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A review by kynthebookworm
Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not the best, not the worst.
There isn't honestly much to say about this it was just a kind of typical fantasy? I had elements I enjoyed like the social anxiety representation, the somewhat cozy feel of the journey, and the way the primary relationship developed, which were all pros. Still, there were some pretty significant flaws in this as well.
We start the book following a blacksmith named Ziva that is gifted to be able to make weapons and infuse them with her magic. She ends up being commissioned by one of the most powerful people in the world to make a sword that is the most powerful Ziva has ever made. The sword ends up being able to obtain people's secrets when it cuts them and that sets up the story.
Although the main character, Ziva, was relatable I found myself questioning her character because she would constantly go back and forth between what she wanted, which I understand is most likely what was meant to happen but I just found it repetitive. I did relate to her quite a bit though which contributed to my liking of her character overall.
The main love interest was interesting at first but as we go through the book he becomes more of a stereotype. Strong, handsome, and a softie with a hard exterior. I didn't dislike him though and he contributed to the storyline well.
Temra who is Ziva's sister is probably my favorite character. She is the person that Ziva feels she must protect but in most cases, Temra seems to protect Ziva instead. Temra proves that you can be flirty and boy-crazy while also being an extremely determined person and fighter. I also quite like her love interest, Petrick, and the way that they seem to be best friends even with Temra's constant flirting.
There are other characters but I honestly don't have much to say about them as they pretty much fit regular fantasy character molds. The plot was essentially a journey across the land because a villain was chasing the main characters, which was interesting to read but not anything very new. I did want to mention though that I found Ziva's power very interesting and I will probably read the second book just to get her and her mother's history.
Thanks to BookishFirst and Square Fish for a free copy of this book
There isn't honestly much to say about this it was just a kind of typical fantasy? I had elements I enjoyed like the social anxiety representation, the somewhat cozy feel of the journey, and the way the primary relationship developed, which were all pros. Still, there were some pretty significant flaws in this as well.
We start the book following a blacksmith named Ziva that is gifted to be able to make weapons and infuse them with her magic. She ends up being commissioned by one of the most powerful people in the world to make a sword that is the most powerful Ziva has ever made. The sword ends up being able to obtain people's secrets when it cuts them and that sets up the story.
Although the main character, Ziva, was relatable I found myself questioning her character because she would constantly go back and forth between what she wanted, which I understand is most likely what was meant to happen but I just found it repetitive. I did relate to her quite a bit though which contributed to my liking of her character overall.
The main love interest was interesting at first but as we go through the book he becomes more of a stereotype. Strong, handsome, and a softie with a hard exterior. I didn't dislike him though and he contributed to the storyline well.
Temra who is Ziva's sister is probably my favorite character. She is the person that Ziva feels she must protect but in most cases, Temra seems to protect Ziva instead. Temra proves that you can be flirty and boy-crazy while also being an extremely determined person and fighter. I also quite like her love interest, Petrick, and the way that they seem to be best friends even with Temra's constant flirting.
There are other characters but I honestly don't have much to say about them as they pretty much fit regular fantasy character molds. The plot was essentially a journey across the land because a villain was chasing the main characters, which was interesting to read but not anything very new. I did want to mention though that I found Ziva's power very interesting and I will probably read the second book just to get her and her mother's history.
Thanks to BookishFirst and Square Fish for a free copy of this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Panic attacks/disorders