Surrender her heart or save the world?The Henokans, in hot pursuit of the Baltins, have arrived on Earth. Escorted to the last major remnant of humans and the most secure stronghold in the United States, Tilly’s given two choices: cooperate or die. The United States Air Force and the Henokan army have formed an alliance called DAWN, and they plan to use her as bait to prevent an otherwise … bait to prevent an otherwise inevitable war.
General Lathan Rhys, the Henokan leader and Baltin Prince’s archenemy, wants more than her cooperation, though; he wants vengeance and companionship.
As Tilly and Kodiak come to terms with their new reality, she’s forced to re-examine the little she knows of Jareth. General Rhys urges her to forget about him and help heal what remains of humanity. The choice should be simple, but love demands a steep price. But when Tilly re-emerges into the world, she sees a bigger picture of the damage and injustice the Baltins have inflicted.
Humans need help. Can she do her part to save what’s left of humanity and continue the journey to find her sister? Will one more of Jareth’s lies push her over the edge in the fight for her heart and planet?
Only one thing’s for sure—he’ll never back down when it comes to holding her love, even if it means destroying everything in his path.
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I really liked this despite missing Book 1.
Silly me I mistakenly believed I’d read book 1!! I dived straight in, there was obviously a lot of background missing but despite hhat it was still easy yo enjoy. It was complex but satisfying and I’ll def. read the final book in this trilogy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ONE SENSATIONAL THRILL RIDE
Blazing boxers boo! Melissa outdoes herself once more unleashing one helluva tumultuous storm, delivering this sinfully tantalizing, skillfully compelling incredibly titillating, delightfully delectable, boot-stomping b@d@ssery, rock-my-world landslide, skyrocketing this hot little number to staggering heights. Chicanery and havoc run rampant, releasing all the spills, thrills and swirling feels, bursting those churning emotions into play front and center, while intensifying the riveting drama, gripping intrigue, heart-rending betrayal, underlying threats, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and unnerving situations ensue, observing the daunting struggles and formidable triumphs merge, cognizant of the perilous twists and wicked turns unfolding, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. Entwined, combined and crisply coiled, exposing the soaring ups and agonizing downs breathtaking in it’s simplicity and beautiful in it’s depth, secrets confessed, revelations disclosed and promises pledged, propelling this baby to life flawlessly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity with enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that’s so rich and lively it feels as though you’re part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Melissa, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
The second book in the Savage Worlds series a book that kept me turning pages. So much is happening there are lies, betrayal,and secrets. What a story. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
wow !!! the title says it all…loved it !!! love this series !!! cried… and cried…for Tilly and Jareth… heart shattering and heart rending…but it goes on…lies on top of lies, betrayal on top of betrayal, life still goes on… a must read !!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Whoa! This one is even better the first one.. What a thrill ride! Deep, emotional characters and amazing drama..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Marvelous second entry in the Baltin Trilogy as the author continues to expand on the world building and character development first introduced in book #1, The Descendant, while incorporating new protagonists to the motif. This is an intricately detailed yet astoundingly complex, well imagined narrative. I recommend starting with book #1 to appreciate the full scope of the stories as they do over arc. Our heroine Tilly still faces more heart rending betrayals, and sadness amidst the soul searing love felt for Jarath. Difficult to accept revelations will be unveiled, yet through it all Tilly’s spirited personality always shines through. The series thus far has been so well written with words that are painted on the canvas of the page.
I look forward to the next book, where per chance we do find out if love can conquer all!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“The Betrayer” is the second full-length book in Melissa Riddell’s “Baltin Trilogy” (aka “Savage Worlds”). The story centers on Tilly Morgan, a teenager whose plans for the future came to an abrupt halt, when an EMP hit Earth and destroyed the electrical power grid word-wide, sending the planet back into a pre-technological era and forced humans to devolve from civilized law-abiding citizens to disorganized groups following the law of the strongest. The whole background information can be found in the prequel (The Intrusion), and while is not technically necessary to read it to understand the rest of the series, I highly recommend it, as it’s a very interesting read on its own. However, the books in the Trilogy, build narratively to each other, thus “The Descendant” (Book 1) should be read before started “The Betrayer”.
The story follows seamlessly the events depicted in the first installment as Jareth sends Tilly, Sparky and Kodiak back to Earth, where Tilly is taken captive by the Henokan (the sworn enemies of the Baltin), who have now formed an alliance with the human population (DAWN). But things somersault as Rhys (a Henokan) takes an interest in Tilly, becoming even more of a threat to Jareth. Tilly is torn between Jareth’s love and her human alliance, forced to make a difficult decision to find her lost sister and even survive.
Melissa Riddell’s story is fast-paced, action-packed, with wonderful credible characters, realistic normal people caught on in an extraordinary situation, struggling to survive while trying to preserve their morals. A captivating post-apocalyptic story set in a fully credible modern world, that explores the meaning of trust in desperate time.
The Betrayer; Book two in the Baltin Trilogy by Melissa Riddell
Five Full Stars
World Building
Book two in a trilogy
Ends with a cliffhanger
We immediately pick up where the Descendant ends, where Jareth sends Tilly, Sparky, and Kodak back to Earth.
Melissa Riddell has created a wonderful piece of work with her Baltin Trilogy. I love the pace, the angst, the emotional turmoil her characters face. Tilly especially. The man she wants to love poses so many problems on so many levels. She is expressively mouthy, which is more false bravado, and enables her to focus on what matters to her the most.
To make matters wore for Jareth, he nw has a contender for Tilly’s heart. Rhys is the new man on the scene, so anything that holds Jareth’s attention, he also becomes interested in. They are bitter enemies. Rhys is an Henokan, and the Baltin enemy of old.
Tilly is captured by the Henokans, and is held in a secured stronghold with remaining US Air Force. The Henokans and the humans have formed an alliance; DAWN. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. For the first time, humans have something precious the Baltin Prince, aka Jareth, wants. Tilly.
Tilly is a pawn. Torn between her love for Jareth, and her loyalty to the remaining human population. Love and hate. Loyalty and betrayal. Truths and lies. Lines are blurred and manipulated. Tilly is a hostage and her purpose to survive and find her sister lies in betraying the man she loves. No choice is easy. Each choice comes with a high price.
I loved this book. It’s gripping and raw. The characters and their role in the story is wonderfully written. The character growth of both Tilly and Jareth is at times loving and heartbreaking. Jareth told Tilly in book 1 that he wasn’t a good man, he had done bad things. She learns what these bad things are. She is his light in a dark dark world. What happens to that light if she betrays him?