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. 🫶

This is a common review for both A Betrayal of Storms and A Kingdom of Lies
Ben Alderson is an excellent fantasy writer and I like how he develops well rounded and intriguing characters. These series is fast paced, twisty, and full of power plays and political intrigues.
The author makes an excellent job in delivering a series that talks about fey and their power play in an entertaining and fresh way
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson completely hooked me from the start. The world-building is stunning—icy courts, elemental realms, and fey politics are so vivid it feels like you’re there. Robin Vale is such a relatable main character, sharp and determined, navigating a dangerous world of secrets and betrayals while discovering his own power.

The chemistry between Robin and Erix adds the perfect layer of romance and tension, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. If you love fantasy with rich magic, action, and just the right amount of spice, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into the next one!

A Betrayal of Storms actually caught my attention due to the author being one I have seen around my tik tok feed and I'm very glad i gave it a read. The plot as a whole was really good and I enjoyed how he handles character development. The dialogue and over all pacing was a bit shaky but I had a good time and will definitely be recommending this one to my audience.

DNF - not interesting enough for me to continue. my apologies. I will not be picking this one back up, Ben Alderson if you are seeing this please do not take it personally.

I had high hopes for this book and overall, it wasn’t unpleasant, it just wasn’t for me.

I didn’t find that I particularly got into the characters and found it hard to place how I felt about Robin.

I really pushed myself to finish this one as I do like to see books to the end in order to give full and fair feedback, but from 11% onwards, I struggled.

I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this one and it has lots of potential, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you for the ARC and I wish the best of luck for the release.

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a massive fan of Ben Alderson’s incredible novels, and I was certainly not disappointed with A Betrayal of Storms.

Packed full of character depth and an addictive story, this book has it all with found family, a murderous plot, politics and steamy romance. There was great character development - Althea by far was my favourite character.

Erix being glued to Robin’s side is both understandable but also annoying at times. I am aware that Robin’s character does have to be slightly helpless but it had me thinking that at some times it was overdone slightly.

The plot and premise is slightly basic in the romantasy genre, but the book did have a good balance between action and romance.

It did take a while to get going, but once the plot picked up it was an enjoyable read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I have a feeling the second book will be a greater read as this book was describing the setting and the tensions that I expect will be the main themes in the other books in the series.

A Betrayal of Storms serves as a solid introduction to The Realm of Fey series, appealing to fans of LGBTQ+ romantasy who enjoy familiar tropes in a fey-centric setting. While it doesn’t break new ground, its engaging narrative and accessible writing style make it a suitable choice for readers seeking an easy, enjoyable fantasy read. There is room for growth in character development and world-building, and future installments will hopefully delve deeper into these aspects. If you’re a fan of court intrigue, hidden magic, and queer romance, this book is worth considering.

Ben Anderson is the master of MM romance and A Betrayal of Storms does a great job of setting the stage for a new series. Robin Vale's story begins with a kidnapping and exposure that his whole life has been a lie. As he accepts his new life and what that means he makes a connection with Erix, a stoic bodyguard who is willing to do anything (yes, anything - iykyk) to make Robin happy. There are twists and turns throughout that kept me guessing and the court politics were complex and interesting.