The Traitor's Game

The Traitor’s Game (2018) is the first book in a young adult fantasy trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The novel revolves around Kestra Dallisor, a young woman who is unwillingly recruited into a scheme to bring down the cruel ruler of her country of Antora. Helping her is a childhood friend, Simon, who turns from her captor into an ally. As Kestra fights to outwit her enemies and find her path, she struggles with Coming to Terms with Identity and Heritage, Recognizing and Choosing Moral Good, and The Importance of Challenging Injustice and Abuse of Power.

Nielsen has written several fantasy books for young readers, including the Underworld Chronicles, the Ascendance series, and the Mark of the Thief series. She also writes historical fiction for middle-grade readers, including the titles One Wrong Step (2025) and Uprising (2024). The Traitor’s Game was a New York Times bestseller. The second book in the series is The Deceiver’s Heart (2019), and the final installment is The Warrior’s Curse (2020).

This guide uses the 2018 Scholastic hardcover edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of graphic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, death, child abuse, and bullying.

Plot Summary

Kestra Dallisor is the only child of Henry Dallisor, who is the chief advisor to the ruler of Antora, Lord Endrick. Endrick is from a tribe of magic-wielders, the Endreans. During the War of Devastation that took place before Kestra’s birth, Endrick used his magic to lead the Dallisors to victory against the opposing family, the Halderians. Endrick seized the Scarlet Throne of Antora, exiled the Halderians—who are now known as “the Banished”—and hunted down and killed every Endrean he could find to steal their magic and increase his own power. Endrick’s cruel and absolute reign is referred to as “the Dominion,” and he employs ruthless soldiers known as Ironhearts.

Kestra, now 16, is traveling back to her home of Woodcourt after a three-year exile in the Lava Fields. Shortly after the death of her mother, Lily Dallisor, Kestra was kidnapped by Halderians and held prisoner for four days. She was rescued by a man named Darrow, who went into exile with her and who has spent the past three years teaching Kestra how to use weapons. She is also accompanied by her maid, Celia. Kestra’s carriage is stopped by a group of rebels known as the Coracks, who are led by a man named Tenger.

The goal of the Corack rebellion is to remove Lord Endrick from rule. They believe the way to do this is to find a dagger known as the Olden Blade, which is infused with Lord Endrick’s power and is the only weapon that can defeat him. The Olden Blade is said to have disappeared in the dungeons of Kestra’s home when her father, Sir Henry Dallisor, imprisoned and executed Risha Halderian, who tried to use the Olden Blade to assassinate Endrick. Risha’s Endrean maid, Anaya, was killed at the same time.

Tenger wants Kestra to find the Olden Blade and bring it to him so the Blade can identify the Infidante, the one person who can kill Endrick. Kestra doesn’t want to comply, as this act will make her a traitor to her family and her people. However, Tenger says he will kill Celia and Darrow if Kestra doesn’t act. He sends two other rebels with Kestra: Trina, who is supposed to act as Kestra’s maid, and Simon, a young man of 17.

Kestra recognizes Simon as a boy who used to live in Woodcourt. They were on friendly terms until Kestra accused Simon of stealing a ring from her mother. Simon was whipped and imprisoned in the dungeons, where he escaped through an unguarded pit. He was then taken in by a man named Garr, who was killed by Henry Dallisor and left Simon his sword and a ring when he died. Despite himself, Simon feels drawn to Kestra as they set out on their mission, even though she vows to destroy the Coracks if she can.

They stop at an inn for the night and encounter a group of Halderians led by Thorne, the same man who kidnapped Kestra three years ago. Thorne has a sack to deliver to Kestra. Kestra escapes out a back way, and Simon and Trina go with her. When they arrive at Woodcourt, Kestra confronts her father, with whom she has never been on good terms. Henry says that Lord Endrick insists that Kestra marry Basil, prince of a rival country called Reddengrad, which Endrick wants to control. Kestra is disappointed that her father still doesn’t care for her. She knows she will lose her home for helping Trina and Simon, but she has to save Darrow and Celia.

A servant in the household, Gerald, gives Kestra a diary kept by her mother, Lily. He warns Kestra to return the book to her father’s library the next morning. When Kestra visits the library to return the diary, she encounters her father and Lord Endrick, who insists she marry Basil the next day. Kestra refuses. Endrick overpowers her with a weapon called a grip glove and orders that Kestra be sent to the dungeons. Simon goes with her. Kestra asks to be sent to the same cell where Anaya was held.

In the dungeons, Simon and Kestra find an inscription on the wall that Kestra believes is a prophecy. As Kestra leaves the dungeons with Trina, she sees more prisoners being brought in, including Tenger. Her father says they will be killed that evening. Kestra meets with Basil, who advises Kestra to flee and offers to provide a horse. Kestra searches Lily’s room and finds the Olden Blade. That night, with Trina and Simon’s help, she returns to the dungeons to free the prisoners. In assisting, Simon is left behind and captured by guards. Kestra gives Tenger a wrapped package she says is the Olden Blade, then stays to help Simon. They escape Woodcourt together.

After spending the night in the magical All Spirits Forest, which heals Simon’s wounds, Kestra and Simon make their way to Silven, the Corack stronghold. Simon asks Kestra to let him help her, but she believes she must act alone to save Antora. Tenger intercepts them and accuses Kestra of giving him a false blade. Kestra gives him the real Olden Blade and demands he release Darrow. Just then, Silven is attacked by Dominion soldiers, and the shop where Darrow was held is destroyed. Simon and Kestra escape and meet up with Tenger and Trina.

The group travels to the Hiplands, where they plan to turn the Olden Blade over to the Halderians. The Halderians will then hold a ceremony where the Olden Blade will identify the Infidante, the person who can challenge Endrick. The Infidante will also have the power to name Endrick’s successor. Trina believes the Olden Blade will proclaim her the Infidante, and she plans to name Tenger the new ruler.

At the ceremony, Kestra challenges Trina, and it is revealed that Kestra’s mother was not Lily Dallisor but Anaya, the servant of Risha Halderian. This means Kestra is part Endrean. Thorne Halderian, who is at the ceremony, confirms that Kestra’s father was Darrow, who was Halderian. Thorne encourages Kestra to claim the Olden Blade, and the relic proves that Kestra is the Infidante. She wants to make Simon the next king. Again, Simon offers to help her, but Kestra decides she must challenge Endrick alone, and rides away. Simon vows to follow.