What do you think?
Legends of Elessia - Age of Rekindling #0.5
Blades of The Ice: A Tale of the Age of Rekindling
In a land ruled by patriarchy, an assassin sisterhood delivers justice from the shadows. Now, their mysterious patron has charged burly fighter Erika Langeshen and lithe shadow-stalker Annah Barksdottir with uncovering a plot against the very rulers that have mistreated and oppressed them their whole lives. Their quest will take them to a faraway village on the borders of the Razor Teeth Woods, where they will need to use all the tricks of their trade to build a base of power and expose the machinations of the local lord and his allies. But before they do, they must break into one of the Patriarchate's fortresses and retrieve an unlikely ally…
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2023
About the author
Luís Falcão de Magalhães
18 books49 followersMy name is Luis, and I’m the black sheep of the family.
Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, I was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. I threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.
I’ve since traveled the breadth of my homeland, picking up tales here and there. I’ve dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; I’ve sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls. I’ve joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; I’ve locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.
But two things sing to my soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries.
To contribute to those, I have made my life’s work.
Stay a while, and listen…
Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, I was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. I threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.
I’ve since traveled the breadth of my homeland, picking up tales here and there. I’ve dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; I’ve sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls. I’ve joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; I’ve locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.
But two things sing to my soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries.
To contribute to those, I have made my life’s work.
Stay a while, and listen…
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 15, 2023
I received this novella to judge for SFINCS. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This novella features a gritty fantasy world and focuses on a group of assassins. They moonlight as s*x workers, blacksmiths, medical stall workers, all with the aim of collecting information on their marks and raising a little funds. They have all been recruited by a masked-wearing man, one that seems to know all, and has the plans kept mostly mum.
In one scene, they focus on saving a captured priestess turned new member of their group. Call it an unannounced recruitment. It was in this scene that I felt like it hit a bit of a stride. It was explained that each woman had a different but pivotal role, and here it was showcased. Annah is the blade in the night, while Erika is more of a heavy hitter.
The finale takes off with them reaching a new area and needing to take out three cronies before getting to the big bad. This felt like an in depth Assassin’s Creed scene or set, which if you know me, I love AC, so this was a huge part of my enjoyment with this novella.
The action/assassinations were all unique and well written, and I enjoyed taking the journey with them. I will say that the characters worked much more as the group then on their own for me, but I think with that could be changed in a full novel.
Personally a 4/5*
This novella features a gritty fantasy world and focuses on a group of assassins. They moonlight as s*x workers, blacksmiths, medical stall workers, all with the aim of collecting information on their marks and raising a little funds. They have all been recruited by a masked-wearing man, one that seems to know all, and has the plans kept mostly mum.
In one scene, they focus on saving a captured priestess turned new member of their group. Call it an unannounced recruitment. It was in this scene that I felt like it hit a bit of a stride. It was explained that each woman had a different but pivotal role, and here it was showcased. Annah is the blade in the night, while Erika is more of a heavy hitter.
The finale takes off with them reaching a new area and needing to take out three cronies before getting to the big bad. This felt like an in depth Assassin’s Creed scene or set, which if you know me, I love AC, so this was a huge part of my enjoyment with this novella.
The action/assassinations were all unique and well written, and I enjoyed taking the journey with them. I will say that the characters worked much more as the group then on their own for me, but I think with that could be changed in a full novel.
Personally a 4/5*
September 25, 2023
My first foray into Luís's works did not disappoint! Blades of the Ice is furious and unrelenting as it catapults us through a plot of subterfuge and slaughter. The action is crisp and choreographed, and it packs in a ton of it!
Our crew of dubious heroines was all-around likable and had a rapport with each other that was fun to witness. While there wasn't exactly growth to speak of for most of them (except for the side character, Martha), there was plenty enough going on in this short space that it never felt like an issue.
The patriarchal world in which the story is placed is unforgiving, yet our heroines seem to have adapted fluidly to it. My only hesitancy is in how little of a psychological burden this places on one of our point-of-view characters, Annah, who seems to have few compunctions about either of her professions as a prostitute and assassin. Yet, with Mariza (another of the crew) demonstrating some of that with her addiction and drug abuse, I'm inclined to trust Luís in the vision he's written.
Whatever your view on the author's treatment of the subject, you must admit he invokes it in a provocative and overall thoughtful way. It certainly instigated discussion between my wife and I as we sorted through our thoughts!
All in all, it's a triumph of a novella. I look forward to reading more of Luís's stories - I know I'll be in good hands!
Our crew of dubious heroines was all-around likable and had a rapport with each other that was fun to witness. While there wasn't exactly growth to speak of for most of them (except for the side character, Martha), there was plenty enough going on in this short space that it never felt like an issue.
The patriarchal world in which the story is placed is unforgiving, yet our heroines seem to have adapted fluidly to it. My only hesitancy is in how little of a psychological burden this places on one of our point-of-view characters, Annah, who seems to have few compunctions about either of her professions as a prostitute and assassin. Yet, with Mariza (another of the crew) demonstrating some of that with her addiction and drug abuse, I'm inclined to trust Luís in the vision he's written.
Whatever your view on the author's treatment of the subject, you must admit he invokes it in a provocative and overall thoughtful way. It certainly instigated discussion between my wife and I as we sorted through our thoughts!
All in all, it's a triumph of a novella. I look forward to reading more of Luís's stories - I know I'll be in good hands!
June 18, 2023
Adrenaline acceleration!
A daring mission into a guarded fortress. Death always a possibility. For members of a sisterhood of assassins a welcome challenge.
Novella blazing with action. Great characters with tons of tricks up their sleeves. Prequel for SPFBO9 entry Daughter of the Ice.
A daring mission into a guarded fortress. Death always a possibility. For members of a sisterhood of assassins a welcome challenge.
Novella blazing with action. Great characters with tons of tricks up their sleeves. Prequel for SPFBO9 entry Daughter of the Ice.
Read
December 12, 2023Rtc
November 4, 2023
Unfortunately, this story did not work for me. The writing is competent, and the action scenes are tight, but I failed to connect with any of the characters, and I never really got invested in what they tried to do.
The story follows an all female group of rogues and assassins fighting against a ruling power that goes by the name of the Patriarchy. The group frees a young witch from the clutches of the Patriarchy, and then they set out to investigate an evil lord who's plotting against the Patriarchy.
Sure, the evil lord and his henchmen are truly despicable figures who deserve what's coming for them, but it still seemed like an odd choice to tell the story like that. Basically, our heroines spend a lot of time, effort, and blood on thwarting the people trying to bring down their enemy. The evil lord would probably have been an even worse ruler than the Patriarchy, but the story barely acknowledges that aspect and instead focus on action and fighting.
Normally, I don't let storytelling decisions like that bother me while reading, but since I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story, I kept thinking about and questioning what I was reading.
A big part of what makes a story come alive for me is the characters. Blades of the Ice is told from two different points of view – Erika and Annah. Both characters are members of the group of rogues and assassins, and both of them are similar enough I had a hard time telling them apart. One of them kept remarking on how she was less good at fighting than the other, and that's about it. Neither of them changed in any meaningful way during the story.
All that said, the prose was smooth and easy to read, and the fight scenes were well done, so if you're looking for a quick read with some slick action, you might want to check this out.
Disclaimer: I read this book as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship where I’m part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my own thoughts and may not reflect the opinion or final rating of the team.
The story follows an all female group of rogues and assassins fighting against a ruling power that goes by the name of the Patriarchy. The group frees a young witch from the clutches of the Patriarchy, and then they set out to investigate an evil lord who's plotting against the Patriarchy.
Sure, the evil lord and his henchmen are truly despicable figures who deserve what's coming for them, but it still seemed like an odd choice to tell the story like that. Basically, our heroines spend a lot of time, effort, and blood on thwarting the people trying to bring down their enemy. The evil lord would probably have been an even worse ruler than the Patriarchy, but the story barely acknowledges that aspect and instead focus on action and fighting.
Normally, I don't let storytelling decisions like that bother me while reading, but since I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story, I kept thinking about and questioning what I was reading.
A big part of what makes a story come alive for me is the characters. Blades of the Ice is told from two different points of view – Erika and Annah. Both characters are members of the group of rogues and assassins, and both of them are similar enough I had a hard time telling them apart. One of them kept remarking on how she was less good at fighting than the other, and that's about it. Neither of them changed in any meaningful way during the story.
All that said, the prose was smooth and easy to read, and the fight scenes were well done, so if you're looking for a quick read with some slick action, you might want to check this out.
Disclaimer: I read this book as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship where I’m part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my own thoughts and may not reflect the opinion or final rating of the team.
June 20, 2023
This is the third Legends of Elessia book I’ve read to date, and I enjoyed it just as much as the others. The characters are interesting and their story is engaging, making it hard to put down. As a consequence, this novella only took a couple of hours to read, meaning I have plenty of time to move on to my next adventure in Elessia! Keep them coming Luís!
August 14, 2023
This makes a good prequel apart from the lack of introduction of the characters. I suppose with it being written after the originals it would seem irrelevant but I have not read them and had no idea who had which profession apart from the priestess. I enjoyed the book as a novella but as all my books are electronic, for me the series ends as book 2 is only on paperback.
March 29, 2024
This book was reviewed as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, or SFINCS, which I am judging as part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my honest thoughts and does not represent the opinion or final rating of the team.
Based on the cover art and description of Blades of the Ice, I went into this one thinking it may be YA fantasy, though it soon proved my assumptions incorrect. Female authors often have their books miscast as YA, even when books are clearly labelled as adult, and here I was falling to those same prejudices. Doubly so, when the author is male! But I digress. Blades of the Ice is more of a traditional fantasy with a nordic flavour, as you may guess from the Ice part of the title. It centres around a band of female assassins with a job to do.
Characters
Blades of the Ice is written from the POV of two of the assassin characters; Annah, the stealthy one, and Erika, the burly fighter, and the story switches between them throughout. Both bring their own strengths to their missions and are aided by an additional companion, Mariza, who spends more time getting high than getting her hands dirty, and Martha, a druid-like woman who was captured for being a ‘witch’ and who aids the team in more subtle ways. I love seeing all-women bands coming together for a cause, especially if that cause is violence. The team work together well and I enjoyed the banter between them. However, Mariza and Martha’s names are a bit too similar for my liking. The POV chapters between Annah and Erika weren’t too dissimilar either, meaning I sometimes couldn’t tell them apart. Throughout the story it’s Martha who undergoes the most character development, emerging from a shy prisoner to a force to be reckoned with.
The problem with assassin characters is that there’s a risk of them being overpowered or over skilled, which I think is the case here. Despite the threat they face and the many challenges and battles, Annah and Erika handle them with minimal effort and largely come out unscathed. There’s simply not enough tension or reason to worry about these characters. They also moonlight as sex workers frequently throughout the story, and take a rather blasé attitude toward it. I’ve nothing against sex work in reality and prefer sex-positive characters, but the frequency borders on tasteless to me, especially when they’re scrounging up money for stew. They’re assassins. Surely stealing some food wouldn’t be above their abilities?
This, and their skills as assassins, makes the story read as a power fantasy to me. For some readers, that may be what they’re looking for, but for me, it came across as juvenile and lacking in character development.
Setting
The setting is perfect for this time of year and is based on a nordic/medieval settlement during the winter that gave me Skyrim and Elden Ring vibes. The author did a great job of establishing the setting and also the atmosphere, especially during scenes where the characters were forced to huddle together around a campfire. The world veers on the grimdark side of gritty as the lower classes, and women especially, are often abused.
Plot
As mentioned above, I felt as though the plot didn’t have enough tension or stakes. The plot itself is quite straightforward – our assassins are tasked with taking down the lord of a northern town who threatens the ruling leaders, who are a literal patriarchy. The patriarchy itself is considered to be ‘bad’ and yet the assassin group takes on a mission to keep them in power. This part confused me, as reading the blurb to the book, I was expecting a ‘smash the patriarchy’ plot going in, and throughout the book we read descriptions of how terrible the world is for women. As this is a prequel book, I’m not sure if this will be addressed and our plucky assassins actually set out to get rid of the patriarchy as promised.
The plot, then, moves at a fairly fast pace, with plenty of action and fighting scenes as our assassins attempt to take down the lord and their minions. As this is a prequel, there’s much of the larger world we don’t know about, including how the assassins came to be and what their goals really are. However, I feel like Blades of the Ice works well as a standalone story and doesn’t require knowledge of the series to read. There’s also a scene at the end that obviously hints at the main series.
Writing
I found the writing style easy to read and with a fast pace, though some of the battle scenes were hard to follow.
Enjoyment
There were parts of Blades of the Ice that I enjoyed, and parts, such as the character development, that I found frustrating. If you can ignore some of the logical inconsistencies of female assassins helping to maintain the patriarchy, then this novella is a short action-packed romp. For me, however, I couldn’t ignore those aspects.
Cover Art and Formatting
I absolutely have to mention the beautiful cover art, which is what instantly drew me to this book. The illustrated character does look a bit young, hence why I misjudged it as a YA book, but the detail of the character and cover in general is absolutely gorgeous and one of the best covers in the competition. The ebook is also beautifully formatted throughout, though sadly, no map!
Based on the cover art and description of Blades of the Ice, I went into this one thinking it may be YA fantasy, though it soon proved my assumptions incorrect. Female authors often have their books miscast as YA, even when books are clearly labelled as adult, and here I was falling to those same prejudices. Doubly so, when the author is male! But I digress. Blades of the Ice is more of a traditional fantasy with a nordic flavour, as you may guess from the Ice part of the title. It centres around a band of female assassins with a job to do.
Characters
Blades of the Ice is written from the POV of two of the assassin characters; Annah, the stealthy one, and Erika, the burly fighter, and the story switches between them throughout. Both bring their own strengths to their missions and are aided by an additional companion, Mariza, who spends more time getting high than getting her hands dirty, and Martha, a druid-like woman who was captured for being a ‘witch’ and who aids the team in more subtle ways. I love seeing all-women bands coming together for a cause, especially if that cause is violence. The team work together well and I enjoyed the banter between them. However, Mariza and Martha’s names are a bit too similar for my liking. The POV chapters between Annah and Erika weren’t too dissimilar either, meaning I sometimes couldn’t tell them apart. Throughout the story it’s Martha who undergoes the most character development, emerging from a shy prisoner to a force to be reckoned with.
The problem with assassin characters is that there’s a risk of them being overpowered or over skilled, which I think is the case here. Despite the threat they face and the many challenges and battles, Annah and Erika handle them with minimal effort and largely come out unscathed. There’s simply not enough tension or reason to worry about these characters. They also moonlight as sex workers frequently throughout the story, and take a rather blasé attitude toward it. I’ve nothing against sex work in reality and prefer sex-positive characters, but the frequency borders on tasteless to me, especially when they’re scrounging up money for stew. They’re assassins. Surely stealing some food wouldn’t be above their abilities?
This, and their skills as assassins, makes the story read as a power fantasy to me. For some readers, that may be what they’re looking for, but for me, it came across as juvenile and lacking in character development.
Setting
The setting is perfect for this time of year and is based on a nordic/medieval settlement during the winter that gave me Skyrim and Elden Ring vibes. The author did a great job of establishing the setting and also the atmosphere, especially during scenes where the characters were forced to huddle together around a campfire. The world veers on the grimdark side of gritty as the lower classes, and women especially, are often abused.
Plot
As mentioned above, I felt as though the plot didn’t have enough tension or stakes. The plot itself is quite straightforward – our assassins are tasked with taking down the lord of a northern town who threatens the ruling leaders, who are a literal patriarchy. The patriarchy itself is considered to be ‘bad’ and yet the assassin group takes on a mission to keep them in power. This part confused me, as reading the blurb to the book, I was expecting a ‘smash the patriarchy’ plot going in, and throughout the book we read descriptions of how terrible the world is for women. As this is a prequel book, I’m not sure if this will be addressed and our plucky assassins actually set out to get rid of the patriarchy as promised.
The plot, then, moves at a fairly fast pace, with plenty of action and fighting scenes as our assassins attempt to take down the lord and their minions. As this is a prequel, there’s much of the larger world we don’t know about, including how the assassins came to be and what their goals really are. However, I feel like Blades of the Ice works well as a standalone story and doesn’t require knowledge of the series to read. There’s also a scene at the end that obviously hints at the main series.
Writing
I found the writing style easy to read and with a fast pace, though some of the battle scenes were hard to follow.
Enjoyment
There were parts of Blades of the Ice that I enjoyed, and parts, such as the character development, that I found frustrating. If you can ignore some of the logical inconsistencies of female assassins helping to maintain the patriarchy, then this novella is a short action-packed romp. For me, however, I couldn’t ignore those aspects.
Cover Art and Formatting
I absolutely have to mention the beautiful cover art, which is what instantly drew me to this book. The illustrated character does look a bit young, hence why I misjudged it as a YA book, but the detail of the character and cover in general is absolutely gorgeous and one of the best covers in the competition. The ebook is also beautifully formatted throughout, though sadly, no map!
May 6, 2024
Short and shallow.
4 women working for a masked man.
Didn't actually get to know any of them.
4 women working for a masked man.
Didn't actually get to know any of them.
June 21, 2023
Blades of The Ice, the first book in the Legends of Elessia series by Luís Falcão de Magalhães, immerses readers in a world ruled by a patriarchal society, where justice is clandestinely served by an enigmatic assassin sisterhood. In this captivating tale, Erika Langeshen, a strong and formidable fighter, and Annah Barksdottir, a skilled shadow-stalker, are chosen by the sisterhood's mysterious patron to unravel a dangerous plot against the oppressive rulers who have mistreated them their entire lives.
Their mission takes them to a remote village on the fringes of the perilous Razor Teeth Woods, where they must utilize their unique skills to establish a power base and expose the schemes of the local lord and his allies. However, before they can proceed, they are tasked with a daring heist—a break-in at one of the Patriarchate's fortresses to retrieve an unlikely ally.
Luís Falcão de Magalhães weaves a gripping narrative filled with intrigue, action, and a richly developed world. The contrast between the strong and resilient Erika and the stealthy and elusive Annah adds depth to the story, showcasing their unique abilities and the challenges they face as they navigate their treacherous journey.
Blades of The Ice sets the stage for an epic adventure, as Erika and Annah confront not only external threats but also the deep-rooted prejudices and gender-based oppression ingrained within their society. The author deftly explores themes of power, loyalty, and the quest for justice, while also painting a vivid picture of the world they inhabit.
With its immersive world-building, well-drawn characters, and a plot brimming with tension and surprises, Blades of The Ice is an enthralling start to the Legends of Elessia series. Readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages, eager to join Erika and Annah on their daring quest to challenge the established order and forge their own destinies.
Their mission takes them to a remote village on the fringes of the perilous Razor Teeth Woods, where they must utilize their unique skills to establish a power base and expose the schemes of the local lord and his allies. However, before they can proceed, they are tasked with a daring heist—a break-in at one of the Patriarchate's fortresses to retrieve an unlikely ally.
Luís Falcão de Magalhães weaves a gripping narrative filled with intrigue, action, and a richly developed world. The contrast between the strong and resilient Erika and the stealthy and elusive Annah adds depth to the story, showcasing their unique abilities and the challenges they face as they navigate their treacherous journey.
Blades of The Ice sets the stage for an epic adventure, as Erika and Annah confront not only external threats but also the deep-rooted prejudices and gender-based oppression ingrained within their society. The author deftly explores themes of power, loyalty, and the quest for justice, while also painting a vivid picture of the world they inhabit.
With its immersive world-building, well-drawn characters, and a plot brimming with tension and surprises, Blades of The Ice is an enthralling start to the Legends of Elessia series. Readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages, eager to join Erika and Annah on their daring quest to challenge the established order and forge their own destinies.
January 5, 2024
Blades of the Ice is Book 0 in the Age of Rekindling series. Since I'm writing this review before reading the first book, I can't tell how this novella fits into the series, but I plan to update my review as soon as I finish it.
The story is essentially a quest adventure, as stated in the blurb. It’s a brief tale that you can enjoy even without reading the entire series afterward, but the fantasy elements presented are solid. If you're a fan of epic fantasy and wish to support an indie author, this book might be worth reading.
Despite the brevity of the story, the writing style and execution narrate what the plot is meant to and unveil some rules of the world we are set in.
Nonetheless, I was a bit disappointed with the way the characters were portrayed.
I was intrigued by the main characters being women and members of an assassin sisterhood. From the first chapter, we understand that these women had a rough life before joining the sisterhood. Their patron saved them, and they're loyal to him. They follow his directives and act as mercenaries. Although I wish the author could do better in portraying their personalities. Yes, they fight, and they're ruthless, each with different nuances. I appreciated that some of them were more merciful, though they did what they had to. What I didn't enjoy was that, instead of overcoming their past, they were using those same methods to survive. I would have liked to see something different. I believe it would have been more realistic if they were trying to heal from past traumas, supporting each other while carrying out their job. As the series progresses, I hope they will be further developed as the storyline unfolds.
In conclusion, it was an enjoyable read, but I think a novella isn't the best way to delve into an epic fantasy saga. If this story plays an essential role for the series’ storyline, I would have rather read it as an intermezzo in a major book.
I recommend checking content warnings before reading this book. Content warnings include rape, violence, gore, and foul language.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is essentially a quest adventure, as stated in the blurb. It’s a brief tale that you can enjoy even without reading the entire series afterward, but the fantasy elements presented are solid. If you're a fan of epic fantasy and wish to support an indie author, this book might be worth reading.
Despite the brevity of the story, the writing style and execution narrate what the plot is meant to and unveil some rules of the world we are set in.
Nonetheless, I was a bit disappointed with the way the characters were portrayed.
I was intrigued by the main characters being women and members of an assassin sisterhood. From the first chapter, we understand that these women had a rough life before joining the sisterhood. Their patron saved them, and they're loyal to him. They follow his directives and act as mercenaries. Although I wish the author could do better in portraying their personalities. Yes, they fight, and they're ruthless, each with different nuances. I appreciated that some of them were more merciful, though they did what they had to. What I didn't enjoy was that, instead of overcoming their past, they were using those same methods to survive. I would have liked to see something different. I believe it would have been more realistic if they were trying to heal from past traumas, supporting each other while carrying out their job. As the series progresses, I hope they will be further developed as the storyline unfolds.
In conclusion, it was an enjoyable read, but I think a novella isn't the best way to delve into an epic fantasy saga. If this story plays an essential role for the series’ storyline, I would have rather read it as an intermezzo in a major book.
I recommend checking content warnings before reading this book. Content warnings include rape, violence, gore, and foul language.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 21, 2024
Setting:
The setting of this book is a fairly typical low fantasy world that seems generally unpleasant to live in.
Characters:
Annah: A prostitute.
Erika: The muscle of the group.
Mariza: Another prostitute.
Martha: A former priestess.
Plot:
Three assassin/spy ladies have been tasked by their masked leader with going and seeing if a local lord has designs against the ruler of the land. They will be taking along the new recruit, a recently freed girl accused of being a witch, on this job
My Thoughts:
It’s fine. It’s a perfectly competent story that has no major downfalls but also no real shining moments of interest. If you’ve read any significant amount of fantasy, you’ll have seen everything here before.
I think the main thing that holds this story back is its length. Since this was a novella there just isn’t enough time to really flesh out all four of the main characters leading to them all feeling bland and one-note. There isn’t time for a twisting and interesting plot so the story comes off feeling predictable and like everything works out very easily for the protagonists. There isn’t time to really explain the world much, leading to it largely feeling like a copy of Sapkowski’s Witcher or Abercrombie’s First Law.
If this story had the breathing room of a full length novel, these things could easily have been addressed. I do think the author did a fairly decent job at trying to fit ten pounds into a five pound sack. I will reiterate that I really don’t think there’s any major flaws here. Maybe if there had been only one or two girls instead of four or the number of bad guys they have to deal with had been reduced then this would have been a bit less of an issue but as is the story is perfectly fine but it is a bit lacking in flair or reasons why I would recommend this specifically over a dozen other novels.
The setting of this book is a fairly typical low fantasy world that seems generally unpleasant to live in.
Characters:
Annah: A prostitute.
Erika: The muscle of the group.
Mariza: Another prostitute.
Martha: A former priestess.
Plot:
Three assassin/spy ladies have been tasked by their masked leader with going and seeing if a local lord has designs against the ruler of the land. They will be taking along the new recruit, a recently freed girl accused of being a witch, on this job
My Thoughts:
It’s fine. It’s a perfectly competent story that has no major downfalls but also no real shining moments of interest. If you’ve read any significant amount of fantasy, you’ll have seen everything here before.
I think the main thing that holds this story back is its length. Since this was a novella there just isn’t enough time to really flesh out all four of the main characters leading to them all feeling bland and one-note. There isn’t time for a twisting and interesting plot so the story comes off feeling predictable and like everything works out very easily for the protagonists. There isn’t time to really explain the world much, leading to it largely feeling like a copy of Sapkowski’s Witcher or Abercrombie’s First Law.
If this story had the breathing room of a full length novel, these things could easily have been addressed. I do think the author did a fairly decent job at trying to fit ten pounds into a five pound sack. I will reiterate that I really don’t think there’s any major flaws here. Maybe if there had been only one or two girls instead of four or the number of bad guys they have to deal with had been reduced then this would have been a bit less of an issue but as is the story is perfectly fine but it is a bit lacking in flair or reasons why I would recommend this specifically over a dozen other novels.
June 20, 2023
Blades of the Ice reads very much like an Assassin's Creed video game level. I felt like I was doing a few side mission for Desmond Miles' ancestors as I read. Discovering and then researching a target. Sneaking to learn that target's habits.
The story follows mainly Annah (which I couldn't help but notice is Hanna backwards) and Erika. Members of the Sisterhood of the Severed Hand, a group of women assassins led by a mysterious Masked Man. Their goal is to manage and mitigate damage for the betterment of their sovereignty. What can go wrong there right? A nameless man leading a group of women, who's goal is ambiguous. That's just the perfect set up for mischief.
Annah is a bit naive and has a lot to learn, but is capable and eager. Erika is more experienced and jaded, filling in where others lack and educating Annah where she can. They, along with a woman who's talent is charm, and another that doubles as a healer, they make a complete team. Their task, to stop a plot against the Head Patriarch.
The story is well written. Very little left up to imagination. Characters each had their talents and a developed personality. A couple moments were a bit blunt and crude, which still fit the characters, given their choice of employment. The action was easy to follow. Like I said, I could picture this easily as playing a video game. Leads up well for the book it's intended to introduce, The Daughter of The Ice.
The story follows mainly Annah (which I couldn't help but notice is Hanna backwards) and Erika. Members of the Sisterhood of the Severed Hand, a group of women assassins led by a mysterious Masked Man. Their goal is to manage and mitigate damage for the betterment of their sovereignty. What can go wrong there right? A nameless man leading a group of women, who's goal is ambiguous. That's just the perfect set up for mischief.
Annah is a bit naive and has a lot to learn, but is capable and eager. Erika is more experienced and jaded, filling in where others lack and educating Annah where she can. They, along with a woman who's talent is charm, and another that doubles as a healer, they make a complete team. Their task, to stop a plot against the Head Patriarch.
The story is well written. Very little left up to imagination. Characters each had their talents and a developed personality. A couple moments were a bit blunt and crude, which still fit the characters, given their choice of employment. The action was easy to follow. Like I said, I could picture this easily as playing a video game. Leads up well for the book it's intended to introduce, The Daughter of The Ice.
June 15, 2023
RELEASES 15 JUNE!
A band of ‘Janes-of-all-trades’ on the road to make some coin
Gentle hands for healing and nimble fingers for sewing can usually earn a sparse meal and a functional fireplace for the night.
In addition to being a good tale of do-gooders (the worlds need more of them), this could also be a commentary on female empowerment in a male-dominated culture. It certainly doesn’t hurt to be well-versed in the art of archery…or to be built like a blacksmith.
A warning from the author for newcomers in a small town:
‘Nobody knows you, yet everybody knows about you’, so you just might be the first and foremost suspects when things go down. Keep a low profile and play nice.
Some sage advice from the author:
It’s never a brilliant plan to hunt starving wolves (two-legged or four-…)
Best way to stay out of trouble is to remain unnoticeable and low on the rung
Fave quotes:
‘The Ice always leaves, but not empty-handed.’
‘A purpose … breeds loyalty like no amount of gold can buy and no amount of fear can enforce.’
‘May The Daughter of The Ice smile upon you as you walk through the Snows’
I’ve already enjoyed ‘Daughter of the Ice’, so next for me is ‘The Champion of The Ice’ (expected mid-July). In the meantime, I have the author’s ‘Shadows of Garm’ books 1-3 to keep me occupied (‘A Silvery Moon’, ‘Mask of the Eternal Moon’, and ‘A Sundered Moon’) as well as the short story collection 'The Rose and the Knight'.
A band of ‘Janes-of-all-trades’ on the road to make some coin
Gentle hands for healing and nimble fingers for sewing can usually earn a sparse meal and a functional fireplace for the night.
In addition to being a good tale of do-gooders (the worlds need more of them), this could also be a commentary on female empowerment in a male-dominated culture. It certainly doesn’t hurt to be well-versed in the art of archery…or to be built like a blacksmith.
A warning from the author for newcomers in a small town:
‘Nobody knows you, yet everybody knows about you’, so you just might be the first and foremost suspects when things go down. Keep a low profile and play nice.
Some sage advice from the author:
It’s never a brilliant plan to hunt starving wolves (two-legged or four-…)
Best way to stay out of trouble is to remain unnoticeable and low on the rung
Fave quotes:
‘The Ice always leaves, but not empty-handed.’
‘A purpose … breeds loyalty like no amount of gold can buy and no amount of fear can enforce.’
‘May The Daughter of The Ice smile upon you as you walk through the Snows’
I’ve already enjoyed ‘Daughter of the Ice’, so next for me is ‘The Champion of The Ice’ (expected mid-July). In the meantime, I have the author’s ‘Shadows of Garm’ books 1-3 to keep me occupied (‘A Silvery Moon’, ‘Mask of the Eternal Moon’, and ‘A Sundered Moon’) as well as the short story collection 'The Rose and the Knight'.
December 8, 2023
Wow! What a pleasant discovery that was! I didn't know what to expect from a 100 pages book but certainly not that amazingly well rounded, action-packed story.
From the very first pages we deep dive in a fight scene that introduces us to our main characters, Anna and Erika. The two women are part of a secret group called the severed hand. They are spies, assassins, shadows.
As they leave for a new mission, they must do whatever it takes to figure out the secret conspiracy to overthrow the current government.
I really enjoyed the fast pace story. Read it in a hour, two at the top. The characters were interesting with a healthy dose of humor to lift the spirit from the darker aspects of the story. The worlbuilding was easy to follow without being overly simplistic.
I will for sure read the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the very first pages we deep dive in a fight scene that introduces us to our main characters, Anna and Erika. The two women are part of a secret group called the severed hand. They are spies, assassins, shadows.
As they leave for a new mission, they must do whatever it takes to figure out the secret conspiracy to overthrow the current government.
I really enjoyed the fast pace story. Read it in a hour, two at the top. The characters were interesting with a healthy dose of humor to lift the spirit from the darker aspects of the story. The worlbuilding was easy to follow without being overly simplistic.
I will for sure read the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2025
Blades of The Ice offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre with its gritty realism and strong female leads. Erika and Annah make a compelling duo—fierce, flawed, and determined. The world-building feels grounded, with just enough intrigue to keep things moving without overwhelming the reader. What I appreciated most was how the story balanced action with personal stakes; it's not just about taking down corrupt rulers but also about survival and sisterhood. The writing style is accessible and fast-paced, making it an easy read despite the darker themes. It's not a flashy epic, but it sticks with you in quieter ways. If you’re into grounded fantasy with a rebellious edge, this one is worth checking out.
October 4, 2025
So this is super weird and it happens very rarely and I don’t know why, but reading this book was difficult to read because while I read the words, my mind would wander and then I wouldn’t have any idea what just happen. Like I would read 3 pages and then wonder what just happened and I had to really concentrate and read it again.
It had nothing to do to with the story itself. I really liked the story. It was short, sweet to the point. However, there are some questions like who is the Patrianarakaris (can’t spell but that’s what my mind read)
4 women team up to assassinate an evil lord. Totally deserved the way he went too.
TRIGGER WARNING: SA is heavy
It had nothing to do to with the story itself. I really liked the story. It was short, sweet to the point. However, there are some questions like who is the Patrianarakaris (can’t spell but that’s what my mind read)
4 women team up to assassinate an evil lord. Totally deserved the way he went too.
TRIGGER WARNING: SA is heavy
June 19, 2023
A solid little novella. Not too long but a good introduction to the world of Elessia. While I was reading it I could definitely imagine it leading into an epic fantasy. I like that the book was very harsh at its core. You have characters with unsavory professions who are realistic with not only their lot in life but also other peoples and don’t necessarily pass judgement on them for what they need to do to survive. The characters can have dark demeanors but also have other facets to them as well.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 13, 2023
Thank You BookSirens and Luis Falcao de Magalhaes
An Epic Fantasy Novella of the Legends of Elessia. The Patriarchate Men were brutal and ran the town with an iron fist. A group of mercenary women are sent on a quest to find out about what the Lord and his Lieutenants were up to. Did this men plan to take down the Head Patriarch? What did the Dire Wolves have to do with the Castle and the towns people? To find the answer to these questions, I recommend you read the story to find out.
An Epic Fantasy Novella of the Legends of Elessia. The Patriarchate Men were brutal and ran the town with an iron fist. A group of mercenary women are sent on a quest to find out about what the Lord and his Lieutenants were up to. Did this men plan to take down the Head Patriarch? What did the Dire Wolves have to do with the Castle and the towns people? To find the answer to these questions, I recommend you read the story to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2023
Blades of The Ice
by Luis Falcao de Magalhaes
I received an ARC copy for Review.Set in the underworld of the cold city states of northern Elesia where it is a blade(be-lay-aids) for hire, it is an animation about the characters of Annah and Erika.The two ladies fight their foes using blades , even as Erika is described as been as sharp as a blade in a world of luring men to bed by women to kill them in line with the law of the daumtes;soldier attacks and the daughter of ice
by Luis Falcao de Magalhaes
I received an ARC copy for Review.Set in the underworld of the cold city states of northern Elesia where it is a blade(be-lay-aids) for hire, it is an animation about the characters of Annah and Erika.The two ladies fight their foes using blades , even as Erika is described as been as sharp as a blade in a world of luring men to bed by women to kill them in line with the law of the daumtes;soldier attacks and the daughter of ice
July 7, 2023
This was a very interesting read! The fact that we had a band of badass females was amazing. This being the introduction to the actual series, I would say this wasn't too long and really set the pace for the epic adventures i can only imagine are in the series!
I enjoyed seeing the range that these gals had and how they each had their own role and were able to depend on each other so well! Overall I enjoyed the book!
I enjoyed seeing the range that these gals had and how they each had their own role and were able to depend on each other so well! Overall I enjoyed the book!
July 31, 2023
I have not read any of the others in the series but I would imagine that this would be a good back story for this. The characters are very intense and quite interesting. I had a lot of questions about their motivation but I wonder if these may have been answered in the other stories. Still, an interesting fast paced story with intriguing characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 15, 2023
An excellent prequel to set up this series.
If you enjoy stories with strong women, then this is a series for you.
This band of women have come from all walks of life and all have different abilities that compliment the group. They fight to right the wrongs of the evil doers. A magical journey to be enjoyed by all.
I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you enjoy stories with strong women, then this is a series for you.
This band of women have come from all walks of life and all have different abilities that compliment the group. They fight to right the wrongs of the evil doers. A magical journey to be enjoyed by all.
I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2024
1.5 Stars
This… really wasn’t my jam. I had gone into this book expecting it to be much more heavy in plot and that the characters would be fleshed out more, but everything felt so rushed and mundane.
I didn’t feel connected to the story in anyway, it just… was a book to me. I wouldn’t recommend it.
That being said, I do feel as if the writing is good, it’s just the execution could be better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This… really wasn’t my jam. I had gone into this book expecting it to be much more heavy in plot and that the characters would be fleshed out more, but everything felt so rushed and mundane.
I didn’t feel connected to the story in anyway, it just… was a book to me. I wouldn’t recommend it.
That being said, I do feel as if the writing is good, it’s just the execution could be better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 14, 2023
A prequel to the Age of Rekindling series in the Legends of Elessia by Luis Falcao de Magalhaes.
The main series is excellent and the author has enriched his world building with this prequel and other short stories to fill in background information on the main characters.
Brilliant characters and an intriguing plot make all of the authors books in this series practically unputdownable
The main series is excellent and the author has enriched his world building with this prequel and other short stories to fill in background information on the main characters.
Brilliant characters and an intriguing plot make all of the authors books in this series practically unputdownable
August 12, 2023
A short read but has a lot of exciting character build up and action, mysterious adventure. The potential for story development is there and will follow the series. A recommended short read for any age.
3.6/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3.6/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2023
A good short story presenting a bunch of thieves/assassins women, each with different skills. Only as a group they could achieve their goal.
Both the female side and the dark point of view combine in an interesting way of adventuring unusual in fantasy books.
Refreshing and entertaining it worth a try.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Both the female side and the dark point of view combine in an interesting way of adventuring unusual in fantasy books.
Refreshing and entertaining it worth a try.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 18, 2024
The Blades are awesome!
Great start and story to welcome me to the land, people and heroes that might otherwise be normal. But these individuals are anything but normal as the action and dialog help entertain and push the story along keeping the action and curiosity at a high level . I can’t wait to continue…
Great start and story to welcome me to the land, people and heroes that might otherwise be normal. But these individuals are anything but normal as the action and dialog help entertain and push the story along keeping the action and curiosity at a high level . I can’t wait to continue…
June 19, 2023
I found this short tale filled with action and adventure, The female characters were well written and very lifelike.
I did wish for a little more world building. An author to look forward to.
I received an ARC and chose to leave this review.
I did wish for a little more world building. An author to look forward to.
I received an ARC and chose to leave this review.
July 1, 2023
Excellent. Non-stop action. Excellent dialogue for adult audiences which I love. Fast paced action and fighting sequences. It had it all and I am surely reading this entire series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews