For decades the corrupt Baron of Lavenvale has ruled his city with an iron fist. With eyes on every road and ears in every ale house, the Baron has informants feeding him information, and guards ever ready to squash any adversaries before they can become a threat.
Opposing the Baron of Lavenvale is Filibert Tealeaf, an orphaned halfling boy who has trained for the past six years under a renowned martial artist. Filibert must find the four other warriors of "The Hand", a group of adventurers chosen to assassinate the Baron of Lavenvale. The problem is, Filibert doesn't know who these warriors are, or even what they look like. His only clue to finding them is a secret phrase each of them knows, and a shared token each of them has: a dagger with a red hilt.
Great debut novel! I was pleasantly swept into a wonderful blend of darkness, magic, action, and humor. Can't wait to see what the author spins up next.
This book is a fun mix of action and fantastic adventure in a thoroughly thought out landscape with interesting characters. I can't wait for Calvin to continue writing and reveal more of his world.