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The Hunger Games meets Shadowspell Academy

Captured, Tria's sent to a remote island in the mystical fae world where she must complete a series of dangerous trials to get free.

Framed by the head of the Seeker's Guild, I'm sent to Darkwater, an island in the middle of the forbidding fae sea. Wizards sent there are never heard from again.

The moment I arrive, I'm forced to complete a series of initiation tests with a snarky, too-hot fae. If the creatures trying to kill us don't do him in, I just might. Yet my birth father is on Darkwater Island, and while he could be just about anyone, I'm determined to track him down. He stole something from me when I was a baby, and I want it back.

Once I get what I came for, there are two ways out. Survive the Challenge--another series of trials that take place in the ever-changing, magical catacombs beneath the island. Or I can fulfill the secret blood bond I made with the Master Seeker. Eliminate someone and the Master Seeker will transport me home.

...Except the person I must kill is the wizard I'm falling for.

This book is 71,000 words.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2020

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About the author

Marty Mayberry

24 books185 followers
Marty writes young adult fiction and infuses it with suspense, romance, and a touch of humor. When she’s not dreaming up ways to mess with her character’s lives, she works as an RN. She lives in New England with her husband, three children, three geriatric cats, and a spunky Yorkie pup who keeps her on her toes.

She’s a member of YARWA, as well a four-year PitchWars mentor.

Twitter: @marty_mayberry
Website: http://martymayberry.com/

She also writes adult contemporary romance and romantic suspense under the pen name, Marlie May. Marty/Marlie was a 2018 RWA ® Golden Heart ® Finalist in contemporary short and romantic suspense.

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5 stars
117 (50%)
4 stars
71 (30%)
3 stars
36 (15%)
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5 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley.
5,350 reviews483 followers
May 12, 2020
*Source* Kindle
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5

*Thoughts*

Wicked Betrayal is the first installment in author Marty Mayberry's Darkwater Reformatory series. Apparently, this is a spin-off from the authors Crystal Wing Academy series. Tria is the main protagonist for this series. She is a Seeker trying to track down her father Bastian Spires who stole something from her when she was a baby. Seekers are apparently used to track down lost Wizards. After finding a way into the Seekers Guild squirreled away inside Icean Mountains, Tria comes face to face with Ramseff.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
Profile Image for Nisareen.
458 reviews13 followers
December 6, 2023
Tria is a Sidhe Fey, who was raised by her stepfather and mother. When she was a baby, her father Bastian Spires, siphoned off part of her power (the core essence of her magic) which has resulted in a diminishment of her full potential. Now Tria wants her power back. Knowing that Seekers are able to track down lost wizards, Tria sets out in search of the elusive Seeker’s Guild in the Icean Mountains, in the hope that the Master Seeker, Ramseff will help her.

Initially Ramseff is impressed by her ingenuity in finding the Seeker’s headquarters and informs her at no cost, that her father is at Darkwater Prison, in the youth section of the prison known as the Reformatory. Unfortunately getting into Darkwater Prison is near impossible as it’s situated in the Fae world, on an island in the middle of a forbidding sea. Ramseff however, offers to transport her there in return for a small favour - but refuses to reveal the details until Tria enters into a blood promise. A blood promise can’t be broken unless it’s fulfilled or the person making the promise dies. Tria reluctantly agrees but comes to regret her decision when he asks her to eliminate someone at the Prison.

“I’d like you to kill a young man. His name is Brodin. Complete this task and I’ll arrange for your extraction from the Reformatory.”

Tria can only stare helplessly into a mystical opaque ball as Ramseff uses a person with her likeness to murder Professor Trarion at the Crystal Wing Academy. Suddenly Tria finds herself framed and sentenced to life at Darkwater Prison. In exchange for her freedom, she must now either kill Brodin or find a way to get out of her blood promise by surviving the Challenge (a series of trials that take place in the ever changing magical catacombs beneath the prison) in the hopes of being transferred into pre release at Darkwater Reformatory.

While on her way to Darkwater Prison, Tria is accompanied by a snarky antagonistic shifter intent on killing her and is shocked to learn that he’s non other than Professor Trarian’s son. The two find themselves reluctantly working together to survive the perilous obstacles in their path and reach the prison in one piece. Can Tria convince him of her innocence?

Wicked Betrayal is the first instalment of the Darkwater Reformatory series and was my first introduction to the author. The series is a spin off of the Crystal Wing Academy series which I hadn’t read prior to this book. I didn’t feel at a disadvantage however, as sufficient backstory was provided.

From the offset, I found myself totally immersed in the premise of the story. The characters were quickly introduced, developed and understood. Tria and Brodin are relatable and appealing protagonists who readers will instantly find themselves rooting for. Brodin is an enigma due to his motives often being unclear but the attraction between him and Tria is obvious. I was especially shocked when the identity of his father was revealed. The secondary characters were equally interesting, particularly Jacey, who I couldn’t help sympathising with. Ramseff, Warden Bixby and her brother are particularly nasty antagonists, each with their own secret agenda which remains to be seen.

All in all, this was a well executed suspenseful plot, full of unexpected twists and turns which made it a truly engaging read. I was impressed by the wonderful vivid and stunning imagery used when describing the scenery and the obstacles faced by Tria and Brodin on the outskirts of the prison. I could almost visualise myself there with them.

The author has deftly managed to introduce the main characters and lay the foundation to what looks to be a promising series. I look forward to reading the follow up instalment, Wicked Challenge.

Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, adventure, mysteries, enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, magic, fae, shifters, seekers, vampires, tree nymphs etc
Profile Image for Cozy.
293 reviews14 followers
June 10, 2020
*I received a gifted copy from the author, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own*

This was a pretty quick (as in 2.5 sittings) read for me. It was extremely engrossing and was very easy to fall into. Marty definitely has a way with words. She's uses descriptive text that paints vivid pictures in your mind.

The characters are fantastic and I'm extremely happy to say this book includes feirce female friendships and a uber hot guy ;-). I can't wait for the next book to come out! 5*****
Profile Image for Miki.
929 reviews40 followers
May 13, 2020
I really loved this first book, it's kind of a spin off as you get hints about the other series ( crystal wings academy) but if you haven't read it yet there is no trouble at all as it's only hints. This is my first book from the author and i got immersed into the story right at the beginning so really no fear at starting with this one.

There are action, humour and magic it's really a page turner i loved it it's dark YA in a sense as there are violence , murder but it's wonderfully written as an captivating adventure with characters that you really get attached to!And there is a very special pet Kai that steal a lot of the spotlights. I love the nymph too .

Both main characters starts on a difficult path, one tasked to kill the other when he thinks she killed his mother...but their actions don't match what they think of the other..so a truce (or more) is soon set in place when they reach the fae prison they meet Jacey who like them has a lot of secrets but is friendly and loyal. Together they must enter challenges ( and survive) to reach their objective to be free or find what their are looking for.

only bad point: big cliffhanger but since book 2 won't release too late it's perfectly fine.If you love YA and want a book with a lot of action this is teh right book for you
Profile Image for Kim - Inside the Wong Mind.
360 reviews29 followers
May 1, 2020
Wicked Betrayal
by Marty Mayberry
Book 1 in the Darkwater Reformatory series
Rating: 4/5
Release date: May 2, 2020

Having never read anything from this author before, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this quick read. Although there seems to be some references to her previous Crystal Wing Academy series, this book seems to be an expansion of that world. I was impressed with her world building and after reading this book, I want to read the other series while I wait for the next one to come out. LOL.

This story was definitely a fast-paced action and suspense thriller with brief flirtations and humor sprinkled throughout a fantasy world. Tria is determined to find her birth father but his trail leads her to being framed for a murder she did not commit and being sent to the location where her birth father was last known to be at. She is tasked with committing the murder of a fellow inmate in order to be free from Darkwater.

Once she arrives on the outskirts of Darkwater, she and another inmate are forced to traverse multiple environments to get to the entrance. They face multiple creatures that only want to kill them. Not only does she have to deal with those creatures, she must trust someone who has vowed to kill her for killing his mother. Can these two trust each other in order to survive?

All in all, great story with fun characters. I wish there was more about the characters' backgrounds and who they are but since this is the first book, I will assume that we will learn more about them as the series goes on. I did see there was a prequel to this series, so I might need to check that out. The author has a vivid imagination and her descriptions pull you into her world. I'm excited to continue reading the next installment and impatient that I have to wait till September.

Highly recommend for those that enjoy fantasy with adventure, action, mystery and a bit of romance. A few swear words here and there with a few scenes of violence and bullying but seems appropriate for teens.

My thanks to the author for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Profile Image for deb,1970,uk_bookrecs.
1,633 reviews19 followers
May 5, 2020
Oh, This Was So Good!!👍😎 Fleur's 'Seeker' Sister From CrystalWing Academy Is Back!😍😲
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Wicked Betrayal: Darkwater Reformatory #1

Tria is an apprentice Seeker, the Police of the supernatural world. She's finally found her half sister & Paternal Grandfather & loves them dearly. 😍 Her Mum & Dad, the man who raised her not the one she's born from, have always been honest, supportive & loving parents.💕 They know her birth Father stole something from her at birth that she needs. Unfortunately Tria is tricked into an awful blood bond by a person of great power.💔😡 It's all in order to get to where her Father is - Past the veil in the Fae World!😲

She's framed & being sent to Darkwater Prison. She needs to try & get to the Reformatory once she's there she's just not sure how!!🙈😕 It's a violent & cruel place where death is expected more often than not. She makes some friends quickly, Jacey & Brodin, although he's sworn to kill her so he's more of a frenemy!🙏 They also find another surprising buddy, Akimi.

This is full of fear & tension. There's no sugar coating their circumstances.😱 I loved Tria in the Crystalwing Academy Series & this was cemented in this book. She was much more emotionally vulnerable in this book I thought, which was understandable.😢 Brodin is a bit of an enigma, they're all carrying secrets but why does someone want him dead??😕 Jacey seems sweet but broken & I'm a little hesitant about Akimi but will remain hopeful.🙏 I love Kai 😍💙 I hope book #2 releases early!!🙏🍀

Debbie, 1970, UK
Profile Image for Holly Vincent.
70 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2020
** I’m volunteering to review this arc ****

I enjoyed this story and loved the characters. Tria is in search for her father because he took something from her. She goes to see the Master Seeker to find out where her father is located, in doing so in order to get the information she has to do a blood bond in order to get the information. She does the blood bond and finds out that her father is at Darkwater Reformatory and now she has to someone named Brodin and kill him. If she does kill Brodin then she will be released. She doesn’t want to kill anyone, but when she gets sent back to the academy she gets framed for murder. During her time in court and her trip to Darkwater she meets this handsome and mad guy, which she learns is Brodin. She learns that Brodin wants her dead. Will Tria see her father? Will she get what was taken from her? Will she get out of the blood bond? Will she kill Brodin? Will she survive Darkwater prison and reformatory? Will she make it to the reformatory? Will her and Brodin stop fighting there attraction for each other? Will Brodin kill her?

I look forward for the next book called Wicked Challenge: Darkwater Reformatory.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,180 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2020
Tria wanted to find her birth father badly. She was told to see the master seeker. He tells her he will help her, but she has to do a blood promise. When she finds out how she will get to her father, it is the worst way possible. She is held for the death of her professor. She is now being sent to the Darkwater Prison. Right now the only way out is to kill someone named Brodin.
She is being set there with the guy that attacked her, she finds out that he is the professor's son. He decides to give her a chance to prove her innocence to him. If she doesn't he plans on killing her. She finds out that he is the she is supposed to kill. She starts to have feelings for him. There things going on at the prison she doesn't want to be involved in. She just wants to get to her father.

This was a great beginning to new series. There are some many great moments, you will enjoy getting lost in it. I recommend reading this.
Profile Image for Joey Paul.
Author 23 books588 followers
September 25, 2020
I picked this up because of the cover and blurb and dived right in, getting lost in the world and the characters. Tria is sentenced to life in prison, but she’s there for a reason, one she’s sold on and another she’s been forced into. I read through this book in one sitting and couldn’t help but be amazed at the world building, and the thought that went into all of it. Overall, a quick read for me, but leaves me wanting more, that ending made me wish there was more to the book, and I’ll have to keep an eye out for book two! Recommended for all those who love the fantasy and paranormal!
21 reviews
March 6, 2022
The protagonist is literally the worst.

I like a character that learns from their mistakes. This character makes the same mistakes over and over. Doesn't run when she needs to. Stops to have a conversation when death is one foot away. Hesitates every single time to take any sort of action.
Not going to read the second book. I just don't want to read how she screws up another 75 times.
824 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2023
Enjoyable read!

I have read a box set by Marty Mayberry, and for some reason, I washable to leave a review.

I'm so pleased to be able to do so, especially as this particular series (Darkwater Reformatory) is about the sister from the box set.

I enjoyed this first book in this series, it was an interesting and entertaining read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Vicki Cawley.
18 reviews
April 30, 2020
It is a very fast - paced book with little to no down time. Something dangerous/action - filled is always happening. This is my first book in this world, and I'm guessing if I had read Crystal Wing Academy I would have known more about Tria. I feel that there is a lot to learn about the characters in this book, and hopefully they can be discovered in the next book.
Profile Image for Jennifer Mullins.
477 reviews17 followers
May 1, 2020
This was a great start to the series! There’s a lot of mystery and action with an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance budding. I like Tria and her “roommate” Jayce and their cohort of allies/friends they meet along the way. There’s a big cliff hanger and the end and I can’t to see what happens the next book!

Thank you the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,444 reviews48 followers
May 16, 2020
Wicked Betrayal by Marty Mayberry is an amazing story to read. This is book number one in this amazing series that I have loved reading and am hooked can not wait to read the next book in this amazing series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic and fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Essiery.
206 reviews3 followers
June 10, 2020
I was blown away by how good this book is. I've had it in my shelf for a while and had forgotten about it until I was reminded recently. I'm sorry it took me so long to pick it up. It was awesome!! Full of action, romance, and everything else. I was at the edge of my seat from the start. It's really good! Can't wait to keep reading this series.
23 reviews32 followers
November 30, 2020
The adventures of Tria and her friends start here. I was captivated by the twists and turns at every chapter and finished the book in less than a day. I would suggest reading the Crystal Wing Academy series before this one. Not because it's necessary to understand this story but because they're also excellent books and they are loosely tied together.
96 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2023
I’ll admit that I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I wasn’t super engaged or invested until the end of the book. I will read the next one because I want to know what happens but I don’t know that I will read this series again.

I wish there was some more details about the different types of magic and I want more depth with the characters.
Profile Image for Whitney.
1,014 reviews5 followers
May 22, 2020
A joy to read and the wicked acts that took place are naughty but the heroine keeps you rooting for her. She’s a heroine who doesn’t give up. Her love interests are epic

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
402 reviews3 followers
June 4, 2020
I frigging loved this general fantasy romance read, couldnt put it down, can not wait for more, highly reccommend

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
124 reviews
September 4, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this story. The first 45% of the book , overall, seemed a little slow to me. It then picked up some; however, I still wanted to get to the end of it so I could go on to something else.
Profile Image for Pat .
4,015 reviews20 followers
May 16, 2020
Exciting book with lots of twists. The storyline was super and it was thrilling to read. Characters were superb
Profile Image for Dawn Milligan.
2,317 reviews13 followers
May 19, 2020
This book has some fantastic characters! Well written and great world building I look forward to more in this series!!😮💕🤯
Profile Image for Siyka.
1,085 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2020
I likedTria and her determination, her choices, and her enemies.
There were fantasy, action, and secrets. There were good guys and bad guys, romantic interests, and inconvenient circumstances.

7 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2021
Interesting.

It isn’t my favorite, but it is interesting enough. I liked the storyline with Fleur better. Universe is creative at least.
Profile Image for Diana.
7 reviews
February 1, 2022
Not bad. It's YA from what I've seen so far heading into the 3rd and final book. A new twist. I read crystal wing academy 1st and it comes before this.
Profile Image for Doris Stillings.
91 reviews
October 27, 2023
Magic and murder

You like magic? Who dies? A prison that holds both. This was a good book with many twists. I liked the good friends that stick together through all the trials.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
18.7k reviews310 followers
May 16, 2020
World-building is an art since to build that world in the imagination, the author has to paint a detailed mind picture that puts the reader right there in the story. This author very obviously has that abililty! And it makes the story so much more an experience when it engages the reader’s senses and emotions. There are many challenges to deal with, so the action remains high and the suspense keeps things moving.

Tria, a Level Five Seeker, enters the deadly world of Darkwater. She was framed by the head of the Seeker's Guild for the murder of Professor Trarion and is expected to serve a life sentence with no chance of parole here on an island in the Fae world. Her birth father, Bastian Spires, is supposed to be in the youth section of the prison known as the Reformatory, unclear whether as the warden, a guard, the janitor, a teacher, or a fellow inmate, but he stole something from Tria when she was a baby, and she will relentlessly track him until she gets it back.

If successful in her mission, getting out will be the next big hurdle since a blood bond with Master Seeker Ramseff will require her to kill the wizard Brodin she is now falling for. It seems that nothing is ever easy!


Merged review:

World-building is an art since to build that world in the imagination, the author has to paint a detailed mind picture that puts the reader right there in the story. This author very obviously has that abililty! And it makes the story so much more an experience when it engages the reader’s senses and emotions. There are many challenges to deal with, so the action remains high and the suspense keeps things moving.

Tria, a Level Five Seeker, enters the deadly world of Darkwater. She was framed by the head of the Seeker's Guild for the murder of Professor Trarion and is expected to serve a life sentence with no chance of parole here on an island in the Fae world. Her birth father, Bastian Spires, is supposed to be in the youth section of the prison known as the Reformatory, unclear whether as the warden, a guard, the janitor, a teacher, or a fellow inmate, but he stole something from Tria when she was a baby, and she will relentlessly track him until she gets it back.

If successful in her mission, getting out will be the next big hurdle since a blood bond with Master Seeker Ramseff will require her to kill the wizard Brodin she is now falling for. It seems that nothing is ever easy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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