MY REVIEW:
“The Traitor’s Heir” is one of those good versus evil novels with a somewhat medieval setting. Supernatural events, both good and evil, are scattered throughout the narrative and at times the same character is able to operate in either aspect of power. The book is a lengthy one that weighs in at 544 pages.
I didn’t particularly like the hero Eamon Goodman. For most of the story, he seemed to be pretty wishy-washy and had difficulty remaining loyal to his friends. Of course, that was partially due to the author’s intent to illustrate the strong spiritual battle Eamon was in. The fact that Eamon tended to make the choices that were easiest for him was probably pretty true to the choices most of us also make in our daily lives. Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes as Eamon eventually managed to do.
Although “The Traitor’s Heir” is published by a Christian publisher and its overall theme would fall into that genre, readers need to be aware that there is some language and lifestyle choices that many Christians might find objectionable. Overall the book was fairly enjoyable although I would have preferred a hero who was a bit less wimpy and showed a bit more integrity and backbone.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Every man has a destiny. His is to betray.
Like many from his village, young Eamon Goodman dreamed of joining the Gauntlet, the army of the overlord Eldered. Now he is about to complete his training and swear his loyalty to Eldered and his commanders, the Hands, who uphold Eldered s tight control of the land.
Entering into the service of the Gauntlet, Eamon s gifts, particularly his potent Sight, quickly become valuable to his superiors and he advances to the command rank at a speed that arouses the suspicions of fellow officers.
However, Eldered’s bloody rule, and Eamon s personal friendships, start to challenge the young soldier s assumptions about what might be true, and worthy of service. And soon Eamon must conceal a fatal secret: he is sworn to both Eldered and to Hughan, the rightful king of the land. Yet he may not forswear the vows he has uttered in all good faith so however he serves, his name will be traitor.
As tensions and military skirmishes increase, Eamon finds himself trusted by both his masters. How can he possibly maintain his integrity, act justly to his fellow officers of the Gauntlet, and act on behalf of all the warring people of the land?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anna Thayer graduated from Cambridge with first class honors in 2005 and, bilingual in English and Italian, went on to teach in Sicily. She now writes and lectures internationally on the works of Tolkien and Lewis, and teaches English at an independent school in southern England.
