Richardson, H.M. The Prisoner and the Traitor. Olds, Alberta, Canada: A Voice Crying Publishers, 2021.

Guide to category: YA Review – review of books for teens

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Summary of The Prisoner & the Traitor

On the eastern prairie toes of the mighty Rocky Mountains, discover a tale never yet told. Before colonies, before First Nations, who may have lived here and what crazy adventures did they have?

“I am the proud daughter of a general. I love my father, but I find I must betray him – or not be able to live with myself. It’s the hardest decision of my life – and might lead to my death.”

Hennelyn is only fourteen, born into a fierce, warlike race – the Starkhons. Her father, General Tai Kanow, has orders to conquer and enslave the remaining indigenous people who are still living free on the prairie toes of a beautiful mountain range west of the established Starkhon territories. These small people who were first in this land call themselves Bunjis.

But Hennelyn is also the daughter of a woman from Luina, whose people are peaceful and kind. After being put in charge of her father’s first captured Bunji in their prairie outpost, Hennelyn finds herself drawn to the young man. She feels a need to act – but which legacy should she choose, her father’s or her mother’s?

The bunji’s life is in her hands. She must decide what to do… even if her chosen path costs her everything.

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My Review of The Prisoner and the Traitor

The story starts with a family – the father is a general. The son was placed with the family by the emperor but he has been treated as a true son. The emperor is seeking to destroy the Bunji, a mysterious people who are not easily found but who live in the territory the emperor seeks to rule. The ways of the emperor and his people appear cruel. The cruelty seems to increase as the story progresses. 

I found it interesting that the two children of the general could have such different viewpoints. They were very similar until Arcmas was ordered to join the army (at 15) for a special assignment. His special assignment caused him to become more cruel in his outlook. Hennelyn becomes more compassionate as a result of tasks that her father gives her. My question is will they come back to an agreement on their viewpoints in future books?

Christian-like views don’t come out until later in the story when we begin learning more about the Bunji. They follow Adon who seems very Christlike. I look forward to seeing how this plays out in future books in the series.

The cover of the book could use a little work. It doesn’t seem like it would be very appealing to its intended audience of teens. 

The Prisoner and the Traitor was an enjoyable read. It could easily find its way into a K-12 Christian school library. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Prisoner and the Traitor from the author through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.