Reviewed: November 17th 2024
Released: July 20th, 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy
A young man with no past must progress into a warrior out of legend.
Cinder Shade’s life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is a driving imperative—to protect those who can’t defend themselves and become a warrior worthy of the name.
He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are made evident and the language of steel is made clear. When he earns a place at a prestigious elven warrior academy, Cinder fights to enhance his knowledge and perhaps even humble the proud elves who believe no human is their equal.
His hard-earned skills are put to the test when strange rumblings emanate from deep in the Dagger Mountains. Monsters out of myth emerge. And so does something far worse . . .
An ancient god. The world believes this deity long dead, but he is very much alive. And he remembers his enemies all too well. Even if they don’t remember themselves.
Helen’s Thoughts: 5/5
I haven’t enjoyed an epic fantasy book like this is a long time. Enter a vast and complex world, one that a mere human must travel and decipher to grow into his abilities and achieve his destiny.
The characters are beautifully portrayed, the world anchored in a far reaching history and clouded in myth, much of it corrupted. Depending on who you listen to, you may recieve a different telling.
Blended into this rich and vibrant world is one man’s coming of age, and his difficult journey which is only the start of all he must learn. He is joined by by a plethora of comrades; human, dwarf and elf, all with different viewpoints that only enrich the tale.
An excellent start to the series, and now we have a taste of the landscape, there is so much more to come. Unputdownable, this is a series you will want to inhale. I know intend to!
Purchase A Testament of Steel –
Link to book on Amazon UK: ebook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: ebook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series and now Harmony, a dystopian science fantasy.
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