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Heartsbane Saga #1
Captive and the Cursed
She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?
Nyah's merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister's place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.
The army is led by warrior Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse that's been put upon him and his court. Although he's officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he's on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse - a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.
Determined to return to her family, she'll need all the allies she can get. But she soon realizes no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She'll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before - but is that even what she wants anymore?
Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you'll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin's new historical fantasy series.
Nyah's merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister's place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.
The army is led by warrior Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse that's been put upon him and his court. Although he's officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he's on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse - a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.
Determined to return to her family, she'll need all the allies she can get. But she soon realizes no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She'll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before - but is that even what she wants anymore?
Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you'll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin's new historical fantasy series.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
E.D. Martin
13 books207 followersE.D. Martin is a writer with a knack for finding new jobs in new places. Born and raised in Illinois, her past incarnations have included bookstore barista in Indiana, college student in southern France, statistician in North Carolina, economic development analyst in North Dakota, and high school teacher in Iowa. She draws on her experiences to tell the stories of those around her, with a generous heaping of "what if" thrown in.
She currently lives in Illinois where she job hops while working on her novels.
Her debut novel, The Lone Wolf (re-released as Yours to Keep or Throw Aside), was published by Evolved Publishing in Dec 2013.
She currently lives in Illinois where she job hops while working on her novels.
Her debut novel, The Lone Wolf (re-released as Yours to Keep or Throw Aside), was published by Evolved Publishing in Dec 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 27, 2021
Captive and the Cursed is an entertaining, well-written fantasy novel. I was impressed with how smoothly the narrative flowed and how easy it was to drink in the world without becoming confused. The characters are well-drawn, likeable and easy to root for. The plot is easy to digest but also intricate enough to raise questions and create some mystery. Though a bit tropey at times, Martin is such a wonderful writer that you won't care as she deftly dances you through Nyah's adventures.
December 3, 2021
I love a good fantasy story, and this one is fantastic reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast".
The world ED Martin has created in this book has depth and layers, as any good fantasy novel should have. Her characters are rich and realistic, flawed but strong, and I was delighted by the little tidbits of character development along the way, as she took characters that annoyed me in the beginning to characters I rooted for by the end.
Her leading woman, Nyah, fills that bill to the tee. Smart but stubborn, she's resigned to the role of caretaker for her madness-ridden father and her younger sister, and her imminent marriage to the town's chief's son. Is this the life she wanted? No, but while she'd rather have the life her father promised her - to travel the world and experience the people -- she feels more than an obligation to her path. She loves wholeheartedly, and it shows.
So when her sister goes missing, and the town's leadership won't help, she takes matters into her own hands, trading the safety and banality of her home for the unknown life among 'barbarians', ensuring her sister and father are safe again. But when the barbarians seem less barbaric, and she finds her place among them, her heart changes, too. For not everything is as it seems.
I recommend this fast read -- I read it in 3 1-hr stints at the gym -- to anyone who loves an amazing story that keeps you wanting to read more. I finished this in my car after I got out of the gym, because I had to know how it ended! And I was thrilled to see there was another book in the series, so I picked that one up this morning, too!
The world ED Martin has created in this book has depth and layers, as any good fantasy novel should have. Her characters are rich and realistic, flawed but strong, and I was delighted by the little tidbits of character development along the way, as she took characters that annoyed me in the beginning to characters I rooted for by the end.
Her leading woman, Nyah, fills that bill to the tee. Smart but stubborn, she's resigned to the role of caretaker for her madness-ridden father and her younger sister, and her imminent marriage to the town's chief's son. Is this the life she wanted? No, but while she'd rather have the life her father promised her - to travel the world and experience the people -- she feels more than an obligation to her path. She loves wholeheartedly, and it shows.
So when her sister goes missing, and the town's leadership won't help, she takes matters into her own hands, trading the safety and banality of her home for the unknown life among 'barbarians', ensuring her sister and father are safe again. But when the barbarians seem less barbaric, and she finds her place among them, her heart changes, too. For not everything is as it seems.
I recommend this fast read -- I read it in 3 1-hr stints at the gym -- to anyone who loves an amazing story that keeps you wanting to read more. I finished this in my car after I got out of the gym, because I had to know how it ended! And I was thrilled to see there was another book in the series, so I picked that one up this morning, too!
October 23, 2020
Action packed, fast paced, suspenseful page turner with kidnapping, magic, evil sorcerer and Vikings/ barbarians, missing treasure and other interesting twists and turns in a very well written and captivating book with one hell of a plot.
This is book 1 of 2 and does end with lots of unanswered questions. Nyah is a sassy, strong and adventurous young lady who does not always make the smartest decisions ending with her in trouble or some precarious situations. Set in the medieval times we meet the cursed prince Brandulfar and his friend Egwu seeking to find a cure for the curse he was placed under by the evil Illfuss. We meet Nyah's family, her father also cursed but the reason for Nya's latest predicament and adventure, her sister Payton and her friend Dal who is definitely in love with each other. The portrayal of these supporting characters are excellent and supports and elevate the plot. Absolute must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book 1 of 2 and does end with lots of unanswered questions. Nyah is a sassy, strong and adventurous young lady who does not always make the smartest decisions ending with her in trouble or some precarious situations. Set in the medieval times we meet the cursed prince Brandulfar and his friend Egwu seeking to find a cure for the curse he was placed under by the evil Illfuss. We meet Nyah's family, her father also cursed but the reason for Nya's latest predicament and adventure, her sister Payton and her friend Dal who is definitely in love with each other. The portrayal of these supporting characters are excellent and supports and elevate the plot. Absolute must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2021
"The Captive and The Cursed" by E.D. Martin hits all the buttons that make for a great fantasy story; or, in this case, the beginning of an epic fantasy. The story is told in the first person narrative of Nyah, an unforgettable and absolutely worthy heroine. A woman cut from her adventurous father, Nyah is stuck in the rut of an unhappy and mundane betrothal situation until barbarians kidnap her younger sister.
Though not a "fast paced" thriller, Martin writes with a smooth style that allows for detailed descriptive to mix with the battles, intrigue, magic, and emotional ups and downs without bogging down the pace of the story. From the star actors to the most diminutive supporting characters, Martin brings them to life in a way that all readers can relate. The story includes several plot lines that twist and turn, keeping the reader on their toes and turning the pages. I'm sold on this story line and look forward to the next book, "Sleeping Shaman."
Though not a "fast paced" thriller, Martin writes with a smooth style that allows for detailed descriptive to mix with the battles, intrigue, magic, and emotional ups and downs without bogging down the pace of the story. From the star actors to the most diminutive supporting characters, Martin brings them to life in a way that all readers can relate. The story includes several plot lines that twist and turn, keeping the reader on their toes and turning the pages. I'm sold on this story line and look forward to the next book, "Sleeping Shaman."
February 22, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this story, the characters were great and I enjoyed getting to know this world. I look forward to more from the author and from this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2021
I devoured this book in a day! Such an easy, entertaining read. I couldn't put it down. If you like fast-paced, action packed stories with a witty main character, this one is worth a read.
I am a sucker for a small town character with big dreams. Nyah is exactly that. Strong-willed and independent, Nyah longs to explore and experience the lands outside her small village and her bravery thrusts her into adventures she never thought possible. It's a breath of fresh air seeing a female protagonist that acts on her own and takes her own fate in her hands rather than waiting for things to happen to her. I'll definitely be checking out book two.
I am a sucker for a small town character with big dreams. Nyah is exactly that. Strong-willed and independent, Nyah longs to explore and experience the lands outside her small village and her bravery thrusts her into adventures she never thought possible. It's a breath of fresh air seeing a female protagonist that acts on her own and takes her own fate in her hands rather than waiting for things to happen to her. I'll definitely be checking out book two.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews