This was really well done on audio. I spent too much time trying to figure out the Grand Jeu instead of just accepting that it is not meant to be understood! I wish I had read a description of Hesse's The Glass Bead Game before I read this.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook ARC!

This is an odd book that I still managed to really enjoy. The Betrayals revolves around the mysterious game of the ‘Grand Jeu’. This aspect of the book is inspired by the Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse, which I’ve never read. Maybe if I had, then there would be less confusion?
Léo Martin is a politician in a increasingly fascist party, who is facing exile after speaking out against new “culture” laws. He is forced to return to the Grand Jeu academy of Montverre- where he has to face both his past and his future.

Bridget Collins is incredible at writing her characters and their emotions. It took a while to get into, but then I was just hooked- while still quite confused about the central theme of the Grand Jeu. I’m still giving the book four stars because it was beautifully written and I loved the character development.

The narrators (which include the author!) were lovely. The voice for Léo managed to ever so slightly differentiate between the present day his past diary self.

While a slow and methodical beginning, Bridget Collins masterfully crafts a world that feels both brand new and lived in all at once. Upon hearing/reading about the Gran Jeu for the first time a million questions flooded my mind and I was hooked. I am so happy that I waited through the world building portion of this novel for the rewarding ending. This is such a beautiful story about unintended consequences, and the sheer number of betrayals is remarkable. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who enjoys a soft fantasy setting and deliciously detailed and delicate plots!

As much as I wanted to like this novel, I just couldn’t get into it. The narrator had a pleasant voice, and the writing was descriptive, but the story didn’t grab me. I had to stop
listening. Perhaps it makes a better read other than in audiobook form.

I read the audiobook and the narrators were fantastic. I love when there is a male and female viewpoint that are read by those respective genders. *no spoilers* but this adds to the plot significantly. The world is built through the characters, and yet, I found myself constantly fighting to understand important concepts and losing part of the character building. I enjoyed the unique take on the school and the interesting view on politics and religion and how that plays into the plot. I do think the best way to approach this book is not knowing anything about it but it is a very slow start. I will say the last 20% of the book was well done and I loved the twists and turns that sped the plot up in the end.

The Betrayals

There was something romantic and magical about this novel. I know that some others will be frustrated that the “grand jeu” - the central driving force of the story itself - is such a nebulous and non-specific entity, and normally, ambiguous plot points annoy me, but I actually rather liked it in The Betrayals. It added to the sense of mystery and enchantment that I got while reading and my imagination went wild - I’m still trying to picture the Midsummer Games in my mind and enjoying the ever-changing clash of ideas and images.
At first, I found the language and narration a distraction, but after the first few “sections”, my ear became accustomed and I relaxed into listening aptly.
The multiple narrators is another technique that I don’t always love, and I’m still not sure about “The Rat,” (although her purpose, plot-wise, does eventually become clear, I’m still not sure I buy in) but I did appreciate the young and old versions of the same character(s) used as more than flashbacks. I suspected the “twist” but like everything else in this novel, I wasn’t quite sure... but, it was fun looking for clues and thinking back to dropped hints.
As mentioned, I’m not a fan of ambiguity in my stories, especially endings, but again ... it worked here. I actually didn’t want a neat ending tied with a bow - I preferred to let my imagination continue on the journey. That’s a first for me!
Were there flaws in the writing, sure. Were there flaws in the characters, sure. Were there flaws in the plot, sure. But I still really liked this book and would consider using it in a choice reading project in my high school class. I have a feeling some of my more clever students would create a phenomenal grand jeu!

This book was intriguing but I really had a hard time following along with what was going on. I am glad I finished because I got it in the end. But was a real struggle to keep going.
As for Audio so glad did male and female narrators.

Audiobook provided by NetGalley and Harper Audio in exchange for an honest review.

I think the voice actors did a great job with this audiobook and it was enjoyable to listen to.

Overall, I feel like I missed something with this story and didn't fully understand what the grand jeu was supposed to be. I got that it combined music, art, math, poetry, and philosophy but couldn't figure out exactly WHAT it was and I got hung up on that fact throughout most of this book. Unfortunately, that took me out of the flow of the narrative.

I did appreciate the character twist and the social and political commentary was interesting.

While this wasn't a book I loved, I can see how this would be a book that others will fully enjoy.