Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: A Man Betrayed
Author: J. V. Jones
Publisher: Warner Aspect
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1996

When the demented Prince Kylock takes the throne after his father's murder, he sets out on a journey of conquest, intent on reaching the beautiful heir to the Duke of Bren. The war has torn the baker's boy, Jack, from the side of Lady Melliandra, resulting in her capture by slavers and his falling in with a jealous and duplicitous smuggler. In the meantime, the disillusioned Tawl has taken to fighting in deadly sporting matches while his young companion, the pickpocket Nabber, does what he can to keep his friend safe. Fate conspires to bring the different players together, but those who would forge their own destinies will stop at nothing to attain their goals. Can Jack, Melliandra, and Tawl escape the machinations of Tyren Knight of Valdis, King's Chancellor Baralis, Rorn's archbishop Tavalisk, and the seers of Larn as well as Kylock and the war?

A Man Betrayed continues the story begun in The Baker's Boy, but adopts a darker tone and air as it proceeds towards the novel's end. Some of the plots started in the first book gradually straighten themselves out, but more soon arise to entangle the reader's interest and draw the attention onward. Once again sorcery receives little stage time, but when it does, watch out! You can be sure every single application will leave a lasting impression on the world at large.

While we initially saw Jack and Melliandra working together to survive, this time they must endure alone and apart. I liked the way each character continued to think about the other, yet persevered in his or her own endeavors: Jack's in mastering his sorcery and Melliandra in simply surviving. It was slightly disheartening to see a disillusioned and despairing Tawl fighting without really caring if he lived or died. I liked him in the first book, so the depths he'd sunk to was painful to see. On the other hand, it allowed Nabber to shine, so I guess every cloud has its silver lining, no?

This is J.V. Jones' second book, and like its predecessor it is long: 598 pages! Still, despite the bleakness of some scenes, I found the text as a whole to be extremely captivating and enjoyable. The comic relief that started the first book continues in the second, so there's always a break from the dark and bleak plots being spawned and maturing.

Rating: Thumbs up! Slightly depressing at times, but a definite must-read if you're going to finish the trilogy!

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