I genuinely love when a highly anticipated sequel blows me away just as much as the previous installment did! Just as with Daughter of Redwinter, Traitor of Redwinter will be making it on to my Best Books of 2023 list because I absolutely loved it. This book did not suffer from the dreaded ‘middle book syndrome’ and proved to be just as engagingly plotted as the first and it left me reading late into the night.
Raine, who was first introduced to us as a fearful and lonely young woman trying to escape a demon attack, is now an apprentice of the Draoihn at Redwinter. She’s accessed the First Gate, she’s made friends with the other apprentices, and she’s even garnered some renown for slaying a traitorous Draoihn of the Fourth Gate. These successes and the semblance of stability Raine now has don’t change the fact that she fears the discovery of her other abilities. Raine can access the forbidden Sixth Gate, which is essentially the gate of death and gives some incredibly powerful abilities that would see her killed if discovered.
Because of her fear of discovery and the guilt she feels for having killed with her power, Raine begins to pull away from her friends because she knows she’s turning into a monster. It’s actually quite sad to see Sanvaunt, Liara, and Esher continually reach out to her while she makes excuses and drinks away the memories and guilt. Raine really hates herself and somewhat understandably doesn’t want to drag those she cares about down with her when she feels that discovery is inevitable. Couple this with the fact that Ulover is weakening and Ovitus has returned from Brannlant with a beautiful new bride and an unsettling new confidence and you’ve got a recipe for disaster brewing.
Yes, this installment is full of emotional turmoil and harmful coping mechanisms, but it's also full of persistent friendship, death magic, and political turmoil, which I love even more than emotional turmoil. There are also some way cool battle scenes where Raine gets to show off some of that magic she’s secretly been learning about from the Ashtai grimoire. All in all, Traitor of Redwinter was another incredible installment into what is turning out to be one of my favorite new fantasy series. I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book after that ending, which seems to have opened up a whole new layer of the world!

This series is very much my type of all vibes read.
Overall there's a few small issues I have, like the language sometimes doesn't seem to fit the setting. And Raine being so young makes me slightly uncomfortable with some of the content. In terms of the big mystery of this book I did guess it quite early, but that might just be bc I know how these stories go.

Overall tho I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this book. I love the intrigues and characters as well as the interpersonal relationships and it was definitely a book I binged (as an ebook, which doesn't happen often)

I'll write a more detailed review probably later this week, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this book. After the mystery & action scenes in the first few chapters, the book dragged a bit. But the tension started build up nicely and, once things got going, I literally could not put this book down.

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Added November 1, 2023 - My full review:
:
I'm a huge fan of stories told in the first-person perspective. I love that they're written as if the main character is telling their story to me. I especially like it when the character has a few things to learn either through youth or inexperience because then I get to learn about their world as they learn it.

It's so immersive and, because I'm literally inside their heads as the story unfolds, I'm privy to their most private thoughts and emotions as things progress. I might not agree with decisions they make, which could be foolish or even idiotic, but I understand and accept those choices, even support them because I understand how they came to those decisions.

So, if I don't like the narrator or (worse) if I hate their choices, it's tough to enjoy a first person POV book. But I loved Raine from the very first pages of Daughter of Redwinter. Ed McDonald brought a flawed, 17 year old girl with a terrible secret in that book to life in a way that made her easy to relate to. The way she talks and thinks was realistic and her interactions with the people around her felt so real.

There's no shortage of examples of "men writing women badly" in fiction in general and, in speculative fiction in particular. So, I was amazed by how well Ed McDonald wrote Raine in Daughter of Redwinter. It was a book that I literally could not put down not only because of the great protagonist, Raine, but also because of her "found family" and the great action. I also loved learning about the magical world of the Draoihn (mages) and the terrifying power they can wield.

I was a bit nervous that I might not like Traitor of Redwinter as much, but I needn't have worried. I loved it. I literally could not put this book down.

Highly recommended for fans of "found" families, magic schools and dark fantasy stories with kick ass female protagonists. If you liked Daughter of Redwinter, I think you like Traitor of Redwinter just as much (if not more).

A note about the audiobook: I loved this story so much I got the audiobook: Samara McLaren did a phenomenal job bringing Ed McDonald's book to life. I could listen to her read the phone book. Kudos to both the author and narrator for giving me such a wonderful listen.

4.5 stars

I LOVED this book, it was such a strong sequel and I cannot wait for the next one. It's very quickly becoming a favourite fantasy series of mine.

I loved that we got to explore so much more of Raine and while her self-consciousness and nativity did get on my nerves at times, it was nice to see her start to grow and stop caring what others thought. I'm excited to see where her character goes and see her development. I love her powers and the magic system in these books, its just done so well and is so much fun to read!

The romance was done so well and I really enjoyed it, but at times felt it was a bit out of place at times. Especially with the war going on.

This book solidified my hatred for Ovitus, that man is such a POS and just keeps getting worse, I want to see him rot in hell. There were so many things he did and said that got my blood boiling and enraged me.

4.5/5 - Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the eARC. It's a little late because I just HAD to get the audiobook. I adore the narrator. This is an honest review.

In the second installment of the Chronicles of Redwinter by Ed McDonald, readers are back into a tumultuous world brimming with political intrigue and a complex young protagonist struggling to grapple with her abilities. Raine finds herself contending with the daunting influence of the Sixth Gate, navigating a path fraught with challenges and difficult choices that put her friendships and loyalties to the test. And I just want to shake her for her terrible actions and decisions through the first 80% of the book.

McDonald weaves a narrative of both inner turmoil and external threats. There is a vivid discussion of Raine's internal struggle as she battles depression and self-hatred by sabotaging herself over and over and over. Wrestling with the repercussions of her (terrible) decisions, Raine's journey is marked by moments of despair and introspection, effectively capturing the intricacies of depression and its impact on one's actions and relationships. But oof, it is often frustrating. The author deftly orchestrates a crescendo of tension and suspense, leading to a gripping climax that serves as a testament to McDonald's narrative prowess. All of that frustration is worthwhile in the end. Raine's evolution, characterized by a palpable sense of emotional reawakening and the resurgence of her suppressed feelings, adds a layer of depth to the storyline, immersing readers in her tumultuous emotional landscape. Masterfully done.

Amidst the multifaceted plot, McDonald introduces a compelling array of political machinations, fueling a sense of foreboding and treachery that permeates the story. Raine's struggles are compounded by the conflicting allegiances and the shadowy motives of those around her, culminating in a series of unexpected twists and revelations that heighten the intensity. Ovitus is the worst and I continue to despise him.

While this novel, unlike the first, occasionally grapples with the portrayal of the female experience, particularly in Raine's depiction, McDonald's exploration of her youth and emotional vulnerability lends insight into her often tumultuous decision-making process. The complexity of her character, though frustrating, ultimately adds a layer of authenticity to her portrayal, contributing to the overall depth of the narrative.

I am eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Raine's compelling saga and have no idea where this story will go in the future (in the best way)! PLEASE give us an OT3, Ed!

I thought I could go into Traitor of Redwinter and just start reading it without a refresher (after all, McDonald helpfully provides a refresher at the beginning of the book), but it turns out I really needed a re-read, so I ended up reading Daughter of Redwinter again so I could have it fresh in mind when I started Traitor of Redwinter. If you haven’t read the first book in this series lately, you may want to do the same, because it really helped me remember all the cogs and sprockets of Redwinter and the characters in this fantastic series.

This book picks up some months after the end of DoR, and Raine, along with other characters from the first book, are on a diplomatic trip to meet up with a Draoihn who has taken over a city. They’re to take the measure of him, because the King’s health is failing and the succession is coming soon. What happens in these opening chapters sets off a chain of events that will follow Raine and company throughout the rest of the book.

Meanwhile, Uvotis has been gone for months to the capitol, Ulovar has fallen gravely ill, rose thistle has become a little too good of a friend, and Raine can’t seem to decide whether to push or pull when it comes to Esher and Sanvaunt.

Sophomore novels in a series are a hit-or-miss phenomena. Luckily, this one is a hit. I enjoyed it a bit more than I did DoR: it had more heart, more depth, more emotion (I cried more than once), more nuance, and (I hate to say it) more actual plot.

There were downsides, though. First of all: Ed McDonald needs to get a female sensitivity reader. I don’t want to read the phrase “tingles tingles” in regards to how a woman feels about a man or woman again. It’s an immature expression of desire for a woman like Raine. It doesn’t fit. It was also predictable. I didn’t mind the predictability this time, but the point stands. The last point is the ending. It felt a bit deus ex machina.

It’s still a fantastic book and a fantastic series. I still love it. I’m still enjoying the magic and the characters and the world. I just think it needs some tweaking.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Epic Fantasy/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/Found Family/LGBTQ Romance

It's hard being a Sarathi among the Draoihn, but it's even harder being young and not knowing what to do with all the feelings.
Basically. :)

The story continues after the events of Daughter of Redwinter with Raine joining the ranks of young Draoihn applicants, training to master the First Gate and passing the test to join their ranks. But that's not the only thing Raine has to deal with. She is practicing dark Sarathi magic in secrecy, Ulovar is fading away, her diplomatic mission she was sent on was a disaster and the rift between clans is being deepened, Queen of the Feathers still hasn't cashed in on her wish, but she is always there. With the upcoming change on the throne and clans backing up a different candidate it seems like war is coming to Redwinter, the Crown is in danger and Raine and her friends have to grow up fast.

The second book in Redwinter Chronicles is simply said more- more of everything from the first book. It's a more complex story in terms of events because the things that happened will shook the entire nation and are not just contained to Redwinter. Even the fairies, the hidden folk who, so far, were mentioned as an elusive, unseen part of the world have more prominent role in this one. There is more Raine's developing powers, more of her messiness and confusing feelings about Esher and Sanvaunt, more politicking, more death ( :( ), more Ovitus being the worst, more Sarathi and Draoihn magic, more Ulovar being grumpy and fatherly, more Robilar scheming, more Ovitus being the worst and most importantly, more Castus.

And I ate it all up.

The thing about both of books in this series is that despite the fact they go dark places they feel like a comfy blanket I can wrap around myself because I genuinely get lost in this story and characters without feeling beaten to the ground. There is a nice balance between serious and grave scenes and scenes of just Raine and her friends being young and everything that comes with that: emotional, fun and stupid, moody, self-absorbed and sweet.
And this is where I have to talk about Raine. She is a challenging, flawed character, one who goes the route of rash decisions and auto-destructive behavior as we follow her journey. And I understand not everyone enjoys reading that, but McDonald managed to make me invested in her story quite successfully. She's complicated, she's messy and all that fits her age without making it her singular characteristic. Her romance drama got in front of more serious things several times in the book and I caught myself shaking my head because she can't deal with it at all which is funny considering she is ready to do more dangerous things, like assassinating or using Sarathi magic. But her instincts are on point and you actually can believe what drives her to help Ulovar because author made an effort to show us that her Redwinter family are worth fighting for: her friends are great, Sanvaunt is just dreamy, Erish is lovely, Castus is the best and all I can say is that I get her. I totally get her. :)

There is a darkness in this series, a delicious Scottish folklore infused fantasy world and bad things people do to each other, but the author makes an effort to show the good side of humanity and not go to the route of "everyone is actually bad." And yes, there is a drama, a young girl unnecessary drama with heightened emotions mixed in all of that and it just works for me.
What an underrated gem this series is, I can't wait for the next book.

Entering a series can be difficult for readers if they haven't read Book 1. Often I find that authors are conscious of that and give a bit of an overview in the first chapter or so to fill in any gaps. I appreciated Ed McDonald for being one of those authors. The recap helped me center myself in this new world and inspired me to go backwards and also read the first book in the series.

Raine is a unique character to invest in and I am firmly hooked. I loved the world building, the imagination and the thrill. I think Traitor of Redwinter really fleshed Raine out as a character and I look forward to book 3!

Thank you for the ARC!

Traitor of Redwinter continues on much in the same vein as Daughter of Redwinter. Its not a bad book but in no way was it able to grab me in a positive manner.

Eight months after the ending of book 1 we find Raine hard at training. Otivus is still away at the capital while her master Ulovar turns mysteriously ill. A rebellion in the north is stirring and underneath something very dark is coming.

Having this book start 8 months after the ending of the first book and nothing happening in the relationships of characters, is a very big stretch. Nobody stands still for that long and the clear tension between Raine, Esther and Sanvaunt would not just come forward again when this book starts. Yet nothing alludes to anything happening in those 8 months.

In general I feel there is not a lot of look back of how the fall-out of that ending was dealt with. Raine getting her emotions back is one fall-out I'm thinking off. Ulovar didn't get truly ill until the start of this book but he's clearly not dealt with the consequences on Raine's emotional dealings of his actions. I hate how everyone puts him on a pedestal while he did that to her. Nobody seems to care.

Raine getting her emotions back only comes forward in her actions. She's clearly not dealing with anything and throwing herself into bed with a friend and shunning her actual two love interests. But hey, lets call out those actions and not the actual reason any of this is happening (emotion ban). She is not being properly guided at all and nobody sees it.

I spend most of this book incredibly frustrated. With Raine, with the other characters and the whole plot. Lets give Otivus a personality transplant. There was nothing left of the man we met in book 1 and its convenient to butcher a character with dark magic when he's been away for a long time.

So yes frustration. If you didn't share my frustrations of book 1 you are probably still going to like this book.

My first encounter with Ed McDonald’s Redwinter books came from seeing Traitor of Redwinter pop up on my NetGalley list. I quickly tracked down the audio version of the first book in the series, Daughter of Redwinter, and I absolutely loved getting to know Raine and the world that fears her so.

Traitor of Redwinter opens with a nice summary of the events of book one. Raine has a talent that know one else can ever know. Because of her near-death experiences (suffocating with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck at birth, and a drowning as a young girl), she can see the spirits of the dead. This proximity to death is greatly feared, and those who are known to have the grave-sight are quickly stoned to death. Still, she was taken in by Draoihn, magic-wielding warriors who fight against evil after she helped two of them to defeat a demonic creature named Ciuthach that was resurrected beneath the monastery where she had been living. After several months as a servant among the Draoihn, she ended up defeating a dread enemy, a powerful Draoihn possessing the grave-sight who had been believed executed years before.

Now, almost a year after coming to stay with Ulovar LacNaithe, the Draoihn who saved her life, Raine has finally been permitted to train with the other apprentices. She’s being pushed through a crash course in armed combat and meditation techniques to control the Gates, limiters that determine which magical powers a Draoihn can wield. While most Draoihn only open the First Gate, entering an active trance that enhances their senses, others can gain further abilities with additional Gates. Only Grandmaster Robilar holds the Fifth Gate while the Sixth Gate, the Gate of Death, is forbidden due to its connections with the grave-sight.

A diplomatic mission to deal with a rebellious Draoihn leader quickly goes awry, with one of Raine’s fellow apprentices being killed, and only his ghost’s appearance serving her as warning to get the rest of the team out of an ambush. With Ulovar still recovering from his battle with Ciuthach, much work is left to his apprentices in the fortress of Redwinter. The Draoihn’s enemies, those who would depose the king and throw the magic of the world into chaos, will not rest. Raine may prove once again the only one who can stop them. The cost of that, however, may be Raine’s secret, and the promise of a safe and secure life in Redwinter. Will she risk losing her relationships with her new friends and family in order to save their lives?

Ed McDonald has, once again, presented an excellent fantasy adventure in a world that parallels our own. With a Scotland-inspired protagonist who rivals Brave‘s princess Merida, Traitor of Redwinter is an incredibly solid second entry for this series. Greater depth is given to all of our returning characters, and the world is fleshed out considerably more. Political intrigue, romance, violence, and magic blend brilliantly. I love the time I’ve spent in this world, and I look forward to hearing the audio version of this one as well.

Traitor of Redwinter is out in stores today. Happy reading!

My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an eARC in exchange for a fair review.

This review originally appeared here: https://wordpress.com/post/swordsoftheancients.com/5268

Wow this book blew my expectations out of the water. While I enjoyed Daughter of Redwinter it didn't leave a super big impression on me. It felt more like a prequel, a background to a bigger story. That is exactly what Traitor of Redwinter is - the bigger story. But we couldn't have gotten there without the roots laid down in DoR, so my appreciation for the first book has grown. My heart hurt so much reading this book. Ed McDonald is so good at putting the reader within Raine's mindset. Feeling lost and clueless, even a bit detached during DoR, is exactly how Raine felt. I found myself so frustrated at Raine during ToR - as much as she was frustrated with herself, I'm sure. I found new love for Castus; agony and heartbreak for Sauvant and Esher. My disgust for Ovtius continued to grow (seriously after what was revealed towards the end of DoR I wanted to yeet him off a cliff). I do wish we had spent more time with Ulovar in DoR, to make the events of DoT more impactful. I think that was really my only main complaint with this sequel. Everything else I felt developed really well and I found the story pacing much more even. The world building, lore, and expanded magic system - amazing. I look forward to the next book!

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

TL;DR

Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald returns readers to the wonderful world of Raine and the Draoihn. Magic, politics, treachery, mystery, and more await readers between these covers. McDonald explores more of the world he created in the first book, and readers get to enjoy that. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.

Review: Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

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.

Raine is back. She’s progressed in her training at Redwinter, and she’s haunted by nightmares of the lives she’s taken. On a diplomacy trip with other apprentices that goes completely wrong, she and the others are forced to flee for their lives. A fellow apprentice is killed, and no one is punished for it. That death is yet another that weighs on Raine. Nightmares visit her every night, and she’s taking rose-thistle to stay away. (Self-medication never helps.) Meanwhile, her attraction to both Sanvaunt and Esher grows, but she holds herself back from acting on either attraction. Her master, Ulovar, the man who took her into his clan and elevated her to Draoihn apprentice, is wasting away – either from sickness or aging. Raine goes about her training hoping to learn, dreading that her secret will be found out. You see, she can see the dead. Not only that, she may have power over the dead, and in her world, that’s an automatic death sentence. Daily, she’s surrounded by those who could and would carry out that sentence without remorse. She goes about her life and seems to be making progress on her Draoihn training. Secretly, she’s also progressing in her training as a death witch. She’s found a book – actually, a book found her that can teach her some of the forbidden magic of the Sarathi. The Raven Queen appears when she’s studying, and now she’s dreaming of historical queens remembered for the evil they brought to the world. Rained doesn’t want that. She believes the book can help rid her of powers. But the powerful in her life have other plans for her.

Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald is a first person, fantasy novel. It teeters back and forth between the epic and grimdark sub-genres. It’s a fast paced novel with some excellent action scenes. This book is a little slower than the first in the series, but it makes up for that with much more depth of world, which is impressive given how fleshed out the first book was. Highly recommended.

Raine

In the first book, Raine was isolated by her need to protect her secret. Also, the scar that Ulovar drew across her mind kept her at a distance from people. But the scar healed in the first book. Yet she’s still isolating herself in this book. Partially because of Ovitus’s lies; partially because of her secret; wholly because her own lack of self worth. It doesn’t help that she’s sleep deprived. Between the night terrors and the rose-thistle, she’s avoiding sleep, and that’s never good for a person’s mental health. Sometimes, she’s just a walking wound in this book, and you want to hug her and tell her it’ll be alright.

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.

Raine’s PTSD plays a big role in this book. This was handled wonderfully. McDonald lets his other characters see her PTSD, and they all try to talk to her about it. However, she tries to be strong, which is a typical reaction. This was a sensitive portrayal of PTSD without being cliche.

Lore and Worldbuilding

One of the reasons that I like this series is the world-building. It’s interesting, and I like how McDonald explores it through his story. In Traitor of Redwinter, we get more world-building and lore. The world and its history are fascinating. McDonald opens this book with a dream sequence in which Raine and the Raven Queen are watching the Riven Queen. I’m now fascinated with these historical Queens.

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.

Grandmaster Robilar was an interesting character in the first book. McDonald gave a good teaser about her, and in this book, readers get to know more about her. I loved it. She is, of course, powerful, knowledgeable, and cunning. When reading, I did the feeling that she was so much more capable than Raine. There is definitely a reason she’s the grandmaster. Her addition to the book was great.

Art as Coping Mechanism

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.

I believe that art has the power to heal; that it can be a coping mechanism. It can also be a tool to work through our issues. I like to think that’s what is happening here. Sanvaunt and Liara are attempting to create, to put something into the world as a balance to the thing they took from it. Granted, addition and creation will never balance with loss. But creation allows that attempt.

Again, I don’t know if McDonald intended that or not. I could be reading way too deeply and putting my own thing on the text.

Conclusion

Ed McDonald’s Traitor of Redwinter is a wonderful followup to Daughter of Redwinter. It deepens the world, the action, the consequences, and the character of Raine herself. This book cements The Redwinter Chronicles as a must read. Highly recommended.

“Traitor in Redwinter” by Ed McDonald is full of shady politics, ancient powers and unexpected revelations. As we enter book 2 of The Redwinter Chronicles, we quickly learn that Raine is swept up into the intrigues and political machinations of the people and powers around her. Even as an apprentice learning how to fit in but also desperately trying to learn how to deal with her newfound powers, Raine struggles with the consequences of her previous actions. She also firmly believes that her powers are dark and not to be trusted. Yet, she has made promises she cannot escape.

As the novel weaves the intrigue, so too is the magic woven into this novel as we learn that nothing is quite as expected. The story is far more powerful and emotional as Raine deals with conflicts, both personal and personal, and her relationships with Sauvant and Esher. I love how the novel explores her dynamic with both and provides a wonderful bisexual representation that isn’t false and stays authentic. Raine’s emotions are incredibly compelling. 

Once the story brings to light all the dark intrigues, the story ends with a poignant and powerful manner that also shows even more unexpected revelations and more change for Raine. If you liked the first book, I highly recommend the 2nd book in The Redwinter Chronicles, “Traior in Redwinter.” It is compelling, emotional and powerful.

The first thing I will say is a massive THANKYOU to the author who added a ‘previously on’ style recap that refreshed book one in my mind when it came to reading book 2. Such a great idea and I wish more authors did it.

The story picks up shortly after book one and we follow Raine as she tries to navigate her new found strength as well as vulnerability.

The first 60% of this book is character development and world building, which is nice to have the world fleshed out a little and I think will come good in book 3 for sure.

The one thing I could do without is the will they/won’t they of the love interests and potential love triangle (if not more) that takes up a lot of the story. Raine is definitely a self saboteur when it comes to her relationships but I just found that Sanvaunt has been fleshed out a lot more than his love rival.

The rest of the story is beautifully written and had my thoroughly sucked into the world, and sometimes, that is exactly what you need in life!

I think that we will see great things coming in book 3 and from Ed McDonald in general in the future. A great fantasy read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for my ARC copy.

As I began to ponder my thoughts about Traitor of Redwinter, I struggled to come up with anything cohesive to say. After plenty of reflection, I've decided that it is probably because my reading experience with this book was so out of the ordinary. I trudged through the first two-thirds so slowly even though the general ideas and characters were fascinating. Then the last third had me so hooked I couldn't put it down. The last bit of the book also made me see the first parts in a new light, and I don't think of them as negatively now as I did upon first reading them.

The first half of Traitor of Redwinter largely focused on character development and a bit of world-building. The narrative explored Raine's response to the horrors she experienced in the first book, and the impact of PTSD on her relationships. She understandably regressed as a character now that she felt the emotional weight of everything for the first time. She had nightmares and became addicted to drugs to numb herself, while also engaging in rash behavior. All of her new friendships fell apart, as she isolated herself from those she loved the most to avoid them seeing the parts of her that she considered rotten.

Ultimately, Raine's story in Traitor of Redwinter was one of self-acceptance, which I did end up appreciating quite a bit. She was just so whiny during the first half of the book, and things felt like they were moving at the pace of molasses. Some of her internal monologue just got to the point where it felt mind-numbingly repetitive, but upon further reflection, I realized that the frustration of feeling stuck as the reader mimicked Raine's own experience of training in Redwinter while spiraling into deeper loneliness and despair.

I loved the additions to the world-building in Traitor of Redwinter. There was so much cool history exposed. The magic system is still one of my favorites ever, and I enjoyed getting to see it in action again, especially some of the more esoteric powers that came into play. Grandmaster Robilar was a key figure in the story, and it was fascinating to see how her history intertwined with the current conflict in so many ways. There was clan drama, as well, with plenty of political intrigue. I think my one complaint would be that for most of the first half all of the interesting political maneuvering was happening around the characters without actually involving them.

The last quarter of Traitor of Redwinter had me in a choke-hold that would not let me put the book down. I read until 4 AM just to see how it all ended. There were so many payoffs for small things from throughout the first two books, and the author's attention to detail and ability to build an intricate narrative shined through in those moments. The ending was both tragic and hopeful, and it had me wanting to scream in rage at certain characters.

Overall, Traitor of Redwinter was a solid character-focused sequel that set the stage for a truly epic third installment. I cannot wait to return to this world again because I'm so curious to see where the story goes next. There are SO MANY things I'd love to talk about but can't because of spoilers. So, I'll just end with this tidbit. If you enjoyed the first book, definitely give this one a go and withhold judgment until you reach the end. If you haven't started the series yet, what are you waiting for? All things considered, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

HIGHLIGHTS
~a very shiny horse
~secrets of death-magic
~arguably the Best villain ever
~still shipping my OT3
~the Heels (you’ll know them when you see them)

*Spoilers for book one, Daughter of Redwinter!*

Daughter of Redwinter was a huge surprise for me on every level – it wasn’t a book I expected to be for me, but I fell head over heels for it, not least because of how much I identified with Raine, the main character. But the magically-induced emotional numbing Raine experienced for most of Daughter was ‘healed’ – kinda-sorta-mostly – at the end of that book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Traitor. Would I still care about Raine? Would I even like her? How would her ability to experience the full range of emotions again affect her relationships with her new family – to say nothing of her two love interests? Daughter ended with Raine and the mysterious Queen of Feathers being pretty pissed at each other – what ramifications was that going to have?

I can tell you this: a lot has changed between the two books. Daughter and Traitor are very different in a whole bunch of ways.

But I would say that’s because Traitor of Redwinter levels the fuck up in every aspect, and the results are incredible.

Daughter of Redwinter was a book that took me by surprise; Traitor is a book that is nothing but surprises. Absolutely nothing went the way I thought it would; I never saw the twists coming, spotted the clues only in hindsight, and everything I was sure of slipped through my fingers. Something I thought was a beautiful but ultimately meaningless moment from the first book literally saved the fucking day here; something I thought was McDonald leaning on a lazy cliche was MINDBLOWINGLY NOT; characters I wrote off revealed themselves to be the exact opposite of what I’d thought them to be – which meant something very different for each one of those characters. Everything I thought I didn’t like – little details in the tropes, the plot, the worldbuilding, the politics, the character dynamics, anything and everything – turned itself inside-out into something completely and ridiculously epic before the book was over, and honestly, I want to stand up and APPLAUD. I love how many tricks McDonald played on me; I love how he played me, over and over; I love how this story is patently not going in the direction we’d quite naturally expect.

Epic Fantasy? Oh, definitely. But not like you’ve seen it before – honest.

Traitor opens eight months after the end of Daughter, and I won’t lie, that bugged me. I’m not a fan of timeskips generally, and this one stretched the bounds of belief when it came to the romantic tension between Raine and her two love interests, Sanvaunt and Esther. It’s a little difficult to buy into the fact that all of that stalled for eight months, after how intense both relationships were becoming towards the end of the previous book. But on the one hand, we have both Raine and Esther’s hesitation and confusion over their sapphic feelings, in a world where that’s not commonly accepted; and on the other hand, Raine and Sanvaunt both had A Lot to deal with in the final chapters of Daughter, so…it’s just about possible to let it slide. Just.

<they’d lit a fire to the sheet music, and now they danced to a burning tune.>

Especially because that’s really my only critique of anything in the book. And we dive right in immediately; Raine, with a fair bit more control over her sixth gate than she had when last we saw her, is being sent as part of a sort of ambassadorial party with several other apprentice Draoihn to (politely, not violently) deal with a rebel Draoihn lordling. Who, to be honest, has some pretty good reasoning for telling Redwinter to fuck off. Where Daughter of Redwinter gave us a tight, narrow focus on Raine and Redwinter itself, Traitor zooms out, giving us a much bigger, and clearer, understanding of Raine’s world. The politics of her country Harran, and its north/south divide, is one of the major driving forces of the plot; as are the not-always-so-distant schemes of their overlords in Brannlant. (Though don’t misunderstand me; this isn’t a book for fans of political intrigue. Raine is too blunt of an instrument, much as I love her, to be the star of a story that’s all politicking and intrigue and diplomacy.) We even get glimpses of some very far-away lands indeed, mostly through some of Raine’s expatriate teachers, but once through a very interesting choice of military fashion.

Our view of Raine’s world doesn’t just widen; it deepens. We learn a lot more about the dreaded Sixth Gate in this book, and its connection to the other gates…but what startled and interested me most was how much Raine’s relationship to the Queen of Feathers changed from the last book. Some of the things she says; some of the visions/dreams Raine has; some of the ways the two interact forced me to toss out all of my theories about who and what the Queen is…and the new ones have been keeping me up at nights.

I NEED ANSWERS SO BADLY!

<For many people, their greatest weakness lies in not wanting to make a fuss.>

Traitor of Redwinter is a bit of a contradiction; in many ways it’s an absolutely delicious power-fantasy, wherein Raine is growing into her powers and discovering her own deadliness. But it’s also like watching a train crash, because Raine is self-destructing even as she rises, self-sabotaging even as she claims her power. It’s hypnotic; morbidly fascinating, but also a rush; and you genuinely can’t tell whether or not you should be rooting for her. Is she good? Even if her motivations are, can the powers she has ever be used for good, or do the ends justify the means? Arguably my joint-favourite theme of Traitor is Raine’s approach to power, the thinking she does on the nature of power and law and rules and who they apply to, the advice she seeks out on the topic (or doesn’t seek out, but receives nonetheless), and the conclusions she comes to. I really appreciated that she doesn’t come to a conclusion quickly, and that she’s not afraid to change her mind when new experiences and perspectives make their case. It felt like very natural growth, and at the same time, like McDonald was making points to the reader that I’ve never seen or heard anyone else make before.

I’m very much inclined to agree with his final verdict, personally.

<those thoughts sounded like echoes within my own mind. The voice of some other girl, an earlier conception of me. I may have still looked like that girl, though my body might have become harder. I might have still sounded like that girl, though my words have grown jaded. But I didn’t kill like that girl, not anymore, and if you brushed away the old dead skin then beneath her lay a different beast.>

My other joint-favourite theme is… I don’t know whether to call it The Villain Reveal, or the feminism, because honestly, it’s both those things together? And I really can’t talk about the villain, obviously, except that YES, and FUCK YES, and I have been WAITING for more villains like this (I can literally only name two others across all the media I have ever consumed who fit this personality/character type) and THANK YOU, McDonald, for pulling absolutely no punches on this.

YES.

SO MUCH YES.

<Men are always able to believe their own narrative when it comes to hurting women, no matter how absurd.>

I mean – the RAGE I felt. Traitor gave me a lot of emotions, but the emotions around the villain – ARGH. And the villainry is tied so much into misogyny, it’s such a fundamental aspect of this person’s Villainous Nature, and the horrible thing is that it’s so fucking FAMILIAR. If you’re a woman or femme or AFAB, you’ve dealt with this kind of person, and if you don’t want to claw their eyes out you’re a better person than me, and I am a little bit shocked that a male author wrote this so well. There’s a bit of a running joke that (some) men really can’t write women (feel free to enjoy this subreddit, or just some highlights) but if I had any doubts about McDonald after Daughter (and I didn’t), Traitor would have atomised them.

It’s a relatively small part of the book, but the way McDonald writes women dealing with men – especially not-great men – just. Really, really impressed me.

I CAN THINK OF SOME OTHER AUTHORS WHO SHOULD MAYBE TAKE NOTES.

<I was the enemy of the entire world, they just didn’t know it yet.>

It’s probably appropriate to end this review by telling you that the book’s ending BLEW ME AWAY and DELIGHTED ME UTTERLY, and left me still holding out hope for a polyamorous endgame between Raine, Esther and Sanvaunt – if the two of them can ever convince her she deserves nice things. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. But either way, I am RABID for the next book, and I challenge anyone NOT to be after reading Traitor of Redwinter!

"Traitor of Redwinter" by Ed McDonald is a transcendent journey into a world where magic, intrigue, and complex characters collide in a symphony of storytelling. From the very first page, I was drawn back into the mesmerizing realm of Redwinter, where politics are as treacherous as the forces of magic that weave through its very core. The author's prose is nothing short of a magical incantation, weaving a spell that kept me entranced from start to finish.

Raine, our enigmatic heroine, continues to evolve, and her character is a breathtaking testament to the art of character development. She's real, flawed, and utterly relatable. It's as if her journey mirrors our own struggles and growth, making her a character that's not just in the book but in our hearts.

McDonald's storytelling is a symphony, creating a vivid tapestry of emotions and experiences that transports you into the heart of the narrative. The plot is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of politics, intrigue, and unforeseen twists, leaving you eager to turn the page and reluctant to reach the end.

The depth of the book is what truly sets it apart. Themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of power are explored with an intricacy that lingers in your mind long after you've finished reading. It's a work of art that not only entertains but provokes thought.

But the shocking revelation of the true traitor towards the end of the book knocked the wind out of me. The way Ed McDonald masterfully laid out the clues, only to pull the rug out from under our feet, was nothing short of genius. It was a twist that I never saw coming, and it left me reeling, wondering how I could have missed the signs.

This twist turned an already exceptional story into an unforgettable one. It's a testament to the author's skill as a storyteller and his ability to keep readers engaged and surprised until the very last moment. If you seek a book that will captivate your imagination and touch your soul, look no further. Ed McDonald has created a masterpiece that will resonate with you long after you've closed the final page.

I've finished reading an arc of Traitor of Redwinter some time ago and I've been struggling to gather my thoughts honestly. It's been a wild read and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

First of all, the first book was absolutely amazing, I've loved it with my whole heart and the audiobook for it is the best thing that exists.

In the second book, I feel like we've taken some strange turns. It takes place eight months after the first book. The characters started acting a bit differently, the pacing was a bit halting and overall it's been a weird experience.

For the first like 40% of the book, I feel like we've mainly been in the main character's head and while it was tiring and a bit anxiety inducing, I've realized that the reason I didn't love it might be because of the fact that I've been in a similar headspace a lot of times and it's always debilitating.

✨ 'I didn’t want to be pitied. What I needed was to feel that some part of me, any part of me, was normal. That I fit in among them. I couldn’t bear to be broken anymore.'

✨ ‘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.'

That realization made me reluctantly admire the author for portraying it in a way that made me feel seen but also vulnerable. On the other hand, books are a way to escape the real world for me and I wasn't prepared for the impact of that part.

Later, the action picks up and I got really invested in the story, but it made the pacing a bit inconsistent for me.
I've been interested to learn more about the magic and history with the main character. I also really appreciate the title of this book, it isn't clear for a long time who it refers to.

I'm sorry this review is a mess, but I haven't felt this confused about a read for a long time. 😅

Overall, I've decided to rate it 4⭐ as honestly there were times I thought it's a 3⭐ read and also some moments I'd give 5⭐.

I'm happy I've read it and I'll continue the series, hopefully the rest of it won't break my brain that much. 😅

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for granting me access to an e-arc.

This series continues to impress me. The characters are multidimensional and feel like really people. The twists and turns of the plot kept me guessing. The magic is interesting and we got to learn more about how it works in this one. I look forward to the next book in the series and can’t wait to pick it up!

Traitor of Redwinter ultimately fell short for me. I felt that the pacing and plotting were off and I found myself wishing for more a few times. I enjoyed Daughter of Redwinter but this sequel suffered from second book syndrome for me.