Blackhearted Betrayal (Shades of Fury, #3) by Kasey MacKenzie

Blackhearted Betrayal (Shades of Fury, #3) Reviews

• 
  Kt

  Review originally posted on my blog:
  A Book Obsession..
  
  Leaving the Magical Crimes Unit in the capable hands of her partner, Trinity, Riss is taking a much needed leave of absence to help her mother sort out the troubles in the Sisterhood of Furies. The Furies are charged with keeping the peace between all the Arcane and Mundane races, and have always remained impartial. However, something has changed and some of the Furies are favoring a certain god over the other, bringing about the start of a civil war that could throw both gods and mortals alike into its chaos. Tasked with preventing the devastation such a war would cause, Riss and a very select few allies set out to bring down the ones responsible and find a danger greater than any of them has every faced.
  
  Based on the setup of the previous installment, I had been expecting Blackhearted Betrayal to be centered in the middle of the political mess going on in the sisterhood. I was particularly excited about this because I knew the emotions and tensions would be flying due to the Fury's being very quick to temper, hopefully making things much more action packed this time around. However, Kasey took the stakes even higher by throwing in unruly gods and goddesses. In fact, this addition brought a whole new element to the series, and really ratcheted my enjoyment level up several notches especially considering how big of a fan I am of Greek and Egyptian mythology. Granted, these gods and goddesses were referred to in the previous books, but they didn't really play a role in things. Bringing them to the forefront made me one very happy camper. Considering the way things ended I doubt they will be returning to be background anytime soon.
  
  I was so happy to see Riss being back to her usual tough as nails self. I'm not sure what happened in Green Eyed Envy, but she was definitely too weak in the gills for my taste. In Blackhearted Betrayal, her fire and fierceness are back and better than ever. Granted, the situation she is placed under probably has a lot to do with her will being "re-ironed" as there is an incredible amount at stake. That re-found iron will was thoroughly tested in this book, and Riss never once faltered despite the odds and high costs. I was especially impressed with the way she stood her ground and held true to her quest despite it almost costing her what she holds the most dear. In fact, Riss realizes how far she is willing to go and just how much she would sacrifice to uphold her duty. Trust me, she definitely isn't found lacking this time around, and proves very worthy of her station as a Fury.
  
  I'm a little worried about the continuation of the series as the only information I could find on Kasey's website was that she was contracted for three books. It would really be a shame if there weren't more books because I feel like we have only scratched the surface of potential in these books. So I'll definitely be crossing my fingers for more. A vast improvement over the last installment, Blackhearted Betrayal has completely renewed my faith in the Shades of Fury Series, and shouldn't be missed.
• 
  Marsha

  Of the three books in the series, "Blackhearted Betrayal" is the best of the Shades of Fury but it also has the most convoluted plot. This book begins right where the previous book ended. The gang is partying after successfully thwarting a serial killer and pulling off the wedding of Penn and Harper. Now that the case is over, Marissa can concentrate on assisting her mother at the Palladium and her niece with ner new Fury transition.
  
  While attempting to usher her niece, Cori to the Palladium, Serise the pregnant Harpy appears assisting Riss with an attack from one of her sister Furies. They manage to get away but Riss is summoned to appear before one of the three Fury groups she does not belong to. The Megaera of head of the group informs Riss that she and her mother are to accompany her to visit the Fury Triad or the gods. In order to travel to the Triad, Riss and her mother must drink ambrosia, drink to the gods. It is a painful but exhilarating experience but allows Marissa and her mom to confer with the gods. They inform the group that they are being promoted to nemeses status (the bounty hunters and protectors of the gods who hunt down arcanes who commit crimes against the triad). The will have increased abilities and strength but it will only last three days. During this time they must obtain proof that one of the gods of the Underworld, Anubis has been traitorous against the Triad.
  
  Currently, Riss' boytoy, Scott is guarding Anubis. So, Marissa knows that she cannot involve him in on this quest. She takes a leave of absence from her job leaving her bff, Trinity in charge. Then she solicits the help of Charlie, the giant, Sahanna the magical pathologist, Durra, sister fury, and Mac, Riss's brother. Together they must travel to the underworld where they will face trial after trial, battle after battle, betrayal and forces beyond their control.
  
  If all of this sounds convoluted, its' because it really was. While the plot was interesting at times there were just too many characters whose names and characteristics began to blur at times. However, as I indicated earlier, this was the best out of the three books. I still struggle at times with Ms. MacKenzie's writing style but the character of Marissa Holloway has definitely started to grow on me. It will be interesting to see where this series is headed.
• 
  Michelle Greathouse

  Blackhearted Betrayal is the third book in the Shades of Fury series by Kasey Mackenzie and an ACE Fantasy.
  
  Blurb:
  
  As a Fury, Riss Holloway belongs to an arcane race that has meted out justice since time immemorial. As Boston's Chief Magical Investigator, she's responsible for solving any crimes committed by or against supernaturals. But now that she's going home, Riss has no idea just how dangerous--and personal--the crimes have become.
  
  Riss Holloway has taken a leave of absence from her mortal job as Chief Magical Investigator for the Boston PD. Right now she's determined to focus on her Fury duties: like assisting her mother with an unsettling friction brewing in the Sisterhood--a faction of Furies sworn to serve all the Deities equally. Until now.
  
  Someone is playing favorites. As a result Riss is ushered into a tumultuous civil war--and not one just tearing apart the Sisterhood, but one embroiling every god and goddess into the chaos as well. What was once a precept, to stand as a united whole policing arcanekind for millennia, has been divided by something Riss never imagined--and choosing sides could be the most dangerous move she's ever made.
  
  My thoughts:
  
  Marissa Holloway has her feet firmly planted in two worlds - Boston, where she investigates crimes that involve supernaturals - and the world of the Fury - where she still feels like she has to prove herself.
  
  And prove herself, she will. Discord is brewing among the Furies and for the first time in Fury history the race is on the brink of civil war.
  
  Marissa and her mother are tasked with finding evidence that one or more of the demigods are trying to gain power in the hopes taking control - something that would imbalance their whole way of life.
  
  For Marissa this task is personal in more ways than one...and finding proof against this demigod may cost her more than she ever thought possible...
  
  I absolutely love this series and look forward to each installment. Blackhearted Betrayal is fast paced and action packed. Marissa kicks a$$.
  
  I give Blackhearted Betrayal 4 out of 5 stars.
  
  Product Details
  Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
  Publisher: Ace (June 26, 2012)
  Language: English
  ISBN-10: 1937007650
  ISBN-13: 978-1937007652
  
• 
  Ami

  Fresh from the 'adventure' of saving Harper's wedding in previous book, Riss (and her mother) is called by the The Triad -- referred to three Deities -- to find proof that Death Lord Anubis has been planning a scheme of deadly proportion. With her temporary status as immortal Nemesis for the Triad, Riss goes to the Underworld along with her loyal friends (her lover Scott, her half-brother Mac, and several others) ...
  
  ---------
  
  At first, I'm a bit worried whether the story will be more (Fury) politic heavy than the previous two books (those two have dead bodies that Riss must investigate). I'm not a big fan of the Fury politic, as I experience in the previous two books, all those classes in Furies and Harpies and Deities just make my head dizzy.
  
  HOWEVER, Blackhearted Betrayal turns out to be the best book yet of this series. Ms. Mackenzie gives twists that are very worthy to keep the fast pace of the story (for example: Nan -- Riss's grandmother is still alive but the one currently siding her body is Riss's great aunt instead, Medea; Sean is a traitor all along; Anubis has a female form and a lover of one of the three Deities; Charlie DATING Trinity!)
  
  I love the trip to the Underworld -- I think it is very well done. I always have fun reading so many gods thrown in an urban fantasy series and this is no different. From African fertility goddess, an Egyptian death god, a Celtic horse-goddess ... to some magical creatures like an earth-friendly Giant and a Bhairavi Raga, this book offers great entertainment.
  
  Duly noted, there's less of Riss and Scott's interaction here because of the Mandate that Riss has taken, to bring forwards evidences of Anubis betrayal, is taking the front-seat -- which makes the book more into action than romance. However, it is also what makes it better, I think. I love Riss and Scott's romance; but after book #2 I notice that their relationship is very strong now, and they are in that position where they trust each other completely (Scott becomes a 'traitor' sort of, to be on Riss side, since as a Warhound, his family worships Anubis) -- so that romance agenda doesn't need to be push forward.
  
  Love the ending and I hope to see more books of this series!
  
• 
  Jessica (a GREAT read)

  It's been ages since I last read Kasey MacKenzie's Green-Eyed Envy, so diving into Blackhearted Betrayal had it's ups and downs. I tried to think of it as reading a new novel, but that doesn't always work when events and situations are mentioned from previous books. But I just did my best to read the current story and enjoy. And I did, for the most part. I think my lack of knowledge on what's previously happened prevented me from fully enjoying this one.
  
  Just as Riss and her mother are about to get Ceri, Riss' niece started on her Fury training, they are ambushed by Durra and her posses, but not for anything sinister like we could imagine. The Megara need Riss and her mother's help. They suspect Anubis is behind their problems with the Furies, in that some of the Furies have started working for him.
  
  In order to accomplish that, they get turned into Nemesis temporarily, and this is basically just a suped-up, badass version of a Fury, just more. While Riss' mother looks for some of the Furies who may be working for Anubis, Riss takes the more difficult challenge of entering Anubis' home turf in order to find evidence against him. And since the last time Riss paid a visited, Anubis proclaimed he would basically torture her to death if she were to return. Luckily, Riss has got backup!
  
  While I enjoyed the story, I guess I felt a little disconnected this time around. Mostly due to not having read the previous book in over a year, possibly two. Riss is definitely a great heroine, she's strong and fierce and will do anything to protect her loved ones.
  
  There's some romance between her and Scott, her leading man, but not much as there doesn't seem to be time for any lovin! The action was still good as there were quite a few fight scenes and just that thrill factor involved.
  
  The ending was good too, although I am wondering if this is the last novel for now. I haven't heard otherwise. There did seem to be resolution to this story, but yet there are still just a few threads I feel like are left slightly unraveled. Only time will tell I guess!
  
  
  Overall Rating 3.5/5 stars
• 
  Aurian Booklover

  After solving her serial killer case in the previous book, Marissa is finally free to join her mother in the Fury’s realm, and have her young niece acknowledged in the Sisterhood of Furies.
  Instead, both she and her mother are being summoned by the Triad, the three Gods who rule the other Gods, to act as their Nemesis against a fellow God who is breaking the law. He is gathering other minor gods, and making them his vasals, and he is binding Fury’s to him, while they should be serving all Deities equally. He is behind the breach in the Sisterhood, and the attacks on Marissa lately.
  The bad thing is, he is Anubis, the personal god of her lover Scott and his Warhounds. Will he be able to choose between his love for her and his duty to his God? Even if that God has broken the arcane laws bigtime?
  Marissa has had a bad run-in with Anubis before, and he has promised to kill her slowly when they meet again. But Marissa will fight for good always, and so, with a chosen group of friends and Fury’s, she enters the Underworld to find proof of his misdeeds to bring to the Triad.
  
  And what she finds there, is so much worse than she could have imagined, especially when one of the Triad itself is a traitor and has become Anubis’ lover.
  
  
  I loved this adventure, and was glued to the pages until the book was finished. The intrigue was so well written, and I am glad that I was right in my suspicions about Scott’s younger brother from book 1. The battle scene was awesome, and not everyone survives it, but it was very well written and I wish I could join them. Marissa’s friends Charlie the Giant and Sahana are wonderful to read about, and a real asset in their journey.
  
  If you like your Urban Fantasy a bit different from the usual werewolves and vampires, you really should try this series.
  
  The ending hints at the next story, but as far as I can find out, it has not been written yet. The author’s website is really outdated, but she has written some other books, out on Kindly only, so I do fear the publisher pulled the plug on this one.
  
  9 stars.
  
• 
  Stacy

  I really love all the covers of this series. Riss's leave of absence doesn't end up going so well. There is actually a line in the book that explains it best, She is now taking a leave of absence from her leave of absence. I was looking forward to seeing Riss with her niece now that she is a fury so I was kinda sad that that was put off until later.
  
  Riss and Scott are still very much together and happy, they don't really have any alone time with each other but they are still a great team and still growing their relationship together. There was a lot more mythology added into book 3, more gods and goddesses are introduced into the book and new situations fill the pages. I expected the bad guy to go down at the end but I was totally shocked by all the events that made it happen and the outcome of Marissa completing her task. I know that the new situations certain people find themselves in at the end of the book will bring plenty of action and excitement in future books.
  
  Like the other book in the Shades of Fury series BLACK-HEARTED BETRAYAL is filled with action and suspense. Riss and her allies hardly have room to breathe before the enemies are on them again. I thought that there was a lot more brought to the table compared to book 2 and I hope that it continues with book 4.
• 
  KC

  I read all three, one after another, while traveling home. As it remains: I love the first book, like the second, and don't know how I feel about the third. I understand where Kasey Mackenzie is going, but I don't know if I like all the insane relationships, especially Anubis and his/her lover The plot is starting to become a little stale, especially since it seems like nothing is actually getting accomplished; however, the writing is still really great and I devoured the book. Riss is a great character. But Riss becoming immortal kinda bugs me. It's almost too cliche and takes some of the draw out of the series. I'll read book 4, but I'm in no rush, and I certainly won't preorder it. Maybe just wait for the library.
• 
  Diane ~Firefly~

  This book started a bit slow (and it had been years since I read the previous one), but soon picked up and took Riss on a wild ride as she is made a Nemesis and tasked with finding proof that a lesser god is breaking the rules. Luckily she can take some allies with her on her quest to the Underworld as she will need them to get through.
  
  It was nice to see an end to the problems between the Fury sisterhood finally. And Riss and Scott have a good relationship that is now a bit more difficult with them each being partially divine now.
• 
  Lisa

  This series keeps getting better & better. This is the best of three books but also has the most convoluted plot. It keeps true to the characters thus far & still throws in a few surprises along the way. If you are on the fence regarding this series and trying to decide if you should keep going, by all means do. You would be missing out on another really good read if you skip this one. Can't wait for the next one to see what Riss and the gang do next....
• 
  Megan

  I enjoyed this the 3rd installment of the Shades of Fury series. Kasey, the author describes colors and images really nicely, so it's easy to transport yourself in the story. Hopefully there will be another book to the series out soon.
• 
  ☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣

  Who could have rated an unpublished as of yet book, and 1 star at that? Makes me wonder... I expect it to be of 5 star quality, if the trend continues... I'll update my rating as soon as I get to read it.
• 
  Erika

  I liked it. The demi-goddess thing seems a bit mary-sue-ish, but then Riss wasn't totally perfect, so it was fine. The end was fine, and I like how Scott and Trin bargained with the gods.
  
  I just find myself hoping my guess about Stacia is wrong, but if it's right, I hope they can fix it.
• 
  Ashley (gotbookcitement)

  I liked this book. It was a fun ride, but it didn't live up to the magic of the first book which is a tad disappointing. Still a series that I really enjoy and if you like urban fantasy, then give this series a shot.
• 
  Shelia

  Best of the series so far, if a little circuitous.
  We finally get to see more about what's going on in Fury Society.
  Not everyone is who we thought they were.
  Hard choices must be made, deities behave badly, and, as always, plans are thwarted.
  A fun read.
• 
  MJ

  4½ Stars
• 
  Kim

  HOLY FUCK!
• 
  B.E.

  I had some problems with the beginning and middle of this installment of Ms. MacKenzie's 'Shades of Fury' series, but the end was awesome.
• 
  Sophie

  third book in the series. ok plot but not great. (2.5/5)
  Plus the beta readers/editor should have mentioned to the author that an overuse of italics undermines its utility!
• 
  Jayme

  Nice conclustion to the trilogy. Love the character of Marissa. Author did leave it open for another book, and I'm totally okay with that!
• 
  S

  Rollicking good read. I don't understand how I missed the second book, but I'm glad I read this one. Having Ewa da Cruz in the cover doesn't hurt either.
• 
  Shelley

  *Genre* Urban Fantasy
  *Rating* 3.0
  
  *Review to come*
  
  
• 
  Erin

  Freakin' awesome. Nonstop action, twists upon twists and a series that I'm addicted to.
• 
  Jacqueline

  extra 1/2 star
• 
  Ron

  Enjoyed it very much.