The Traitor Queen

The Traitor Spy Trilogy, Book 3

By: Trudi Canavan

Narrated by: Richard Aspel

Relieved that Lorkin is coming home, Sonea prepares to meet with the traitors on behalf of the Guild. Then bad news arrives: The Sachakan king has imprisoned her son.

As the Sachakan king tries to force Lorkin into betraying the traitors, Dannyl questions his friendship with Ashaki Achati. Can he trust the Sachakan? Not at all, if Tayend is right. But do Tayend’s suspicions spring from good political instincts, or jealousy?

Easily evading capture by the Guild, the Rogue knows only one obstacle lies between him and his ambition to rule the underworld: Cery. Forced into hiding, protected by Lilia, Cery must wait for the Guild to find his enemy. But is Black Magician Kallen purposefully failing in his task?

And Lorkin must decide where his loyalties lie, for whatever choice he makes will require a great sacrifice.

©2012 Trudi Canavan (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"Richard Aspel maintains the listener's engagement throughout this long conclusion to the Traitor Spy Trilogy. He sets a steady pace and makes judicious use of pauses to keep the narrative moving forward and the dialogue energized. Aspel presents the parallel plotlines in the straightforward style of a narrator who is interested in the events he recounts and has a fondness for the main characters. He carries this through even to the glossary, which would be of more value to listeners if it were also available online. Jumping in at the conclusion of this complex tale, which continues the adventures of characters created in the Black Magician Trilogy, is not recommended." (AudioFile Magazine)

I wanted more Lorkin and less Sonea

When Trudi Canavan started with the Spy Traitor Trilogy I thought she is might successfully introduce us to a male leading character in her female dominated world. It seemed that Lorkin, the son of the heroine of the Black Magician Trilogy, Sonea would take the centre stage in a topsy-turvy world. Alas it hasn't come to pass.

While taking the reader through memory lane with various references to situations in the Black Magician Trilogy, it felt that a lot of the male characters in the story just fell flat. I commented on her book "The Rogue" that I experienced a bit of a deja vu feeling after listening to it. Unfortunately "The Traitor Queen" confirmed it. My impression is that the Spy Traitor Trilogy recycled the basic ideas and concepts of the Black Magician Trilogy. That I find disappointing.

I also like to echo a previous comment about Richard Aspel, I think Samantha Bond that read the abridged version of the Black Magician Trilogy has a voice that can bring Canavan's fantasy universe better to life.

What did I like about the book? At least Trudi Canavan was able to bring the story to a successful conclusion. She stuck to the basics, but it is time, I think, to go beyond the basics in the next book, which I hope will not be set within the same universe.

In short, this is not JRR Tolkien or George RR Martin stuff, but it is still enjoyable, but beware that some of the characters becomes stocky and even a bit unbelievable.

great book

What did you love best about The Traitor Queen?

it was an great book that fited really good in the series. i realy made mit smile quite offten and i liked how i could emphasies with the characters.the whole mother son relation between lokin and sonea is really fun to hear to!

these books

this is my sixth book, on to 7, 8, & 9... I hope the magic continues.

amazing

Trudi Canavan once again works her magic in the conclusion of this novel. the only downside i saw with it was everything that happens was to predictable. there was no surprise with her as you finish the trilogy.

her writing was excellent she knew how to keep you listening, and Richard Aspel did a fantastic job performing his reading. the talent was great and skills excellent

i love the whole world created but already we can tell there is another trilogy of another threat of magic yet to come. you know this in book two, yet there is no real hints of it found in this book, no regret no injury. everything just seemed to be book is done everything will be alright. no new challenges or adventures left to go on.

Need to read Black Magician Trilogy First

Great Trilogy, i liked all three books. However, you need to read the Black Magician Trilogy first to get alot of the background needed to understand/follow the back story.

I love this series!

I Love this series! It's a great listen. Tridi C.is a great author. Loved it!

Good but not super

What did you like best about The Traitor Queen? What did you like least?

It was a reasonable story and I enjoyed listening to the narrator.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Reasonable ending

Did Richard Aspel do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, he was good.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Entertaining!

I was very impressed by not only the storyline completion for the series, but the narrators excellent performance. There were some issues with his reading in the "Magicians Guild", but those have disappeared completely and the execution of voices and dramatics were spot-on. Well done!

plot holes

**spoilers**


the fact that the Traitors failed to realize that they could just pose as slaves and use black magic to kill the black magicians in their homes without declaring all out, war seemed like a huge plot hole

Great book! Lousy narrator

Trudi Canavan's, traitor spy series is a great series by author, but the narration leaves a listener wanting. His pauses are wrong, the story has no feelings to grasp. Very dissatisfied with this book.