Blog Tour Book Review: BETROTHAL AND BETRAYAL by Janet McGiffin

I received a review copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour. It has not affected my opinions.

Genre: Historical
Age Range: YA
Star Rating: 3.5 stars
Series: first in trilogy

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Thekla needs her quick wits and knife to track down her betrothed, a soldier who has left her at the altar for the third time. Elias the monk travels with her to Constantinople where she meets Irini of Athens, an extraordinarily beautiful orphan her same age who has been brought by powerful Emperor Constantine to marry his son, Co-Emperor Leon.

The two women join forces to survive this vigorous capital of the Roman Empire of the East which is rocked by religious and political strife. But will Thekla help the ambitious and ruthless Irini of Athens find the power that she craves?

Blurb taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.

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Review:

BETROTHAL AND BETRAYAL is the first in a series that delves into the lives of ordinary people in the cities and countryside of the Byzantium Empire.

The book has clearly been well researched, vividly portraying life in the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire in the 8th century (AD). While there are references to the lives and intrigues of the rich, the focus of the book is on the common people and their lives. There is mention of the various border wars and the impact that has, as well as sweeping religious reforms.

But the book shines through the details of life in a city and the countryside. Constantinople really comes alive in smell and sight and the touch of so many jostling people. The types of clothes and bedding at different establishment also added a nice texture to it all. My mouth was watering from the food descriptions (I really love it when historical fiction challenges the “no one ate anything interesting among the commons, just plain gruel” stereotype.)

It does however feel like the exploration of the time is more of the focus of this book than Thekla’s quest as she doesn’t do very much proactively. Stuff falls into her lap and she honestly doesn’t seem that concerned about finding her betrothed.

The blurb somewhat overstates the role of Irini in this book. She’s not present until the second half, and then only as a distant figure until the very end when her life and Thekla’s collide and entwine.

I did very much enjoy the role Elias plays. He has many secrets, definitely lying and avoiding telling who he really is. He was so much fun in every scene he was in and I want to know who he really is.