The Wayward Sword

by Lindsay Raymon-James

Secrets are the deadliest company to keep.

Aaren sails with the notorious pirate crew the Lords of the Sea. As their Sword, she is second in command and right hand of the captain himself, but only the two of them know the truth—Aaren is not the boy she is disguised to be. When her secret is revealed and her ability questioned, she must justify her rank by completing the unthinkable task of robbing the king himself . But the shadows of her past aren’t the only thing haunting her steps inland as a serial killer sets his sight on her to be his next victim .

Meanwhile, deep in the heart of Valara, darkness stirs.

Princess Mina knows little of the world outside the palace walls, but she is not naïve—her realm is on the verge of civil war and she is its unwitting catalyst. A curse has plagued her all her life but now it threatens everyone else around her, and she will do everything in her power to break it once and for all. But the cure is buried in myth and legend, time is running out, and not even those closest to her believe she can succeed .

A pirate. A princess. A revolutionary. As the wheels of fate begin to turn, the world they know is changing forever.

What would you do to prove your worth?

Paperback

Published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Cheyenne Langevelde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a slight bias as I was the proofreader for this book, but wow. An epic fantasy adventure with intricate world-building, a well-balanced dual POV and interwoven storylines, and clever character development and banter. This was an exciting read from start to finish, and it was so hard not to binge as I was proofreading it. I look forward to holding the physical copy in my hands soon! Definitely one of my favorite reads from this year! I can't wait for the rest of the series! (Also has some fantastic quotes and unexpected plot twists that were delightful to read.)

[Emma Timberlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already eagerly awaiting the next book!! This story is riveting, the world of Valara beautifully intriguing, and the characters written with depth and complexity. I especially love how Aaren and Mina’s inner worlds are so well rendered. Took all of my willpower not to speed read the last half of the book!

[Alexandra Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a well-written, fantastic story. The balance of dialogue and narration make you feel as if you're right there with the characters. I'd actually been wanting to read a good pirate fantasy, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Aaren was an interesting character too, and I felt very invested in her backstory. It is definitely "dark fantasy", so be prepared for that when you go in, but still written from a Christian perspective. I look forward to seeing what happens next!

[Norah Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is good when you keep shouting DUDE at the pages as you read. Also when you keep getting mad FOR the characters because of the things happening to them. The Wayward Sword had so many delicious twists, turns, and layers, and I loved how determined both FMCs were as they strove to break curses and claim their rightful places. I wish I could give this book six stars, it so deserves it. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Gabrielle Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the characters and the story so quickly. From the first couple of chapters, I was hooked on the conflicts and was rooting for the MCs. I really appreciated how the story explored the emotional conflicts of the main characters and how it didn't shy away from the complicated dynamics that those conflicts created. Aaren and Mina are such vibrant, unique characters, and I can't wait to see more of them. This was an excellent read, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!!