Argent Blade

by Luke Courtney

"We wield the darkness to serve the light. We face and defeat our enemies the way it's meant to be done: with courage in our hearts and a silver blade in theirs."

It's been a pretty lousy week for twenty-something Londoner Lucy Murray. She's lost her job, she's behind on the rent--and to cap things off, on the way to a Halloween party, her old friends turn out to be part of a cult trying to kill her. That's the bad news.

The good news? At the last moment, she's saved by the Knights of the Order of the Argent Blade--a centuries-old secret society devoted to finding, studying and crushing evil wherever it's found. Invited to join their ranks, she becomes part of the war between the Order and its eternal foe, the Cabal of the Desolated, a cult dedicated to tearing apart the barriers between this world and the next to bring about the extinction of the human race.

Rescued, befriended and trained by the Order's eclectic members--including the warrior Charles Pryce, twin sisters Valerie and Gillian Templeton, ace sharpshooter Ethan Brand and their leader Lawrence Templeton--Lucy finds herself caught up in a race against time to stop the Desolated from summoning the Mother of Monsters to begin the apocalypse in central London...

422 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2020

About the author

Who am I? My name is Luke Courtney, I’m a 33 year old Briton who by day works in a little military museum in London, and by night, works on writing an array of stories that I push myself towards getting finished and published.

Writing and story-telling has been a passion of mine since childhood; I was surrounded by books and stories at home, so I grew up on stories from Greek and Celtic mythology. I came to love reading tales of knights and heroes rescuing princesses from monsters and fighting evil tyrants to save the world, as well as making up ones of my own.

That love carried on when I was in school, but the real impetus for me to start writing properly came in 2010/2011, not long after I left university. One of my first jobs was working in a second-hand bookshop, and after handling and flicking through so many works of fiction, some better than others, I started thinking, surely I could write a story of my own and get it out there, and maybe get some readers as enthralled by my work as my favourite authors did to me.

I'm currently working on my two fantasy series of novels, the Phoenix Saga and the Argent Blade novels, as well as another high fantasy story that's been rattling around in my head for a while, The Girl Who Sings To Dragon (which is part of a long held desire of mine to write something involving werewolves- an interesting fact regarding my writing is that the protagonists of my novels tend to start out as werewolves, in the initial stages of my writing, only to change into something else. The protagonists of my Argent Blade novels went from being werewolves to vampires to the demon hunters they are in the completed story!)

Besides writing, my other interests include reading, painting, running, archaeology and palaeontology (both of which have been big inspirations) and a bit of gaming.

Check out my writing Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/lc90authorhub/, for more information on what I'm up to!

Reviews

[Esme Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argent Blade is an exciting, action-packed adventure! I'm always astounded by the level of detail Courtney puts into his descriptions, and Argent Blade certainly does not disappoint in that matter: everything from the gruesome monster descriptions to the spectacularly choreographed fight scenes were expertly done. I loved the transition from the urban, somewhat familiar sprawl of London to the more haunted, creepier locales that had me holding my breath.

What really struck me what the epic scale of the world Courtney has created. While the main events take place in recent times, we are really only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the age-long battle between the monsters from What Lies Beyond and the Order. The way mythology and history interweaved with the current events makes this a unique fantasy read that truly feels grand in scope.

And that last battle scene was absolute CARNAGE! xD

If you enjoy a gory, action-packed adventure with terrifying monsters and heroes to root for, then I highly recommend Argent Blade.

[Matthew Romeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bloody, action-packed adventure that will surely delight fans of Resident Evil, Hellsing, or Stranger Things!

I normally don’t read dark/horror fantasy, but Mr. Courtney has done a fantastic job of introducing me to the genre. Argent Blade is set in a fictional version of London where demons from beyond reality are trying to stake a foothold in the modern world and the Knights of Argent Blade have sworn to keep them at bay. Mr. Courtney has a superb knack for world building, lore, and mythology; you can tell he loves history based on the care and respect he puts into his twist on it. He also knows how to churn your stomach with the descriptions of hellish monsters, gory deaths, and hardcore displays of magic. The fight scenes alone are enough to get your blood pumping and your eyes feasting to read more.

The protagonist of the story, Lucy Murray, is a classic down-on-her-luck Londoner who is violently thrust into a world she had no idea existed. She’s brash and capable, but Mr. Courtney ensures not to make her infallible as she becomes part of a team. Lucy has some great emotional moments that pertain to her past, and her resolve shows whenever she has to protect her friends. Some of the other stand outs in the cast are: Lawrence the top badass Grand Master who commands every scene he’s in, Charles the Champion’s Blade with a snarky attitude but can bring the sword down when needed, Gillian the talented spell weaver who has some insane tricks up her sleeve in the magical world, and Nathaniel the antagonist who just oozes slimy smugness and an unshakable resolve.

The one thing that did not really settle with me was the romantic subplot. Personally, I feel that it was introduced far too late in the story with no real build up and it kinda fell flat. But that is my only criticism of an otherwise excellent installment by Mr. Courtney.

Overall, I was happy to have been introduced to dark fantasy by Luke Courtney and eagerly look forward to more works published by him.

[B.S.H. Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an action-packed dark fantasy novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The book is set in a modern-day world where a secret society known as the Order is fighting a never-ending battle against the demons from What Lies Beyond.

The level of detail and attention that Courtney has put into this book is truly astounding. From the grotesque monster descriptions to the well-choreographed fight scenes, every aspect of this story has been expertly crafted. The vivid descriptions are so immersive that it's easy to visualize every character and creature in great detail, and the transition from the familiar urban sprawl of London to the eerie and haunted settings is seamless.

The characters in this book are a wonderful blend, with their individual characteristics playing off one another perfectly. They feel like a true family and their sense of duty to one another is a major theme throughout the story. The romance between two of the characters is subtle and natural, with the puzzle finally being completed in a satisfying way.

What sets Argent Blade apart from other dark fantasy novels is the epic scale of the world Courtney has created. While the main events take place in recent times, the backstory and mythology interwoven throughout the story give it a grand and timeless feel. The battle scenes are thrilling and exhilarating, leaving the reader wanting more.

If you're a fan of mythology, DnD, or dark, gruesome stories with ruthless monsters, then this is the book for you. Despite the many characters, the story is fast-paced and easy to follow, and the world-building is exceptional. I highly recommend Argent Blade, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

[Lily Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed and exciting, weaving history and the supernatural, 'Argent Blade' was a real thrill ride!

As a fellow Brit, I adored the care and attention Luke Courtney gives to Lucy's London, and to her life as a Londoner. In this dark fantasy of hellish creatures and historical Orders, Lucy grounds us in normalcy, and allows us to experience what it is like to be thrown into a world you never knew existed. The fight scenes are heart-pounding and gripping, and I thought the author did such a great job of weaving detailed and thorough worldbuilding throughout the story.

Considering the impressive depth and breadth of the story, I also have to applaud the author for the confidence with which 'Argent Blade' is written, and how the pacing and tension steadily builds throughout the story.

I'm so excited to read 'Argent Blade: Plague Carrier'!

[D.M. Sonntag · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter to the last, I was thrown into intense and vividly descriptive action. I’m not going to lie, books with a modern day setting and demonic cults aren’t my cup of tea, but the excellent writing and intriguing plot kept me drinking it in and often on the edge of my seat. I could see every character and creature in detail, and as a writer myself who struggles with fight sequences, I loved reading every incredibly illustrative and enthralling battle. Not only did they fully immerse me into the novel but also inspired me to write scenes just as riveting. I highly enjoyed the characters, especially two who I hoped would get together and cheered when they did. The romance wasn’t forced but natural with subtle hints until the puzzle was complete. Those who enjoy things like Assassins Creed, Constantine, or Underworld will love this book. Overall, fantastic story!

[Roger Sandri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argent Blade was difficult to put down. Luke Courtney has a particular talent for descriptions of both appearances and actions that draws you in, while creating a cast of characters you truly care about.

Some reviews have put down the historic flashback sequences, but I felt they added to the story. They were little hints and tastes of things to come.

From epic fight sequences to gory monster descriptions and witty banter, Argent Blade had everything I look for in a story and plenty of enjoyable extras. I’m eager for the sequel!

[Luke Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels a little strange to write a review of my own book, but I'm taking a leaf from some fellow indie authors of mine...

This is the second novel I've written and self-published, and while not perfect, I feel it's better than the first one I wrote; I like to think I've developed in the years as a writer between that book and this one. This is the culmination of two years work, inspired by a desire to write a contemporary urban/dark fantasy against the backdrop of present day London after years of working in the heart of the city, and to pay homage to favourites of mine like Hellboy, Buffy, Assassin's Creed and Christopher Farnsworth's President's Vampire series with my own style of writing and description, as well as a uniquely British flavour.

I'll be the first to admit it's hardly a perfect book, but I'm proud of the world, characters and events I've created, and if other readers have gotten a measure of enjoyment from this humble work of mine, I consider it a success...

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argent Blade is an Urban Dark Fantasy metal album come to life! It’s brimming with incredible monsters, hard core action, and a thrilling secret society defending the world from demons ready to tear it asunder.

The strongest aspect of this story is the design, from the monsters to the world. The creatures on display here are vile and truly crawl from the depths. They’re well-detailed and emphasized throughout the story. The world-building is also incredible, helped by the flashbacks interspersed throughout the story that builds on a sense of archaic grandeur.

The characters are a wonderful blend, too, and their characteristics play marvelously off one another. There’s a true sense of family and duty among all of them, like they’re soldiers in this war but are truly fighting it to save one another. One interesting aspect to the characters is how their personalities are all reflective of the weapons and fighting styles they choose, allowing the people we’re watching to flourish in and out of action scenes.

And there are a ton of action scenes throughout Argent Blade, each more impactful and heavy-hitting than the last. The story unfolds through these action scenes, and relies heavily on backstory and the nuance of this dark, underworld war having been carried forward for centuries. At times it’s easy to get lost in the flurry of the action and momentarily forget why you’re there, but it all comes around in the end.

Definitely pick up Argent Blade is you’re a fan of brutal Dark Fantasy combat and intrigue.

[Meagan Poetschlag · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark fantasy tale really drew me in with its vivid detail and discriptions. The blood and gore were some of the most impressive that I have read in a long time. It felt like watching a gory movie. Fantastic imagery. Some of the scenes were so discriptive that it lost me a little. Its the only reason I cant give 5 stars.

An amazing feature of this story is the embedded history of London. It was neat to have the dark demonic elements tie into real events from history. It made the story so much more believable and consuming.

The characters were diverse and very interesting. They all had very unique personalities. The members of the Order felt like a family with all differant backgrounds. And the villains... Luke has a way with writing intense villains. They made me cringe but it was very interesting getting the bad guy POV. Not many stories give you a good perspective of the villains. I really enjoyed this book.

If you like stories of demon slayers, nasty evil creatures, and fighting the forces of evil then this story is a must read.

[ophélia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving the opening prologue of Argent Blade 3 stars because, while it's undeniably ambitious and full of dark, cinematic energy, I had significant issues with the pacing and character clarity.

From the beginning, the story throws you into the thick of things: Master Jack rages over the delay of his minions, and the cult's ritualistic preparations are described in painstaking detail. Lines like "'Show me,' the master demanded, pushing past the messenger into the vestibule, where to his fury he found, surrounded by the Brotherhood's enforcers, three figures who looked clearly like they'd been in a fight" set the tone, but they also made it hard to keep track of who's who. There's a sense that everyone is a "figure," a "man/woman" with some characteristic, or "one of the group," which quickly becomes confusing when the action ramps up. Even when names do appear, they're buried beneath exposition and dense passages. Too many characters were introduced at once, and it took me several rereads to figure out who was speaking or acting, especially during the chaos of battle.

Speaking of chaos, the pacing is relentless. There's almost no room to breathe between exposition, ritual, and combat. Although that gives the story an intense, cinematic feel, it left me feeling overwhelmed. By the time the action kicks off with the blast at the warehouse, the narrative is a nonstop barrage of motion and violence: "the offerings had been made, the vessel prepared, merely awaiting the final blow… when the explosion suddenly tore apart the entrance. Screams and cries of dismay rang out as splinters and shrapnel sprayed the spines of the second row of cultists..." The scene is visually spectacular and gruesomely detailed, but I found myself struggling to keep track of the cultists, the Knights, and who was dead, dying, or fighting at any given moment. Even key characters like Templeton, Abberline, and Moira were sometimes hard to follow amid the chaos. I made it halfway through the book before I noticed that I wasn't particularly invested in any of its characters.

Descriptions of the setting are intense but often long and unwieldy, bogging down the narrative instead of enhancing it: "skinless, dripping red with fresh gore, slavering dog-shaped monstrosities that snapped jaws of denuded bone, baring hooked fangs dripping with ropes of saliva and the blood of those in whose flesh they'd manifested..." and "The walls had been draped with banners of black cloth stitched in silver and red thread with runes holy to their masters, while painted in blood..." The story clearly wants to immerse the reader in a world of occult horror and high-stakes action, and in that sense, it succeeds spectacularly. But I often found myself skimming just to keep up.
Though the prologue shows a story with high stakes, creativity, and vivid horror, it's weighed down by its own intensity. There's too much happening all at once, the characters aren't always clearly distinguished, and the constant escalation makes it exhausting to follow. For readers who enjoy fast, relentless action and don't mind keeping a mental chart of characters, it might be thrilling. But for those of us who want space to breathe or a clear sense of who is speaking and why, it can feel frustrating.

That said, the author does a good job building atmosphere and stakes. The tension is palpable, and the world—this mix of Victorian London and occult horror—is richly imagined. The villain, Master Jack, is terrifyingly and theatrically well-drawn, particularly in his cruelty. The Knights, too, have a palpable sense of skill and history, and the introduction of Arisen creatures adds another layer of supernatural threat. It's an ambitious start with strong world-building and tension, but it could benefit from better pacing, clearer character cues, and moments to let the horror and drama really sink in.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a free copy of this book, I wasn’t paid or forced to write a review; this review is entirely my own opinion.

I really enjoyed Argent Blade; it’s a fresh and interesting take on the urban fantasy genre, full of action and worldbuilding. The author’s passion for mythology, history, and the fantasy genre in general shines through, making the story all the more engaging. Other than some flashback chapters that I found unnecessary, the pacing is great, and showing the villains’ POV throughout the story effectively builds tension; the story is action-packed and never drags.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Argent Blade was its diverse cast of interesting and well-developed characters. In particular, I really liked the main character, Lucy, who starts off as the fish out of water in this fantasy world and gradually grows to be more confident and capable. It would’ve been easy for Lucy to fall into the Mary Sue trope, but the author thankfully avoids this, making her growth through the story satisfying and cathartic.

Another thing I enjoyed was how engaging and fun the action scenes were. It’s easy for action scenes to become boring, but I found that wasn’t the case in Argent Blade. The fights feel high stakes, making the reader actually care about what’s happening, and I enjoyed how the author incorporates character into action (in that different characters have different fighting styles, strategies, and weapons, as well as attitudes to fighting).

Overall, I enjoyed Argent Blade a lot and found it to be a fun, interesting and engaging take on the urban fantasy genre.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Argent Blade’ is an exciting contemporary twist on a fantasy novel. What particularly stood out to me was Courtney’s characterisation. The members of the Order are funny and likeable. Similarly, Courtney writes villains that are interesting and complex. Vivid description allows for an interrogation of the characters so that the heroes are presented as flawed but growing and the villains are understandable in a way that is even suspiciously human.

However, I did feel that the introduction was a little drawn-out. For example, Chapter One introduces some characters that are irrelevant to the main plot. This made me feel like there were almost two prologues. Consequently, I was not instantly engaged.

Additionally, I struggled with the flashbacks, as I felt that they ultimately confused the chronology.

Despite these inconsistencies, the novel is action-packed and (after the introduction) very easy to read.

(I was provided with a free copy of this novel by Rowanvale Books in order to give my honest opinion. The thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.)

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argent Blade is a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy novel that I found to be quite the page turner! It is filled with likeable characters, convincing villains and intense action scenes packed with vivid imagery and descriptions. We are given detailed insights into the Order as well as into the actions of the villains, making for some great suspense and trepidation about what may happen to our favourite characters.

One of Argent Blade's greatest strengths is its descriptive writing. I often find that I struggle to picture a scene of a novel I'm reading in my head, particularly if I am busy thinking about other things. However, I had no trouble at all with Argent Blade thanks to the strong imagery. It was highly immersive and made for a great reading experience!

I was given a free ARC copy of this book to review, but I was not forced into posting one and these are entirely my own honest opinions on the novel.

[Gabriela Pilková · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I got a free copy, but this review is completely voluntary.

What I really liked about this book was that even though it's a story about heroes and demons, the heroes aren't perfect - whether it's a shady past or poor social skills, it makes them a lot more relatable than the 'fearless, moral-high-ground' type of characters.

The main strength of the novel is the way the fantasy is set within real-world London. This is particularly fun if you know a bit of London.

Parts of the story are told retrospectively, so as the book continues, pieces of the plot start coming together, which makes for a really exciting read - especially given the detailed knowledge of history that the author demonstrates.

Overall, I would recommend giving it a read. As a heads up, the plot takes a while to build up, but it's worth the wait.

[Salma · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I had received a free copy of this book as part of an ARC book service, however I was not paid for this honest review

I really liked this book! It was well thought out, and the characters were all really gripping. Lucy is a certified warrior badass, and I live for the type of character progression she went through. I loved the witty banter between the Knights, they all really felt like one big family. I rarely feel attached to characters after I read a book, but this bunch are really awesome.

There was a lot of vivid gore in the book, and I do think it should come with a warning about that, but it was all really well-written. This book had an intricate plot, a great structure, and even better characters. The blood and gore might have freaked me out, but the experience of reading this book was worth it.

[Shana Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke Courtney's Argent Blade is a dark urban fantasy full of vivid descriptions and unending action. Courtney is a master storyteller, weaving in British history into the backstory of this tale. The characters were expertly written with fantastic dialogue and great chemistry. The reader could easily see how these unique individuals could come together not only as a found family but also as members of an ancient order sworn to stop demons from What Lies Beyond from entering the modern world.
The most impressive part of this book were the fight scenes. They were probably one of the most well-written action scenes I’ve ever read. The world-building was rich and diverse, and the varied characters of monsters will leave you spell-bound.
For fans of The Witcher, Underworld, or Assassins Creed - this book is for you!

[Ash Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced novel with awesome action sequences that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Author Luke Courtney has taken great care with his descriptions and I was able to visualise the scenes really clearly even though there was a lot going on. There were a lot of characters, which confused me at times, but I think the confusion came from my slow reading of it. I wish I'd had the time to binge this story to really lose myself in it. I recommend this story for readers who like mythology, DnD or dark, gruesome stories with ruthless monsters. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argent Blade follows the story of Lucy Murray, a twenty something stuck in a rut who is thrown into a world of fantasy and battle that has been hiding in plain sight. A plot is brewing and a war is imminent, threatening to eliminate the human race.
I really enjoyed it! It reminded me of a more mature, realistic version of The Mortal Instruments (another series I love) and really liked the historical and political elements that made it stand out in the fantasy genre for me. The battle scenes are gory, the Knights of the Argent Blade are established to the point where I believed everything that was described, and it was so fast paced I was up until the early hours finishing it! I would not hesitate to recommend it to a fantasy lover or someone who wants to try out the genre, although I would say it's not for the squeamish.
DISCLAIMER: This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review, and I would like to thank Rowanvale books and Luke Courtney for the opportunity.