In the opening of this middle book in the Traitor's Game trilogy, Kestra, the Infidante, confronts the megalomaniacal Lord Endrick but fails to kill him. Instead, he replaces her memories and charges Kestra with destroying the Corak rebellion. The rebels rescue Kestra when they see the plan has failed, but she acts as if they are strangers abducting her; worse, if Endrick's magic can't be reversed, a new Infidante can only be chosen if Kestra dies. Simon, her star-crossed lover, is naturally against this. While the Coraks bicker, the Halderians and Brillians, both uneasy allies, implement their own secret plans. The memory wipe keeps Kestra frustratingly devoid of agency for much of the book, and readers invested in her relationship with Simon will need patience, for he spends much of his time pining. The convoluted political maneuvering is compelling, with bloody results, and while Kestra's memory problem is solved, the result leaves her forever changed and in even more danger. Though uneven, this is an angsty, high-stakes setup for the final volume.

Afflicted by magic, a young woman is not quite herself…and is unsure of who she wants to become.Sixteen-year-old Kestra Dallisor returns to the royal Antoran court, now (reluctantly) the Infidante: the prophesized wielder of the Olden Blade, potential destroyer of evil Lord Endrick, and thus, savior of the Banished (Halderian) people. When an assassination attempt goes awry, Lord Endrick—the Dominion leader and last known Endrean magic user—meddles with her memories and remakes her into an obedient Ironheart. Uncertain of her loyalties and love interests, Kestra must decide if she will rejoin the Corack rebels or rekindle her relationship with Simon Hatch, once a servant and now revealed as the Halderian heir. Repetitive political machinations, melodramatic lovers' miscommunications, explosion-filled action sequences, and requisite romantic triangles ensue. Unaffected by the magic, co-narrator Simon provides a more logical perspective and linear counternarrative, but amnesia essentially (frustratingly) resets Kestra's journey. Nielsen's (Resistance, 2018, etc.) generic fantasy setting—pre-industrial (barring the evildoers' tech), vaguely Northern European—unevenly explained magic, and obligatorily odd fantasy beasts are standard, stale fare. Kestra and Simon are presumably white.A serviceable sequel that establishes obstacles for the young lovers to overcome in the next installment but contributes little else. (Fantasy. 12-18)

Gr 9 Up-Kestra is the Infidante, destined to put an end to Lord Endrick's despotic rule. When her attempt on Lord Endrick's life goes astray, he wipes Kestra's memory and remolds her into the perfect Dominion lady; weak, feeble, and utterly loyal to Antora. With the building frenzy between the Coracks and Halderians to have control of the Infidante, Simon resolves to kidnap Kestra for her own protection. He's desperate for Kestra to regain her memories but with war looming on the horizon, the most effective remedy is the one Simon dreads most: magic. Nielsen delivers a solid installment to the series as the central focus on a lack of identity explores the courage needed to relive the difficult memories that shape a person's reality. While a brief stagnation in the middle of the novel stems from constant dialogue and minimal exposition, the question about the price of victory and the weight it bears on those duty bound to serve has the opportunity to evolve. At times, Kestra and Simon's journey seems predictable (it's clear from the beginning that Kestra will claim her Endrean heritage), however, the twists revealed at the end will pique continued interest. VERDICT Readers will immerse themselves in a political warfare-centered sequel, anxiously rooting for Kestra and Simon to beat the odds. Emily Walker, Lisle Library District, IL