[gmw]

The Traitor Game by B. R. Collins (aka Bridget Collins, author of The Binding). This is the author's first novel. Sold as YA, this is not a typical YA fantasy. For a start the fantasy part is quite small - important but small. The main protagonist is at times quite a frustrating character, but as a teenager with very low self-esteem this all feels quite realistic albeit uncomfortable. A reader will likely guess where things are headed, but this seems intentional, adding to the tension along both the school and fantasy storylines. All up I thought this was very good and it's one that has stuck in my head long after finishing. 4/5.


Edited to add: The book leaves a few things unexplained. I liked it like that. I think it was for the best, but I know this sort of thing bothers some people so thought I should mention it.