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Chronicles of the Twelve Realms #3
The Treasonous
Sir Ahmad didn't even say goodbye, but Idra knew he wouldn't. He left High Castle to escape his broken heart, and it was her fault. But Idra, duty bound, continues serving the princess as her lady-in-waiting and pushes her tattered heart aside.
When Ahmad returns by order of the high prince, he feels the pull of the woman he loves but cannot overcome the fear he might only be a consolation prize. Idra longs for him but dreads his rejection, and the rift between them grows as her willful desire to help others attracts danger at every turn.
When a new knight Idra has befriended asks for her clandestine help, the two uncover roots of treason threatening to undo the kingdom. They incite the wrath of an ancient rebellion, and Idra knows Ahmad might be the only one who can help them, but sharing this secret could get him killed.
A traitor's plot must be crushed before the rebellion rips Twelve Realms apart, but their interference will seal the fate of all they've sworn to protect.
When Ahmad returns by order of the high prince, he feels the pull of the woman he loves but cannot overcome the fear he might only be a consolation prize. Idra longs for him but dreads his rejection, and the rift between them grows as her willful desire to help others attracts danger at every turn.
When a new knight Idra has befriended asks for her clandestine help, the two uncover roots of treason threatening to undo the kingdom. They incite the wrath of an ancient rebellion, and Idra knows Ahmad might be the only one who can help them, but sharing this secret could get him killed.
A traitor's plot must be crushed before the rebellion rips Twelve Realms apart, but their interference will seal the fate of all they've sworn to protect.
330 pages, Hardcover
Published October 30, 2023
About the author
Rachael Ritchey
13 books128 followersA Christian, wife, mom, writer, and book designer, Rachael focuses most of her energy on YA fantasy fiction (Check out Chronicles of the Twelve Realms), but you can find her dabbling in science fiction and contemporary genres too.
She has a passion for beautiful books, so book cover and interior design are high on her list of enjoyable hobbies.
She's boring and would rather talk about you and what you're up to any day of the week, but if she had to talk about her own life it would probably include her four kids and husband, homeschooling, graphic design, books, why it's important to live every day with gratitude, and whatever other topic has been on her mind ... usually to do with the topic-du-jour she's researching for her next fiction project!
What to talk? Get in touch! :)
She has a passion for beautiful books, so book cover and interior design are high on her list of enjoyable hobbies.
She's boring and would rather talk about you and what you're up to any day of the week, but if she had to talk about her own life it would probably include her four kids and husband, homeschooling, graphic design, books, why it's important to live every day with gratitude, and whatever other topic has been on her mind ... usually to do with the topic-du-jour she's researching for her next fiction project!
What to talk? Get in touch! :)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 27, 2026
A fantastic adventure--perfect for those who love a sweet, clean romantasy or YA with plenty of action!
December 15, 2023
This is my favorite book in the series. It was absolutely fantastic! As always, the writing is wonderful. The prose is fluid and lovely, and it’s an easy read.
I admit I lost interest in the romance in this one, but romance isn’t something I typically enjoy anyway. Lovers of romance will probably still appreciate it like crazy, because I do think it’s well done even if it doesn’t suit my fancy. But the plot in this one is absolutely *CHEF’S KISS* and is what kept me fully invested and reading well after my bedtime. There’s a threat against the throne in this one, with a grand plot to assassinate the king, and one of the poor guardsmen is caught in the middle of the conspiracy.
Florian is hands-down my favorite character in the series now, because I felt SO BAD for him and the situation where he found himself. I basically just wanted to give him a hug the entire time I was reading. I occasionally wanted to smack him for not doing certain things a certain way, but his actions were written in such a way that they were fully believable. I love when good characters are caught between a rock and a hard place, and that was basically Florian throughout this entire book. I LOVED that level of tension.
I also like how this book had a bit more of an emphasis on one of the male characters and his relationships with non-love interests. Did I mention I’m not super interested in romance? But I do love bromance A LOT! As a result of Florian’s turmoil, he goes head-to-head with his fellow guardsmen multiple times throughout the book. Sometimes in not-so-good ways, sometimes in positive and affirming ways. It’s exactly the type of thing I love to read, and this book had it in abundance. I honestly wish there had been more fall-out to complete Florian’s character arc (a little more inner turmoil and struggle for his INTERNAL redemption), but that’s just because of how heavily invested I was in his story and his arc. It was THAT good.
I will also state that I am intrigued by Hilde a lot now, too. She’s set up to be very interesting and sympathetic, a character who goes out of her way to help others while constantly being overlooked and ignored herself. There’s something very charming about that.
Ritchey writes VERY charming characters, what can I say?
I highly recommend this book!! It’ll be great for readers of Christian fantasy and for those who enjoy fantasy romance. I very much look forward to any future books in the series, if they happen to come along. More Florian? Yes? Yes, please??
(Florian, go and save Xavier, please and thank you.)
I admit I lost interest in the romance in this one, but romance isn’t something I typically enjoy anyway. Lovers of romance will probably still appreciate it like crazy, because I do think it’s well done even if it doesn’t suit my fancy. But the plot in this one is absolutely *CHEF’S KISS* and is what kept me fully invested and reading well after my bedtime. There’s a threat against the throne in this one, with a grand plot to assassinate the king, and one of the poor guardsmen is caught in the middle of the conspiracy.
Florian is hands-down my favorite character in the series now, because I felt SO BAD for him and the situation where he found himself. I basically just wanted to give him a hug the entire time I was reading. I occasionally wanted to smack him for not doing certain things a certain way, but his actions were written in such a way that they were fully believable. I love when good characters are caught between a rock and a hard place, and that was basically Florian throughout this entire book. I LOVED that level of tension.
I also like how this book had a bit more of an emphasis on one of the male characters and his relationships with non-love interests. Did I mention I’m not super interested in romance? But I do love bromance A LOT! As a result of Florian’s turmoil, he goes head-to-head with his fellow guardsmen multiple times throughout the book. Sometimes in not-so-good ways, sometimes in positive and affirming ways. It’s exactly the type of thing I love to read, and this book had it in abundance. I honestly wish there had been more fall-out to complete Florian’s character arc (a little more inner turmoil and struggle for his INTERNAL redemption), but that’s just because of how heavily invested I was in his story and his arc. It was THAT good.
I will also state that I am intrigued by Hilde a lot now, too. She’s set up to be very interesting and sympathetic, a character who goes out of her way to help others while constantly being overlooked and ignored herself. There’s something very charming about that.
Ritchey writes VERY charming characters, what can I say?
I highly recommend this book!! It’ll be great for readers of Christian fantasy and for those who enjoy fantasy romance. I very much look forward to any future books in the series, if they happen to come along. More Florian? Yes? Yes, please??
(Florian, go and save Xavier, please and thank you.)
July 1, 2017
Ahhhh! That ending! PLEASE tell me there is going to be at least one more book!
Sir Ahmad is off at the border but must return home when Theindar and Caityn's baby is born. He's more than a little nervous because of how he left Idra, but he also can't wait to see her again. This sets up some more of the back-and-forth stuff with them that kind of bugs me. But it's not enough to really distract from the book.
This young girl shows up claiming that the new baby is in grave danger from "Skotos". That sends everyone into a frenzy and it's discovered that, not only is . This is why we need another book!
In the meantime, one of Theindar's guards, Florian, is being blackmailed into assassinating the High King, so that the king of his realm can become High King. Florian doesn't want to do it, but they bad guys are holding his sister and threatening to harm her if he so much as breathes a word to anyone. .
The two storylines collide and in the end it all mostly works out alright. Idra and Ahmad are married (hopefully this stops the issues with them), but WE NEED MORE STORY!!!! Please, Rachael Ritchey, write another book.
Sir Ahmad is off at the border but must return home when Theindar and Caityn's baby is born. He's more than a little nervous because of how he left Idra, but he also can't wait to see her again. This sets up some more of the back-and-forth stuff with them that kind of bugs me. But it's not enough to really distract from the book.
This young girl shows up claiming that the new baby is in grave danger from "Skotos". That sends everyone into a frenzy and it's discovered that, not only is . This is why we need another book!
In the meantime, one of Theindar's guards, Florian, is being blackmailed into assassinating the High King, so that the king of his realm can become High King. Florian doesn't want to do it, but they bad guys are holding his sister and threatening to harm her if he so much as breathes a word to anyone. .
The two storylines collide and in the end it all mostly works out alright. Idra and Ahmad are married (hopefully this stops the issues with them), but WE NEED MORE STORY!!!! Please, Rachael Ritchey, write another book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
This book definitely leaves me wanting more!
Each thread in this complex plot of intrigue, conspiracies and dangers weaves together into a closing tapestry that beautifully closes out the current trilogy while leaving potential for so much more.
The love interest reminds me of a Jane Austen book. I especially enjoyed watching the emotional turmoil and growth of two particular characters—one who's uncertain of the love he feels and desires and the other who faces an overwhelmingly impossible threat. The underlying soft magic coursing beneath the action was the cherry on top for me.
Each thread in this complex plot of intrigue, conspiracies and dangers weaves together into a closing tapestry that beautifully closes out the current trilogy while leaving potential for so much more.
The love interest reminds me of a Jane Austen book. I especially enjoyed watching the emotional turmoil and growth of two particular characters—one who's uncertain of the love he feels and desires and the other who faces an overwhelmingly impossible threat. The underlying soft magic coursing beneath the action was the cherry on top for me.
March 7, 2017
A good sequel following Captive Hope and where Idra and Sir Ahmad left off. There was the surprise return of a certain villain from book one that I loved, and I can't wait to see where book four leads to with that! A lot happens in this book, but the ending is such a nice conclusion that it makes following Idra's journey worth it! Anyone who is a fan of Captive Hope will love this.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews