cover image Traitor Born

Traitor Born

Amy A. Bartol. 47north, $14.95 trade paper (345p) ISBN 978-1-5039-3691-1

In this convoluted continuation of the saga started in 2016’s Secondborn, Roselle St. Sismode is caught among numerous factions in a struggle for control of the Fates Republic, a caste-driven society where firstborns rule, secondborns serve, and all others are ruthlessly hunted down and killed. Her mother, head of the military, wants her dead for political reasons, while the secret Rose Garden Society plots to install Roselle in her mother’s place. Meanwhile, a rebellion to overthrow the rigid caste system is in full swing, and the rebels also have plans for Roselle. As she remains sequestered in an ally’s home, Roselle has to balance duty and obligation with conscience and honor. When tragedies rock the republic and a hidden faction makes its move, even Roselle may be unable to prevent disaster. Despite cinematic action sequences and ambitious storytelling, Bartol’s work suffers from pacing issues and inconsistent worldbuilding. Too little happens for too long in this installment, and then breakneck events lead to a cliff-hanger ending. Furthermore, Roselle has a crowded field of three love interests, none of whom is able to hold the reader’s attention. This story has potential, but fails to fulfill it. Agent: Tamar Rydzinski, Laura Dail Literary. (Apr.)