Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1

By: Terah Edun

Narrated by: Sylvia Roldn Dohi

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Blades of Magic by Terah Edun is a rich epic fantasy perfect for fans of The Girl of Fire and Thorns and Mistborn.

It is not a peaceful time in the Algardis Empire. War is raging between the mages and seventeen-year-old Sara Fairchild will be right in the middle of it. She just doesn't know it yet.

Sara is the daughter of a disgraced imperial commander, executed for desertion. Sara is also the best duelist and hand-to-hand combatant in Sandrin. She lives quietly with her family's shame but when challenged about her family's honor, her opponent inevitably loses. On the night she finds out her father's true last actions, she takes the Mercenary Guilds' vows to serve in the emperor's army. Using her quick wits and fierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division. There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden. Dark enemies hunt her and soon it's not just Sara questioning the motivation behind this war.

While fighting mages, blackmailing merchants and discovering new friends, Sara comes across something she's never had before - passion. The question is - can she fight for her empress against a mage who might unwittingly claim her heart?

This is year one of the Initiate Wars. Sara is hoping it doesn't become the year she dies. On the night she finds out her father's true last actions, she takes the Mercenary Guilds' vows to serve in the emperor's army. Using her quick wits and fierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division. There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden. Dark enemies hunt her and soon it's not just Sara questioning the motivation behind this war.

©2014 Terah Edun (P)2014 Terah Edun

A brilliantly woven fantasy tale

A digital audio version of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Audio books are usually not my cup of coffee - literally. I always claim that there's something amiss in not being able to curl up with the book, when having it narrated to you instead. This book made me take back my words completely. With a fabulous narration by Sylvia Roldn Dohl, the book is a brilliant treat. I had heard from fellow reviewers and book lovers that a good narrator is key to a successful audiobook. After listening to Dohl's expressive narration, I so agree! I'm eagerly looking forward to listening to another one by her.

The story revolves around young Sara Fairchild, eager to prove to the world and herself, that she is capable of becoming a warrior. But fate thinks otherwise, and she is forced to take up a job at a fishery. When Sara is assigned by the fishery owner an additional task of having to watch over his warehouse of special artifacts, she is left to travel through a maze of unraveling mysteries. The journey also takes her through getting to know about her dad's death and what he did. The characterisation is handled well - be it Sara's self-discovery through her journey and the different emotions she goes through, or Ezekiel's mild eccentricities, the characters linger on in the mind. The pace of the book is just right, of course aided by Dohl's soulful voice.

I would highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and adventure genres.

My rating for this book: 4 stars

Can’t wait for the others to be on Audible

Sounds like it will be a good series. Disappointing that the other 3 available in Amazon are not on Audible yet.

An imaginative read.

Any additional comments?

This is my first Terah Edun book but it definitely won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You are brought into the story right from the start and its pretty much a non stop, action packed, roller coaster.

I loved the MC Sara. She was totally kick ass. Despite what everyone thinks about her father, she knows that deep down if he did desert then he had a really good reason to. I admired her faith in him and her tenacity to prove him innocent.

I also love Saras' powers. The idea of her powers, if used constantly, could possibly make her become a beserker was unique and quite awesome! Not only does she battle the people who want to harm her everyday, she also battles her powers and fears.

Ezekiel was awesome too!! He was witty, kind, clever and an all round great person to know. I loved seeing both of them together and seeing their friendship blossom.

The plot was really fast paced and gripping. Poor Sara is put through the paces the whole way through. She is first hired as a watcher (a security guard for magical items). During this time she is forced to guard certain items multiple times, then she learns that her dad may be innocent and ends up as a mercenary to try to get information, then she is sent to a battlefield!! It was so fast paced but also well thought out and developed.

In all I really enjoyed this and will definitely keep on with the series. There are plenty of answers still to come!!

The audio of this was fantastic. The narrator nailed Saras' spunkieness perfectly. She gave each character their own "voice" so it was really easy to differentiate each one.

*I received this for review as part of a blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Non-stop energy from the main Character!

Sylvia Roldn Dohi gives a great narration to this book by Terah Edun. I hope to hear her in other books and hope that she does the next book in the series. One thing for me that makes or breaks a book is the narrator. The story could be amazing but if the narrator does not preform well makes me stop the book and move on. In this case she can keep me the reader listening from start to finish in a couple days. Has a great transition between characters she portrays.

Now onto the story itself. The main character Sara Fairchild a young girl with something to prove to herself and others that she has the talent to be a mighty warrior like her dad. However, living thru the disgrace of her father's death. Sara's mother asked her to get a job at the fishery. Sara agrees and finds herself reluctantly takes on another position that is offered by the fishery owner.

Sara is asked by the owner of the fishery to become his Watcher. Watch what? His warehouse of special artifacts. Agreeing Sara finds herself paired up with the 2nd main character Ezekiel, curator of antiquities. Sara finds herself thinking "What has she gotten herself into. This guy is a scary cat." or is he!

The plot has you wondering all the way thru what her dad has done or did not do. Why so many are after a certain artifact and are willing to kill for it. How Sara ends up becoming a Mercenary to unravel the mysteries while learning how to use her special gift of Battle Magic. Learning the different Mages talents. And discovering what is truly inside her to get thru this war she is drawn into by the Mercenaries to learn more about her dad.

The only Con that I had with this book was the long repetitious back story in the beginning of the book could have been reduced. Though once the story gets underway only some backstory where needed is given to hold the storyline together.

Ezekiel by far is my favorite with his weak whimsy character only to turn around to be a very strong character next to Sara! Can't wait to hear Book 2 when it comes out! I'm a sucker for a good fantasy series!

high fantasy at its best!

Would you consider the audio edition of Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1 to be better than the print version?

I own the ebook but haven't read it yet. But man, I love audiobooks. I'm really into them now, and they make me so happy. If my eyes are tired, I can still immerse myself in a book! Take an exciting story, add a talented narrator, and you have Blades of Magic. Listening to this book made me even more excited about audiobooks as well as the fantasy genre.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sara pulled me into her story right away. I was mystified by her father's death and wanted to find out what happened to him. Sara's faith in her father was touching, and I trusted her belief that if he was a deserter, he must have had a good reason for it. I loved how kick ass Sara is - it's always thrilling to find out the heroine is strong and self-reliant. She doesn't need to lean on a significant other - she stands tall all on her own.

It took me a while to warm up to Ezekiel, but I ended up liking him quite a lot. The back and forth between Sara and him was a lot of fun to listen to. He reminded me of the kind of character who's really book smart but doesn't have much common sense. I pictured him as Wesley from the TV show, Angel. That's who Ezekiel's character reminded me of right away, and the image stuck in my mind, glasses, hair cut and all.

Ezekiel's disdain for fighters like Sara is evident in the beginning, but once he got to know her, he found out there was much more to her like her honor, faith, and intelligence.

Have you listened to any of Sylvia Roldn Dohi’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of Sylvia Roldn Dohi's other performances before, but she has a pleasant voice to listen to and varied her tone accordingly with what was going on in the story. She was in tune with what she was narrating, and it was easy to tell which character was speaking because she also varied her voice for each person.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There's plenty of action with a touch of romance in Blades of Magic. I loved the magic, especially the possibility that Sara could become what's known as a beserker - a mage who becomes so immersed in using his/her powers that it overpowers them. That was a scary possibility but also a cool twist to the story.

Any additional comments?

It took me a little bit of time to get into the story in the beginning. I listened to the first chapter twice, and the second time was pulled in quickly.

This was my first Terah Edun book as well as audiobook and certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series as well as her other series.

Blades Of Magic

Would you listen to Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1 again? Why?

No but I would listen to book 2

What about Sylvia Roldn Dohi’s performance did you like?

I didn't like it at first,but warmed up to her as she got further into the book.

Any additional comments?

I wasn't sure in the beginning if I would finish this book.It was violent and 'Hunger Games ish'.I read on and there was a different story here.I liked it.

Entertaining Listen

Would you try another book from Terah Edun and/or Sylvia Roldn Dohi?

I would likely listen to the second book in this series.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I like the idea of being a battle wizard. Rather than projecting magic without, its focused within to enhance one's self. Sort of like a super hero.

Have you listened to any of Sylvia Roldn Dohi’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Was Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1 worth the listening time?

Sure.

This is not a bad book. The dialogue and writing can be clunky at times and offer too much detail into things needlessly while not offering enough where I wanted it.

Any additional comments?

In my opinion book's biggest weakness is that it relies on a series of coincidences. It really bugs me when a book's plot only advances through a series of unlikely happenstances that only occur because someone met the right person at the right time at the right place.

Pick up this book and be entertained!

What made the experience of listening to Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

This book rocked this reader's socks! The narrator was fantastic. I'm a big fan of how this author's fantasy writing style and her characters. The story flowed very well and didn't drag on detail or plot line. The action was never ending and the world building lovely. The young heroine is one tough, but vulnerable chick and her side kick, a rag-a-muffin treasure hunter/thief is insanely entertaining.

Sara is a fighter and mage with blisteringly strong battle magic. She takes on the job of watching a rather shady "collector's"s magical baubles and weapons. She befriends the curator. They then have a whirlwind of fights and discoveries about Sara's deceased father that eventually leads them to the battleground. Mysteries are uncovered and more arise. Our heroine has many choices to make and may just learn what she is capable of.

Pick up this book and be entertained and engrossed with this great YA Fantasy novel!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sara. She's tough and a well built character.

What about Sylvia Roldn Dohi’s performance did you like?

Her narration was easy to follow.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Promising new series, looking forward to book 2!!!

My Thoughts - 3.5 out of 5 Unicorns - I more than liked it!!
***Received the audiobook as part of the tour for an honest review, but I do own the ebook :)

The cover is cool because she is looking fierce with her blade on her back, but nothing really grabs my attention aside from that.

This review is one of the tough ones for me because in the beginning the story was slow, and I think because I listened to the audiobook, it helped me get through those slow parts. The book was awesome at the end. There is lots of fighting, magic, and action throughout just tons towards the end. The slowness is something I personally tend to struggle with when I start a new series because it takes time to develop a new world, background, and characters.

The narrator is a new one for me, and I’m not sure what I think of her style. She is okay, but not anything remarkable though. She may grow on me in the future I just need to hear more to decide what I think of her.

Sara is a fierce female lead who kicks butts and takes heads (literally). This is a new and unique world that I haven’t seen before. I really think this book is setting the series up to continue and get better and better especially the next book :)

I think this book will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy sword wielding heroes who also have magic.

Highly recommended for all High Fantasy lovers!

If you could sum up Blades of Magic: Crown Service, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

The simple idea behind thinking that your father died as a disgraced soldier would put any daughter in bad position within herself. And Sara, being the skilled warrior that she is, must obey her family in order to have some sort of memory of her father that is not changed by what everyone thinks. When she discovers that her father might not be guilty overall, she is determined to find the truth and bring respect and honor back to her family's name.

I loved the way the story started - with a big bang. The fights, the witty side of Sara was really entertaining and she was the ultimate badass in my book. And can I mention that she also possessed some sick magic skills and had a sidekick? This book was entertaining, fast, and with the perfect narrator, it brought the story to life. Highly recommended for all High Fantasy lovers!