Spicy MM fae fantasy that falls at the final hurdle

I really wanted to like this. It’s got so many of the things that I like: queer relationships, courtly intrigue, a Second World with an identifiable magic system. But Alderson seemed to squander the characters and McGuffins that he brought in, eg rendering toothless any apparent conflict by killing off early characters that seemed to be future antagonists, building up mysteries that are either solved off page or never referred to again, a magical system ripe with promise that never gets explored. I know that it’s the first of three, soon four, novels, which makes sense in a season-themed world, but all I saw in my mind’s eye was a retread of so many fantasy tropes, not least the gleaming golden forest city of the summer fae…

Two and half stars, rounded up to three.

I was really excited to read a M/M romantasy because there aren't a lot out there still but I really struggled to get into it, I found the writing to be excessive and stilted and it really could have been trimmed down, as there was a lot of repetition. I also could not figure out the world-building and was just left confused by the politics of the world. Robin and Erix's romance was alright, I think the smut was on point actually, but outside fo that I just didn't get invested in their relationship and this is a total me thing but Erix calling Robin little bird all the time just made me think of the Hound and Sansa from GOT. Which, did not help me get sucked into their romance.

This book includes:
- Fey
- elemental supernatural abilities
- elemental courts
- "surprise you're a princess" trope except it's "surprise you're a prince"
- race tensions between humans and fey

This book was very disappointing to me. I felt that it was so poorly written that it was essentially unread -able. The storyline was supremely predictable and derivative. The characters were unlikable. I usually like Angry Robot books so that was disappointing as well.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Ben Alderson, and Angry Robot for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
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I wanted to like more, I'm not saying it was not a good book but it wasn't that original... Reading a lot of books about faes, gets to a part that is more of the same and sadly that happened with this book... It was a nice story but I guess I was missing something

"A Betrayal of Storms" is a sweet romance, but its plot is not original. I took a few months to finish it because I lost interest in the main storyline at times. However, it wasn’t bad overall. The court politics were interesting but familiar, so the prince-bodyguard trope brought me back to the story.

Robin and Erix made this book enjoyable for me. Their romance and the ice court plot were well-balanced. Alderson's writing kept the story moving, even when I wasn’t fully engaged. I loved when Erix called Robin "little bird" and his devotion to protecting him, even when Robin made poor choices. Their relationship was great.

I was surprised to learn there would be a sequel; I thought this was a standalone book since the world didn’t seem big enough for another one. I believe "A Betrayal of Storms" would have worked better as a standalone, but I guess the court plot can be extended. Overall, it was a good introduction to Alderson's work!

This was a story full of twists, betrayal and loyalty, that was such an immersive read. I felt like we could've had more depth in some characters, because i felt like i was missing something.

Overall, i still think this is an engaging book with a darker side. I enjoyed the end but now i want to know more, because i feel like it left some unanswered questions.

This was an easily immersive read. The story is packed with twists that kept me guessing. I loved the morally complex protagonist and the way the book explores themes of betrayal and loyalty—it made the stakes feel so personal.

That said, some of the descriptions felt a little too drawn out, and a few of the side characters could’ve used more depth. The ending was satisfying but left just enough unanswered to leave me wanting more (in a good way).

Overall, it’s an engaging, memorable read with a darker edge. If you’re into rich fantasy worlds and stories that keep you emotionally invested, I’d definitely recommend it. 4/5 stars.

I sadly DNF'd this at 30%. The concept and world building were interesting but the writing felt clunky and I found it hard to connect with the characters.

Thank you Angry Robot for the eARC - I am really bummed that this one wasn't for me

I'll start by saying overall the story kept me interested enough that I want to see where it goes from here. It feels like it tried to hit all of the typical fantasy tropes; secret fae heir raised by humans and with super strong magical powers no one has seen in years. Bodyguard knight who is enchanted by the main character and instantly falls for them. The part that was supposed to be a twist I guessed kind of early then thought that can't be it it's too obvious, and then it was right. I did like the relationship between Robin and Erix but the slow burn could have been slower and with more pining. I think it was a good set up and I will continue with the series but not my favourite fantasy series. Maybe the second book will change my mind

Thanks to Angry Robot, Netgalley and Ben Alderson for this e-Arc that I chose to read and review

Although I had high hopes for this, I found it a struggle to finish. I feel as if the idea is great, but it's just not a book for me as the writing style was hard for me to continue reading, so by no means do I discourage anyone to read this. It was very interesting to see the book in a male perspective, which I really enjoyed, but I likely will not be reading it again.

A Betrayal of Storms was a wonderful first entry into a new sort of fairy land. This did have very similar vibes to ACOTAR, so fans of Sarah J Maas would benefit from giving Ben Alderson a shot. I love that the male lead was queer! I feel like we're so frequently missing adequate representation in fantasy. This was a very easy read, absolutely compelling to the very end.

Interesting idea and the world was kind of interesting but wasn’t very well explored.

The characters felt a bit flat and a bit like characters in other books. The magic system again was interesting but nothing new really. Again same goes for the love interest and main character - they kind of felt like every other character. There wasn’t really anything from this that really stood out to me or really interested me. That’s why it took me so long to read as I really struggled to motivate myself to read it and when I finish it, it just kind of felt meh.

I am sure there will be loads of people out there who will love this book, but it was just really not for me. I don’t think I would read any other books in this series.

I am reluctant to give it a low rating, but because I simply just didn’t enjoy it I am giving it 1 ⭐️

This was almost a DNF for me but I stuck it out. There a lot happening, and most of it I couldn’t really follow. I wanted to love this, I really did but it fell a little flat.

Fast paced story that kept me reading though it definitely wasn’t near as exciting as other books I’ve read from the author. I am excited to see the rest of the series and hopefully more character development. I haven’t been failed by any of Aldersons books yet whether they have been purchase by me or ARCs I’m always satisfied!

I liked this at the beginning but then the lack of world-building really lost me. The plot development was too boring and not fleshed out enough. The love interest was a shell of a man.

I found this enjoyable, but not as much as I'd hoped. After reading the synopsis, I had anticipated my next favourite epic fantasy, but it turned out to be a bit bland overall. I couldn't really get into the writing either, so that was a bit of a bummer as well. It was a solid read, though! I definitely did enjoy it.

This one took me a little while to get into, but once I got. past the first 100 pages, I was fully hooked. Anderson is a talented fantasy writer, weaving in twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The action was fast-paced and engaging with very good character development. Overall, a thrilling ride that flew by once I got past the slower start. Definitely worth the read for fans of action-packed fantasy!

Thank you to the publisher for the earc, all opinions are my own.

I struggled through the first bit but did not find myself connecting with the characters or the story in general.

Ben never lets us down with his books!

Now this is just perfect Magical and Spicy Humans hinting Fae. Very fast pace adventurous and action packed! Loved Robins character this book is a great set up for the rest of the series! I absolutely flew through this! I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!

A 4.5 star read for me!

I really struggled to get into this - usually I would have DNFed but I did keep going with this. By the end, I just felt so indifferent towards the characters and the plot - I do think it would work for other people though, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶