'Your Choice. Your Faith. Your Fate.
1564: Catholic herald William Harley, known as Clarenceux, guards a highly dangerous document. It's a manuscript he'd rather not have--destruction and death have followed in its wake. But things get much worse when the document is stolen, and he plunges into a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. As England teeters on the brink of a bloody conflict, Clarenceux knows the fate of the country and countless lives hang in the balance. The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking, and the herald's journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also of himself.
In this brilliant new Elizabethan conspiracy from the internationally acclaimed author of Sacred Treason, faith and fear stir up a powerful story of loyalty, lies and secrets.'
My thoughts:
I read this one right on the heels of finishing Sacred Treason and while I loved Sacred Treason, I enjoyed this book so much more. Clarenceux seems so much more human in this one and his conflicts seem much more believable. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book and the fight for the faith that seems to envelop everyone's well-being and lives. This one was a little bit more of a slower pace than its predecessor, but I think I enjoyed it all the more because it was so. There is violence in this one, but it didn't seem so gory as in Sacred Treason. There also was a twist that kind of surprised me, but didn't at the same time. I am anxious to see what happens in the last and final installment of this trilogy.
Clarenceux had previously been entrusted with a document that could change the fate of England. If this document falls into the wrongs hands, the consequences could be deadly for millions. Clarenceux is surprised to find that the document has escaped his safekeeping and he learns the truth of ambition and betrayal when he learns who has taken the document. He must get this important document back before the fate of England becomes sinister. Clarenceux sets out to recapture the document and faces trials and tribulations all along the way. He has to constantly watch his back as he cannot be sure who is friend and who is foe.
An epic and sweeping story of betrayal, that will leave you staying up late or putting off things just to spend time with this book. Forrester has a way with words and conflict that make his stories seem interesting and almost impossible to put down. A great read for lovers of historical suspense that will keep you on your toes from page one. Can't wait to read the last installment and see how everything ends.
Overall Rating: 5
Title: The Roots of Betrayal
Author: James Forrester
Series: Clarenceux Trilogy #2
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Pages: 448
Genre: Historical Fiction
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was selected given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.