The Swordmaker

Historical Collection #2

by Katie Cross

Andrei is more than just a swordmaker.

He's a legend.Members of the legendary silkmaking clan in the Southern Network understand one the clan keeps the Sirilas magic in balance by obedience to its rules, and the Sirilas magic keeps them alive.

When loyal, steady future Guide to the Clan Andrei Kuzmin finds a sword that stands in his way to ease and prosperity—quite literally—he's shoved out of his stable world and into a new magic.

A magic that doesn't care about the requirements of the Sirilas magic.

While Andrei grapples to rid himself of the meddlesome sword, a new foe enters the stage. Alek Popov, High Priest to the Southern Network, a witch hungry for the well-kept secrets of the silkmaking magic.

Can Andrei keep both magicks happy while forging the path required of him?

Or will Andrei's faltering loyalty destroy the clan from the very center?

THE SWORDMAKER is the second novel in the Historical Collection. This thrilling story will sweep you away to the arctic lands of the Southern Network, where magic teems and mysteries abound.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2023

About the author

My world revolves around my husband (who is a major hottie), my precious kids, my Vizsla’s who act like children, and the mountains.

I wear hiking boots instead of heels when I need to feel powerful, and on a bad day, I love a weightlifting workout. Actually, I love it on a good day.

I don’t eat bread because my thyroid doesn’t like it, although there are days I miss it. Especially ciabatta. Sweet potatoes are kind of my thing. Cookies too.

I write because I never stopped.

Author of The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Coffee Shop Series.

Email me at kcrosswriting@gmail.com

Reviews

[Laila Savolainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had fun with this novel. It's a wonderful addition to the Historical collection of Alkarra.
I very much related to the magic of the Swordmaker. Katie brought the Ensis magic itself to life, for me as a creative, it became a sentient character, a player within the story. What happens in the story radiates out into the Alkarran world and timeline.
There is so much here that opens the opportunities for more stories.
It is not only a companion to Alkarra's past, it's a stand alone novel that will give no spoilers, only added enjoyment to Katie's other series.

[Bright Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swordmaker is a satisfying book filled with the rich details of the culture of the silkmaker clan and its Sirilas magic. It also tells a story about a Swordmaker, of course!

Andrei, soon to be the new leader of the clan, has been trained to be the next Guide of the clan for years. He knows just what to do and when to do it. Until suddenly he doesn’t!

I would really enjoy it if this book became a series or if at least more short stories sprouted from it.

✨Witches✨Magic ✨Alkarra ✨

[Kim Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t miss this book in the Historical Collection. This is a stand alone book so there won’t be spoilers if you haven’t read previous Katie books. This book covers the history of the Sirilas magic, and the Ensis magic that all the Andreis’ have to make the swords. Also we learn of the silk trade and the Maleesa, this is fascinating. As usual for Katie, there are characters that we love and some we do not.

[Debbie Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a big juicy book filled with all kinds of history and knowledge. Also, of course, excellent story telling that Katie is famous for. Join stoic structured Andrei as he is lured by the call of a new magic. Will he follow his heart or do what is expected of him? You will learn a lot and love the ride1

[Andy Gonzalez De M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! Love reading the history of Alkarra, and the swordmaker does not disappoint. If you have read other books from the Alkarran universe, you already know about Andrei, and will love to read his story.
If you haven’t read any of the other books that take place in Alkarra, you can still read this book and not spoil anything.
Thank you Katie for a story full of adventure, true friendship and the choices we might face in life.

[Carol L · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful introduction to the world of Alkarra and the art of swordmaking!! Andrei is scheduled to be Guide to the Clan but is it really what he wants to do? A new sort of magic takes his soul to a new level of awareness and he hesitates....what now?? Read to find out what he decides and how a greedy Southern Network Council member throws all sorts of blocks in the way. You won't be disappointed!!

[Diane Ottobre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows you the beginning of the first swordmaker, Andrei, and also the Ensis magic behind it. You discover how the magic found him and how he slowly learned the process of making a sword. He learns to listen to the magic. It also delves into the silk making trade and the magic that helped the clans through the process and their daily lives. This book is worth reading to give you the background for all the Andreis that follow.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Katie's books and the world she's created, but I struggled to stay interested in this one. The depth of detail this backstory provided doesn't feel as essential as others. I was most interested in Andreii's awakening as Ensis.

[Terry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Katie Cross have come across the swordmaker Andrei who made Viveet, Bianca Monroe's sword. Yet Andrei who made Viveet wasn't the first Andrei who took the magic and let it teach him how to make swords. This story is about one of the First Andrei's and his trials of decision of who to become, the person he was groomed to be, the guide of his clan. Or the path of difference becoming the swordmaker. It begs more follow up stories, what becomes of him and his clan. Who is the Andrei that made Viveet? Is their only love the love of making swords? Good read and one that brings the Southern High Priest into the intrigue of the silk making trade. Deceit, traitorous actions, stepping out of ones comfort zone and learning life was meant to be lived and experienced.

[Karen D Haughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swordmaker gives readers of Katie J. Cross' Alkarran books an in depth perspective into the life of Andrei, the first Alkarran swordmaker. Andrei has been preparing to assume the role of Guide for his clan and it's Sirilas magic, when suddenly he is given the Ensis magic to create swords. His clan doesn't believe in the use of swords, which makes this magic even more troublesome. Journey with Andrei as he struggles through the conflicts of the two powerful magics in his life. Which one will he choose?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of Katie Cross’s books and I admit I’m a fan. But this one is just different enough that it was like a breath of fresh air. It takes place in Alkarra, the setting of all of her fantasy novels, but for this book, she came up with totally new kinds of magic! The main character finds himself having to save his clan, but also having to choose between different types of magic that have called to him. I love this story! Andrei is just a regular guy, content with his life and then he’s called upon to be great and possibly change the world!

[Jean-Maire Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this 2nd book in the historical series. We get to meet the first Andrei and learn how the Ensis magic came to him. I loved watching Andrei grow into his new roles and seeing how he overcame the obstacles in his way. Katie Cross, once again magically brought Andrei to life for me in a way that I understood how difficult his choices were and agonized with him and then experienced his elation on the things that were successful.

[Loni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Katie Cross! I loved this book and enjoyed learning about Andrei and the paths he had to choose to become a Swordmaker. I also really liked how everything ended—it was perfect and what I was hoping throughout the book! This book can also be read as a stand alone. Thanks Katie for another phenomenal book!

[Dana Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story to fill in some history. Love the different kinds of magic that can force itself into one's life. Some of the accents in the audiobook were hard to understand. There was plenty of politics which is not my favorite thing. Katie is still a great writer and makes all the activity and conversation interesting.

[Steve Ruskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swordmaker works great as both a stand alone or of course as just one of many parts of Katie Cross's larger world of Alkarra. I loved watching Andrei grow in confidence--both in himself and his magic--as he struggles with a sword (yes, a sword!) that has plans of its own...