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Sellswords & Spellweavers #7
Poet's Bane
An ancient legend. A mysterious evil. And - the mead of poetry ?
Liss Forlatt and Idun Wintermoon are on vacation at a beautiful villa retreat, a place as famous for its legendary beginnings as its year-round sunshine.
Technically, they’re the protection detail for the newly married jarl of Little Eerie and his wife. But in a place where rainclouds are the biggest threat on any given day, it might as well be a vacation.
Until a man winds up dead in connection with an ancient fable – the mead of poetry, the supposed font of divine inspiration that guides all poets and writers.
The pair must unravel fact from fiction, myth from history – and avoid the blade of a particularly nasty killer in the process.
Liss Forlatt and Idun Wintermoon are on vacation at a beautiful villa retreat, a place as famous for its legendary beginnings as its year-round sunshine.
Technically, they’re the protection detail for the newly married jarl of Little Eerie and his wife. But in a place where rainclouds are the biggest threat on any given day, it might as well be a vacation.
Until a man winds up dead in connection with an ancient fable – the mead of poetry, the supposed font of divine inspiration that guides all poets and writers.
The pair must unravel fact from fiction, myth from history – and avoid the blade of a particularly nasty killer in the process.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2023
About the author
Rachel Ford
74 books128 followersRachel Ford lives in beautiful Central Wisconsin. She is a programmer, who works in everything from SQL to .NET to Cisco CVP and IVR. Her latest foray into new and exciting things has been developing custom Java plugins for CVP applications.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2023
It took me some time to get into this story, I think because it’s been a while since I last read any of the earlier books in the series, but once I got pulled in, I finished it in a day. I kept turning the page at the end but, alas, it was the last page. This novel has everything people who enjoy fantasy and adventure will like – dragons, danger, conmen, and so on. Liss and Idun accompanied Knut and Vilde to visit a jarl and his town. Along the way they encounter a troupe of actors who sell a beverage that makes people feel enlightened in some way. They also find a dead man.
After some circuitous encounters and ideas, Idun insists they need to find out more about this elixir, so that takes them up a hill to explore some caves. That’s where things get exciting. Because they convince Brynjar, a member of the troupe, to help them seek answers, things take interesting and sometimes funny twists. It’s exciting and dangerous adventure, but also filled with levity at times. I've read almost all of Rachel Ford's books and this series may take the lead among my favorites soon. I received an ARC for an honest review.
After some circuitous encounters and ideas, Idun insists they need to find out more about this elixir, so that takes them up a hill to explore some caves. That’s where things get exciting. Because they convince Brynjar, a member of the troupe, to help them seek answers, things take interesting and sometimes funny twists. It’s exciting and dangerous adventure, but also filled with levity at times. I've read almost all of Rachel Ford's books and this series may take the lead among my favorites soon. I received an ARC for an honest review.
September 19, 2023
Poets Bane (Spellswords and Spellweavers series book 7)
Thank you Rachel Ford and Storyorigin for the arc for an unbiased review.
While I've enjoyed some of Rachel Ford's other books, this was the 1st time I'd read one from this series.
The immediate thing that struck me as I read, was it can standalone. And stands alone well.
You're immediately transported into a fantasy world, but with strong Norse themes that shine through.
While descriptions are detailed and rich, they're also nicely balanced. So it isn't a book I found difficult to really get to grips with. This is partly because it is fairly character driven. Yes, we have world building, but it doesn't overwhelm the senses.
I particularly enjoyed the main characters involved, quickly getting attached to Liss and Idun, as they begin their story.
It is a fairly slow yet steady opening. But don't be fooled, as the pace soon quickens and before long, I was as eager to find out what happens, as Idun was to find out about a strange elixir, thought lost over time.
A good solid read that I'd happily recommend, and has me going back to buy the previous books in the series.
5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Rachel Ford and Storyorigin for the arc for an unbiased review.
While I've enjoyed some of Rachel Ford's other books, this was the 1st time I'd read one from this series.
The immediate thing that struck me as I read, was it can standalone. And stands alone well.
You're immediately transported into a fantasy world, but with strong Norse themes that shine through.
While descriptions are detailed and rich, they're also nicely balanced. So it isn't a book I found difficult to really get to grips with. This is partly because it is fairly character driven. Yes, we have world building, but it doesn't overwhelm the senses.
I particularly enjoyed the main characters involved, quickly getting attached to Liss and Idun, as they begin their story.
It is a fairly slow yet steady opening. But don't be fooled, as the pace soon quickens and before long, I was as eager to find out what happens, as Idun was to find out about a strange elixir, thought lost over time.
A good solid read that I'd happily recommend, and has me going back to buy the previous books in the series.
5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 28, 2023
It should have been an easy assignment, but why would you possibly expect things to go as planned?
This is book seven of this series but it work well as a standalone. All the essential bits are explained early on.
This is a high fantasy story with magic and fantastic races. The story is well written and easy to read, something I have come to expect from our author and she never disappoints. The characters are also well developed and the true stars of the show. I love our two heroines and they way they continue to grow as characters and as a couple. The plot is also well thought out and complex, keeping us guessing as to what comes next. Overall, these elements all blend into a fantastic story that is hard to put down once you start. I am definitely hope to see more books in this series.
Highly recommended.
This is book seven of this series but it work well as a standalone. All the essential bits are explained early on.
This is a high fantasy story with magic and fantastic races. The story is well written and easy to read, something I have come to expect from our author and she never disappoints. The characters are also well developed and the true stars of the show. I love our two heroines and they way they continue to grow as characters and as a couple. The plot is also well thought out and complex, keeping us guessing as to what comes next. Overall, these elements all blend into a fantastic story that is hard to put down once you start. I am definitely hope to see more books in this series.
Highly recommended.
September 26, 2023
An interesting concept to show how greed and corruption can lead to the direst of consequences. The author takes quite a few chapters to lay the ground work and draw the reader in but manages to keep you entertained enough to want to reach the end. She does this through the clever use of a psychedelic mushroom, adventurous heroines, a likeable conman and the obligatory villain. This is a light fantasy, low angst read and although the main characters are in an established loving relationship it is not a driving point for the plot. It can be read as a standalone. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
October 10, 2023
This is the first book in the series I’ve read and I was pleased to find that it was a standalone although I am keen to read from the beginning book now too.
Liss and Idun are in Østhavn (with Knut and Vilde) and quickly become embroiled in investigating a body found in the sea. Day-Glo magic mushrooms, thespians and dragons follow in this intriguing tale.
I really enjoyed the world building and getting to know the characters. The story held my interest from the first page pretty much and I was sad to leave them behind at the end.
Liss and Idun are in Østhavn (with Knut and Vilde) and quickly become embroiled in investigating a body found in the sea. Day-Glo magic mushrooms, thespians and dragons follow in this intriguing tale.
I really enjoyed the world building and getting to know the characters. The story held my interest from the first page pretty much and I was sad to leave them behind at the end.
September 25, 2023
Lyss and Idun, attached to the King's house, are supposedly on vacation but pose as the Bodyguards of a Jarl.
One night, at a resort that some would refer to as a 5 Stars in our world, while taking a walk on the beach, they spot a human body floating in the water. Lyss is a former sellsword and Idun a mage. they are engaged to each other. The mystery surrounding this death leads them to a theatre where a myth circulates about a rare species of mushrooms and their particular effects.
The author spins a great tale around a legend that has been told for centuries with the particular effect of transporting, virtually, the reader to where the action takes place. Treachery, mystery, murder, Supernatural beings, a corrupt official, dedicated law and order enforcers and a special annoying companion that they meet at their destination and can't seem to get rid off, make this book a 5 Stars rated story that I highly recommend.
One night, at a resort that some would refer to as a 5 Stars in our world, while taking a walk on the beach, they spot a human body floating in the water. Lyss is a former sellsword and Idun a mage. they are engaged to each other. The mystery surrounding this death leads them to a theatre where a myth circulates about a rare species of mushrooms and their particular effects.
The author spins a great tale around a legend that has been told for centuries with the particular effect of transporting, virtually, the reader to where the action takes place. Treachery, mystery, murder, Supernatural beings, a corrupt official, dedicated law and order enforcers and a special annoying companion that they meet at their destination and can't seem to get rid off, make this book a 5 Stars rated story that I highly recommend.
September 26, 2023
This is the first book of this series that I have read, and while it is tge seventh book in thevseries it can easily bebread as a standalone. I hope to read more in the near future. In a world of magic, Sellswords, Spellweavers, Dwarves and others the main characters are two ladies, Liss and Udun,who are apprentices in the use of magic, who have travelled and dealt with many apparently exciting adventures. Through no fault of their own they are drawn into another adventure that causes them to deal with new experiences, even for them, with more threats and peril than before.
The characters are well-crafted and surroundings very believable. The action draws the reader into this novel which is can certainly be called a page-turner. I do not believe in reiterating storylines as I feel it steals from other readers' enjoyment. However, I highly recommend this book to one and all. I received an ARC and this us my honest assessment of this novel.
The characters are well-crafted and surroundings very believable. The action draws the reader into this novel which is can certainly be called a page-turner. I do not believe in reiterating storylines as I feel it steals from other readers' enjoyment. However, I highly recommend this book to one and all. I received an ARC and this us my honest assessment of this novel.
September 21, 2023
Poet's Bane (Sellswords & Spellweavers series Book 7) , my fifty-third read from author Rachel Ford. This epic fantasy book is well-written & enjoyable, no matter the genre a Rachel Ford book can be counted on to be entertaining & enjoyable. "I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
September 19, 2023
What a ride! This is my first foray into this world but I can confirm I loved it and will go back to the beginning of the series post haste. The story begins with our heros stumbling apon a dead body whilst enjoying a holiday in Osthaven. From there the story unravels into a grand adventure that keeps you on your toes. I both enjoyed the story and the authors writing style that created a vivid description of events that bought the story to life. If you've not read any books in this series the story is still easy to read and you don't feel you need to have read the others so dip in and give it a go. If you enjoy it as much as I had you'll be going back to them anyway. I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book for my honest review.
October 14, 2023
Rachel Ford is a story weaver of the highest caliber. Not only is this book part of a larger series, but it's essentially a story about magic mushrooms, murder and the associated drug dealing all set in a fantasy world. Simply epic.
June 17, 2024
Rachel Ford
Poet's Bane (Sellswords & Spellweavers series Book 7)
Idun and Lisa
I enjoyed reading this book! It had dragons! I love dragons
Anyway, the book was well crafted, with an excellent storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via SO and I am leaving an honest review.
Poet's Bane (Sellswords & Spellweavers series Book 7)
Idun and Lisa
I enjoyed reading this book! It had dragons! I love dragons
Anyway, the book was well crafted, with an excellent storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via SO and I am leaving an honest review.
October 4, 2023
Very good continuation of this amazing epic tale that has some very fascinating and interesting characters
October 7, 2023
A beautiful island, peace and quiet or is it. A murder happens and shatters it all. Will they be able to solve it Don’t miss out once it’s released.
December 12, 2023
Amazing
It was really good like all the books in this series. I would have given it 5 stars but it just ended so abruptly
It was really good like all the books in this series. I would have given it 5 stars but it just ended so abruptly
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews