Length: 339 pgs.
Author: Christa Paige
This book was generously gifted to me by the author, Christa Paige, due to our longstanding friendship. Just kidding, I basically begged her for it and am so happy that she obliged!
With so many books out there in this genre, it's hard for a story stand out, but Mated in Treason is one of my favorite PNR books that I've ever read. The vampire world constructed here is unique to anything else I've come across for many reasons; one of them being that in this world (the world of Kan Asma) you can't choose your mate. Women must go through a horrific testing process followed by a goblet ceremony that ultimately binds them to their lifelong mate based on a DNA match and Council-selected applicants. Whether they love that person or not doesn't matter. They could be mated to someone and live a long, miserable life together, bound by resentment and unhappiness. Nadia's parents, for example, have been married most of their lives and share a child together, but not a bed-or even a bedroom.
Nadia is a female vampire who is nearing 40, works as a nurse in a vampire hospital and lives with her parents. Her mother anxiously awaits her goblet ceremony but Nadia feels otherwise when she meets Gunnar, who ends up in her hospital after being injured in an explosion. The attraction is instant as is their chemistry, but they both know there's no chance of them being mated by the Council due to their difference in social status.
That doesn't keep them from ultimately starting a secret relationship however. While this is going on Nadia's chosen for a Goblet ceremony and the archaic process she's put through during her DNA testing is disturbing to say the least. There's also an underground revolt brewing against the ruling members of Kan Asma, and Nadia and Gunnar soon find themselves among this faction.
I was on pins and needles throughout the book wondering how they were going to get themselves out of their mess, how Nadia was going to avoid a goblet ceremony-IF she managed to avoid it-and how they were both going to escape the faction without harm. Christa Paige is excellent at creating a tense environment - at about 75% I knew something wasn't right, and so did Nadia and Gunnar, but how exactly it was going to play out was anyone's guess.
I wish I could do the book justice with my review but there's so many aspects of the story that I loved from the writing to the origin of the Kan Asma, to Nadia & Gunnar together, to Nadia herself as a relatable character, to the Kan Asma hierarchy and traditions. I would recommend this book if you enjoy this genre because it will likely end up being a favorite. I will definitely be continuing this series.
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