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Book Review: Betrayal of Eden by Erin Phillips

  • Writer: Lavay Byrd
    Lavay Byrd
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

About this book:


I’m on the precipice of a cliff.

One light breeze away from falling off.


At 16, Eden Fortín sees nothing but a bright future ahead of her. With a valuable promotion on the horizon, she is granted a coveted spot as a debutante alongside her wealthy friend, Fallon Riviere, an important step in escaping the sordid South Bout and securing a future with her beau, Myles Taillefer, the son of a powerful congresswoman.


But the happily ever after of Eden’s fairytale rise will be more dangerous than she realizes.


Hunter Calder, an indentured servant in the Riviere household, is far too familiar with the family’s schemes. Forced to pay off his father’s debt, he discovers a dark secret about the mysterious grimoires Cartier City uses to maintain order. However, revealing the truth might not provide the freedom he seeks.


As Eden becomes overwhelmed with the requirements of high society, her rivals uncover the means to her undoing. Just as grimoire magic works in ripples, so the ruin of Eden Fortín will be the catalyst for bringing Cartier City to its knees.


Filled with suspenseful mystery, shattered dreams, and dire consequences, the first book in this sweeping reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo, invites you into the resplendent world of Cartier City and will make you question everything you know about happy endings.


**Book 1 of Grimorie & Key Trilogy

**Genre: YA Fantasy


My Thoughts


I've been curious and drawn to this book for quite some time... especially since this is a Count of Monte Cristo reimagining that I wanted to read! (There are several others out there, but neither of them clicked for me.) I even bought it straight from the author's bookstore... and was sitting on my shelf for weeks due to a high T0-Be-Read list! Yesterday, I grabbed it on a whim and opened the book!


And, oh my gosh! This book sucked me in and left my heart aching! (And I read it in a day!!)


Where to begin?


The characters - Oh, poor sweet Eden! My heart broke for her... and I found myself relating to her, especially in her struggle to fit in a very high society that demands too much from her as she rises among the ranks. Then there's Hunter, who's struggling to escape his indentured servitude. His path to unearth dark secrets reveals such a contrasting yet eye-opening insight into the society Eden is struggling to enter. And both of them are about to be victims of that very same society.


The elements of "Count of Monte Cristo" is so cleverly woven throughout! I haven't read that hefty book, but watched several movie adaptations, so I was quite familiar with the storyline. And yet, it's so unique at the same time that you don't have to be familiar with Dumas's classic to enjoy it!


What makes this story truly stand out is the magic system itself! As my first foray into "dark academia" genre, I was so impressed with how the author explains how magical keys and grimoires are used... and the deadly consequences that come with them. Somehow, I believe it's those grimoires that sets the stage for what will come to pass later in the trilogy!


Right now, I really need to get my hands on book 2 (The Hunt of Calypso)!


About the Author


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Stories teach the heart to believe, and Erin Phillips tries to fill every second with stories, whether it’s an audiobook while cleaning, a movie with her hubs, or just snuggling up with a good book. She is not afraid of a dark story, for the Light is often the most brilliant in the dead of night.


Erin is an award-winning author who graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Costume Design & Technology, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, Jeremy, and their happy corgis, Parker and Fable.



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