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Kiss of the Blade: An epic fantasy romance
** BOOK #1 IN A NOW COMPLETE EPIC FANTASY SERIES **
Game of Thrones meets The Bridge Kingdom — KISS OF THE BLADE is an epic fantasy of power, betrayal, and forbidden love in a world of decadence, corruption and war. Perfect for fans of George RR Martin, Danielle L. Jensen and Helen Scheuerer.
A dying realm on the brink of collapse. Salvation in the hands of a thief.
A descendant of an ancient tribe, she had a name, a family and a home. All destroyed in a genocide no one speaks of. Now, she survives in the shadows of an empire that left her kind to perish, stealing for and from the highborn with equal disdain. Amoral, untouchable, unrepentant—until the wrong mark lands her in the hands of the empire’s most powerful man.
Master of the blade. Commander of the empire’s armies. Firstborn of the Emperor.
Supreme Commander Draeger was forged for war, bound by oath and blood to protect the empire. Cold, calculated, unyielding—he is everything she despises. Yet, only he alone can teach her to harness the ancient power she carries within, a power that could save his empire… or doom it.
Training her is dangerous. Wanting her is treason.
As the the realm teeters on the brink of destruction, Draeger finds himself fighting a battle he never trained resisting the one woman he cannot have. She is fire to his steel, defiance to his discipline, and the key to a prophecy that could reshape the world.
Multi-POV, heart-stopping action, and ruthless political intrigue collide with a forbidden, slow-burn romance.
Kiss of the Blade launches the addictive series perfect for readers who crave epic fantasy with brutal politics and romance as a dangerous undercurrent. The complete arc trilogy is Out Now!
Game of Thrones meets The Bridge Kingdom — KISS OF THE BLADE is an epic fantasy of power, betrayal, and forbidden love in a world of decadence, corruption and war. Perfect for fans of George RR Martin, Danielle L. Jensen and Helen Scheuerer.
A dying realm on the brink of collapse. Salvation in the hands of a thief.
A descendant of an ancient tribe, she had a name, a family and a home. All destroyed in a genocide no one speaks of. Now, she survives in the shadows of an empire that left her kind to perish, stealing for and from the highborn with equal disdain. Amoral, untouchable, unrepentant—until the wrong mark lands her in the hands of the empire’s most powerful man.
Master of the blade. Commander of the empire’s armies. Firstborn of the Emperor.
Supreme Commander Draeger was forged for war, bound by oath and blood to protect the empire. Cold, calculated, unyielding—he is everything she despises. Yet, only he alone can teach her to harness the ancient power she carries within, a power that could save his empire… or doom it.
Training her is dangerous. Wanting her is treason.
As the the realm teeters on the brink of destruction, Draeger finds himself fighting a battle he never trained resisting the one woman he cannot have. She is fire to his steel, defiance to his discipline, and the key to a prophecy that could reshape the world.
Multi-POV, heart-stopping action, and ruthless political intrigue collide with a forbidden, slow-burn romance.
Kiss of the Blade launches the addictive series perfect for readers who crave epic fantasy with brutal politics and romance as a dangerous undercurrent. The complete arc trilogy is Out Now!
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2025
141 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75 Stars
Kiss of the Blade was an intriguing read that kept me turning the pages. It took me a bit to adjust to the writing style, but once I found the rhythm, I was pulled in.
I really enjoyed the use of multiple points of view, it added depth to the story and slowly unraveled the truth in a way that felt both natural and engaging. The characters were well-developed, and I appreciated that the betrayals and twists weren’t overly predictable.
That said, the ending didn’t fully land for me. A few tropes popped up that just aren’t my personal favorite, which left the conclusion feeling a little flat. Still, the world and storyline were compelling enough that I plan to continue the series, I’m curious to see where it goes next!
✨ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kiss of the Blade was an intriguing read that kept me turning the pages. It took me a bit to adjust to the writing style, but once I found the rhythm, I was pulled in.
I really enjoyed the use of multiple points of view, it added depth to the story and slowly unraveled the truth in a way that felt both natural and engaging. The characters were well-developed, and I appreciated that the betrayals and twists weren’t overly predictable.
That said, the ending didn’t fully land for me. A few tropes popped up that just aren’t my personal favorite, which left the conclusion feeling a little flat. Still, the world and storyline were compelling enough that I plan to continue the series, I’m curious to see where it goes next!
✨ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 29, 2025
ARC REVIEW
This is not a Romantasy. Romance is the very subtlest of subplots. It feels like this was written as straight fantasy then the author realized Romantasy is so popular right now, so they threw in a tiny bit of romance that came out of nowhere. Sex off page. No tension. No yearning. No banter. Aside from how confusing the POVs were for most the book, it was pretty good. The author is a great writer. Just wish they wouldn’t call it Romantasy.
This is not a Romantasy. Romance is the very subtlest of subplots. It feels like this was written as straight fantasy then the author realized Romantasy is so popular right now, so they threw in a tiny bit of romance that came out of nowhere. Sex off page. No tension. No yearning. No banter. Aside from how confusing the POVs were for most the book, it was pretty good. The author is a great writer. Just wish they wouldn’t call it Romantasy.
July 7, 2025
This book was interesting, but the blurb had me expecting something entirely different.
It was definitely not a slow burn, there was a bigger spark between Tors and Marcus than she and Hostus. The romance scenes were mostly PG, and I did not think the build-up to these scenes was executed well.
With the 'mystery' surrounding the characters' identities, it was rather difficult to get a good read on their personalities and their motives. I put mystery in quotes because while I think Edie meant to hide certain characters' true identities, it was pretty transparent as to who they truly were. I think I would have enjoyed it better if we had gotten more perspective from Hostus' POV; his reasonings for doing what he did, more of his history and training background. With his true identity 'hidden', I really didn't get a good feel of his personality.
The book offered multiple POV's in third person, sometimes jumping to different characters' thoughts within the same chapter. The book was also relatively short, so we were left not really 'knowing' many of the characters.
I also struggled with getting a feel for the world-building. Initially it seemed to be a more traditional European fantasy, definitely not an urban fantasy, and other than longer lives, being fae didn't really have much to do with the story. We had dragons that were just.. there. Solely a means of transportation, yet there also was a 'computer' system at one point, and somewhat sophisticated weapons that were never fully explained. Also traditional weapons like swords.
I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, such as how did Basilisk know who/what she was? How did he, of all people, know how to train her in the ways of the aether?
I enjoyed this book enough to want to read the second one, but I think more detail and more world-building should have been added. More backstories on the characters, and a little more spice going between Tors and Hostus would have been nice. It was a decent read, just very misleading from the blurb.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was definitely not a slow burn, there was a bigger spark between Tors and Marcus than she and Hostus. The romance scenes were mostly PG, and I did not think the build-up to these scenes was executed well.
With the 'mystery' surrounding the characters' identities, it was rather difficult to get a good read on their personalities and their motives. I put mystery in quotes because while I think Edie meant to hide certain characters' true identities, it was pretty transparent as to who they truly were. I think I would have enjoyed it better if we had gotten more perspective from Hostus' POV; his reasonings for doing what he did, more of his history and training background. With his true identity 'hidden', I really didn't get a good feel of his personality.
The book offered multiple POV's in third person, sometimes jumping to different characters' thoughts within the same chapter. The book was also relatively short, so we were left not really 'knowing' many of the characters.
I also struggled with getting a feel for the world-building. Initially it seemed to be a more traditional European fantasy, definitely not an urban fantasy, and other than longer lives, being fae didn't really have much to do with the story. We had dragons that were just.. there. Solely a means of transportation, yet there also was a 'computer' system at one point, and somewhat sophisticated weapons that were never fully explained. Also traditional weapons like swords.
I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, such as how did Basilisk know who/what she was? How did he, of all people, know how to train her in the ways of the aether?
I enjoyed this book enough to want to read the second one, but I think more detail and more world-building should have been added. More backstories on the characters, and a little more spice going between Tors and Hostus would have been nice. It was a decent read, just very misleading from the blurb.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 19, 2025
As someone who devours YA and fantasy with rich worldbuilding, deep characters, and a good slow-burn romance, Kiss of the Blade checked so many of my boxes.
At first, I’ll be honest, it took me a little time to settle into the writing style and the multi POV structure. But once I found the rhythm, I was hooked. The story really picks up as the world unfolds and the threads start weaving together. It’s a layered, gripping fantasy that slowly pulls you in until you realize you’re completely invested.
The characters brought so much depth, each one distinct, flawed, and real. I especially loved how the relationships evolved over time, never rushed, always building tension in that delicious slowburn kind of way. And the world Warwick created? Stunning. It felt ancient, dying, and desperate and yet so full of beauty and danger. You can tell a lot of love and thought went into crafting it.
This book reminded me of everything I love about epic fantasy with a romantic twist.
At first, I’ll be honest, it took me a little time to settle into the writing style and the multi POV structure. But once I found the rhythm, I was hooked. The story really picks up as the world unfolds and the threads start weaving together. It’s a layered, gripping fantasy that slowly pulls you in until you realize you’re completely invested.
The characters brought so much depth, each one distinct, flawed, and real. I especially loved how the relationships evolved over time, never rushed, always building tension in that delicious slowburn kind of way. And the world Warwick created? Stunning. It felt ancient, dying, and desperate and yet so full of beauty and danger. You can tell a lot of love and thought went into crafting it.
This book reminded me of everything I love about epic fantasy with a romantic twist.
July 3, 2025
I read this as an ARC and overall, I’m really impressed! The plot was intriguing, and I enjoyed the characters—though I would’ve liked a bit more depth when it came to their emotions and relationships. The last hundred pages completely pulled me in and had me reading way past my usual bedtime. The writing style was a little different and took a moment to adjust to, but for a first book in a series, I’m glad I had the chance to read it!
The story has a diverse structure, especially with the multiple POVs. It took me a little while to fully connect the dots and get into the rhythm of it all, but once I did, it really picked up. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the story develops in the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story has a diverse structure, especially with the multiple POVs. It took me a little while to fully connect the dots and get into the rhythm of it all, but once I did, it really picked up. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the story develops in the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 17, 2025
A Whirlwind of Characters and Intriguing World-Building!
“Kiss of the Blade” is a captivating read that throws you headfirst into a complex and dynamic world. The plot is definitely a highlight; there's a lot happening at once, with a diverse cast of characters whose individual stories intertwine in fascinating ways. It was genuinely entertaining trying to keep up with everyone's journey and motivations.
What I found particularly intriguing was the story's expansive timeline. The way the world evolved across significant time jumps added depth and a sense of real consequence to the narrative. The intricate dynamics between the different realms and their inhabitants were expertly crafted, truly enriching the overall story.
I was especially relieved when Tor's old friend reappeared. The reveal of his real name, after only knowing him by her nickname, was a satisfying moment, and I'm eager to see how his role evolves.
Admittedly, at times the sheer number of characters and concurrent storylines could be a bit overwhelming. It required careful attention to keep everything straight. However, I suspect this complexity is intentional, a deliberate act of laying the groundwork for a much larger, overarching narrative that will payoff later in the series.
Overall, “Kiss of the Blade” is a promising start to what I believe will be a compelling and intricate series. I'm definitely invested in these characters and this world, and I'm excited to see how all the pieces ultimately fall into place. I look forward to the next installment!
July 3, 2025
Read this as an ARC and all in all, I’m fairly impressed with how the book went. Intriguing plot, loved the characters although I would love for the author to go more in depth with the characters feelings and relationships. The last hundred pages had me reading past my allotment of time before bed. The writing style took some getting used to but for a first book in a series by a presumably new author I’m very happy I got to read this!
July 14, 2025
Great book
I'm impressed with this book and the author. This is the first book of hers that I've read and now I'm a fan. It has a new world and new magic. It is well written with a great plot and storyline. I'm also severely ADHD and dnf more books than I finish but this book held my attention throughout. That is the best compliment I can give. Reading it straight through with no breaks makes this a top read for me.
I'm impressed with this book and the author. This is the first book of hers that I've read and now I'm a fan. It has a new world and new magic. It is well written with a great plot and storyline. I'm also severely ADHD and dnf more books than I finish but this book held my attention throughout. That is the best compliment I can give. Reading it straight through with no breaks makes this a top read for me.
August 6, 2025
This book hooked me from the beginning with it's time jump and mysterious characters. It reminded me a lot of Mistborn in the way that the MMC trains the FMC in her very unique magic. I wouldn't classify this as a romantasy; definitely more of a fantasy with a small romantic sub-plot. Very unique magic system!
August 11, 2025
Intense, great character development, stellar story line
This book has one of the best storylines I've read in quite a while. I stayed up till 1 in the morning (on a work night) to finish. The characters are well developed, with some grayness and some outright black to their being. Very well written. Can't wait for for next book.
This book has one of the best storylines I've read in quite a while. I stayed up till 1 in the morning (on a work night) to finish. The characters are well developed, with some grayness and some outright black to their being. Very well written. Can't wait for for next book.
August 15, 2025
Not bad for first in series
It was difficult getting through the first few chapters! Confusing and disjointed! The story improved but the writing did not. It did not flow easily.
But I persevered and eventually finished the story. Hopefully the writing will improve with the next book, now that the characters have been fleshed out.
Time will tell!
It was difficult getting through the first few chapters! Confusing and disjointed! The story improved but the writing did not. It did not flow easily.
But I persevered and eventually finished the story. Hopefully the writing will improve with the next book, now that the characters have been fleshed out.
Time will tell!
July 11, 2025
This book is Well written, but not my go-to genre. There's sadness, there's hope, there's deception and perseverance. This book contains a lot of information, so going into the next one you will have all the connections.
July 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As much as I really wanted to enjoy this book I struggled getting through it. I love the premise, and I feel like it could have been a 5 star book if it hadn’t been quite so confusing in the beginning. The different povs threw me off a bit which doesn’t normally happen but also things with the main characters threw me off as well, I don’t know if was meant to be that way or not but I did truly struggle with understanding what was going on. It took me more than half of the book to figure out who people were and for my brain to finally understand what was going on and for me it didn’t truly pick up until almost to the end. I did enjoy it so much but I really struggled with things, I hope I can read the rest when they come out and get truly invested in the story line.
As much as I really wanted to enjoy this book I struggled getting through it. I love the premise, and I feel like it could have been a 5 star book if it hadn’t been quite so confusing in the beginning. The different povs threw me off a bit which doesn’t normally happen but also things with the main characters threw me off as well, I don’t know if was meant to be that way or not but I did truly struggle with understanding what was going on. It took me more than half of the book to figure out who people were and for my brain to finally understand what was going on and for me it didn’t truly pick up until almost to the end. I did enjoy it so much but I really struggled with things, I hope I can read the rest when they come out and get truly invested in the story line.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews