Member Reviews
I liked this one! It had some great tropes like found family and I really felt it! I think the pacing wasn’t great but I’ll definitely give the second book a chance!
Book Review 📚
Crowned A Traitor by Kate Callaghan - 4/5 ⭐
I had absolutely no clue that this book followed the daughter of Lucifer! I probably would of read it so much quicker if I had of known that. Anyway, that was a huge positive for me. Loved it.
Nothing is as it seems in Crowned a Traitor. So many twists and turn coming out of the woodwork, it took my breath away each and every time. There was nothing predictable or obvious about the plot at all. It's a huge dark fantasy book and I can't get over it.
My only pet peeve with this book was the ending. I just wanted it to go on and on, so to me the ending felt a little rushed. But it didn't effect my overall view of the book. It was absolutely brilliant and I'll be shouting about it for a while! It's definitely a YA but as an almost 33 year old, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Books Go Social for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book. Well what can I say I absolutely loved this book. The story was amazing and intriguing and caught me from the first chapter, the plot and the setting was to amazing and the characters were oso easy to read and get on with. Highly recommend this book. 4.5 stars
This was a fun read. It had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell flat for me plot wise. Klara as a character was very complex and it was very interesting reading her thought processes and it’s outcomes.
From the beginning to about 95% into the book, I was hooked. The premise was intriguing as is, and coupled with the characters and the setting, it was such a great time!
The only real issue I have with the book is the ending. It felt too rushed and left the reader feeling rather dissatisfied. It also made my blood boil how everyone around Klara almost constantly lied to her and she didn't seem as mad about it as she should be.
One aspect that was really enjoyable was the way Kate used christian mythology (sprinkled with a little greek mythology). Loved all the mythological figures and how they're portrayed! Definitely gave me a new point of view on Lucifer.
All in all, good book, although the last few chapter could definitely use a rewrite.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.
Crowned a Traitor invites readers into a compelling narrative, following the daughter of Lucifer as she endeavors to escape the weighty responsibilities that come with her lineage. While the story unfolds with several unexpected twists that add depth and intrigue, the initial pacing might leave some readers wishing for a quicker start. Despite this, the characters shine with relatability and charm, drawing the audience into their world. The protagonist's journey is both enjoyable and thought-provoking, and the narrative successfully weaves an engaging tale of rebellion and self-discovery. Ultimately, Crowned a Traitor's slower beginning is overshadowed by its well-crafted plot and endearing characters, making it a satisfying read for those seeking a fresh take on supernatural struggles and familial expectations.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Crowned A Traitor: Book One' by Kate Callaghan.
'Crowned A Traitor' was disappointing to me. The pacing felt wildly off and I just felt bored in this story and that none of the plot or characters felt of note to me in any shape or form. I definitely wouldn't read book 2 but there is probably people out there who would adore this.
"'Weakness is settling for a life based on what others want of you and from you.'"
Crowned a Traitor is a YA fantasy novel about Lucifer's daughter who wants to avoid being the Queen of Heck at all costs, and it's one of those books that feels like a mixture of genres. It was fantasy, of course, but there were aspects of it that reminded me of paranormal and horror fiction too.
I'm not usually a fan of fantasy books about different "species" like werewolves and demons, nor am I knowledgeable about demon "lore," but the worldbuilding was fairly solid. It mixed religious symbols, Greek mythology, and Fae folklore for an intriguing mixture of elements.
However, I thought the plot lacked clarity at times. I never really got "hooked" into the story, but I saw another review saying the action started around page 140, and it did...but I still struggled to stay engaged at points. There was a fair amount of urgency in the plot with Klara running from her family, I just wasn't invested in it.
I think I didn't get invested because I didn't care much for the characters. Klara was cool and as far as main characters go, I liked her. Frendall was my favorite and then he disappeared for half the story. I didn't mind Wolfgang or Lottie either, but those were the only characters that I actually empathized with. There were so many other characters introduced that I assumed would have little relevance to the plot, and so I didn't bother remembering the details about them.
If you're a fan of dark fantasy stories about demons, werewolves, and characters running from their "destinies," Crowned A Traitor is a book you shouldn't miss.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.5/5
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC🤟
DNF 25%
The biggest problem with this book is that it's just not for me.
I found the writing style to be very simple, it reads like a middle grade novel rather than something for older teens, which is weird, because the contents of this book(violence and also the MC has a brooding love interest) is definitely aimed at older readers. The dialogue is just cringey to me, the interactions the MC has with the guy I think is her LI is just weird, like their conversations make no sense. The world-building is a mash-up of a shit ton of different supernatural creatures and also bible lore, which makes this world feel like its trying really hard to be interesting and edgy. Also unrelated but the MC randomly talks to herself when she's alone, and she's not even being quippy or snarky, she just makes little remarks to herself??
Aside from being older than the target audience, I feel like the MC is kind of a specific of wish-fulfilment/power fantasy. I hesitate to describe characters as Mary Sues, because a) there's nothing wrong with being perfect and amazing, and b) its a term that is used to criticise (usually) female characters in a way that male characters are not subject to in a manner that could potentially be misogynistic, but the MC does fit the definition. She is from a powerful and rare lineage, is heir to a throne, is an expert at fighting and frequently touts the rules to do what she wants and gets away with it. Add in colour-changing hair, a special magic weapon and a magic power that no one else has, and she's like an anime magical girl. There's nothing wrong with any of these, but it just reads as the author trying to make the MC extra special and unique, without having to work for or earn her special abilities(I know its mentioned that the MC trains a lot to hone her fighting skills, but I digress).
Anyway, if you are 15 or 16 y/o, and you like girlbosses who kick ass and would rather wear grimy boots over a pretty dress, you would like this.
This book was one the most interesting YA Dark Fantasy books I've ever read!!
I started getting really into it by chapter 2 and I couldn't stop reading at this point. It's not a super long book. It only has 20 chapters and the chapters aren't long. So it made reading quite doable
I was at first really interested d in reading this book just by the title and the cover is just beautiful! I had no idea what it was going to be about but I will say that I wasn't disappointed
The book has really great quotes!! It just speaks to you!
This book has its own universe. There's a map and everything too! The characters and different lands are described perfectly and everything was so clear.
I liked that the book talks about "Eve" and "Lucifer" and "Lilith" and "Lokey" and I love that they're portrayed as royalty. The fact that there were different types of creatures involved as well was just .. beautiful. I loved the whole thing!!!!
For those who have watched the show Lucifer and LOVED IT, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. This book was absolutely made for us Lucifer fans
I just loved the ending. How everything fell into place at the end was just beautiful!
I loved this book. Thank you for giving me the chance of reading this one! Beautifully written!
Thanks so much to BooksGoSocial and Kate Callaghan for the ARC of Crowned A Traitor. This was a great quick and easy read for me. Its full of adventure and makes the book go by quickly. The character development in this book is amazing!
Crowned A Traitor follows the daughter of Lucifer as she tries to escape her duty of ruling Malum. This started out a little slow for me, but by the end my jaw was on the floor! I did NOT see several parts of the ending coming, which I commonly find is not the case when I read books. Usually, I'm able to guess the ending way ahead of time so that was a pleasant surprise! The storyline was very easy to follow, the characters were all likeable, and it was fun to read about such a badass FMC. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
With so many books that I enjoyed referenced in the first line of the description, there was no way I wasn't going to pick this up. It was a little on the younger side of YA for me, but that doesn't mean it was bad. I would just liked a heads up on it really.
That being said, it was a good, fun read.
"Crowned a Traitor" presents a captivating premise that initially piqued my interest. One thing I loved was the alternate cover, which I found quite aesthetic. However, my reading experience left me with mixed feelings. While the author's world-building and attention to detail are commendable, the pacing of the narrative felt sluggish. There was an excessive amount of exposition that at times seemed irrelevant, and a significant portion of the book was dedicated to seemingly mundane activities.
The character development also left much to be desired. Although the potential for intricate personalities was present, the characters remained underdeveloped. Their relationships lacked depth, which sometimes made it challenging to fully buy into the romantic connections that emerged within the story.
For me, the main character's journey was a major source of frustration. She oscillated between being strong and whiny, making it difficult to connect with her on a deeper level. Moreover, the pacing of her character development appeared uneven, leaving me puzzled about her powers, which were never fully explained.
The large ensemble cast of characters introduced throughout the story often felt overwhelming. It became challenging to focus on a select group of characters due to the sheer volume of individuals in the narrative. This made it difficult to establish a strong emotional connection with any of them.
In conclusion, "Crowned a Traitor" had an intriguing concept but struggled with pacing, character development, and the handling of relationships. While some elements of the story had potential, the uneven execution made it difficult for me to fully embrace the book. However, it's essential to note that personal reading preferences vary, and others might find more enjoyment in this story.
My review is based on my personal experience, and I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.
YA, fantasy… perfect mix. I really enjoyed this book!
The adventure surely did not lack. The characters were well developed too! And it just kept going and didn’t grew tired of reading it. I found myself needing more actually.
One of my new favourite authors for sure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Booksgosocial for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which is available October 17,2023.
If you are looking for a cute ya found family book with a vast but amusing cast of character then this book is for you! I felt a bit to old to really enjoy it but I feel like those who are avid YA readers will get a kick out of it. I laughed out loud at bits and some parts warmed my dark little heart.
This felt a little slow pacing wise. The characters were fine, plot was fine and overall it was a fine book. I will likely continue the series as I find normally the first book in general is slow due to setting up the series etc. I still think this is a solid book though. I like the twisted vibes and the overall lore. It just felt a little lack luster and I feel like I need to read more to form a better opinion of the series as a whole.
Good book if you're into somewhat twisted mythology books.
What happens when the heir of Lucifer doesn’t want to claim her throne?! All havoc is let loose! I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I didn’t guess the plot twist which was nice for me as i usually figure them out pretty easily. Overall this book kept me on my toes and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
This was my first book by this author, and although it was funny for some reason the book wasn’t for me and that’s ok.
This book has a lot of potential- there were a lot of plot points I was really hoping would be expanded on. It was a good read and I enjoyed it, but it felt like the book was double the length it actually was.
It seemed to drag on and was quite slow for the first half or so, but the last 20% was much better.
I liked Klara as a character, she was feisty and unhappy and willing to do something about it so she could be happy and enjoy life. She was tough, cared about her people, and wanted things to be better. She was relatable in her less than desirable relationship with her parents – tough love, not giving you the time of day, etc.
The romance in this was lacking but that was okay. I think it didn’t need to be there, her character development was a good enough plot point for me. I could see what the author was trying to do with Frendell, but it just didn’t do it for me.
I liked the angle of the 3 queens, that was really interesting.
The twist of Klara having white angel wings and ending up being part fae, part angel, part demon was really interesting! I am glad she was able to own it proudly in the end, and not have to hide it for fear of her father’s disappointment.
I was disappointed that some of my favorite characters died for no reason, that was a bummer.
Overall, I thought Crowned a Traitor by Kate Callaghan was a nice quick read, just that the author tried to shove too many things into the story all at once. There were several different angles she could have gone, all very interesting. Not to say it was bad because it wasn’t! I liked it and once it finally picked up, it was interesting.