Betrayal's Price

In Deception's Shadow, Book 1

By: Lisa Blackwood

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Centuries ago the gods demanded Ashayna Stonemantle sacrifice her demon-tainted lover. She did, and then ended her own life, but it didn't fulfill her obligations to the gods.

Reborn into a new body, Ashayna has no awareness of her former life until her sentient magic manipulates her into seeking out Sorntar, Crown Prince of the Phoenix. The majestic and charismatic Sorntar reveals that she is host to a Larnkin - a spirit creature of vast power. If she can trust the word of a man who is part avian, he is host to her Larnkin's other half. When their Larnkins awaken early and force them into an unbreakable bond, Ashayna and Sorntar are accused of being corrupted by an ancient evil. To prove their innocence, they must discover what happened in the past to pit bondmate against bondmate. As the search for the truth draws them closer together, Ashayna realizes she's falling in love with Sorntar. But before she can tell him, his tainted Larnkin enslaves him. The gods demand she kill her beloved, as she did once before, but she will not do it, even if it's the only thing that will keep her soul safe from his darkness.

©2012 Lisa Smeaton (P)2016 Lisa Smeaton

Betrayal's Price

When I first got this audio book, I was not so sure I'd enjoy it! I was wrong, I loved it, so much in fact that I went back to buy the others. The cover is actually what initially drew me to the book, but the fast moving and unexpected twists and turns kept me totally engrossed and guessing, until the very end. Shiromi Arserio did an excellent job in narrating this paranormal, adventurous love story. I love listening to the audio books as well as reading the ebook since it helps me know the proper enunciation of the places and characters names. Lisa Blackwood is a master at weaving an exciting, intriguing, story with well developed and personable characters. I'd have no qualms what so ever in recommending this book to others. I was quite pleasantly surprised and did not want to put it down until the end.

Betrayal's Price

I got this book before I realized that I really am not a big fan of the high fantasy genre. I finally decided to listen to the book after a long time just to get it off my queue.

First of all, the narrator was good, but I found it hard to listen to the book at normal speed. After speeding it up to 1.25x, it was better, but still a little difficult for me to concentrate. Maybe it's because there are so many new names, beings, worlds, etc. in a fantasy, but listening to an audiobook version makes it hard for me to follow the characters, etc.

I'm not going to describe the storyline (mainly because I couldn't spell the character names if I tried), but will try to describe my feelings about the book.

Personally, I never truly figured out what was happening throughout most of the book. I couldn't see why characters did what they did and didn't understand the magic behind it. Also, I found the whole idea of the bond mates and the bonding a little skeevy. Take two young people from different species, add in a being that has taken up residence them and then try to control every part of their life.

Add in the sexual harassment/predator undertones of this being trying to force the MC to do what he wants with her body and it was kind of disturbing. Then, after a nearly 11 hour buildup to the consummation of their bonding, the author puts a very short sex scene (with a PG rating) at the very end of the book. The book is well-written, just not my type of book.

After listening to the book, I still don't know what the whole point was and definitely don't care enough to read more in the series. I think I'll just pass on more high fantasy in the future.

Good story

I like the story and I'm intrigued enough to read the next book. I like Ashayana and Sorntar and how they met. i like their relationship. Neither of them is shy or rough. Both seem to be intelligent and even-tempered. I like how they try to do good for their people.
What I didn't like it that the author didn't spend much time on other people or the politics or family. She gave us glimpses, but nothing substantial.

Regarding the narrator, she doesn't voice the different characters. It's the same voice no matter who is speaking and no emotion whatsoever. Her pacing is also terrible. In books, sometimes there's a line of asterisks or some blank space when there's a scene change within a chapter. There were a few times this happened in the book, but the narrator didn't even pause to indicate this. Just kept reading. Took me a moment to figure out what happened each time. It was distracting and then really annoying.

Brilliant Fantasy!

What did you love best about Betrayal's Price?

I love the characters and the story they were involved in and how it developed and evolved through the story.

Any additional comments?

Very good book and very good narration. Loved it!

Amazing story set in an awesome new world!!!

If you could sum up Betrayal's Price in three words, what would they be?

Awesome new world.
But that doesn't really cover it because its just an amazing story and wonderful all around.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved all of them and the details Lisa gives and just how she made such a wonderful book.

Which character – as performed by Shiromi Arserio – was your favorite?

It it too hard to choose who I liked best from her performance because she did such an amazing job and conveyed everyone's emotions perfectly

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Get lost in the world of Phoenix's and humans with magic just to spice it all together.

Any additional comments?

Such an amazing read. Lisa and Shiromi really brought this story to life. The last 4 or 5 hours of the story I couldn't stop listening. This story is so amazing and unique I can't believe how great of a job Lisa did. With all the new races and the wonderfully built world this is definitely a series I am hooked on.

great book,

this is the first book of Lisa that I have read .And it wount be the last .she keeps you in the story and you can't leave then she makes you want more when the book is over .a must read