A review by prologue_n_chill
Betrayals of the Broken by Jaime L. Tlax

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

💥 Initial Reaction:

Is this really a debut?! Because Jaime L. Tlax kicked down the door with Betrayals of the Broken and gave us a dark fantasy romance that is intense, emotional, twisted, and downright addictive. I was hooked from page one—and left wrecked by the cliffhanger ending.

💡 What Drew Me In:

I’m a sucker for dark fantasy with complex characters and dangerous tension, and this delivered. The enemies-to-lovers slow burn between Ever and her prison guard Elivander is seething with angst, power play, and banter. But what really gripped me was the plot. So many moments had me gasping, yelling “WTF just happened??” at my Kindle like a lunatic.

🌍 Worldbuilding & Tropes:

Tlax weaves a rich, brutal world where cruelty and magic rule. Caldera and Sonnet are starkly different realms, and the culture clash between them adds real depth. The “Hollows” concept—those believed to have stolen magic—sets up a tense, high-stakes situation that goes way beyond a typical captivity romance. There’s also just enough backstory to make you hungry for more without info-dumping. Tropes you’ll love (or fear): forced proximity, enemies to lovers, obsessive antihero, morally grey characters, dark secrets, found family trauma, and more.

👥 Characters:

Ever is the mouthy, reckless, brave FMC I live for. She’s got fire and heart, and she doesn’t let the horrors around her dim that spark. Elivander? Whew. He is completely unhinged, obsessive, and 100% problematic… but once you find out why, everything changes. He’s as layered as he is terrifying, and somehow Tlax makes you feel for him in spite of yourself. Their chemistry? Explosive. The banter? Sharp. The emotional rollercoaster? Unrelenting.

📈 Pacing & Plot:

Tight, tense, and twisty. The pacing never lets up, and every chapter ends with you desperate to know what happens next. There are no filler scenes here—everything pushes the story (and your emotions) further off the ledge. The ending? Absolutely deranged in the best way. I’m still recovering.

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:

Massive list—and all deserved. Torture, abuse, captivity, obsession, violence, and more. Tlax doesn’t flinch. This is not a fluffy fantasy—it’s intense, dark, and deeply emotional. But if you can stomach the shadows, the payoff is worth it.

🧾 Final Thoughts:

Betrayals of the Broken is one of those books you devour and then immediately regret finishing because you need the sequel yesterday. Jaime L. Tlax crafted a heart-pounding debut that mixes fantasy, trauma, romance, and survival in ways that will leave you breathless. I’m obsessed—and I’m not okay. If you love dark fantasy with jaw-dropping twists, feral romance, and a heroine who refuses to break, this one’s for you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail