Sunday, January 31, 2021

Book Review: Of Sword and Shadow by A. L. Sowards

About the Book:

Greece, 1379

She is known by many names, none of them her own. In truth, she is an unnamed slave, nothing more than a weapon in the hands of her owner in his attempts to provoke political mayhem. When she encounters a handsome young man while on an assignment, she thinks little of him—until he attempts to take what she has stolen. But in her line of work, failure is not an option.

Gillen is intrigued by the mysterious woman who thwarts his mission. But when his path crosses hers again, his intrigue turns to gratitude as the thief he comes to call Eudocia saves his life. The two form a bond of friendship and join forces to wrest control from a group of ruthless rulers. But as their camaraderie blossoms into something more, Gillen and Eudocia must fight for love even as they wage war for a better future.

Coming from Covenant in paperback, ebook, and audiobook, February 2021. Available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


My Thoughts:

I loved reading Of Sword and Shadow by A. L. Sowards. The story quickly snagged my attention and my fascination with Eudocia kept me returning to the book nightly. Half-slave and half-apprentice, Eudocia possesses a keen intuition and healthy confidence derived from her training to be a thief. Despite her involvement in illegal activities, I admired Eudocia and her talents. While her thievery skills cannot set her free, these abilities spur her into a quest for truth about spiritual questions, her shrouded past, and an uncertain future.

For me, the romance in Of Sword and Shadow was secondary to Eudocia and her activities. However, I enjoyed the blossoming of Gil and Eudocia’s relationship. Themes of redemption and freedom were explored partly due to their relationship.

Of Sword and Shadow introduced me to the work of A. L. Sowards, and I look forward to exploring her previously published novels. I confess, I wish the final chapter had been a bit longer, but Of Sword and Shadow is a satisfying read that has a permanent home on my bookcase. Readers who enjoy a tale with unique characters, a slow burn romance, and substantial action/danger will likely enjoy this novel.

 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


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