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Freehold
Forged in Blood
NEW STORIES SET IN MICHAEL Z. WILLIAMSON'S FREEHOLD SERIES WARRIORS AND SOLDIERS TIED TOGETHER THROUGHOUT TIME AND SPACE. From the distant past to the far future, those who carry the sword rack up commendations for bravery. They are men and women who, like the swords they carry, have been forged in blood. These are their stories. In medieval Japan, a surly ronin is called upon to defend a village against a thieving tax collector who soon finds out it's not wise to anger an old, tired man. In the ugliest fighting in the Pacific Theater, an American sergeant and a Japanese lieutenant must face each other, and themselves. A former US Marine chooses sides with outnumbered Indonesian refugees against an invading army from Java. When her lover is stolen by death, a sergeant fighting on a far-flung world vows vengeance that will become legendary. And, when a planet fragments in violent chaos, seven Freeholders volunteer to help protect another nation's embassy against a horde. Featuring all-new stories by Michael Z. Williamson, Larry Correia, Tom Kratman, Tony Daniel, Micahel Massa, Peter Grant, John F. Holmes, and many more. Zachary Hill Larry Correia Michael Massa John F. Holmes Rob Reed Dale Flowers Tom Kratman Leo Champion Peter Grant Christopher L. Smith Jason Cordova Tony Daniel Kacey Ezell Michael Z. Williamson At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Michael Z. “A fast-paced, compulsive read . . . will appeal to fans of John Ringo, David Drake, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber.”—Kliatt “Williamson's military expertise is impressive.”—SF Reviews Novels of Michael Z. Williamson's Freehold Freehold series Freehold The Weapon The Rogue Contact with Chaos Angeleyes Forged in Blood Ripple Creek series Better to Beg Forgiveness . . . Do Unto Others . . . When Diplomacy Fails . . . Standalone A Long Time Until Now Michael Z. Williamson is retired military, having served twenty-five years in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. He was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Desert Fox. Williamson is a state-ranked competitive shooter in combat rifle and combat pistol. He has consulted on military matters, weapons and disaster preparedness for Discovery Channel and Outdoor Channel productions and is Editor-at-Large for Survivalblog, with 300,000 weekly readers. In addition, Williamson tests and reviews firearms and gear for manufacturers. Williamson’s books set in his Freehold Universe include Freehold, The Weapon, The Rogue, Better to Beg Forgiveness . . ., Do Unto Others . . ., and When Diplomacy Fails . . .. He is also the author of time travel novel A Long Time Until Now, as well as The Hero—the latter written in collaboration with New York Times best-selling author John Ringo. Williamson was born in England, raised in Liverpool and Toronto, Canada, and now resides in Indianapolis with his children.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
59 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 12, 2017
I normally wouldn't rate an anthology so highly. There are always a few stories that are weaker than the others.
I don't feel that way about this one.
This is about the history of a sword. Not a sword of kings, but a sword of warriors.
The construction of the anthology is so clever and tight.
Bah. I'm gushing.
I don't feel that way about this one.
This is about the history of a sword. Not a sword of kings, but a sword of warriors.
The construction of the anthology is so clever and tight.
Bah. I'm gushing.
May 19, 2018
I would have rated this higher but a couple of the stories toward the end kind of dragged a bit. I liked it enough to purchase the first Freehold book though and plan to read very soon.
January 26, 2019
This book is marketed as a series of stories set in the Freehold universe. While that is true what really ties these stories together is a sword. This sword which was first forged before the birth of Christ has developed a sentience of it's own. Many warriors and soldiers will own this sword and each will honor it's legacy in their own way. From the distant past to the far future, those who carry the sword rack up commendations for honor and bravery. Many will die while fighting for their cause. Some will survive to pass the sword to another. They are men and women who, like the sword they carry, have been forged in blood. These are their stories. Each of these stories are great reads and the book as a whole is a good addition to the Freehold series.
September 11, 2017
Hit me right in the feels. Normally I avoid shared or guest universe anthologies but as a loyal reader of Mad Mike I gave it a shot. Was impressed with how each author kept the storyline moving while retaining so much individual character. Even Tony Daniel who I had sworn to never read again after his thinly veiled Science Fiction ripoff of Red October has semi redemption. Overall the continuation of the freehold universe and several story line intersections made it one of my favorites for this year.
April 18, 2021
A group of short stories by different authors about a sword. A living, possessed blade. Not all of them are great short stories but many of them are. And the sword makes a journey from 3rd century Asia to fighting boarding actions on starships.
And I love the way the editor/author finished the story of this weapon.
And I love the way the editor/author finished the story of this weapon.
December 29, 2017
Forged in Blood
An excellent anthology in Michael Z. Williamson's Freehold World centers around a sword thru the ages as the ownership of the sword passes from one wielder to the next.
An excellent anthology in Michael Z. Williamson's Freehold World centers around a sword thru the ages as the ownership of the sword passes from one wielder to the next.
September 25, 2017
Honor, duty, sacrifice
This is one of the best anthologies I have ever read. All the authors kept to the same thread, honor, duty, sacrifice while weaving a story around an extraordinary sword. Even though all the stories are short stories, you come to care and sympathize with each main character. If you are a fan of military sci-fi, then you will not be disappointed with this book
This is one of the best anthologies I have ever read. All the authors kept to the same thread, honor, duty, sacrifice while weaving a story around an extraordinary sword. Even though all the stories are short stories, you come to care and sympathize with each main character. If you are a fan of military sci-fi, then you will not be disappointed with this book
September 24, 2017
Follow the story of a single sword through history. Each writer adding a single important and final battle of one of the wielders. It is a very interesting way to build the history of a world.
June 19, 2018
I've always loved MadMike's "Freehold" series, and this anthology is another great contribution to it. It tells the story of a sword. The first story is set in the 3rd Century BC in Japan, where a wife uses her Grandfather's sword to defend her husband's Manor while he is off fighting elsewhere. It then jumps forward, each time it's new owner adding some history to the sword. Between each chapter are the thoughts of the sword's spirit, thinking of her last owner, and their deeds. it gets broken and reforged, and always taken up and used by warriors of one shape of another.
Eventually, it comes to Kendra Pacelli, the heroine of "Freehold", and the Battle of Braided Bluff. It also has a second story, 16 years later, that has Kendra and Rob, her husband, fighting a last ditch battle to save civilians in an attack on Mtali. It ends with a new owner asking a museum to do a history search about the sword, and them being amazed by it's true history, before he decides to take it with him into battle, rather than give it to the museum.
Usually, with anthologies, I've found that some stories are better than others, and some just plain suck. That is NOT the case with this book. Every single one of these stories is excellent, with some rising to awesome heights to stand out. A worthy read for ANY "Freehold" fan!
Eventually, it comes to Kendra Pacelli, the heroine of "Freehold", and the Battle of Braided Bluff. It also has a second story, 16 years later, that has Kendra and Rob, her husband, fighting a last ditch battle to save civilians in an attack on Mtali. It ends with a new owner asking a museum to do a history search about the sword, and them being amazed by it's true history, before he decides to take it with him into battle, rather than give it to the museum.
Usually, with anthologies, I've found that some stories are better than others, and some just plain suck. That is NOT the case with this book. Every single one of these stories is excellent, with some rising to awesome heights to stand out. A worthy read for ANY "Freehold" fan!
October 13, 2017
This short story collection set in the Freehold Universe has an interesting twist. It follows the wanderings of a sword from prehistoric times to the far future, as she passes from owner to owner, sometimes by chance, sometimes by design. We also get to visit with Kendra Pacelli of Freehold and Ken Chinran of The Weapon and Rogue, taking up their stories years after the events in the original books. Neat.
The stories, some by Mr. Williamson himself, but by other authors, are all of high quality, with one glaring exception. The connecting device of the sentient sword, fleshed out with brief interludes by Mr. Williamson, works really well in connecting the stories and making the collection feel like whole.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=2090
The stories, some by Mr. Williamson himself, but by other authors, are all of high quality, with one glaring exception. The connecting device of the sentient sword, fleshed out with brief interludes by Mr. Williamson, works really well in connecting the stories and making the collection feel like whole.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=2090
April 23, 2018
This story follows a sword. It begins as a Wakizashi, inert steel, but acquires life (of a sort) over centuries of use. The sword itself is the central character, the humans who use it are vehicles to its evolution, the smiths who shape and reshape it are effectively rehabilitating the sword after events which nearly destroy it. Centuries become millennia and the sword becomes more aware, to the point where it can aid its human users in interesting ways.
This was a fun collection of stories to read, and the way they tie together makes the assembly pop out in my mind.
This was a fun collection of stories to read, and the way they tie together makes the assembly pop out in my mind.
December 29, 2024
Forged in Blood is a series of interconnected stories written by different authors starring a sword and set in the Freehold universe. Each story is set in a different time period starting from feudal Japan and stretching all the way to contact with aliens around the planet of Freehold. There is also comments from the sword between each story to help with context. As is always the case with multiple authors, some stories are better fits for individual readers. If you have an interest in the Freehold universe, this is not a bad volume to read.
October 23, 2017
These are truly some excellent stories about a sword, for all the times we have picked up an ancient weapon (or tool) and thought "I wonder what stories you could tell me.
The somewhat abbreviated Amazon review is found here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re....
The expanded blog review is found here:
http://habakkuk21.blogspot.com/2017/1...
The somewhat abbreviated Amazon review is found here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re....
The expanded blog review is found here:
http://habakkuk21.blogspot.com/2017/1...
August 1, 2018
Overall very good anthology with a nice story line tying the different short stories together.
Not all stories were 5 stars worth, yet I give it 5 stars as the overall effect was awesome.
If you like military SF, it is a good anthology to read with stories to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you think....
Not all stories were 5 stars worth, yet I give it 5 stars as the overall effect was awesome.
If you like military SF, it is a good anthology to read with stories to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you think....
March 7, 2020
Great stories!
Took me a while to get started. The first story is a little long and took me awhile to figure out where things were going. Each story is interesting and stands a lone. I really enjoyed another look at Kendra's battle and learned a lot more about the other characters that I had heard of but never met. Great read!
Took me a while to get started. The first story is a little long and took me awhile to figure out where things were going. Each story is interesting and stands a lone. I really enjoyed another look at Kendra's battle and learned a lot more about the other characters that I had heard of but never met. Great read!
February 16, 2025
Great Anthology
Extremely well done. Contains backstories from, and complements, Freehold #1. One theme of this book provides fascinating details on Japanese swords, metal smithing, and future projections of a swords-maker’s art. And the other themes in this gem are combat and honor. Authors clearly have military experience and know military history. Wow.
Extremely well done. Contains backstories from, and complements, Freehold #1. One theme of this book provides fascinating details on Japanese swords, metal smithing, and future projections of a swords-maker’s art. And the other themes in this gem are combat and honor. Authors clearly have military experience and know military history. Wow.
November 18, 2017
Awesome anthology about the history of a blade.
Each story followed the previous one through time. The characters were for the most part warriors that wielded the sword with honor and distinction. I especially enjoyed "Family over Blood."
Each story followed the previous one through time. The characters were for the most part warriors that wielded the sword with honor and distinction. I especially enjoyed "Family over Blood."
April 6, 2018
Wow, just wow
The thing I like most about this book is the common thread through all the stories. So often a book like this is jarring when moving from one author to the next. Truely masterful writing.
The thing I like most about this book is the common thread through all the stories. So often a book like this is jarring when moving from one author to the next. Truely masterful writing.
November 22, 2018
Fantastic book
Enjoyed every story from beginning to end and the thread that binds them together. Loved the history and the scope of each story. None boring and all fascinating to me.
Enjoyed every story from beginning to end and the thread that binds them together. Loved the history and the scope of each story. None boring and all fascinating to me.
July 16, 2019
I want more
Excellent group of stories following the soul of a sword through time, with commentary from the sword itself. The series of stories fills in some background in the Freehold arc.
Excellent group of stories following the soul of a sword through time, with commentary from the sword itself. The series of stories fills in some background in the Freehold arc.
January 2, 2018
Fun little stories with a thin line connecting them. Makes me wonder if Williamson is going to write books about Freehold meeting the aliens...
October 18, 2017
I think this is the best anthology I've ever read.
February 10, 2018
A fascinating blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction brings to life a warrior's blade.
January 4, 2023
completely speechless
Ive never read anything like this. Perfect capstone to the series in a way i have no words for. WOW
Ive never read anything like this. Perfect capstone to the series in a way i have no words for. WOW
March 25, 2025
It is a series of short stories. It is good but a little unusual for the subject of the short stories.
July 18, 2021
I didn't read any blurbs or descriptions because "Williamson, Freehold" was all I needed to read this. I knew it was a collection, so I expected it to be a collection of stories set in the time of Freehold, probably during or after the war with Earth.
As anyone who did read the blurb knows, that's not what it is. If anything, it's even better than that. From Feudal Japan to the Freehold era, these stories follow . . . well, it was a delight when I figured it out, so I'll let you discover that for yourself. (Although some other reviewer may have already spoiled it.)
If you're a fan of Williamson's Freehold mythos, read it. If you're a fan of military Sci-Fi, read it. The first stories aren't technically Sci-Fi, but they're quite good, and the connecting theme makes them well worth reading.
2021: re-reading it because I enjoyed it so much.
As anyone who did read the blurb knows, that's not what it is. If anything, it's even better than that. From Feudal Japan to the Freehold era, these stories follow . . . well, it was a delight when I figured it out, so I'll let you discover that for yourself. (Although some other reviewer may have already spoiled it.)
If you're a fan of Williamson's Freehold mythos, read it. If you're a fan of military Sci-Fi, read it. The first stories aren't technically Sci-Fi, but they're quite good, and the connecting theme makes them well worth reading.
2021: re-reading it because I enjoyed it so much.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews