Lady Death

Deathsworn Arc #0.5

by Martyn Stanley

Librarian's note: An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

Vashni is doing guild work in Cormaroth, when a mysterious new mark is offered to her. The intended victim is said to hold a secret, so sensitive - the church has offered a small fortune to see the holder silenced. Can Vashni resist the temptation of a forbidden truth? Or will her whimsical desire for gold keep her on task?

The Deathsworn Arc Series of Dark, Epic Fantasy Adventure Novels:-
Deathsworn Arc : The Last Dragon Slayer
Deathsworn Arc 2 : The Verkreath Horror
Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Blood Queen
Deathsworn Arc 4: Rise of the Archmage
Deathsworn Arc 5: The Temple of the Mad God

The Deathsworn Arc is a fantasy series with themes of atheism and pragmatism, it contains graphic violence and mature themes.
Recommended for readers 14+ only.

Genres: Fantasy

ebook

Published October 29, 2018

About the author

Award winning writer, Martyn Stanley is married to his wife, Rachael, and has two young children. He lives in a small village on the Staffordshire, Cheshire border and is a director at a small manufacturing unit. He has always been interested in writing, and over the years has spent many hours writing for pleasure on forums, as well as writing some short stories. "The Last Dragon Slayer" is his first novel, and his second and third books, “The Verkreath Horror” and "The Blood Queen" (along with other planned books), form part of the “Deathsworn Arc” series.

He has also authored the 'Lambton Worm' and 'Return of the Worm Slayer' a re-telling of an old English folktale and a sequel.

He has long been an avid reader of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” and it was partly due to his love of this fantasy series, that he sought to write his own “epic fantasy” books. Unlike Terry Pratchett’s work, his books have a darker tone and address some adult themes, including questions of faith and moral philosophy.

Martyn has many other varied interests. He completed his Open University General Science degree and graduated with First Class Honours in 2019, the course material provided inspiration and ideas for his books. The course has also led him to read a number of other science-based books for pleasure, which has further strengthened his atheist leanings. As part of his degree he studied Creative Writing and Advanced Creative Writing - being awarded a distinction in the latter.

Martyn is interested in video games and gaming culture, particularly fantasy adventure and role-playing games. He enjoys playing the guitar, and spent a few years in a rock band during his miss-spent youth! Besides this, he has an interest in martial arts, and although no longer practising, due to family commitments, he holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. This is something he would like to resume doing, time permitting!

His latest novel is the subversive YA Vampire novel, 'Ofelia'. which won the Literary Titan Silver Book Award for 2021.

Martyn won first prize for the DriveTribe 2017 Award for Best Article.
https://drivetribe.com/p/K8pjfBF2QISZ...

Martyn's 1st prize winning article:-
https://drivetribe.com/p/the-clarkson...

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Death by Martyn Stanley is a satellite story for the Deathsworn Arc fantasy series of novels. This serves as an intriguing introduction to one of the key characters: Vashni, a guild assassin that has been contracted by the church to silence a target. Although Vashni’s skills are unquestioned (she is after all, Lady Death) she does have a streak of curiosity that to my mind does not lend itself to being an elite killer. The story deepens Vashni’s characterization. Plotting, climax, denouement work well to communicate a full narrative despite being a quick punch, read. The author affixes the reader in a visible, cinematic milieu with adjectives that pop. I enjoyed this short read.

[Ellie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. Great intro to the series. Interesting to learn a bit about Vashni's background.

[Martyn Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought about writing this for a long time. There's a real air of mystery about Vashni at the start of book 1. You don't really get a feel for who she is and what her motivations are during The Last Dragon Slayer. I read and re-read book 1 and the rest of the series and asked myself - why was Vashni in Trest? She says in the books, 'A true master of deception mixes lies with the truth' or something to that effect so that had to come into it. I wanted to reinforce the idea that though formidable, she is more vulnerable than she likes to make out to the companions. I also wanted to sow the seed for her change in attitude which really takes two or three books to establish itself. During book 1, she's fairly cold and indifferent to the companions, but by book 4 they feel like a really close team. I also wanted to explore what her life might have been like before she met the companions.

I hope I succeeded in all this. I think I did, and I think it reads as a much more polished and mainstream story than books 1 and 2. I can't wait to hear what my readers think of this one!

Martyn Stanley

* Jan 2022 re-read:- Well, I've read this again. I'm reading the whole series again! Why? I've finished Deathsworn Arc 6: Emergence. I need to know everything makes sense and I've not contradicted myself anywhere. I should probably use an app like Campfire to keep track of all this stuff, sometimes my head is spinning with story stuff. I suppose it's my own fault for making the story so complicated! What have I learned? The re-read has reminded me of Vashni's roots and who she was, but also that who she was isn't the same as who she IS. It's a different Vashni that's trapped in Eldenizar for much of book 5 and 6. I really think the best books chart a change in a character. Characters shouldn't be static through a book or a story. What I really did like in this book, particularly when read as a prequel is that it sheds more light on how Vashni's supernatural invincibility she portrays during most of book 1 and much of book 2 is a façade. There were clues of course! The way the battle with Thrax perhaps being one of them. I hope, reading this as a prequel confirms readers' suspicions. What is book 6 about? Well, that would be telling. Suffice to say it's still a complicated story. Book 6 introduces several new elements. Maahghodde managed to establish his rule somewhat and... Well I can't discuss the companions too much. Vashni has some big parts and there's a revelation that a character already introduced is NOT human, but actually a traveller, able to step between dimensions. Several of the characters enter alternate realities through one means or another. The inter-dimensional aspect of the story which Brael has been talking about since book 2 really comes to life in book 6. I really hope you enjoy it! Current ETA? Something like April or May?

[Jim Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little short story about Vashni, and how she came to travel with the companions. Gives her more of a backstory, than you had from the first book in the Deathsworn Arc series. Nicely put together, and very well told. The story progresses naturally, and flows evenly. Reading descriptions of things, I could actually picture it in my mind. You can read this first, or at any time in the series, as a filler.

[Angela Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short read that functions well as an introduction to this author's work, and/or to provide an interesting piece of extra story for an intriguing key character in the series.

[MKYHome · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new posting.

Wonderful tale of an assassin's guild. Meet death's motivation. Fine tale with some world building and character development. Follow the dark fae's footsteps.

[Selaya Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! On several fronts: first, the fact that I'm getting my reading life back on track; second, an early finish to the workday for a change; and third, this super "lead-in" novella to the Deathsworn Arc series - which was first on my renewed list anyway. Since I discovered the series I've been a fan of Vashni so this was a little piece of happy relaxation for me. To learn some of her background and skillset(s) has not diminished that.

The Elven characters are, of course, already well known to avid followers but I would have liked to have learnt more about Crispin & The Baron. Ah, well; maybe some infill stuff later on?

I am definitely looking forward to reading "Emergence" but have been unable to locate it for download from any of the usual epub vendors. I hope this doesn't mean a trip to The Amazon Swamp. I'll do it if I have to but will probably need to wait for when I'm able to spend at least three hours locked in a closet with my laptop since the conversion process can be a little involved. Maybe I'm just using the wrong software but, with five programmes installed, it should be a breeze! The last time I tried it, though, four claimed not to recognize the source material and the fifth.....well, let's just say they wanted too much money.

Patience is a virtue, I guess.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, like me, you're a fan of the Deathsworn Arc, you will love this short prequel. If you don't know this series yet, do yourself a favor and download Lady Death ASAP. It's a short read and I guarantee that you'll want to jump into the next novel immediately. This prequel features my favorite character, Lady Vashni. Looking back at my reviews of this Arc, I see that she was my fave ever since the first volume because she's strong, smart and independent. This is a prequel so she still hasn't been changed by her adventures and, even if she's not the most empathetic of women (or elves?), she does something unexpected that made her more human. The last volume I read in the series was the one published 4 years ago, so I was worried that I had forgotten what was going on but I immediately remembered everything and went back to the first novel. They tie up perfectly. This is a very addictive and compelling fantasy series.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice intro into the life of assassin Vashni. While she likes to portray herself as a heartless killer she does have an odd sense of compassion. Her sense of right and wrong is a bit murky at times and due to her long life seems to not have the patience for the games that humans with their short lives play. I like her pragmatic sense of self. For her the contracts she takes are more of something to fill her boredom than from any type of malice. I must admit I am very intrigued in following her on her adventure.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Death is a great introduction to Vashni, one of the main characters in the series. It's a great introduction to the series if you're new to it, or a pleasant interlude if you're already fully immersed in this world of elves, dragons, and magic.

This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Death (Deathsworn Arc Book 0) by Martyn Stanley is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book 0 in this wonderful start to a brand new series writen by a brand new author for me to read. I hgihly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joan Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and enjoyable. It doesn't move on to volume 1.

[D. Heyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standardish assassin based fantasy

While the book finished with a cliffhanger for whatever main event is going to, presumably, be the focus for book 1, I must confess I found myself feeling apathetic towards the events. It's a story that focuses on a nearly all powerful assassin, judging by the way everyone is powerless against her thus far, and it is very difficult to find any real sense of conflict or objective beyond satisfying her general curiosity and staving of the bordom that comes with a long life.

That said, if you want to follow a kind of super powered assassin in some hack and slash style fantasy, this is probably a good series for you.

[Sauron Moridor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth acquiring

There are many sword and magic books around these days, but his one with an assassin heroine is well worth acquiring and reading

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

For an introduction this was pretty good.  Though I was hoping for more especially as it seemed to end just as it was about to get good.
I like the fact that they tease you with bits of her past which makes you want to read more.  The fact that she seems like an enigma and you don't have any real information about who she is or why she became the best assassin.
I love the idea of the story and really found that it was very good.   What I found hard that the taste you got left you wanting more and it didn't seem that they gave you enough.
Will I pick up the other books the answer is yes as it has intrigued me enough that I want to really see what will happen.
Was I disappointed not really the ending was abrupt but again this is book zero and it is supposed to introduce you to the character of Lady Death not be a full meal.

[Alice Anne Bluhm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elves and others

I enjoyed this sample so much I am going to buy the book .This is turning into a mystery.Does she do it or not!!!!

[Elril Moonweaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little read I managed in 2 hours tops and it was interesting.

And by that I mean I was interested to see what Vashni did before becoming the Smurfette of the companions group. :D

No, surprise there, as the title suggests, she was an assassin. This novella documents the start of her contract to kill Brael. It was fun to see her use her powers for not so noble purposes, like paralysis, mind control and memory wiping.

It shows that she wasn't really a noble person when the companions found her. And that I was right when I called her a sociopath as she rarely feels any sympathy for anyone and she believes that fulfilling her contract is her way of showing mercy to humans. She is very patronizing in her view that human lives are a waste and that it's better to be long lived like her, to the point that she insults her man-servant Crispin -who I only presume he had to put up with her for 60 years - to his face.

Now, I don't know if you know this but I have a weak spot for assassin stories. Because I like to read about morally grey characters starting of on a questionable level of morality and evolving from grey to white or black in a very natural and satisfying way.

Vashni is a character that has evolved from grey to white in her views, if not necessarily in her attitude and actions. Even if I really disliked her in the first two books of the DSA, I believe she's grown on me. Seeing her as she used to be made me appreciate how her time with the companions has changed her.

That said I wish we would have had SOME interactions between her and the Assassin's Guild in The Blood Queen before Orion's Hand assassins start attacking her.

Oh, Martyn, I see what you did there. Trying to make it seem like Brael's rescue and Vashni encountering the companions WASN'T random at all. ^_^ ?

I had fun reading this. I don't really know how many pages does 834 Kindle locations mean, but I guess it's probably 40? At most

[Jason Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Definatly has me wanting to read book 1 of the series..very good fish hook indeed vashni intrigued me and want to know if she succeeded in her plans

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this story and having read the series, including The Temple of the Mad Gad, it was an interesting look into how Vashni thinks and how she may change.

It's a great introduction to the series, laying a good foundation for what's to come.

Well-written and enjoyable.

Worth a look.

[Frank Carver · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introductory fantasy story which ends up like LitRPG. A book of two halves

The “Lady Death” of the title is an elite Elven assassin in a world populated mostly by humans. Her whisper magic gives her the edge over her human prey, but she is becoming too comfortable in the assassin's role. When a distraught relative of a previous victim sets up a hit on himself in an attempt to set a trap for her, she completes the assignment but decides that it is time to leave the city in search of new adventures. Later, while following the rumours of a mysterious dark Elf with a secret, she falls in with a stereotypical band of RPG adventurers.

At the start of this book it seems like an intriguing and philosophical take on what it means to be a long-lived assassin in a land of ephemerals. Lady Death has a “superhero-like” existence, communicating only with her clients through a loyal but strangely incurious aide. We observe some of her missions against the backdrop of a complex political and social structure. She has clearly been drawn into the machinations of several different people and organisations. Despite her smugness she seems a bit out of her depth.

The second part of the book is quite different. It moves from feeling like a fantasy-world spy thriller to a surprisingly dull RPG plot. Lady Death wanders around the countryside looking for entrances to the underworld then contrives a situation in which she meets up with a generic adventuring party. I can only assume that future books in this series will follow the adventures of the party, but in some way that feels disappointing, as it’s not the book I thought I was reading. It’s certainly an unusual writing tactic to have the main character just get bored and wander off from the lovingly-detailed setting of the start.