Where Traitors Fall

Where Traitors Fall picks up about a year after Crowned a Traitor. Klara is now Queen of Malum, but a crown doesn’t make ruling any easier. She’s trying to rebuild her kingdom and make life better for its people. Unfortunately, some of the people in power aren’t thrilled to have a young queen who thinks for herself—and Klara has never been great at keeping her opinions to herself.

I was happy to be back with Klara. She’s still stubborn, sarcastic, and occasionally impulsive, but she cares deeply about the people of Malum. I liked seeing her listen to their concerns and stand up for them, even when it causes trouble with people much more powerful than she is. She doesn’t suddenly become a perfect queen just because she has a crown, and honestly, that would have been a bit suspicious.

Klara also has her hands full with Lottie and the lycaons. Alpha Matthias wants more control over Lottie, and Klara wants to protect her. Their relationship continues to grow as Lottie gets older and more independent. Klara is learning that protecting someone doesn’t mean making every decision for them, even when letting go is hard. I enjoyed their bond and their disagreements. Matthias, on the other hand, did not win me over. The more I learned about what he wanted, the less patience I had for him.

Then supernatural creatures start disappearing after they cross into Kalos. Klara investigates, and what she finds shows that the fae kingdom isn’t as lovely as it looks. I enjoyed getting to see more of Kalos and the different creatures who live there. Kate continues to build a world with its own history, abilities, and tensions between its many supernatural groups. The darker fairy-tale elements, especially the discoveries surrounding the Gingerbread Factory, give the story some unsettling moments and show why Klara is so determined to change things.

There’s a lot going on: political trouble, missing creatures, family secrets, and people who aren’t always honest about what they want. I liked trying to figure out who Klara could trust, and I enjoyed seeing familiar characters like Henrietta, Lokey, and the others take on bigger roles. Klara and Frendall have genuine affection, and I liked their quieter moments together. Their communication still needs work, though. I wanted them to be more open with each other instead of letting secrets and misunderstandings pile up.

The story kept me interested, but at times it moves on from one problem before the characters have fully dealt with the last one. Klara also has to defend her choices so often that I occasionally wished she could make progress without having the same arguments again. I understand that changing a kingdom takes time, and I liked that the book doesn’t make all her problems disappear just because she means well. I just wanted a little more time spent on the emotional fallout and consequences.

There’s a bit more heat between Klara and Frendall this time, with passionate kissing, undressing, and sensual touching. The intimate moments aren’t described in graphic detail, so the romance stays on the softer side while the larger story takes the lead.

And then there’s the ending. I won’t spoil it, but several things are left unresolved. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, especially when I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait for the next book. Still, I’m invested in Klara’s story and already want to know what happens next.

WOULD I RECOMMEND WHERE TRAITORS FALL? Absolutely. If you enjoyed Crowned a Traitor, I think you’ll enjoy continuing Klara’s story. It has supernatural creatures, political intrigue, family secrets, dangerous magic, action, and a stubborn heroine who isn’t easily intimidated. This is not a standalone. I’d recommend reading the first book before this one, and be ready to finish with unanswered questions.

MY FINAL VERDICT: I really enjoyed Where Traitors Fall. Klara is still one of my favorite parts of the series, and I liked seeing her take on the responsibilities of being queen without losing her sharp tongue or stubborn streak. The world keeps getting more layered, the supporting characters have more room to shine, and there’s plenty of trouble to keep things moving. I wanted more time for some relationships and conflicts to be worked through, but it’s still a solid four-star read for me, and I’m looking forward to Book 3.

Final Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)

NOTE: This review reflects the digital ARC version provided to me by the author as of October 19, 2026, and may not reflect any revisions, corrections, or updates made to subsequent editions.