I loved this book. The opposites that Ophele and Remin are is just so good. Their marriage is definitely an interesting one. I loved following how they forged their relationship and how they both had their own issues in the relationship. Ophele is such a strong female while also still being innocent and timid. Remin is a soldier that has a tough shell that Ophele has to break through. I can't wait to see what happens with the next book.

This book is a gripping tale of post-war life and the journey between two people who enters into a political marriage and how it unfolds. The beginning will hook you when you first meet Remin, a 17 year old to the hard war he fought to achieve his goals to secure his lineage through a political marriage to the Emperor's daughter and gain a duchy in return.

I devoured this book once I started reading! I love the writing, a certain unique quality to it and very fitting for the medieval-vibes of the story. I appreciate their dialogue is in character unlike romantasy with "modern" dialogue. Although I found myself shouting at the two main characters to communicate, damn it.. I understood they have to work through their traumas and heal (with time and proof of their care for each other despite the circumstances.) I love their romance, I want more of their sweet moments and relationship development!

I also enjoyed reading about managing / building the Duchy, balancing supplies, expenditure.. on top of fighting monsters in the night. Its a cosy feeling and totally satisfying when they've completed parts of Andelin Valley. The highlight of this book was the Knights wanting to name streets or areas after their own - LOVED THAT!

This was really good and better than I thought it would be. Super addictive to read and I enjoyed the romance.

This was my first e-book from NetGalley and I have to say, what an unexpected and amazing surprise! This story follows Remin, a brute warrior (and certified douche at times ) who’s branded a traitor by the emperor. Seeking revenge he chooses to marry the emperor’s daughter, never expecting that she would be nothing like he imagined. And before he knows it, he just might be falling for her.

If you’re a fan of romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers and arranged marriage tropes, this book is a must-read! The story is super engaging, easy to devour, packed with chemistry and sprinkled with some spice. I was so hooked I finished it in just two days! If you love medieval fantasy romances like I do, I highly recommend picking this one up!

I liked that the author’s note said it was their job to make sure the reader remembered the important stuff. Great dedication as well.

A couple observations.. I always have to chuckle at the trope of somebody smelling good after days unwashed on the road. I think there was mention of his horse being unnamed, then later being referred to as Lancer. There was also a whole bit about the difficulty of boar hunting, then later it’s served at a feast. I’m not saying I couldn’t have missed something and I didn’t go back to check, but when what seemed like contradictory information was given, it stuck out.

I’m surprised this is a debut novel. The world building and storytelling were solid. I was invested in characters and outcomes and read nearly the entire book in one sitting on a long flight. It was good and I will read on. (Thanks for the chance to read this ARC!)

Traitor Son is a cleverly wrought fantasy novel depicting the post-war life and struggles of Duke Remin 'Grimjaw' and his new wife Ophele, the bastard daughter of the Emperor.

It is both a romance, and a mediaeval-style fantasy, with a focus on building a new life for Remin, his knights, and his men after they re-conquered lands that had been under enemy control for decades or longer. Their new city is plagued by ghouls and devils who attack during the nights of the warmer months, meanwhile, Remin lives under the daily threat of assassination by the Emperor who destroyed his House and family when he was just a boy.

His lack of trust in Ophele causes many of the misunderstandings throughout the book, but there is also a serious lack of communication between the two that stymies their relationship. Normally I would struggle with miscommunication as a trope however, this feels appropriate to the story given that Ophele is only 17 when she is married without her consent and Remin is 24, but completely inexperienced, having spent his entire life on the battlefield. Both are exceptionally wary of each other (though for different reasons), and both are virgins when they meet.

It's a fairly long book, where surprisingly little action happens aside from Remin and Ophele's marriage (early in the book), and the ongoing issue of the nightly invading devils, but you are pulled into a complex world where each character matters, including the secondary and tertiary ones. And importantly, you know that something is brewing, so this is almost certainly setting the scene for an even more complex and exciting book two. I dived straight into Stardust Child, as soon as I finished Traitor on, as I couldn't wait!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

It's been a while since I completely devoured a romantic fantasy book and, let me tell you, I flew through this story in the blink of an eye! This was my first time reading a work by this author and I am now adding her to my list. The writing style in this book is both parts easy to follow, but also vividly descriptive. I felt myself being immersed into the world she crafted as well as the characters. Each character has their own unique voice and just enough familiarity to keep you intrigued about them. And the sprinkle of romance? I held on to that thread throughout the book and did not let go! The two characters' romance definitely feels like a slow burn, but will have you on the edge of your seat for more. I highly recommend this read for anyone who loves fantasy romance and in-depth world-building.

I picked up this book with zero expectations, and at first, it was decent, the writing wasn’t terrible. But then the author started describing the female main character as a small, fragile, childlike figure, and it immediately made me uneasy. It’s an arranged marriage story with a princess, so I braced myself for some angst, but not this. The male lead shows up to “claim” what he was promised, a wife, who clearly had no clue about the deal. The breaking point came on their wedding night when he comes into the room, declaring she had to fulfill her “wifely duties” and sleep with him, no discussion, no consent, just an expectation. I don’t care if it’s fantasy; these are the main characters I’m supposed to cheer for, and I absolutely can’t. For me, that was it—I had no desire to keep going with the story, and to my disappointment, I just set the book aside.

OVERALL📚
This is a third person POV told through the eyes of enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, forced proximity romantasy filled with brave and handsome knights, terrifying monsters, painful secrets, shattering betrayals and of course a swoon worthy love story. This has all the makings of a high fantasy novel, right down extensive and detailed world building, politics, and magic that makes occasional appearances. I cannot even begin to imagine the amount of planning and research that went into a book of this caliber and I’m so grateful to have been able to read this debut story.

MMC 👨
Remin "Grimjaw" a 24 year old “traitor’s” son turned battle hardened war hero and knight has finally accomplished the impossible, won the long fought war Valleth, over the Andelin Valley the task set upon him by the very emperor who killed his family, nearly ending his line. He asked only 3 things in return, “The Andelin for my duchy, the Brede for my own. And your daughter for my wife.” Knowing his parents were innocent, at 17 he began his conquest.
Immediately after his victory, now 24 we find him at the estate of Aldeburke to claim his new wife, The story had been told over and over to swooning women and blushing girls but the Duke of Andelin wanted only to marry the emperor’s daughter for heirs, for his family name to live on forever protected.

FMC 👩
Ophele Agnephus, bastard daughter to the emperor, princess, exiled to live far away from any family, love or kindness. She has never seen outside the walls of her gilded prison and struggles with her shy nature as men clad in armor and dark fabric inform her she is to be married. Their first meeting goes awry with talk of insults. Ophele is torn from a terrible yet familiar home and set upon the road for the first time at a breakneck pace that often has her squeezed against the Duke on horseback. While she not miss many at Aldeburke she missed the comforts of the library and the tea and patriots she would take as she gazed longingly out windows. She finds it hard to communicate with the Duke having never had to before, and frequently drew within her own mind.

STORY (NO SPOILERS) 🔮
Their marriage and wedding night did little to ease tension as undeniable feelings and chemistry seem to flow between them only to be shattered by an assassination attempt Remin can’t seem to decide if small, quiet Ophele had a role in. Years of distrust, paranoia, and attempts like before ultimately lead to him pushing her away and emotional turmoil between the two as they try to rebuild all he lost.
You’ll find a loving and wholesome found family that seems to equally support not only the main characters but everyone woven into the tale. It’s touching to see growth, communication and help from this wide cast of characters who just want to see their friends and loved ones happy and safe, even a certain violent cook seems to have a soft spot for the new Duchess eventually.
I found lots of tiny details in the book that I’m still reeling from the utter genius of this author. From the map, owl chapter headers, pronunciation guide in the back, the glass bear, and so many heart achingly beautiful descriptions without feeling like you’re just reading a long string of words over and over for the sake of making the book longer. I truly felt like every word, punctuation and sentence had significant meaning in this gorgeous story and it has clung to me long after finishing the last page. Melissa has such a unique way of wiring something epic and love laden without making it drawn out and cheesy. The character growth, and certain people getting to know each other was incredibly satisfying for my heart and soul, this was such a healing journey.
While there isn’t a ton of comedic relief, I would say there is just the right amount and masterfully planted so you appreciate the humor even more. Most jokes are so sudden, nearly every one of them took me off guard and had me smiling or laughing aloud at the creativity and hilarious descriptors.
Whenever I realized this was a trilogy I could have jumped to the moon. I am so happy this story is continuing and we get to see more of all those characters we fell in love with. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to read and immerse myself in a novel, Melissa makes it way to easy to lose yourself in her nearly poetic words. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next book.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Melissa Cave, and Victory Editing!

All opinions and thoughts are my own. 🖤

I'd never heard of this series, so I was excited to get to read it and the sequal around each other. I think there's a lot of good here, but the interactions between the female and male leads were uncomfy, esp. the intimate scenes.

I'm loving this series so much! I can't stop thinking about the characters and the whole story of it. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic and the story is immaculate.

That one knight the emperor hoped would die in battle and the timid, neglected princess trauma bond through political marriage while building civilization in a barren territory. In other words, Under the Oak Tree meets Greatest Estate Developer, featuring the supportive and lovely Knights of Brede, monster attacks, town planning and land development, an adorably earnest princess who wins over everyone's hearts, and not as many miscommunications as there could've been, thanks to the best advisor/wingman ever, Miche of Harnost.

Miche is my hero. Charming, observant, not afraid to tell it how it is, especially to prevent the Duke from unwittingly sabotaging his own wedding. Bane of maidens, digger of ditches. We stan Miche.

Not knowing a ton about the book beforehand, I wasn't expecting it to go so hard on the romance aspect. Marriage, intimacy, uwu...the extended scenes just aren't my thing. Also Rem, I know you really like her "large eyes" but let's chill on the possessive thoughts a little.

That aside, there's so much that I did love. Knight bros and infrastructure development (in survival mode!), it doesn't get better than that. Monsters! Mindful masons! A friendly donkey and labor rate calculations and new pantry shelves! My copy is full of highlights of beautiful or clever turns of phrase (and notes on Miche, who is always a highlight). Also, the dual POV effectively illustrates Ophele and Rem's insecurities, whereas missing either perspective might have them come across as aloof or unfeeling. (This avoids something I didn't love in the UOT light novel, where Riftan existing only as a looming giant to Maxi contributes to him coming across much less favorably than in the manhua).

This first book feels complete in its own way, but there's plenty of hooks for the rest of the six book series.