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Back Cover Blurb
The power of the Sixth Gate grows stronger within Raine each day - to control it, she needs lessons no living Draoihn can teach her. Her fledgling friendships are tested to a breaking point as she tries to face what she has become, and her master Ulovar is struck by a mysterious sickness that slowly saps the vitality from his body, leaving Raine to face her growing darkness alone. There's only one chance to turn the tide of power surging within her - to learn the secrets the Draoihn themselves purged from the world.
The book can teach her. She doesn't know where she found it, or when exactly, but its ever changing pages whisper power that has lain untouched for centuries.
As the king's health fails and the north suffers in the grip of famine, rebellious lords hunger for the power of the Crown, backed by powers that would see the Crowns undone. Amidst this growing threat, Raine's former friend Ovitus brings a powerful new alliance, raising his status and power of his own. He professes support for the heir to the throne even as others would see him take it for himself, and desperately craves Raine's forgiveness - or her submission.
But the grandmaster has her own plans for Raine, and the deadly training she has been given has not been conducted carelessly. In Raine she seeks to craft a a weapon to launch right into her enemy's heart, as Redwinter seeks to hold onto power.
Amidst threats old and new, Raine must learn the secrets promised by the book, magic promised by a queen with a crown of feathers. A queen to whom Raine has promised more than she can afford to give...
Review
Ed McDonald continues to cement himself as one of the best fantasy writers out there with every new book that he publishes. TRAITOR OF REDWINTER is yet another shining example of this as the second book in the Redwinter Chronicles expands on this amazing story and elevates it in so many astonishing ways. Seeing Robin Hobb's blurb on the front cover of this book is quite fitting and I can see why she would want to attach her name to this series. It has all of the hallmarks of her style of brilliant storytelling which is in itself very character-based and thoughtful with unforgettable moments of sheer magical brilliance.
As far as sequels go, this one did not disappoint and really had my complete focus from page one. This is very much a book where things are starting to change for so many of the characters and most of the time in not the best of ways. There's a lot of political maneuvering (which I'm always a huge fan of) and jockeying of position to determine who gets to hold the reins of power. I was impressed by how McDonald kept his cards close to his vest so to speak with regard to many of the characters and their real motivations and loyalties. That unpredictability and the fact that you never know who is good and who may be a backstabbing scoundrel is another reason why I just love this series.
Suffice to say the worldbuilding continues to be second to none here and TRAITOR OF REDWINTER dives even deeper into the history and tumultuous past events that have shaped the present. There's also a deeply hidden mystery that cannot be denied and I found myself wanting to know more with each enticing (although infrequent) revelation. Hey, we can't give everything away in the second book am I right? As it happens to be that excellent worldbuilding and an interesting history are my two favorite elements in a fantasy book, I'd say yeah this one hit all of the right notes for me.
Ultimately I thought this follow-up to Daughter of Redwinter was superb on so many levels. My only criticism is that Ed McDonald has created such an outstanding and compelling story that I am beyond annoyed I can't read the next book immediately. Okay that's actually a me problem and not an Ed problem so scratch that criticism. Anyway, if you enjoy character-driven fantasy that also contains some of the most creative worldbuilding, imaginative magic, and a richly detailed history shrouded in mystery, then you absolutely must pick up this series and give it a read. Ed McDonald is writing some unbelievably earth-shattering stuff right now and I for one can't get enough.
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