The Traitor's Kiss (Traitor's Trilogy, 1) Hardcover – May 9, 2017

OMG!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!Let me just fangirl here for a moment before we get to the nitty-gritty: This books had one of the hottest scenes in YA without anything actually happening. It will leave you breathless. It's epic! (and I mean ya people... not books we call YA but aren't- thinking SJM here)I enjoy reading other people's reviews before writing my own, to get a little extra perspective I suppose. Not this time! What is wrong with you people? I had to turn away...There is no girl on girl hate! The book reminds me of the Jane Austen novels, of a time where marriages were arranged and woman could not choose their path in life. A time where social status was more important than intelligence. Yes, most of the girls do not like Sage, but it is a class issue. Sage is seen as a poor commoner that does not deserve to be with the noble girls. It was a reality of our society, why shy away from it? It's part of our history, not a girl on girl hate thing. More so, have you worked with teens? Teen girls can be horribly mean. It is a reality of our world... And it is not like all of the book was like that either... One of the girls actually becomes very close friends with our Sage. All in all I loved the book's message: Girls can be different, they can be and do what they want! They can be fighters like our Sage, business woman like our matchmaker, doted wives like our other girls are training to be and WANT to be, or something else entirely.Sage was a great character! Free spirited, intelligent, brave. But also young, and therefore naive. Her interactions with the matchmaker made me laugh, it was obvious that the matchmaker was trying to help her grow out of her misconceptions and naivete, and at times even narrow minded ways. Sage felt very real to me. She was a girl that wanted more than the society she lived in were willing to give, but also a girl who still needed to learn things are not always black and white. I loved her fascination with the army and curious mind. It made the beginning of the book rather fun to read since it confused the soldiers so very much as to her true intentions.To off-set her naivete there were the soldiers. All just as young but brave man that have seen too much to still be as ingenuous. It gets confusing with them (and I can't tell you why without giving away some of the story), but I liked them all and was heartbroken at the end.The plot twists were amazingly well written. I got so confused as to who was who when the plot started to unfold. BRILLIANT! The plot is also constructed masterfully. All the military plans and actions are clever and well thought out by the author. There was enough action to keep you on edge but not so much as to overwhelm you as well.The romance was slow burning. There was no insta-love. They were friends first, and I liked that. I thought that ship was gonna sink more times than I can count. So much happens! Their story is cray cray 🤣I am not giving it a 5 because I want more... and since this has become a trilogy I suppose my wishes will be granted!I guess the book also gets crap for not being tactful towards the skin color descriptions. I just laughed at that. An author doesn't include diversity: people complain he/she didn't. An author does include: people complain about how he/she did it. There are 7 billion people in this world, there are therefore more than a handful of ways of describing -to use the authors terminology- people with darker skin.I strongly encourage you to read this if you enjoy YA romance and Spy Novels!

I absolutely loved this book!! It was easy to get into, and fun to read. Time well spent!The author accomplishes much in this first book of her trilogy. We get to meet the main character, Sage, who is a believable and smart protagonist. I like that she acts her age but she is not stupid. She has flaws but they are balanced by her good qualities and her heart.I loved the story, the characters, the "twist" and all the clever things that the author brought to the book. There are definitely many instances of very original, accurate, "out of the box" thinking to get out of bad situations that appealed to the geek in me. I loved that she didn't need to resort to tropes for everything.I consider myself both a feminist and someone who has spent a lot of time on diversity and inclusion, and I found absolutely nothing objectionable in the book. In fact, I think that as the trilogy progresses we will get to see more characters standing up to the societal norms of the world she has created, which seems to be her intention.I have read a lot of books as a reviewer, and this book was one that I actually paid for (and really enjoyed) because it was recommended to my by a friend. I write this review because I think the author truly deserves it and not because I received a free book.Take a chance on this one - you won't regret it!

I loved it.It totally surprised me with a twist that I didn't see coming, which hardly ever happens. The book started out in a laid back way & then completely took me off guard by changing to a tactician's narrative. The military part was so good & such a contrast to the ladies narrative. The pacing was well done & you are really drawn into the story. I was disappointed that though it felt that this was a YA story, there are some parts that I felt inappropriate for the target age group. While the characters in love never go "too far", the descriptions of what they do is steamy. I felt it pushed past romantic & became a bodice ripper. It cheapened the characters for me & tainted my love of the story. The story is superb & doesn't need that type of stuff.It was like suddenly Justin Timberlake started singing Sir Mix-a-Lot's Baby Got Back ! Around page 275 , the tone of the story changes & words like "pissed" & "ratty eared bastard" and "cut your balls off" are jarringly sprinkled about. The unnecessary salacious descriptions & the sudden appearance of foul language seemed like lazy writing, I feel the author can do better so I wonder why she didn't. Near the end of the book there is an unexpected heart wrenching death. It was a very risky, brave thing for the author to do,but it doesn't sit well, and the description of the death is like a gut punch.SO much to love about this story, but there were 10 places where I felt things got tawdry ,cliched or crude and it dampens your affection for it. This is the author's debut novel, so I have hopeful & great expectations for future books she may write. She has great, great potential , I just hope she can learn descriptive finesse so that her books will be timeless classics that stay on your book shelf.That said, I grudgingly admit it is on my bookshelf. But just to be clear ,this is not Jane Austen type squeaky clean.

i didn't really expect much of this book, but i still enjoyed it well enough. if i'm completely honest, i only read it in the hopes that there would be smut (which unfortunately was very limited) but the romance was a nice read. the book was a little confusing and i don't think i can bring myself to read the next one. this book is good if you're looking for a quick, easy read with simple characters and a likeable protagonist. it's definitely not my favourite, but i didn't dislike it.

A great romp of an adventure. Definite homage to Alanna with a feisty heroine who won't be left out of intrigue or adventure. And what a plot twist - I really didn't see it coming despite the hints. Great love story, nicely told. As another reviewer said, you do feel that there're is a lot more to learn about the world we're in. Really looking forward to the next instalment.

I absolutely loved loved this book so well planned and thought out ! In love with characters and all their openess and honesty , beautiful story completely drew me in from the beginning ... What else to say except such a wonderful read and can't wait for the sequel ❤️ would defo recommend this brilliant read! 😎

I did find the start slow. At times you're unsure what the story line shall be it is hard to predict.But the set up works and you love love love the characters and really champion them. The twist towards the middle is amazing and i was shrieking non stop!

I am absolutely in love with this book. I am in love with Alex and Sage and the story. So much heartache but so much happiness. Fabulous book can’t wait for book 2!!