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The Queen's Blade #1
The Queen's Blade
A soldier with a past meets a future he cannot ignore. The Queen’s Blade saga begins.
Zaren Joha, once a formidable soldier, now spends his days maintaining peace in a quiet tavern in Lavrun. No more military rigors. No more blind obedience. The job is uneventful, yet it allows him a semblance of normalcy.
But his tranquil life in Lavrun is about to change. An encounter with the mysterious Waleith, a man with deep connections to the queen, draws him into a world where his brawn is not enough. The tavern's usual hustle, the sailors' brawls, and the regulars are soon overshadowed by a brewing storm of magic and intrigue attempting to topple the throne.
As Zaren grapples with powers beyond his understanding and confronts the echoes of a magic-tainted past, survival in this new world demands more than physical strength. To protect those he has come to care for and to navigate the treacherous currents of royal politics and ancient magic, Zaren must embrace a role he never anticipated.
No longer a soldier, he must become the Queen’s Blade.
Zaren Joha, once a formidable soldier, now spends his days maintaining peace in a quiet tavern in Lavrun. No more military rigors. No more blind obedience. The job is uneventful, yet it allows him a semblance of normalcy.
But his tranquil life in Lavrun is about to change. An encounter with the mysterious Waleith, a man with deep connections to the queen, draws him into a world where his brawn is not enough. The tavern's usual hustle, the sailors' brawls, and the regulars are soon overshadowed by a brewing storm of magic and intrigue attempting to topple the throne.
As Zaren grapples with powers beyond his understanding and confronts the echoes of a magic-tainted past, survival in this new world demands more than physical strength. To protect those he has come to care for and to navigate the treacherous currents of royal politics and ancient magic, Zaren must embrace a role he never anticipated.
No longer a soldier, he must become the Queen’s Blade.
- GenresFantasy
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this one and I liked both of the main characters quite a bit. I’m drawn to Waleith and wish there was more of a description of him. His age, hair color and length. Stuff like that. I found none except he’s fairly tall but small. I am one that needs full descriptions or it’s hard for me to picture them in my head. I can’t wait to read the next one and find out who this bard will be from the cover.
January 3, 2024
Zaren is a former soldier trying to find his path in life. He's stuck in a small town acting as the muscle in a tavern in case anyone gets out of line. One day he sees someone sitting in the tavern with his sword on the table. Someone else enters the tavern and Zaren gets a bad feeling about him. He takes action.
As the title hints at, the man sitting at the table is a Queen's Blade. And he thinks Zaren could be one as well, with some training. I thought there was a slight discordance between who Zaren was in the tavern versus the nervous nelly he is with the Queen's Blade. It passes quickly, though, and they head to the capital. When they get there they find unusual things are happening.
I'll stop the recap there. The last half of the book is taken up with Zaren honing his magical resistance abilities, while they try to figure out what is happening. I will admit that I didn't figure it out until near the end.
This is a fairly short book and an easy, enjoyable read. I had fun with it and will read book two when it comes out. The editing is very well done. I didn't notice any errors. 5/5*
As the title hints at, the man sitting at the table is a Queen's Blade. And he thinks Zaren could be one as well, with some training. I thought there was a slight discordance between who Zaren was in the tavern versus the nervous nelly he is with the Queen's Blade. It passes quickly, though, and they head to the capital. When they get there they find unusual things are happening.
I'll stop the recap there. The last half of the book is taken up with Zaren honing his magical resistance abilities, while they try to figure out what is happening. I will admit that I didn't figure it out until near the end.
This is a fairly short book and an easy, enjoyable read. I had fun with it and will read book two when it comes out. The editing is very well done. I didn't notice any errors. 5/5*
February 9, 2024
Not as good as expected
I enjoy most of D.K. Holmberg's books. However, this book doesn't feel as if he wrote it. The writing is stiff. The dialogue is stunted. This book reads more like a first try rather than a book published by an experienced author such as Holmberg. I gave Holmberg the benefit of the doubt by giving this three stars simply because I enjoy so many of his other books. I'll start the next book in the series in the hope that the writing improves. The story has great potential. But, if book two is as stilted as this book I will go with my instincts and drop it like a hot potato.
I enjoy most of D.K. Holmberg's books. However, this book doesn't feel as if he wrote it. The writing is stiff. The dialogue is stunted. This book reads more like a first try rather than a book published by an experienced author such as Holmberg. I gave Holmberg the benefit of the doubt by giving this three stars simply because I enjoy so many of his other books. I'll start the next book in the series in the hope that the writing improves. The story has great potential. But, if book two is as stilted as this book I will go with my instincts and drop it like a hot potato.
January 4, 2024
DNF 65%
Bored, bored, bored! I picked this up off Kindle Unlimited because I confused the author with Charlie Holmberg and I’m cross with myself for getting so far into it before checking. It’s not like I haven’t waded through other novels by this author.
Anyway, in brief we have a trainee Blade. The protagonist reminded me of Arthur Dent. Much as in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a lot of the time you could replace his dialogue with “What? & I don’t understand!” and not substantially affect the overall story.
Dull.
Bored, bored, bored! I picked this up off Kindle Unlimited because I confused the author with Charlie Holmberg and I’m cross with myself for getting so far into it before checking. It’s not like I haven’t waded through other novels by this author.
Anyway, in brief we have a trainee Blade. The protagonist reminded me of Arthur Dent. Much as in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a lot of the time you could replace his dialogue with “What? & I don’t understand!” and not substantially affect the overall story.
Dull.
March 15, 2024
Too wordy and slow, couldn't finish
There's probably a good story buried in here, but I couldn't endure the wordiness. An enormous amount of dialog that was a chore to get through, so I lost interest. I kept flipping forward several pages onto discover conversations were still I progress. There is a lot of telling versus showing. It's not my type of book. If you like a lot of detailed conversations, you might enjoy this
There's probably a good story buried in here, but I couldn't endure the wordiness. An enormous amount of dialog that was a chore to get through, so I lost interest. I kept flipping forward several pages onto discover conversations were still I progress. There is a lot of telling versus showing. It's not my type of book. If you like a lot of detailed conversations, you might enjoy this
January 22, 2024
magic is everywhere
The story was a bit slow in the beginning but then it picks up with waleith and Zaren.zaren is being trained to be a blade and has found that he can detect magic. He is the Queens blade and he is determined to find out where the magic is coming from and what it means
The story was a bit slow in the beginning but then it picks up with waleith and Zaren.zaren is being trained to be a blade and has found that he can detect magic. He is the Queens blade and he is determined to find out where the magic is coming from and what it means
March 16, 2024
A thriller with magic, mystery, and intrigue. Excellent world building by Holmberg and a great beginning to a new series. I totally enjoyed the story and heartily recommend as an addition to your reading list.
I purchased my digital copy. I was not given the book free in order to write a positive review.
I purchased my digital copy. I was not given the book free in order to write a positive review.
April 23, 2024
This is a captivating fantasy novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. The world-building is rich and vivid, and the characters are well-developed and compelling. The plot is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. While at times the pacing felt a bit slow, overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of epic fantasy novels.
May 3, 2024
Issues on clarity.
The main character fumbles through everything. The author made the main character seem dumb or not very intelligent for some reason. Feels like it is written by a twelve year old. The world is not fleshed out well enough, and a lot of holes in the story are everywhere.
The main character fumbles through everything. The author made the main character seem dumb or not very intelligent for some reason. Feels like it is written by a twelve year old. The world is not fleshed out well enough, and a lot of holes in the story are everywhere.
January 18, 2024
Entertaining Read
Zaren is a large powerful man. He is working odd jobs, but wants a purpose and a fulltime job. Discovery, training, skill improvement ensue. I like the action, humor, I look forward to the next book.
Zaren is a large powerful man. He is working odd jobs, but wants a purpose and a fulltime job. Discovery, training, skill improvement ensue. I like the action, humor, I look forward to the next book.
January 18, 2024
Good story
The flow of the narrative was smooth fun. The reader learns as the characters learn. By the end, all the loose ends are wrapped up and we are teased about the second book which I am looking forward to reading.
The flow of the narrative was smooth fun. The reader learns as the characters learn. By the end, all the loose ends are wrapped up and we are teased about the second book which I am looking forward to reading.
January 26, 2024
The Queen’s Blade
Very interesting book but seems it was missing something that should bridge a few scenes together. Everything happened too quickly…unless this was intended to be a short story. Other than that, it was enjoyable.
Very interesting book but seems it was missing something that should bridge a few scenes together. Everything happened too quickly…unless this was intended to be a short story. Other than that, it was enjoyable.
March 16, 2024
a bit short, and slow to get going, but has potential
This book didn’t last long. Very slow to get going and develop, but an interesting premise. Not sure I’ll invest in the follow-up stories, I like more to read for the price.
This book didn’t last long. Very slow to get going and develop, but an interesting premise. Not sure I’ll invest in the follow-up stories, I like more to read for the price.
March 27, 2024
Queen’s Blade
T this was a great story. The character Joha is built slowly from a lost soul trying to find his way in the world to a man with a purpose and a destiny worth making a sacrifice for. I look forward to the continuation of the series.
T this was a great story. The character Joha is built slowly from a lost soul trying to find his way in the world to a man with a purpose and a destiny worth making a sacrifice for. I look forward to the continuation of the series.
January 13, 2024
Boring
I have tried to read this author many times,this is the first time I have made it to the end.It is extremely dull, boring and sleepy.
I have tried to read this author many times,this is the first time I have made it to the end.It is extremely dull, boring and sleepy.
January 16, 2024
A journey of discovery and purpose. Surprisingly good!
Our author takes us on a new adventure and our hero learns about his place in the new wor of of magic.
Our author takes us on a new adventure and our hero learns about his place in the new wor of of magic.
Read
March 1, 2024Entertaining
Just what I needed something that I didn't have to think too much about. Sometimes I just want to be entertained without having to diagnose every sentence
Just what I needed something that I didn't have to think too much about. Sometimes I just want to be entertained without having to diagnose every sentence
March 7, 2024
A decent read
Zaren is a brute, and that's the story, or is it. Until he learns that he isn't just a brute. Then the story gets interesting.
Zaren is a brute, and that's the story, or is it. Until he learns that he isn't just a brute. Then the story gets interesting.
March 15, 2024
Very good
LIke all of D K Holmberg's books this series is filled with lots of action and intriguing characters. It is like you are actually their and involved.
LIke all of D K Holmberg's books this series is filled with lots of action and intriguing characters. It is like you are actually their and involved.
March 30, 2024
A new take on magic .. interesting story. Not really sure I like it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews