“Prophecy has nothing to say about Simon. He has no special powers, no magical weapons, and no guarantee that he’ll survive. But he sets off anyway, alone, to gain the power he needs to oppose the Travelers and topple their ruthless Overlord. It may not be his destiny, but Simon’s determined to rescue his fellow villagers from certain death.

Because who cares about prophecy, really?”

This is not your typical fantasy story. Will Wight’s debut novel contains all the constituent parts of a work of fantasy – a prophesised hero wielding world-breaking powers, a damsel in distress (who is more than capable of defending herself), and a trusty side character. Although the story flits between these three characters – Alin, Leah, and Sam – Wight focuses mainly on Samuel’s story and his harrowing training in Valinhall, the aptly named ‘House of Blades.’

There’s a price to pay for every scrap of power and ability ‘Travelers’ gain from training in their own unique ‘world.’ Some can channel creatures wrapped in fire or thunder, for Simon, he learns how to kill his enemies with extreme speed and strength, gifted to him after facing some of the gruelling trials of Valinhall and a dubious pact made with the Nye.

The interactions between the characters can be awkward on rare occasion but for the most part are actually quite enjoyable. The older brother/reluctant younger brother dynamic between Alin and Sam, who seek to best each other in rescuing the damsel, is particularly funny. Though Sam is often overlooked (see the village reunion scene) for his more powerful counterpart, it is arguably a far more interesting story perceived through Sam’s eyes than Alin’s, and a commendable decision on Wight’s part.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced fantasy book with danger around every possible corner, you can’t go wrong with Wight’s House of Blades. Though by the author’s own admission his sequel, Crimson Vault, is a better all-round novel, House of Blades is a delightful self-published work, which deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other fast-paced fantasy tellings of the genre.

– Farrell

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