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.
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
Reading updates
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Started reading
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5 December, 2016:
Finished reading
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5 December, 2016:
Reviewed