as their banter. I can't wait to read more of Remin & Ophele's story in the sequel!

A poetic and evocative epic fantasy romance with an emphasis on medieval elements and political intrigue, Traitor Son is a stunning debut novel which leaves the reader eager for more.

Following Remlin and his new wife Ophele, daughter of the Emperor and the Exile Princess, Traitor Son tells a story of loss, redemption and the grit of human nature. The world-building and character establishment in this novel are outstanding, with the lasting impacts of war and trauma on our main characters portrayed with a certain rawness that is inherently compelling. The pacing of the story was steady and focused more on scene-setting rather than high tempo action, which allowed for deeper exploration of some of the more emotional struggles between our main characters. Some of the more fantastical elements were subtle in this first book, but with heavy foreshadowing that the magical aspects will play a starring role going forward. For fans of enemies-to-lovers and slow burn romance, this is for you! The chemistry between our main characters is electric and fiery while emphasising the deep emotional connection between the two.

Traitor Son is an utterly gorgeous introduction to what will inevitably be a masterpiece of a series.

Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.

Traitor Son is a beautifully written piece of art that reminds you of the harsh reality of what it’s like to be in a constant state of war, conditioned to kill, and the heart ache of wanting a significant other that won’t kill you in return for your affections.

The perfect medieval high fantasy novel with the right amount of romance. This book is not the type that I normally read but I enjoyed it very much. The characters, the world building, and the plot were perfectly written and made me so excited to read the next book in the series. As soon as I finished, I jumped right into book 2

“They breathed together. They fell together. They drowned together”
“But he could learn this. He could learn to endure happiness”
“In time, it would be a beauty and wonder”

Great world building and a storyline that keeps you hooked and engaged with every page. Due to his our insecurities he was slow to loving her, which was extremely frustrating at times, but once he did he was “as sure as he knew his own name.”

The scene where he tell her to kill him cause he don’t think he could take the heartbreak if it happened later or if he accidentally hurt her almost broke my heart. So emotional and just written beautifully.

I’m excited to see where this story could go, there’s so much potential and I will be seated for each release!

This book was so mysterious! This is the first one in the series, which came out in November but will most likely read the rest of the series!! Such a good writing style and definately a good descriptive book!

Traitor Son ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Traitor Son* immerses readers in the captivating world of Andelin Valley, expertly blending epic fantasy with deep human emotions.

The story follows Remin of Andelin, a fierce warrior burdened by a complicated past as he strives to build a safe haven for his people. His journey becomes even more complex with the introduction of Princess Ophele Agnephus, the emperor's secret daughter, who has the potential to change everything.

The dynamic between Remin and Ophele is electric, evolving from an uneasy political marriage into a profound exploration of trust and love amidst war and intrigue. Their growth from suspicion to affection is beautifully portrayed, keeping me invested in their relationship.

The world-building is exceptional, with a rich setting reminiscent of *Game of Thrones* and emotional depth akin to *Outlander*. The pacing allows for character development, making their moments of intimacy feel genuine and reflective.

*Traitor Son* is a heartfelt tale of resilience, redemption, and the healing power of love. It’s a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and romance, leaving readers eager for the next installment in the Empire of the Stars series. Bravo to the author for crafting such a compelling story!

He’s destined to marry the daughter of his enemy in order to keep his standing. He’s a knight in a shining armor that has no idea what to do with this princess that showed up in his life. He’s messing things up for half of the book (I just wanted to hit some sense into him, such a brute) and then grovels for her during the other half (love that for her). This was such a big growth of character and trust, especially since this is arranged marriage. I loved this book and the world building is so immersive it’s crazy.

“Where was the silent, solemn little owl he knew? She was smiling. Her eyes were so bright, so quick to see everything. Even veiled, hatted, and covered in white dust, he couldn't help thinking her beautiful. She looked like nothing so much as the clearest and bluest of skies.”

“He loved her? He was afraid to love her. Ophele, the daughter of the Emperor. How could he ever believe she was not her father's tool, placed at his side and waiting only a single moment of weakness?”

I loved this book. The opposites that Ophele and Remin are is just so good. Their marriage is definitely an interesting one. I loved following how they forged their relationship and how they both had their own issues in the relationship. Ophele is such a strong female while also still being innocent and timid. Remin is a soldier that has a tough shell that Ophele has to break through. I can't wait to see what happens with the next book.

This book is a gripping tale of post-war life and the journey between two people who enters into a political marriage and how it unfolds. The beginning will hook you when you first meet Remin, a 17 year old to the hard war he fought to achieve his goals to secure his lineage through a political marriage to the Emperor's daughter and gain a duchy in return.

I devoured this book once I started reading! I love the writing, a certain unique quality to it and very fitting for the medieval-vibes of the story. I appreciate their dialogue is in character unlike romantasy with "modern" dialogue. Although I found myself shouting at the two main characters to communicate, damn it.. I understood they have to work through their traumas and heal (with time and proof of their care for each other despite the circumstances.) I love their romance, I want more of their sweet moments and relationship development!

I also enjoyed reading about managing / building the Duchy, balancing supplies, expenditure.. on top of fighting monsters in the night. Its a cosy feeling and totally satisfying when they've completed parts of Andelin Valley. The highlight of this book was the Knights wanting to name streets or areas after their own - LOVED THAT!

This was really good and better than I thought it would be. Super addictive to read and I enjoyed the romance.

This was my first e-book from NetGalley and I have to say, what an unexpected and amazing surprise! This story follows Remin, a brute warrior (and certified douche at times ) who’s branded a traitor by the emperor. Seeking revenge he chooses to marry the emperor’s daughter, never expecting that she would be nothing like he imagined. And before he knows it, he just might be falling for her.

If you’re a fan of romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers and arranged marriage tropes, this book is a must-read! The story is super engaging, easy to devour, packed with chemistry and sprinkled with some spice. I was so hooked I finished it in just two days! If you love medieval fantasy romances like I do, I highly recommend picking this one up!

I liked that the author’s note said it was their job to make sure the reader remembered the important stuff. Great dedication as well.

A couple observations.. I always have to chuckle at the trope of somebody smelling good after days unwashed on the road. I think there was mention of his horse being unnamed, then later being referred to as Lancer. There was also a whole bit about the difficulty of boar hunting, then later it’s served at a feast. I’m not saying I couldn’t have missed something and I didn’t go back to check, but when what seemed like contradictory information was given, it stuck out.

I’m surprised this is a debut novel. The world building and storytelling were solid. I was invested in characters and outcomes and read nearly the entire book in one sitting on a long flight. It was good and I will read on. (Thanks for the chance to read this ARC!)

Traitor Son is a cleverly wrought fantasy novel depicting the post-war life and struggles of Duke Remin 'Grimjaw' and his new wife Ophele, the bastard daughter of the Emperor.

It is both a romance, and a mediaeval-style fantasy, with a focus on building a new life for Remin, his knights, and his men after they re-conquered lands that had been under enemy control for decades or longer. Their new city is plagued by ghouls and devils who attack during the nights of the warmer months, meanwhile, Remin lives under the daily threat of assassination by the Emperor who destroyed his House and family when he was just a boy.

His lack of trust in Ophele causes many of the misunderstandings throughout the book, but there is also a serious lack of communication between the two that stymies their relationship. Normally I would struggle with miscommunication as a trope however, this feels appropriate to the story given that Ophele is only 17 when she is married without her consent and Remin is 24, but completely inexperienced, having spent his entire life on the battlefield. Both are exceptionally wary of each other (though for different reasons), and both are virgins when they meet.

It's a fairly long book, where surprisingly little action happens aside from Remin and Ophele's marriage (early in the book), and the ongoing issue of the nightly invading devils, but you are pulled into a complex world where each character matters, including the secondary and tertiary ones. And importantly, you know that something is brewing, so this is almost certainly setting the scene for an even more complex and exciting book two. I dived straight into Stardust Child, as soon as I finished Traitor on, as I couldn't wait!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

It's been a while since I completely devoured a romantic fantasy book and, let me tell you, I flew through this story in the blink of an eye! This was my first time reading a work by this author and I am now adding her to my list. The writing style in this book is both parts easy to follow, but also vividly descriptive. I felt myself being immersed into the world she crafted as well as the characters. Each character has their own unique voice and just enough familiarity to keep you intrigued about them. And the sprinkle of romance? I held on to that thread throughout the book and did not let go! The two characters' romance definitely feels like a slow burn, but will have you on the edge of your seat for more. I highly recommend this read for anyone who loves fantasy romance and in-depth world-building.

I picked up this book with zero expectations, and at first, it was decent, the writing wasn’t terrible. But then the author started describing the female main character as a small, fragile, childlike figure, and it immediately made me uneasy. It’s an arranged marriage story with a princess, so I braced myself for some angst, but not this. The male lead shows up to “claim” what he was promised, a wife, who clearly had no clue about the deal. The breaking point came on their wedding night when he comes into the room, declaring she had to fulfill her “wifely duties” and sleep with him, no discussion, no consent, just an expectation. I don’t care if it’s fantasy; these are the main characters I’m supposed to cheer for, and I absolutely can’t. For me, that was it—I had no desire to keep going with the story, and to my disappointment, I just set the book aside.