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The Living Blade #3
Mother of Slag
She’s under a sword’s control. He’s crushed by the past. Together, they’ll fight for a new kind of freedom…
Driven to the brink of madness, Noraya “Nora” Smith is chained to the Living Blade, body and soul. Unable to restrain its fury, Nora watches the enchanted sword use her to wreak havoc across the land. Before the blade devours her whole, Nora must find and rescue her twin brother from the dark realm within…
The once-proud warrior Master Telen Diaz reels from the loss of his sword arm and his past of painful abuse. After taking refuge on a magical island, the half-wight uncovers the truth of his heritage. But will the help of the bloodwitches and mermaids allow him to understand his feelings for Nora?
Alone, Nora and Diaz are powerless against the dark Prophetess. Together, they may just have a chance to restore balance to the world…
Mother of Slag is the powerful third and final book in The Living Blade dark fantasy series. If you like magical mysteries, fiery romance, and fantastical details, then you’ll love Timandra Whitecastle’s gritty fairytale.
Driven to the brink of madness, Noraya “Nora” Smith is chained to the Living Blade, body and soul. Unable to restrain its fury, Nora watches the enchanted sword use her to wreak havoc across the land. Before the blade devours her whole, Nora must find and rescue her twin brother from the dark realm within…
The once-proud warrior Master Telen Diaz reels from the loss of his sword arm and his past of painful abuse. After taking refuge on a magical island, the half-wight uncovers the truth of his heritage. But will the help of the bloodwitches and mermaids allow him to understand his feelings for Nora?
Alone, Nora and Diaz are powerless against the dark Prophetess. Together, they may just have a chance to restore balance to the world…
Mother of Slag is the powerful third and final book in The Living Blade dark fantasy series. If you like magical mysteries, fiery romance, and fantastical details, then you’ll love Timandra Whitecastle’s gritty fairytale.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2019
45 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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March 15, 2019I will obviously not be reviewing my own book - but I'd like to use this space for updates. Like this one:
MOTHER OF SLAG WILL BE OUT MARCH 15TH, 2019. You can pre-order it here
Update 3/6/19: Paperback is now available
Update 3/15/19: And it’s out now! You can buy it here...
_steps away to simultaneously flail her arms madly while obsessively staring at the Amazon page all day_
MOTHER OF SLAG WILL BE OUT MARCH 15TH, 2019. You can pre-order it here
Update 3/6/19: Paperback is now available
Update 3/15/19: And it’s out now! You can buy it here...
_steps away to simultaneously flail her arms madly while obsessively staring at the Amazon page all day_
July 8, 2019
The cover on this book is fantastic and caught my attention and admiration instantly. The author herself presented the cover reveal on The Fantasy Hive .com and in her own words says,
“THIS IS ART! ARTIST TOMMY ARNOLD PAINTED THIS COVER LADY AND SERIOUSLY, YOU COULD HANG THIS PIECE IN A GALLERY/ART MUSEUM SOMEWHERE! TITLES DESIGNER JAMES T EGAN OF BOOKFLY DESIGN FRAMED IT IN GOLD TOO AND I CAN’T EVEN”
Very aptly put, yes?
In this final book, released recently on March 15, 2019, we witness the fallout from the Blade’s devastation upon our characters and the land itself. Lives are lost and Nora is changed again. The story progresses through her journey and we get a look at what is Queen Suranna’s back story in the chapters included named Seer. Within the section titled The Lover, we find Telen Diaz and witness his transformation as he puzzles out the secret of why their entire world is broken. It all comes back to The Living Blade and its power to destroy. A power which could set their world free of the disconnection of how the balance was meant to be, long ago.
Each volume was excellently done and the author gives us a satisfying ending. The series is a darkly violent tale that weaves a tale of transformation while the great characterizations keep the reader riveted and involved the entire way. Highly recommended dark fantasy.
“THIS IS ART! ARTIST TOMMY ARNOLD PAINTED THIS COVER LADY AND SERIOUSLY, YOU COULD HANG THIS PIECE IN A GALLERY/ART MUSEUM SOMEWHERE! TITLES DESIGNER JAMES T EGAN OF BOOKFLY DESIGN FRAMED IT IN GOLD TOO AND I CAN’T EVEN”
Very aptly put, yes?
In this final book, released recently on March 15, 2019, we witness the fallout from the Blade’s devastation upon our characters and the land itself. Lives are lost and Nora is changed again. The story progresses through her journey and we get a look at what is Queen Suranna’s back story in the chapters included named Seer. Within the section titled The Lover, we find Telen Diaz and witness his transformation as he puzzles out the secret of why their entire world is broken. It all comes back to The Living Blade and its power to destroy. A power which could set their world free of the disconnection of how the balance was meant to be, long ago.
Each volume was excellently done and the author gives us a satisfying ending. The series is a darkly violent tale that weaves a tale of transformation while the great characterizations keep the reader riveted and involved the entire way. Highly recommended dark fantasy.
March 15, 2019
Not my favorite in the trilogy (this would be Book 2) but a satisfying resolution to the mysteries, plotlines and relationships set in the past books.
June 14, 2019
Excellent ending to a worthy series.
March 5, 2019
Full review in all its glory can be found here, on my blog!~
I've been anticipating this book since the end of the last one, and so when I was given an opportunity to beta read it, I jumped on that chance.
Of course, the finished product is going to be quite a bit different, and so I gladly reread it when it was time for ARCs to be distributed. I don't read many books twice, but I was glad to do so with this one.
This is the continuing story of Noraya 'Nora' Smith, a young woman from a small charcoal producing village who, when the exiled prince Bashan wandered through their land, ended up going on quite an adventure with him and his group, with her twin brother Owen in tow.
Bashan was on a quest to find the legendary Living Blade, which is the only way he thought to wrench back control of the kingdom from his half-sister. Well... he found it, and after some crazy Living Blade shenanigans with Bashan, it has now taken over Nora.
This volume of the series mainly follows Nora and the half-wight pilgrim Telen Diaz. They each have a separate path for most of this story. Nora is fighting the power of the Living Blade, which is driving her mad, making her lash out and powerful enough to destroy entire cities. She wanders the world trying to figure out how to control the power or get rid of it, hearing voices in her head, and having hallucinations of many horrors. She wants to find her brother Owen, who she believes is somewhere in the power of the Blade, if she could just find him in there. If she has Owen, she'll be okay.
Diaz has lost his sword arm and is pretty much at rock bottom. He slowly recovers while staying as high as possible to stave off having to actually figure out what to do with himself. To find out what he is good for, or good at, now that he can't be a warrior anymore. He is facing a lot of his past, which is coming back to haunt him, and he's not having a good time of it. Suranna haunts him. Nora haunts him. So, seemingly drawn to it, he escapes to the island of the bloodwitches and not only befriends someone unexpected there, and together they find out some interesting info about the temples of this world.
Suranna, the Seer, and the priestess of the Temple of Fire plans to raise her god, Shinar... which will probably not be a great development for the world. Bad shenanigans. Very bad shenanigans. Bashan is also still around and being... well, mostly Bashan. Though, I have to admit that he did some unexpectedly selfless things over the course of this story. But he's still Bashan.
I definitely thought this was a great ending to the story, and just like the first two books, I had trouble putting it down. It's not overly long, but even still, the writing style flows really easily, and so it is very easy to pick up and read until you lose track of time, and before you know it you're finished. And you've skipped dinner. And your dogs really need to go out...
Nora. Oh Nora. She is one of my favorite characters in recent fantasy because Nora is relatable to me. She is fantastically foul-mouthed, often crass, and also snarky. She doesn't always ask for help when she should, but she can also pretty much hold her own most of the time. I want all of the good things for Nora... but I also want all the good things for Diaz, and that is, I think why I love this series so much. I absolutely love both the two main characters and I want for them both to succeed in their every endeavor.
I've said before that the underlying romance of this series is what kept me the most interested in it, and that's still true. This one kept me reading to the very end hoping that everything would work out. Things have not gone smoothly for Nora or for Diaz up to this point. Would they end up together, or would they go their separate ways? It really could go either way, and depending on the circumstances, either of those endings could be satisfying. The 'will they or won't they' kept me reading, and... well... am I satisfied with the result? This is a 5/5 star book either way. I'll let you find out for yourself what that means in the grand scheme of things. ^_^
This review is based on an advanced review copy of the book.
I've been anticipating this book since the end of the last one, and so when I was given an opportunity to beta read it, I jumped on that chance.
Of course, the finished product is going to be quite a bit different, and so I gladly reread it when it was time for ARCs to be distributed. I don't read many books twice, but I was glad to do so with this one.
This is the continuing story of Noraya 'Nora' Smith, a young woman from a small charcoal producing village who, when the exiled prince Bashan wandered through their land, ended up going on quite an adventure with him and his group, with her twin brother Owen in tow.
Bashan was on a quest to find the legendary Living Blade, which is the only way he thought to wrench back control of the kingdom from his half-sister. Well... he found it, and after some crazy Living Blade shenanigans with Bashan, it has now taken over Nora.
This volume of the series mainly follows Nora and the half-wight pilgrim Telen Diaz. They each have a separate path for most of this story. Nora is fighting the power of the Living Blade, which is driving her mad, making her lash out and powerful enough to destroy entire cities. She wanders the world trying to figure out how to control the power or get rid of it, hearing voices in her head, and having hallucinations of many horrors. She wants to find her brother Owen, who she believes is somewhere in the power of the Blade, if she could just find him in there. If she has Owen, she'll be okay.
Diaz has lost his sword arm and is pretty much at rock bottom. He slowly recovers while staying as high as possible to stave off having to actually figure out what to do with himself. To find out what he is good for, or good at, now that he can't be a warrior anymore. He is facing a lot of his past, which is coming back to haunt him, and he's not having a good time of it. Suranna haunts him. Nora haunts him. So, seemingly drawn to it, he escapes to the island of the bloodwitches and not only befriends someone unexpected there, and together they find out some interesting info about the temples of this world.
Suranna, the Seer, and the priestess of the Temple of Fire plans to raise her god, Shinar... which will probably not be a great development for the world. Bad shenanigans. Very bad shenanigans. Bashan is also still around and being... well, mostly Bashan. Though, I have to admit that he did some unexpectedly selfless things over the course of this story. But he's still Bashan.
I definitely thought this was a great ending to the story, and just like the first two books, I had trouble putting it down. It's not overly long, but even still, the writing style flows really easily, and so it is very easy to pick up and read until you lose track of time, and before you know it you're finished. And you've skipped dinner. And your dogs really need to go out...
Nora. Oh Nora. She is one of my favorite characters in recent fantasy because Nora is relatable to me. She is fantastically foul-mouthed, often crass, and also snarky. She doesn't always ask for help when she should, but she can also pretty much hold her own most of the time. I want all of the good things for Nora... but I also want all the good things for Diaz, and that is, I think why I love this series so much. I absolutely love both the two main characters and I want for them both to succeed in their every endeavor.
I've said before that the underlying romance of this series is what kept me the most interested in it, and that's still true. This one kept me reading to the very end hoping that everything would work out. Things have not gone smoothly for Nora or for Diaz up to this point. Would they end up together, or would they go their separate ways? It really could go either way, and depending on the circumstances, either of those endings could be satisfying. The 'will they or won't they' kept me reading, and... well... am I satisfied with the result? This is a 5/5 star book either way. I'll let you find out for yourself what that means in the grand scheme of things. ^_^
This review is based on an advanced review copy of the book.
July 7, 2019
Overall this is an excellent trilogy. The first book was a difficult act to follow but Timandra Whitecastle manages it by not going down the usual avenues in terms of story and mood. The third book again is a little heavy in the first eighty or so pages but this is down to what happened to Nora. The dark fantasy slithers into horror territory and this is one of Timandra Whitecastle's strengths I believe: she can write well in different genres (within a genre) and atmospheres. And her skill in writing is a pleasure as a reader and enviable from a writer's point-of-view. As I mentioned in the review for book one, there is a richness and variety to the prose that never feels like she has "thesaurus-ed the sh*t out of it" (a phrase I picked up recently on a fantasy FB page). I never felt I was reading the same turn-of-phrase twice or that the author was trying too hard to use fancy words. It feels genuine.
The two sequels do have less action in them than the first so may not appeal to all tastes, but I'd personally recommend fully immersing oneself into this world. I think the three books together are well worth binge-reading.
PS The cover art is once again awesome!
The two sequels do have less action in them than the first so may not appeal to all tastes, but I'd personally recommend fully immersing oneself into this world. I think the three books together are well worth binge-reading.
PS The cover art is once again awesome!
June 9, 2019
It began so dark and twisted, our main protagonists suffered immeasurably - but they managed to transcend and we hope their world will be a better place because of it. A fabulous conclusion to a really good series.
March 1, 2021
Not a good way to end the series
Nothing disappoints me more than a poor ending to a promising beginning. Unfortunately this trilogy completely failed to live up to the promise of the first book. The last book especially was confusing, uninteresting and finished in a very unsatisfactory way. If I’d known how badly this series would end, I would not have bothered reading the first book (which was MUCH better than the next two).
Nothing disappoints me more than a poor ending to a promising beginning. Unfortunately this trilogy completely failed to live up to the promise of the first book. The last book especially was confusing, uninteresting and finished in a very unsatisfactory way. If I’d known how badly this series would end, I would not have bothered reading the first book (which was MUCH better than the next two).
March 5, 2019
One of the advantages of following an author is you get a chance to be an advanced reader. You follow that authors books, blogs, and patiently wait for the book to be released. In Timandra's case, you read a blog about how she is making sure this is her best book yet. Not intending to get one's hopes up, you take the comments with a grain of salt, and start reading.
Do you know, she was right!
I enjoyed Touch of Iron and On the Wheel. In both, I felt the action and story was engaging. Mother of Slag, I felt was entirely different. The depth and feeling of the writing was stronger. Instead of taking the story line and plot and continuing it, she grew it. Instead of being just one more book in a series, I felt it was a work in itself. The the prior books just set the stage and introduced us to the characters. This one completes it.
Do you know, she was right!
I enjoyed Touch of Iron and On the Wheel. In both, I felt the action and story was engaging. Mother of Slag, I felt was entirely different. The depth and feeling of the writing was stronger. Instead of taking the story line and plot and continuing it, she grew it. Instead of being just one more book in a series, I felt it was a work in itself. The the prior books just set the stage and introduced us to the characters. This one completes it.
March 16, 2019
This wraps up the series and it mostly did a good job of tying up all the loose ends. I was a little disappointed that the ending was so short without an epilogue, but overall a fitting conclusion as foreshadowed in the previous books. I won't spoil, but I rooted for Shade and was glad to see him flesh out more as a character. Also the backstory on the wights was really intriguing, especially his fathers actions. I read all 3 books in a day, and don't think you can go wrong. The one thing that was a little jarring was the modern day language and phrases that seemed out of place for the world. It brought me out of the books a little because it threw me off.
May 17, 2019
Ok, the epilogue was like... missing? I almost feel cheated but there is always the old good "time for your imagination". Or maybe space for short sequel :)
Anyway I really enjoyed last book and totally didn't expect where everything is heading. I liked part with Diaz more and I was kind of dissapointed at the start, that there would be switching between storylines, but it was fine in the end.
Anyway I really enjoyed last book and totally didn't expect where everything is heading. I liked part with Diaz more and I was kind of dissapointed at the start, that there would be switching between storylines, but it was fine in the end.
May 17, 2019
Incredibly imaginative and inventive with a main character who really makes you care.
October 26, 2022
Rating: 3.5
This series was such an amazing read that I’m so glad to have stumbled upon. I have a mortal weakness for morally grey female characters and this series delivered hardcore.
Great characters with complex and engaging relationships. Fast paced action and great twists throughout the series.
However I wanted so much more from this finale.
I was so sad that all of the characters were separated for a majority of the novel and only really reconcile in the last 20% or so. I also wish that we had more of an explosive conclusion. I was SHOCKED that everything finished in such a relatively peaceful/happy manner and feel that it almost shouldn’t have considering how dark Nora’s mental state and powers have become.
Amazing series and I’m sad to have finished it. With that said, the conclusion just didn’t live up to the previous two novels for me.
This series was such an amazing read that I’m so glad to have stumbled upon. I have a mortal weakness for morally grey female characters and this series delivered hardcore.
Great characters with complex and engaging relationships. Fast paced action and great twists throughout the series.
However I wanted so much more from this finale.
I was so sad that all of the characters were separated for a majority of the novel and only really reconcile in the last 20% or so. I also wish that we had more of an explosive conclusion. I was SHOCKED that everything finished in such a relatively peaceful/happy manner and feel that it almost shouldn’t have considering how dark Nora’s mental state and powers have become.
Amazing series and I’m sad to have finished it. With that said, the conclusion just didn’t live up to the previous two novels for me.
July 2, 2019
Very slow start
I absolutely hates this one till about 35%. Then it picked back up and started to be interesting and make sense again.
I absolutely hates this one till about 35%. Then it picked back up and started to be interesting and make sense again.
July 6, 2019
Terrible conclusion to the trio of books. Skip to chapter 22 and you won't have missed a thing.
August 25, 2019
Death and destruction!
This series was dark but you keep on reading. The characters are flawed but they persevere amongst great hardships. Good read.
This series was dark but you keep on reading. The characters are flawed but they persevere amongst great hardships. Good read.
dnf
June 12, 2021The Living Blade series:
✿ Touch of Iron ★★★★★
✿ On the Wheel★★★★
✿ Mother of Slag dnf
Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ Twitter ✿ Instagram
✿ Touch of Iron ★★★★★
✿ On the Wheel★★★★
✿ Mother of Slag dnf
Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ Twitter ✿ Instagram
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