The Traitor's Game (The Traitor's Game Series #1)

by Jennifer A. Nielsen Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, Michael Curran-Dorsano

Overview

Hearts and loyalties collide in this electrifying New York Times bestseller from critically acclaimed author Jennifer A. Nielsen -- in paperback alongside Book Two!

Jennifer A. Nielsen's New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game, which Entertainment Weekly called "the next big YA fantasy," is perfect for fans of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard and the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's second-in-command to the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. One of the rebels, Simon, has his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

11/20/2017
Kestra Dallisor is the defiant 16-year-old daughter of Sir Henry Dallisor, chief counsel to Antora’s evil and possibly immortal ruler, Lord Endrick. Kestra is returning home following a three-year exile when Corack rebels ambush her carriage. Her attackers kidnap and threaten to kill Kestra’s driver and handmaid unless she smuggles two insurgents, Simon and Trina, into Sir Henry’s estate and helps them find the Olden Blade. The Blade is purportedly the only weapon capable of killing Lord Endrick, and it’s rumored to be hidden in the Dallisor dungeons. Kestra only cooperates because she must, but the longer she spends in the Coracks’ company, the more she questions what she knows about her kingdom, her family, and herself. First in a trilogy, this entertaining but uneven fantasy novel from Nielsen (the Mark of the Thief trilogy) advocates tolerance while championing female self-empowerment. Kestra and Simon’s alternating narratives are engaging and distinctive, but although Nielsen’s characters harbor plenty of secrets, they are somewhat one-dimensional, reducing the emotional impact of an otherwise action-packed, romance-laden tale. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

Praise for The Traitor's Game (The Traitor's Game, Book 1):A New York Times bestseller"The next big YA fantasy." — Entertainment Weekly"One of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Books of 2018." — Bustle"We were immediately caught up in Kestra's story, plotting beside a heroine made of strength, bravery and intelligence. Her complicated relationship with Simon and the danger sewn into every moment of her father's palace politics kept us flipping pages in time with each jaw-dropping plot twist." — Justine Magazine"Fantasy, action and romance combine for a whirlwind ride in Jennifer A. Nielsen's The Traitor's Game!" — Girls' Life"One of the Most Anticipated YA Books of 2018." — Hypable"Nielsen creates wonderful characters in all of her novels, and she is especially talented at writing complex, intriguing females who refuse to fit into any neat categories. The first in her engrossing Traitor's Game series introduces readers to another fascinating heroine, who disrupts the plans and plots laid to trap her and insists on controlling her own narrative...Engrossing, emotional and offers plenty of promise for the series to come." — RT Book Reviews"One of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Novels of 2018." — B&N Teen Blog"[An] action-packed, romance-laden tale." — Publishers Weekly"This rip-roaring tale has action galore with battle scenes, kidnappings, murder, intrigue, and romance... Nielsen has created a compelling world where little is as it seems." — School Library Connection"Nielsen does a masterful job keeping readers off guard while tightening the screws of tension throughout, satisfying even the most reluctant readers." — School Library Journal"The twists and turns of the plot make for compelling reading that should especially entertain fans of Nielsen's Ascendance trilogy." — The Horn Book"The Traitor's Game is intrigue and adventure with a bold heroine, some forbidden romance and plenty of twists along the way." — Shelf Awareness"The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is an action-packed story that leaves you yearning for more. The new book is an amazing addition to Nielsen's repertoire . . . Fit with a feisty heroine and some tough kidnappers, The Traitor's Game keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout." — The Missourian"Kestra may be one of my favorite characters of all time. She is courageous, bold beyond belief and also positively petulant, with a tendency for tantrums. The perfect protagonist for this adventurous, action-packed fantasy. Mixed with a bit of magic, a completely captivating saga is created; a stellar start to a tempting trilogy." — Buried Under Books"If you like your heroines fierce, your heroes protective, their loyalties divided, their missions complex, their motivations hidden, their lives full of secrets, The Traitor's Game is an absolute must." — FiktshunPraise for The Scourge:"A strong, feisty main character... narrates a story that is equal parts adventure, mystery, and political intrigue." — The Horn Book"Ani's willingness to help others, a hard battle in herself as she tries to get over long-held assumptions, demonstrates effectively how emergencies can bridge distances." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Nielsen's (A Night Divided) polished fantasy smoothly combines medieval elements with hints of mystery and romance... it delivers a significant message about how misinformation breeds intolerance." — Publishers Weekly"Nielsen provides readers with a strong, three-dimensional heroine and a plot that will keep readers guessing." — School Library Connection"The characters are well defined and memorable. Feisty Ani, a likable character who is thoughtful and strong, drives the story forward and keeps readers wanting to know more... A solid choice for readers who enjoy tales of strong heroines set in the ever-popular dystopian genre." — School Library JournalPraise for A Night Divided:"Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger. Nielsen (Mark of the Thief) evokes the constant unease of life in a divided Berlin through Gerta's sober narration... but the family never loses sight of the power of humility and forgiveness." — Publishers Weekly"Nielsen, best known for her fantasy novels, proves she is equally skilled at historical fiction in this solidly structured, balanced account of the origins of an infamous historical landmark... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page." — School Library JournalPraise for the Mark of the Thief Trilogy:* "The fast-paced, ingenious plot, charismatic hero and highly diverse cast of characters... make this series opener a captivating joy ride." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Vivid... [with] page-turning twists." — Publishers Weekly"Fast-moving fun with broad audience appeal, especially recommended for reluctant readers, Rick Riordan fans, and pedal-to-the-metal adventure aficionados." — Kirkus Reviews"The novel's Roman mythology connections... will have great appeal for fans of Rick Riordan. Heavily plot-driven with a movie-script feel." — BooklistPraise for the Ascendance Trilogy:A New York Times Notable Children's BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's BookA Cybils Award Winner* "An impressive, promising story." — Publishers Weekly, starred review"[A] pageturner." — The New York Times Book Review"Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." — The Wall Street Journal"A swashbuckling origin story... chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." — Los Angeles Times"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." — School Library Journal

School Library Journal

01/01/2018
Gr 6–8—The world has been engulfed in perpetual war. Kestra, the daughter of the emperorlike leader of the Dominion, is blackmailed into stealing a powerful artifact called the Olden Blade which can tilt the balance of power in the region. Between the onslaught of warring tribes and ever-changing loyalties, the book is replete with tense moments that propel the story forward. Nielsen does a masterful job keeping readers off guard while tightening the screws of tension throughout, satisfying even the most reluctant readers. The dialogue can read dry at times, but the plot-based twists and turns more than make up for it. An otherworldly story with a side of fantasy on the surface, the setup and struggle feels universal. Small plot reveals are meted out every few scenes to keep teens intrigued and thirsting for more. This is clearly the first of a series, as the ending is just the reckoning that some much larger battle is at hand. VERDICT A competent addition to any middle school library, especially where there are fans of Cassandra Clare and Suzanne Collins.—Brian Hoff, Elmwood Park High School, IL

JUNE 2018 - AudioFile

Loyalty, love, and deception take center stage in this intriguing audiobook. The first in a new YA series doesn't disappoint as it introduces Kestra Dallisor, the headstrong daughter of the right-hand man of evil Lord Endrick. Expertly voiced by Jesse Vilinsky, Kestra's frustration and determination are palpable as the story unfolds. Upon her return from a three-year exile, she is attacked by rebels and forced to help them. Michael Curran-Dorsano portrays Simon, one of the kidnappers responsible for controlling Kestra. Simon has history with her family, and Curran-Dorsano depicts him with the perfect mix of anger, passion, and vulnerability. Listeners will anxiously await the next book in this epic adventure. K.S.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2017-10-28
A rebellious lady fends off and flirts with actual rebels in this series starter.Recalled after three years of desert exile, 16-year-old white Kestra Dallisor is kidnapped—yet again—by Corack rebels while en route. Blackmailed and released to the wary supervision of former servant Simon Hatch and erratic Trina, Kestra returns home with a mission: find a book, find a blade, and help overthrow the evil Lord Endrick, last of the Endrean magic users, leader of the Dominion and ruthless ruler of Antora. Predictably, the headstrong, now-lethal lady's homecoming is complicated by an aloof father, upper-class expectations, and an unwanted suitor. Not as kick-butt as Katniss, Kestra is nevertheless disturbingly accustomed to violence, as are her fellow characters, with some scenes verging on Tarantino territory. Alternating narrators Kestra and Simon brim with righteous indignation and rigid views, spouting polarized political propaganda until their shared past and star-crossed passion make them question everything. Front-loaded with worldbuilding and evidently lacking characters of color, the mostly medieval, somewhat fantasy tale ricochets among underdog rebellion, improbable heist, and torrid, florid, forbidden romance. Nielsen's fans will eagerly anticipate sequels, but newcomers may find this first entry too little different from others in the genre to persist. (Fantasy. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170856503
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/27/2018
Series:	Traitors Game Series , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Read an Excerpt

Like everyone in Antora, I feared Lord Endrick, but I'd be a fool not to respect his power. Lord Endrick could not be defeated. He could not be killed or even wounded, certainly not by the Coracks. At best, they were like fleas to him, a persistent irritation, but a pestilence he would eventually crush between his fingers.Sooner than later, I hoped."Endrick is no ordinary man," I said. "Bring an army of a hundred thousand against him if you want. It will do you no good.""Not yet, my lady. That's where you come in."Almost unwittingly, I sat up straight, shaking my head as fiercely as possible. "What you want cannot be done."Tenger leaned in to me. "It will be done, and you will do it. The Coracks have not yet decided who will replace Endrick as ruler of the Scarlet Throne, but he will be replaced.""You will hang for this." I tilted my head toward Simon, to be sure the message was clear. "All of you.""So you've said." Tenger had probably heard that threat as often as the church bells chimed. "You'll attend our hanging, I assume.""I'll give the executioner his orders, gladly." My voice became ice. It frightened me to hear it, to realize I was capable of such words.Tenger smiled at my threat. "If you fail us, with similar enthusiasm we will execute your servant girl and driver. Only our methods are far more painful, I can promise you that. Now, what do you know about the Olden Blade?"My gut twisted, but I tried not to let my worry show. If the Coracks knew about that dagger, then they needed my help to complete their wicked plans. They intended to make a traitor of me too.If I was not careful, I would hang with them.

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