Betrayals (Cainsville, #4)

by Kelley Armstrong

When Olivia's life exploded--after she found out she was not the adopted child of a privileged Chicago family but of a notorious pair of convicted serial killers--she found a refuge in the secluded but oddly welcoming town of Cainsville, Illinois. Working with Gabriel Walsh, a fiendishly successful criminal lawyer with links to the town, she discovered the truth about her parents' crimes in an investigation that also revealed the darker forces at work in the place that had offered her a haven. As if that wasn't enough, she also found out that she, Gabriel and her biker boyfriend Ricky were not caught in an ordinary sort of love triangle, but were hereditary actors in an ancient drama in which the elders of Cainsville and the mysterious Huntsmen who opposed them had a huge stake. Now someone is killing street kids in the city, and the police have tied Ricky to the crimes. Setting out with Gabriel's help to clear Ricky's name, Olivia once again finds her own life at risk. Soon the three are tangled in a web of betrayals that threatens their uneasy equilibrium and is pushing them toward a hard choice: either they fulfill their destinies by trusting each other and staying true to their real bonds, or they succumb to the extraordinary forces trying to win an eternal war by tearing them apart.

• ISBN10: 0345815203
• ISBN13: 9780345815200
• Publish Date: 9 August 2016 (first published 4 August 2016)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Random House Canada
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Chelsea]

I feel like I need to stop reviewing Kelley Armstrong books because I swear all my reviews are the same. I can't help but fall in love with her writing as soon as I read the first line. This book was no different.

I was a little disappointed in the last book because it felt like the plot and characters weren't going anywhere. That was probably because it was the third book in the series and that happens. I was much happier with where this book ended up. I felt like some characters (*cough cough* Gabriel) finally started getting themselves together and making a change in their lives. If there's one thing I can't stand it;s when people (or characters) complain about their lives and do nothing about it. Gabriel finally started stepping up and I was really thankful to see that.

I was also really happy with where Liv's story was going. She's always trying to learn more about what's happening at any given time and I love how smart she is. She doesn't need a guy to help save her but at the same time she's not going ignore help when it's handed to her. I really love that about her. There's no "oh my god how stupid can you be for walking into that creepy cave by yourself" moments. She's smart and uses everything to her advantage and that makes her a character I look up to.

Ricky was also wonderful and perfect but he has been since day one. Nothing has changed there. Except he maybe got more wonderful at the very end. The next book is going to rip my heart apart, I can feel it.

There wasn't anything I didn't love exactly, I just could have used a bit more action plot-wise. There was almost a side plot here that I felt didn't really connect with the story line of the whole series. It was still a great plot mind you, just not as good as it could have been.

I don't care who you are or what you read, but I will always recommend Kelley Armstrong to everyone. I especially recommend it for people who like their stories a little bit more complex because there's a lot of information in this book that makes you question what is even going on. I think it's fun but other people might be bored.

I couldn't have expected anything more for the fourth book in this series. That ending was the perfect set up for what I'm sure will be an epic conclusion.

[kimbacaffeinate]

The series is steeped in Welsh folklore dealing with Mallt-y-Nos or Matilda of the Night. The main characters Matilda, Gwynn, and Arawn are at the heart of this lore. The Wild Hunt, FAE, and let's not forget the gargoyles, Ravens, and supernatural stories that fill the pages of this tale. These are all elements I enjoy in a cleverly woven tale, and I soaked up every morsel. There is an ongoing rift between the Cŵn Annwn and the Tylwyth Teghounds. At its center is our protagonist Olivia (Matilda). They want her to choose sides. Like the folklore, there are two men in her life Gabriel (Gwynn) and Ricky (Arawn).

In Betrayals, we see growth and healing after the events of Deception. The Olivia I admired and respected is back! While she still struggles, her actions were more decisive and level-headed. I have long been a fan of Gabriel, and have likened him to Trent from the Hollows series. He is strong, capable, and socially awkward. It was good to see him make strides and push for Olivia. Ricky transformed in Betrayals warning many not to judge a book by its cover. He is quite insightful and clever. He makes a move in this novel that was both noble and gutsy.

While we see development regarding the overall ARC, Betrayals focuses on the murder of lamiae, a identifying a rebel Huntsman and helping a hound. The case itself was interesting as Armstrong delivered red herrings, a few plot twists and even managed to take me by surprise. Through this case, we get flashbacks and learn more details about the Hunt and FAE. Armstrong is magnificent at weaving a tale that allows the reader to slip in and become a part of the story. Such was the case in Betrayals. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer