Night Betrayed
3 Stars

Series note: The Envy Chronicles involves an ongoing story arc and as such the books should be read in order.

When Theo Waxnicki is brought in to Selena’s small clinic on the brink of death, she doesn’t think twice before saving his life. Determined to make the most of his third chance at life, Theo sets out to convince Selena that the attraction they feel for each other is real. Can he get past her defenses and unveil her secrets before it is too late?

The post-apocalyptic world building is detailed and original. Nevertheless, Theo’s unique ability is never demonstrated to its fullest and Selena’s calling is never fully explained, i.e., why was she specifically chosen to put the Gangas out of their misery?

The most interesting aspect of the book is the insight into the nature of the Gangas and the explanation of their origin. Up until this point, they have been presented as mindless zombies controlled by the Strangers, but it is now clear that there is more to their story and by the end it is impossible not to empathize with these rather pathetic creatures.

The romance is the weakest in the series so far. To begin with, much is made of Selena's age and the fact that she is ostensibly much older than Theo. This has a negative effect on the chemistry between the couple and their emotional connection feels forced. Moreover, Theo’s characterization as a self-absorbed ass in the first few books has never endeared him to me and his condescending “I know better” attitude toward Selena does not redeem him in any way.

The characters from the first three books are sorely missed. While they do put in an appearance every once in a while, none play a significant part in the this specific installment. In fact, the updates on Remy’s situation are far more compelling than Selena and Theo’s relationship although Ware’s use of the rape trope to further her character development is seriously irritating.

All in all, the developments in the overall story arc make this a worthwhile read but the romance falls flat. Hopefully, the next installment will be better. ( )

Wow I really didn't expect some of the developments that happened in this book but I really like it when a book surprises me. I also loved the riff on the older hero and heroine with a unique twist! I think this is fast becoming one of my favourite paranormal series. Definitely looking forward to the next book! Hope its Remy and Ian's story!

Review is posted here as its part of a joint review with MinnChica
http://thebookpushers.com/2011/02/02/joint-review-night-betrayed-by-joss-ware/ ( )

If someone had told me I would really enjoy an ongoing series where, although labeled romance, that aspect kind of takes a back seat, and the setting in years in the future after an apocalyptic ‘end of the world’ scenario, I would have said ‘right, and pink pigs fly. But I would have been forced to find those flying pink pigs because I do love this series and Night Betrayed is no exception. Though the hero, Theo Waxnicki is in his 80’s, he stopped aging when the catastrophe happened fifty years earlier. I had to smile to myself as I was kind of guilty of age discrimination. Theo has quite the libido cause he still looks young, but he’s in his 80’s and I thought ‘wouldn’t he need Viagara or something?’ I have to say that in the middle of this tense story, I was distracted by something rather silly.

In the previous books, I hadn’t really warmed up to the character of Theo, so when I heard this was ‘his’ story I couldn’t help wishing it might have been someone else’s. But once I started reading this book, that was a non issue. Once more this world that Joss Ware has created is so compelling, so interesting yet so bleak at the same time, and just so damn well written, that I found myself on the edge of my seat as I read along.

In this one, Theo has been brought back to life by the heroine, Selena in a small community far from his home in Envy. Theo is smitten with Selena but just getting over a broken heart when the woman he loved chose another. Selena for her part, is leery of getting involved with Theo as she has many secrets and has been burned in the past because of them.

As with previous books though, the romantic relationship isn’t really in the forefront. Instead it’s the mystery of the events that resulted in the end of the world as it was known and what has been happening since then. And it’s utterly and completely fascinating. It’s edge of your seat exciting. People who you hope make it don’t.. This isn’t a happy and sunshine series, that’s for sure. But it’s such a compelling read that I highly recommend it. I can’t say too much so as not to give too much away – that’s the way it is with this kind of series I think.

Now – should you read the first three books in order to read this book? I’m not sure – probably. But the first ones are so good you will want to anyway. ( )

Night Betrayed by Joss Ware Envy Chronicles book 4.

Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews.

First of all I want to say that this is an adult book, I’d recommend it for 18 and over, if you have not read the first 3 books in the series it’s important you do so, or you could be very confused in my opinion.

I have loved everything that Joss Ware/Colleen Gleason has written, I am a huge fan, so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, I was very excited.

This is Theo’s book. Due to the “Change” of the world that happened 50 years ago, Theo has suffered an effect in which he doesn’t age. Even though he is 78, he looks like he’s much younger. Selena has secrets of her own, she can se death in the form of a cloud around people before they die just as she can see those that come over to help the dying cross-over essentially. She is a miracle baby born during the change.

Selena and Theo are the main characters in this installment. I really enjoyed their story, it felt real with the worries that Selena had with their romance, the whole thing felt very believable. Ware’s romances have something for everyone I think while staying very true to her characters and making it feel as if it could really happen. This series is full of mystery and intrigue that is very hard to put down. Ware is a master at character development and dialogue two things that can be very hard to come by.

In Night Betrayed, we get a lot of answers that we asked in books 1-3, but true to her style Ware makes twists and turns that leave us asking more questions and waiting for the next installment.

Full of mystery and hot romance, Night Betrayed lived up to my hopes, it is the best yet in this series and I can’t wait for the next book! I highly recommend this book; I love the post-apocalypse idea and world that Ware created in this series. Truly amazing.

Over all rating
My over all rating for this book is ****4 out 5 stars.

What Parents need to know
18 and over this is NOT a YA book.

Cover art.
I really like the cover art to this one, out of all the others this is my favorite cover for the series.

Obtained:
I received this book from the publisher via netgalley. Thank you!

This title will be released on January 24