Palace of Treason

✍ Scribed by Jason Matthews

• Publisher: Scribner
• Year: 2015
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 354 KB
• Category: Fiction
• ISBN: 1476793751

✦ Synopsis

The thrilling sequel to Red SparrowCIA insider Jason Matthewss compulsively readable New York Times bestseller and Edgar Award winnerfeaturing Russian spy Dominika Egorova and CIA agent Nate Nash shimmers with authenticity. The villains are richly drawn...the scenes of them on the job are beyond chilling (The New York Times Book Review).

Captain Dominika Egorova of the Russian Intelligence Service despises the oligarchs, crooks, and thugs of Putins Russiabut what no one knows is that she is also working for the CIA. Her sparrow training in the art of sexual espionage further complicates the mortal risks she must take, as does her love for her handler Nate Nasha shared lust that is as dangerous as treason.

As Dominika expertly dodges exposure, she deals with a murderously psychotic boss, survives an Iranian assassination attempt and attempts to rescue an arrested double agentand thwart Putins threatening flirtations. A grand, wildly entertaining ride through the steel-trap mind of a CIA insider, Palace of Treason is a story as suspenseful and cinematic as the best spy movies (The Philadelphia Inquirer)one that feels fresh and so possible, in fact, that its doubtful this novel can ever be published in Russia.

**

Review

Of the 13 sister princesses who jointly rule Suala, Desmia believes that she alone wears the true crown. She knows that Lord Throckmorton cannot be trusted, but would he intentionally set the palace on fire? In the third book in the Palace Chronicles series, Haddix focuses this saga with urgency and suspicion; cunning schemes and switched identities; a spirited adventure with a nod to Cinderella (yes, there is a prince, and his name is Charming); and sundry tales. Desmia is indeed a commoner, but she has been raised as royalty and leads her princess sisters and willing impostors to help to right wrongs and save the bond between their land of Suala and neighboring Fridesia. While Haddix seemingly complicates Desmias determination with vague memories, a meeting with Janelia, a genuine sister, illuminates her visions and provides a compass for her bold and strategic calculations. Readers enchanted with princesses and palace life will enjoy a hearty dish of royal conspiracy with a healthy side of sibling loyalty that should keep them satisfied until the next installment.

HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Haddix is no stranger to best-seller lists, and she has another hit on her hands with the Palace Chronicles. Buy multiple copies, and expect eager, advance requests for them. (Booklist January 1, 2015)

Haddix continues the series that began with the alternate "Cinderella" Just Ella (1999) with a story about a different princess.Princess Desmia, raised as the true princess of Suala, now rules with 12 other princesses, each raised similarly and separately. When a fire destroys their palace, apparently killing most of the other princesses, Desmia finds herself in the clutches of the evil Madame Bisset. Escaping, she finds her true sister, Janelia, along with a troupe of ragged boys who look to Janelia as their Mam. Desmia decides she must somehow travel to neighboring Fridesia to find friends Ella and Jeb, so with Janelia and two boys, Herk and Tog, she sets out surreptitiously across an open landscape that terrifies the sheltered young woman. Desmia strives to conquer her fears and to quell the princess training that constantly tells her she's superior, gradually coming to see her new friends as equals. Finally arriving at the Fridesian palace, she meets the terminally handsome but reputedly stupid Prince Charming, whom she must convince of the truth of her tale. Haddix keeps the plot suspenseful even as she delves into Desmia's new insights, providing plenty of entertainment along with some advice for life. Readers who enjoyed the earlier books will find plenty to like here, as the book even adds a hint of romance for Desmia. A welcome return to the Just Ella universe. (Kirkus Reviews February 1, 2015)

Raised in the palace of Suala to believe she is the true princess, Desmia is still adjusting to having twelve sisters who were each also raised to believe they are the true princess. Because they were all raised in secret, however, they do not have Desmias experience with court intrigue, treachery, and manipulation, and before she can coach them in navigating her world, a shocking fire destroys the palace and possibly everyone Desmia has grown to care about.

The third of Haddixs The Palace Chronicles is burdened with a weak plot and the frequently whiny narrative voice of Desmia, a difficult heroine to root for. Her repeated ruminations about how untrustworthy everyone may be and her treatment of the new family she discovers after she has been kidnapped make her seem selfish and paranoid, even when the reader takes into account her years of being sheltered and manipulated by the palace advisors. An injury that requires her to be carried for most of her rescue mission and a full-fledged panic attack once she is out under open skies could have made her seem more sympathetic but instead do the opposite. When Desmia and her entourage finally arrive at the neighboring kingdom, the plot against them is unraveled so quickly and so neatly it seems like an afterthought. Fans of the series may be interested in continuing the saga, but they will find little of the charm of the previous two books.Vikki Terrile. (VOYA April 2015)

Desmia was raised to be the one true princess. She soon discovers that 12 other girls were raised to believe the same. Just as shes coming to care for her sister-princesses, a fire destroys everything. The pampered former princess finds herself on the run without the luxuries shes come to know. Though this title can stand alone independent of the previous two novels, only die-hard fans will clamor for it. An additional purchase. (School Library Journal June 2015)

"Haddix is no stranger to best-seller lists, and she has another hit on her hands with the Palace Chronicles. Buy multiple copies, and expect eager, advance requests for them." (Booklist)

"A welcome return to the Just Ella universe." (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author

Jason Matthews is a retired officer of the CIAs Operations Directorate. Over a thirty-three-year career he served in multiple overseas locations and engaged in clandestine collection of national security intelligence, specializing in denied-area operations. Matthews conducted recruitment operations against SovietEast European, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean targets. As Chief in various CIA Stations, he collaborated with foreign partners in counterproliferation and counterterrorism operations. He is the author of Red Sparrow, Palace of Treason, and the forthcoming The Kremlin's Candidate. He lives in Southern California.