Blade of Two Faces

by Blake Blessing

Never send a man to do a woman's job. Mulan meets Gladiator in this explosive why-choose romantasy!

When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.

For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.

The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.

If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.

My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.

I’ll enjoy being their ruin.

May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Why Choose, Dark, Adult, Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 17, 2026

About the author

Blake Blessing is just a working mom that loves art in all forms, and all genres of romance. Although she enjoys writing romance of the steamier variety.

Reviews

[Helena]

(arc reading) - So I really liked the heavy Disney Mulan vibe (Marin!) and I liked the story as a whole but there were issues. The shift between the start of the book and after Ellis makes her move almost gave me whiplash. It didn’t feel like the same book and we barely even mentioned that first part for the rest of the story?
I also feel like some decisions didn’t make sense and the trials were okayish at best.

Now and this is a spoiler, let’s talk about the romance which is actually my main grief.

I was not AT ALL convinced by the romance. This is an extra slow burn DARK ROMANCE featuring things I hate : cruelty between partners, dub or non consent, violence without any prior discussion. Barely anything happened in the book as it’s setting up the future romance but the few bits we had disgusted me. I didn’t mind that it will be a why choose, I actually like it but I hated every single one of the guys. As individuals they could have been alright but not in ANY romantic setting.
I sadly won’t read book 2, especially because of the very last scene which could be heavily triggering. I hope the book will feature TWs, the very beginning was hard as well.

[EmJustReading]

I would give this a solid 4 star rating!!

Drawbacks up front:

It felt long (or maybe just the fact that we cover so much plot).
It’s marketed as a why choose, but we didn’t really get to much romance in this book

I really enjoyed this story, and it was definitely a good comparison to Mulan, and maybe a cross with the Hunger Games? Or another story with a tournament/ trials that are life threatening.

My highlights:

I LOVE and adore the familiar.
The magic system and hair colors are neat
I liked the mystery of not knowing some character’s power
The MMC who’s basically out of his mind, and is obsessed with our main character
Some different POVs, but most of them are from our FMC
Feminine rage *extra heavy in this universe*

I can’t wait for the next book because I really want to see where it goes (especially the love interests)

Check the trigger warnings, there is a messed up situation at the beginning. But I think it makes the FMC’s experience and trauma very clear so you understand where she’s coming from.

I received an ARC from the publisher, but these are my honest opinions.

[Girlzgottaread]

I love Mulan, y'all... I love why choose. I love romantasy. So whyyy didn't this work for me?? 😭

All the elements were there..and in the first few chapters I actually thought we might be going somewhere..but past chapter 8, I really started struggling.

First... Where was the romance?? Because this basically read like a bully romance sans romance. So.. Just bullying 😂😭 the MMCs spend so much of the book being cruel or outright wanting to kill her that I never got the tension or chemistry I needed to believe these were somehow eventually going to be romantic relationships.. And listen y'all, I'm a why choose girlie. I've read a LOT do them. Multiple MMCs and POVs can absolutely work.. But here it made the story feel sooo disjointed. I never spent enough time with any mmcs to even really connect with them.

The trials were another struggle for me.. she would somehow pull something off or suddenly know exaaaaactly what to do and I kept thinking... Wait, HOW? 😂 I LOVE a capable fmc, but I neeeed to understand how she became capable.. A lot of her wins felt more convenient than convincing, and that made it hard for me to believe!

I also wanted so much more from the world because again this was sold to me as dark romantasy so I'm expecting world building. There were some genuinely interesting ideas but nothing came together enough to give me a reason to care about the kingdom, the tournament, the characters or their relationships.

I think between that and the lack of romance this book lost me so hard😭

[BookishKB]

⚔️👑 Blade of Two Faces 👑⚔️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Why Choose Romance
• Deadly Trials
• Hidden Identity
• Enemies to Lovers
• Royal Intrigue
• Warrior FMC
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: November 17, 2026
Thank you to Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Grem Reeds]

An ARC was freely provided to me by Tor - thank you!

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, Blade of Two Faces ended up not being for me. I agonized over the decision to DNF at 22%, but after two separate tries, I think it's time.

The writing tech in this is good, aside from stylistic fragment sentences. (But I think that's kinda a style in the genre right now?) My big issue is the author using a ton - I mean, SO MANY - anachronisms that violently pulled me out of reading. “Now we're cooking.” Being ‘extra sloshed,’ as in drunk. Somewhere having a ‘welcoming vibe,’ and so on.

It's just not what I'm looking for in a fantasy story that doesn't take place in current day. If it did, I'd have no issue.

I was FASCINATED by the Mulan comparison; I loved it as a kid and continue to enjoy it well into adulthood (my most quoted bit is ‘king of the rock,’ followed closely by Mushuu's shame speech) but this… Didn't land well for me. At least until I decided to DNF. I have hopes that it'll get better, and would like to revisit this title some day.

The Mushuu-alike and the humorous back and forth between them and the FMC felt like a one-to-one, instead of using the original as inspiration and building off of it. I'm not saying it's a rip, or the awful P word, just that I expected the author to have a more unique twist on it. Instead, it's the same humor I liked as a kid. That's great, but I wanted more. It, and most other things about the book, felt very YA to me. Which, no hate at ALL, but it's not what I expected from an adult romantasy.

This would also REALLY benefit from listing CW/TWs.

[Audiobooksgirlie]

Brutal Trials and Unfinished Business

This is one of those books where I almost need the second installment before I can fully assess the first.

The opening is deeply jarring, but it gives Ellis a convincing reason to risk everything. Sometimes a character’s motivation for entering dangerous trials feels flimsy. Here, the desperation makes sense. What she is escaping gives real weight to her willingness to survive what comes next.

Where I struggled was the sense of two parallel stories that didn’t quite connect. The brutality of the beginning and ending felt removed from portions of the middle. That middle is hardly gentle, but the extremes on either side made the shifts difficult to reconcile.

The Mulan comparison also sets up expectations that didn’t match my experience. Beyond Ellis disguising herself as a man, that wasn’t the connection I felt. Anyone arriving with Disney in mind is in for a considerable shock. Personally, I’d put this closer to The Hunger Games meets Mortal Kombat.

The world building wasn’t difficult for me to follow on audio. Keeping the men straight was another matter. There’s Killan and Veric, alongside identical twins Xanth and Zave. It took until around 75% before I felt confident about who was who and how everyone fit into the romantic picture. Having twins among the four makes those distinctions particularly important. Apparently, even fictional dating requires administrative support.

The romance also asks a lot of the reader. Ellis has a level of self awareness that makes the men’s impulsive cruelty and emotional immaturity particularly difficult to sit with. Their behaviour goes well beyond being difficult or morally grey. The line between love and hate is certainly being explored, but the violence made that dynamic unsettling for me, especially towards the end.

Marin, however, was a highlight. A familiar doesn’t automatically improve a story, but his personality and commentary worked beautifully here. He often seemed to be having the same reaction to the men that I was.

For all my reservations, the trials were genuinely well done. They kept me invested and gave this first installment a strong foundation. Four stars for that experience, with plenty of curiosity about whether book two will bring the pieces together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy.

[Kayla Brenghause]

The first part of this book was very heavy (check trigger warnings) that really sets the scene for what Ellis the fmc has been living like and why she starts her journey. A touch of Mulan inspired themes throughout the book really brings a fun vibe to the whole thing. You can definitely see the character growth from the fmc through out the book as she figures out what it is no longer like being under her brother's thumb, but while doing it hidden as a man. This is definitely a slow burn series as we get introduced to the leading men and they all despise her. So excited for book 2 and see this journey continue.

[Sloane]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review below
I want to preface this review with the fact that this is my absolute favorite plot line, give me this plot all day, everyday and I will eat it up.
MY REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS AT THE END

Non-spoilery review:
This has a lot of potential for me (lots of pressure, actually) because while I couldn't see where this specific story was going the whole time, I can see that it could go somewhere I can really get behind.
I liked our girl a lot. She has a solid reason for ending up as she did and, as an avid Mulan/twelfth night storyline lover, I hate when our girl has a flimsy reason for hiding as a man.
This was gritty and dirty and seemed very real as she's dirtying herself up to hide as a man and having features she needed to hide in order to stay safe.
I do disagree with someone who said we never revisited her past trauma the whole book, she did. She froze in moments when she had reminders of what happened to her and she thinks of her brother and what her goal is on several occasions. I can't wait to see what she does in the second book!!!
I was wary of our creature sidekick, but he ended up being a fairly well rounded character. All I have to say is, we better find out so much about what is happening with him, otherwise that is going to annoy me SO MUCH.
I liked the guys a lot, I liked that we had a wide variety with backgrounds that flushed out their grumpiness and their attitudes. I was a little confused because we set all of them up as really good, close friends but in the end, it seemed like there was some sort of line drawn between some of them all of a sudden. It made sense but also it didn't with the context we had been given the whole time.
Again, I'm super excited to see where this goes.


Now onto my issues:
I do not understand Evira. Is it a stadium? Is it a town? who really knows because it's described as both without actually confirming or giving a concrete description as to what it is. I supposed we can chalk it up to seeing it through two different perspectives: one that understands it ahead of time, and one that doesn't at all. But I ended up in the Not At All camp because what? It just wasn't described enough for me. Or that the different descriptions were contradictory and I just gave up.
I also don't understand some of the words/terms used and I have no frame of reference for them as there was no glossary to help me along. Again, this could have been used as a way to make the reader feel out of sorts just like our girl, and if that was the goal, it worked really well. But it also held too much space in my head and was a distraction. I can feel like I'm in her shoes without feeling out of the loop. But also she seemed to already know these terms so I don't get why I had to feel separate and apart from this land like this.
I also have no frame of reference for the country(ies? again, I don't understand, is this a continent and they're all separate countries, or is this just separate kingdoms in one country? I'm unclear), which I do believe 100% is to put us in her shoes, as she feels that way throughout the entire book, but, again again, I felt other and not apart of this world. And since we are getting some of the guys' perspectives, we should have some information. Even if you put the map into one of the guys' chapters, or have her come across the map at one point and figure it out somehow. It was just frustrating to me. And also made me not really care about the differentiations.
And while I'm at it, I could NOT figure out the parents of the haerises (lol, this word was great tho). Maybe I just didn't care. But it's only brought up when a few of the parents are mashed together, so the words blended together for me.
Also! If a side character has a name beginning with the same letter as one of our main characters and the names are similar in length, it throws me off. (I'm looking as you Veric and Vesna). Talk to me like I'm five! PICK A DIFFERENT LETTER PLEASE! I thought I was going crazy when Vesna showed up, I was confused and had to look it up.
Also there was a point where they were scaling a rock cliff. But then it was a hill. But then it was a cliff again. But it was the GROUND and they were standing on it, but then it was a rock face again and they were falling down the vertical because it was so steep. But now they're rolling to the side because it's a hill again. This is what I'm talking about with Evira too. It's everything and nothing and one thing and then another. It just didn't make any sense and I just had to move on. The imagery isn't imaging...
There were also some grammatical, spelling, duplication of words but I usually chalk that up to the e-book version having some glitches, but I recommend someone go through the actual book a time or two just to make sure.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________
And now onto the spoilery bit:
don't be mad at me at this point if you keep reading...
I really liked that the author had our girl run into each of the men ahead of time and have interactions with them that, without context, appear that they're very violent against women just like her brother. But with context, (one was involved in a mukduk attempt, etc.). That was very clever, it pitted her against them before they even knew about her and really set up their hate of each other. I'm an enjoyer of this type of dynamic AS LONG AS the guys beg on their knees for forgiveness. That's the best part (muahahahah)
But I also felt like, what is the point of these trials? It doesn't makes sense. The candidates can mukduk each other but the attendees (who are these attendees??? what is happening!) can't. Until! The rings are given out, then the attendees are able to be involved in the mukduking...but WHY ARE THEY THERE? They're not just spectators, there are people in the stands that are not visible for some reason, why is that? Who is in the stands? They're also attendees? No? Who are they? Why is this happening? There are only trials for trials sake to make a plot for this book. I get it, trials are deadly and blah blah blah but it doesn't actually make any sense if you think about it at all.
And if you make Cale a double crosser I will sue (this is a joke for legal reasons)

[Kala lubbers]

First Thoughts:

Cover is gorgeous
I love a good retelling
Mulan Inspired/ SIGN ME UP

Book Blurb:

Never send a man to do a woman's job. Mulan meets Gladiator in this explosive why-choose romantasy!

When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.
For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.
The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.
If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.
My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.
I’ll enjoy being their ruin.
May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.

The review:

There is a lot to unpack here. First 10% has some strong sexual assault going on. CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS. The rest of the book is mainly bullying but there is SA and sexual themes throughout the book.
I wouldn't say this is very Mulan like or inspired by Mulan really. Similarities include a creature and our main character disguising herself as a man. That's where the similarities end. It is not a retelling!
This book is chaos and I am truly not sure if I loved it or hated it. I think there is a lot going on with the plot. I didn't feel like some of the scenes were fleshed out very well. Some things did not make any sense at all. In the beginning none of what is going on is really explained. The crypt scene did not make sense. The way her brother came into power did not make sense. Her brother is obviously twisted and it leads you to believe something sinister happened so that he became in power. Although there are no clues to what that is. Which I find frustrating. He is obviously going to play some sort of role in the future of the series but right now as a character I don't even feel like he made a compelling bad guy. Like he was twisted and awful but again there wasn't any fear there. Like in the scenes he was in the fmc was just so compliant and there was no emotion. The main SA scene is disturbing don't get me wrong but it was basically just words on paper there was little to know emotion. Since this scene is such a terrifying event I wanted to feel fear and I just felt like the writing was stale.
She runs away and is basically useless at surviving and a familiar creature bonds with her and saves her. I assume here that this creature is supposed to be her Mushu if we are still saying this is inspired by Mulan. The creature saves her and convinces her to go into a kingdom where she disguises herself as a man so that she doesn't have to worry about being used as a female. But unfortunately she finds herself thrown into mandatory trials to find the next ruler and so that men can find their female mates. After that she is basically almost killed in every other chapter. And our familiar creature is no help at all. The trials are I suppose interesting but I feel like they were pretty rushed.
Now this book is a why choose so there is 4 love interest. Because they are in the trials these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. But all of them feel some sort of connection or spark or curiosity and they are all trying to figure out why. The men really didn't capture my attention at all. The author gave us enough to make us curious but this first book wasn't about the men it was about our FMC growth. Let me tell you that growth is where this book hits. The whole book we are shown that in these kingdoms females are less then and made to serve and our submissive FMC now has the opportunity as a man to change how males treat women. Truly am not sure I would have liked this book if It had not had not have been for our FMC character growth. She went from shrinking and being submissive to truly fighting for herself and others. I wont spoil it by saying more than that but her story arc is fantastic.
Last 20-25% of the book is why the rating is high. We see all our characters really transform on the page and get a little peak into their minds. We really see how far Ellis has come and the cliff hanger leaves you wanting more.
Because this is the first book of the series I feel like the world building was really good. I found the character development lacking but I think that the characters will flesh out more in the contiuation of the series and I am hopeful for the second book.

Predictions:

I do have a prediction for the storyline of the next book and I hope that I am incorrect because it may ruin it for me. I think Cale will betray her and reveal that she is a woman and she will be forced to compete in the female version of the trials or that he will try to force her as his mate. I hope none of that happens because that would truly suck.

Read if you like:
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity
dark romance
dark fantasy
High Stakes
gladiator style competition
multiple love interests
why choose
hidden powers

There are some triggers in the book including:
Anxiety & anxiety attacks
Blood & gore
Classism
Dead bodies
Death of a parent
Dysphoria
Emotional abuse
Explicit (consensual) sexual content
Explicit (non-consensual) sexual content
Fire
violence
Involuntary confinement
Knife & sword violence
Physical injuries
Physical assault
References familial death
Profanity
Violence

[Stina Bradley]

Well. Here we are. And I need you to understand something before I say anything else. This book was a traumatic ride from beginning to end and I mean that with every ounce of love and enthusiasm I am capable of generating. The kind of traumatic that has you turning pages so fast your fingers can barely keep up, the kind that makes your heart race and your stomach drop and your jaw land somewhere on the floor while you just keep going because stopping is simply not an option.
This book was everything I love rolled into one gloriously chaotic package and I am not even a little bit sorry about how attached I got to it.
Let me walk you through what is happening in this story because it is a lot and it is wonderful. We have a woman running away from her kingdom and from a brother whose mind has gone to places that are genuinely sick and terrifying. She makes the very logical and very bold decision to disguise herself as a man, which, fair enough, except for the small complication of her lilac hair and lilac eyes, which are not exactly the most common or inconspicuous features in any kingdom. She does it anyway because she is brave and desperate and out of options, and I respect her enormously for it.
She sneaks into what she thinks is going to be a safe haven and instead stumbles directly into a kingdom that is actively holding trials for the military and the crown. And before she can even fully process what she has walked into, she is tossed into those trials herself. Just thrown in. No warning, no preparation, no mercy. And from that moment forward, everywhere she turns, someone is trying to kill her. Every single direction. Constant mortal peril. Absolute chaos. I loved it.
Now let us talk about the love interests because this is where things get genuinely complicated and I am here for every second of the complication. There are four of them. Maybe. I say maybe because calling them love interests feels generous given that for the vast majority of this book they are actively trying to end her life. This is not your typical enemies to lovers situation where there is some tension and some bickering and then a slow thaw into feelings. No. This is enemies to lovers taken to its absolute logical extreme, where the enemies part is so fully committed and so relentlessly sustained that you spend the entire book wondering if anyone is going to make it out of this alive, let alone fall in love. Up until the very last pages these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. And yet. And yet there is something there, something crackling underneath all of that violence and hostility that keeps you completely riveted and desperately wanting to know what happens next.
What I loved most about our female main character is that she grew her spine throughout this story in real time and you get to watch every single moment of it. She arrived running and hiding and surviving by the skin of her teeth. And somewhere along the way she stopped shrinking. She started standing up for herself. She started running her mouth, saying exactly what she thought, refusing to be silent or invisible or small, and the absolutely unhinged result of that is that it made these wild and dangerous men want her head even more. She kept talking anyway. I adore her completely.
And that ending. That ending. I am not going to spoil it for you because you deserve to experience the full emotional devastation of it yourself, but I will tell you that it is the kind of ending that has you staring at the last page in disbelief and then banging your head against the wall because you need book two immediately and it is not here yet. The audacity of ending a book like that and making us wait is genuinely criminal behavior and I will be thinking about it until the next installment is in my hands.
I need book two now. That is not a request. That is a desperate and heartfelt plea to the universe. If you love fantasy with a fierce and unapologetic female main character, with chaos and trials and morally complicated men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, then Blade of Two Faces needs to be your next read. Pick it up. Prepare yourself. And maybe have something nearby to bang your head against when you get to the end. You are going to need it.

[Ahici]

ARC Review

A very compelling first book of a fantasy series, that absolutely pulled me in and glued me to the pages!

Having escaped from a cruel kingdom, where even as royalty she was abused, she now needs to survive in a new world that she had no idea existed beyond the walls of her old home. Unfortunately surviving means disguising herself as a man and being dragged into deadly trials for a mate and more importantly the crown. Seeing this as her chance to possibly change the world and exact her revenge on those that wronged her, she will be as cunning and ruthless as possible to gain this power, but those competing will not make it easy for her.

The story starts off feeling a little YA with the dramatic inner thoughts of the FMC, but after a very intense set of events early in the book, it falls into the more adult category. Our FMC feels very real, with her reactions and choices feeling absolutely appropriate to what she endures. She’s also not a perfect character, her flaws are apparent, we don’t shy away from her mistakes and traumas, instead she processes them (or doesn’t) and grows into herself.

The first swap to a different POV was a little jarring as we had been with our FMC for a while, but it quickly found its place in the story. The MMCs are all very different, each with their own semi hidden agendas, that we learn more about with time and the helpful multiple POV. Knowing this is a series, we get to know some backstory of each of the MMCs, their motivations and traumas, but things remain vague, I’m definitely waiting on the deeper heart to hearts with the FMC in the future to tell me more accurately who they are at their core. As this is the first book of the series I think I know who our main MMC are, but I can’t say for certain that things won’t progress in the next books after reading into what seem to be a few subtle hints of wider interest.

At this point our MCs are remaining solidly in the enemies category. We get so many moments of the MMCs almost eliminating the FMC in these trials, but something always seems to get in the way. There is so much wonderful tension with daggers at throats as they antagonize each other, that I can’t wait for this slow burn thread to snap and things to get spicy!

This book did a great job with the pacing, world building, and retention of curiosity that had me glued to the pages. There was political court maneuvering from the start, then the additional layer of trial contestant dynamics, while also building a whole fantasy world with unknown parameters. It was such a smart move to have the reader learn together with the FMC what this new world entails, it kept me curious and engage with an FMC that asked the right questions. Nothing about the world building felt overwhelming, but it did feel a little incomplete in moments, mostly surrounding the names being used, often of some deity or another, I look forward to getting more answers in the next book.

I have a lot of questions about the progression of events at the conclusion of the deadly Imperial Trials. It left me feeling very suspicious of the choices made by those running the trials and I want to know what the results will be or how things could possibly go absolutely sideways, I have my theories. We’re also left with so many tumultuous feelings from all the MCs as they have all only just started processing what they’ve been through in these trials. There were some very intense internal reveals from multiple of the MMCs and a hell of a cliffhanger!

Book 2 is need in my hands ASAP!… Pretty please!!

Thank you so much to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

[Sierra]

⭐️ Rating: 1 Star
💔 DNF at 40%

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for granting me access to this book.

I tried. I REALLY tried. But this book was a disaster in the first few pages. I was really excited for this ARC as it sounded like something that would be impossible not to enjoy. Unfortunately though, even by page 20 I was struggling to continue this book. Through pure spite and refusal to DNF I persisted to the 40% mark — though it took a month. I do plan on returning to the book as I refuse to DNF but it is going to take a lot to force me back into these pages.

A non-spoiler gripe I have with this book is the changing of regular terms with new words but no explanation or context to figure out what the characters are talking about. Modern slang/internet phrases are also used which really pulls one out of the setting.

As for the characters, I’m not rooting for anyone. In her disguise, Ellis is the embodiment of, “Uh, yeah. I just did that.” type of “cool” guy. And the men in the story are brutish, egotistical losers from what I could get through. Just a mess of unlikable characters all around. Which isn’t surprising given the mess everything else is.

Do not EVER enter the Trauma Olympics against Ellis — you will lose just from the events that take place in the first 40 pages.

Maybe the book gets better. I doubt it, but you never know. Eventually I’ll hate myself enough to return to its pages and push through until I finish it — probably just to see how hard it can hit rock bottom. But until then, this book will continue to officially be the first book that was so bad I had no choice but to DNF.

This review contains spoilers from this point:

So, to condense 40 pages into the bullet points of all that happens

• We find out the only person left in the kingdom who loved her is dead (Rip mom, dad, and grandma)
• Her twin brother sexually assaults her in front of everyone — they get mad at HER
• She visits her families crypt for comfort (despite noting that she can see all their faces which are locked in painful screams)
• Get knocked out upon leaving said crypt
• Returned to her brother who then tries to attack her and almost breaks her door down in the process of attempting to reach her
• Her servant physically assaults her and gushes about dressing Ellis up to be assaulted by her brother
• Her brother once again sexually assaults her in front of a crowd who do nothing but leave the room when told
• Her brother almost successfully rapes her before she is able to stab him and escape
• A guard tries to catch her but is stopped by the only person in the castle who is kind to Ellis. Her name is Alice. That’s not important though as she is then immediately murdered in front of Ellis for trying to save her
• Ellis kills the guard in turn and escapes

This all happening in one book, sure. Spaced out, it wouldn’t be such an overwhelming and on the nose way to say “my life sucks and the people in my kingdom are bad). But shoving all of this into the first 40 pages ?? A mess. We get it, her life sucks and nobody loves her. It’s also crazy to me to OPEN THE BOOK immediately with “Incestuous twin brother who sexually assaults twin sister.”

If I haven’t said it enough — this book is an absolute mess. Bad dialogue, unlikable characters, overcompensating how much trauma one needs to experience in order for a reader to understand that their life sucks. It feels like the author has a trauma fetish and dedicated her book to getting off on it.

I will never recommend this book and frankly, might save people time and money by warning them of just how bad it is.

[Lia Carstairs]

Okay ngl that ending was creepy and disturbing as hell but ignoring that... this was fun! I can't wait to see where this series is heading (especially with the relationships!).

Oh but did this get me hooked!! I had high expectations (I mean come on its a Mulan-inspired why-choose?!) going into this and I'm happy to say that I adored it! The way my heart was beating so fast so many times throughout the book??? GUYS this is what I've been missing from reading lately omg😩

One thing I was not expecting was a SA scene so early on so giving a warning to anyone who plans on reading this book that it happens within the first few chapters! And make sure to check all other TWs!!

Now the characters. Absolutely loved the FMC, Ellis!!!!! Her character and growth were 100% the highlight of this book. It may have been very little but it's something considering how she started. From the moment we meet her I just wanted to give her a hug and wow did she suffer. I loved seeing Ellis gain more confidence and stand up for herself and others even when she was terrified. And yes she made ridiculous decisions but at least she was self-aware lol?? Also I could understand her reasoning most of the time even though I didn't like it but it's just part of her character. This is only the beginning and I cannot wait to see her character develop more.

And the guys... please this is such a slow-burn. And knowing that this is a 4 book series... wow that's going to be such a ride because right now I totally cannot picture them all in love. The romance was definitely not the focus in this book as they all hate each other like it's insane omg. The amount of times three of them tried killing her???😭 Zave pissed me off the most honestly (also wth was that one POV chapter?!) but I do see the potential in his character and I'm so excited for that!! Especially can't wait to see him eventually overcome his self-hatred and be more confident. Xanth sucks. Veric also sucks. BUT KILLIAN HELLO. I love him. He was the only not-awful guy but tbf he had his reasons so it's not like he was being sweet just for the sake of it LOL. Still counts for something though!! I need more interactions between him and Ellis ASAP🙏 But to be honest, all the guys are very much not fleshed out at all, but it leaves room for all that to happen in the next book hopefully!

Also regarding the side characters, I loved Bren so so much!!! She's such a cool character, I adored her friendship with Ellis so much. The female friendship was everything and I need more of it too. But can I just say... why was I lowkey hoping Orryn would be a love interest🆘 LISTEN I know he's a red flag (tbh they all are) and is giving bad vibes but there's something about his cunningness that is calling to me😩 I know it's unlikely to happen but I'm rooting for you Orryn.

The worldbuilding was really interesting!! A small complaint I do have is sometimes things seemed all over the place with explanations?? Some stuff were glossed over a bit but I know this is only book 1, so I definitely can't wait to see how things expand!! I have so many questions oh my gosh. Like the magic in certain people????? I NEED ANSWERS.

Thank you Tor for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[East of Reality]

Trigger warnings for: emotional abuse, physical abuse, attempted rape, sexual assault, slut shaming, victim blaming,

The world building leaves … something to be desired. Why, in the capital city, seat of the kingdom, are there only two wood carvers? The dangerous forest filled with monsters is ridiculously close to the castle, close enough that the princess — injured and exhausted — can get there in a handful of hours, and the enemy city of Ograth is barely a day’s walk through the woods to get to.

So the border of these two rival kingdoms is a forest. A very skinny one. And on either side of this forest, on either side, is the castle of a ruling king. That’s not silly, it’s stupid. It’s lazy. And it speaks of how much care and attention is going to be into the rest of this book’s world building, which is to say, none.

In this book there is a city where a selection of men is happening. One of the fifty or so will be crowned, the rest … well, they can die or not depending on how good they are. As I said, lazy. In this book every man with one or two exceptions is a rapist. Every woman, give or take one or two, is a whore. The women are looked down on, the men are ignored — because rape is so normal in this world no one cares.

At the end of every successful round of contest/combat, the men are given a selection of women — poor, starving, lower caste women who are told that the more men they let fuck them, the more food they’ll be given; or coin. This is rape though coercion. Now, I will say, our main character — Ellis — hates this as much as I do. But my point is that there is no real purpose here beyond showing how badly women are treated. And I get it. I keep getting it. But the book never gets tired of telling me how horrible it is to be a woman in this world.

It’s a book of tedious brutality against women (and I’m getting tired of how many of those there are). Bad people are mean, and good people are good, and there’s never a thought or comprehension of nuance. The writing is patchy. Some if it reads easily, and then there are the moments where the thesaurus and the inspiration from other books shows through and we have our main character staring at someone’s pillows … and it took me a minute to figure out she meant his lips, not his ass. Or his boobs.

And yet. And yet.

I read the whole thing. This book is a greasy potato chip. I ate it, didn’t like a lot of it, and wanted more than I was given. I wanted some consideration of gender dynamics or politics, and got more sexual assault. I wanted some commentary on the violence these men use to communicate, the way they use aggression and torture … and got more torture. Five big hulking men — I think we’re working to a harem — are going to kill the small and skinny Ellis because it takes five grown man to kill him. Congrats on being thugs.

And yet these thugs — including one who sexually assaults Ellis — are going to be the love interests. I hate the story. I didn’t mind Ellis as a character. I hate the story, but devoured the book. I hate the story, but … I’ll probably look for book two, much the way I might grab another handful of chips. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Brittney]

Blade of Two Faces • Blake Blessing

One phrase: murder trials and morally complicated men ⚔️🖤

Well. Here we are.

And I need you to understand that Blade of Two Faces was a traumatic ride from beginning to end, and I mean that with every ounce of love in my body.

This book was chaos. Glorious, addictive, page turning chaos. The kind that has your heart racing, your stomach dropping, your jaw on the floor, and your fingers flying because stopping is simply not an option.

Mulan meets Gladiator in a why choose romantasy?

Say less. I’m seated.

Our FMC flees her rotting kingdom with revenge on her mind and a truly horrifying brother behind her. She disguises herself as a man, which is bold considering the lilac hair and lilac eyes are not exactly low profile, but honestly, desperate times. I respected the commitment.

She thinks she is heading toward safety.

She is not.

Instead, she walks straight into a kingdom holding Imperial Trials for the military and crown, and before she can fully process what is happening, she is thrown into the competition herself.

No warning.
No mercy.
Just immediate mortal peril.

And from that point on? Everyone is trying to kill her. Constantly. In every direction. Every time she turns around, another threat. Another fight. Another impossible choice.

I loved it.

Now let’s talk about the men.

There are four ruthless heirs with hidden agendas, and calling them love interests feels generous because most of this book they are actively attempting to end her life. This is not casual enemies to lovers. This is enemies to lovers with the enemies part turned all the way up and left there until the last possible second.

And yet.

The tension? The violence? The obsession simmering underneath all that hostility?

I was hooked.

What I loved most was watching her grow a spine in real time. She starts the story running, hiding, and surviving by pure desperation. But slowly, she stops shrinking. She starts standing up, talking back, refusing to be silent, and somehow that only makes these dangerous men want her head even more.

Naturally, she keeps talking.

Iconic.

And that ending?

Criminal. Emotionally devastating. Head banging against the wall behavior.

I need book two immediately. That is not a request. That is a plea to the universe.

✨ Tropes and vibes:
⚔️ Mulan meets Gladiator
🖤 why choose romantasy
👑 Imperial Trials
🗡 disguised as a man
🔥 enemies to lovers
💀 “he might kill me” tension
😈 morally complicated heirs
👀 hidden agendas
🌪 constant chaos
💔 revenge driven FMC
🩸 deadly competition
😭 brutal cliffhanger

📚 Read this if you like:
Why choose fantasy, deadly trials, fierce heroines, men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, revenge plots, disguises, political chaos, and endings that make you question your emotional stability.

This was feral, chaotic, traumatic, addictive, and exactly the kind of romantasy that makes me need the next book in my hands immediately.

#BladeOfTwoFaces #BlakeBlessing #WhyChooseRomance #RomantasyBooks #BookReview @Tor

[TheBookmarkedLife]

📖 Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audiobook: 10/10
🔥 Would I recommend the audiobook? ABSOLUTELY.

Okay, if you are debating whether to listen to Blade of Two Faces on audio, DO IT. This was a phenomenal audiobook and easily a 10/10 listening experience for me.

The story itself was already a 5 star read, but the full cast production made everything feel even more immersive. This is a full cast, dual narration production performed by Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, Marcio Catalano, Robert Hatchet, and Sarah Sampino, and I thought they did such a fantastic job bringing these characters to life.

And Sarah Sampino's voice… SO beautiful. It is incredibly smooth, and I absolutely loved listening to her. She was perfect for Ellis.

As for the story, I would definitely classify this as a slow burn, but it's a slow burn filled with love-hate, confusion, and a whole lot of “wait… what is happening here?”

I have to admit, I am a little tired of romantasy trials because at this point, we have seen A LOT of them. But these trials were actually inventive, and the stakes felt REAL. People could get seriously hurt, and the author didn't shy away from the ugly details.

And I loved those details.

There are some pretty brutal fighting scenes, and when someone gets stabbed and an organ is punctured and suddenly there are foul smells coming from the wound… 🤢😂 It is gross. It is gory. And somehow I LOVED it because it made the injuries feel real. The characters weren't just getting dramatically stabbed and then walking it off looking beautiful five minutes later. The author made the consequences feel visceral.

The Mulan inspired elements, Imperial Trials, four ruthless heirs, familiars, bonding, hidden agendas, and the complicated relationships all kept me completely invested.

And Ellis continues to be one of my favorite parts of the story. She may start out vulnerable and seemingly helpless, but she is NEVER stupid or naive. She is smart, resourceful, and you can really see her growth throughout the story.

Also… her familiar. 😂

I need more of that little menace in book two.

And speaking of book two… I NEED IT LIKE I NEED AIR.

The love-hate dynamic, the confusion, the tension, and the possibility of where these relationships could go have me VERY invested. There is definitely potential for a why choose situation, and after everything that happened in this book, I need to know what comes next.

One important warning: this book gets DARK, especially in the beginning. Please check the content warnings before listening. There are scenes involving sexual abuse by a family member, non-consensual sexual content, somnophilia, and other heavy themes.

Overall, this was one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and the audiobook made it even better. I cannot wait for more readers to discover this story because I genuinely think people are going to have SO much fun with it.

Blade of Two Faces releases November 17, 2026, and I will be over here patiently waiting for book two… except I am actually not patient at all. 😂

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Productions for the ALC. I absolutely loved listening to this one!

[Eileen]

Thank you to Net Galley and Tor/Forge Publishing Group for the ARC!

This was my first ARC opportunity, so I was very excited to jump right in. The synopsis immediately had me intrigued with "Mulan meets Gladiator" and "why-choose romantasy".

I'm not going to lie; the beginning was a bit of a shock. I have read some unhinged or taboo plotlines before, but this particular start was a first for me. Even so, I could not put it down! I just had to see what direction this story was going. The beginning (I'd say the first 10%-ish) is full of sexual and physical assault elements, so definitely check your triggers. Also, the type of SA can definitely be off-putting for many. I promise you though, once you get past the beginning, you will not want to stop reading. I was hooked! Like, if I didn't have children who relied on me for survival, I would have read this book within 12 hours GOOD!

The FMC is not your typical FMC. I feel like in many romantasy books, the princesses are raised with some sort of training to keep them protected in life. This one was not. She basically has no fighting skills and can seem utterly helpless at times. However, it's her ability to pull from her other strengths and persevere in challenging moments that builds her character throughout the book. I understand the Mulan reference because she has to pose as a man and has an animal sidekick, but that's really where the similarities end.
Speaking of her animal sidekick, the banter between her and Maren is so good! They definitely brought humor and light to a world that is dark and oppressive.

The 4 MMCs are all powerful and morally grey in their own scrumptious ways. Just when I thought I knew what MMCs she would get tangled up with, I was thrown off. I know it is a "why-choose", but there are definitely MMCs she vibes with more than others, and I still have no idea know why.

I was originally going to rate this book 5 stars mostly because of how binge-able it was. I mean a book you can't put down has to be that good right? After thinking it over, there were some things that I felt the story lacked or brushed over too quickly.

I thought it could use more world building. The kingdoms are separate, but other times seem right next to each other. It's confusing as to why her original kingdom, or her brother is never mentioned again, other than in her mind. The king was absolutely obsessed with her, and it seems strange to not know what is going on with him during the trials. If there is a reason why, it would have been nice to know. With all the POVs towards the end of the book, a POV from the king would have been an interesting read.

I was waiting and waiting for the "why-choose" element to happen in this book, but that kind of fell flat. We do get a glimpse of the potential for it in the next book, and for that I am so excited! I still have no idea where this story will head, and I am so here for it!

This book was such a roller coaster. A great experience with so many twists and turns. I can't wait for book 2!

[Marisa]

A strong FMC, distinct MMCs (finally!), and a unique world full of mysteries. This one hooked me, and I’m impatiently waiting for more.

Once I saw that this book was being compared to Mulan and Gladiator, I had a feeling I would enjoy it. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a standalone, and I’m glad it’s not. There is still a lot that needs to happen in the story, especially a lot of groveling when it comes to the romance. Actually, there needs to be a start to the romance.

For those with triggers, I would recommend reviewing them before going into the book. I didn’t personally find it dark, but there are some descriptions and actions that could be triggering for some readers.

There are a multitude of different elements in this world, along with mysteries surrounding how things came to be. I’m sure this will be explored more in the next books, and we’ll begin to understand why things are the way they are. Some aspects were a little confusing, but I think that’s because we don’t have all the information just yet.

The FMC is strong and brave, and I liked her. As for the MMCs, I really, really appreciate that we can tell them apart. I know that seems like a small thing, but in many RH novels, they tend to blend together. Here, each character has a distinct personality, so you always know who is who.

The concept of familiars is also included in this book, and I like that they aren’t just there for comic relief. There are some quips, but they serve a purpose. They’re also a bit of a mystery, which makes them even more interesting.

Since this was an advanced copy, there were a few inconsistencies, but I’m sure those will be sorted out by the time it’s released. They didn’t affect my overall enjoyment, although they did pull me out of the story once or twice. Not a big deal, and it didn’t impact my rating. I still very much enjoyed the characters and this world. However, I am very upset that this isn’t being released sooner because now I have to wait even longer for book two.

4.5/5

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kendra]

“The darkness always revealed the devil inside.”
Death arrives. Death to the trials. Death to us. Blade of two faces that is supposed to bring glory to realm. To unite its people.

Ograith was shown to be magnificent or was it? This new realm Sestella was just as bad and corrupt as Mador but add in some magic and deadly trials that are brutal all around, competing for the crown to rule and finding your mate.

Rage was a quiet thing inside Ellis. She was powerless. Only taught for manners and pretty gowns. She’d come from a brutal life with her brother who was obsessive, terrifying, and disgusting. She was not meant for trials. But she’d live. Not expecting to compete for the crown as a man.

Then we have a familiar named Marin tied his life to Ellis. A bonded pair where you will feel all the banter and humor between him and Ellis. I absolutely loved him! Think of him as a baby dragon like from Mulan given the Mulan inspired vibes!

These men you get introduced to were brutal and repulsive. They never cared for the woman. They craved for power and pleasure. You have 4 men in this why choose dark Romantasy where you will either hate or love them that are heirs during the Imperial Trials.

Blake created a captivating dark Romantasy that keeps your heart racing and a page turner for sure! This is very dark from the beginning and maybe a bit taboo with the brother, so please check your trigger warnings before reading 🖤

I felt all the emotions while reading this story and my heart really went out to Ellis as she’s been abused and taken advantage of in her life. The only thing I wish we got more in depth details were the trials and more emotion and complex characteristics with the male characters. I’m sure we will get more details in that for book 2, but would have loved to see more of that here especially while getting attached to Ellis.

Thank you a ton Bramble, Tor, Netgalley, and Blake for the e-galley! 🖤 I’m so glad I had the chance to read this and look forward to seeing what Blake has in store for book 2!

[Katelyn]

I absolutely devoured this debut fantasy written by @blakeblessingauthor . From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into Ellis’s (FMC) harsh reality and the danger she’s forced to elude. I was so angry for her and I could instantly feel how trapped she was and her desperate need to escape. To survive, she hides everything about herself (including the fact that she is female) and steps into a series of brutal games/competitions tied to power and royal succession. In this game nothing and no one can be trusted. The tension is unreal and constantly mounting. Especially with the group of heirs (our MMC’s) constantly coming for Ellis as a primary rival and due to an inexplicable draw they all feel towards each other. Each one of the MMC’s is distinct, layered, and impossible to fully read as alliances shift and suspicion runs high. I loved how individual all the key characters felt, especially in a genre where MMC’s can easily blur. This is something I feel like Blessing truly shines at as an author.
The slow-building attraction layered under all the hostility only made things more intense with each passing chapter. Ellis herself is a standout FMC. She is resilient, sharp, and shaped by everything she’s survived instead of being defeated by it. I would be remiss to write a review without noting her familiar, who absolutely stole every scene with humor, loyalty, and surprising depth. The world is rich with mystery, from its politics to its magic system, and it constantly feels like there’s something bigger just out of reach. By the end, I was left with so many questions and a serious need for the next book. This one definitely hooked me hard.

🥹🩷Soppy side note: This is the first book I’ve ever been mentioned by name in and I felt so unbelievably honored to have read this book from its first few versions to this! @blakeblessingauthor YOU are so unbelievably talented and I LOVE being a part of your team🩷

[DettaDrake]

This book has a lot of potential and good ideas. Unfortunately, nothing feels fleshed out. It’s why I had a hard time picking what rating to give it. I settled on 3.5 stars.

The fMC decides to stay in the tournament she accidentally gets caught up in, but her motivations aren’t worked out and she could easily not have to be in it and possibly die. So the book would’ve benefitted from her having some very good reasons to try, but those reasons stay away until late in the book where you see a hint of why. The tournament itself feels very random, as if it is solely there to be able to have a plot but does nothing for the worldbuilding. None of the trials are very well thought out and feel pretty rushed. The characters themselves also feel very flaky and so different depending on scene from scene. They don’t feel like they’re a sturdy person but more a collection of moments. Especially how the fMC was portrayed annoyed me (definitely TSTL and a bit of mild body betrayal), plus how some of the most important scenes (like her figuring out her talent and using it successfully for the first time) are in someone else’s POV and we don’t get any more explanation on it, just acting like it’s obvious how it all works to her.

I did love the girl-disguised-as-guy aspect and it was done pretty well, with no one finding out in the first couple chapters of the book. The concept of the world was very interesting too and I’m excited to find out more about the lore. Can’t wait to see the confrontation with king Elliott either!

I think this book could’ve benefitted from more eyes on it (like more betareaders for example) who were willing to point out when things didn’t make sense or weren’t fleshed out. I’m still excited for book 2, but I’m hoping we’ll get some more consistency and more thought out scenes.

[Jenna]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book; this does not influence my review.
This was a tough read for me. This was sold to me as Mulan meets Gladiator with a why-choose romance, but unfortunately, I didn’t get either of those vibes. There was also essentially no romance in this book.
We follow Ellis as she escapes her brother and his ruthless rule, only to land in another brutal world where she must compete in a fight to the death to determine the next ruler of a merciless kingdom.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much world-building, which made it difficult for me to get invested in the story. Ellis spends the story disguised as a man while competing in a series of brutal trials. Due to eavesdropping and a probable misunderstanding, she decides she must beat the four “heirs,” who she believes are evil. She spends the whole book annoying and provoking them, and there was no romantic tension or buildup between Ellis and the men.
I’m also not really sure how the why-choose romance is supposed to develop from here, considering most of the men seem intent on killing Ellis whenever they get the chance. The exception is Killian, who openly pursues Ellis and is the only one who really expresses any feelings toward her.
The story does have plenty of brutal trials and gory scenes, so if you’re squeamish, I’d definitely steer clear.
Unfortunately, the cliffhanger at the end didn’t leave me eager for more, so I won’t be continuing with the second book.
Best of luck to the author. I hope the next book expands on the world-building and gives the romance more time to develop, because I think both could have made this a much stronger story.

[Reader]

Okay, so firstly I really like the FMC, her attitude and the bond she has with her familiar was brilliant throughout. There are some super heavy scenes/ topics, especially towards the beginning but I think the author does well to show how they affect the FMC at different points in the story. Honestly the beginning had my whole body cringing and I was worried I couldn’t get past it at first but the progression into the story makes sense after. The last scene also took me completely off guard with a bit of non con that I wasn’t expecting but overall I enjoyed the pacing and storytelling throughout!

The trials were interesting, the end result of those was unexpected so I’m going to be looking to book 2 for some answers on how this is going to play out. I could’ve used a little more world building but I think it also kind of fits because the FMC doesn’t know much about life outside of her childhood home and neither do we?

My only gripe is unfortunately I don’t like any of the MMCs, well, maybe one of them who honestly spends most of his time unaware of what’s going on around him? But the rest.. terrible people and I’m just struggling to see how they become love interests or to be honest I’m struggling to see any redeeming qualities at all... There was some sexual tension but if I’m honest I would’ve liked a litttttlle more or at least some more building towards something more, so be warned this is a super slow burn.

All in all, the relationship between the FMC and her familiar was one of my highlights and I love the idea behind magic/ hair colour and I can’t wait to see how it all works out!

I received an arc copy from the author but these comments are all my own.

[September Withers]

Blade of Two Faces is a bold and emotionally intense romantasy that masterfully blends revenge, political intrigue, fierce competition, and compelling relationship dynamics into an addictive reading experience. Blake Blessing crafts a story filled with tension, ambition, and high stakes conflict, creating a fantasy world that feels immersive, dangerous, and impossible to look away from.

What makes the novel especially compelling is its fiercely driven protagonist and the constant emotional and political tension surrounding her journey. Her determination for revenge and freedom gives the narrative strong momentum, while the Imperial Trials create a gripping atmosphere of danger, strategy, and survival. The balance between ruthless ambition and emotional vulnerability adds depth to both the character arcs and the evolving relationships throughout the story.

The worldbuilding and pacing also stand out remarkably well. The clash between kingdoms, hidden agendas, deadly competition, and layered character dynamics create a cinematic reading experience filled with suspense and emotional intensity. Blake Blessing balances fantasy action, romance, intrigue, and emotional development with confidence, delivering a story that feels both epic and deeply engaging.

Fast paced, emotionally gripping, and filled with tension, Blade of Two Faces is a standout romantasy that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy powerful heroines, political fantasy, high stakes competition, and emotionally driven fantasy romance.

[Mrs.MorallyGrayReads]

I read this book in a single day, and now I’m desperately waiting for book two!

This book is dark , why choose, Romantasy.

One of my favorite things about Blade of Two Faces was the pacing. There was never a dull moment. Every chapter revealed a new piece of the puzzle, a new challenge, or another layer of intrigue that kept me turning pages long after I planned to stop.

Ellis is an incredibly likable FMC. She’s intelligent, resilient, and willing to take risks when it matters most. Despite everything thrown her way, she never loses her compassion, making her easy to root for from beginning to end.

The multiple MMCs are equally compelling. Each of them brings something different to the story, and the more we learn about them, the more intriguing they become. Their individual personalities, motivations, and secrets add so much depth to the overall story.

The stakes are incredibly high, with deadly trials, fierce competition, and the promise of being crowned and mated awaiting the victors. Add in magic, familiars, and plenty of danger, and there’s always something exciting happening.

This is a true slow-burn romance, so don’t expect instant gratification. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, and it’s that anticipation and chemistry that kept me completely invested.

The ending left me needing answers immediately, and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.

[Bookish Emili Reads]

Blade of Two Faces by Blake Blessing was an engaging fantasy adventure that combined action, intrigue, and character growth into a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. With its blend of magic, conflict, and personal struggle, the novel delivered an entertaining journey that offered both excitement and emotional depth.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its protagonist, whose internal conflicts and evolving sense of identity add meaningful layers to the story. The character's journey feels authentic, and the challenges they face help drive both the plot and their personal development. The supporting cast also contributes to the narrative, providing compelling dynamics and moments of tension, loyalty, and growth.

The world-building is imaginative and accessible, introducing magical elements and lore in a way that enhances the story without becoming overly complicated. The setting feels rich enough to spark curiosity while allowing the focus to remain on the characters and their choices. The action sequences are particularly well paced, adding excitement and momentum throughout the novel.

The reason this earns four stars rather than five is that a few plot developments felt familiar to the fantasy genre, and I would have enjoyed a deeper exploration of certain side characters and aspects of the world's history. While these elements left me wanting a little more, they did not diminish my overall enjoyment of the book.

[Megan Holman]

This had such great potential to be an amazing story.

Unfortunately this one fell a bit flat for me. The back cover describes the book as a "why choose romantasy", but nothing in the story really adds up to that description. It felt like maybe it was trying to lead up to an "enemies to lovers" kind of situation, but that didn't happen either. There was quite a bit of sexual tension between some of the characters, but never any romance or "why choose" scenarios, so that threw me off a bit.

I felt a bit disappointed that we didn't hear anything from the kingdom she escaped from either, like she just walked out and her awful brother never even tried to locate her? (Not that we want him to find her, cuz he was truly gross) Or send anyone to locate her? Seems kind of unlikely.

I really liked at the end how the story was told from different points of view, and probably would have liked this book more if that happened consistently throughout it, instead of at the last like 7%.

Even though it was an entertaining tale, It was also a bit redundant, and it left me with lots of unanswered questions. It does say to be continued at the end, so maybe the next one will explain things in more detail?

Thank you so very much to Blake Blessing and goodreads giveaways for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cynthia]

Review of advanced reader copy through NetGalley:

Power struggles, political agendas, and social justice... Blade of Two Faces touches on multiple high stakes principles while incorporating these elements into a fresh Mulan retelling. In the world of Strataera, survival depends on strength, charisma, and cunning, and our MFC, Ellis, draws on all these characteristics. When she flees her kingdom and oppressive and incestuous (read the trigger warnings, please) twin brother, she
claims her power by binding to a dragon-serpentine familiar, Marin, while forcefully being entered into Imperial Trials for the throne.
During these trials she navigates deadly ordeals in contention with our four other MMCs, Killan, Veric, Xanth, and Zave.
Driven by the need for vengeance and to free her kingdom from her brothers insidious rule, Ellis, battles against her fellow competitors for power and her life.
Blade of Two Faces creates authentic interactions between the characters. The characters each have their own personal struggles that are real and raw and the reader is drawn into compassion for their strife. The sequence of events was steady to allow for reader engagement.

There are tropes that will appeal to many readers including:
Secret identity
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Forced Proximity
Morally Grey
3.5 stars

[Amara F]

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

The beginning was extremely slow. There wasn’t anything really to pull me in. You just get a weak princess who is being abused emotionally and physically (incest as well) from her twin brother. Every man is just cruel but for no reason. I don’t mind a dark romance, I actually like them but there has to be something behind their reasoning, behind their cruelty. I don’t really like books who go over the top with every man being abusive and women suck, it just doesn’t call to me. It’s too much.

The beginning was a bit too much like Mulan. She goes and visits her ancestors. Why is she doing this when the majority of them were d-bags? lol idk.

I did DNF but mainly cause I don’t like these overly dark books for the sake of being dark. If I had known that ahead of time, I would not have read this. So I give a 1-2 however there are people out there that love these types of books, like bloody black by Rhiannon, this made me think of that kind of vibe and people ate that up, however that one also one I don’t care for haha. For those who like those kinds of books then I’d rate it a 3-4.

[Allyson]

Okay, I NEED MORE!!!

I went into Blade of Two Faces expecting a Mulan-inspired story, but I didn’t expect to get this invested in the characters and their journey! There’s something about this kind of story—hidden identities, impossible expectations, courage, and fighting for the life you want—that gets me every time, and Blake Blessing absolutely delivered.

I loved the Mulan influence while still feeling like this story had its own identity. The adventure, the characters, the tension… I was completely along for the ride. And honestly? By the end, I was NOT ready to say goodbye.

Four stars because I am now sitting here wanting MORE. More story. More characters. More of this world. More everything.

If you love Mulan-inspired fantasy, brave characters, adventure, and stories that leave you immediately wanting the next book, definitely put this one on your list!

Blake Blessing, respectfully: I need the next one!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!