What do you think?
Rate this book
The Missing Shield #7
The Lure of an Ancient Fable
In the realm of Ostravah, magic lies broken and forgotten. Now, with the approaching millennium, an ancient strife that has spanned aeons is about to rekindle because the capricious Gods never rest - and they want their dues... Not the kind of person to take 'no' for an answer, Princess Iambre has got a plan to join Chief of Security, Eso Mehadja's team as they venture out into Zanzier Town to follow a lead that might reveal where her friend and life-shield Solancei has disappeared to. But sometimes you just don't know that you are in too deep before it's much too late - something which the brazen princess is soon to learn as her cunning meddling brings about a frightening backlash that leaves her running for her life. Suddenly alone in an city unknown to her - without anyone or anything to call upon except her own fears and determination, Iambre is left no choice but to navigate the bowels of Zanzier in effort to get back to safety, but the night holds many strange wonders and events - enough to make the Princess wish she'd listened to advice a hundred fold over. However, when the strange string of incidents culminates in the encounter with a most-frustrating and most-unexpected guide, Iambre's hard-found resolve is questioned all over when she makes one final, and seemingly an impossible, discovery.Excerpt from the book She looked back to the ships with a weak sense of relief and a strong sense of despair. The Keep was up there. Some of it was just visible. She could be back within the safety of Zanzier Castle earlier than an hour from now - perhaps less, if lucky. As to how she might get back in though...? She shook her head angrily. She'd run blindly from the danger she wouldn't even have been in, had she only been wiser in the first place. Stupid... so stupid! As though on a whim, something quivered within, raising new stupid tears. How many blunders was a future sovereign allowed to make? Too late now to admit that Bilan been right; that Eso had been right! Gods, but where was the luck in that? A painful notion that she needed help reared up, but the waterfront remained frustratingly empty of people. Even if brave, there was no one to hail, no one to press for succour... It left the streets ahead, yet when she got there...? Perhaps part of her reluctance in attracting attention lay with the fact that in reality she feared it slim chance someone actually rallying to help. And if they did, where to go back to? Relocating the spot they'd been attacked would be all but impossible, and Bilan would still... She refused to finish the thought. It didn't matter. The earth would move for her. It had to! Of course, she would need to give up her identity then. The 'mess' would get 'boggy', but this was all on her. Her responsibility! People made mistakes... and they fixed them. Yet though she'd never before been faced with doubt that anyone might ever question her station - in this outfit, 'whiffing' of gutter perfume and without a single piece of finery to her name...? For sure, just this once, her authority might well be questioned, and who would believe her? 'But I am the Heiress! And I demand your aid!' Iambre shook her head mentally. No, even she could see the problem! By the time she'd manage to straighten matters, it'd all be too late. Much, much too late... Her belly twisted - no stench needed. Already she was worrying herself grey over Lancei. Why had Bilan followed her? And had he not...
176 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2018
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 24, 2019
This is a gripping, high fantasy serial series that is a great read. I've only read one of the previous installments, but there's a synopsis at the beginning that catches the reader up as to what they might have missed if they haven't read the previous books or maybe have forgotten a major plot point before they pick up the next installment.
Like the previous installment in this serial that I've read, the world building is solid and the characters are well defined. I can tell some of the characters are important to the series, but may not have had a particular story arc in this installment, but we still got to know parts of them on a more personal level because I think in later installments, they will play a huge part in the overall story line
Like the previous installment in this serial that I've read, the world building is solid and the characters are well defined. I can tell some of the characters are important to the series, but may not have had a particular story arc in this installment, but we still got to know parts of them on a more personal level because I think in later installments, they will play a huge part in the overall story line
November 9, 2019
"The Missing Shield" is a gripping story of love, death, duty and magic. It's delivered in instalments, and is easy to follow, because each begins with a summary of the story so far. This episode, like all the others, features nail-biting tension and ends on an exciting cliffhanger.
"The Lure of an Ancient Fable" describes a nightmarish evening in old Zanzier Town, as Princess Iambre tries to find her missing cousin and personal security guard, Solancei. The poverty, night markets, opium dens, brothels and sailing ships grip the reader by the throat. Colourful and fantastical as they are, however, they're completely overwhelmed by a pervasive sense of menace...
"The Lure of an Ancient Fable" describes a nightmarish evening in old Zanzier Town, as Princess Iambre tries to find her missing cousin and personal security guard, Solancei. The poverty, night markets, opium dens, brothels and sailing ships grip the reader by the throat. Colourful and fantastical as they are, however, they're completely overwhelmed by a pervasive sense of menace...
February 14, 2019
Book number seven in the series! Yes, some questions are answered, but unfortunately, we are left with more questions at the end of the story. Now we've got to wait for book eight in the series, ahhhhh! Totally not fair! But, I suppose that what a good series does, keeps you coming back for more.
Get your coffee or herbal tea and prepare to be transported, and follow Iambre and Bilan as they search for Solancei. There's danger, violence, and a misunderstanding that nearly becomes fatal and the two become separated. Iambre goes it alone on her quest to return to the keep. She has a run in with a naked sailor (too funny), a kid who steals her parcel and does some serious soul searching regarding her feelings towards Bilan. If you like introspective, descriptive pros, you'll love these areas of the novel.
Bilan for his part, escapes death (or killing someone) and is confronted by the Chief and we don't know what happens after that, we're left hanging. Ahhhh!
We are treated to pages from Solancei's journal although she remains missing in this book of the series. We do, however, get to know Solancei on a more intimate level which is enjoyable.
Nefer is given to us in a tiny does as well, and there is some misogyny issues at play in her apprenticeship. However, you get the feeling that Nefer, is going to be the cream that rises to the top when all is said and done.
I don't want to give too much away in the way of the plot but the writing in very prosaic, if you like narration that gets to the point, and are not a lover of character-driven internal dialogs, then I am afraid this is not the book for you. For my part, I'll be awaiting book eight which I think will be hitting stores in December 2019.
Get your coffee or herbal tea and prepare to be transported, and follow Iambre and Bilan as they search for Solancei. There's danger, violence, and a misunderstanding that nearly becomes fatal and the two become separated. Iambre goes it alone on her quest to return to the keep. She has a run in with a naked sailor (too funny), a kid who steals her parcel and does some serious soul searching regarding her feelings towards Bilan. If you like introspective, descriptive pros, you'll love these areas of the novel.
Bilan for his part, escapes death (or killing someone) and is confronted by the Chief and we don't know what happens after that, we're left hanging. Ahhhh!
We are treated to pages from Solancei's journal although she remains missing in this book of the series. We do, however, get to know Solancei on a more intimate level which is enjoyable.
Nefer is given to us in a tiny does as well, and there is some misogyny issues at play in her apprenticeship. However, you get the feeling that Nefer, is going to be the cream that rises to the top when all is said and done.
I don't want to give too much away in the way of the plot but the writing in very prosaic, if you like narration that gets to the point, and are not a lover of character-driven internal dialogs, then I am afraid this is not the book for you. For my part, I'll be awaiting book eight which I think will be hitting stores in December 2019.
May 6, 2019
I found "The Lure of an Ancient Fable" the best installment in this series so far. Iambre's personality shines in this book, and there was much more action and adventure as well as dialog and interaction between the characters . The danger Iambre and Bilan faced really held my attention, and Iambre's naivety and spunk shone through every aspect of her off-grid adventure. I enjoyed Solancei's memoirs and learning more about what makes her who she is. I was personally happy not to have to witness more of Zulavi's cruelty or Solancei's suffering although his evil presence was hinted at and ever present throughout the book. As usual, the cliffhanger ending leaves me impatient to read on. I have a theory about who the street urchin is and I can't wait to see if I'm right! The higher levels of action and the tug and pull of conflict in this book really made the pacing pop.
June 29, 2019
I swear I don't know how L.L. Thomsen does it --every book in the series gets better. Just when I think one can't possibly topped, the author comes back with sheer excellence. The whole series is vivid and alive. This quote is an example - I love the line:
"Knuckles flaring with blistering pain, the crunch as Bilan's punch caught the man squarely in the face was nevertheless most satisfying, particularly as the man fell down like a wet rag, knocked out cold and hence unable to cause further trouble for a while."
I can't recommend this series enough - Thomsen give me more!
"Knuckles flaring with blistering pain, the crunch as Bilan's punch caught the man squarely in the face was nevertheless most satisfying, particularly as the man fell down like a wet rag, knocked out cold and hence unable to cause further trouble for a while."
I can't recommend this series enough - Thomsen give me more!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews