Treason Keep (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, #2)

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Treason Keep (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy #2)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 1,952 ratings · 36 reviews

In Medalon, Book One of the Hythrun Chronicles, Tarja Tenragen and his half-sister R'shiel were forced to lead a rebellion against their power hungry mother, who ruled Medalon as the First Sister of the Blade. But their mother's defeat came at great cost: not only does it leave Medalon vulnerable to invasion, R'shiel is mortally wounded.

As Treason Keep begins, R'shiel is o...more

Paperback, 536 pages

Published June 13th 2005 by Tor Fantasy (first published January 24th 2001)

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Mar 31, 2009 Kat Hooper rated it 4 of 5 stars

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Treason Keep, the sequel to Medalon, is more of the same: a fast pace and fun characters overshadow the not-so-tight plot.

Jennifer Fallon keeps things interesting by expertly developing a couple of characters who were briefly introduced in her first book: Damin Wolfblade, an intelligent barbarian warlord (always a good thing, in my opinion), and Adrina, a spoiled princess whose daddy wants to marry her off because he's tired of paying for her escapades --...more ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Treason Keep, the sequel to Medalon, is more of the same: a fast pace and fun characters overshadow the not-so-tight plot.

Jennifer Fallon keeps things interesting by expertly developing a couple of characters who were briefly introduced in her first book: Damin Wolfblade, an intelligent barbarian warlord (always a good thing, in my opinion), and Adrina, a spoiled princess whose daddy wants to marry her off because he's tired of paying for her escapades -- she just demolished the city's wharf while trying to dock a nobleman's yacht while she was drunk (the yacht sank). I was impressed with how Ms Fallon gave us very short but meaningful glimpses of Damin and Adrina in the first novel -- their personalities in Treason Keep were completely consistent with what we had previously learned about them, and it was clear that Ms Fallon had consciously prepared that. I noticed this sort of preparation for the future in this novel, too. For example, at one point, Tarja tells Damin that he'll owe him a big favor, and I'm sure we'll be seeing a reminder of this in a later installment.

So Damin and Adrina join Tarja and R'shiel, the established main characters who we already know and love, and several other old and new characters, making this novel both familiar and fresh. Fallon effectively uses different characters' points of view to tell the story (Adrina's point of view is particularly entertaining) and there is enough humor and romance to counterbalance some of the disturbing and violent events.

There were a few things that just didn't make sense to me, however. For example, Joyhinia is now out of commission and a large group of the Defenders have broken off from the Sisterhood and gone north to defend Medalon from the Kariens without permission of the Sisters. There is a lot of fretting about how to trick the quorum into making Mahina First Sister so that she can sanction their plans and send more Defenders. An elaborate and unreliable scheme is contrived when it seems safer, and more likely to work, to just go to the quorum and tell them the truth: "Hey sisters, look at Joyhinia. She's lost her mind and there's a bunch of our enemies massed at the border. Could we appoint a new leader and send some troops to defend the country?"

Also, the religious and magical systems seem arbitrary and convenient. It's not quite clear what gods and demons can do (and when), why R'shiel can call them to help her sometimes but not other times, what kinds of powers she has, and how the magic works. And why does she wear Harshini dragon rider leathers but never rides a dragon?

The plot of Treason Keep is not drum-tight, but the characterization and pleasant writing style make this an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Read more Jennifer Fallon book reviews at Fantasy Literature .(less)

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May 29, 2011 Weirdology rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I like how we're told the story by seeing different characters points of view and not just the main character. I think we jumped around between people more in this book than the first book, but it's been awhile since I read the first one so I could be wrong. Even though I don't like Adrina, I really enjoyed reading from her perspective. It was fun being in her head. But by the end of the book I got sick of the Adrina/Damin pairing and all of their bickering. It was repetitive. Especially wheneve...more

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Jul 31, 2011 celestialchild rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Sine the first book I was annoyed that the leading female character, R'shiel, lacked much agency and did little through her own decision and action to drive the plot. The story seemed more about Tarja and Brak, who are certainly interesting and likable, but still a disappointment for someone who picked up the story for female characters. This continued through much of this book, until about 85% in, when finally she became a character that took charge.

To my utter delight, however, Fallon introduc...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I haven't laughed that much while reading a book for a long time. Since the story was not as centered around Tarja and R'shiel as in the first book of the series (Medalon), Treason Keep was even more enjoyable. Fallon's witty dialogue - especially between Adrina and Damin - was very amusing. I look forward to reading the next book (Harshini the Hythrun Chronicles).

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Sep 18, 2012 James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, aborted-start

I think that having completed this book I am going to have to say that Jennifer Fallon is now one of my top authors. This tale was... wow. It was full of action, intrigue, skin-tickling magic, fear-inducing horrors, and much more - in fact, everything that would expect from the top of the line fantasy. Four and a Half Stars.

Plot: Four Stars

What really sets this book out for me, is Fallon's ability to do something I normally detest and hate, and make me love it. With the introduction of Adrina -...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Josh rated it 3 of 5 stars

Firstly, can I just point out how incredibly bad my cover is ... I know there is another edition which has a much better cover, but the one I have is terrible. It's so ... nondescript.

It's been years since I read book one of The Demon Child trilogy, Medalon, and so some details were a little sketchy. There were some large points concerning the histories of R'Shiel and the Harshini which eluded me, but I made do. The Harshini make a cameo appearance at best anyway.

Overall I am really enjoying thi...more Firstly, can I just point out how incredibly bad my cover is ... I know there is another edition which has a much better cover, but the one I have is terrible. It's so ... nondescript.

It's been years since I read book one of The Demon Child trilogy, Medalon, and so some details were a little sketchy. There were some large points concerning the histories of R'Shiel and the Harshini which eluded me, but I made do. The Harshini make a cameo appearance at best anyway.

Overall I am really enjoying this series although it does have a touch of 'Jemisinitis' (a term I have recently coined that refers to when fantasy authors make a whole bunch of stuff up as they go along that makes you want to narrow your eyes in suspicion). The roles of the Harshini, the demons and the demon child was not very well thought out and is only explained in passing (to avoid pointing out the pot holes no doubt) ... I still can't figure out why they need R'Shiel if Brak is also half-Harshini half-human, although I'm sure it was explained previously ... at least I hope.

I have to admit that R'Shiel is the most annoying and underwhelming protagonist I have come across. I wish she would just go away and let the story continue with other more interesting characters. I was very thankful she actually only had a minor role in this book, although that in itself was a little strange because the whole series is actually meant to be about her and her 'destiny'. I think this is where the series lost it's way ... it had some other great characters, relationships and political goings-on which was subsequently attacked in a dark alley by what was meant to be the primary storyline. The whole, let's kill Xaphista thing really became an afterthought in this one.

Ignoring that however, there were some great things about Treason Keep. Adrina was an incredibly welcome addition to the series and I found her character to be fresh, humourous and entertaining. Bringing all four countries and their royalty into the picture also made the medieval style politics all the more interesting.

Fallon's prose is easy to read and there is never a point that it can be accused of dragging. While I wouldn't call it 'fast paced', she spares us of lengthy 'travel scenes' which we can all be thankful for.

All in all an interesting story and a good read, but nothing incredibly original that we haven't heard before.(less)

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Mar 20, 2008 Tina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sff-fantasy

....Aaaand she's back!

Yes. After the disappointment that was Medalon I was nervous that the Jennifer Fallon I had come to quickly enjoy was a fluke. She wasn't. This book had more of the verve and humor that I had become accustomed to in her Wolfblade trilogy. It is probably no coincidence that the writing crackles when she is writing about the Wolfblade characters, namely Damin and Adrina. I get the impression that she had a rollicking good time writing about them in this series so that is what...more ....Aaaand she's back!

Yes. After the disappointment that was Medalon I was nervous that the Jennifer Fallon I had come to quickly enjoy was a fluke. She wasn't. This book had more of the verve and humor that I had become accustomed to in her Wolfblade trilogy. It is probably no coincidence that the writing crackles when she is writing about the Wolfblade characters, namely Damin and Adrina. I get the impression that she had a rollicking good time writing about them in this series so that is what they merited their own trilogy later.

In this book we pick up where we left off in Medalon, R'shiel has been mortally wounded and spirited away by Brak to the Harshini sanctuary. He bargains with a God to save her life. Death doesn't want to give her up, so he'll only be appeased with the soul of equal value. We never find out who that soul is in this book, I have a suspicion we will in the next book.

The power hungry First Sister, Joyhinia has been made into a lack-wit by the God Dacendarian so the Defenders, amply aided by Tarja and Damin Wolfblade, enter into an elaborate ruse where they attempt to undo some of the damage she has done in her overweening grasp for power.

In the meantime we meet Her Royal Highness the Princess Adrina of Fardonhya. Adrina is smart, sexy (as is the custom of her country she has been trained by a male cour'tesa, a sort of Geisha class of slaves who excel in courtly arts including mostly sex)and headstrong. She has been spoiled by her father and, having been involved in an expensive scrape, he arranges her marriage to the Prince of Karien. The Kariens are a fanatically religious people who view the Fardonhyans as sexually deviant heathens. But they want the war lore that King Hablet, Adrina's father has promised.

What follows is an endlessly entertaining story of Adrina's clash with the Kariens, R'Sheil's slow acceptance of her fate as the Demon Child, manipulations and interferences by the Gods, war, betrayal and romance.

R'shiel and Tarja remain somewhat dreary and they are still the absolute worst plotters in all of this series. The two of them truly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. This is ostensibly their trilogy but thankfully this book doesn't have to rely on them totally like the last book did. Adrina and Damon jump to the fore here and simply jump off the page. She is a fabulous creation. I got such a giggle from the fact that she insisted on referring to her despised new husband as 'Cretin' (his name is Craytin).

And I am impressed by the continuity from this first trilogy to the second one. In the second trilogy she goes backward to when Damin is born and explores his growing up and becoming Warlord. She must have had an explicit idea of his personality while she was writing this one because it is extremely consistent.

I had idly thought of Damin and Adrina as a couple in that series, never dreaming that it would actually happen because the two never actually come close to meeting. Boy am I glad it did. They are perfect for each other. And I look forward to the final book.(less)

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Shannon (Giraffe Days) I love Jennifer Fallon. I haven't read this trilogy yet, but I read The Second Sons Trilogy, which is wonderful, and the Hythrun trilogy, which is set...more
Mar 20, 2008 09:16am

Tina Shannon-
I read the Hythrun trilogy (here it is called the Wolfblade trilogy) first. I thought it was absolutely fabulous. I gave Warlord 5 stupendous...more
updated Mar 20, 2008 12:21pm

Shannon (Giraffe Days) I'm not actually Canadian, and I have no idea who Gabriel Aubry is! But I'll check that cover...

I get so confused with the names of the trilogies etc,...more
Mar 21, 2008 05:51pm

Apr 07, 2008 Raven rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, owned, favourites

I think this carried on from the first book in the series pretty well. It had a nice and steady pace and I had difficulty putting it down.
There were however some problems with it. First it's predictability. I think this one is far more predictable then the first it is also cheesier and has just a bit too much of a romantic element for me but then again I don't read for romance and I don't like girly reads so for someone who might like a bit of a lovie dovie touch to their fantasy this could very...more

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Mar 07, 2010 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the bridge book, or middle book for the Hythrun Chronicles. I did enjoy it to help me with my fantasy fix. There was more movement of plot in this book. The characters thought things out, and I absolutely loved the new character, Adrina. She is a Fardohnyan Princess with a bit of attitude.
Many of the old characters are in this book. Brak becomes more of a stronger character. In general, its a goodread since it builds so much more into the world of the Harshini. I would recommend it for a...more

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Jan 09, 2010 Jacinta Hoare rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-book, 2010

Second in a series.

The author has managed to keep the ongoing plot twisting along in this second installment of the Demon Child Trilogy. Some of the story by-lines were predictable and I think there have been a few too many "escapes when faced with impossible odds".

I continue to like the characters in the book and world in which they live.

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Dec 08, 2010 Erica Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 2010-reads, keeper

This is the second book of the Hythrun Chronicles and I definitely recommend that you read the books in order, starting with Medalon. Although I completely enjoyed Medalon, I think Treason Keep is even better. Fallon further develops the strong characters that she introduced in the first book while keeping the pace fast and furious. If you like romance with your fantasy, watch out because dreamy warlord Damin Wolfblade meets his match. The interactions between him and a spoilt southern princess...more

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Jul 19, 2009 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, adult-fantasy

Quote from WORD for Teens:

Jennifer Fallon's books aren't the ones you can't put down - there the ones you like to take slow, a bit at a time, and savor every page of it.

To read the full review, click here.

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Feb 15, 2012 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

priests of the "one" god are a representation of evil...hey..wait. it does make one think a little about our need to label everything good or bad. except ... that there is good and bad. the princess adrina keeps the story interesting. not everything is good and not everyone makes it.

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Mar 31, 2013 Bluecityladyy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Much better than the first book, (which I still liked). I couldn't put this one down. Great characterization but what I especially love is that she doesn't write the cliched fantasy fiction plots. Fallon has imagination and is a good story teller.

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Apr 16, 2009 Hannah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fluff-reading

Isn't a particularly happy book. I only skimmed and read about the characters I liked. Liked more at the end than the beginning (because they grew up, not because they were killed off). Not clean. Some significant bits that need skipping.

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Jan 16, 2012 Cecile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, english

This second part of the Demon Child Trilogy is more about loyalties and alliances, while the war against the Kariens is taking place. It's also about the clash of personalities, particularly between Adrina and Damin, two very strong-minded characters, who both have big misconceptions about each over.

But this wouldn't be the Demon Child Trilogy without the demon child, R'shiel. After discovering who she really is, she still has a hard time coming to terms with her destiny. Thanks to her great str...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Soraya Hekate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just awesome, can't wait to read book 3 now! Adrina is emerging as one of my favourite characters, and I really really REALLY hate Loclon, he must be one of the worst villains in literature!

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Feb 24, 2009 Petrina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Much better then the first one but still lacking in its ability to stick in my mind for any great length of time.

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Aug 03, 2011 Ruth rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: spec-fic

"I don't make mistakes, Brak. Everything I have ever done in my life seemed like the right idea at the time."

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Jun 16, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great sequel ind an awesome trilogy! Language is good, characters wellthought and universe interesting!

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Jul 20, 2010 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

a great addition to the story. good continuation with some new characters who add to the complexity of the story in a positive way.

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Feb 25, 2013 Jimmy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Awesome book and characters Jennifer Fallon is a great author can't wait to read the next book in this series

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Jan 10, 2009 Aaron J rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Enjoyable and light, really depends on the whole trilogy more than a stand alone book.

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Jun 08, 2011 Jimmy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Intrigues and excitement with magic and love.

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Feb 13, 2011 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, series

This one injected a little interest in the series for me. Adrina and Wolfblades interaction while predictable in parts added a little spice and liveliness that is making me want to read 3 and her other series.

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Oct 13, 2010 Addy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing - as all her books are!!

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Jan 08, 2010 Lynn Calvin added it · review of another edition

ereader ebook

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Nov 24, 2009 Katharine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2009

I think I read this book in about a day? I could NOT put it down. You can hardly tell this is Fallon's second book - it's so well done. There are no weak spots, the characters are incredibly interesting, and just, eeee <3

The dialogue, especially between Adrina and Damin is just so amusing. You almost laugh out loud at it, even if you're reading in the middle of a restaurant when you should be reading.

How can she create characters that are so bratty, and yet you just read them and love them a...more

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Mar 09, 2009 Lauren Beurlot rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really good book.

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Oct 23, 2010 Crystal Heimbecker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love it!!!

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About Jennifer Fallon

Jennifer Fallon was born in Carlton (a suburb of Melbourne, Australia) and lived in Caulfield until she was 11 when her father, a senior public servant, transferred to the national capital, Canberra. She lived in and around Canberra for about 8 years and went to school at Catholic Girls High School (now Mercy College) in Braddon. She is the ninth child in a family of thirteen girls.

In 1995, after...more

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Books by Jennifer Fallon

Medalon (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, #1)

Harshini (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, #3)

Wolfblade (Hythrun Chronicles: Wolfblade Trilogy, #1)

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“I know the gods exist, whether i believe them worth worshipping is an entirely different matter.
Brakandaran té Carn” — 3 people liked it

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Treason Keep (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy #2)

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