Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Traitor

  • The Traitors Ruin – The Rising Herald Saga

    The Traitors Ruin – The Rising Herald Saga

    Moving right along with the final book in the Rising Herald Saga, The Traitors Ruin from Chris Moss, all is not well in in the Sacred Realm and Maal’s Court is once again a hotbed of discontent, with friend and foe pitted against each other and serious issues beginning to appear with the withdrawal of the Bloodwyne.

    In book two, the Traitors Empire the Spymistress Julia has risen to the top of the heap and is intent on staying there, getting rid of anyone who might think differently, which is not helping a city under siege settle down. But she cannot be trusted which come to light when murder is once again being committed.

    Treachery abounds and when Dio and Bastion are killed, it paves the way for the discontents to encourage the resurgence of the Hydra once again and the reintroduction of Bloodwyne back into the town.

    With Kestrel having been imprisoned and Eriwestag returning to her village, things are looking bleak, but when the ex-spymaster Harpalus, apparently murdered by Julia, returns, he strikes a deal with Kestrel to secure his release from prison. But is he to be trusted.

    Maal, who was thought to be vanquished, has not been and is now intent on creating as much trouble as it can. When yet another battle is fought for the future of the Realm it is more than challenging to work out who are the real soldiers and who are not.

    Can Kestrel save his beloved city or will he simply walk away and let evil destroy what was once a beautiful place?

    The Traitors Ruin is definitely not a stand-alone book. The various characters appear to be creating a circular flow in a storyline which needs to be read in in continuum, otherwise it is very easy to lose the context of the story completely.

    If you enjoy fantasy fiction The Rising Herald Saga from Chris Moss is well worth the read, as the three books in the series are now are readily available and can be read in conjunction, which will better create the powerful element of the story, while allowing the various characters to develop to their fullest extent.

  • The Traitor’s Empire

    The Traitor’s Empire

    Following on from the Traitors Reliquary, the uprising is over, the Hydra is dead and it is time to try and reassemble from the devastation, but as with everything in Maal’s Court, the jostling for the top position is in full flow between Kestel and Eriwasteg as they, with their very different cultures, both want the top position in the Sacred Realm.

    The Traitors Empire from Chris Mosssees the deviousness of Julia, the Spymistress of the Citadel come into full bloom, as she is now responsible for defending the Citadel from the new threat from the Vutai, a separate race of people who are dependent on Bloodwyne for their survival. They consider they are the real custodians of the Sacred Realm as they have been managing the Empire for a very, very long time, which does not sit well with Kestel, or for that matter Julia

    Kestel has blocked the supply of bloodwyne: he is being coerced or almost wooed, by the Vutai to let the addictive drink flow, and finds himself getting deeper into trouble as he tries to rule his new ‘Empire’ Meanwhile, Eriwasteg is having problems settling into her new life and finding anyone or anything she can trust; with good reason.

    Life as always in the Sacred Realm is complex, full of deviousness, intrigue and deception. The Traitors Empire is a book that is definitely a book to join the series, as it wraps up from the first book while continuing to set the scene for what is to come next, reminding the reader that all is not as it seems in this world of mystery and intrigue.

    The Traitors Empire is not a standalone book and requires that the Traitors Reliquary is read first as the plot is complex and the characters many, but the series to date will hold a definite element of what next for lovers of fantasy fiction

  • The Traitor’s Reliquary

    The Traitor’s Reliquary

    Book one of any saga is always interesting, as it contains much without giving too much away, which is the case with The Traitor’s Reliquary from Chris Moss. Set in the world of fantasy fiction the plot begins slowly with the hero, although he does not yet know it, manacled to stones watching the Hydra circle above him. He is the sacrifice and is not happy about being there, as he is pretty certain he did not murder anyone!

    Based around a corrupt society that relies heavily on mysticism and the protection of the Hydra, a seven headed monster, the plot, once it gets moving is fast paced and addictive, a bit like the Bloodwyne made from the Hydras blood, that makes or appears to make men invincible, at least for a short period of time.

    Kestrel is rescued from certain death at the last minute, but has also discovered he was betrayed by this love, his Goddess, Lychra Maal and that their relationship was nothing but a lie, which does not make what has happened to him any easier to bear.

    He finds once he is rescued and in a safe location, courtesy of what appears to be a band of pirates, he is facing another woman, older and much wiser, The Prioress, who seems to have the wisdom of the ages in her eyes and knowledge that is timeless. It seems she has made the decision that he, Kestrel, is the chosen one to help reinstate the Empire and then The Angel who guards over all can be summoned once again, so people can live a good life, free from the terror of Maal and the Hydra.

    There is a very quirky, slightly satirical vein running throughout the plot line which makes entertaining reading and the hero, who would rather be anyplace other than taking on the certain, he hopes death of the Hydra, otherwise it will be his certain death, adds to the general chaos of carrying out what he has been assured, is his true life’s work.

    Fans of Terry Pratchett and his slightly left of centre fantasy plots, will love The Traitors Reliquary  as Kestral and his band of not always happy compatriots, take on the massive challenge of hopefully righting a centuries old wrong!

    What will book 2 bring to the mix? Only time will tell!

  • Traitors and Spies

    Traitors and Spies

    Australia’s security agencies have not necessarily always been good; historically they were pretty awful in the first half of the twentieth century. John Fahey’s first book ‘Australia’s First Spies; The Remarkable Story of Australian Intelligence’ is followed up with this tome, in which he uses the same thorough research to interpret and expose the actions of the conglomerate of agencies and personnel, which constituted the Australia’s security service during the years 1901 to 1950.

    The author, an experience intelligence officer, has combed the archives to compile this comprehensive history of these security agencies, which have victimized people on religious, political, ethnic grounds. These officials of the Australian Government harassed hundreds of Australian citizens whom they considered disloyal traitors; illegally arresting them, destroying their reputations, and confiscating their property.

    Key players during this time have been thoroughly researched and documented making the reading of their exploits and underhand behaviour page turning. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Fredrick Wake is highlighted as the most corrupt Commonwealth official ever to ‘serve’ his country while serving himself; causing damage not only to innocent people but to innocent organisations.

    This academic work is supported by a complete list of abbreviations and a comprehensive glossary. The inclusion of diagrams indicating the association of key figures/organizations aids the reader’s understanding of the text.

    Readers will enjoy the fascinating stories of the heroes, victims and villains of this era before ASIO was established.