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A Path of Blades
This life is a path of blades. Will you grasp the hilt or face the point?
Ingvar Darelle is an honour-bound soldier, a knight tasked with defending his country whenever he is called to battle. Violence and war provide no glory for Ingvar, who only wants to be at home on his rural estate.
His hopes for peace are shattered and his life is thrown into turmoil as secrets are revealed and plots are hatched. Beset on all sides and running out of allies, how will Ingvar’s friendships and family cope with the forces that try to tear them apart?
How will he even survive?
Which path will he choose?
Ingvar Darelle is an honour-bound soldier, a knight tasked with defending his country whenever he is called to battle. Violence and war provide no glory for Ingvar, who only wants to be at home on his rural estate.
His hopes for peace are shattered and his life is thrown into turmoil as secrets are revealed and plots are hatched. Beset on all sides and running out of allies, how will Ingvar’s friendships and family cope with the forces that try to tear them apart?
How will he even survive?
Which path will he choose?
- GenresFantasy
350 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2023
10 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
R.E. Sanders
5 books39 followersR.E. Sanders is a fantasy author based in the UK. A degree in archaeology and a fascination with British history has led him to create a world of his own in which to spin tales and create adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 25, 2024
3.5 stars
A Path of Blades is an easy-reading fantasy that does a really good job of focussing on one aspect within a wider conflict. While battles and political manoeuvring bring about big changes to the land, we tend to see the impact of them rather than the events themselves, with our POV character, Ingvar Darelle, often left to figure things out as the world around him is gradually torn apart. It's an interesting path for the author to choose, as normally in a book like this, the temptation to look at the bigger picture is too difficult to turn down. Here, we get a third-person narrative that is so close to the main character it almost feels like a first-person one.
Because of this narrative, we don't get to know the other characters too much, but we get a really good look at Ingvar and I think he's a good enough character to drive the story. Of course, although he might be driving, he's not really in control - that would largely be the story's antagonist, the destroyer of worlds on a small scale. I think the conflict between these two is believable and intriguing, even if for most of the book it's not really clear what, if anything, served as the catalyst.
Overall, it's a quick read, light on the fantasy - practically a historical fiction in the way it reads. If it wasn't for the secondary-world setting and the inclusion of elves, this could easily be a tale from our own history. What we see is detailed enough, but I would probably have liked to see more, and to have another hundred or so pages to accommodate that.
A Path of Blades is an easy-reading fantasy that does a really good job of focussing on one aspect within a wider conflict. While battles and political manoeuvring bring about big changes to the land, we tend to see the impact of them rather than the events themselves, with our POV character, Ingvar Darelle, often left to figure things out as the world around him is gradually torn apart. It's an interesting path for the author to choose, as normally in a book like this, the temptation to look at the bigger picture is too difficult to turn down. Here, we get a third-person narrative that is so close to the main character it almost feels like a first-person one.
Because of this narrative, we don't get to know the other characters too much, but we get a really good look at Ingvar and I think he's a good enough character to drive the story. Of course, although he might be driving, he's not really in control - that would largely be the story's antagonist, the destroyer of worlds on a small scale. I think the conflict between these two is believable and intriguing, even if for most of the book it's not really clear what, if anything, served as the catalyst.
Overall, it's a quick read, light on the fantasy - practically a historical fiction in the way it reads. If it wasn't for the secondary-world setting and the inclusion of elves, this could easily be a tale from our own history. What we see is detailed enough, but I would probably have liked to see more, and to have another hundred or so pages to accommodate that.
January 14, 2024
This was a good story.
Right from the start, we are thrust into the action, and it never lets up. For people who love fast-paced books, this will be right up your street
The journey we go on with the MC is heart-wrenching , whichever way he turns, he faces betrayal, conflict, and lies. Ultimately, his life is destined to follow a path of blades.
I think the author could have added 100 or so pages to this book. In those 100 pages, we could have explored the other characters a lot more. Outside the MC, I didn't really have an opportunity to connect with anyone else.
I did really appreciate the world building and settings that were explored, and I liked that the author really did give us a bad guy
Will definitely read more from this author
Right from the start, we are thrust into the action, and it never lets up. For people who love fast-paced books, this will be right up your street
The journey we go on with the MC is heart-wrenching , whichever way he turns, he faces betrayal, conflict, and lies. Ultimately, his life is destined to follow a path of blades.
I think the author could have added 100 or so pages to this book. In those 100 pages, we could have explored the other characters a lot more. Outside the MC, I didn't really have an opportunity to connect with anyone else.
I did really appreciate the world building and settings that were explored, and I liked that the author really did give us a bad guy
Will definitely read more from this author
March 29, 2024
A Path of Blades is a very different book from the sort of fantasy that I’m used to reading. It eschews the epic or adventurous trappings of most fantasy to tell a very intimate, grounded tale with personal stakes. Were it not for the fact that it is set in a fantasy world with the faintest hints of magic, it could have passed for a historical fiction slice-of-life story.
The tale the book tells is that of Ingvar, the younger scion of a minor noble family in a fictitious fantasy land, who finds himself and his family at the business end of the machinations of a higher-ranking noble, Rauf Crowmer.
The first half of the book is mostly about Invar oscillating between miserable and aggravated, as every move Crowmer makes in his pursuit of higher status seems to have the side effect of hindering his family’s situation and his own desire for a peaceful existence.
This brings me to my first issue with the book: the plodding, meandering pace of the first half. After the opening battle establishes most of the important characters, the action and events happen at a glacial pace, and only at around the midpoint of the book does something happen to really move the story along.
Part of that is the nature of the tale, which leans on building up Ingvar’s character by making him feel like a victim to fate’s whims, his spirit subjected to the proverbial death by a thousand cuts. But I still feel a lot of it could have been skipped over.
Despite that, the writing pulled me through. Author R.E. Sanders writes the most beautiful descriptive prose that I’ve encountered in the past couple of years. Without being excessively wordy or florid, he is able to conjure the most evocative scenes, from ancient mountaintop graveyards to idyllic meadows during wintertime to the simple play of shadow and light on the wooden stairs of a family dwelling.
The shine only lets up slightly during the duels. I’m a fan of fight scenes, but these were, for the most part, a bit too technical for me. It’s obvious the author put a lot of research into sword fighting and perhaps has even practiced himself, but I often felt as if they were being narrated by a referee or coach at a fencing championship.
This leads me to my second biggest issue with the book: the relationship between Ingvar and his best friend, Olya. A couple of key points in the book pivot around their relationship, but that is possibly the single least developed relationship in the book.
After the initial chapters, Ingvar and Olya barely share any time on page, which made it extremely hard for me to emphasize with his feelings about her, and made the the drama in those key points fall flat.
Sure, we’re told Olya is ‘s best friend; we’re given a list of important life experiences they shared. But we’re never given the room to care for her character.
I also had a hard time with the believability of a plot turn in the final act, where a character who has been revealed to be a supreme badass is very quickly killed off-page by random assassins.
That said, the second half of the book is definitely stronger than the first, and kept me going to the end, which was satisfying enough.
I want to encourage readers to give this book a chance, as, while some of my criticisms are objective, a lot of it has to do with me personally disliking the slow pacing and mundane nature of the tale, something that might be exactly what other readers are looking for in their fantasy.
The author has also announced an Epic Fantasy series set in the same world, and I am definitely going to give that a chance.
The tale the book tells is that of Ingvar, the younger scion of a minor noble family in a fictitious fantasy land, who finds himself and his family at the business end of the machinations of a higher-ranking noble, Rauf Crowmer.
The first half of the book is mostly about Invar oscillating between miserable and aggravated, as every move Crowmer makes in his pursuit of higher status seems to have the side effect of hindering his family’s situation and his own desire for a peaceful existence.
This brings me to my first issue with the book: the plodding, meandering pace of the first half. After the opening battle establishes most of the important characters, the action and events happen at a glacial pace, and only at around the midpoint of the book does something happen to really move the story along.
Part of that is the nature of the tale, which leans on building up Ingvar’s character by making him feel like a victim to fate’s whims, his spirit subjected to the proverbial death by a thousand cuts. But I still feel a lot of it could have been skipped over.
Despite that, the writing pulled me through. Author R.E. Sanders writes the most beautiful descriptive prose that I’ve encountered in the past couple of years. Without being excessively wordy or florid, he is able to conjure the most evocative scenes, from ancient mountaintop graveyards to idyllic meadows during wintertime to the simple play of shadow and light on the wooden stairs of a family dwelling.
The shine only lets up slightly during the duels. I’m a fan of fight scenes, but these were, for the most part, a bit too technical for me. It’s obvious the author put a lot of research into sword fighting and perhaps has even practiced himself, but I often felt as if they were being narrated by a referee or coach at a fencing championship.
This leads me to my second biggest issue with the book: the relationship between Ingvar and his best friend, Olya. A couple of key points in the book pivot around their relationship, but that is possibly the single least developed relationship in the book.
After the initial chapters, Ingvar and Olya barely share any time on page, which made it extremely hard for me to emphasize with his feelings about her, and made the the drama in those key points fall flat.
Sure, we’re told Olya is ‘s best friend; we’re given a list of important life experiences they shared. But we’re never given the room to care for her character.
I also had a hard time with the believability of a plot turn in the final act, where a character who has been revealed to be a supreme badass is very quickly killed off-page by random assassins.
That said, the second half of the book is definitely stronger than the first, and kept me going to the end, which was satisfying enough.
I want to encourage readers to give this book a chance, as, while some of my criticisms are objective, a lot of it has to do with me personally disliking the slow pacing and mundane nature of the tale, something that might be exactly what other readers are looking for in their fantasy.
The author has also announced an Epic Fantasy series set in the same world, and I am definitely going to give that a chance.
October 30, 2023
A Path of Blades by RE Sanders is an epic fantasy novel that focuses on a small hour that gets caught up in a larger scheme and Sanders smashes it out the park with their descriptions.
Ingvar Darelle is a fighting knight, tasked with defending his country whenever he is called to battle. Violence and war provide no glory for Ingvar, who only wants to be at home on his rural estate.
His dreams of a quiet life are shattered as he becomes a pawn in the ambitious schemes of others. How will his friendships and family cope with the forces that try to tear them apart?
Which path will he choose?
We are completely thrust into the action of this world from page one, and this just showcases how fast-paced this novel is. The way that Sanders have tightly written plot points that throw us from one page to the next is outstanding. The fight scenes themselves are heroically brutal but the contrast of these and the more moving scenes is where Sanders reaches their peak. There are beautiful descriptions of nature and when encompassed with some action sequences and other quieter scenes, Sanders has really reflected on how human, but how inhuman, life can be.
The story itself does not let up. We find a man fighting for his home and his family and that raw emotion that just piles into the action that Sanders writes is immense. The technicality to Sanders writing is unmatched and the descriptions are really profound and you almost want the story to stop so you can take in everything that Sanders has created.
I would have liked to see more character development and exploration. The characters that were fleshed out were interesting and real but when some moments happened later, it felt underwhelming as we didn't know much about the characters involved. I do think that this does not take away from the story itself though.
I believe that this is a great baseline for RE Sanders and cannot wait to see where their writing takes them.
Ingvar Darelle is a fighting knight, tasked with defending his country whenever he is called to battle. Violence and war provide no glory for Ingvar, who only wants to be at home on his rural estate.
His dreams of a quiet life are shattered as he becomes a pawn in the ambitious schemes of others. How will his friendships and family cope with the forces that try to tear them apart?
Which path will he choose?
We are completely thrust into the action of this world from page one, and this just showcases how fast-paced this novel is. The way that Sanders have tightly written plot points that throw us from one page to the next is outstanding. The fight scenes themselves are heroically brutal but the contrast of these and the more moving scenes is where Sanders reaches their peak. There are beautiful descriptions of nature and when encompassed with some action sequences and other quieter scenes, Sanders has really reflected on how human, but how inhuman, life can be.
The story itself does not let up. We find a man fighting for his home and his family and that raw emotion that just piles into the action that Sanders writes is immense. The technicality to Sanders writing is unmatched and the descriptions are really profound and you almost want the story to stop so you can take in everything that Sanders has created.
I would have liked to see more character development and exploration. The characters that were fleshed out were interesting and real but when some moments happened later, it felt underwhelming as we didn't know much about the characters involved. I do think that this does not take away from the story itself though.
I believe that this is a great baseline for RE Sanders and cannot wait to see where their writing takes them.
December 22, 2023
This was an outstanding and utterly satisfying fantasy read. I found the writing to illustrate solid quality, the characters to be sympathetic and engaging, and the plot to be logical but not entirely predictable. When twists came at me, they were reasonable and enjoyable. Finally, the pacing of this story was great, with an ending that flies at you and you just can’t put the book done. Well done!
July 21, 2023
Having been following Sanders' writing journey on Twitter, I was excited to read it and very grateful to be given the opportunity to honestly ARC this book before its release! It did not disappoint.
Right from the start, I was immersed in this world with fast paced action and poetic description. I had to read it in 5-10 chapter chunks because I needed to know what was going to happen next and the surprises kept coming!
Sanders' nonlinear narrative masterfully combines intrigue and carefully timed reveals without spiraling into confusion or spoon feeding obvious date/time markers. It's subtle, interesting and I learned very quickly to trust the author - questions will be explained and not knowing everything all at once is part of the journey.
Ingvar being described as a 'pawn' is very apt and relatable to anyone who is watching the injustices in the world, feeling helpless, frustrated, wary and knowing you have the courage to do the right thing, but it's just not clear what that is! I really felt for him and everything he goes through.
I'm so glad this universe is going to be expanded, this read like an appetizer to a banquet.
Right from the start, I was immersed in this world with fast paced action and poetic description. I had to read it in 5-10 chapter chunks because I needed to know what was going to happen next and the surprises kept coming!
Sanders' nonlinear narrative masterfully combines intrigue and carefully timed reveals without spiraling into confusion or spoon feeding obvious date/time markers. It's subtle, interesting and I learned very quickly to trust the author - questions will be explained and not knowing everything all at once is part of the journey.
Ingvar being described as a 'pawn' is very apt and relatable to anyone who is watching the injustices in the world, feeling helpless, frustrated, wary and knowing you have the courage to do the right thing, but it's just not clear what that is! I really felt for him and everything he goes through.
I'm so glad this universe is going to be expanded, this read like an appetizer to a banquet.
August 1, 2023
The story starts in the middle of the action, and it doesn’t let up. The characters are believable, helping you get caught up in the story of a man fighting for his home and family. I found real emotion welling in the tense moments as the pressure piles on the main character, Ingvar, as he battles sudden twists and turns while trying to protect his family and name. The character of Ammie is a pleasant surprise, and I think readers will be cheering her on. The sword-fighting is particularly well written, being technical but still enabling you to picture the exact cuts and flourishes on the practice ground and in duels.
This is a world creation in the same vein as Tolkien and Jordan, going into detail as we glimpse one small part of it through a personal struggle and choice. The landscapes are beautifully described, creating a whole new world with different races, class systems, religions and attitudes. You’re left wanting to know more about those countries and conventions beyond the mountains.
I was provided a copy of this book as an ARC reader interested in medieval-style fantasy and have received no other compensation or encouragement for this review. My comments and opinions are my own.
This is a world creation in the same vein as Tolkien and Jordan, going into detail as we glimpse one small part of it through a personal struggle and choice. The landscapes are beautifully described, creating a whole new world with different races, class systems, religions and attitudes. You’re left wanting to know more about those countries and conventions beyond the mountains.
I was provided a copy of this book as an ARC reader interested in medieval-style fantasy and have received no other compensation or encouragement for this review. My comments and opinions are my own.
January 30, 2024
I really enjoyed reading The Path of Blades, by author R.E. Sanders. In this novel, we follow Ingvar in a world that is much more cruel than it seems at first sight. I will try and give a review without spoilers, so I will not go into details.
There is a nice balance between character insights and external forces and dangers. I did love that this novel went beyond simple adventure, politics, combat (although there is plenty of all of this, and the stakes are high). The story digs deep into the character dreams and duties, into its complex relations with his family, friends, and love interest. Nothing is ever easy, or one-layered only. I found Ingvar very relatable in that sense. He feels so real, so true, so dramatically human.
In parallel with the plentiful challenges Ingvar must face, willingly or not, the author offers us a fascinating introduction to the daily life of the people of this world, their philosophical concepts (e.g. death and its rituals), the structure of power, the role of each individual within their family and society, and more. I would love seeing more of this world in subsequent books.
Although the novel takes its time with solid word building, it doesn’t sacrifice the plot for this. The story progresses fast, with more and more obstacles thrown in the way of the character as we go along. The sword fights are amazingly well written, some of the best I have ever read. On top of this, the author excels at giving us a false sense of security, soon to be thrown off balance by sudden, mind-blowing twists. I have often thought, when reading, that I should have seen it coming, but the author is a master at setting here and there hints that are both subtle and clever. Yes, I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t!
I would recommend this book for any reader of fantasy who, alongside great plot and excellent fight scenes, love novels centred on characters, exploring human nature, and showing the price to pay for growing and becoming true to oneself. So if you like a story with a character to root for, a very efficient world building, great pace, murderous twists, you might like this one quite a lot. I know I did. It was a real page turner for me.
Why is it only a 4 stars? Well, first, where are the other books in this series or world? Yes, I want them now! More seriously, I thought maybe the ages of the characters were sometimes blur, and that is always a detail that helps me ground the characters in their world/family/society. Then, it could have been longer, in my opinion, with some of the side characters explored more. To summarise, I wanted more of it!
There is a nice balance between character insights and external forces and dangers. I did love that this novel went beyond simple adventure, politics, combat (although there is plenty of all of this, and the stakes are high). The story digs deep into the character dreams and duties, into its complex relations with his family, friends, and love interest. Nothing is ever easy, or one-layered only. I found Ingvar very relatable in that sense. He feels so real, so true, so dramatically human.
In parallel with the plentiful challenges Ingvar must face, willingly or not, the author offers us a fascinating introduction to the daily life of the people of this world, their philosophical concepts (e.g. death and its rituals), the structure of power, the role of each individual within their family and society, and more. I would love seeing more of this world in subsequent books.
Although the novel takes its time with solid word building, it doesn’t sacrifice the plot for this. The story progresses fast, with more and more obstacles thrown in the way of the character as we go along. The sword fights are amazingly well written, some of the best I have ever read. On top of this, the author excels at giving us a false sense of security, soon to be thrown off balance by sudden, mind-blowing twists. I have often thought, when reading, that I should have seen it coming, but the author is a master at setting here and there hints that are both subtle and clever. Yes, I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t!
I would recommend this book for any reader of fantasy who, alongside great plot and excellent fight scenes, love novels centred on characters, exploring human nature, and showing the price to pay for growing and becoming true to oneself. So if you like a story with a character to root for, a very efficient world building, great pace, murderous twists, you might like this one quite a lot. I know I did. It was a real page turner for me.
Why is it only a 4 stars? Well, first, where are the other books in this series or world? Yes, I want them now! More seriously, I thought maybe the ages of the characters were sometimes blur, and that is always a detail that helps me ground the characters in their world/family/society. Then, it could have been longer, in my opinion, with some of the side characters explored more. To summarise, I wanted more of it!
August 7, 2023
A Path of Blades is a short epic fantasy focused around a small noble house getting caught up in the machinations of a larger player's scheming for power.
We begin following Ingvar as he leads his house's forces in a small border conflict. Immediately, we are introduced to some of the key players in the story: Crowmer, the politically ambitious and cunning antagonist, and Olya, Ingvar's close friend. The rapid pacing of the story is very quickly evident, and works well in its favour for the most part, keeping us engaged and moving through the story as Ingvar and his family are very quickly caught up in Crowmer's scheming with disastrous consequences.
Ingvar himself is a well-realised and fairly relatable character - not necessarily anybody special, and plenty of flaws; but with enough heart that we find ourselves rooting for him and empathising when things begin to snowball toward tragedy. I also like how Sanders dealt with the aftermath of some of the events of the book. Ingvar attempts to comfort other characters who are grieving/dealing with trauma as best he can, but as he would be in real life, no words are able to soothe such deep wounds.
Where the pacing keeps the story gripping, the depth given to the other characters is sacrificed, and really this is where my main criticism of A Path of Blades lies. Besides Ingvar, few of the other characters are explored satisfyingly, and in some cases that is a real shame. Sanders has crafted a cast of believable and interesting characters, and for some in particular, it was disappointing to realise I wouldn't be spending any real time getting to know them in more depth. This has the added effect of undercutting the impact of some of the more tragic moments of the story.
That said, this feels like an intentional choice made to keep A Path of Blades as tight as possible, and it was one that worked. I read this in one sitting, and whilst it has its flaws, it still managed to thrill me and keep me enthralled for its entirety.
A hearty recommend.
We begin following Ingvar as he leads his house's forces in a small border conflict. Immediately, we are introduced to some of the key players in the story: Crowmer, the politically ambitious and cunning antagonist, and Olya, Ingvar's close friend. The rapid pacing of the story is very quickly evident, and works well in its favour for the most part, keeping us engaged and moving through the story as Ingvar and his family are very quickly caught up in Crowmer's scheming with disastrous consequences.
Ingvar himself is a well-realised and fairly relatable character - not necessarily anybody special, and plenty of flaws; but with enough heart that we find ourselves rooting for him and empathising when things begin to snowball toward tragedy. I also like how Sanders dealt with the aftermath of some of the events of the book. Ingvar attempts to comfort other characters who are grieving/dealing with trauma as best he can, but as he would be in real life, no words are able to soothe such deep wounds.
Where the pacing keeps the story gripping, the depth given to the other characters is sacrificed, and really this is where my main criticism of A Path of Blades lies. Besides Ingvar, few of the other characters are explored satisfyingly, and in some cases that is a real shame. Sanders has crafted a cast of believable and interesting characters, and for some in particular, it was disappointing to realise I wouldn't be spending any real time getting to know them in more depth. This has the added effect of undercutting the impact of some of the more tragic moments of the story.
That said, this feels like an intentional choice made to keep A Path of Blades as tight as possible, and it was one that worked. I read this in one sitting, and whilst it has its flaws, it still managed to thrill me and keep me enthralled for its entirety.
A hearty recommend.
July 17, 2023
I love epic fantasy series, and so when Rob said that he had written a book along those lines in a new world, I was keen to read it. He kindly provided me with a free copy, requesting an honest review.
The book starts quickly, throwing you into the action and bringing you to know and understand two of the main characters very quickly. They are human, with flaws, but attractive for this, and so immediately relatable. We also meet the main villain of the first book, who you immediately love to hate.
We are introduced to a world with an interesting political system, coupled with hints of a vibrant history, providing plenty of scope for future books. This novel begins with a focus on the politics, and I feared that it may become predictable, but was delighted by the plot twists and slight change of course. I look forward to buying and reading the rest of the series as the characters continue to develop and we explore more of the history of the world.
Overall, a great first book, if slightly short. As I said, I am keen to read more, perhaps exploring other characters, whose paths may cross during the scope of the books, investigating different perspectives on the larger scale events. The brief point-of-view from the villain, was a treat, and I would like more elements like that in future.
Language-wise, I would say it is similar to Sanderson or Jordan, without the more adult language and themes in Martin. I would be very happy for my 13 year old son to read it.
The book starts quickly, throwing you into the action and bringing you to know and understand two of the main characters very quickly. They are human, with flaws, but attractive for this, and so immediately relatable. We also meet the main villain of the first book, who you immediately love to hate.
We are introduced to a world with an interesting political system, coupled with hints of a vibrant history, providing plenty of scope for future books. This novel begins with a focus on the politics, and I feared that it may become predictable, but was delighted by the plot twists and slight change of course. I look forward to buying and reading the rest of the series as the characters continue to develop and we explore more of the history of the world.
Overall, a great first book, if slightly short. As I said, I am keen to read more, perhaps exploring other characters, whose paths may cross during the scope of the books, investigating different perspectives on the larger scale events. The brief point-of-view from the villain, was a treat, and I would like more elements like that in future.
Language-wise, I would say it is similar to Sanderson or Jordan, without the more adult language and themes in Martin. I would be very happy for my 13 year old son to read it.
August 14, 2023
If you're looking for a new fantasy world to explore, this is a great option.
Ingvar is the youngest son of a respectable but minor noble family. He dutifully answers his count's call to arms, but would rather stay home and work his family's land in peace. Returning home from a victorious battle, Ingvar hopes it will be a long time before he draws his sword again. But he finds his family subject to a series of misfortunes. As their plight grows gradually more desperate, Ingvar suspects foul play.
Sanders has written an excellent fantasy novel here. I only put it down when I had to work, and picked it up during every break. I'll share three of my favourite points about this book, though I really enjoyed it all.
1. The world building is skillfully woven into the story from the very first chapter, and much more as the story progresses. It's never heavy-handed or long-winded, and glimpses of traditions, beliefs, and social structures hint at a world with great depth. A traditional mountain top burial scene was especially beautiful. I'm excited to learn more in future books!
2. The plot is tight and quick paced. I really felt propelled from one chapter to the next. But there are quieter, more reflective moments such as the burial scene mentioned above that add depth to the characters and the world.
3. I loved Sander's descriptions of weather, nature, and geography. It is similar to Tolkien, though far more succinct, and really immersed me in the story.
Ingvar is the youngest son of a respectable but minor noble family. He dutifully answers his count's call to arms, but would rather stay home and work his family's land in peace. Returning home from a victorious battle, Ingvar hopes it will be a long time before he draws his sword again. But he finds his family subject to a series of misfortunes. As their plight grows gradually more desperate, Ingvar suspects foul play.
Sanders has written an excellent fantasy novel here. I only put it down when I had to work, and picked it up during every break. I'll share three of my favourite points about this book, though I really enjoyed it all.
1. The world building is skillfully woven into the story from the very first chapter, and much more as the story progresses. It's never heavy-handed or long-winded, and glimpses of traditions, beliefs, and social structures hint at a world with great depth. A traditional mountain top burial scene was especially beautiful. I'm excited to learn more in future books!
2. The plot is tight and quick paced. I really felt propelled from one chapter to the next. But there are quieter, more reflective moments such as the burial scene mentioned above that add depth to the characters and the world.
3. I loved Sander's descriptions of weather, nature, and geography. It is similar to Tolkien, though far more succinct, and really immersed me in the story.
July 30, 2023
I received this book as an ARC to provide an honest review, I have not received any compensation for this.
How far will duty and honour take you? And who will suffer because of it? These are questions that R.E Sanders seeks to explore in this riveting, personal tale.
While taking place in a fantasy setting, the bulk of the novel centres on the Darelle family and the interpersonal challenges they must navigate as the limits of duty, honour and loyalty are put to the test.
Sanders' characterization is the strong point of the novel, and you'll feel your heart tear from your chest for the Darelle family and their allies.
The victories are felt as strongly as the failures, and sometimes the lines between each blur.
Sanders is also a master of writing action. I usually find the beat by beat of a swordfight difficult to follow in most literature, fantasy or otherwise. However Sanders kept me hooked and the descriptions were as visual as they were bloody.
I'm looking very much forward to seeing what Sanders has in store, whether with the Darelle family or not. I'm especially keen to see what else this world has to offer, as the few mystical elements that are introduced are just as engaging as deep family drama.
4.5/5 Stars
How far will duty and honour take you? And who will suffer because of it? These are questions that R.E Sanders seeks to explore in this riveting, personal tale.
While taking place in a fantasy setting, the bulk of the novel centres on the Darelle family and the interpersonal challenges they must navigate as the limits of duty, honour and loyalty are put to the test.
Sanders' characterization is the strong point of the novel, and you'll feel your heart tear from your chest for the Darelle family and their allies.
The victories are felt as strongly as the failures, and sometimes the lines between each blur.
Sanders is also a master of writing action. I usually find the beat by beat of a swordfight difficult to follow in most literature, fantasy or otherwise. However Sanders kept me hooked and the descriptions were as visual as they were bloody.
I'm looking very much forward to seeing what Sanders has in store, whether with the Darelle family or not. I'm especially keen to see what else this world has to offer, as the few mystical elements that are introduced are just as engaging as deep family drama.
4.5/5 Stars
January 12, 2025
I added A Path of Blades to my TBR when I saw the cover and moved it up after reading some reviews. I have to say this was a great way to start 2025. This reads like a condensed version of an epic fantasy from the late 80's or early 90's.
For most of our story, things are happening to our main character, Ingvar, and he doesn't really do much other than accept his fate (at times he doesn't have much of a choice in the matter). When Ingvar finally decides to act, though, the story really picks up, and I was unable to put the book down until I finished it. This almost whiplash change in pace made the build up absolutely worth it. There are times when descriptions of sword fights bog the combat down a bit, but it was never enough to detract from my enjoyment. We've got a solid bunch of characters and awesome world building sprinkled throughout. I really appreciated how hints of the greater world were drip fed and didn't feel like they were taking away from the plot or pacing.
All told, I think fantasy readers will definitely enjoy A Path of Blades, and I recommend checking it out! I'll certainly be reading more from R.E. Sanders.
For most of our story, things are happening to our main character, Ingvar, and he doesn't really do much other than accept his fate (at times he doesn't have much of a choice in the matter). When Ingvar finally decides to act, though, the story really picks up, and I was unable to put the book down until I finished it. This almost whiplash change in pace made the build up absolutely worth it. There are times when descriptions of sword fights bog the combat down a bit, but it was never enough to detract from my enjoyment. We've got a solid bunch of characters and awesome world building sprinkled throughout. I really appreciated how hints of the greater world were drip fed and didn't feel like they were taking away from the plot or pacing.
All told, I think fantasy readers will definitely enjoy A Path of Blades, and I recommend checking it out! I'll certainly be reading more from R.E. Sanders.
August 3, 2023
I don't tend to consider myself a Fantasy reader, but I had previously enjoyed the previously released Tann's Last Stand.
Sanders build a very believable world, anchored in historic realism rather than the overtly fantastical, which for me makes the story relatable. The finest of books deal with the horrors of men, rather than beasts. As a not unwarranted touchstone, in ASOIAF/Game of Throne it was the clash of the families that drove the narrative not the threat of Dragons and Ice Kings. Here you have the beginning of what I hope to be another comparable epic saga.
Finally I saw someone in another review mentioned that they'd be happy for their 12-13 year old to read this. I completely agree, Sanders has managed to make this book thrilling and compelling without having to fall back on gratuitous imagery or language.
I'm looking forward to further stories
Sanders build a very believable world, anchored in historic realism rather than the overtly fantastical, which for me makes the story relatable. The finest of books deal with the horrors of men, rather than beasts. As a not unwarranted touchstone, in ASOIAF/Game of Throne it was the clash of the families that drove the narrative not the threat of Dragons and Ice Kings. Here you have the beginning of what I hope to be another comparable epic saga.
Finally I saw someone in another review mentioned that they'd be happy for their 12-13 year old to read this. I completely agree, Sanders has managed to make this book thrilling and compelling without having to fall back on gratuitous imagery or language.
I'm looking forward to further stories
May 22, 2024
A Path of Blades is a story about honour, and the choices one man must make in order to both live, and live with himself.
Ingvar is not a legendary swordsman, and if he had his own way he’d live a fairly peaceful existence on his estate. Fate, however, has other plans in store.
I enjoyed this, especially the final 35% (I won’t spoil, but it ended differently than how I expected).
Some of the turns of phrase and descriptions were very pretty:
‘The sun itself hung stubbornly a finger’s width from the black smudge of the distant horizon.’
‘It was a bright day and what few clouds there were sailed high, insubstantial wisps of white, like fleece caught on thorns.’
There were some areas of the book where the pacing felt off, and Ingvar as a character / his justifications irritated me at a few points, but overall it is solid.
Ingvar is not a legendary swordsman, and if he had his own way he’d live a fairly peaceful existence on his estate. Fate, however, has other plans in store.
I enjoyed this, especially the final 35% (I won’t spoil, but it ended differently than how I expected).
Some of the turns of phrase and descriptions were very pretty:
‘The sun itself hung stubbornly a finger’s width from the black smudge of the distant horizon.’
‘It was a bright day and what few clouds there were sailed high, insubstantial wisps of white, like fleece caught on thorns.’
There were some areas of the book where the pacing felt off, and Ingvar as a character / his justifications irritated me at a few points, but overall it is solid.
December 27, 2023
Ingvar Darelle, a sworn soldier for his country, wants to live a quiet and peaceful life with his family and the woman that he loves. Circumstances, however, seem to stand in the way of his dream.
Faced by the schemes of those with power, fractured relationships, and problems with his family’s estate, Ingvar must fight for what he loves and the life that he desires to have.
A Path of Blades was one of my favorite indie reads of 2023. With in depth character study and development, R.E. Sanders has put together a magnificent stand alone fantasy novel. You will find yourself experiencing joy and sorrow with Ingvar as he fights for what he loves.
If you are looking for a quick read stand alone that is light on fantasy but a beautiful story you should consider reading A Path of Blades.
Faced by the schemes of those with power, fractured relationships, and problems with his family’s estate, Ingvar must fight for what he loves and the life that he desires to have.
A Path of Blades was one of my favorite indie reads of 2023. With in depth character study and development, R.E. Sanders has put together a magnificent stand alone fantasy novel. You will find yourself experiencing joy and sorrow with Ingvar as he fights for what he loves.
If you are looking for a quick read stand alone that is light on fantasy but a beautiful story you should consider reading A Path of Blades.
June 19, 2024
A Path of Blades is the first book I've read from R.E. Sanders, and I enjoyed his storytelling. The story starts off in the midst of battle, introducing the main character Ingvar Darelle as he fights under the command of his Count, Count Crowmer. Ingvar is a young knight, the second son of a noble house, but he yearns for the simplicity of his former life back home. However, upon finally returning home, he finds that things are about to change for him and his family.
The ambitious and greedy Count Crowmer, who has manoeuvred his way into power, is now hungering for more. What does this mean for those who stand in stark contrast to his ambitions?
A tale of honour, family and doing the right thing.
The ambitious and greedy Count Crowmer, who has manoeuvred his way into power, is now hungering for more. What does this mean for those who stand in stark contrast to his ambitions?
A tale of honour, family and doing the right thing.
September 21, 2023
I'm not a big fan of fantasy but this kept me turning the pages as the plot is complex, full of twists and turns and plenty of action from swashbuckling fights to convincing love relationships. I was also convinced by the whole structure of the society which has been created, the rules and other aspects. I did enjoy the author's use of language when he describes the settings ( for example see start of chapter nine) but I wanted more of these to get a real sense of the time, place, smells, sights and sounds.
December 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down once it had its hooks in. The world and its inhabitants are so well depicted, from the people and places to the food and religious customs, and the intrigue and action are really solid. It's not the type of thing I usually read, so I don't know what the genre expectations are, but I found the relative fragility of the main character to be a huge plus. One of those books that makes you realise how strong the indie author game is these days. Highly recommended.
August 3, 2023
A combination of underlying tension, and an ability to create a fully fleshed out world with all it’s nuances, without relying on heavy exposition, make this a good page turner.
A main character fighting internal struggles, interesting non stereotypical supporting characters, a suitably power hungry villain, action at the sharp end of the stick, and a world ripe for exploration.
Good stuff!
A main character fighting internal struggles, interesting non stereotypical supporting characters, a suitably power hungry villain, action at the sharp end of the stick, and a world ripe for exploration.
Good stuff!
September 14, 2023
A great read - finished too soon! I related to Ingvar's plight of duty versus desire. The family dynamics were believable and I enjoyed the fast pace. In this short novel, the attention to detail to set each scene, and the transitions, allowed a rapid introduction to a new world. I could really imagine each new location. A nice range of characters, including some great strong females. A real page-turner: the unexpected can lurk at every chapter end.
Read
February 16, 2024RE Sanders’ book, A Path of Blades, is a Grimbright medieval fantasy that to me evokes the early Norman/Marcher Lords era in Wales and England, or even the plot of a Shakespearean Historical Play, with new powers coming into play to establish themselves while the main character tries to seek normalcy in his life. If you like a conflict and character driven medieval fantasy, A Path of Blades will be for you!
August 7, 2023
This is a well written tale, great world building and concise character development. Very believable and I got through it in just a few sessions. It's action packed with enough to keep you guessing, the sword fighting scenes were very well done, easy to follow and gripping. My only complaint was that it was too short, really looking forward to more in this series!
December 27, 2023
I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining and from the moment I started reading it, to the very end, it had me enthralled. R.E. Sanders is a wonderful storyteller that I would recommend to others.
I am humbled and in awe of his ability to capture my imagination and take it on a journey.
I am humbled and in awe of his ability to capture my imagination and take it on a journey.
October 2, 2023
Appropriate Title
A fast read with good sword action and a fast pace. More medieval history than fantasy and could have benefited from super natural elements. The start of the novel was certainly stronger than the middle. Would be interesting if there were subsequent books.
A fast read with good sword action and a fast pace. More medieval history than fantasy and could have benefited from super natural elements. The start of the novel was certainly stronger than the middle. Would be interesting if there were subsequent books.
January 10, 2024
An impressive debut novel which is fluently written and well constructed. The storyline contains just the right amount of unexpected twists in the plot and the characters are sufficiently three dimensional to keep the reader engaged and anticipating Ingvar’s return.
July 22, 2023
Loved the action and storyline. It keeps you on your toes and keeps you wanting to learn more about the characters and what was going to happen next.
May 4, 2024
Loved it! Great for classic fantasy readers.
January 13, 2025
Struggled
This book sounded interesting from the description but I struggled to connect with it. I felt nothing emotionally for the characters, the time jumps made it hard to follow the story, and the “surprise character reveals” toward the end came out of nowhere.
This book sounded interesting from the description but I struggled to connect with it. I felt nothing emotionally for the characters, the time jumps made it hard to follow the story, and the “surprise character reveals” toward the end came out of nowhere.
December 17, 2024
A Path of Blades is R.E. Sanders’ fantasy debut and is a story about one soldier’s journey of conviction while others conspire around him. I mean it, this poor soldier gets a lot of crap thrown his way and he’s got to decide how to handle it; with grace or with a blade.
I found this story to be something unexpected in that despite the title and the opening chapters, this story is quite slice of life, if you will. We start in the middle of a war, with Ingvar, a young knight and second son of the House of Darelle. We are thrust alongside Ingvar as blood and viscera is arching through the air and spilling by the sword strokes. We feel his desire to leave it all behind and get home, as he is only doing the will of his liege, Count Crowmer. It’s a visceral introduction, but once the battle is won, our protagonist gets to go home.
And it’s at his home that this story unfolds in a manner we’ve seen a million times but can never get enough of. I say this is slice of life because APoB follows Ingvar in the weeks and months that follow our opening crescendo of war. He is our sole POV and we trek with him back to the fields of his father. And like it or not, poor Ingvar is about to be drawn into the schemes of an ambitious man, his loyalty tested.
As a protagonist, Ingvar is pretty simplistic because his motivations are survival, family (love is included here), and honor. He is a knight afterall. Being the second son means he knows his future isn’t as glorious as his older brother, the heir of the Darelle lands. He even is in love with a lowly servant (an elf, which is probably the only true fantasy bit in this world, otherwise it feels more traditionally medieval in its nature). But Count Crowmer being the ambitious man that he is, decides he wants more power, and thus, Ingvar is placed in difficult positions, making decisions that a normal person would be forced to make in a similar situation. I found Ingvar’s realistic reactions to the trials thrust upon his shoulders to not only feel human, but also a level of sorrow for him as a character. It’s got to be difficult to see everything ripped away from you by people with a higher standing than him, and it had a very real world feel to it. Land is fleeting, never truly yours. Title is freely given but ripped away should you not bend the knee. Loved ones taken captive, forced into servitude should they rebel.
Aside from Count Crowmer, and Ingvar’s beloved Ammie, we don’t really get a lot of depth to the other characters outside of their roles in Ingvar’s arc. His brother, his mother, his father, they all play roles but we don’t truly get to know them. Ingvar’s best friend is Olya, another knight and comrade, but after her arranged nuptials to Ingvar’s brother, we don’t see her much until the end. I don’t know if this was intentional by Mr. Sanders, but I quite liked the distant view of the supporting cast because it allowed me, the reader, to focus solely on what Ingvar was going through. I actually felt closer to his perspective, and I enjoyed that immensely.
Because this tale is told from a very close perspective, a lot of the book is spent showcasing the time between major Count Crowmer antics, and thus can sometimes feel mundane. That isn’t to say the prose is bland, far from it. In fact, much of the prose is great, especially during the sword duels, as Mr. Sanders has clearly studied sword craft. It felt immersive and realistic. If I had any criticisms, it would be that some of the dialogue felt stiff at times, but that didn’t detract from the read.
A Path of Blades was a personal tale of loyalty and honor in the face of desired power. As a debut and as a standalone, I feel that R.E. Sanders wove a great story and I’m interested to see what his next story (Demon’s Tear released on June 1st) has to offer! #SecretScribes
I found this story to be something unexpected in that despite the title and the opening chapters, this story is quite slice of life, if you will. We start in the middle of a war, with Ingvar, a young knight and second son of the House of Darelle. We are thrust alongside Ingvar as blood and viscera is arching through the air and spilling by the sword strokes. We feel his desire to leave it all behind and get home, as he is only doing the will of his liege, Count Crowmer. It’s a visceral introduction, but once the battle is won, our protagonist gets to go home.
And it’s at his home that this story unfolds in a manner we’ve seen a million times but can never get enough of. I say this is slice of life because APoB follows Ingvar in the weeks and months that follow our opening crescendo of war. He is our sole POV and we trek with him back to the fields of his father. And like it or not, poor Ingvar is about to be drawn into the schemes of an ambitious man, his loyalty tested.
As a protagonist, Ingvar is pretty simplistic because his motivations are survival, family (love is included here), and honor. He is a knight afterall. Being the second son means he knows his future isn’t as glorious as his older brother, the heir of the Darelle lands. He even is in love with a lowly servant (an elf, which is probably the only true fantasy bit in this world, otherwise it feels more traditionally medieval in its nature). But Count Crowmer being the ambitious man that he is, decides he wants more power, and thus, Ingvar is placed in difficult positions, making decisions that a normal person would be forced to make in a similar situation. I found Ingvar’s realistic reactions to the trials thrust upon his shoulders to not only feel human, but also a level of sorrow for him as a character. It’s got to be difficult to see everything ripped away from you by people with a higher standing than him, and it had a very real world feel to it. Land is fleeting, never truly yours. Title is freely given but ripped away should you not bend the knee. Loved ones taken captive, forced into servitude should they rebel.
Aside from Count Crowmer, and Ingvar’s beloved Ammie, we don’t really get a lot of depth to the other characters outside of their roles in Ingvar’s arc. His brother, his mother, his father, they all play roles but we don’t truly get to know them. Ingvar’s best friend is Olya, another knight and comrade, but after her arranged nuptials to Ingvar’s brother, we don’t see her much until the end. I don’t know if this was intentional by Mr. Sanders, but I quite liked the distant view of the supporting cast because it allowed me, the reader, to focus solely on what Ingvar was going through. I actually felt closer to his perspective, and I enjoyed that immensely.
Because this tale is told from a very close perspective, a lot of the book is spent showcasing the time between major Count Crowmer antics, and thus can sometimes feel mundane. That isn’t to say the prose is bland, far from it. In fact, much of the prose is great, especially during the sword duels, as Mr. Sanders has clearly studied sword craft. It felt immersive and realistic. If I had any criticisms, it would be that some of the dialogue felt stiff at times, but that didn’t detract from the read.
A Path of Blades was a personal tale of loyalty and honor in the face of desired power. As a debut and as a standalone, I feel that R.E. Sanders wove a great story and I’m interested to see what his next story (Demon’s Tear released on June 1st) has to offer! #SecretScribes
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