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hayzey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
chirin_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cons: The chemistry felt inorganic for the first 3/4 of the book. Kellyn seemed flat to me at times. Ziva’s vocabulary use bothered me occasionally— almost as if that was the only way the author could think of to give her a “unique voice.” Just a personal preference, but this made some conversions frustrating. Conflict resolution felt forced for most of the book. Kymora was a standard villain. Biggest concern was that the representation/cast diversity read as token— a subtle sentence here and there or a one-chapter side character. If you’re going to make the cast diverse, commit!!
Pros: THOROUGHLY enjoyed the last 1/4 of the book, not just because of the sudden chemistry, but mostly because it seemed like Kellyn had a real personality outside his macho bravado. Maybe this was intentional, but I would have liked to see more of a gradual build. Temra and Petrick were excellent. Hopefully even more of them in book 2. The world building was interesting! Classically medieval, fun fairytale references. Ziva’s anxiety makes her a unique main character; I also would have liked a more gradual development of this as well. Looking forward to seeing the cast again in book 2!
Pros: THOROUGHLY enjoyed the last 1/4 of the book, not just because of the sudden chemistry, but mostly because it seemed like Kellyn had a real personality outside his macho bravado. Maybe this was intentional, but I would have liked to see more of a gradual build. Temra and Petrick were excellent. Hopefully even more of them in book 2. The world building was interesting! Classically medieval, fun fairytale references. Ziva’s anxiety makes her a unique main character; I also would have liked a more gradual development of this as well. Looking forward to seeing the cast again in book 2!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
beautifulpaxielreads's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So I didn't fall in love with Blade of Secrets.
Let's start with the good stuff first. Levenseller's depiction of the MC Ziva's social anxiety was very, very well done and realistic. I also liked reading about the relationship Ziva had with her sister, and theslow-burn romance with Kellyn was also developed nicely .
The main areas which I felt were lacking were mainly to do with worldbuilding and pace. As the novel began, I assumed it to be taking place in some kind of quasi-medieval fantasy setting - a country called Ghadra which is split into territories. But then I kept finding inconsistencies that took me out of the world completely. The really big one I noticed came when Ziva mentioned the term"boomerang", a term which I believe originated with Indigenous Australians. How would she know this? . I was also unclear as to what Ziva meant when she referred to the "world", because practically no broader context is given outside of Ghadra.
The pacing was also really weird. There were parts of the novel where not a lot happened, and when the action did take place there was no build-up, no suspense. For me, this meant whenever the characters were under attack by enemies, it took a moment for me to realise that "oh, they're meant to be in danger now."
I also wasn't clear on all aspects of how the magic was supposed to work. I felt Ziva's magic was described in most detail, but other parts seemed pretty vague.
All up, Blade of Secrets had some good, and some not-so-good. I'm not sure yet whether I'll continue with the series, given how this book ended on something of a cliffhanger. But we'll see.
Let's start with the good stuff first. Levenseller's depiction of the MC Ziva's social anxiety was very, very well done and realistic. I also liked reading about the relationship Ziva had with her sister, and the
The main areas which I felt were lacking were mainly to do with worldbuilding and pace. As the novel began, I assumed it to be taking place in some kind of quasi-medieval fantasy setting - a country called Ghadra which is split into territories. But then I kept finding inconsistencies that took me out of the world completely. The really big one I noticed came when Ziva mentioned the term
The pacing was also really weird. There were parts of the novel where not a lot happened, and when the action did take place there was no build-up, no suspense. For me, this meant whenever the characters were under attack by enemies, it took a moment for me to realise that "oh, they're meant to be in danger now."
I also wasn't clear on all aspects of how the magic was supposed to work. I felt Ziva's magic was described in most detail, but other parts seemed pretty vague.
All up, Blade of Secrets had some good, and some not-so-good. I'm not sure yet whether I'll continue with the series, given how this book ended on something of a cliffhanger. But we'll see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: War
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I found it to be a quick read. While Ziva’s social anxiety at times can feel overused, it was really nice to read about a character struggling in ways that I have. The main group of 4 characters make a good mix, and I enjoy seeing the relationships develop. I would not call this an “enemies-to-lovers” as I have sometimes seen it called, more of a “ugh he’s gross and selfish to lovers”. I do think the pacing was a bit odd at times, sometimes a bit slow and sometimes a bit fast. But I enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol and War
rinku's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Blade of Secrets was such a disappointment for me. I was so excited to read about a main character with social anxiety, but this was almost all that was there to the story. Especially the fantasy aspects and the storytelling itself felt quite flat.
The general concept of the story was so intriguing: social anxious Ziva is able to forge magical weapons and makes good money selling them. One day, a woman called Kymera makes a commission for a sword that becomes more powerful than any sword Ziva has crafted before. She then overhears what plans Kymera has with the sword and flees with her sister and other travel companions from her. Sadly, that’s about it what is happening in the story besides an insta-lovey romance. The characters seem to have no other goal than fleeing which was bit boring. The book got better after the first half, but it was just not enough for me. There was also one of my least favorite plot twists towards the end when it’s revealed that random characters are related to each other. At least, this didn’t make Petrik a traitor .
My biggest critique with the book is probably the flat and boring world building. At the beginning, I even thought that the story would take place in our regular world because the world building was so simple. This is also caused by the writing style that barely describes something and if it does, th descriptions are often clunky. There’s also too much telling, especially when it comes to the behaviour of characters; one of them is called arrogant but is barely shown as being it.
Like I’ve said, it was very nice to have an MC with social anxiety. Ziva’s struggles because of it were well depicted in my opinion. Sadly, some things about her character were stereotypical, like the fact that she has a dead mom and that she’s not like other girls.
I generally liked the rest of the cast but especially the male characters were so cliché. Of course, the love interest is arrogant, flirty and muscular. Another problem I had with the characters was that they and their conflict were sometimes just annoying; for example, Ziva and her sister always argue about such childish things. One thing I liked though was the causal queerness of the story in some parts.
Blade of Secrets is another book that proves that a good idea doesn’t mean a good execution. I’ll maybe read the second book if my library gets it but otherwise, this series is sadly nothing for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement
sunniva174's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent and War
amandageorge117's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
jessicastaylor's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel so...seen... by this book. The social anxiety rep is so well done, realistic, and uncomfortable at times.
The pacing was a bit slow for the first 30-40% for me, but it did pick up after that. The world building was a bit light-handed, but I don't think it detracted from the story at all. I just would have preferred some more details in some areas I think.
I absolutely loved the banter and relationships between all 4 main characters.
The growth we get to see just in the span of this one book for all 4 characters is amazing. I really loved that Tricia didn’t try to “cure” Ziva of her anxiety.
The plot and premise of this book is so fun! I love the magic weapons, adventures, the budding romance, and the love between the sisters. It really balanced all of these elements so well, without really letting any of them get lost in the shuffle.
The ending…. This book does end in a rather nasty cliffhanger, but that’s all I will say about it. If you don’t like cliffhangers, I’d suggest waiting for the next book to come out.
I can't wait for the second book in this duology! I need to know what happens!
The pacing was a bit slow for the first 30-40% for me, but it did pick up after that. The world building was a bit light-handed, but I don't think it detracted from the story at all. I just would have preferred some more details in some areas I think.
I absolutely loved the banter and relationships between all 4 main characters.
The growth we get to see just in the span of this one book for all 4 characters is amazing. I really loved that Tricia didn’t try to “cure” Ziva of her anxiety.
The plot and premise of this book is so fun! I love the magic weapons, adventures, the budding romance, and the love between the sisters. It really balanced all of these elements so well, without really letting any of them get lost in the shuffle.
The ending…. This book does end in a rather nasty cliffhanger, but that’s all I will say about it. If you don’t like cliffhangers, I’d suggest waiting for the next book to come out.
I can't wait for the second book in this duology! I need to know what happens!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Grief
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to Fierce Reads for a finished copy of this book!
Ziva is a smithy, working literal magic onto the weapons that she forges for those who can pay across the kingdom. But when she makes an indestructible blade for a warlord and discovers they want to use it for world domination, she has to face her fear of social situations and get help to escape the warlord and keep the blade safe.
I enjoyed the characters that Levenseller built in this book. Ziva was very interesting, and I really loved her sister. I also really liked the premise of this book, the way the magic worked and how few people had it. I loved the interactions with their estranged family and their group of friends.
This book definitely has a found-family dynamic which I loved! I did wish that some of the interactions were described better and that things weren't glossed over so much. I usually don't think this, but I honestly thought this book should have been longer. It cut out a lot of parts that I would have liked to see that would have helped develop the characters more.
I also didn't personally find the description of the panic attacks to be very realistic. Maybe others do, but it seemed to be more focused on depression than anxiety, even though the character clearly has trouble with anxiety. I also would have loved to see more diversity among the characters.
All that said, I will definitely read the sequel when it comes out and I still really enjoy Tricia Levenseller's storytelling!
Pub Date: May 4, 2021
Ziva is a smithy, working literal magic onto the weapons that she forges for those who can pay across the kingdom. But when she makes an indestructible blade for a warlord and discovers they want to use it for world domination, she has to face her fear of social situations and get help to escape the warlord and keep the blade safe.
I enjoyed the characters that Levenseller built in this book. Ziva was very interesting, and I really loved her sister. I also really liked the premise of this book, the way the magic worked and how few people had it. I loved the interactions with their estranged family and their group of friends.
This book definitely has a found-family dynamic which I loved! I did wish that some of the interactions were described better and that things weren't glossed over so much. I usually don't think this, but I honestly thought this book should have been longer. It cut out a lot of parts that I would have liked to see that would have helped develop the characters more.
I also didn't personally find the description of the panic attacks to be very realistic. Maybe others do, but it seemed to be more focused on depression than anxiety, even though the character clearly has trouble with anxiety. I also would have loved to see more diversity among the characters.
All that said, I will definitely read the sequel when it comes out and I still really enjoy Tricia Levenseller's storytelling!
Pub Date: May 4, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Vomit and Grief
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