Assassin's Blade: The White Mage Saga Prequel

The Chronicles of Lumineia: The White Mage Saga #0.5

by Ben Hale

Assassin's Blade is a 10,000 word short story in the riveting White Mage Saga, and precedes the events in The Last Oracle.

Renowned for his flawless kills, the Swordsman is one of the most lethal mages on Earth. His reputation for subtlety allows him to command a high price--despite his singular rule. He does not kill innocents. Recently his employer has been a secretive group known as the Harbingers, whose latest target is not who he seems.

Known only as Hawk, the man proves to be an elusive quarry. When stalking his haunts fails the Swordsman baits a trap and settles in to wait. But this prey is also a predator, one who knows a disturbing truth. If the Swordsman believes it, his rage will see no bounds. No mage or man will deprive him of retribution, for when you betray the Swordsman . . .

You invite his blade.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Magic, Action

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2014

About the author

As an avid snowboarder from Utah, Ben grew up with a passion for learning. This thirst for knowledge led him to sports, music, and academic endeavors. After a year of college, he did volunteer work in Brazil and became fluent in three languages. Graduating from the University of Central Florida, he started and ran several successful businesses before publishing his first novel in June of 2012. By the end of the year he'd sold almost ten thousand copies of The Second Draeken War, and he began writing full-time. Now spanning 10,000 years, ten titles, and two series, The Chronicles of Lumineia represents a sprawling YA series that has sold over fifty thousand copies, and continues to expand its readership across all ages. Each of his books has been inspired by his wonderful wife and five beautiful children.

To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, check out his website at Lumineia.com. You can also follow Ben on twitter @ BenHale8 or on Facebook.

Reviews

[Al Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this freebie from Audfans.com. It's a pitch for the author's Chronicles of Lumineia series, and it's a good one.

The titular assassin is known as The Swordsman, and he's sent on a job to remove a "blight" from the world. Tracking down his target was difficult, killing him was even harder and he fails in his mission. However, the target lets him live, leading the Swordsman on a search to find out why, and sending him on a journey that shakes the foundations of his world.

Well written, fast-paced and with interesting characters, if you are unfamiliar with the Lumineia series, like me, this will inspire you to. The author does a fine job, and at just an hour or so long, Assasin's Blade won't eat up your day checking it out.

[Sharaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick intro book for an interesting character that appears in his series. Felt more like a chapter than a book though.

[GEOrocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick and action packed listen. Available on audible plus! While I’m not rushing out for the book for which this was a prequel, if I come across it I am now interested enough to read it.

[Lynne Clemens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started to read the White Mage Omnibus Books 1-3 and then realized there was a prequel so quickly backed up. I will say that the prequel ended in a satisfying way. The 10000 words helped set the stage for the Omnibus. I did not enjoy the narrative when Hawk and the Swordsman were battling; I felt like I was in a video game -- he turned on this power for this reason he dropped it for that reason and turned on a different one. Geesh. I was hopeful that did not keep happening throughout the book. It stopped, thankfully. The writing in this prequel seems a bit choppy but is not something I've noticed in the Omnibus so I am guessing it is because of the shortened format. I would recommend reading this as a foundation for the series even though I gave it an average rating.

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Swordsman, hired on by The Harbingers is an assassin and a mage, who is part of the guild, is on the lookout for his next mark, Hawk. An elusive quarry Hawk is a mage and works with fire. In a warehouse on the outskirts of New York City, he waits. The swordsman does not kill innocents, that is his one rule.
This swordsman has a lot of magic and some neat gadgets. The story its self is like many I have read before, but the magic is great and that is a plus for me. The use of the modern buildings and it contents is detailed.

[C.J. Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel novella to The Chronicles of Lumineia: The White Mage Saga, and the latest that I’ve completed from Podium Audio as there is a ton of prequels from them included on audible right now.

This one kind of felt like the complete opposite of the prequel novella I just finished (Shield Knight: Ghost Orcs by Jonathan Moeller https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). It didn’t do much in the way of world building, or lore, and it literally described nothing. The story is actually urban fantasy, which from the cover you’d never guess, but it says it starts in New York. If it wasn’t for the fact that at one point he’s in a wood and steel warehouse I don’t think it even points to a time period either. Even though that descriptor alone points to what, industrial-modern? Plus with this being so short, other than naming it on earth (via New York, Florida and Russia), it doesn’t have anything that involves our normal world in it weirdly enough.

The story is about an assassin, aka ‘the swordsman,’ who can use magic to enhance his fighting, sneaking, or killing. Which honestly are all cool and give some nice fight sequences. I will say the character uses something simply called a ‘board’ or ‘air board’ to fly incredibly fast (even over an ocean) and it does not get an explanation…so I’m thinking like silver surfer??? It became a little confusing as I just did not know what I was supposed to picture.

Personally a 3.5/5* for me! This is a series of five, so a bit shorter than the last, but I’m not sure I’ll continue. This was fun though!

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome tale from the Chronicles Of Lumineia, The Sword Man and his partner a mage are on the hunt for his next target, Hawk, a mage with fire elemental magic, his one rule he does not kill innocents, when he finds out his target is an innocent after killing him, his vengeance will take him to the people who signed the contract, fantastic Urban setting and the magic is out of this world, brilliant characters and plot, narrator Derek Perkins gives an amazing preformence, highly recommend.....😁

[Lys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story/novel intro to the chronicles of Lumineia series about a mage assassin who discovers they've been tricked into killing an innocent man and seeks revenge, only to join forces with a previous target to take down the system. Basic world building with minimal explanation, reads like a video game quest. I have yet to read the rest of the series but it seems to set up the plot well at the end. This book would mostlikely be more enjoyed if you've already read the first book in the series as this story does not give much context its world.

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audfans.com and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.

This is the prequel to the Chronicles of Lumineia: The White Mage Saga series. Definitely a fantastic start with intrigue, magic, murder and action. An introduction to the Swordsman & Hawk, which, although short, was still a riveting read. Looking forward to audiobook versions of the rest of the series.

Great narration by Derek Perkins.

[Nicholas Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful addition to the White Mage Saga

This is a well written prequel which nicely sets the reader up for the style and content of the White Mage Saga. It tells of how two of the main characters start their relationship and sets the pace for the rest of the books in the saga. A good read and well worth your time.

[Kimiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm intrigued enough that I'll be continuing the series. However, I listened to the audio book version because it was included in my membership. The narrator isn't the worst I've heard but he sounds like a history professor.
I'll probably physically read the series if the main series is narrated by the same guy or I'll fall asleep.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lead-in to the White Mage Saga especially once I realized who Hawk is. The story is short and sweet but really should be read before the trilogy, if for no other reason than to understand the Swordsman's raison d'etra.

[Stacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a filler to explain a little about Hawk and the Swordsman. It was very short and held little detail - just enough to fit some pieces together. It's worth the read if you can pick it up for free on Kindle.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Prequel to the rest of the story

I really enjoyed this story. At first I was concerned about jumping to modern times and if we would lose the fantasy component but the author incorporated all of it well. I am looking forward to starting on the 2nd series.

[Jed Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short story on the background of The Swordsman. Gives the reader some backstory on The Swordsman and his initial motivations. We then find out how The Swordsman became part of the Guild of Light and how his hatred for the Harbingers developed.

[Scott Widener · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick novella setting up a series of book.
This review discusses the audio version.
I enjoyed the story and the characters were defined well enough for how short the story was in length.
The narrator was enjoyable to listen to making this an overall great experience.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable read from Ben Hale. I read it in about 45 minutes. I've read all of his works and look forward to my first reread.

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's why 3 stars

It was to short an choppy. Not enough info on Hawk an Swordsman. Hope the Saga will give me more.

[Paul Sating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novella. Worthy of checking out the main series.

[Sean Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short novella. I finished it on my morning run.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wee prelude to a series of books. Quite short and sets up a good premise. I think I'll be back for the rest.

[Marty Solotki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and quick little audio book that sets up the characters for this series quite well. I definitely want more.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting setting story.

[Deedge · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good.

Cool characters that peeked your interest and a compelling enough story to make you want to dive into the novels.

[Steve Jennings · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather thin and action didn't work for me.

[Jerome Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, action packed and full of work building!!! The characters were interesting and the plot was great!!

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

26 I think I should have liked this more than I did. There were several jarring disconnects that I could not get comfortable with. Unable to recommend to the normal crew.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this short book on audible and it makes me want to read the series so mission accomplished and added to my wishlist.

[Conor Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and action focused, so I actually rate it higher than the others in the series. But it's a prequel to a story I don't recommend.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novella introducing the White Mage saga telling the story of a master assassin "The Swordsman" and his recruitment to the role of protector of the last Oracle.