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The Edge of the Sword #6
Captain of the Sand
Duty requires him to protect his people and eliminate the enemy, but love has other plans.
Captain Halem was just a boy when the Breakers invaded Berush, but he has harbored hatred for them ever since. They are the enemy. So why does this fiery, dangerous warrior with the midnight eyes unsettle him?
The life of a mercenary is all Obsidian has ever known. Any other way of living is incomprehensible. Intensely practical, morality for the Breakers is based on what is most profitable for the tribe. Personal relationships are viewed in terms of gain or advantage, and the concept of love does not exist.
Near death when he finds her, Halem must choose to help Obsidian or lose the only chance he has to discover the Breakers' scheme. Barely able to communicate due to their language barrier, her blatant pragmatism and his rigid views of honor make clashes inevitable. Can two people from such different backgrounds ever understand each other?
Surrounded by lies, treachery, and murder, Obsidian and Halem must decide who they can trust, or they will lose everything.
Captain Halem was just a boy when the Breakers invaded Berush, but he has harbored hatred for them ever since. They are the enemy. So why does this fiery, dangerous warrior with the midnight eyes unsettle him?
The life of a mercenary is all Obsidian has ever known. Any other way of living is incomprehensible. Intensely practical, morality for the Breakers is based on what is most profitable for the tribe. Personal relationships are viewed in terms of gain or advantage, and the concept of love does not exist.
Near death when he finds her, Halem must choose to help Obsidian or lose the only chance he has to discover the Breakers' scheme. Barely able to communicate due to their language barrier, her blatant pragmatism and his rigid views of honor make clashes inevitable. Can two people from such different backgrounds ever understand each other?
Surrounded by lies, treachery, and murder, Obsidian and Halem must decide who they can trust, or they will lose everything.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2022
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Amber Gabriel
20 books79 followersEver since I was a little girl, I have loved to read. One of the first books I remember reading was a Wonder Book version of Cinderella. It was in the reading station in my kindergarten class, and I loved the illustrations. I would pick that book out every time, so my teacher finally removed it from the shelf to force me to expand my horizons. Now I have my own copy.
Another book that influenced me very early on was Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy World. It told a story of two creative painters who painted a mural of a large sun inside someone’s house. I thought the idea was genius, so I drew a large sunshine on my wall with crayon. It was scrubbed off, but I continued to have a desire to express myself artistically.
In middle school, I enjoyed writing, and my English teacher told me I would write a book someday. I loved to read, sometimes reading late into the night. When I was not reading, I was making up stories in my head for my own amusement, but I never wrote them down. I was more interested in drawing and painting than writing. I have since painted numerous works of art, including some very large outdoor murals. You can see some of them if you do an internet search of Paint by Amber.
Over the years, I have had a lot of trouble with insomnia. I had heard that if you write down your ideas, it will help you to be able to go to sleep. That didn’t help, but I did end up writing some complete novels. Recently, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy, and understanding my sleep patterns, along with scheduling at least one nap during the day, has greatly improved my quality of life. The line between dreaming and wakefulness for me is sometimes blurred, and some of my ideas come straight from my dreams. Others are worked out while I’m lying in bed unable to sleep. It was fun to type them out, and I am planning to continue writing.
My goal as an author is to write the type of books that I would like to read. My favorite genre is fantasy fiction, and I read and write books that tackle difficult issues but resolve themselves into a happy ending. I hope you enjoy my stories and characters as much as I do.
Another book that influenced me very early on was Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy World. It told a story of two creative painters who painted a mural of a large sun inside someone’s house. I thought the idea was genius, so I drew a large sunshine on my wall with crayon. It was scrubbed off, but I continued to have a desire to express myself artistically.
In middle school, I enjoyed writing, and my English teacher told me I would write a book someday. I loved to read, sometimes reading late into the night. When I was not reading, I was making up stories in my head for my own amusement, but I never wrote them down. I was more interested in drawing and painting than writing. I have since painted numerous works of art, including some very large outdoor murals. You can see some of them if you do an internet search of Paint by Amber.
Over the years, I have had a lot of trouble with insomnia. I had heard that if you write down your ideas, it will help you to be able to go to sleep. That didn’t help, but I did end up writing some complete novels. Recently, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy, and understanding my sleep patterns, along with scheduling at least one nap during the day, has greatly improved my quality of life. The line between dreaming and wakefulness for me is sometimes blurred, and some of my ideas come straight from my dreams. Others are worked out while I’m lying in bed unable to sleep. It was fun to type them out, and I am planning to continue writing.
My goal as an author is to write the type of books that I would like to read. My favorite genre is fantasy fiction, and I read and write books that tackle difficult issues but resolve themselves into a happy ending. I hope you enjoy my stories and characters as much as I do.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 31, 2022
I love the way Gabriel tackles tough subjects and different disabilities. I learn AND am entertained when I read her books! This one was fun for thinking about a relationship between two people who have to wrestle with their extreme difference in cultures, and the heroine has to face her own lack of an arm and what that will mean for her future! No tame love stories here. This one has, as usual, great action and adventure along with a love story that doesn't flinch away from reality and truth.
June 1, 2023
A complex story that combines the characters' moral dilemmas with fascinating characters whose fierce loyalties and opposing views cause constant conflict. The strong captivating characters Gabriel creates go through personal struggles that draw you in. In this story, you get to see the issues from the different character's point-of-view. You feel sympathy when you learn what makes Captain Halem feel the way he does about the Breakers. You love the Breaker Obsidian's stubborn resilience and determination keep her focused and going, even after losing her arm. The pair learn about each other and themselves as they travel together. Like all the books in this series, it's a must-read.
November 9, 2023
Let’s start with the characters.
We met Halem all the way back in A Crack in the Rock. A young boy at the time, I won’t spoil his backstory. Suffice to say though, it’s a good one, and gives oodles of reason for him to despise the Breakers.
Enter Obsidian.
We’ve met Obsidian before too, in The Princess of Everywhere. But it’s here we get a deeper look into who she is and how she works.
These two are a big part of the heart of this story. Right from the get-go Halem and Obsidian quickly find themselves in the company of someone representing everything they despise – each other. As one, then the other, seem to gain the upper hand, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out victorious.
While at first I found connecting with Halem and Obsidian more difficult than some of Gabriel’s other characters, they were nonetheless compelling and pulled me in to their adventure. This isn’t a reflection on the quality of the characters, more a reflection of what characters I personally connect to more easily.
Where Gabriel shines is in building a relationship between these two people who really ought to (and certainly do, at least at the start) hate each other. Slowly that pure revulsion shifts, and it’s one of the great points of this novel that those characters stay true to themselves, but somehow learn to value the other person. At the same time, they are surround by people – entire cultures – that don’t understand their shifting perspectives, and in fact strongly oppose them. This provides some incredible tension as the plot thickens, culminating in a story that ties you up wondering how on earth it will all turn out right in the end.
I also have to mention Chysh.
Wow. What a journey Chysh has been on. He’s come so far from the petulant, muderous, unstable tyrant we knew in earlier books. Seeing his character arc and growth has been a real delight of this series. I won’t spend much time here except to say Gabriel really does seem to excel at character growth that matters, that takes its time to develop and change, staying true to the heart of who each person is, whilst allowing genuine growth. It’s a pleasure to read. Seeing Chysh’s story here makes me really excited for where he is heading next. He ends up in the perfect place, in my opinion, and will be so much fun to pick up with in his next story. What a ride.
Now, the story.
We open on Halem as he and his warriors escort a camel trader to the Rakhlain Mountains. They are quickly attacked by the Breakers, and this is where Halem and Obsidian come face to face. I won’t say much more here, but essentially, this sparks a mission of ‘who’ and ‘why’. Why are the Breakers in the Crescent? Why is black powder being stolen from Cerecia? Who is buying it? Who is betraying their people to do it? Why?
Gabriel does an excellent job of handling these questions without them becoming frustrating as we wait for answers.
Meanwhile, the character conflict and growth, and the great worldbuilding, keep us going as the intrigue builds.
Captain of the Sand is building up to something. It has a satisfying conclusion whilst not answering some important questions. I know Gabriel has another book in store for us, and I’m so eager to see what answers may lie there.
On to the themes!
There are a bunch of themes swirling in Captain of the Sand. One of the easiest to see is the prevalence of language barriers. In the endnotes Gabriel recounts her own difficulties learning Russian and living in the country for a year, and it’s clear how her experience informed this novel. Different characters speak a wide array of languages, to the degree there’s a handy table included to keep note of who can speak which one! It’s a very realistic problem I haven’t often seen portrayed in a fantasy novel in this way. The idea of struggling to make yourself understood is something I think we all can relate to, even if we’re speaking in our native tongue!
Another big theme here is identity. Who am I? It’s a question each main character seems to need to find an answer to, in contrast to those around them. For example, who is Halem at the start of the story? How is that identity challenged by, or questioned by, those around him? How do his experiences shape that identity while he tries to remain true to his values? Who is he when his emotions and his values seem to be at odds? This is such good storytelling and again, is the heart of the story, at least to me.
Another key theme is the ongoing pain of amputation. Gabriel explains her extensive research on the experience of amputees, and it shows. I so admire the efforts she goes to in her research to ensure the varying elements are realistic, it makes a difference not only for the casual readers, but especially for those who have gone through that themselves.
Captain of the Sand is a tale of intrigue, romance, mystery, adventure. It’s plot is perhaps the most complicated out of the series, but Gabriel does a wonderful job of weaving each thread together. Overall it’s another excellent instalment in the series, exploring characters we’ve met before in even more depth, and revealing more of this fascinating world Gabriel has created. Tonally, it fits perfectly with with other books in the series.
We met Halem all the way back in A Crack in the Rock. A young boy at the time, I won’t spoil his backstory. Suffice to say though, it’s a good one, and gives oodles of reason for him to despise the Breakers.
Enter Obsidian.
We’ve met Obsidian before too, in The Princess of Everywhere. But it’s here we get a deeper look into who she is and how she works.
These two are a big part of the heart of this story. Right from the get-go Halem and Obsidian quickly find themselves in the company of someone representing everything they despise – each other. As one, then the other, seem to gain the upper hand, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out victorious.
While at first I found connecting with Halem and Obsidian more difficult than some of Gabriel’s other characters, they were nonetheless compelling and pulled me in to their adventure. This isn’t a reflection on the quality of the characters, more a reflection of what characters I personally connect to more easily.
Where Gabriel shines is in building a relationship between these two people who really ought to (and certainly do, at least at the start) hate each other. Slowly that pure revulsion shifts, and it’s one of the great points of this novel that those characters stay true to themselves, but somehow learn to value the other person. At the same time, they are surround by people – entire cultures – that don’t understand their shifting perspectives, and in fact strongly oppose them. This provides some incredible tension as the plot thickens, culminating in a story that ties you up wondering how on earth it will all turn out right in the end.
I also have to mention Chysh.
Wow. What a journey Chysh has been on. He’s come so far from the petulant, muderous, unstable tyrant we knew in earlier books. Seeing his character arc and growth has been a real delight of this series. I won’t spend much time here except to say Gabriel really does seem to excel at character growth that matters, that takes its time to develop and change, staying true to the heart of who each person is, whilst allowing genuine growth. It’s a pleasure to read. Seeing Chysh’s story here makes me really excited for where he is heading next. He ends up in the perfect place, in my opinion, and will be so much fun to pick up with in his next story. What a ride.
Now, the story.
We open on Halem as he and his warriors escort a camel trader to the Rakhlain Mountains. They are quickly attacked by the Breakers, and this is where Halem and Obsidian come face to face. I won’t say much more here, but essentially, this sparks a mission of ‘who’ and ‘why’. Why are the Breakers in the Crescent? Why is black powder being stolen from Cerecia? Who is buying it? Who is betraying their people to do it? Why?
Gabriel does an excellent job of handling these questions without them becoming frustrating as we wait for answers.
Meanwhile, the character conflict and growth, and the great worldbuilding, keep us going as the intrigue builds.
Captain of the Sand is building up to something. It has a satisfying conclusion whilst not answering some important questions. I know Gabriel has another book in store for us, and I’m so eager to see what answers may lie there.
On to the themes!
There are a bunch of themes swirling in Captain of the Sand. One of the easiest to see is the prevalence of language barriers. In the endnotes Gabriel recounts her own difficulties learning Russian and living in the country for a year, and it’s clear how her experience informed this novel. Different characters speak a wide array of languages, to the degree there’s a handy table included to keep note of who can speak which one! It’s a very realistic problem I haven’t often seen portrayed in a fantasy novel in this way. The idea of struggling to make yourself understood is something I think we all can relate to, even if we’re speaking in our native tongue!
Another big theme here is identity. Who am I? It’s a question each main character seems to need to find an answer to, in contrast to those around them. For example, who is Halem at the start of the story? How is that identity challenged by, or questioned by, those around him? How do his experiences shape that identity while he tries to remain true to his values? Who is he when his emotions and his values seem to be at odds? This is such good storytelling and again, is the heart of the story, at least to me.
Another key theme is the ongoing pain of amputation. Gabriel explains her extensive research on the experience of amputees, and it shows. I so admire the efforts she goes to in her research to ensure the varying elements are realistic, it makes a difference not only for the casual readers, but especially for those who have gone through that themselves.
Captain of the Sand is a tale of intrigue, romance, mystery, adventure. It’s plot is perhaps the most complicated out of the series, but Gabriel does a wonderful job of weaving each thread together. Overall it’s another excellent instalment in the series, exploring characters we’ve met before in even more depth, and revealing more of this fascinating world Gabriel has created. Tonally, it fits perfectly with with other books in the series.
August 31, 2022
Amber Gabriel delivers another exciting adventure into the lives of tribes and characters! Learn about loss and love. This book digs deep into self-struggle and compassion for others. What I enjoy about every book in this series is how characters change and grow. There is a lot we can relate to in our own lives. The storyline is captivating!
April 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this audio book on Spotify! Peter Kenyon narrated the story and I always enjoy his narrations. It was an interesting story and Obsidian was my favorite character in this book.
June 27, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this next instalment in the Edge of the Sword series. The historical vibes and the cultural explorations are as brilliant as ever, and I really appreciate the glimpse this author gives into the life of an amputee and how life-changing such a situation can be for a person. I'm also a big fan of this author's romantic explorations and the cross-cultural romance in this volume is particularly touching. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers or star-crossed lovers tropes, you'll love this book.
While previous volumes of this series have been quite well done in order to also be possible as standalones, I find the grand-scheme plot links this particular novel too intricately to the previous two volumes, so it's definitely best to read those before getting to this one.
The only thing about this novel that didn't work for me was the constant, choppy switching between characters' POVs with each new chapter. I would have much preferred to follow Halem and Obsidian's story as a cohesive narrative and then switched to Chysh and his storyline. Constantly switching between the two got irritating after a while because I wanted to stay rooted in each story more fully, rather than switching between them all the time.
While previous volumes of this series have been quite well done in order to also be possible as standalones, I find the grand-scheme plot links this particular novel too intricately to the previous two volumes, so it's definitely best to read those before getting to this one.
The only thing about this novel that didn't work for me was the constant, choppy switching between characters' POVs with each new chapter. I would have much preferred to follow Halem and Obsidian's story as a cohesive narrative and then switched to Chysh and his storyline. Constantly switching between the two got irritating after a while because I wanted to stay rooted in each story more fully, rather than switching between them all the time.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews