Betrayer's Bane: Book 3 (Embers of Illeniel) Paperback – December 30, 2016

Well...what can I say. I haven't written a review for a book before. Never felt the need, until now.I started reading Michael's work a few years ago, after searching constantly for something new and refreshingin the fantasy/fiction genre. I've been through all the major authors, and honestly I can say without a doubt thatMichael Manning stands among them. I'm not going to gush more over it, I just wanted to tell the author, though I doubt he'llever see this, that he has a gift, and has found his true calling.Now, as for this book. It actually gave me nightmares the night I finished it. I don't blame the author, I applaud him.He created a very gritty, dark tale. An authors true job, when you boil it down, is to create emotion in the reader, andhe did that. My heart was pounding at a few points.This is without a doubt the darkest of the books, as any reader of his previous books new it would be. Like watching Titanic, you knowhow it's going to generally go. But the devil is in the details. And it was honestly worse than I could have imagined. It was a kick in theemotional nuts.Michael, your books don't always make me feel good. To be honest, sometimes they make me feel like hell. But they make me feel.Thank you.

"Betrayer's Bane" is brilliant. It became a routine experience to put the book down so I could alternatively laugh, cry, yell, curse the day the author was born, or at times merge two or three of those reactions into one explosive emotional outburst. Let me warn you that there was significantly more yelling, crying, and cursing than laughter in this one. The author's ability to world build, and to show me the depth and inner turmoil of his characters has captivated me since my first exposure to his work in "The Blacksmith's Son". I would not know the difference between a dangling participle and a past-possessive pronoun if they bit me in the arse. But I know what I like, and Michael G. Manning creates stories that allow me to escape from reality for a while and plunge myself into another place every time I open one of his works. This book is the culmination of a trilogy exploring events that other books in the author's universe refer to as ancient history. That in itself is a challenge because every reader of Michael's other books KNOWS how this story ends. Or at least we thought we did. We were wrong. Horribly, tragically wrong. Everyone loves sausage, but you really do not want to know how it is made. This trilogy is the epitome of that sentiment. What depths of sorrow, anger, commitment, or/and depravity would each of us reach as human beings if we were plucked from our comfortable kindle-using existence and plunged into an extinction scenario? You will find yourself doing some pretty uncomfortable self-analysis during the short breaks you take from reading this one. The author's writing style has kept me entertained and craving more ever since I came across his first book "The Blacksmith's Son". This book, "Betrayer's Bane", makes me want to gift Mr. Manning with a case of the bottled craft beer that he loves the most. I want to look him in the eye and see the joy he has in emptying that first bottle to the last drop. Then I want to dash the empty bottle across his skull and "wash, rinse and repeat" until the case of beer is gone. I wish Michael G. Manning no permanent harm, but that sick twisted craft beer scenario is essentially what he did to my psyche with this book. I can give to you review readers no higher praise, or more grave a warning than that. Thank you Sir, for another 5 star gem of a novel.

Thank you Michael for another fantastic novel. Congrats on completing another series!I can't commend you enough on your ability to connect your characters to the hearts of your readers. I love the genuity of your world, the brutal truths, the unexpected subterfuge, the irrevocable love, the powerful hatred, the ever-intriguing fantasy-science, and best of all, the sarcastic quips and the tiniest interactions that are just so human.If I had to use one word to describe it all, it'd be just that, human. Your relationships are imperfect and raw, yet honest and strong. Your characters are flawed, emotional and vulnerable. You've captured the violent, sexual and sadistic sides of humanity and in a genre fuelled by the surreal; it just couldn't feel more real.To be capable of redeeming characters like Thillmarius and ultimately Tyrion to the point where one can feel true empathy for their dispositions is nothing short of miracle work. And yet you managed it so perfectly. As an added bonus you rekindled my love for bread and butter (Then simultaneously destroyed it again -_-)I've never been left with so many 'What if?'s after ready a book, you've truly broken my heart. But I'll just have to take Tyrion's advice on that regard and focus on what happens from here on; the next book! We want more! 5 Stars for your efforts sir!

Wow! Let me first state that I have not read all of the author’s other “Mageborn” series. I read the first two books of the “Embers of Illenielhen” and decided to read the first book “The Blacksmith’s son” and just didn’t get into the book. That being said, I was highly compelled to read “The Blacksmith’s Son” as the “Embers of Illenielhen” series were some of the best books I have read. A couple of my favorite books are “Dune” and “The Iliad”, so I do not say this lightly. All of this being said, “The Betrayer’s Bane” was epic. The first half was not as action packed as the first two books of the series, but the second half of the book went out with a legendary bang. Serious, my husband put our son to bed and thirty minutes later walked into the room with me balling up a storm with puffy eyes and all. The end got really emotional and was unpredictable. It had similar notes of Julius Cesar being assassinated. Bravo to the author. You have created one of the most epic series I have had the privilege of experiencing in my life time. You deserve to go down in history. Now I must read your other books as it is evident that your skill in writing only increases over time.

Despite forewarning from the author, the depths of horror and despair in this book had me wondering if Michael Manning was borderline insane. The first two books in the series were a rollercoaster of emotions, from disgust, loathing and empathy for Tyrone, but generally, there were redeeming moments. This, though, was a rampage of vengeance and destruction - which damn near had me joining in when Amazon delivered the book sans the final few chapters! However, that was amended quickly. There was no 'Happily Ever After', though. I took several days before I could write this review as I didn't want my initial emotional reactions to give a negative view. The outcome of Betrayer's Bane had to reach this conclusion, to tie it to the follow on tales of Mordecai and family in The Blacksmith's Son series. That I invested empathy and hope for so many of the characters was my error, but I couldn't have foreseen Michael's rather twisted bent for sheer mayhem. In conclusion, I love the book, but I also hate it read it, and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

Again micheal g manning has delivered an all time favourite hook of mine. I love how well he grasps the darkness the characters feel and how they respond when they have so much power at their disposal.There were a few points where I felt he'd not put as much thought into a character or their change of perspective as he has with other characters and it felt very qliche and rushed or under developed, which is probably only because I felt he avoided it so well the entire series (Emma's paranoid cling to power for example seemed this way to, compared to the rest of mannings character development that seemed a bit too... Played on to me) .This series is so dark a day twisted whilst still only showing what 'normal' people will do when pushed beyond breaking point with so many horrors. The characters are great, relatable and so beautifully twisted with out having a defined illness to play on, just the damage of their horrific experiences or nieve understanding of what they're doing is a welcome change.I also love his take on the fantasy genre, the way the series' history is post our own and has believable concepts and explanations for the fantastical aspects.Already dying for the next one!

Before reviewing the book, as so many have already ably done here, I just wanted to comment on the author. What a super-nice chap! I had an issue with this version of the book, in that I didn't receive the full book when downloaded from Amazon. Mr Manning had warned Facebook followers that this might be the case, and suggested some possible solutions. When none of these solutions worked for me (and when I *really* wanted to read the last three chapters) I contacted the author via Facebook. Within 24 hours he had emailed the updated version of the book directly to my Kindle! Honestly, how good is that?Anyway, on to the book itself. I would say, if you're reading this review and wondering whether you should read this book - don't. DO go back and read the first two books in the series, AFTER you've read the Mageborn books. Then, and only then, should you read this one. Definitely read it though, it's really good. If you've already read all of those books, and you're still reading this review, then what are you playing at? You shouldn't be wasting reading time on reviews, just get the book!In summary, another fantastic read from an author who was already on my must-read list, but now also joins my (much shorter) jolly nice chap list.

I'm not going to give a long review as I don't have the time (I hardly ever review anything which shows how highly I regard this book). What an emotional roller coaster that was, even though you know all along the horrific genocide is coming Micheal manages to create genuine hope in me at times that there may be a peace for Tyrone. The book is brutal in its imagery and themes yet it fits the subject and helps to avoid any dull moments. I must admit this is my favourite series by Manning and I hope to he can bring himself to write more in the same vein, although it must put a strain on anyone to put yourself in such a dark head space! Looking forward to the next book in this fantastic world, the ultimate enemy appearing into the new world and how that Pans out. Keep up the good work and maybe one day a book on the shehar ancient human war... That could be amazing!

Wow, what a delightfully destructive trilogy.Manning forces us to like his characters, even those that really should have been unredeemable. He builds up the monsters and demons until you can truly appreciate them for the hurt, broken individuals they are.Once you truly like the characters, he starts to give you hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel.The light is violently snuffed with a few gut-wrenching scenes and I admit that I put it down to shed my tears privately.I didn't manage to pick it up again for two more days.I finally picked it back up, devouring every word and mental image until the end. A truly enjoyable, dark fantasy of love, hope and betrayal.