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The Queen's Blade #4
Sacred Knight of the Veil
A royal hostage and a headstrong young queen could make the streets of Jondar run with blood, and only the Queen’s Blade can save them both.Fifteen years have passed since Blade vanished, and plotting Cotti princes threaten the peace of the three kingdoms again. Prince Trelath has kidnapped Minna-Satu, and threatens to kill her unless the Jashimari Regent, Chiana, allows Prince Endor to visit Kerrion’s daughter, but Chiana knows that this is a ruse to capture the young Queen and take her power. Only the Queen’s Blade, Lord Protector of Jashimari, can overrule the Queen in times of crisis, and has the power, and audacity, to control the high-spirited girl and save her from her naïveté. First, Chiana must find a man who does not want to be found, and who is a master of disguise. He is also most likely to be found lying drunk in a gutter. Nevertheless, he is Kerra’s only hope of escaping her plotting half-uncles. In order to evade Endor’s soldiers and leave Jondar with the girl, Blade must take up the office he scorns and become a sacred Knight of the Veil. However, a bargain with the Idol of the Beasts sends him into the desert on a seemingly impossible quest that will bring him a mighty reward... if he succeeds.The Queen’s Blade must tread the keen edge of fate and bend it to his will.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2010
15 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
T.C. Southwell
37 books156 followersT. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa.
T. C. Southwell has written over thirty novels, ranging from fantasy and science fiction to romance and adventure, as well as five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she earns a living in the IT industry.
T. C. Southwell has written over thirty novels, ranging from fantasy and science fiction to romance and adventure, as well as five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she earns a living in the IT industry.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2012
Just when you thought a series was going to take a turn for the worse, T.C. Southwell pulls Blade out of retirement and throws him into a thick political situation that only Blade can rectify. I was certainly concerned that the series would lose steam at this point, but Blade continued to capture me in this novel, revealing more of his character and trying to hide the heart he hated but that was showing through more frequently. When he's promised the thing he wanted back the most in life, his skepticism and lack of trust almost cause him to walk away, but his ruthlessness pushes him on. I wish half of the author's I've read could keep their characters as complicated and true to form as T.C. Southwell.
April 6, 2011
This installment of the Queen's Blade jumps us 15 yr after book 3. Still interesting... and now Kerra is almost Queen. Blade has been noticable effected by Shamsara's "gift" (but I won't say how. Blade is asked back to the castle to protect Kerra, but almost too late. On his mission Shamsara set him upon yet another mission to save Merra-Satu as well...offering him a payment/gift he really can't refuse.
January 5, 2013
These books have gotten bad. I hate how the characters act and are treated by other characters. I hate the decisions they are making. I'm rolling my eyes way too much. Still hoping they get better.
November 28, 2022
Needs editing
I would give the book 5 stars if not for the editing. Spelling and grammar I had no issues with, I can deal with that. Going from one character in a paragraph to another character that is not even in the same country with nothing to denote the change of scenery is just lazy. The story makes up for it but definitely can make a confusing read.
I would give the book 5 stars if not for the editing. Spelling and grammar I had no issues with, I can deal with that. Going from one character in a paragraph to another character that is not even in the same country with nothing to denote the change of scenery is just lazy. The story makes up for it but definitely can make a confusing read.
August 14, 2019
Love this series. Each book makes me love blade more & more.
June 15, 2015
This is a blanket review for the series as I didn’t find enough differences between the books to warrant separate reviews. The Queen’s Blade Series consists of six books, eight if you count the two prequels, that tells the story of two kingdoms torn by war. Queen Minna-Satu is determined to end the fighting that is destroying her kingdom and sets forth on the path foretold by a seer. In her quest to complete the prophecy she takes the assassin Blade into her employ and the perilous journey described in the following six books begins.
The first book in the series, “The Queen’s Blade,” is a free book. It starts out a bit slow but once the story begins following Blade the action is never absent for long and that trend continues through the series. Of course, the first free book ends in a cliff hanger so you just have to buy the next one, and the next one, and the next one…
The main character in the series, Blade, is a well rounded character that draws readers in. He is a hard man who cares for none but himself, however, the occasional glimpses of his consideration for others and the slowing growing revelation of his horrendous past builds a relationship between him and the reader that keeps the pages turning. Blade is supported by a full cast of well developed characters, both friend and foe, leading to a very readable book.
My biggest complaint was the repetition that becomes more noticeable towards the end of the series. Eventually it seems to be a cycle of Blade being wounded nearly to death, being rescued and nursed back to health, being captured, escaping, being wounded, being nursed, being captured, escaping, etc. That aside, the backdrop for the story is constantly changing and, while assassinations figure prominently in the plot, the storyline has enough changes to keep the reader interested. When all is said and done I would recommend this book to any readers of fantasy, especially the young adult category.
The first book in the series, “The Queen’s Blade,” is a free book. It starts out a bit slow but once the story begins following Blade the action is never absent for long and that trend continues through the series. Of course, the first free book ends in a cliff hanger so you just have to buy the next one, and the next one, and the next one…
The main character in the series, Blade, is a well rounded character that draws readers in. He is a hard man who cares for none but himself, however, the occasional glimpses of his consideration for others and the slowing growing revelation of his horrendous past builds a relationship between him and the reader that keeps the pages turning. Blade is supported by a full cast of well developed characters, both friend and foe, leading to a very readable book.
My biggest complaint was the repetition that becomes more noticeable towards the end of the series. Eventually it seems to be a cycle of Blade being wounded nearly to death, being rescued and nursed back to health, being captured, escaping, being wounded, being nursed, being captured, escaping, etc. That aside, the backdrop for the story is constantly changing and, while assassinations figure prominently in the plot, the storyline has enough changes to keep the reader interested. When all is said and done I would recommend this book to any readers of fantasy, especially the young adult category.
August 11, 2013
This is a minireview for the whole series, since the books are somewhat similar:
This series follows an assassin, aptly called an instrument of destiny at some point, who changes the fate of three kingdoms while finding himself in the process (mostly in the last book. It's a very slow finding of self)
Thus, awesome characters, slow plot and next to no drama(until #6). There are a lot of action scenes, quite a lot, and the protagonist gets caught and makes a daring escape in every book, sometimes even twice or thrice in the same book.
Three stars is my assessment of the series, growing to four when there's a discussion that does nothing but reveal something about the character or the relationship between characters and their place in the world.
This series follows an assassin, aptly called an instrument of destiny at some point, who changes the fate of three kingdoms while finding himself in the process (mostly in the last book. It's a very slow finding of self)
Thus, awesome characters, slow plot and next to no drama(until #6). There are a lot of action scenes, quite a lot, and the protagonist gets caught and makes a daring escape in every book, sometimes even twice or thrice in the same book.
Three stars is my assessment of the series, growing to four when there's a discussion that does nothing but reveal something about the character or the relationship between characters and their place in the world.
September 30, 2011
There is a big jump in this book, as far as the timeline goes, and I have to say it is not one of my favorites in the series. This is mainly because I do not like one of the main characters. I understand the *point* of her, and her position in the plot line, and the *need* for her and her actions but I still don't like her! That said, I still enjoyed the book and happily moved on to the following one.
March 7, 2014
Entertaining read with a consistent pace and sufficient intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Is there nothing this assassin cannot do? No pain he cannot endure? And that perhaps is the only weakness to this epic tale. Our hero though humiliated and humbled at times has also morphed into super hero class. Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment and am sure the remaining volumes will be equally entertaining. Four stars from me and my thanks to the author.
January 26, 2022
Out of all of the books in this series this one is joint top favourite.
The adventures in hiding the 'kidnapped' Queen Kerra, the mysterious promise of the idol of the beasts and the tragic torture of Chiana not to mention a premature reunion in the desert has been so well written it
leaves you feeling like you have been with each character, that you have traveled their journey and grown with them.
Yet another great read from TC Southwell.
The adventures in hiding the 'kidnapped' Queen Kerra, the mysterious promise of the idol of the beasts and the tragic torture of Chiana not to mention a premature reunion in the desert has been so well written it
leaves you feeling like you have been with each character, that you have traveled their journey and grown with them.
Yet another great read from TC Southwell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2012
Awesome books!!! I couldn't tear through these fast enough. I never tired of hearing about Blade's close calls and mastery of his skill. His life was art in a dark and tormenting way. Read this book!!!
October 6, 2011
Still just as great as the last, I can't wait to reaud the next one. I will be sad whwhen the storends.
July 10, 2012
One of the best books of the series. I have to admit, the plot gets kind of redundant, but the witty, scheming dialogue and BLADE keep you interested. I simply cannot stop reading.
April 11, 2013
Once again T.C.S does not disappoint. Time to save some $ to get the next one!
May 27, 2013
Another great book by TC Southwell. It is 15 years later and Blade has not lost his touch to live his life as he sees fit.
September 29, 2013
I'm glad it ended that way.
June 17, 2014
The book has kept my interest, making me want to read more and find out what happens in the end.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews