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Blades in Time: Blades in Time, Book 1
Two men from different pasts, abducted by aliens. United among the present-day stars.
On a blustery autumn day in 1360, Sir Thomas Fitzhugh, English mercenary knight and grizzled veteran of dozens of battles fought across Europe and the Holy Land, abruptly vanished from history.
On a warm summer night in 1583, as fires raged and blood spilled in the streets of the Japanese imperial capital, a samurai warrior named Sakai Nobuhide, likewise disappeared from the historical record.
But they hadn't died.
Instead, they found themselves plunged into a new and jarring reality, one of spaceships and far-flung stellar empires, of monstrously bizarre alien creatures and cryptic, mind-bending technologies. Somehow, they'd been brought here, to their own far future, by an enigmatic being known only as the Chief.
Bestowed with the ability to understand and navigate their strange new existence, Thomas and Nobu find themselves working for the Chief… because what choice do they really have? Now, their mysterious benefactor has sent them to Dregs, a dingy city on a distant world, to unravel the disappearance of the son and heir of a powerful criminal kingpin.
Displaced hundreds of years in time, immersed in a world neither man could have begun to imagine…
This was definitely going to take some getting used to.
On a blustery autumn day in 1360, Sir Thomas Fitzhugh, English mercenary knight and grizzled veteran of dozens of battles fought across Europe and the Holy Land, abruptly vanished from history.
On a warm summer night in 1583, as fires raged and blood spilled in the streets of the Japanese imperial capital, a samurai warrior named Sakai Nobuhide, likewise disappeared from the historical record.
But they hadn't died.
Instead, they found themselves plunged into a new and jarring reality, one of spaceships and far-flung stellar empires, of monstrously bizarre alien creatures and cryptic, mind-bending technologies. Somehow, they'd been brought here, to their own far future, by an enigmatic being known only as the Chief.
Bestowed with the ability to understand and navigate their strange new existence, Thomas and Nobu find themselves working for the Chief… because what choice do they really have? Now, their mysterious benefactor has sent them to Dregs, a dingy city on a distant world, to unravel the disappearance of the son and heir of a powerful criminal kingpin.
Displaced hundreds of years in time, immersed in a world neither man could have begun to imagine…
This was definitely going to take some getting used to.
Audible Audio
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 7, 2026
I think this is one of the few books in the Cheneyverse that I don't immediately feel like giving five stars.
There are too many unanswered questions. Why can't Nobu and Thomas use anything other than bladed weapons? Why were they brought 500 years into their future? How do the Augmentics work, and why do they have them?
Perhaps we'll get more information in the next book in the series. In any event, this was an interesting introduction to the new characters, even though I've already deduced who the Chief is.
There are too many unanswered questions. Why can't Nobu and Thomas use anything other than bladed weapons? Why were they brought 500 years into their future? How do the Augmentics work, and why do they have them?
Perhaps we'll get more information in the next book in the series. In any event, this was an interesting introduction to the new characters, even though I've already deduced who the Chief is.
July 16, 2026
Rollicking Good Story
I started this book think it was going to be a “sword and sorcery” tale, a genre I’m not particularly fond of. Instead it turned out to be as fun to read as the Backyard Starship series. Same style of characters, whimsical and serious, same convoluted plots. Swords against guns. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I started this book think it was going to be a “sword and sorcery” tale, a genre I’m not particularly fond of. Instead it turned out to be as fun to read as the Backyard Starship series. Same style of characters, whimsical and serious, same convoluted plots. Swords against guns. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 21, 2026
Excellent new series
Set in the Backyard Starship universe, this book has great characters in Thomas and Nabo, as well as Nana. I suspect that Chief's story will be fascinating, if it is ever told. All in all, a lot of fun, and I look forward to the next books.
Set in the Backyard Starship universe, this book has great characters in Thomas and Nabo, as well as Nana. I suspect that Chief's story will be fascinating, if it is ever told. All in all, a lot of fun, and I look forward to the next books.
June 22, 2026
series start
I know when a series starts ground must be covered to bring readers along. This ground is predictable and repetitious. I’ll give the next book a shot, but if it’s more of the same I’ll stick with other Cheneyverse efforts.
I know when a series starts ground must be covered to bring readers along. This ground is predictable and repetitious. I’ll give the next book a shot, but if it’s more of the same I’ll stick with other Cheneyverse efforts.
June 29, 2026
Great story,, really enjoyed it hard to put down. Thanks for writing this, and I look forward to the next one!
July 1, 2026
An awesome book!
I love how these warriors from the 1500’s are fighting the people in space with swords. I really like the character and this world.
I love how these warriors from the 1500’s are fighting the people in space with swords. I really like the character and this world.
July 15, 2026
Great read
This book is enthralling. It is a page Turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and the plot line flawless.
This book is enthralling. It is a page Turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and the plot line flawless.
August 17, 2026
Appears switching stories order is needed
If you are reading these two stories the I’d read the second one first for them to make better chronological sense.
If you are reading these two stories the I’d read the second one first for them to make better chronological sense.
August 25, 2026
Very good!
Still a great universe, how now the addition of only using swords makes it a very unique Twist on an already great premise! Excited for book two.
Still a great universe, how now the addition of only using swords makes it a very unique Twist on an already great premise! Excited for book two.
September 26, 2026
Just got bored
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews