Sword of Hemlock

by Jordan MacLean

"Renda, you miss the war like an old love, and in the missing, you forget the bad of it. The dead, the maimed. Sure you'd not take it all back."
"Would I not?"

For Renda, Knight Commander of the Knights of Brannagh, peace doesn't sit well. Born and trained from childhood to be the ultimate weapon in Syon's struggle to end the Five Hundred Years War, she feels crude and out of place in a world at peace. She longs to return to battle.
But when her seven-year-old niece goes missing, a sinister chain of events and a terrifying new enemy leave Renda longing for the peace she scorned.

Plague.
Magic.
Gods bound and chained...

Through this new war, she must reconcile her dual lives as Renda the knight and Renda the maid in order to save her world.
For prophecy is a delicate thing.

Genres: Fantasy

ebook

First published January 31, 2013

About the author

For some people, it's the sight of a mountain they haven't climbed. For others, it's all about seeing a stretch of road they haven't run. For me, there's nothing more wonderful or terrifying in this world than a blank page, whether it's an actual sheet of paper or a new file in my editor. "I dare you!" it says. "Go on, then, say something! Assert a truth, give life to someone extraordinary! Create a world!"

Terrifying, as I say. So I spent many years NOT being a writer, NOT rising to that challenge. I suppose I can call those my Hemingway years, spent doing everything BUT writing. I was a symphony cellist and a software engineer, I was an actor and director for the stage and a filmmaker. But my greatest joy still came from writing. There is no greater thrill for a playwright than to see actors bring her characters to life and for an audience to fall in love with them just as she fell in love with them in the writing. It was that thrill that got me to return to writing novels full time.

I currently live in North Carolina with my partner and my cats. When I'm not working (and my editor isn't looking), I run, practice aikido, play computer games and remodel my hundred year old house.

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not sure I was going to get into the book before I started since it has to catch me just right. Once I started reading it I had trouble putting it down. The flowing of the story was pretty good as well and now I just have to wait for the next one to be released. Waiting is not terribly easy but I think it is worth it.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a little slow to get into, but picks up well through the mass of the volume. I am looking forward to learning more about Dith and the rest of the secondary players.

[Sally Singles · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't wit to read her next book... wonderful writer

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Can't wait for the next. Definitely a good find for adventure type series

[Katheryn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best new books I have read in a very long time. I re-read my favorites when new books are not available, but Sword of Hemlock was excellent and is now on my favorites list.

[Susan]

It was pretty good, but something about it couldn't keep me very interested. Despit this, I do suggest that you read the book. It was good.