Staff Pick
Ziva sounds like your typical heroine — a talented bladesmith who forges magical weapons — except she also suffers from severe social anxiety. To keep one of her blades out of a ruthless warlord's hands, Ziva flees with the help of her sister, a scholar, and a super sexy mercenary. Both her inner and outer journeys are so compelling — probably because I could relate to her mental turmoil SO MUCH. The characters and representation in this book are just so good and so needed! Recommended By Carly J., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In The Secret Blade, the first book in Tricia Levenseller's exciting new YA fantasy duology, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made...
Synopsis
In Blade of Secrets, a new YA fantasy adventure from the author of Daughter of the Pirate King, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made.
Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.
Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord's intentions to use the weapon to enslave all the world under her rule, she takes her sister and flees.
Joined by a distractingly handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of the world's known magics, Ziva and her sister set out on a quest to keep the sword safe until they can find a worthy wielder or a way to destroy it entirely.
Synopsis
In Blade of Secrets, a romantic YA fantasy adventure from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author Tricia Levenseller, a teenage blacksmith is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made.
Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.
Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims' secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord's intentions to use the weapon to enslave all the world under her rule, she takes her sister and flees.
Joined by a distractingly handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of the world's known magics, Ziva and her sister set out on a quest to keep the sword safe until they can find a worthy wielder or a way to destroy it entirely.
Praise for the Bladesmith Duology:
"An addictive page-turner. Loaded with action, betrayal, slow-burn romance--honestly, that is the best first kiss scene ever... Be prepared to laugh, cry, and gasp." -- Mary E. Pearson, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Remnant Chronicles
"Levenseller elevates her already intriguing fantasy world through her depiction of Ziva, whose anxiety will ring true for anyone who's ever had a panic attack. Grab this and devour it." -- Booklist, starred review
"Blade of Secrets is an impactful, eye-opening journey of social anxiety that is flawlessly blended with Levenseller's signature flair for adventure and romance." --Bookstagram sensation Bridget Howard, @darkfaerietales_