The Betrayals

The Betrayals is a captivating and magical read, that is so engrossing it's virtually impossible to put down. It's plot feels original and fresh despite the school setting. An absolute must read.

I loved this book a lot. I always like books set around schools but this is different to most I have read because it centres on adults who run the school or used to be students, not the students themselves. Leo is a politician that was fired, and sent the school he attended, Montverre, where students train for the grand jeu, a mysterious contest that is never really explained in the book. I imagined it to be musical, but that might be the metaphorical interpretations. Claire is the newest Magister Ludi of Montverre, the only woman to have had the role. She has to prepare her grand jeu for the Midsummer Games, but is struggling for inspiration.

My favourite parts of the book were from Leo's diary entries from when he was a second year student at Montverre. He is in constant competition with Carfax, a genius of a student who is always top of their class. When the two are forced to work together on a pairs assignment, Leo is dreading it, but the two form a connection.

This was a magical book, with characters that are flawed and make a lot of mistakes. There is one huge twist but a lot will see it coming. I can't say I did, though, but I was very wrapped up in the writing style which was really engaging for me. Overall, loved it, can't wait to get my copy later this year.

This book is beautifully written. The language is so descriptive and immersive and for a while you get lost in the beauty of it all, but at some point your emerge from the language into a really great and intricate story. I love the way you feel like you’ve joined this story at a snapshot in time, like a voyeur, looking in all the characters life’s. The characters of Clare, Leo and Carfax are so well written even though you never quite get to know the characters totally you do get to know them enough and to understand them before they go on their way again on their journey. This is the sort of the book that stays with you for a long time having planted lots of subtle thoughts in your mind for you to ruminate on long after the book finishes.