In a world where writing disappears when the author dies, 22-year-old Cael Oberlan watches the last gasping breaths of his best friend. He pulls a scrap of paper out of his pocket as his friend’s signature fades. Cael only wants vengeance for his friend and to create a reality where he no longer has to bow before any man. However, the nagging suspicion that his father, who started this war, hasn’t given him the whole story about his role in this conflict threatens to unravel everything he ever thought he knew about himself and the people he is fighting to free.
As nephew of the King, 24-year-old Emil Trestinsen should be a hero. He should already hear his name echoing in celebration in the streets of the capital. In a young life already full of disappointment, the lack of recognition for ridding the kingdom of “Ruinous” Lorcen Oberlan may prove to be the final push he needs to seize his destiny. He will prove his worth to his family and his nation. He will end this rebellion and take his rightful place as the next governor of the rebels.
When 18-year-old Merily Oberlan receives letters from the frontlines, and the top one is blank, she is devastated to realize one of her loved ones has died in battle. She is determined to help bring an end to this bloody war and be strong for her people, a cultural and religious minority in the kingdom of Harfal.
What started as a simple rebellion transforms into a complicated web of lies, betrayal, and difficult decisions no one should have to make. It is a race against time and death as handwriting continues to disappear, erasing the contracts and historical records necessary for peaceful negotiations.
John (verified owner) –
Fast shipping. Book arrived in great condition. Will be shopping again in the future.
John (verified owner) –
light spoilersish* I will be honest. I was plodding along in the 1st part 1 of the book. The characters are a bit of a slow build and the two I found Interesting had one chapter as a retrospective type chapter. At that point I was thinking about a 3 or 3.25. now part 2 really started building on those core characters where I could get a feel for them. And when I decided to up this bad boy to a 4.25/5 was because of a certain character. In her chapter I could see about midway through what was coming especially knowing the author’s stated influences. And though I could see it coming as I was reading I felt myself wanting the opposite of what I knew was about to happen. And when. It did happen I let out an audible sigh (in a good way). So now I’m in. I’m ready for a grave for us all. Great 1st entry if not a little plodding at first. Would recommend.
Reed Logan Westgate –
The Traitors We Are is a phenomenally well crafted adventure in a unique setting where your writing vanishes when you die. This mechanic alone in the blurb made me pick up the book as I found it intriguing. Michael uses it deftly through out the book to tug on your heartstrings as slips of paper with a persons name goes blank, or letter is delivered from the front lines with the words gone.
Aside from the cool concept that his world revolves around, Traitors We Are is a story that captures the essence of betrayal, treachery, and grabs for power. Two factions warring, Kings and magic, ploys for power and peace undermined with deceit and treachery. It reads like a beautiful blend of Game of Thrones mixed with Winter Soldier in a fantasy setting withs gods and magic.
This is a solid five star read. I enjoyed enough it to read again and I am eagerly awaiting to see where Michael Roberti goes with this series.
Quinn (verified owner) –
The Traitors We Are is a wonderful first entry of a series with an intriguing premise, all writing fades when the author dies. People carry slips of paper with signatures of their loved ones so they will immediately know if they’ve been killed, which is at once a source of comfort and of great anxiety. These are also the feelings the book gave me while I was reading. This novel is heavily character focused and alternated between sweet moments and bitter betrayals, so you never knew what any given character was going to do next. They feel like very normal people doing their best in the situations they find themselves in and are the definition of morally grey. The character development is done very well, there was one character in particular I remember hating as soon as he showed up, that I wound up empathizing with by the end of the book. This does bring me to the one critique I have of the book. Many characters changed personally over the course of the novel, and it was a bit too much change for too many characters for it to be entirely believable for me. I nevertheless enjoyed reading each POV, I never found myself dreading reading a POV and wishing we were back with someone else. I also had a hard time choosing a favorite character because of how well they were all developed.
The premise is a big part of the reason I picked up this book, and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed seeing the effects this has on the world that we saw in this book, and hope we get to see even more in the future entries. I also hope we get to see more of the magic that plainly exists in this world, but is not explored much in this first novel. I think the teasers for the magic were done perfectly and in no way detract from this novel, but they definitely left me wanting to know more. This was a strong debut novel from Roberti that kept pulling me in for more. I think many readers will find what they love in this novel.
Jared Leys –
The Traitors We Are is a book I won’t soon forget. It’s a character-driven narrative with scheming and betrayal at its core. Definitely worth checking out!
This book started slow for me, but I think that’s before I realized how important to the narrative it was to deeply explore the internal experience of the characters.
Having said that, the first part of the book did something very well: it showed that the impacts of war are terrible and deadly and costly. People die in war—people you’re close to.
And then the meat of the story comes in as we explore the corners of high society through the lens of characters not used to that world. Cultures clash and the results are full of intrigue.
I’m not sure if this is a popular choice, but my favorite character ended up being Ordan. During scenes from his POV I felt especially immersed in the character’s worldview.
This book has a style and approach to storytelling I haven’t often seen in the fantasy genre. Very fascinating to see it come together on the page.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and appreciated how it all comes together. I’m interested to know what happens next! What else is going on behind the scenes?