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Ishtar's Legacy #0.5
A Blade's Beginning
After being freed from her prison cell by the King of the Gryphons, Enkara will endure the dangers of court intrigues and assassins to be united with the gryphon cub who kept her sane during the many years she spent in a dark dungeon.
But if she doesn’t reach him in time, an assassin in the service of the Queen of the Underworld will steal away her only chance to save him.
Author’s Note:
A Blade’s Beginning is a short story that is part of the Ishtar’s Legacy universe. It ties together events from Ishtar’s Blade and Blade’s Honor. I’ve decided to publish it separately from book 2 in the series because of the sixteen-year span of time between books. And many readers say they don’t like prologues. If prologues aren’t your thing, skip this story and just wait for Blade’s Honor, coming soon!
Also, if you haven’t read book one, Ishtar’s Blade, you’ll want to double back and read that one first.
Blade’s Honor is coming soon!
But if she doesn’t reach him in time, an assassin in the service of the Queen of the Underworld will steal away her only chance to save him.
Author’s Note:
A Blade’s Beginning is a short story that is part of the Ishtar’s Legacy universe. It ties together events from Ishtar’s Blade and Blade’s Honor. I’ve decided to publish it separately from book 2 in the series because of the sixteen-year span of time between books. And many readers say they don’t like prologues. If prologues aren’t your thing, skip this story and just wait for Blade’s Honor, coming soon!
Also, if you haven’t read book one, Ishtar’s Blade, you’ll want to double back and read that one first.
Blade’s Honor is coming soon!
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2018
99 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Blackwood
48 books312 followersLisa Blackwood is the USA Today bestselling author of the Gargoyle and Sorceress Urban Fantasy series. She and her new co-author, S.M. Schmitz, are also embarking upon a new Space Opera Romance series. Book one is titled, Vengeance: Warships of the Spire. It can be found in the Dominion Rising boxset anthology.
As well as writing, Lisa is also an avid gardener, horse enthusiast, and dog lover. She grudgingly lives in a small town in Southern Ontario, though she would much rather live deep in a dark forest, surrounded by majestic old-growth trees. Since she cannot live her fantasy, she decided to write fantasy instead. Freya, her ever faithful and beloved hellhound, ensures Lisa takes breaks from the computer so they can rid the garden of cats with delusions of conquest.
As well as writing, Lisa is also an avid gardener, horse enthusiast, and dog lover. She grudgingly lives in a small town in Southern Ontario, though she would much rather live deep in a dark forest, surrounded by majestic old-growth trees. Since she cannot live her fantasy, she decided to write fantasy instead. Freya, her ever faithful and beloved hellhound, ensures Lisa takes breaks from the computer so they can rid the garden of cats with delusions of conquest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2022
A Blade’s Beginning earns 5/5 Medallions…Fascinating!
I am not one who regularly chooses to read from the fantasy genre, but I thought a short story might provide some insight into the genre to change my mind…The Blade’s Beginning: An Ishtar’s Legacy is my springboard. Although the author suggests reading book one, Ishtar’s Blade, first, and that might have given some background and character information, I still chose to read this short story. It was a fascinating snippet about a young orphan Enkara who in her attempt to rejoin a close friend, cub Kuwari, finds herself in the middle of an attempted assassination. The assassin, using a powerful medallion, has masked their intentions and easily approaches their target. Enkara herself has excellent senses, and after the assassin is thwarted, her secret is revealed. I enjoyed the story, and although I thought the strangeness of the names, people and places, would be difficult to follow, it was easier than I first thought. I am eager to read the series.
I am not one who regularly chooses to read from the fantasy genre, but I thought a short story might provide some insight into the genre to change my mind…The Blade’s Beginning: An Ishtar’s Legacy is my springboard. Although the author suggests reading book one, Ishtar’s Blade, first, and that might have given some background and character information, I still chose to read this short story. It was a fascinating snippet about a young orphan Enkara who in her attempt to rejoin a close friend, cub Kuwari, finds herself in the middle of an attempted assassination. The assassin, using a powerful medallion, has masked their intentions and easily approaches their target. Enkara herself has excellent senses, and after the assassin is thwarted, her secret is revealed. I enjoyed the story, and although I thought the strangeness of the names, people and places, would be difficult to follow, it was easier than I first thought. I am eager to read the series.
February 11, 2023
#11 of 2023
May 12, 2021
Tense and gripping, A Blades Beginning has great characters that I want to read more about. This short story grabbed my attention, which is begging for more. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
August 14, 2022
Why didn't I start reading this sooner?
A good start to an interesting world.
Too short, so on to book 1!
I think this book should be designated as 1.5 not 0.5, I believe it takes place after book 1, because going from this book to book 1 feels like going backwards, to when Iltani has just completed her Blade training.
A good start to an interesting world.
Too short, so on to book 1!
I think this book should be designated as 1.5 not 0.5, I believe it takes place after book 1, because going from this book to book 1 feels like going backwards, to when Iltani has just completed her Blade training.
June 12, 2018
Sweet little introduction to the next part of the series. Setting up which main characters book two of the series is about.
Tad annoyed because I really want more Iltani and Ditanu. But I'm happy to read more about Kuwari and Enkara.
Tad annoyed because I really want more Iltani and Ditanu. But I'm happy to read more about Kuwari and Enkara.
June 19, 2021
This book is called A Blade’s Beginning and takes place between books 1 & 2, The author suggests you might want to read book 1 first, but the books are designed to be complete standalone novels with a conclusion at the end of each tale. Now I think it would be better to read Book 1 first. A Blade’s Beginning is a short story that is part of the Ishtar’s Legacy universe. It ties together events from Ishtar’s Blade and Blade’s Honor. This was my first read my this author and I was impresses. I am going to read Book 1 first. I am going to read Blade's Beginning again. These novels are well wroth the read.
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March 4, 2019
This is an interesting very short interlude that takes place about 3 years after Kuwari's birth, between "Ishtar's Blade" and "Blade's Honor". It's short, but gives a nice introduction to "Blade's Honor". It would have been better to make it a long prologue to "Blade's Honor", or epilogue to "Ishtar's Blade", or both. There is poignant emotional description of the meeting between Kuwari and Enkara, his Blade. I'm glad I read it in the 1.5 spot, between Book 1 and Book 2 of Ishtar's Legacy, and glad I have Kindle Unlimited so I could read it as part of my subscription.
March 31, 2018
This is essentially the prologue to the next book in Ishtar's Legacy series. It also contained two chapters from that book at the end of it. It did an excellent job of wetting my appetite for the next book. I loved Ishtar's Blade and it's characters, so I enjoyed seeing them again. I also look forward to seeing and learning more of how their lives went in Blade's Honor. This very short story introduced us to our new leading lady and showed how she met Prince Kuwari. Loved it!
April 2, 2018
Fantastic
This is a very short story, more like a prologue.
It left me want to continue on into the main story.
I've already ordered my copy of the book Blades Honor, and now I can't wait to start reading it!
I don't suggest reading A Blade's Beginning unless you are ready to read the next book.
This will just leave you wanting more.
This is a very short story, more like a prologue.
It left me want to continue on into the main story.
I've already ordered my copy of the book Blades Honor, and now I can't wait to start reading it!
I don't suggest reading A Blade's Beginning unless you are ready to read the next book.
This will just leave you wanting more.
May 15, 2020
Needed Prologue
This story introduces us to the next Ishtar's blade in Enkara who is an young girl and orphan. She's had a strong connection to Prince Kuwari since he was born. Kuwari is only a baby 🚼Griffin now, but he and Enkara since meeting has a strong mental connection. So King Ditanus sets her up to be his son Kuwari's protector.
This story introduces us to the next Ishtar's blade in Enkara who is an young girl and orphan. She's had a strong connection to Prince Kuwari since he was born. Kuwari is only a baby 🚼Griffin now, but he and Enkara since meeting has a strong mental connection. So King Ditanus sets her up to be his son Kuwari's protector.
August 21, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
I gave this a little lower rating, as it is hard to figure out in many places.
This is my first intro to this author and her world. I got the 'book'?, free through BookFunnel.
The good thing is, I want to understand, I want to learn more.
Apparently there is a book before, and another after. Will Be looking at the before.
I gave this a little lower rating, as it is hard to figure out in many places.
This is my first intro to this author and her world. I got the 'book'?, free through BookFunnel.
The good thing is, I want to understand, I want to learn more.
Apparently there is a book before, and another after. Will Be looking at the before.
December 17, 2023
Not sure what as g I was expecting but it wasn’t this.
It appears this book is mislabeled as #0.5 when it really should be #1.5.
The writing was fine but hard to pronounce names, I wish the author would have included the name and pronunciation.
It’s not romantic fantasy, it’s a single scene about 2 children that probably would have fit better in one of the actual novels of the series.
It appears this book is mislabeled as #0.5 when it really should be #1.5.
The writing was fine but hard to pronounce names, I wish the author would have included the name and pronunciation.
It’s not romantic fantasy, it’s a single scene about 2 children that probably would have fit better in one of the actual novels of the series.
October 4, 2025
Rating: 2 ⭐️
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Format: Ebook
Pages: 33
Spice: 0 🌶️
POV: Third POV
S/S: Ishtar’s Legacy #0.5
Check trigger warnings for any book.
I think it would’ve been more enjoyable had I not started with the prequel, as I was just lost.
Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok / instagram / fable / storygraph
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Format: Ebook
Pages: 33
Spice: 0 🌶️
POV: Third POV
S/S: Ishtar’s Legacy #0.5
Check trigger warnings for any book.
I think it would’ve been more enjoyable had I not started with the prequel, as I was just lost.
Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok / instagram / fable / storygraph
March 29, 2018
This is a very unfair book. I loved Ishtar’s Blade and jumped at the chance to read this. It is unfairly great. Why? Because now I can’t wait to read the next book, Blade’s Honor, which isn’t out yet! Humph. I’m giving this five stars, because it’s deserved and I want to be fair, but still: humph!
December 24, 2022
Great job
I enjoyed reading this book and loved the story line. The characters were good. I would recommend this book to anyone to read. I would enjoy reading other free books by this author.
I enjoyed reading this book and loved the story line. The characters were good. I would recommend this book to anyone to read. I would enjoy reading other free books by this author.
July 4, 2024
A quick look into Lisa Blackwood's world of Ishtar's Legacy. It's well-written and pulled me from the very beginning. After reading this, I can't wait to learn more about all the characters and how Enkara became an orphan.
April 8, 2018
Good
This is short, but still good. It was nice to see them from the beginning. And a good lead in to the next book. I do love those males.
This is short, but still good. It was nice to see them from the beginning. And a good lead in to the next book. I do love those males.
April 9, 2018
😻
Was very good. But I am really forgetting a lot about book one. Or I am missing something. I don't remember Griffin. Guess I am rereading book one.
Was very good. But I am really forgetting a lot about book one. Or I am missing something. I don't remember Griffin. Guess I am rereading book one.
April 23, 2018
This was a good set up for the upcoming novel.
August 25, 2018
Finished
Read all of the series. Loved Ditanu and Iltani, now Kuwari and Enkara. Thanks so much for taking me on this beautiful journey. Hope you keep writing.
Read all of the series. Loved Ditanu and Iltani, now Kuwari and Enkara. Thanks so much for taking me on this beautiful journey. Hope you keep writing.
November 15, 2018
Great short story plus it has the beginning of Blade's Honor at the end of it.
I love this series so I can't wait for Blade's Honor to come out!
I love this series so I can't wait for Blade's Honor to come out!
April 10, 2020
Love this small novella. It share's Enkara's start at the palace. My favorite character right now is Kuwari so this was delightful
December 19, 2020
Well this one is a easy to read but interesting story.
I like it enough to buy the next one.
Note I received this as a promo.
I like it enough to buy the next one.
Note I received this as a promo.
January 30, 2022
A quick story to show the reader how the next Blade comes to be known. Even as a youth she is heroic.
February 15, 2022
A fast paced grand tale. A must read short story. I loved it!!!!
March 20, 2022
This was a good short story. The characters were interesting and I think I'd like to check out more of the series.
October 30, 2022
Great
A great introduction to this new blade I will be reading the rest in this series love the world she has made with the giffons.
A great introduction to this new blade I will be reading the rest in this series love the world she has made with the giffons.
December 16, 2022
interesting
This short story is a touching piece to follow the book Ishtar’s Blade. This is such an interesting world. I would expect the next in the series to be great.
This short story is a touching piece to follow the book Ishtar’s Blade. This is such an interesting world. I would expect the next in the series to be great.
January 1, 2024
A short story bridging the gap between two volumes - plus a lengthy extract from book two.
Gryphons, plots and assassins in ancient Sumer.
Gryphons, plots and assassins in ancient Sumer.
June 1, 2019
Very short beginning
A very short story giving us a beginning between Blade & Gryphon. This story focused on an assassination attempt that the very young Blade took steps to thwart.
A very short story giving us a beginning between Blade & Gryphon. This story focused on an assassination attempt that the very young Blade took steps to thwart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews