A Gilded Blade: An Infernal War Saga Novella

Infernal War Saga #3.5

by Hailey Turner

Duty is a heavy price to pay for love.

THE RULER. Rodian expected to live out his life in the far north of Urova, tending to his herd of reyndeer and overseeing his small town on the icy fjord as its Minister. But in the aftermath of the Infernal War, the Midnight Star sees fit to send him down a new road he cannot turn away from. Now, wearing the crown as Isar of Urova, Rodian is thrown unprepared into the political waters of the royal court. The only way for him to survive the machinations of the nobles standing against him is to put his trust in Arkadi, a handsome young nobleman whose favored currency is secrets.

THE BLADE. Arkadi has made a name for himself as a nobleman and Minister who always has his finger on the pulse of the court’s gossip. His public position hides his training as a Blade, one of the Star Order’s secret assassins. Both roles are useful when it comes to protecting Urova. When the new ruler arrives in the country’s capital, Arkadi is drawn to the older man who only wants to keep Urova safe in the wake of the Infernal War’s devastation.

THE CROWN. As a political novice, Rodian finds himself leaning on Arkadi for support and falling for the young nobleman during the long winter nights they spend together. Arkadi wants Rodian to succeed on the throne, but in order for that to happen, he will need to keep his ruler safe using his skills as a Blade—and risk losing his heart in the process.



A Gilded Blade is a novella set in the Infernal War Saga universe after the main trilogy. This is an expanded version different from the giveaway version.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, M M Romance, Royalty, Gay, LGBT

116 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Hailey Turner is a big city girl who likes to spoil her cats rotten. She writes science fiction and fantasy with lots of action, epic plots, and romantic relationships that satisfy the heart. Hailey lives in sunny California when she isn’t adding stamps to her passport.

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Reviews

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and sexy return to the world of Maricol, and a look into a country and people we didn’t get to see much of in the course of the series (and what we did see was not the most flattering). I’ll always love returning to this world and I liked our new characters. The sex in this one was a bit kinkier than I’ve seen Hailey get before lol.

Ps Hailey you should write a sapphic little novella like this set in Maricol too pls and thank you 🙏

[Tanner Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An out of the blue novella from my favorite series was the best surprise ever

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GILDED BLADE was a fun return to Maricol and the INFERNAL WAR SAGA and it was cool to see a country that wasn't as prominent in the main series. Urova was on the wrong side of the war but now they have a new king, Rodian, and he's determined to make this right. I really liked Rodian and how earnest he was while also not being a push over. This man did not come to play. He finds a surprising love in one of his Ministers, Arkadi, who is also secretly a Blade. This was a novella their love is quick and insta but it felt real and developed. I'll happily read any new books in this world!

[Alina Rossi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I love this world I need more!!! this was so lovely, happy to learn how the war impacted a country we never got to see a lot of in the original trilogy

I fell for these characters instantly, I need a full length novel thanks

[hea booktubes]

DNF 6% don’t like the writing style.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only just realised that this was available! After having inhaled the trilogy last year, I was very excited to get some insight into the Urovan royalty, seeing as in previous books we got insight into the goings-on of two other kingdoms. I especially loved how there were new words for the royals and nobles. Still, Isar Rodian probably is a lot different than what the Urovan royalty used to be but his perspective was direct and he didn't take any shit from anyone.

In the previous trilogy, a blade was also present and used diligently without anyone involved taking much issue with it. Here, Arkadi, a young blade, is ready to be dismissed as soon as his affiliation (profession?) comes out. And yet, Arkadi is sweet and smart and reliable when it comes to his Isar. Their romance was not rushed per se but seeing as the book itself was slightly over 100 pages, of course things went rather quickly. I would have liked more worldbuilding and plot but you can't fit everything into this small of a form.

[Teeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Hailey returned to Maricol and even more so, she returned to a country we read a lot about, but didn't know much, Urova.

I loved the scenery of Urova, Rodian and Arkadi were fully fleshed characters and their relationship for the novella length that this was, progressed very naturally. Loved their interactions and by the end I was hoping for more or at least an epilogue a bit more down the road.

Dare I hope that maybe Hailey might return in the future to gift us another novella from the Tovan Isles?

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2nd re-read by audiobook...

5 stars across the board! As I've said in my review of the ebook loved the Urova scenery, Rodian and Arcadi!!! If it was possible I've beg Hailey to give us a couple of short stories about Maricol every year!!!

Gary Furlong is literally the only narrator that is flawless to me, to the point that I'll listen to a story because he narrates...

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much! I have no knowledge of the novella's universe (though I'm now tempted to), but it was a wonderful standalone read because I was so invested in the characters. Rodian was a very classic 'semi-commoner turned king' figure and I loved the way he handled power, but loved his struggle with his desire for his steward-turned-love-interest and the moral implications with that (and also loved the smut, though that's a given because it was excellent). Again, while unfamiliar with the worldbuilding and having not much of a concept of what Blades are, precisely, I loved Arkadi's devotion, too. Little Blade!! <3

[August · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

I love the universe of the infernal war saga and was itching for new content so this did a good job scratching that itch for me. this is a light-hearted but well done look into the previously unexplored story in Urova. The original series didn't have the bandwidth to look at them (their alliances, the idea of star order blades, the ramifications post war) so it was nice to get a novella that did. The characters themselves are loveable and multi-faceted enough to keep you rooting for them.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to get another taste of the Infernal Wars Saga, this time after the war. Urova was involved in the war in the main series, but in this book we get a closer look into the country and their culture. The love between Rodian and his Blade, Arkadi is passionate and forever. Themes of betrayal and loyalty among the noble class remain a characteristic of the series. Magic is lightly wielded, but intrigue and surreptitious defense rule the day. I hope for more from this world in the future!

[Sniege · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to come back to the Infernal War Saga universe. I adore this series and was very happy to get a different perspective and war consequences for other countries. Don't get me wrong this story stands on its own and was a great read.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novella, loved the characters and loved to see the cold part of Maricol! 🩵 I wish this was a full-length novel

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more of these two. I like them so much, and the rebuilding of Urova for the better would be cool to read. I hate that this was a short.

[Jesicka · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's mostly spice, and I wish it was a full novel expanding more on Urova.

[Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella perfect for those who miss the world of the Infernal Wars. It reminds why I loved that series so much.

[Iona · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a delight being back in this world.

I would have loved this to be longer and show us more of Urova in the aftermath of The Infernal Wars and the characters, who I really liked spending time with.

But I still greatly enjoyed this story.

[Yaredi Pizano · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7