The Heart of Betrayal: The Remnant Chronicles, Book Two Kindle Edition

4.5 STARSA broken world built on bitter deception, ultimate betrayals, kindest friendships, faithful loyalties, sweet romance, unbreakable love, and the most deserving murders... THE HEART OF BETRAYAL will capture your heart and soul, and leave you breathless and utterly satisfied, but still craving more!!!I don't even know where to begin to express my love for this book--series!! It's breathtaking, and the betrayals and revelations were beyond shocking and utterly heart wrenching to endure. At one point my heart became so entangled in where and who my loyalties lie with, that I wanted to scream at Pearson for creating such a flawless book, with brilliant character developments, and stunning chemistry, that I wanted Lia with BOTH of her love interest. Even though I knew it couldn't happen, but there were still moments in which I said, "Why-CAN'T-SHE-HAVE-THEM-BOTH???? WHY??????" And then I came back to my sense and was all #Team_Rafe again. BUT... I have to shamelessly admit after seeing Kaden in a new light, my love has grown tenfold for him in this book. And who knows, maybe by the end of the next book my loyalties could have easily switched to Kaden. And I have a gnawing feeling it's going to be an all out war choosing where and who I ultimately stand with at the end of this series. I just hope Pearson doesn't kill of one of the love interest. That would shatter my heart and make me beyond furious. But I don't think she'd take the easy out like that, at least I hope not!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!LIA:Lia is one of the best female protagonist I've ever read! And like the other characters in this book her character development is tremendous from the first book, yet with just the right amount of imperfections to make her realistic, yet flawed. And though she is a prisoner of Venda, she's still able to turn the wheel and grip control from time to time--enough that sometimes it's the only reason she's able to survive. Lia's intelligent, cunning, manipulative, and so determined to make it out of Venda with the one she loves, no matter the consequences she has to endure. But she's also kind-hearted, compassionate, understanding, helpful to those in need, and willing to stand up for those who can't. Now all those qualities combined make Lia a deadly combination--A force not to be reckoned with. And the girl is totally badass with a wooden sword, and even lethal with a steel one...RAFE:Rafe, where do I even begin to tell you how awesome he is? But at the same time I felt sorry for him, and the things he had to endure and do in order to keep his true motives and identity a secret. For that reason his character had many rolls in this book. He couldn't be the strong, determined, unwavering Prince, solider, and lover that he is. No, he had to suppress himself and bury his true inner being from all of Venda, because if his true identity was ever revealed, he would be going home pieces at a time, and Lia would be left in Venda, at the mercy of the Komizar, and that is something Rafe cannot let happen. I loved Rafe's patience's and self control over the situation he was in. He had to watch and endure much to conceal his identity, and it was slowly killing him, but he proved that he could endure the unthinkable for the chance to save the one he loved. And that made me love his character so much more then before. And I think the next book will mostly be in Dalbreck, and I'm hoping we'll finally get to see the REAL Rafe, and I cannot WAIT!!!KADEN:Kaden has tremendously grown on me in this book. So much in fact that I absolutely LOVE his character. He's bruised, and scarred, and blinded by his vengeance's. But he's also grown so much in this book too, and watching him go through the motions was moving, and made me understand him so much more, and his reasoning behind why he did/does the things that have accrued in his path. And for him Lia was the turning point that allowed him to view things differently. So much in fact that his love for her was evident to everyone in Venda, but sometimes was a blinding rage that consumed him. Lia is utterly Kaden's downfall, but also his savior... And I'm really curious to see what will happen between him and Lia in the next book. And for most of this book I was divided where my loyalties lie, Rafe or Kaden. But at the end of this book it was obvious where my heart lie, #TEAM_RAFE ALL THE WAY!!! But Kaden still holds a big part of my heart too. So we shall see if book three is the turning point for my ultimate love and loyalties! ;)THE PLOTBetrayed, captured, and kidnapped by the assassin Kaden, Lia is dragged hundreds of miles by Kaden's group of blood-thirsty Vendan's, and forcefully taken to the barbarian City of Venda, where she will have to convince the ruling Komizar that she is worth much more keeping alive then dead. If not, she may have to do the unthinkable to stay alive...After enduring a harrowing journey, and watching someone she desperately loved murdered before her eyes, Lia thought it couldn't possibly get anymore complicated then this, but boy was she wrong. It's about to become a raging battle for survival, but not with weapons or fist. No, to beat this viciously cruel Komizar at his own game, Lia will have to become the ultimate weapon, and use not only her body and mind, but also every ounce of strength and skill she possesses, if she has any chance of escaping Venda alive. But first, she will have to become the enemy, to beat her enemy...Being forced into enemy territory is not at all what Lia anticipated. After a horrific and challenging few weeks, Lia has endured much, but she is finally welcomed by a highly respected Vendan Clan, and gains support and privilege faster then she ever imagined. But that power also comes with it's own price. A price she's not sure she can pay?But how can Lia possibly betray the same people who welcomed and believed in her? How can she crush the only fervor they've had in such a long time? But there is also one thing she cannot forget no matter how welcomed she thinks she is. She is still a prisoner of Venda, and no matter how good they treat her, or how much they put their faith in her, one way or another, she will pay for their generosity, even if it's with her body, or even her life...Things become even more distressing when Rafe shows up and puts everything on the line, and gives Lia a reason to keep fighting. But Rafe also brings a hope with him that she thought was lost. A faith that help is on the way, that four of his most faithful and skilled soldiers are coming to aid in their escape. Even if it's only six people against thousands, Lia is still determined to keep fighting, even when it seems like an unbeatable battle.Lia's world is an uproar of chaos and destruction, as her new life collides with her growing gift that unleashes when least suspected, her new roll in Venda, and the Komizar's threat that hangs in the balance. But even more unnerving is the ongoing weight that something more sinister is brewing in Venda, something that could even shatter all the kingdoms combined. Topped with her unwavering concealed deep affection for Rafe, Prince of Dalbreck, and her confusing relationship with the assassin Kaden, the supposed enemy. Lia's life has gone from bad to extremely deadly in a matter of weeks, and all she can do is bide her time and wait until the moment comes to strike, and strike she will, even if she has to kill for it...My love for this book and series runs deep. I loved just about everything about these driven characters and broken world on the brink of war. I cannot think of any serious reason not to love this book as much as I do. Only thing I can say that was any bother whatsoever was the pacing and lack of steady action. It wasn't as fast paced as I would of liked, and at times felt like it dragged on some parts. The first book was like that too, and I think (I can't really remember) that's why I gave book one four stars and not the five I really wanted too. And their also wasn't really that much action. But even with the slow pace and unsteady flow of action, it didn't slow down my racing heart or gnawing desire for vengeance against all who wronged Lia. Or the sweet awe every time Rafe and Lia had stolen kisses hidden deep within the sanctum, or the complete and utter bliss when THE HEART OF BETRAYAL came to an end, or the fierce need for book three when the last words were read!! So even with it's minor flaws, I still very much loved this book and would get lost in it over and over again. Matter of fact, I'm rereading it now for my second time as I write this review. If that isn't love for a book then I don't know what is! ;)Overall, THE HEART OF BETRAYAL was everything I thought it would be and some! I loved the beauty and horrific history in which this world was built upon, the exquisite culture and the remembrances that were created and brought to life, the fierce devotion in which our characters were willing to endure the unthinkable to fight for what they believed in. I could sit here all day naming the many reasons why I loved this book and thought it was the best. But theirs only three words I can think of that would do it any justice...UNTOUCHABLE, UNSTOPPABLE, AND INCOMPARABLE...P.S. And by the gods help me when book three, THE BEAUTY OF DARKNESS releases!!! OMG, I am going to shatter into a million pieces when that LONG, TORTUROUS, wait finally puts that EPIC book in my needy little hands!! Come on Pearson, give us that EXPLOSIVE ending that we're all craving!! So yeah, I think it's safe to say I absolutely loved this book,SO FREAKING HARD!!!! ;)NOTE: I received a physical ARC from Henry Holt (Macmillan) for reviewing purposes! All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way!

The first book in this series had the best plot twist I have ever read. And this book is continuing to give readers another wonderful and wild experience. The characters are all multidimensional and and fantastical. The Way of Knowing is a simple, but powerful new take on a magic system that is personally my favorite aspect of the book. I think the quality of this series would satisfy any fantasy, romance lover.10 out of 10 yet again.

This book. I haven’t been this invested in a series in a long time, but this book devoured me. This book is where Lia starts to actually reap the consequences of running away from her wedding. While The Kiss of Deception was (mostly) a joyride for her, The Heart of Betrayal is like she’s being forced to climb up a steep hill while blindfolded and handcuffed. It’s brutal and tough. I loved it, even more than the first book, and I’m so excited to see how the story wraps up in the next book.*Spoilers ahead for The Kiss of Deception if you haven’t yet read book one of the Remnant Chronicles*Okay, so Lia is in Venda now. The scenery in this book was so much darker than the first book. I preferred the beach town of Terravin to the stony ruins of Venda, but I will admit that we got so much deeper into the gritty details of this land than we did with any other city, and I relished building a mental city with all those extra details. Where book one was primarily character driven, book two focused a lot more on the plot and setting. I liked that, though, because we already had a good basis of who the characters are and we could dive deeper into the actual story.On that note, I’m so excited we now know who the assassin is and who the prince is. I’ve been team assassin since the beginning, just because I think it would be funny for the princess to fall in love with the assassin sent to kill her. But I see what Pearson did, playing on the irony of Lia falling in love with the exact prince she ran away from in the first place. I kind of saw that coming, but I’m still okay with that relationship because Rafe’s pretty cool.And Princess Lia, my goodness, what a powerful, savage woman. Maybe I haven’t read enough female-fronted fantasy, but she was a one-of-a-kind character in my eyes. I only wish I could be as tough as she is. Lia is one of my favourite protagonists of all time. She has developed incredibly since the beginning of The Kiss of Deception. She has also become more hardened, but after the situations in this book, that’s to be expected.So Lia and Rafe are trapped in Venda, the first prisoners ever in Venda. Both staying alive by their lies, they must devise a plan to escape the impenetrable fortress and save their own lives before the Komizar, the leader of Venda, decides he’s finished with them and kills them. But he is always one step ahead of Lia and Rafe, already anticipating their next moves, making it extremely hard for either of them to accomplish anything. It was actually a bit frustrating at times because I just wanted things to happen but they couldn’t. The Komizar made me so angry, but I also sort of liked him? I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so conflicted about a character before.The Heart of Betrayal is full of political intrigue, lies and deceit, tense battle scenes, secrets that could destroy a kingdom, and a few slivers of hope. There were plot developments in this book that I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have ever guessed happening, and then there were some things that I rightly predicted.I guessed partway through reading that Lia would do a certain thing by the end of the book, and she did. (view spoiler) Even though I saw it coming, I was still shocked and giddy when it happened, and my premature knowing what would happen didn’t make it any less exciting to experience.This book is so worth the read, and I think it’s much stronger than the first book; it’s the catalyst for the events that will take place in the third book. This series, so far at least, is one of my favorite series. It’s a classical-feeling fantasy, and I like that atmosphere. There are no magical creatures, and there’s no magic, but the series still exudes a magical quality. (I’m pretty sure I said the same thing in my review of the first book.) It’s just an excellent, well-written series.

Lia, along with Rafe, are being held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Verda. Lia feels betrayed and confused by both by Rafe, who lied about who he is but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her, and Kaden, who has given her a gift to the Komizar but he did choose not to assassinate her. Venda is not what Lia was expecting it to be and she tries to control her gift and her sense of self, and has to fight to not be a pawn in Verda’s politics.The Heart of Betrayal is the enjoyable sequel to The Kiss of Deception and while predictable it was a fast read and I did not want to put it down. That being said, like the previous book not much happens and there is too many pages for the amount of story in it. It is still really romance heavy and while it did feature some of the politics of Verda there was not much magic and fantasy elements to it. However, it was nice that we got to see Verda and its people, and it is hard not to feel sorry for them, even if we did not see much of what was happening outside this nation.Lia is playing a dangerous game in this book, especially as she is quite impulsive, but also she has grown and shows compassion to the people of Verda. Rafe is clever, sometimes idealistic and has to learn to control his anger and repress who he truly is to survive. Although it is annoying, and makes a bit of a dull story, that both of them were waiting to be rescued rather than being proactive and trying to escape themselves. We learn more about Kaden past, which makes me feel sorry for him even though I did get annoyed at his unwavering loyalty to the Komizar.I did like this book but it did not really improve on the first book, and I am worried that the third book The Beauty of Darkness will have the same problems as the rest of the series. I would recommend The Heart of Betrayal to fans of the first novel The Kiss of Deception.

I absolutely LOVE this series. I can't remember the last time I was so fully absorbed in a series as much as this one, impatiently awaiting each part to come out! This book was just as exciting and wonderful as the first part - and for many different reasons.Lia, Rafe, Kaden and the Komizar make such amazing characters, each one distinctly unique in their own way. I loved the character development and how Pearson provided us with a much bigger picture of the Vendan lifestyle and Kaden's world. Even Lia, despite her hatred and need for vengeance, comes to understand them a little more and finds a sort of kinship with some of the people in Venda.What really grips you about this series are the unexpected, unpredictable twists and turns. I was so sure at the beginning of the book of how this was going to end, only to find myself completely blindsided by an even more amazing ending! Lia is such a strong and feisty heroine, you can't help but root for her and love her. She is a great princess, and a great protagonist to the series. You rarely see her complaining and whining as female heroines are wont to do in books. I also appreciated and thoroughly respected her character for not doubting Rafe or mistrusting him at any point. She allowed her love for him to rise above any doubts and suspicions she may have had for him. After all, he did spend the better part of the first book lying and deceiving her. And then in this book, he spends the entirety of it pretending to be the Prince's emissary and doing a darn good job of it. So she had every reason to distrust and let doubt cloud her judgment. She didn't though, and for that I am grateful as it would have created unnecessary drama, when there were much more important things to worry about (i.e. defeating the evil Komizar and escaping).When Lia realizes that Rafe is waiting for his crew of 6 people to arrive in order to make their escape, she is disheartened. Six men against thousands? What chance do they have? And yet, she continues to trust him, even though it doesn't look like they were arriving anytime soon - until they do. And when they do, it is superbly entertaining to watch their attempts at blending in and meeting Lia for the first time.I don't know that I liked Kaden so much in this book. I did enjoy the big reveal of his past and how he became the Assassin, but I don't think his character is as engrossing as that of Lia, Rafe and the Komizar. However, the distinction between Rafe and Kaden's chracters in The Heart of Betrayal was very evident. In The Kiss of Deception, we spend the entire book guessing who is who with their characters intertwining and meshing together so you can't really tell one from the other. Pearson succeeds in making that distinction clear in this book, allowing each character to develop independently of the other and allowing Lia to connect with each one separately and for different reasons.The Komizar, on the other hand, was such an interesting villain. The way Pearson created him and brought him to life is absolutely brilliant. He is a villain that you almost want to see redeemed, even though you know it's not going to happen. There were many moments where I found myself thinking, could he possibly redeem himself? But then I think back to all the things he's done and is still doing and take it back immediately.And the way Lia connects with the Vendan people and creates such loyalty in them, when she was the number one sworn enemy is spectacular to watch. Add to that the Komizar's proposition and you have yourself quite the conundrum.Man oh man, the ending is insane. That's all I could possibly say about that. I cannot believe I need to wait another year before I find out what happens and how everything ends.

Actual rating: 4.5 starsI enjoyed The Heart of Betrayal more than the first book. It was action packed and thrilling. It left me wanting to know more about of what Lia’s destiny holds for her, as written in the Song of Venda. And it left me thinking about the story a lot after I finished it, making theories about what would happen in the third book. This didn’t happen after The Kiss of Deception, even though it was a very enjoyable read. So that’s improvement!I loved how Lia grew so strong and embraced the Vendan costumes. Her character development was amazing and so was Kaden’s. After the first couple of pages I shipped Kaden and Lia HARD.I loved to get to know more of Kaden’s past and how he feels, I’m glad he confided in Lia. He was a surprise though, I’m curious to know what his future will be like and how it envols Lia; because I refuse to believe they won’t end up together after everything I read *SPOILER AHEAD* and especially because Kaden has the gift like Lia and this is what he saw: “Not now. I saw us a long time from now. I had a baby in my arms.” FEELS OVERLOAD I can seriously imagine this and I hope it happens!! *END OF SPOILER*I actually quite liked the Komizar as a villain. I think there was more to him than that cold indifferent exterior he showed. But I hated what he did to Aster.The ending was a bit disappointing to me because that’s not how I was expecting things to go but my opinion might be a bit biased in this subject due to my opinion towards Rafe. I liked him in the first book but mostly because I thought he was the bad boy… In The Heart of Betrayal I just found him a bit lacking and boring. Just like his relationship with Lia, but that’s just my opinion.I really recommend this book. I can’t wait for The Beauty of Darkness! I need to know what happened to Kaden!

Love this!!!!!! The hard back edition is simply beautiful and the writing style is amazing. I would recommend this series to ages 14 and up due to some bad language and sexual scenes.The main character, Lia is strong willed and stands up for what she believes in whilst I found myself torn between Kaden and Rafe. The love triangle is very different from other love triangles and I did not get tired of as I have in other books.I loved how the story was told from different points of views and can't wait for the next installment in this great series!

Really liked the first one, and hoped that this one would be even better and it really is! So much depth and so many great characters, with a story that just leaves you hoping it won't end. Nothing about the book felt dragged out or rushed, and never found it difficult to continue reading, a simply lovely read. Really can't wait for the next one, would definitely recommend!