Bridget Collins writes another superb novel. Much like The Binding, her latest story, The Betrayals, has motifs around exploring painful past relationships, coping with the trauma they cause and trying to find a way to live in a future where the scars aren’t so afflictive.

The characters here are compelling. They aren’t necessarily likeable or make logical decisions, but you can’t help but care for them. Léo, especially, is a contemptible bounder who happily works for a dictatorial regime. Only a political misstep sees him exiled to Montverre, an academy that teaches the national game called The Grand Jeu. What The Grand Jeu actually is, is never explained but seems to involve dance, music, maths and philosophy.

One of the other main protagonists is Claire, the first female Magister Ludi. Much like in previous Collins’ writing, through her lens, we see how oppressive societal norms can prevent people from achieving their potential and being happy.

There are some stunningly beautiful passages in this book. The characters do make some head-scratchingly poor decisions. It never quite reached the heights of The Binding for me. In part, that is because I preferred the world The Binding was set in. The Betrayals world was a less enjoyable place. Collins writes unsubtle commentary at the ease that countries can slip into despotism and how fascism is insidious in infecting all parts of society. Given the world, we live it hit rather too close to home. That said, the central conflict around the relationship between Claire, her brother Carafax and Leo kept me on edge.

This is a wonderful novel.

BUY it here. They’ll kick me some money.