Ben Alderson kicks off the Realms of Fey series in the recently re-released, A Betrayal of Storms, a strangers-to-lovers, bodyguard fantasy romance featuring a queer-normative cast and a fascinating magic system. Well-worn tropes shine throughout, but as a whole, the first installment in the series, though sure to please fans of escapist romantasy, comes off as poorly executed from a narrative standpoint, bogged down by clunky, repetitive writing, over-embellished dialogue, and questionable sentence structure.
Half-fey, openly gay Robin Vale wakes up at knife point in a climatic, atmospheric, and impactful opening chapter that is laced with tension and dread as a group of Hunters kidnap him in the middle of the night. He’s no match against the weight of a group, and it wears on his already frayed nerves. Confusion and dread descend upon him as he’s detained in an encampment intent on spilling fey blood just outside of the border that separates the mundane from the magical. Not all fey have magic, but little does Robin know that it is running through his veins, ignited by the adrenaline and fear of a very near-death experience when he becomes the intended target of the Hunters’ next bloodletting.
A close encounter with death awakens a storm within the half-fey, and it is in the descriptions of elemental magic that Alderson truly shines in a world that otherwise feels a little unclear. Inspired by the seasons – Cedarfall, Oakstorm, Elmdew, and Icethorn – magic jumps off of the page, atmospheric and dangerous and all-consuming. Frozen embers awaken, crystallizing and exploding out of Robin in a wave of devastating ice-cold spikes when his life is threatened, revealing not just a way out, but a long-lost, legendary birthright with exponential impact on the fey of Wychwood. The Icethorn court was left abandoned after the last of its line died out, magic left to run wild, wreaking havoc on the land, unclaimed – until now, as Robin’s icy magic is a sure sign that he belongs to the forgotten court: a chosen one, a hero, a long-lost, secret heir. He may not remember his mother, but the fey of Wychwood do, and he’s a spitting image of her.
Magic belonged solely to the fey, but never me.
– excerpt from A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
And so, Robin is thrust into a world on the edge of war, the realms of fey pitted against one another in a race to subdue the chaotic magic of the former Icethorn court and reign it in for personal gain. He may be a long-lost legacy, but he’s of no consequence to seasoned magic wielders intent on strengthening their own family line. Although skeptical of the Cedarfall court, Robin makes fast friends with the fiery warrior princess Althea, along with playful, outgoing Erix, who immediately makes it his personal mission to protect and serve Robin from the moment he sets eyes on him. With no experience or knowledge, Robin has no choice but to accept the help given to him, and while he is, perhaps, a little too quick to trust, Alderson creates tension, suspense, and unease, placing doubt in Robin as he finds himself the target of numerous assassination attempts within the halls of the Cedarfall court.
Alderson pens a gay romance full of passion and pet names, making great use of well-loved tropes. In the midst of finding himself in a world out to get him, Robin finds love in the bodyguard intent on saving his life at every turn. Strangers become lovers, a single bed is shared in a moment of hurt/comfort, and second chances abound. Although Robin and Erix’s relationship borders on insta-love, Alderson makes an effort to enforce the idea that trust is gained – and can be hard to come by – but that relationships can form quickly when you’re accepted for who you truly are. Erix is an escape – a distraction – a comfort – that helps Robin weather the storm that is his newfound birthright, and what unfolds between them is heated and passionate, if suspiciously surface level when it comes to love.
While I was wary of the future of their relationship, Alderson is a master of distraction – weaving in not just a potentially dangerous love triangle – but pulling the reader in with teasing banter, addictive flirting, and charming pet names to lull the reader – and Robin – into a false sense of security when it comes to romantic relationships. What unfolds is endearing and tender, charged with sexual tension and hope, as, in Erix, Robin finally feels seen. While they are very much strangers, Robin was always an outsider, outgoing but outcasted, and in Erix, he finds a place to call home, even if it’s nothing more than a brief respite from reality.
“You.” My chest blossomed like a rose in summer, heart unfurling petal by petal. “I see you.”
– excerpt from A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
High heat and desire culminate in a passionate sex scene that feels very real. It’s as much an exploration of trust as it is of each other, awkward moments included. Alderson ultimately offers up a perfect blend of sensuality and reality: sweet nothings and tender caresses are shared, but so too, are questions of consent and comfort, and I appreciated the fact that the scene isn’t a perfect fantasy. It’s a distraction, raw, and real, and fueled by heightened emotions and the need to be close to somebody. Alderson doesn’t shy away from the reality of sex, which is this: not every position works. It’s not always comfortable or picture perfect, and lube isn’t always readily available (be wary if, like me, you have an aversion to spit). That being said, the scene is sensual and emotional, and really marks the beginning of their romantic relationship, bringing them closer together.
“Being yourself should be easy, Robin.”
– excerpt from A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
As far as narration goes, Alderson’s writing is visceral and descriptive; it’s easy to read, but clunky and punctuated by awkward phrasing and word order that makes it difficult to find immersion. Internal monologue and dialogue fall into the same trap, and it often felt like words were missing or over-wrought, creating uneven and often unnatural dialogue that wasn’t sure if it wanted to be modern or not. While Alderson had great ideas and the magic system was fascinating and well-realized, the writing itself left something to be desired for me personally, and often felt stunted to the point that I had to take frequent breaks while reading, despite being pulled in by the plot. That being said, there were a handful of scenes and quotes that really stood out and made the read worthwhile, as well as a few unexpected plot points and surprises that added a great deal of suspense, political intrigue, and even a touch of magical body horror. Fight scenes – and there are many – are well choreographed and immersive, adding tension and suspense to the plot alongside the well-realized magic system.
Anything left forgotten for long enough becomes a monster.
– excerpt from A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
If you’re craving a queer romantasy series – Alderson’s got you covered with A Betrayal of Storms. Featuring dynamic fight scenes and political scandal amidst a lost heir’s journey toward self-discovery and acceptance, the first installment in the Realms of Fey series is sure to delight readers looking for a high-heat, whirlwind M/M romance that is easy to read, so long as you don’t take it too seriously.
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