The Devil's Sword

by Douglas E. Richards

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the adult thriller, WIRED*, and its sequel, AMPED, The Devil's Sword is a critically acclaimed mainstream thriller for kids and adults alike.

[*WIRED was the #1 bestselling Kindle novel of 2011 in two major categories -- science fiction and technothrilelrs -- un unprecedented achievement]

Ages 9 to adult

"Crisp, innovative,and intelligent. Should be at the top of your reading list." --Larry Cox, book critic, King Features syndicate

A fencing tournament turns deadly! Can three young fencers thwart a plan to bring America to its knees?

Kevin, Rachel,and Ben are young fencers eager to compete in an upcoming tournament at Nellis Air Force Base. But when they arrive,they become unwilling pawns in a twisted plan to steal the ultimate weapon. A plan that somehow revolves around the tournament. Now, battling for their very survival, they must find a way to stop the two brilliant arms dealers behind it all. But the arms dealers hold all the cards. And far more is at stake than just their lives . . .

The Devil's Sword is a gripping thriller that is sure to be enjoyed by fencers, non-fencers, kids, and adults alike.

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Action, Fiction, Amazon

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2010

About the author

Write to Doug at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and visit the author's website to be notified of new releases.

Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science-fiction thrillers that have sold more than three million copies (see list below). Richards has been celebrated for his gripping, thought-provoking works that blend cutting-edge scientific concepts with heart-pounding narratives.

Richards burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, WIRED, published in 2010. The novel garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenious combination of scientific speculation and thrilling storytelling. This success set the stage for a series of bestselling novels, each marked by meticulous research, riveting plots, and characters that resonate with readers.

Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging narratives, Richards has become a go-to author for readers seeking an intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-fueled reading experience. His works delve deeply into the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific breakthroughs and the potential impact of technology on society.

A former Director of Biotechnology Licensing at Bristol Myers Squibb and a former biotechnology executive, Richards earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

The author has two grown children and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and dog.

Richards loves hearing from readers, and always replies, so feel free to write to him at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and address him as "Doug". You can also Friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, or visit his website, where you can sign up to be notified of new releases.

SCIENCE FICTION THRILLERS BY DOUGLAS E. RICHARDS

SERIES

WIRED (Wired 1)
AMPED (Wired 2)

MIND'S EYE (Nick Hall 1)
BRAINWEB (Nick Hall 2)
MIND WAR (Nick Hall 3)
UNLEASHED (Nick Hall 4)

SPLIT SECOND(Split Second 1)
TIME FRAME (Split Second 2)

THE ENIGMA CUBE (Alien Artifact 1)
A PIVOT IN TIME (Alien Artifact 2)

STANDALONE NOVELS

QUANTUM LENS
GAME CHANGER
INFINITY BORN
SEEKER
VERACITY
ORACLE
THE IMMORTALITY CODE
UNIDENTIFIED
PORTALS
THE CURE (To become KU eligible for the first time in 2023)
THE BREAKTHROUGH EFFECT

Kids Science Fiction Thrillers (9 and up, enjoyed by kids and adults alike)

TRAPPED (Prometheus Project 1)
CAPTURED (Prometheus Project 2)
STRANDED (Prometheus Project 3)

OUT OF THIS WORLD

DEVIL'S SWORD

Reviews

[JansRoots · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is the sequel coming out?????

The book was really well done from plot, execution, details, etc. While written with young adults as the protagonists, it was still a gripping read for an older adult. It also leads beautifully into a "when he grows up" sequel. I can imagine how good it will be after following the Nick Hall books. I was hoping there would be another in the Nick Hall series soon, but I'll take a Kevin Taylor series in compensation!

Also, the cover art is misleading. Looks like a military black ops book. Maybe a glowing satellite with a laser vectored to earth?

[Sherry McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

D. E. Richards Never Disappoints!!!

Ive read every one of Mr. Richards books. Im never, ever disappointed. He thoroughly researches every facet of the story he writes. The use of fencing and its many intricate techniques was great. As well as informative. Fast paced, exciting, and as always with an unexpected twist. I like the way he left open the possibility of another story involving Kevin and the villain Diego. I'm hoping that this turn out to be true. I would definitely look forward to that book.

[Poor Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly talented author, Excellent book.

The Devil's Sword is a suspenseful page turner once it gets rolling.
I think this book is PERFECT for the intended age group, but is excellent for a person of any age who is interested in stories about strategy, planning and execution.
Highly Recommended for ANY age, but particularly to younger readers who enjoy a young teen hero type tale.

[Ganesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real classic

The knowledge of fencing is accurate and also the deception with a CAPITAL D. USING OF SUN ZU is a brilliant master stroke.. As many people have read him,, but following in real life NIX.. I WOULD LIKE KEVIN to save the nation again and find out whats in AREA 51 .,,HOPE YOU READ MY REVIEW DOUGLAS

[Steven Trepeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young or old, this is a fabulous adventure

This story is so well thought out in every detail. It will keep you turning pages and unable to guess what could possible come next to help our hero and outsmart therefore villain. Fierce Fencing, forever fun, and an u unforgetably fabulous fable.

[Cheryl Cavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for Adults and kids

I loved this story! I didn't know anything about fencing, but loved it and learned something. I loved the use of quotes at the beginning of each chapter, the twists and finally, the character development.

I will probably be getting this book for my grandchildren when they are reading age!

[David Rague · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil’s Sword takes you on a wild adventure with sports and criminals. The book was well written and engaging. There were plenty of mind games throughout the book. I would give this book a 10/10.

[Glenn Chritian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read was looking to relax and fill some time.

Simple thriller kid friendly. Different from his other books. Pleasantly surprised. I would recommend D. Richards to anyone interested in Science fiction.

[Gary Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

And even though it was written for a younger audience I enjoyed it. This author is at the top of my favorite author list and I've read all of his books... As long as he keeps writing I'll keep reading. 🙂

[marie greatorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn how to become a fencer

I love the timing of events and the use of vocabulary! Want ing to know more about Kelvin and his buddies, using teasers.

[john m. huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

Fast and interesting read. I feel it is perfect for teens. Adults will enjoy, as well. So well written. Great, complex plot.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

An enjoyable book and a good one for young people as well. Fast moving g with some surprising turns. I recommend it!

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting book!!

My son and I love reading Richards and hope he finds time for another adventure book aimed at the youth audience.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story from Richards, he even uses Sun Tzu references through Kevin the youngest brother of three. A very engaging tale. R really enjoyed this book. 5

[Ancelle Tache · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book's audience definitely does not include me. It's quite simple and very drawn out in its exposition. Something that could have taken 2 sentences to explain takes an entire chapter. Could not finish the book.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a YA book this had quite the plot. And I have read books with fencing as part of the story before but this was far the best use and explanation of the sport.

[Sharon Keirn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The devils sword

Not science fiction at all. A spell binding tale of personal growth, peer relationships and teenagers teaming up together with thwart a criminal mastermind.

[Andy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not good. Really, probably his worst book I've read so far.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the excerpt that was printed in the "American Fencing" magazine. As a fencer, I am curious how he will weave the fencing in with the plot, especially since fencing is a fairly fringe sport in the USA. Many of the teens I fence with are also avid (might I say, "rabid") readers, so it will be great for them to see their other passion recognized in print.

**UPDATE**

I finished the book in a quick weekend, and one where I had a fencing tournament! It was a very fast paced read, with plenty of action. Richards does a great job of explaining fencing to non-fencers, without sounding too patronizing for those who already know the sport.

I really appreciated the parts where the father stands up for the son's fencing against the teasing of his brothers. Plenty of our students have heard "that's a sissy sport!", even to our faces at demonstrations. However, if you do it, you know it's not, and Richards has a great scene showing this.

The action might be a bit much for the under 12 yrs crowd, since a few people do die. But Richards is great about keeping the gore to a minimum, so most sensitive readers need not worry. Those who are not sensitive will not be bored, as the action is constant and there is always a new twist.

Adult readers might raise an eyebrow a little at the idea that a teenager could be smarter than the US military, but it makes for a good story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won The Devil's Sword from First Reads. I appreciate it's very quick arrival. It took about two days to get here. I thank the author for being so prompt. I plan to read this then give it to my nephew who is an avid fencer and reader. I'll post a review after he has a chance to read it. I want to include his rating. I will say that from the little I've read so far Devil's Sword gets right into the action. I'll add more later.

The three is my rating, it may improve after I add input from my nephew.

Update: My nephew now has the book and is enjoying it. He hasn't finished it yet; it may take him a while considering he has just turned nine. He saw a write up of The Devil's Sword in a magazine at his fencing school and was thrilled. I'll post his rating when I get it.

Update: He really liked the book and would rate it a four. I'll be changing my rating to reflect this. He is the target audience after all.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Devil’s Sword by Alex

The Devil’s Sword by Douglas E. Richards is easily on my top 5 book list! It is about a 14 year-old named Kevin Taylor who takes fencing. When he goes to his first national tournament at Nellis Air Force Base, he and his friends are kidnapped by two mercenaries, Diego and Klaus, who plan to steal the U.S.’s most recent and most dangerous weapon: The Devil’s Sword. Will they survive? You’ll have to read to find out. As far as stars go, this book needs more than five. I loved this book and finished it in about 3 days. This is the same author as the Prometheus Project, so don’t forget to read them together! This book deserves about 10 out of 5 stars, because of the swift- paced storyline and the danger, suspense, imagery, and its plain ability to grab and hook the reader. This is my number one favorite book, so be sure to read The Devil’s Sword.

[Mark Gunnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Richards's other adult fiction books and thought I'd give this one a try. It is clearly written for a younger audience, but still entertaining enough to hold my attention throughout. Unlike other books geared toward youth readers which have multiple layers that appeal to adults and youths alike, this book seemed so one-dimensional in its intended audience...I'm not saying that's a bad thing, Richards wrote to his target audience, and nailed it.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Richards' adult content is great, and his younger stuff is on the same sort of track. Obviously it's not got the depth or detail of a larger work, but it's an action-packed story with impressive detail. If perhaps almost too virtuous at times, it nonetheless kept me reading and I'm nearly 30!

[Anneliese]

I can't wait to read this book. As a fencer, I'm anticipating seeing how they will incorporate fencing in the plot. Many of my teammates also enjoy reading, I'm sure I will show them this book if I enjoy it.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily a YA story, it's about a group of kids who thwart some terrorists trying to seize a US super-weapon. An interesting twist here is how the world of fencing is incorporated into the story - it's not used to thwart the terrorists directly.

[Roger D. Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story for any aged reader. The adventure is fast paced and fun.

The magic is in the details. Things are never as they seem but that is what keeps you turning the pages. The heroes come in all sizes in an adventure to save the country while building relationships. Enjoy.

[shinfu]

I have just won this book from First Reads. I look forward to reading it. Thanks.

[Armin · Rating 4 out of 5]

entertaining, nice insight into fencing and for a change not too brutal military book, but still full of suspense.

[Robert Lewter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good show.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling story, interesting characters. A fourteen year old geek discovers fencing. Then with his friends and family save the U.S. from a terrorist attack.