I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two men from different worlds are drawn together and caught in a battle far more ancient and deadly than they could ever imagine in author Liz Sauco’s “Lost Blades”, the first book in the Blades of the Goddess Series.
The Synopsis
As the world ends once more, the Goddess chooses who she will wield against Abomination
In Lyndiniam: A street thief attempts a heist far more ambitious than anything he has done before, but due to circumstances outside his control, finds himself locked up for crimes he both did and did not commit. A strange woman with abilities Jamirh does not understand breaks him out, and he finds himself on the run – fleeing to Romanii, a country he thought no longer existed.
In Ni Fon: A shinobi is banished by the Empress for killing her daughter and his fiancée, Princess Hotaru. This is a ploy, however – Takeshi is still working for Ni Fon despite the murder, trying to learn information about a rebellion against the Rose Empire that Ni Fon will be able to leverage to regain their own freedom.
Though thousands of miles apart, both Jamirh and Takeshi find themselves pulled into an ancient struggle between forces far beyond anything they have ever dreamed of, whether they want to be or not.
Lost Blades is the first book in Blades of the Goddess, a high fantasy series with urban and sci-fi elements. This series will appeal to all ages, especially fans of the Shannara Chronicles, the Chronicles of Amber, and the Heralds of Valdemar.
The Review
This was such a compelling and exhilarating read. The author did an incredible job of creating a rich and vastly developed fantasy world. The detail the author went into when developing these lands and the scenes in each chapter really made the action and character interactions that developed feel much more vivid and alive on the page.
To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the dynamic character development and incredible mythology the author developed. The way the author was able to infuse so many elements of sci-fi, high fantasy, and urban fantasy all at once made this book so gripping in its delivery. The various cultures and backgrounds that these characters come from and the way each protagonist plays into this ancient battle of wills will instantly draw the reader into the story.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, and enthralling, author Liz Sauco’s “Lost Blades is a must-read high fantasy novel of 2023. The chilling yet engaging nature of the larger elements of destiny and fate that play into the character’s journey and the incredible depth of world-building and mythos that made this world feel alive and new all at once will have readers eager for the next entry in this brand new fantasy series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on September 12th, 2023!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
I’ve always loved stories. The more fantastical, the better. Unicorns were an early favorite of mine; I must have watched The Last Unicorn a thousand times as a child, driving my parents to near insanity. I devoured every book I could get my hands on – trips to Barnes and Noble were hotly anticipated.
Anime (thanks, Toonami!) and video games were other favorites. I watched Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Gundam Wing, played Zelda and Mario. Mythology also grabbed me, made me think of how other cultures viewed the world.
And eventually… I began telling my own stories. I’m grateful to have found readers like you who want to explore the world I’ve created, and walk a few miles with the characters I love. Thank you!
