Traitor of Redwinter: The Redwinter Chronicles Book Two

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But others have plans for Raine too, and as the king’s health fails, rebellious lords begin to vie for power. Her former friend Ovitus seeks Raine’s support as his clan turns to him for leadership, while the grandmaster seeks to harness Raine’s potential as a deadly weapon to be launched right into her enemy’s heart as even Redwinter scrambles to hold onto power. Nevertheless, I felt like this expanded Raine’s understanding of herself and showed us her flaws as she struggles to be fair and good to others. A main character with flaws, yes!

Overall, perhaps this suffers from middle book syndrome, but Raine has definitely stepped into her powers and I can’t wait till the epicness of the next book! Raine, Sanvaunt, Liara, and Castus all return from the failed diplomatic mission. All are traumatized by the loss of their fellow apprentice. Raine and Castus deal with the deaths they’ve caused by self-medicating. Raine likes her rose-thistle, and Castus prefers wine. On the other hand, Sanvaunt and Liara are rehearsing a play. And we know from the first book that Sanvaunt writes as well. I can’t help but see the contrast between the four returning characters as commentary. Sanvaunt and Liara’s art helps them cope as much as Raine and Castus’s self-medication.

Who do you think they are?’ I asked. Seven men, five women. Only the one had been dressed for bed. The others wore shirts, tunics, breeches. Nothing denoted them as being special, save the savage manner of their deaths.

I was a grey-souled, dead thing on the inside. I was poison. And I hungered for it, all the time, I wanted to know more, to see more, to do more… I wanted to be strong, and I didn’t care who stood in my way. The rules didn’t apply to someone like me.” I don’t know that I’ve thought about being happy in a long while. Like it’s something that skipped away from me and got forgotten.'I am a series lover. I enjoy spending time in an author’s creation. I love it when author’s explore their worlds and show their imagination. While this is usually something I find in horror, fantasy, and science fiction, it’s not limited to those genres. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry was the first book that I wanted to never end. Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald is the latest book that brought that feeling out in me. I didn’t want to leave Redwinter. Though it’s a brutal world filled with danger, I’ve enjoyed all the time I’ve been there as a reader. I want to learn more about the world, its history, and its peoples. McDonald has done an amazing job building a world and filling it with interesting stories. I like the magic. I like the various trances, the various “Gates”, that McDonald uses as magical states. I think this is a neat balance of magical system and yet retaining the otherness of magic. I like that it’s organized, yet not scientific. Sometimes, magic systems are over-systematized, and they lose some of the power that magic has. McDonald has found a balance that works for me. His system can be organized, documented, and studied; yet, it retains its mystery. The inner workings aren’t scientific, at least to the reader; they’re magical. And I prefer that in my fantasy novels. Her indecision towards Sanvaunt is a little annoying in my opinion. I think she dithers too much in letting herself have those emotions. McDonald pushes it, but Sanvaunt’s reaction saves it for me. Also, she has the same indecision towards Esher. I’m not sure who I want her to end up with. I think, in fact, I want her to end up with both. Sanvaunt knew the truth about me, but he hadn’t turned me in for it. If our situations had been reversed, I hoped I would have been like him. I wasn’t sure I had his goodness, though. Especially in light of what I was about to attempt on these stinking bodies. Thank you to Tor Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***