Book Review: Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

A teenage blacksmith with social anxiety accepts a commission from the wrong person and is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she’s ever made.

COULD’VE BEEN ONE BOOK.

While I really enjoyed this and always love Levenseller’s writing and story telling, I thought BoS was missing something.

Mostly that I think with 100 more pages this story could’ve been entirely wrapped up and it would have been a fantastic standalone! I hate when it’s noticeable that books shouldn’t be extended out.

What I did love was the social anxiety rep. WOW did I feel so very seen. While it totally stressed me out sometimes (because ya know, I stress myself out sometimes) with Ziva’s thoughts, I could completely get on board with her feelings.

I also looooove the sister bond. Ziva and Temra! The love and support between them was amazing. The journey that they want on only strengthened things between them and I’m hopeful for book two for that to continue. I love a good strong sibling bond read.

Kellyn is absolutely adorable. I love the slow burn between him and Ziva was so sweet!! It bloomed organically and with respect for each other and their preferences on speed of the relationship and I loved that. Not to mention, his huge family was great to see. It really was that tender watching him run around with all of his siblings. How PRESH.

This was a good journey read and while I thought it was missing some action, or some larger to the world aspect, I am invested. I forever love Levenseller’s stories!

Overall audience notes: