She turned her back on her people and shifted her allegiance to the very Empire she was sent to betray Now head spymaster, Lyre’s loyalty lies with Sabine, the Empress she has loved since childhood. But when Sabine visits the secretive Cloud Vault, the floating citadel home that Lyre betrayed, Lyre’s elaborate web of lies starts to untangle. Her very presence threatens Sabine’s future, and Lyre … future, and Lyre will do whatever it takes to protect her lover…even if that means sacrificing herself.
Empress Sabine Corvus has lived a life of service, pushing aside her own desires for the greater good. With the Empire teetering on the brink of war with the traitorous Syndicate, she cannot afford to show weakness. Although Lyre’s spymaster skills are her greatest weapon, their bond is Sabine’s Achilles’ heel. Regardless of the price, she will not give Lyre up.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
This book is approximately 83,000 words
Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Deborah Nemeth
more
I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is you absolutely have to read A Conspiracy Of Whispers before you even think about reading A Treason Of Truths. The good news is the Whispers duology is an incredibly refreshing and well-executed sci-fi series and you will not regret reading it. The premise for Conspiracy reeled me in and I’m not someone who reads much sci-fi to begin with.
But if I can find more sci-fi along the lines of what authors like Ada Harper and Brooke Taylor are putting out, consider me a convert!
I’m keeping this as spoiler-free as possible because Treason’s plot is an utter gift. One twist and turn after another, one revelation after another, and always, always inventive.
Treason picks up where Conspiracy left off. These are challenging times for Sabine, who must deal with the traitors in her midst while also trying to hold the Syndicate responsible for their overthrow attempt. She’s always relied on her spymaster Lyre but when the Cloud Vault offers to broker peace between the Empire and the Syndicate, Lyre wants no part of it.
This plunges Sabine and Lyre into new territory for their relationship, with so many things left unsaid. The Empress is now without her spymaster and friend and each feel as though they’re missing a limb, no matter how angry they are at the situation.
Of course, Lyre has a plan up her sleeve. I loved seeing her in action! I cannot imagine being an actual spy and the way her mind worked was fascinating but also heartbreaking. How difficult to have to lie to everyone, especially the person you love most. Her reflections about this were quite moving.
Sabine’s utter control as a ruler and the way she navigated ever-changing loyalties and charted a course for her Empire was downright inspiring. I also loved the way she couldn’t let her feelings show but Lyre could still read her.
Watching Sabine and Lyre figure out how to get out of tough fixes kept me turning pages. They were so good at their jobs and I never knew what wrench was going to be thrown at them next. In the middle of them fleeing for their lives, they were also navigating their feelings for one another and finally being honest about it. There was so much angst but there was also a good amount of humor. Lyre, in particular, is hilarious. Their growth as characters, figuring out how to be honest or let go of control, was handled really well. They complimented one another perfectly and it was so satisfying when they finally acted on their love.
Harper’s world-building is complex, there to serve the plot and not the other way around. When I stopped to really take in the details, for instance the various tech creatures on the Cloud Vault, I’d have to ask myself how on earth she ever came up with it. And then, much of the time, I’d wonder what it would be like if I lived in that world and had access to such things.
Olivia and Galen make an appearance and it was nice to get a glimpse of their relationship again. Alais is also along for the ride and I’m crossing my fingers she gets her own book next.
Everything unfolded the way it should and I could not get enough of it. I’m looking forward to whatever Ada Harper does next!
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
I thought Conspiracy of Whispers would be hard to top. Boy was I wrong – Treason of Truths took everything I loved about Ada Harper’s first book in the series and doubled down. The clever world-building, the detailed technology, the intrigue and espionage. And best of all, the love story – The forbidden romance between the Empress and her Spymaster was laced with their long shared history and the way their romance stepped out of the shadows and manifested itself was wonderful. Seeing these two troubled, scarred souls find what had been hiding in plain sight was a true joy.