The Heart of Betrayal

By: Mary E. Pearson

Narrated by: Emily Rankin, Ann Marie Lee, Ryan Gesell, Kirby Heyborne, Kim Mai Guest

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape...and even less of being together.

Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar's interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.

Meanwhile the foundations of Lia's deeply held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to her but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people...and her own destiny.

Read by Emily Rankin, with Ryan Gesell, Kirby Heyborne, Kim Mai Guest, and Ann Marie Lee.

©2015 Listening Library (P)2015 Mary E. Pearson

Great story, can't wait for book 3!

Ive loved this series! It has a great storyline, with a love triangle but different from the usual love triangle scenarios that are easy to predict. It's very well written by the author. I thought the 2nd book kept my interest just as much as the first book, although it did tend to run a little long in some areas, but still held my attention that I didn't want to put it down.
For the most part the performances by the narrators were good, although I was not crazy about the voice of Cayden. Thought he was a little bit robotic and creepy sounding.... Great series though and can't wait for book 3

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

New favorite book and narration

Wonderful. The story itself and the narration. Even better than the first in the series.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Okay

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I wouldn't stop anyone from reading/listening to it--but I also wouldn't heartily recommend it. I think it might have been better read than as an audiobook, as sometimes I got confused by the gaps in changing POVs and where we were in the timeline of events.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I liked the person who played Rafe--the voice matched the character.

Any additional comments?

I was slightly disappointed with this. I bought it as a road trip listen, and it took me months to finish it because I just couldn't get into it until midway through. I don't think the character development was totally there, or at least it wasn't consistent with the characters as I recall them from the first book, and that comes across more when you hear it aloud than when you read it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I love all the characters even more in the second book.

This book made me love all the characters in their own special way! I can't decide who I want Leah to end up with. Raff and Kaden are both so sweet to her, but very different. Book 3 can't come fast enough!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

just ok

first off audible did not list this as a second book in series. I was having a hard time following it. I was thinking man this reads as a second book not a first. I can't figure who these characters are. so I googled the book and author. and yep it was a second in series. but other that that it was OK. I just wished the princess was tougher. it kind of drug a bit.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

4 Stars - Good Overall

This was good, but I found it a little lacking compared to the first book. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

After the overly descriptive beginning of the last book, I absolutely loved the rest. But this one felt really slow to me for the most part; I get that the author had to set the stage (so to speak) for the rest of the story, but I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. There was just too much setup and talking going on.

Those last several chapters were so good though! I cried a little while reading certain passages, and I was even waiting impatiently to see what would happen when it got more intense/interesting.

I still like Lia a lot. I love Rafe, and I like Kaden a lot too. We don't see as much of Kaden's companions in this book, but we do see them every once in a while. I loved the introduction of new characters like Aster, and Calantha. Overall, it was a good book; I guess I was just expecting it to be more exciting given the summary.

Ok story. Great narration

The story was ok, not as good as the first one though. Narration was wonderful.

Beautiful imagery

This series took me by surprise and sucked me in. The twists kept me guessing. Seeing the story unfold through multiple eyes, seeing the characters really brought it to life! Can’t wait to read the last book!!!

Book two is a winner!

I can't get enough of this serious. The story line just gets better! It was a riveting tale as they continue the journey of Lia as she fights for her life and her people.

Paints a beautiful picture

I love the multiple actors, and also the story itself. Compelling, lovely action, sweet romance, and a powerful woman who is willing to lose it all for a kingdom that isn't even hers.

fantastic

I was hooked to the very last word, already downloading book 3 as I type

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Richly detailed fantasy adventure

I loved this sequel to Kiss of Deception, the different cultures that we are introduced to are so beautifully described and well thought out. This series is quickly becoming one of my favourites, I can't wait to read Beauty of Darkness and see how it ends!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gripping and beautiful

Wonderfully narrated! An amazing second book to the series. It will have you falling in love with Kaden while understanding and appreciating Lia and Rafe even more.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Juicy !

Love the ending ! Roll on next year ! Can't wait for the next instalment ! Great narrating ! Well done all involved ?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful