Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Satisfying fantasy romance full of political intrigue.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Princess Lia and Prince Rafe are in a really tight spot. Captured by the power-crazed Komizar, the head of the Kingdom of Venda, they have a lot of quick thinking to do to stay alive. Prince Rafe pretends to be an emissary for himself, claiming that the King of Dalbreck is dying and the prince wants to form an alliance and take down the Kingdom of Morrighan where Lia's parents reign. Lia pretends to hate this emissary -- she feels quite the opposite -- and offers to use her gifts of prophecy to benefit the impoverished Vendans. The Komizar, who never takes prisoners, is intrigued by them both, especially Lia. Her longer name, Jezelia, is the name ancient prophecies speak of and who can bring the Vendan people hope for peace and a way out of poverty. A clan of Vendans immediately accepts Lia and reveres her, something the less superstitious but more power-hungry Komizar knows he can use to his advantage. Being the Komizar's prisoner and pawn is a frightening business. Lia knows she and Rafe must escape Venda before they're both dead -- or, worse, before Lia becomes the Komizar's bride.
Is It Any Good?
If you're not immediately drawn in by this compelling story of two imprisoned royals in love trying to lie their way out of getting killed in a hostile kingdom, you're no lover of romantic fantasy. The premise of THE HEART OF BETRAYAL alone will hold most readers, even when the middle flags as author Mary E. Pearson mixes abstract passages of an ancient prophecy with too much background in Vendan politics. Another thing that slows the action is the constant shift in perspectives. It makes for great character development -- the author does this so well -- but it's at the expense of well-crafted action-oriented scenes.
Still, when the last act gets rolling, you won't be putting down this sequel. Every guess you have for the story's outcome will probably be wrong, leaving readers with plenty of exciting ideas about what's to come in Book 3.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the warring kingdoms in the Remnant Chronicles. What's the difference between how the Komizar rules Venda and how Lia's royal parents rule Morrighan? Why did Lia think the Vendans were barbarians? What did she learn about them?
The Heart of Betrayal ends with another cliffhanger. Will you read Book 3? What do you think will happen to all the main characters and various kingdoms?
The Komizar mentions often that "there are no children in Venda." What does he mean? What makes it harder to be a child in that environment?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : July 7, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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