Publisher: Avon Books
Date published: January 2011
ISBN: 978-0062018632
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via: publisher
The fourth book in post-apocalypse writer Joss Ware’s Envy Chronicles, NIGHT BETRAYED, is a romantic mix of paranormal surprises, desperation, strength of character and seeing beyond the obvious.
The devastation of the earth spared Theo Waxnicki and his twin brother. But while Theo’s twin continued to age, Theo was somehow fated to remain eternally young. NIGHT BETRAYED takes off where ABANDON THE NIGHT left off, with Theo shot and dying on a mission against the Strangers (those that brought on the apocalypse for their own ends). His body is brought to healer Selena, who, born as the world fell to ruins, has been gifted with the ability to help the souls of the dead on their way to heaven. Selena expects Theo to pass along, but to her surprise, her magic awakens him. The attraction between the two is instantaneous but Selena (who appears younger than her 50 years) finds herself uncomfortable being attracted to a man who appears not much older than her son. With modern communication nearly extinct, information passes slowly. So while Theo is pleased to be alive and have found other survivors thriving, he is also determined to return to his brother and their friends. But recovery takes time and something about Selena has him rethinking his future plans.
Joss Ware again does an amazing job of describing her new, post apocalyptic world and the way the people that survive are forced to live. Although these books can be read by themselves or in any order, this reader believes that to truly understand the characters and their motivations, readers will want to start at book one and read them all. These books are really that good that readers will want to read them all, so for clarity’s sake, start at the beginning.
Like the other books in this amazingly well developed series, NIGHT BETRAYED is fast paced and compelling with dark undertones throughout. And like the other stories, NIGHT BETRAYED uses the romance to further the story; it isn’t the focus of the story. The focus of the series to-date is about what caused the destruction of the world, where mankind will go next and the stumbling blocks that keep popping up along the way. Expect the unexpected; this book is full of surprises. And some of these surprises will require a tissue or two or three.
The biggest problem this reader had with NIGHT BETRAYED centers around Theo and Selena’s romance and is, small minded I know, the age difference. Though the gap is nowhere as large as it seems (and if it were reversed, I am not sure I would feel the same), Selena’s discomfort with her feelings for a seemingly much younger man, while somewhat amusing since we know Theo is really in his 80s, are still off putting. Still, it is nice to finally see Theo find a woman who returns his feelings and it is important to the development of the series that the characters from the small town of Envy finally meet up with others of their kind struggling with the same problems and questions.
If you enjoy edge of your seat action and horror mixed with a little romance and adventure, Joss Ware’s Envy Chronicles, and this latest installment, NIGHT BETRAYED, are must reads.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
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