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The Shield: A Blades of the Night Prequel
Sainte Nore does not want to be a farmer. He does not want to be a trader or a store owner. He wants to be a Blade of the Night. He wants to fight the ravenous beasts they call Malignin; to defend Crearia from them.
That’s why, when he turns seventeen, he does just that. Recently single, he leaves his family and everything he knows behind to go through Training to become a Blade. Sainte is determined to do what it takes to graduate, no matter who or what tries to get in his way.
But when Training is almost over, he is given a unique assignment.
One that changes everything.
That’s why, when he turns seventeen, he does just that. Recently single, he leaves his family and everything he knows behind to go through Training to become a Blade. Sainte is determined to do what it takes to graduate, no matter who or what tries to get in his way.
But when Training is almost over, he is given a unique assignment.
One that changes everything.
- GenresFantasy
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2023
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 25, 2023
This prequel novella to the Severance Trilogy introduces you to Sainte, and tells his story of how he becomes The Shield.
This short story was very entertaining and builds the world that the subsequent books will be based in. The characters were well written and the world building great, and it definitely hooks you into wanting to read the next book to find out what happens to Sainte and the rest of the characters. Overall, a good read!
This short story was very entertaining and builds the world that the subsequent books will be based in. The characters were well written and the world building great, and it definitely hooks you into wanting to read the next book to find out what happens to Sainte and the rest of the characters. Overall, a good read!
January 6, 2026
"The Shield" is a short prequel to The Severance Trilogy which follows Sainte as he joins the Blades.
This would have been the first few chapters of "Blades of the Night" which were cut. I think cutting it was a good move as the resulting cold open is excellent; we didn't need the backstory.
But just because we didn't need it doesn't mean it's not nice to have separately. Particularly after reading the whole (traumatic) trilogy, seeing Sainte so young and naive is bittersweet. But it was great to see his old self again, however briefly.
As you no doubt expect from this author by now, the action is on point. But this is really a character-driven story, and that's also done well. In particular, Sainte and Miqel's relationship takes on a very different feel after reading this.
If you're a fan of the series, I'd absolutely recommend "The Shield," which is now also available in a very well narrated audiobook.
I recommend reading book one first, and then "The Shield," purely because the opening scenes of "Blades of the Night" are the perfect introduction to the series.
This would have been the first few chapters of "Blades of the Night" which were cut. I think cutting it was a good move as the resulting cold open is excellent; we didn't need the backstory.
But just because we didn't need it doesn't mean it's not nice to have separately. Particularly after reading the whole (traumatic) trilogy, seeing Sainte so young and naive is bittersweet. But it was great to see his old self again, however briefly.
As you no doubt expect from this author by now, the action is on point. But this is really a character-driven story, and that's also done well. In particular, Sainte and Miqel's relationship takes on a very different feel after reading this.
If you're a fan of the series, I'd absolutely recommend "The Shield," which is now also available in a very well narrated audiobook.
I recommend reading book one first, and then "The Shield," purely because the opening scenes of "Blades of the Night" are the perfect introduction to the series.
January 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this prequel, and I’m especially thankful that I’ve got the next book on standby so I can read it right away. I found the characters likable, the story interesting, and I especially loved the world-building. Exactly as a prequel should, it left me wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next… and that’s exactly what I plan to do!
August 25, 2023
**3.5 Stars**
May 30, 2025
In this story we follow Sainte from his small farming town to training with the Blades and finally how he became the shield. It shows a whole new side of Sainte as he shapes into the man we already know and filling in some gaps regarding the barrier.
There is so much beautiful description throughout that you really get a feel for what this world looks like. I’d say this is on the lighter side compared to the first book but still full of action and fighting
There is so much beautiful description throughout that you really get a feel for what this world looks like. I’d say this is on the lighter side compared to the first book but still full of action and fighting
January 20, 2025
I typically don’t read prequels after reading the main story since I know what happens. But despite it all, I enjoyed Sainte’s backstory.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews