The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear
This young adult fantasy by Heather Ogden is the first in a series about a powerful family embroiled in secrets and lies. When young Angelette Arabella overhears her brothers conspiring to defy their father, she knows there’s more to the mysterious “trip” her mother is on. Her father, and hero, Valerius, is the leader of Libertis and is both feared and revered. But Angelette can’t shake the feeling he’s not telling her everything. Then, when her brothers go missing, she embarks on a dangerous journey into a magical world to uncover the truth. She discovers much more than she’d bargained for.
There are some aspects that I’d like to know more about, such as why ten-year-old Angelette isn’t distraught by her missing mother and brothers. She goes about her life at school and her secret investigation with impressive bravado. I imagine this would be emotionally debilitating for a young child, but then again, it’s a fantasy. And keep in mind, her father is a ruthlessly strong leader, so his only daughter probably inherited some inner grit.
Heather is a talented writer with a rich imagination. The storyline is unique. A young daughter coming to grips with family betrayal and set on bravely rebalancing the scales. I also love the idea that this family is both very urban and cosmopolitan, yet simultaneously dystopian and fantastical. This creative blend opens readers to lovers of fantasy, young adult, family dynamics, and coming-of-age stories, all with a contemporary twist. Best of all is a young girl’s heart torn between love and allegiance, as she takes part in a rebellion to restore order and peace to her world.
Book and Image Courtesy of PR By the Book
