I very much enjoyed the first book in this series. But this second one, I couldn't get past about 10%. As soon as I saw that the main character did something really stupid to lose a valuable item, I quit reading. It just seemed too contrived. The main character was portrayed in the first book as being relatively intelligent, so it was too unbelievable that he would do something so dumb. Clearly, the author just used this opening as a device to set off the second novel in the series but a more original start to the book might have kept me engaged. It's like going through agony for days and weeks to find a valuable thing you have lost, only to misplace it again. Like being on a merry-go-round. ( )

3.5 Stars

The Roots of Betrayal is the second novel in James Forrester's Clarenceux trilogy, and picks up soon after the first novel in the series, Sacred Treason, ends. Like the trilogy's first installment, The Roots of Betrayal centres around one man, William Harley, who serves Elizabeth I as herald Clarenceux King of Arms, and one document, a document containing a secret that, if revealed, would threaten the peace of the realm. Charged by Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth I's principal secretary, with keeping the document safe, Clarenceux is shocked when it is stolen from his home, even more so when the evidence points to someone he trusts as the culprit. Determined to get the document back at any cost, Clarenceux sets out to recover it. Along the way he uncovers both truth and lies, and realizes that there is much more to the document's theft than he first believed.

The Roots of Betrayal is fast-paced and action-packed. Many of the characters featured in Sacred Treason reappear here, including Sir William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I's spymaster. Although they don't appear often, one of my favourite aspects of this trilogy are the interactions that take place between the formidable Cecil and the suspicious Walsingham. This book also introduces several new characters, the foremost of which is pirate captain Raw Carew. Many of these characters are more colourful that the trilogy's regulars and add quite a bit of excitement to the story. Most of Clarenceux's actions throughout the novel are driven by his desire to prevent conflict, even if they put him at odds with some of the realm's most powerful men. I didn't always understand or agree with Clarenceux's decisions, though I acknowledge they ultimately led him to discover the extent of the betrayal against him. Forrester does a good job of keeping the truth of the theft hidden until the very end of the novel, which helps to keep the reader turning the pages. One of the novel's greatest strengths is Forrester's attention to historical detail, which results in a novel that creates a strong sense of both time and place. This isn't surprising given James Forrester is the pen name of British historian Ian Mortimer. While I enjoyed this novel overall, the frequency with which Clarenceux is able to get himself out of difficult situations, often while injured, stretches the bounds of plausibility. I am nevertheless looking forward to reading the trilogy's conclusion, The Final Sacrament.

Recommended to fans of historical thrillers and fiction set during the Elizabethan era. Given that The Roots of Betrayal follows events that occurred in Sacred Treason I do, however, recommend readers interested in this book start at the beginning of the series.

Note: I received a copy of this novel from Sourcebooks via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/11/review-roots-of-betrayal-by-james.html ( )

'In that one thing--hope--we are brothers'

...poignant words between Clarenceux and raw Carew, pirate extraordinaire, at their last moment together. Just prior to this Clarenceux declares the family motto he might adopt if so inclined,'In all our struggles, the last word is hope.'
1564, Southampton Waters: the calm before the storm. Captain Gray is in his cabin with a young girl, his men are dicing on deck, all quickly broken by the cry of 'Boarders--Boarders on deck!' The only warning before all hell breaks loose and the ship is captured.
The opening scenes of a pirate raid propel you quickly into scenes of violence overlaid by a distinct impression of honour or a code that Crew, the pirate Captain adheres to.
Carew is seeking the Catholic treasure and Gray has information he wants.
And in London, William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms, is reflecting on papers he holds for safekeeping. Dangerous, treasonous papers that would likely kill him, and the path that's lead him to this point. With the documents in his care, 'never did he feel safe. Not for one moment!'
Clarenceux's trials and tribulations continue in this historical thriller of the first water.
All roads keep leading back to Clarenceux and the documents he has secreted, holding in fear and trepidation.
For Clarenceux, circumstances just keep deteriorating. Pursued by the Knights of the Round Table (the Catholic dissenters), Cecil and Walsingham, and raw Carew, he is fighting once more for his life, for his family and his quest for peace.
I love the way Clarenceux's knowledge of heraldry is given space to be a strength that he puts to use in these unremitting circumstances he's been thrown into.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Machyn's life is once more dictated by powerful and implacable forces.
Murders, spies, plots and counterplots, torture and treason and betrayals surrounding the truth about Tudor England and the Elizabethan throne make for mighty fine reading and a story one can revel in. Stimulating and enjoyable. Although the gritty reality of Tudor life leaves one grimacing. 'Roots of betrayal lie in friendship, in treason loyalty,' indeed!

A NetGalley ARC ( )

This is a fictional Tudor tale of betrayal and intrigue and derring do. William Harvey has in his possession a document that claims to show of a marriage of Anne Bolyn that would make her marriage to Henry VIII invalid and make Elizabeth illegitimate - and this is clearly a threat to Elizabeth's throne. Harvey is catholic, but he also has no desire to forment rebellion. So, instead of using the letter to overthrow the Queen, he simply stores it - and guards it. When it is stolen, therefore, he heads off after it - and gets into a few scrapes in the process.
Another prime character is the pirate & bastard Raw Carew. until these two characters meet, the book proceeds almost by alternating chapters about one then the other. this makes the first part somewhat disjointed - it all flows a lot better once they get together.
To try and describe the scrapes that Harvey and Carew go through would take almost as many pages as the book (it's not short). but it is a pretty lively story and not short of action.
The book ends with a resolution of sorts - there is hope and honour restored and Harvey feels he's done what he considered his duty in the face of plotting and double dealing of the machinery of the state.
There is a prequel and at half way i wouldn't have bothered, but by the end I could see myself trying it again. ( )