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Ziva’s forge is her sanctuary. She prefers metal to people and weapons to words. Most days, she spends her time tucked away from the world and the anxiety that society causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power while her sister handles the customers.
When Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord for the best weapon her craft can offer, she’s certain this is her chance to escape to the country, away from the bustling streets and prying eyes of the village. But when she accidentally fashions a sword capable of stealing its victims’ secrets and that can cut — can kill — from long distance, she realizes the warlord’s intentions. A weapon like this could enslave all the world to one person. She cannot allow that to happen.
Desperate to escape the warlord, Ziva and her sister flee across the country in search of the last of their family and the hopes of a safe haven. Soon they are joined by a handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of the world’s known magics. But the road is fraught with danger, and the warlord is close on their heels. If Ziva doesn’t find a way to hide or destroy Secreteater, she’ll be forced to watch her weapon topple kingdoms.
Blade of Secrets is a fun tale full of all you could want in a fantasy: Adventure. Romance. Sword fights. Witty banter.
It was so nice to see social anxiety represented — especially in the fantasy genre. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, however, I found its execution to be a little hit-or-miss, with either blown-out-of-proportion panic attacks or glossed-over situations that would have triggered a reaction — at least from me.
Despite her anxiety, Ziva has a strong relationship with her sister. Her friends don’t treat her differently, either, or make her feel like less of a person for her struggles. This leads to a sweet, gentle romance — albeit one that still falls into the category of instant attraction/love.
Overall, I wouldn’t say this is the best fantasy I’ve read, but it is a fun, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I also liked seeing the Arthurian twist the author snuck in at the end, and I’m eager to see if she takes it any further in the sequel.
Rated: Mild, for under 10 uses of mild language, and one use of stronger language. Ziva’s sister treats flirting like a game and hints at spending the night with several different village boys. A religious cult attempts to murder people for thier magic. There is some violence throughout the story. It’s mostly lacking in detail, but the action gets more intense toward the end of the book, and there is a bit of blood.
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