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Ishtar's Legacy #3
Blade's Destiny
A queen and a slave must find their destiny together.
Decadence and depravity have long been hallmarks of the Gryphon Court and when a young king dares to bring change, his life is cut short by an assassin’s blade.
Tirigan, an escaped human slave, makes a desperate bid for his future by seeking out the young king who is said to abhor slavery. But Tirigan is too late and quickly finds himself back in the slave pens.
Asharru is still grieving her older brother’s death when the crown is thrust upon her. Intelligent and cunning, she knows none in her new court can be trusted. One of them is the mastermind behind her beloved brother’s assassination.
She needs help and there is only one place left for her to seek it.
The slave markets of Nineveh.
There she plans to acquire a small group of slaves, free them, restore their dignity, and offer them positions as servants and spies.
She is soon drawn to one beaten and chained man. To her horror and hope, she recognizes him as one of Ishtar’s sacred Blades, a warrior born to protect the royal line.
Tirigan has no love for gryphons, but they must put aside their differences and bond as Blade and Queen if they hope to save their kingdom.
Blade’s Destiny is a Fantasy Romance loosely based on early Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology. It can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment it’s better to read the series in order.
***Author’s Note***
Queen Asharru and Blade Tirigan are King Ditanu’s ancestors. This is book one of their two part tale, but fear not, we’ll return to Ditanu, Iltani, Kuwari and Enkara later in 2019.
Ishtar's Legacy Reading Order:
Ishtar's Blade
A Blade's Beginning (short story)
Blade's Honor
Blade's Destiny
The Blade’s Shadow (Coming 2019)
Decadence and depravity have long been hallmarks of the Gryphon Court and when a young king dares to bring change, his life is cut short by an assassin’s blade.
Tirigan, an escaped human slave, makes a desperate bid for his future by seeking out the young king who is said to abhor slavery. But Tirigan is too late and quickly finds himself back in the slave pens.
Asharru is still grieving her older brother’s death when the crown is thrust upon her. Intelligent and cunning, she knows none in her new court can be trusted. One of them is the mastermind behind her beloved brother’s assassination.
She needs help and there is only one place left for her to seek it.
The slave markets of Nineveh.
There she plans to acquire a small group of slaves, free them, restore their dignity, and offer them positions as servants and spies.
She is soon drawn to one beaten and chained man. To her horror and hope, she recognizes him as one of Ishtar’s sacred Blades, a warrior born to protect the royal line.
Tirigan has no love for gryphons, but they must put aside their differences and bond as Blade and Queen if they hope to save their kingdom.
Blade’s Destiny is a Fantasy Romance loosely based on early Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology. It can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment it’s better to read the series in order.
***Author’s Note***
Queen Asharru and Blade Tirigan are King Ditanu’s ancestors. This is book one of their two part tale, but fear not, we’ll return to Ditanu, Iltani, Kuwari and Enkara later in 2019.
Ishtar's Legacy Reading Order:
Ishtar's Blade
A Blade's Beginning (short story)
Blade's Honor
Blade's Destiny
The Blade’s Shadow (Coming 2019)
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2018
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 33 reviews
Want to Read
April 27, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/27/2019)! 🎁
May 23, 2019
Fantastic!!!!
Loved the bold of this series can't wait until the next book comes out. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and mystical characters and creatures.
Loved the bold of this series can't wait until the next book comes out. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and mystical characters and creatures.
July 7, 2019
Board
I started to read this and it about 40%done and then got board quickly with it and have up I think if I had read this before the first two I wouldn't have bothered with it but it's not a continue of book 1/2 but in its own this should have been book one and 4 book 2 but I want to see the characters from the first two books again so I will keep an eye out for them in the future it's a good job I'm following the author to keep in the know
I started to read this and it about 40%done and then got board quickly with it and have up I think if I had read this before the first two I wouldn't have bothered with it but it's not a continue of book 1/2 but in its own this should have been book one and 4 book 2 but I want to see the characters from the first two books again so I will keep an eye out for them in the future it's a good job I'm following the author to keep in the know
December 31, 2018
Asharru would have been High Priestess to the goddess Ishstar, but her brother is assassinated so she will be queen of the kingdom of New Sumer. Tirigan has been a slave all his life, most recently, a sex slave to a cruel master. In an effort to surround herself with people she can trust Asharru buys Tirigan and his friends from a slaver. Tirigan and his friends agree to become part of Asharru's guard, and even after she has told them they are free Tirigan doesn't believe he can ever truly trust his queen. Asharru and Tirigan will discover that he is chosen by Ishtar to become the Queens Blade. Followers of the goddess Ereshkigal will threaten the lives of the queen and her blade, Asharru will get strength from her goddess to escape and finds herself racing to th rescue of her beloved.
Wow, I think this is a fantastic read, with well written and fascinating characters.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and nonincentivized review of this ARC.
Wow, I think this is a fantastic read, with well written and fascinating characters.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and nonincentivized review of this ARC.
February 6, 2019
I frankly adore Lisa Blackwood’s Ishtar's Legacy series, and Queen Asharru and Blade Tirigan’s story in Blade's Destiny (Book 3) is a great addition. Action and thrills, loyalties and betrayals, high politics and adventure - and even romance. Then put it all into an incredibly imaginative world loosely based on early Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology. This is not your ordinary fantasy romance bit it is a superb one. Read the publisher’s blurb. I can pretty much guarantee that if you find it even vaguely appealing then you will love this book (and, yes, it totally works as a standalone for newcomers). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
March 4, 2019
The ancestors of Diltanu and Iltani come together to solve and avenge the assassination of Asharru's brother. There are schemes and plots boiling under the political surface, attempting to subvert Crown Princess Asharru. If Asharru dies, the Royal Gryphon line dies with her, and with that, Goddess Ishtar's magic and protection of Nineveh and the Ten City-States ends. Who would be so foolish as to cause the dynasty and the gryphon rule to end? If you've read Books 1 and 2, you can guess. Here is the beginning of the Shadows as a Blade is discovered and creates the order. Many plots are hatched, but fortunately nipped before they can be carried out successfully, except the last one. The final plot ends the book in a cliffhanger. I recommend waiting until The Blade's Shadow is published to start reading this so you can continue the story immediately.
January 10, 2023
The story starts quite slowly, a depressed, bummed out queen to-be, struggling with her new role. Who can she trust? Ashantu is not your ordinary queen, she’s a gryphon/human hybrid.
You’ll be pulled in as the gryphon supplies the needed motivation and guidance at the right time. The author builds the team to enhance the chances of defending the Crown and the kingdom. But this is no ordinary royal intrigue, this battle is between two goddesses with the royal court the pawns.
An enjoyable read with two cliffhangers at the end, one gets resolved, one left hanging for the next book in the series.
You’ll be pulled in as the gryphon supplies the needed motivation and guidance at the right time. The author builds the team to enhance the chances of defending the Crown and the kingdom. But this is no ordinary royal intrigue, this battle is between two goddesses with the royal court the pawns.
An enjoyable read with two cliffhangers at the end, one gets resolved, one left hanging for the next book in the series.
December 30, 2018
What a great story! Asharru and Tirigan are Dutani’s (from ‘Ishtar’s Blade’) ancestors. Even back then the two goddess sisters are trying to hurt each other. The main characters are amazing as Asharru is thrust into being the queen when she never thought to rule, and Tirigan is finally freed from being a slave but is now being used as a servant of one of the goddesses.
Blade’s Destiny is only the first part of Asharru and Tirigan’s story. I can’t wait for the second part to come out.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Blade’s Destiny is only the first part of Asharru and Tirigan’s story. I can’t wait for the second part to come out.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
July 9, 2019
Blade's Destiny
This book brings you back to the beginning.of the Shadow guard. Devastated by the loss of her brother the king, the crowned princess has no one to trust except 2 life long friends. On a whim they head to the slave market to buy some trusting people. Blade and Princess are united and now have to fight for each other and all their people. I hate the way the story ends on a cliffhanger, but can't wait to read.the next book.
This book brings you back to the beginning.of the Shadow guard. Devastated by the loss of her brother the king, the crowned princess has no one to trust except 2 life long friends. On a whim they head to the slave market to buy some trusting people. Blade and Princess are united and now have to fight for each other and all their people. I hate the way the story ends on a cliffhanger, but can't wait to read.the next book.
April 29, 2019
Peril, Peril, Peril
Asharru and Tirigan are Queen and Blade. He is born to protect her but has been raised as a slave not as a Blade. His attitudes, shaped as a slave, interfere with true relationships. I like the action, humor, and convoluted romance. I look forward to the next book.
Asharru and Tirigan are Queen and Blade. He is born to protect her but has been raised as a slave not as a Blade. His attitudes, shaped as a slave, interfere with true relationships. I like the action, humor, and convoluted romance. I look forward to the next book.
June 7, 2019
A different freedom
The trials & tests of the ruler and their Blade. Our Blade has lived as a slave his entire life and values his freedom more than anything. But once rescued by his monarch, he finds himself wanting to protect her. Treason and deception follow as the power hungry try to take control but the monarch & her Blade join forces to thwart them.
The trials & tests of the ruler and their Blade. Our Blade has lived as a slave his entire life and values his freedom more than anything. But once rescued by his monarch, he finds himself wanting to protect her. Treason and deception follow as the power hungry try to take control but the monarch & her Blade join forces to thwart them.
December 21, 2019
This was an amazing book that had me hooked from the first page. It moves along at a great pace, which makes for a nice enjoyable read, has amazing characters that you feel as though you have known forever and a story that will grab you and keep you interested from the beginning all the way to the end and not let you down. This is a must read, you will not be sorry that you did.
May 13, 2020
Loved
While I didn't love the second book in this series, this third one did the job! I loved meeting Ditanu's ancestors. Asharru is awesome, and Tirigan is a perfect complement to her, even if he doesn't know it. We get a lot of backstory in this book; about the Shadows, amongst other things. I highly recommend!
While I didn't love the second book in this series, this third one did the job! I loved meeting Ditanu's ancestors. Asharru is awesome, and Tirigan is a perfect complement to her, even if he doesn't know it. We get a lot of backstory in this book; about the Shadows, amongst other things. I highly recommend!
Did Not Finish
February 22, 2026Why did I have this? Did I buy it? Why? Probably because I liked the premise. But a sample download would've done the trick.
So many.
Short paragraphs.
And reliance on risk & danger before I've learned to care about any of the characters.
(Are short paragraphs the new marker of fan fiction? Anyway, I abandoned and am deleting.)
So many.
Short paragraphs.
And reliance on risk & danger before I've learned to care about any of the characters.
(Are short paragraphs the new marker of fan fiction? Anyway, I abandoned and am deleting.)
December 27, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book 📚, it is filled with action and intrigue. The chemistry between Asharru and Tirigan is wonderful. I can't wait for the next book. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
December 30, 2018
Absolutely wonderful. Can hardly wait next book
I chose a 5 rating for this book because it deserves a 5. If you like fantacy\romance, you should read all Blackwood's books. I plan to recommend to all my friends and relatives. Enjoy
I chose a 5 rating for this book because it deserves a 5. If you like fantacy\romance, you should read all Blackwood's books. I plan to recommend to all my friends and relatives. Enjoy
Read
May 31, 2020Story is progressing
Asharru and Tirigan’s story keeps going on. He is so slow about accepting being the Queen 's Blade. The Goddess Ishtar has a lot of problems with her more evil older sister Ereshkigal. Even Ereshkigal's Anunnaki don't want to deal with her.
Asharru and Tirigan’s story keeps going on. He is so slow about accepting being the Queen 's Blade. The Goddess Ishtar has a lot of problems with her more evil older sister Ereshkigal. Even Ereshkigal's Anunnaki don't want to deal with her.
July 11, 2021
Book 3!!
Holy cow! While I love the first two books…being able to see how the shadows started and where their roots were from is so much better! I feel way more invested in this series now that I know what the Gryphon Royalty sprang from. And I LOVE it.
Holy cow! While I love the first two books…being able to see how the shadows started and where their roots were from is so much better! I feel way more invested in this series now that I know what the Gryphon Royalty sprang from. And I LOVE it.
March 21, 2022
I liked the story, a tale based on an ancient story. Another Blade of Ishtar story. The story was moving well and stopped mid rescue. You have to read the next book to find out what happens, maybe.
December 29, 2018
W. O. W. That was an absolutely delightful and enthralling story! I am so in love with this book! I can’t wait to find out what happens to Asharru and her Blade! I certainly recommend this book!
February 6, 2019
Book 3
I really loved this book but hate cliff hangers. This was an all nighter, couldn't put it down. Each book gets better.
I really loved this book but hate cliff hangers. This was an all nighter, couldn't put it down. Each book gets better.
May 16, 2020
This book was my favorite in the series.
June 17, 2020
What a wonderful book. I like how it went back in time to learn of Tirigan and Asharru's story. I can not wait for the next book.
September 11, 2020
This book is sooooo good
December 10, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
December 12, 2021
Another terrific story
This is just as good as the others. I was enchanted from the first page to the last page. Full of action, suspense and intrigue throughout the story.
This is just as good as the others. I was enchanted from the first page to the last page. Full of action, suspense and intrigue throughout the story.
December 29, 2022
Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading this book and thought the story line was good. I would recommend it to anyone to read. I would love to read more free books by this author.
I enjoyed reading this book and thought the story line was good. I would recommend it to anyone to read. I would love to read more free books by this author.
January 14, 2023
Super
Betrayal, suffering, evilness, but also loyalty, dedicated service, caring, and even romance move this book with enough adventure that you don’t want to put it down.
Betrayal, suffering, evilness, but also loyalty, dedicated service, caring, and even romance move this book with enough adventure that you don’t want to put it down.
March 15, 2023
This is a great series :)
May 8, 2023
Meh, s'ok. The cover is the best part. I can see some would see the charm of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews