The quest for creating a game suitable for the grand jeu, a mysterious contest, is what fills the days of pupils at exclusive academy Montverre. It’s all that matters and for Léo Martin, a former student, it was something at which he excelled. But he wasn’t the only one. Back he’s back at his former school, his political career in tatters, and resigned, if not content, about returning to what he used to do. While there he meets Magister Ludi, Claire Dryden, the grand jeu’s highest officer and is drawn to her, but unsure why. The game between them is complicated and highly layered but without each other’s secrets being admitted, there’s no hope of resolution. I found this to be a high concept story, beautifully told, believable and almost ageless. Very exciting.

** spoiler alert ** I didn't particularly enjoy the first part of this book,I had too many questions that weren't being answered (who,why,what,when) and I felt as if I'd started on book 2 and missed a lot.
I put it down several times.
Then I picked it up,and just stopped thinking about logistics,and enjoyed it.
The school,the scholars,the rivalry.... I'm still not 100% sure what the game is,but I've got a better idea what it means to people.
I got swept up in the final pages,and was cheering the main characters on.
Enjoyable,if a slow start

I was fascinated last year by 'The Binding' by Bridget Collins and was so excited to receive an advanced copy of her book 'The Betrayals'. Unfortunately for me this book did not live up to expectation. The story constantly refers to the 'grand jeu' which is ment to be some sort of a game but after completing the book I am still unsure of what it actually is!! There was a twist near the end of the book which I had worked out earlier on but others may find this interesting. I found the book a struggle to finish to be honest. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The Betrayals is a captivating and magical read, that is so engrossing it's virtually impossible to put down. It's plot feels original and fresh despite the school setting. An absolute must read.

I loved this book a lot. I always like books set around schools but this is different to most I have read because it centres on adults who run the school or used to be students, not the students themselves. Leo is a politician that was fired, and sent the school he attended, Montverre, where students train for the grand jeu, a mysterious contest that is never really explained in the book. I imagined it to be musical, but that might be the metaphorical interpretations. Claire is the newest Magister Ludi of Montverre, the only woman to have had the role. She has to prepare her grand jeu for the Midsummer Games, but is struggling for inspiration.

My favourite parts of the book were from Leo's diary entries from when he was a second year student at Montverre. He is in constant competition with Carfax, a genius of a student who is always top of their class. When the two are forced to work together on a pairs assignment, Leo is dreading it, but the two form a connection.

This was a magical book, with characters that are flawed and make a lot of mistakes. There is one huge twist but a lot will see it coming. I can't say I did, though, but I was very wrapped up in the writing style which was really engaging for me. Overall, loved it, can't wait to get my copy later this year.

While I did have some issues with certain aspects of The Binding, I did find it to be an absorbing read. The Betrayals promises a similarly generically historical setting with a far less compelling story (I had to slog my way through the first four chapters of this book). There is an overuse of the words 'grand jeu', so that these words are used indiscriminately, appearing in weird contexts were they don't even make sense (feel free to disagree). Also, I was irritated by the belated explanation—if we can even call it an explanation—of what this 'grand jeu' is (especially considering that up to that point the words 'grand jeu' have been used incessantly!). And why just not call it the 'great game'? Because using French words lends an air of mystique?
While other readers may find this to be a genuinely intriguing read, I'm not all that taken by the novel's forced air of mystery. The writing too left something to be desired (with phrases such as "her heart trembled in her bones as if they're hollow" and "her heart is beating so hard the rest of her feels unreal: she could be floating in space, a ghost with a thundering pulse").
If you unreservedly loved The Binding chances are you will like The Betrayals far more than I did.