Traitor's Game - (Traitor's Game) by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Hardcover)

About the Book

Hearts and loyalties collide in this electrifying new series in which "New York Times"-bestselling author Nielsen introduces an unforgettable new heroine in an epic tale of treachery and intrigue, love and deceit.

Book Synopsis

Hearts and loyalties collide in this electrifying new YA series from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Jennifer A. Nielsen's New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game, which Entertainment Weekly called the next big YA fantasy, is perfect for fans of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard and the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's second-in-command to the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. One of the rebels, Simon, has his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Traitor's Game: A New York Times bestsellerThe next big YA fantasy. -- Entertainment WeeklyOne of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Books of 2018 -- BustleWe were immediately caught up in Kestra's story, plotting beside a heroine made of strength, bravery and intelligence. Her complicated relationship with Simon and the danger sewn into every moment of her father's palace politics kept us flipping pages in time with each jaw-dropping plot twist. -- Justine MagazineFantasy, action and romance combine for a whirlwind ride in Jennifer A. Nielsen's The Traitor's Game! -- Girls' LifeOne of the Most Anticipated YA Books of 2018 -- HypableNielsen creates wonderful characters in all of her novels, and she is especially talented at writing complex, intriguing females who refuse to fit into any neat categories. The first in her engrossing Traitor's Game series introduces readers to another fascinating heroine, who disrupts the plans and plots laid to trap her and insists on controlling her own narrative....Engrossing, emotional and offers plenty of promise for the series to come. -- RT Book ReviewsOne of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Novels of 2018 -- B&N Teen Blog[An] action-packed, romance-laden tale. -- Publishers WeeklyThis rip-roaring tale has action galore with battle scenes, kidnappings, murder, intrigue, and romance....Nielsen has created a compelling world where little is as it seems. -- School Library ConnectionNielsen does a masterful job keeping readers off guard while tightening the screws of tension throughout, satisfying even the most reluctant readers. -- School Library JournalThe twists and turns of the plot make for compelling reading that should especially entertain fans of Nielsen's Ascendance trilogy. -- The Horn BookThe Traitor's Game is intrigue and adventure with a bold heroine, some forbidden romance and plenty of twists along the way. -- Shelf AwarenessThe Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is an action-packed story that leaves you yearning for more. The new book is an amazing addition to Nielsen's repertoire . . . Fit with a feisty heroine and some tough kidnappers, The Traitor's Game keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. -- The MissourianKestra may be one of my favorite characters of all time. She is courageous, bold beyond belief and also positively petulant, with a tendency for tantrums. The perfect protagonist for this adventurous, action-packed fantasy. Mixed with a bit of magic, a completely captivating saga is created; a stellar start to a tempting trilogy. -- Buried Under BooksIf you like your heroines fierce, your heroes protective, their loyalties divided, their missions complex, their motivations hidden, their lives full of secrets, The Traitor's Game is an absolute must. -- FiktshunPraise for the Ascendance Trilogy: A New York Times Notable Children's BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children's BookA Cybils Award Winner* An impressive, promising story. -- Publishers Weekly, starred review[A] pageturner. -- The New York Times Book ReviewSage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel. -- The Wall Street JournalA swashbuckling origin story... chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys. -- Los Angeles TimesA fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up. -- School Library JournalGripping. -- Kirkus ReviewsShould appeal to fans of... Suzanne Collins... [A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense. -- The Horn BookPraise for A Night Divided: Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger. Nielsen (Mark of the Thief) evokes the constant unease of life in a divided Berlin through Gerta's sober narration... but the family never loses sight of the power of humility and forgiveness. -- Publishers WeeklyNielsen, best known for her fantasy novels, proves she is equally skilled at historical fiction in this solidly structured, balanced account of the origins of an infamous historical landmark... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page. -- School Library JournalPraise for the Mark of the Thief Trilogy: * The fast-paced, ingenious plot, charismatic hero and highly diverse cast of characters... make this series opener a captivating joy ride. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewVivid... [with] page-turning twists. -- Publishers WeeklyFast-moving fun with broad audience appeal, especially recommended for reluctant readers, Rick Riordan fans, and pedal-to-the-metal adventure aficionados. -- Kirkus ReviewsThe novel's Roman mythology connections... will have great appeal for fans of Rick Riordan. Heavily plot-driven with a movie-script feel. -- BooklistPraise for The Scourge: A strong, feisty main character... narrates a story that is equal parts adventure, mystery, and political intrigue. -- The Horn BookAni's willingness to help others, a hard battle in herself as she tries to get over long-held assumptions, demonstrates effectively how emergencies can bridge distances. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksNielsen's (A Night Divided) polished fantasy smoothly combines medieval elements with hints of mystery and romance... it delivers a significant message about how misinformation breeds intolerance. -- Publishers WeeklyNielsen provides readers with a strong, three-dimensional heroine and a plot that will keep readers guessing. -- School Library ConnectionThe characters are well defined and memorable. Feisty Ani, a likable character who is thoughtful and strong, drives the story forward and keeps readers wanting to know more... A solid choice for readers who enjoy tales of strong heroines set in the ever-popular dystopian genre. -- School Library Journal

About The Author

Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, and The Shadow Throne. She also wrote the New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy: Mark of the Thief, Rise of the Wolf, and Wrath of the Storm; the stand-alone fantasy The Scourge; the historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, and Words on Fire; the second book in the Horizon series, Deadzone; Book Six of the Infinity Ring series, Behind Enemy Lines; and The Traitor's Game series: The Traitor's Game, The Deceiver's Heart, and The Warrior's Curse. Jennifer lives in northern Utah with her husband, their children, and a perpetually muddy dog.