Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle

Genre: YA Fantasy Fiction

Publication Date: September 2009

Author Website: www.marissadoyle.com

One Word Review: Unexpected

First Line: “Saints preserve us!”

Synopsis: Penelope (Pen) Leland has come to Ireland to study magic and prove to herself that she is as good a witch as her twin sister, Persy. But when the dashing Niall Keating begins to pay her court, she can’t help being distracted from her studies. Little does Pen know, Niall is acting upon orders from his sorceress mother. And although it starts as a sham, Niall actually falls deeply in love with Pen, and she with him. But even if he halts his mother’s evil plan, will Pen be able to forgive him for trying to seduce her into a plot? And what of Pen’s magic, which seems to be increasingly powerful? --GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: This was a fun sequel to Bewitching Season; I think in a lot of ways I liked it more than the first. The magic was a lot more prominent in this one, although I still would have liked to see Pen use it more, or seen a little more time with her in attending her classes. I liked that Pen and Niall were given more page-time versus the time Persy and Lochnivar had in Bewitching Season. So, even though I did enjoy their chemistry, it took a slightly different turn then I expected. I liked that they liked each other so much they enjoyed the simple act of holding hands. The last part of the book it quickly turns a little more racy and I guess I wish Niall's would have come up with a better solution for “saving” Pen. I would have liked to see some clever scheme that shows off all those brains he's suppsoed to have, but I guess that was the best he could come up with? I am glad Pen had a head on her shoulders and did the right thing.

I enjoyed the story, although it did seem a little slow or drawn out in part, it was still a entertaining read. If you enjoyed Bewitching Season then you will probably like Betraying season. Oh, and I loved little Corkwobble, a fun new character that I wish we could have seen more of.

Reading Order:

Book One: Bewitching Season
Book Two: Betraying Season
Book Three: The Waterloo Plot

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

“In 1837 London, young daughters of viscounts pined for handsome, titled husbands, not careers. And certainly not careers in magic. Shy, studious Persephone Leland would far rather devote herself to her secret magical studies than enter society and look for a suitable husband. But just as the inevitable season is about to begin, Persy and her twin sister discover that their governess in magic has been kidnapped as part of a plot to gain control of the Princess Victoria. Racing through Mayfair ballrooms and royal palaces, the sisters overcome bad millinery, shady royal spinsters, and a mysterious Irish wizard. And along the way, Persy learns that husband hunting isn’t such an odious task after all, if she can find the right quarry.”

I am a bit hesitant to write a review of this book. I actually did really enjoy the book, but can’t help thinking of a few things that bothered me. I thought the story idea was fun, but would have preferred if the whole thing had taken place in a fictional land instead of England. The magic in the story was really underdeveloped and could have been left out entirely. I think if it had taken place in a fictional place then the magic element could have been used a lot more. I started out liking Persephone. She is smart and magically gifted (more so than her twin Penelope). However, as the story moved on she becomes a little annoying. If she wasn’t complaining or feeling sorry for herself then she was just causing more trouble and alienating her sister. Neither sister seemed that concerned that their dear friend Ally has been kidnapped. For the majority of the story Ally (and their magical abilities) are absent.

I was surprised at the end when Ally ends up falling for one of her captures and I can’t help wondering if she is suffering from Stockholm syndrome. I had a hard time figuring out what she saw in him, she says “…here is a man I could love and respect.” What in the world is there to respect in a man who kidnaps you and would play a part in your possible death? She seems like someone who has really high standards and would do the right thing no matter what. Michael on the other hand is forced into a situation and instead of doing the right thing he caves. Maybe if more time had been spent with their relationship it would seem clearer, but for me it was a bit unbelievable.

I did enjoy the story and actually look forward to reading the next book, which luckily has Penelope as the main character.