Member Reviews
4.5⭐️
I greatly enjoyed this story! It was a fun mix of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Princess Bride, but with a stronger FMC. Lio has been hiding from her past, running a bakery in Mithra-Sha until her attempts to help a friend escape capture wind up instead getting her caught, and her cover blown. Back in the hands of the woman who tortured her for most of her life, she unexpectedly finds kindness and camaraderie among the crew of the merchant ship chartering her back to Amere-Del. From there she makes a great escape only to be captured by pirates. Lio then finds herself on an epic journey to rescue her best friend, who is also now in danger of being captured too, and fighting feelings for the pirate captain who tricked her.
Lio has to find her courage again and to learn to stop running away. Her character development is beautifully written. Bash is the perfect cocky yet troubled MMC who very obviously falls first and hard, which I adore. The crews for both ships are incredibly fun and full of interesting stories, making this an epic cast to follow. I would love to see more of Cam as he grows up, but I also really like the ending we were given. I look forward to seeing where we go next in this series!
Lionyra has finally found her home. A bakery that she runs away from everything that she is running from. But when Lio helps a friend flee from the guard she is captured and handed over to her worst enemy, the head guard of the kingdom that she fled. Now she is on an adventure to escape the head guard, find her decoy, and leave the kingdom she fled far behind.
The characters in this book were really interesting. I thought that they were fully fleshed out and made sense on the page. They all had trauma but it didn’t seem to be their whole character. The interactions between the characters were really interesting and well-written. I thought that the romance was developed really well.
The world-building was where I had a problem. There was magic in the world but the way that the magic worked wasn’t explained at all. There wasn’t a description of how the kingdoms work or any of the history of the world that I thought would be important to my overall understanding of the book. I just wasn’t impressed with the world-building.
The actual writing of the book was pretty good.
Overall, I liked the romance of the book was really good but the world-building left much to be desired for me. But if you like romance with a bit of fantasy this would be right up your alley.
Another stunner from R Dugan!
I first picked up A Story Spun in Scarlet, book 1 in the Tales of Wonder & Woe series in preparation for this ARC and having now read both, I am absolutely hooked! Dugan is incredibly adept at writing characters who engage with, and find meaning in their painful pasts. Who overcome these hurts and are stronger for it.
Added to that is deep, smart and sometimes surprising storylines and you find yourself utterly immersed in a world that feels completely real. I highly recommend reading these stories - they are very special.
Thank you to R Dugan & NetGalley for the opportunity to review this story early.
As a huge fan of pirates and secret royalty, I loved this book! Ryker and Lio's relationship definitely starts off tumultuous, but I love the way it grows throughout the course of the story. They are both such interesting characters with their own scars, and their journey was one that I followed with great interest.
This story is absolutely phenomenal—every page is crafted with gorgeous, lyrical prose that draws you deep into a richly detailed world. The characters are beautifully complex, with a blend of strength and vulnerability that makes them feel so real and relatable. Watching their journeys unfold made me feel all the emotions!
The adventure is packed with unexpected turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If I could give this more than five stars, I absolutely would! Renee has truly outdone herself with this phenomenal masterpiece. I am completely blown away!
The Tale Told by Traitors is the second in a series of interconnected standalones, so if you haven’t yet read A Story Spun in Scarlet, I can’t recommend it enough! These books have become some of my favorites of the year.
Excellent book, love it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review
Lionyra Vara is a humble immigrant baker living in Mithra-Sha, but she is not who she seems. She is the sole inheritor of the ruling regime in the neighbouring country of Amere-Del. She’s been captured and is being forced against her will to return to the land of her worst fears and nightmares. The life of her oldest friend hangs in the balance and their only hope for freedom is to outwit the people who seek to enslave them. Ryker Kassian is a legendary pirate who owes an insurmountable debt and sees the runaway Delina as his chance for ransom to obtain a lofty sum. By helping Lionyra hunt down her missing friend, Ryker seizes this opportunity as his only chance to fix everything he’s broken and protect his crew from death. With a ruthless regime seeking both of their heads, Lionyra and Ryker must choose where they stand as they shape their destinies.
I was surprised when I first began reading this novel that it was 1) not following the same characters as book one and 2) that it was not picking up where book one ended. Once I got over this initial surprise, I was fully invested in what lay before me. It’s an utterly fantastic story.
The writing style in A TALE TOLD BY TRAITORS is beautiful with a descriptive, intricate, and flowing prose. Dugan spins a story that you can’t help but gobble up. I adored that the overarching message, in my opinion, was about taking your own power back.
The characters within this story, both ones we knew from book one and the new ones we encounter here, are well written, filled with depth and unique voices. There are some characters that are less likable than others, but I think that’s the point. I adored the characters Lionyra meets over the course of this story and the relationships she develops with them. The theme of found family is strong here and I couldn’t have been happier for it. I loved Lionyra in A Story Spun in Scarlet (book one), so I adored getting to know her better within her own story. This story is told primarily in Lionyra’s POV but does have a few chapters in Ryker’s which was a nice balance.
The romance is a light touch but so endearing and swoon-worthy with more of an emotional connection than physical.
The plot is a series of adventures that kept me guessing from one moment to the next. It’s evenly paced with a steady level of tension. I adored the ending and will be keeping an eye out for whatever this author will write next!
<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the author, Renee Dugan, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.</i>
A Tale Told By Traitors is the second book in Renee Dugan's wonderful Tales of Wonder and Woe series, but fear not, even if you have not already read the excellent A Story Spun in Scarlet ( though you really should ) this book works perfectly well as a stand alone, in fact it is specifically designed to be read that way.
Lionyra Vara lives a quiet life as a baker, but she is not what she seems and when a sinister figure from her past catches up with her, the quiet life she has dreamed of goes up in ashes and she becomes a pawn in a deadly game with the throne of a neighbouring land at stake. The only thing that can force her to return is her fear for her best friend and former double whose life is also at risk.
Ryker Kassian is a pirate, but one with a conscience. He is deeply in debt to the pirate lords because of debts he took on on behalf of his beloved crew, a crew that is closer than many families.
When the two cross paths they find themselves caught up in a tense adventure that takes them to hidden pirate cites and sinister ports, sees them become part of a political revolution and makes them realise just how much they mean to each other.
If you love a good pirate story this is absolutely the book you need in your life. The pace is relentless, the story action packed and the characters are incredibly well crafted, complex and wonderfully easy to root for. With plenty of swash buckling action, a healthy dose of political intrigue and a beautiful romance between flawed but very human characters, this book really does have it all.
This was SO GOOD. Like, I can barely think of the right words to talk about how much I loved this.
I think this book just solidified my absolute die-hard love for a good pirate story.
Now, when I started reading this, I didn't know that it was the second in a series of standalones, so I cannot wait to pick up that first one, because I feel like there was a few toss backs to characters or maybe events from that one? But A Tale Tole By Traitors was still a complete and full story understood all on its own.
The characters, oh my god, my beautiful, wonderful people. This may be one book in a very short list where I actually enjoyed every single character, even the "evil" ones? They were well-written. They were complex. They had depth and emotion and you felt that on the page, even if it's not from the character's POV.
Speaking of POV, I am obsessed with Ryker's POV's in here. I would die for this pirate. Enough said in that sentence without spoiling anything from the story.
The length of this book? Barely noticed because it was packed with incredible adventure. There was no boring spots. Page after page, I was sucked into the story, just desperate to know what happened next.
You , too, will love this if you are looking for a swashbuckling pirate adventure, riddled with secrets, betrayal, beautifully complex relationships, and a whole lotta love.
Increíble!
Tengo que decir que después de leerlo me he leído directamente también el primero y los dos me han encantado.
Magia, acción, romance y suspense dirigido a un público juvenil que puedo quedar encantado con este mundo de fantasía, muy bien diseñado.
Capítulos intentos y detallados, siendo una historia con mucho trasfondo, pero que a veces se puede hacer algo pesados y/o lentos.
En resumen, un libro con un gran potencial comercial en línea con las tendencias actuales.
I want to thank the author and netgalley for this ARC. This book caught my attention and was quite captivating. I had a great time reading this story
“My life’s take ended - and began - with fireworks”
“Our tale would not end where we had left it in Amere-Del, cut off the moment our lives had been offered up as a prize for peace”
I loved it !!! I absolutely loved it!!! Pirate romantic fantasy adventure with a long list princess who forsake her people and her kingdom in order to be free and now is threatened to get back to save the life of her best friend and a pirate captain whom they talk about in legends who wants to use her to protect his crew. This book was tension. It was plot twists after plot twists. It was secrets and betrayal. It was hidden identities. It was founding family where you think you’re alone in the world. It was finding love amongst those you consider enemies. It is pure adventure in its best form !!! I loved every second of reading it. The scheming, the frustration, the action, the battle and the characters’ dynamics. It felt like being back in an amazing Tanya’s book !!! The pirate setting of the whole thing made me long for more books in this sub genre !!!! I love it deeply!!! And the author made it so easy for me to get straight into the story without thinking too much about it!!! Add the double pov which made Lio so much more of a badass FMC who’s willing to sacrifice almost everything for her freedom but not those she loves. And made Ryker … oh such a great morally grey book boyfriend !!!!! I loved him !!! And, to be fair, the nickname “sweetheart” will always do it for me !!! I can’t wait to read more from this author !!!
“And this is the sort of danger you desire … that leaves you half-drowned and bedridden?” “ If you’re a part of it?” His grin returned in a blink. “You’re bloody right I do, sweetheart”
“Why did you come after me?” … “Because I saw that look in your eye, at the railing this morning. And I couldn’t help but think you’re a woman who’s used to asking for help and being ignored … so you must’ve stopped asking … I figured it was time someone listened”
Before I start my review, I’d like to thank NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this ARC!
4.2 ⭐️
When I first started this book, it was hard for me to get through it. I don’t know if it was me or because I didn’t read the first book but I am so glad I didn’t give up! The plot twists, characters, and world-building had me hooked after the first 25% of the book! The complex characters and development throughout the book made them feel so human-like and I felt an easy connection towards them! This a fast-paced action packed adventurous book that will be raved about for years to come! I do love the found family trope in books and this one definitely delivered. I am purchasing the first book immediately! For anyone confused, it is a series of sequential standalone’s.
This book includes:
Pirates 🏴☠️
Betrayal 🎭
Slow Burn 🔥
Rebellion ⚔️
Found Family 💕
Adventure ⚓️
Plot Twists 🧩
I really enjoyed this book, this series was my introduction to Renee and thank you for NetGalley for that introduction and my ability to review this book!
This series is soooo good and such a good read!
I haven't read that this is a series of standalones, so I've also read "A story spun in scarlet" and I can't decide which one I love more! R. Dugan style, her way of telling a story and the pace of it are absolutely my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wave Walker Press and author Renee Dugan for this eARC
Another masterfully crafted tale by Dugan.
A Tale Told by Traitors has all the things I’ve come to expect from this author - wonderful writing, well developed characters, an exciting, high stakes plot with lots of turns and twists and of course her ability to keep the tension high and the reader fixed throughout the whole book without any dips or boring interludes.
I loved the connections it made to book one with the characters and events yet didn’t rely on prior set up and stayed completely separate as a story.
With the setting in Amere-Del which we have only heard about Dugan creates a new world within the world she’s created in book one and we get to discover all these new places, customs and characters.
Now on to the story itself - what is there not to love? Pirates, intrigue, rebellion, betrayal, a group of quirky misfits, found family and an epic love story and lots and lots of adventure!
The only reason I downgraded to 4.75 stars is because the identity of the Incendiary was clear from the moment they were first mentioned, and with that the ending was also set up. Still the journey to said ending was amazing and I loved every second of this book!
wow. wow. wow.
i needed a couple days to write this because of how much i felt. i wanted to gather all my thoughts and emotions.
ok so when i first started reading, i did not really know what to expect. i went in completely blind and was caught off guard that it did not immediately pick off from where the first book left off, but as i read more, i was so impressed by this new story and the point of views. the new (and old characters) we meet and grieve, the relationships that flourish and end too soon, all the nerve wracking tension and breathtaking plot twists. it all captivated me from the start.
“Bastyan, the secret ingredient I had not expected … but one that had made the night among the sweetest I could recall in all my life.”
bash and lio were so different. and despite being captor and captive, they were still so endearing. i rooted for them the entire time and fell in love with them, with their strengths and especially their weaknesses, the more i read. i fell in love with their friends, the sailors and pirates. i grieved with them and wanted nothing more than for them to be free and live their lives together.
this was such an amazing adventure. i laughed, swooned, cried, got angry, felt so much of everything. this was yet another phenomenal story and showcases renee dugan’s writing skills and excellence. never once was i bored, leaving me blown away with this great second installment. i cannot wait to see what’s next for this fantastical world and beloved characters.
"Give me strength"
"Everything I've got is yours."
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Given how much I loved the first book in this series, I was a little nervous. Audra's perspective in book one was so engaging, and I loved the worldbuilding around Storycraft, so moving away to a new character and world was daunting. But I didn't need to worry! This novel is just as compelling as the first.
Lionyra is a great protagonist - far from a Mary Sue, she balances being relatable, entertaining, and troubled. I loved the occasional dual perspective, and I thought this brought a nice depth to Lionyra's narrative.
I've been really into piracy stories lately, and this definitely hit the spot! But this was well-blended with romance, found family, and an intriguing and multi-layered world.
While this does make reference to the events of the first book, it reads as an independent story, and I would definitely recommend giving this a go.
Books with similar vibes - A Gathering of Shadows by V E Shwab, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne, and The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S A Chakraborty.
I received an ARC of this book and then realized it was #2 in the series. So of course I had to read the first. I enjoyed the first, but this one? I was so excited to learn that this book is from Lio's perspective, as I always wondered what happened to her after Addie fled the city. This gives us Lio's journey while Addie brought back storycrafting. The timelines are simultaneous and interwoven in places, quite well I might add. The story had adventure and romance and pirating. Yes, pirates. I wasn't quite expecting that but I'm here for it. I could see the growth in the author's writing between book 1 and book 2 and enjoyed that, as well. I got the vibe that this writer has some brilliant works to come. The book does set up for a third, hoping to read that. It also ended it quite nicely so it could go either way on whether it continues to a trilogy. Looking forward to finding out. All in all, I quite enjoyed this.
A Tale Told by Traitors is a richly imagined and gorgeously written tale of love and loyalty.
Lionyra Vara has been hiding a secret. Working as a baker in the far reaches of Mithra-Sha, she helps her friend Audra escape with the mysterious man who helped her finish the first story in years. Unfortunately, the little stunt she pulled to distract the guards caught their eye instead. She is delivered into the hands of the vicious and lethal Del's Own Blade. Turns out, Lio is actually Alyona Graven, the Delina and heir to Amere-Del. Meanwhile, Ryker Kassian is a pirate saddled with debts. When he hears word that the missing heir to Amere-Del might be hiding out in Mithra-Sha, he plans his longest con yet, with the goal of capturing her and ransoming her back to the Del. But plans don't always work out, and the pair experiences mysterious cities, adventure, and a brewing revolution. Will Lio and Ryker be able to work together, or only work to save themselves?
I LOVED this book so much! It is a fantastic follow up to A Story Spun in Scarlet. While a separate story focusing on new characters, it does help if you read the first book as there are little easter eggs and spots where the two stories overlap. There is plenty of adventure, excitement, a long journey, and tons of swoony romance. The writing is exquisite, and there are lots of little twists and turns to keep things interesting. I loved the pirate focus in this book, and the shift to Amere-Del. Lio is a fantastic character, and Ryker is wonderful. They are both hiding things, and both are scarred from their pasts, but seeing them learn to love and trust each other was beautifully done. A true fantasy adventure, this is definitely a favorite series of mine.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Renee Dugan, and Wave Walker Press for the advanced copy of this beautiful book. All opinions are my own.