I can’t believe it took me this long to review this book! Amy Bartol is one of my favorite authors of all time, with stories filled with amazing characters, edge of your seat action, epic romance for the ages, and twists you never see coming. This book offers all of that and more.

Traitor born picks up right where book one left off. Roselle is finally coming into her own. We learn more about who she truly is, and who she could become. She begins to take control of her own life, and it is so so satisfying. Bartol is great at strong female leads that don’t disappoint, and Roselle falls perfectly into that category. You’ll read many reviews of other books that bring up the “it girl” issue, where everyone seems to fall in love with the main character with no reasoning. Well, Bartol gives you plenty of justification to fall for Roselle. She is strong, intelligent and compassionate. She has been thrown into the fire, and it is forging her into a woman resilient enough to take on the world!

There is romance in spades. As always, her male characters bring something to the table for each reader. Personally, I’m team Reykin! And there’s no insta-love! Real felt relationships develop between unique characters. It’s truly a joy to read. The world is so well developed and thought out, designed to immerse you completely. Fillers need not apply.

If you’re looking for unexpected twists, emotional investment, and a plot that will keep you glued to the page, look no further. Amy Bartol has you covered.

I never was able to get back in and review Thai book but I loved it. I have the series in my library for my high school students. Especially those who love twists and turns and all the unpredictable story lines. I have also used this series for my high school tutoring students and love that the audible is just as brilliant for my students who need an adaption.

This book was not for me. I did not particularly like it and ended up DNFing it thus won't be able to provide a detailed review.

I loved Secondborn and was truly excited for Traitor Born, but for some reason I could not—no matter how many times I tried prior to release and after—get into it. And that kills me because I loved Amy Bartol and her myriad of stories. I'm going to have to admit defeat and give up on this series, sadly. I know many others have loved it and I wish I was one of them.

With young adult/teen books a dime a dozen these days, it's seemingly difficult to parse through the many major publishing house options; never mind the independent ones out there.
I have been lucky enough to discover Amy A. Bartol's indie teen series Secondborn and even though there are so many cliche moments in this series I don't even care!
Note: This review is for book 2, there are spoilers for book 1 below.

Yummy Love Interest(s)
I feel like I need to disclose immediately how much I adore the main love interest for this series. This may mean that I am biased. There are also sooo many characters that could make for great romantic flings or engagements with our lead girl. In fact I found myself really wishing at times that she was bisexual so she could match up with anyone in the book! But I have no problem with the hetero choice Bartol has made here as it's very steamy; along with a healthy dose of teenage angst Bartol makes me feel like a teen having goofy puppy love thoughts again. This is quite the feat given that I'm approaching 40 years old.

Forbidden Love
There is obviously something about the Romeo and Juliet set-up that holds larger than life appeal for humans. We instinctively want what we can't, or aren't, supposed to have. Now in this case, as our class system of first born, second born, etc. persists in this society, we know that if our rebels are successful they may create a new situation that allows them to be together. But first they need to survive getting there; both from their enemies and from hurting one another.
I do wonder, often, with teen books (and some adult ones) that include possible partners who are on opposite sides of a fence if there isn't an inherent biological need to reproduce that overpowers everything when we are attracted to someone 'dangerous' or 'unattainable'? I'm sure there is complex psychology behind the whole wanting what you can't have... At any rate, be prepared as the forbidden love from Book 1 continues at a heated rate here in Book 2 and gets tied up in other possible side romances.

Plot
So much happens in Traitor Born. We have many sub/side plots happening around our main gal; plus the occasional pop-up of scary, scary Crowe to be vigilant about. We see some of those we thought loyal to one side (or the other) begin to switch over to a new belief (for good or bad) and we see the evolution of our lead gal realizing she has to fight back as hard as anyone; and at great risk to her own life. Additionally the attacks and in-fighting with our lead gal's family, and those around her, intensifies and we find out some answers to mysteries in book 1. But don't worry Traitor Born leaves more than enough left unknown or to happen for Book 3 (Rebel Born) to tackle. And leaves us off on a huge cliffhanger!

Overall
While I would say Traitor Born is solidly in the category of cliche teen fantasy; it's also wonderful teen fantasy. Having read Book 1, and knowing what I was getting into, Bartol gave me exactly what I expected and wanted when I picked up Book 2. Never underestimate a good book that keeps you on your toes with plot; but has an atmosphere, characters, and emotions you are expecting. I don't fault Bartol for this cliche feel at all. In fact I commend her for having a teen fantasy series that is both totally unlike most out there and yet fits perfectly in the genre. This is what most readers want (in my opinion) or at least what I do; something unique but not too far outside what they expect given the genre and blurb provided for the story.
If you are craving some teen angst relationship drama, elaborate political scheming and a unique class-based society then Amy Bartol's Secondborn series is for you. If you enjoyed Book 1 even a little bit then you are sure to like Book 2 as I believe it is even better than it's predecessor.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I love the style of writing this author has. The characters, the story is amazing! It's full of action, leaving no dull moments!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept - also this is a book 2 in a series and I won't read book 1 anytime from now. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Amy Bartol doesn’t disappoint!!

Traitor Born is the second book in the Secondborn series. If you haven’t read the first in the series be sure to start there! For those of us who have read the book this sequel was a long anticipated continuation after that awful cliffhanger!!

The multiple love interests wasn’t really my cup of tea. The plot line had so many twists and turns and changing alliances and the multiple love interest felt like too much.

Overall the book was a crazy ride!

This whole novel is just page after page of tension. I really didn't even care that this is just a repurposed Kricket series. The world and characters are different enough to make this an entirely different read. The author found a plot formula that works for her writing style and created another success.

While this is a book about political intrigue and love at its heart, there is something about the world and characters that make me want to read more. Sure, the male characters are all identical in appearance and personality--and Roselle seems to fall in love with them at the drop of a hat despite having fallen in love with someone else 10 pages ago.

Sure, the plot has been done and done again in YA novels presently--it's a badass young woman who is learning how to be herself while contending with being a badass. The action scenes are fast-paced and thrilling while being completely unrealistic. So many cliches!

But, that just doesn't seem to matter as I kept turning the page to find out what came next. There is a magic to Amy Bartol that makes me read her books despite having obvious character flaws and stereotypical plots. Her twists and turns in the action mean that 5-6 hours later I've read the entire book and emerge in the real world dazed that the day is gone. Magic I tell you.

The path has been set for Roselle to escape her conniving mother in the Fate of Virtues. She has become the most protected Secondborn in existence. What will she be expected to do now? And who will she be expected to crown the victor? So many people and factions are trying to make Roselle their icon and their hero they have forgotten she is person, even if Secondborn and raised to fulfill her duty without question.

I'm ready to be reading the conclusion in all its glorious trope ridden plot that I won't be able to put down. I want to be back in the worlds that Amy Bartol builds. They are full ecosystems I just want to visit time and again. That's what reading for entertainment is all about.

This book was very intriguing as we follow Roselle’s journey as she works to stay alive in a very political environment. She reminds me a lot of Kricket with her strength and cunning personality. She is clearly a badass in her own right.

This book keeps you on your toes. Who can be trust? Who has her best interest? Who can she rely on? AND WHO WILL SHE END UP WITH? (Not that she needs or most have a man because let’s face it, she DOES NOT need one to get s###t done.
Uuuuh, there is a reason Amy A. Bartol is one of my favorite authors.

I really enjoyed Traitor Born. As the second book in this series, I always worry whether the story is going to go anywhere and boy did Bartol come through with this one. There's no question that the politics of this world drive a lot of the things that happen in this book and I enjoy that aspect but the characters in this story also help to move it forward. Bartol has written a story that kept me turning the pages wondering what the heck was going to happen next. Also...that ending has me excited for the next book!

Definitely pick this one up when you can! It has plenty of action, danger, and romance to keep anyone interested and if that ending doesn't have you wanting more, I'm not sure what else would.

3.5 stars
Just realized that I didn't write a review for this book or the first. If you liked the first book you'll love this. I usually prefer a clear cut love interest but I recognize the need of Hawthorne and Clifton in her life. Roselle is a strong character and her love life is secondary to her main goals. This is a series worth investing in especially since it's a cliffhanger.

So...this book was brilliant in the fact that you did not see it coming. You probably had expectations, ideals that you had played out going in but nothing could prepare you for the ride you were about to embark on with Roselle and her crazy band of misfits. I was on the edge the whole book through but that ending...it was nuts! I am trusting Miss Bartol with my feelings but I have some concerns going into book 3...

This is such a good series. Great characters, interesting plot, engaging writing. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amy A. Bartol is back with TRAITOR BORN—the second, propulsive installment in the Secondborn series. This sci-fi follow-up is as ambitious as the first with deepening layers of duplicity and more characters and alliances to keep straight, but once I hit my stride and recalled the various connections, I was able to lose myself in the story and in Amy’s addictive style of storytelling.

Secondborn Roselle St. Sismode finds herself at the center of a warring caste society where firstborns hold all the power, secondborns serve, and thirdborns are callously killed. Her mother wants her dead, the Rose Garden Society wants her in power, and the rebels need her to decimate the entire system at its core.

With whispers and secrets trailing her every move, a misstep could shatter carefully wrought plans, or worse yet, her death and that of those she loves.

In this novel, Roselle is kept at the Halo palace, under care of the Virtue. Activity is escalating from all sides, more lives perished as a result. Without a family to count on, Roselle searches for an anchor… a role that Hawthorne, Reykin or Clifton would enthusiastically take on.

Her relationship with these three continue to evolve in the novel, as she explores her feelings amidst her tumultuous reality. Book 3 will crown a clear victor when it comes to Roselle’s heart and I can’t wait to see who she’ll end up with—reveling in the romance is admittedly my favorite part in sagas such as these.

As the action unfurls, the world building crystallizes further with new developments, and the tension ratchets to a shocking, jaw-dropping climax I didn’t see coming. EPIC.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, action-packed second book and you will not be disappointed. I love how Amy draws you into the story, every single time, leaving you hooked, invested and clamoring for more. TRAITOR BORN is no different… bring on REBEL BORN!

I Absolutely loved reading this book!!! It has so many twists and turns!! Surprises & Heartbreaks.. It will keep you turning the pages because it definitely fast paced book.. Amy A. Barton writing is magnificent. Her words just flow off the pages.. The author will pull you into the story and you won't want to put the book down for anything.. Amy A Bartol knows how to tell a story where her characters and worlds are well developed. I really enjoyed this series so far and can't believe I have such a long wait to read Rebel Born...

Well it has been a few weeks since I read the ARC of Traitor Born and I think I can finally put my thoughts into words. Those words are, Ahem- HOLY CRAP THAT WAS THE BEST SCI-FI BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. I just… never wanted it to end. I read this book both fast and slow. I reread passages that made me heart ache and swoon and feel more emotion that I though was possible, while at the same time reading it at lightning pace as I had to know what happened next.

Traitor Born starts off nearly right after the ending of Secondborn. I believe there is a small jump in time but at most a few days. We finally get a look at the Halo Palace and get a more in depth peek at Grisholm and Fabian and most importantly, Roselle’s mentor Dune. There is a ton of political scheming and crazed side plots that fit in with this book so be prepared for a wild ride. Each man in Roselle’s life now clearly has a motive to using her and we finally get to see her making choices for herself and for her world. Reykin is the absolutely best part of this book, the subtle ways he protects her while still grooming her to take down the whole government is just… uhg. So good.

There is a TON of stuff going on in this book. We get more of Roselle’s brother, meet Grisholm’s secondborn sister, see Roselle’s father for a short time, there is just so many new amazing characters. With the new though, also comes the old and you see this in Roselle’s scheming mother and Agent Crow who gives me the literal creeps. He is sociopathic to the max. (I don’t like picturing him with silver coated teeth because it’ll give me nightmares.) We also get some Hawthorn action although it doesn’t really play out the way any of us were expecting. At all. The ending of this book is absolutely bonkers and out of left field but so perfect once you sit down and tie all the little subplots towards it.

Overall there was nonstop action and a lot to swoon over so even the most heavy of romance lovers will still find this book very enjoyable.

Would I buy this book? YES. Actually, I pre-ordered this book as soon as I finished Secondborn.

Would I recommend it? YES

Would I re-read it? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I accidentally stumbled upon Second Born looking through Kindle Unlimited books and looking for something I could also listen to. Found Second Born and loved it. I requested Traitor Born from the publisher and jumped for joy as I was granted a copy to review. 

After picking up Traitor Born I didn't want to stop reading. And when I got to the end I literally screamed from the cliff hanger. This only confirmed for my husband that I'm crazy.

Like the first book Second Born, this book is full of spies, intrigue, and family mayhem. You think you're family is messed up? Try the St. Sismode family. They are either trying to kill each other, or think they are trying to be killed by their family.

Being Roselle St. Sismode is like impossible. Everyone is telling her, her brother wants her dead, but she's not believing them. She believes she just needs to talk to her brother and he'll see the truth, she loves her brother despite the wedge everyone including their mother has tried to place between the two of them. In Traitor Born she finally gets her chance and is able to get close to her brother, but things don't go anything according to plan. When I read this exchange in the book I felt sorry for Roselle and her brother and what the society had done to them.

Roselle is the second born in her family. Her brother is the first born. In this society first borns rule. Second borns are given over to war, and made to fight. Roselle is lucky that her mother is psychotic, to put things mildly, and most of the families know she is their only hope for a future. The problem is everyone seems to have their idea of what that future will look like. The positive here, is they all want to protect her from her mother and brother to make sure they don't kill Roselle which would insure their reign.

This creates tense moments, which is an understatement. It's amazing sometimes seeing things from Roselle's view and she catches the smallest details and is able to put things together or know there is something else there. Her options on how to get things done though are limited because she is being so highly protected in this book.

Some of her protectors are because they are in love with her. This makes an interesting dynamic when more than one are in a room together with Roselle. A love triangle doesn't have enough points to cover the number of guys looking for Roselle's hand. Don't worry for those that don't like heavy romances or fear weird sex scenes. Since those who love Roselle are first borns, they can't legally be with her and since she would be killed if they were found out, they don't want to risk her life. This means there are no sex scenes in the book.

I'm not going to get into what happens in the end, and why I yelled at the book. I do want to avoid spoilers. It was a nice surprise, and we found out some truths and what a message given to Roselle was referring to. But I came to the end of the last chapter without realizing it was the end, turned the page and there was a sneak peak to Rebel Born. My brain literally took like 5 seconds to realize the book was over. So Roselle is now in trouble, not to mention the Fates. And we must wait for Rebel Born to be released to find out. (I did not read the sneak peak. I've had bad experiences with sneak peaks either not giving enough or giving too much, so I don't read them anymore.)

The plot of this book is full of twists, and the politics will have you wondering how Roselle is going to get out of whatever situation she has found herself in or when the other shoe is going to drop.

I will definitely be grabbing the audiobook of Traitor Born, I enjoyed listening to Second Born and would like to see how the narrator does with this book now. I will also be waiting on pins and needles for June 4, 2019 when Rebel Born is expected to be released.

I loved that book very very much!
I am amazed at the writing of the author and I loved the action and the characters.
The first thing that got to me was the title and I immediately decided that I wanted this book ad that I wanted to read it ^^
I am not disappointed and I hope everybody else gets to enjoy it as much as I did.

I read this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a great sequel and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. You definitely need to read the first book in the series, [book:Secondborn|32972153] to understand what is taking place in the sequel. For me the series reminds me of the Hunger Games, which I loved and Roselle is a kick ass character. There is a love triangle going on between Roselle, Reykin, and Hawthorne but Clifton is also wanting Roselle for himself. I am team Reykin all the way.

I can’t wait for the next book so Roselle can kick her mother’s ass, LOL.