The Blacksmith's Daughter

by Arley Cole

Acwellen Lex'Magen rules as liege lord of a small country bounded by forbidding mountains and powerful neighbors. When the neighboring baron, allied with a powerful wizard, attempts to take over his land, first by political, then by covert means, Acwellen finds an ally of his own in Enith Roweson, an unassuming blacksmith who possesses powers he's only known of in legends. As he attempts to unravel both the plots against him----including the nature of the monsters sent to assassinate him----and the mysterious powers Enith is only beginning to understand she has, he also finds himself falling in love with the blacksmith's daughter.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2011

Reviews

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...

Enith is no lady. She’s the blacksmith’s daughter and is living with her uncle and his family after her father’s death. His wife tries to teach her appropriate ladylike talents, but the lessons don’t take. Enith likes working with metal and that’s it. Then a silly princess comes to town and upsets her whole life…

Ms. Cole’s words wisk you away you on a magic-filled tour of a medieval world with predators that reminded me of ones I’d met in the Lord of the Rings series. It seems everyone has a bit of magic and many don’t know how to use it. That makes the story even more fun to read.

Juliana is in love with a guardsman and doesn’t want to marry the prince. Enith must challenge the right of Juliana to claim her betrothed to stop the marriage. The challenge turns into a sword fight between the two suitors and everybody is surprised when the prince actually marries Enith, right then and there in the courtyard. However, the parents involved are NOT charmed by it.

The author gives you ambushes, invigorated fights and near death on almost every page. You won’t be bored reading this story. I especially liked the fight between good and evil; magic was used for evil and foiled by good magic. It’s easy to pick out the good and bad characters in the story and it only took me a chapter to know that Enith and Acwellen are a good match for each other. The author takes you through an early romance that matures at the end of the story and it’s a sweet tale.

Ms. Cole also weaves enough nuances in the story to let you know that the adventure is not quite over. The evil wizard is still alive, Nerian (Acwellen’s best friend) has not realized all his potential yet, and it wouldn’t be hard to develop another book to continue the story.

I hope she does, I’d love to read more about this world and the characters that people it. If you like fantasy, I know you will too!

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Be honest with me, when you read the summary and you know this is a YA publishing imprint, would you think the main characters would be 28 and 32?
I sure didn't.

And I really don't mind them to be a bit older, it was just unexpected and I didn't really feel their actions fit their age. I mean, you're 28 and you've never known you had strange powers before? Seriously? This put me a bit off, as did the quick mastering of said powers. I like my characters to struggle and fainting cause you're using them wrong but still accomplishing everything you want doesn't count.

And another thing: at one point they're wondering which wizard is behind the attacks and they have not even the slightest clue as to who it could be. Even though Acwellen and his right hand managed to royally piss off one wizard together some years ago when they infiltrated his castle and defeat him. Really? I mean, seriously? Why does his name not come up instantly?

So I sound negative, but I'm really not! I really enjoyed this book! I just felt that it didn't know if it wanted to be YA or adult and was both and neither at times as a result. BUT: the magic is really intriguing and I really liked Acwellen, even if I don't like his name. Acwellen seemed like a charming, handsome, smart man and I like those things in my men ;) I'm also curious about his right hand, who is so sceptic towards Enith's powers, I'm wondering what made him so.

I thought the romance was sweet, though it was a bit weird that they married two seconds after meeting and though she never acted like it, Enith admitted to having had a crush on him since she was 12. But they were really cute together and I liked that Enith wasn't some helpless maiden, but knew how to fight and has kickass powers! I'm thinking this is part of a series, but I can't find information about this anywhere. If you know more about it, let me know!

My rating: 3 stars

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to say thank you to the author for giving me a copy of this book for a review... First I was hesitant, b/c I thought it was going to be more of a "historical" type read... NOPE, it's set back in time but it doesn't have that type of feel. It has some excellent writing in it, and it had me cheering for Enith. I gotta say, this one has some fun little plotting in it, and wouldn't you know, it's kinda got a Cinderella feel to it... but with more mean bad guys and more travelling throught the woods hahahaha Enith tries to do the right thing by trying to help out the baron's daughter from a forced, not-wanted, arranged marriage to the Lord Acwellen (I've nick-named him "my welly" LOL). It's more of a fantasy fairy tale. There's sword fighting, and monsters, and bad rich people, and evil wizards, and good ones too, and HOT royalty :) It's a good read, really!!

Enith has been used by her aunt and uncle in her father's blacksmith shop, but she loves her trade and takes great pleasure in being a blacksmith. She was only trying to help, but got herself wrangled into a marriage to the Lord Acwellen, and then off they set on an adventure back to his homeland. She is strong, and sweet, but independent without being unladylike. & she is a totally awesome sword maker & sword fighter :)

Acwellen- yep, he's the hot royalty. He, in attempt to try to get out of a predicament & to please his people, marries Enith which causes total uproar from the bad guys! :) Even his guards question this, but he's "towns people" seem so thrilled that he married a "peasant". And he's trying to find out how all these "monsters" are getting in his land, and attacking his people. He's such a good guy :)

Magic, and adventure, and sword fights... yep this one is a good one :) It get's 4.5 stars for me!!

[Lydia Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review posted here

So, I expected good. I mean, when Pam from Bookalicious started hyping this book I figured it had to be good – I trust her judgement, and so I took the leap. I was not disappointed.

There’s something about good, wholesome, feel-good, fairy-tale-like fantasies that just make my heart warm, give me goosebumps and cause my to walk around my house with my nose buried in the book (or in this case, pressed to the screen of my Kindle). Arley Cole takes tried and true methods to set up the scene, providing her readers with an incredibly strong female heroine who is smart, sassy, strong, clever, and magical – all combined into a short package. And I loved her.

This book has tricks being played, wars being planned, good and evil wizards, mean fathers, a ditzy girl, loyal followers, strong hero and heroine, history, world-building and more. And best of all – for those of you who are scared of getting into the reading of a fantasy book, this is what I like to call “Fantasy-lite”. Yes, there are strange names and beings – but it’s all put together in a nice package that will have you flipping pages in your hurry to get to the next one, rather than using the book (like some seriously intense fantasies inspire me to do) for a coaster.

I very much recommend picking up this book, especially if you have a teenage son or daughter interested in fantasy. It’s good, clean fun.

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blacksmith's Daughter started out promising and never disappointed. In the protagonist, Enith, you have an unconventional, pint-sized heroine you can root for the whole way through. She's plucky and can swing a sword, but she's still emotionally vulnerable. I really enjoyed her sense of quiet competence, especially when contrasted with the more flighty Juliana. As the story progresses, Enith begins to discover who she is--as a woman as well as someone with extraordinary talents. I loved the character of Acwellen, who rises to the challenge of having been thrust into a situation not entirely of his making. He's a noble man, willing to look beyond the obvious to see the beauty within. I also became fond of Acwellen's friend, Nerian. He started out thorny, but grew on me. I hope to see more of his story in the sequel.

Cole lifts The Blacksmith's Daughter out of the ordinary sword and sorcery trope by crafting unique characters that are interesting and engaging. The combat scenes were handled well. Kudos to Arley Cole. My son, 13, devoured the novel in one sitting, and begged me for the sequel.

[Alisa Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known since sophomore year at college that this roommate of mine would one day get her work published, and at long last it has happened! I am so excited to recommend her to fantasy lovers - you will not be disappointed, I assure you. She is a talented and special lady, a true Dixie Belle, with a fantastic imagination and superb writing ability. Download her ebook today on your favorite ereader, make yourself a nice "not-too-hot" cup of coffee in her honor, go sit on your porch, prop up your feet, and enjoy the crisp autumn air as you immerse yourself in the world of The Blacksmith's Daughter!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Wow! Just wow! Every page of the story unfolded towards the epic climax that never quite faded into a resolution (hint, hint I am betting there is going to be a second!). It was absolutely fantastic! Ugh! No words can explain the why I am feeling right now! JUST READ THE BOOK!

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, can't wait for The Merchants Son.

[McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend kept on me that I had to read this book, glad she didn't give up the first time I said I didn't read YA. I might be hooked. Great book.

[Rebecca Sullivan]

Haven't read it yet because I can't find it, but miss Arley Cole as Arcole writes some really good fanfiction on fanfiction.net, so I'm really excited. Plus, it's my genre. Getting pumped.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not read this book. Originally, I gave it a 3 star rating, believing it to be the interesting start to a trilogy by a new author. However, almost 10 years have passed: no sequel. Unfortunately, the author did not finish a story arc in the first book and left the reader hanging. Forever. I hope there isn’t a tragic reason she never finished writing this story.

[Heidi Vanlandingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Blacksmith’s Daughter” is a well-written fantasy reminiscent of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with a lot of the same fantastical creatures. The names of the towns and locations also reminded me of Middle Earth. Even with the rush of information and numerous character introductions in the beginning, Cole’s voice and smooth story flow drew me into her believable tale.

Enith is one of the most likeable heroines I have read. She is strong-willed but isn’t overbearing--there’s no whining; however, the secondary character Juliana gets that trait. Enith’s acceptance of magic is a refreshing change from the normal strife authors have their characters go through.

Acwellen is also a refreshing hero. He’s strong and accepting, which is different from the normal ‘problems’ between heroes and heroines and Arley Cole concentrates more on outside influences causing the necessary strife in this tale.

I also liked Acwellen’s best friend, Nerian. Cole gives him the negative, darker personality, which will lead nicely into his own story, which she is currently working on.

High praise for Arley Cole’s story weaving in “The Blacksmith’s Daughter” and her recent win in the OKWRA’s International Digital Awards contest. I definitely recommend this book to anyone – male or female, young or old - as a great read.

[Carol Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this young adult adventure because it reads fast and lacks the darker aspects of so many modern adult novels. Have been reading the "Clash of Thrones" series and can say that the "Blacksmith's Daughter" contains many of the same elements: medieval fantasy setting , well drawn characters and supernatural creatures. I thought her use of magic was quite distinctive. I was especially struck by her weaving magic and song to the work of the blacksmith. There is plenty of swordplay, court intrigue and romance. Would highly recommend this to those who liked Tolkien's The Hobbit but were not ready for Lord of the Rings!

[Miko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I wasn't so sure after the prologue, but I really got into it. I didn't give it 5 stars though because I feel like it was too short and there was plenty of material there to expand on.

[Colette Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it, but I was never fully engaged. Though well-written, I don't think it reached professional level. Still, it was worth the price and a fun story.