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The Everlands Cycle #0.5
A Hired Blade
A sellsword’s bargain.
A burgeoning desire.
A future balanced on the point of a blade.
Sellsword Des is travelling alone in a dry and dusty southern land, after a spectacular bust up with her best friend. She’s running low on coin, so when former client Karina offers her a job leading her caravan’s security through brigand country, it feels like a gift.
Des has done the route before, but she isn’t sure about leading solo. She recommends Karina hire Cap, a rugged old mercenary, to head up the crew. Maybe she’ll even learn a thing or two about how to lead, in between the delightful distraction of Karina’s flirtations and keeping the marauders at bay.
As they head off on their long trip across Rescalin, though, the wheels start to come off Des’s plan. The crew is drinking too much, even on duty, and Cap is dismissive of the dangers she identifies. Des worries she’s made the wrong call by putting Cap as the lead, and Karina is in her ear, wanting her to take over.
As brigands close in, will Des back the merc she put in charge? Or will she take over — and risk the caravan’s safety resting on her blade alone?
If you enjoy sapphic fantasy, badass women wielding swords, an Australian-inspired setting, and a sellsword struggling for a place in the world, pick up A Hired Blade today, and join Des on her journey.
This book is available free on signup to the author's newsletter, or will be available from all outlets on release 21st March 2023
A burgeoning desire.
A future balanced on the point of a blade.
Sellsword Des is travelling alone in a dry and dusty southern land, after a spectacular bust up with her best friend. She’s running low on coin, so when former client Karina offers her a job leading her caravan’s security through brigand country, it feels like a gift.
Des has done the route before, but she isn’t sure about leading solo. She recommends Karina hire Cap, a rugged old mercenary, to head up the crew. Maybe she’ll even learn a thing or two about how to lead, in between the delightful distraction of Karina’s flirtations and keeping the marauders at bay.
As they head off on their long trip across Rescalin, though, the wheels start to come off Des’s plan. The crew is drinking too much, even on duty, and Cap is dismissive of the dangers she identifies. Des worries she’s made the wrong call by putting Cap as the lead, and Karina is in her ear, wanting her to take over.
As brigands close in, will Des back the merc she put in charge? Or will she take over — and risk the caravan’s safety resting on her blade alone?
If you enjoy sapphic fantasy, badass women wielding swords, an Australian-inspired setting, and a sellsword struggling for a place in the world, pick up A Hired Blade today, and join Des on her journey.
This book is available free on signup to the author's newsletter, or will be available from all outlets on release 21st March 2023
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
12 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Rycroft
7 books177 followersJC Rycroft is a queer fantasy author living and writing on unceded Wadawurrung land in Australia. Their work draws on high and epic fantasy tropes, mixed with a dollop of queer romance, humour and wit, flawed but fabulous feminist heroes and diverse-in-all-the-ways characters, liberally sprinkled with philosophical concepts brought to life. She loves bringing together the apparent contradictions: high theory and silly humour, profound theoretical concerns with a rollicking good story, and ordinary people with unexpected demands to heroism that somehow only they can answer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 24, 2024
This was fun and made me curious about the full series! A Hired Blade is a prequel fantasy novella following a bisexual woman who hires on to protect a caravan and things go wrong... I thought the writing was really good and I'm intrigued. And it's not often I get action scenes written in a way I find interesting, but this managed it! The audio narration is great. I received an audio review copy from Libro.FM, all opinions are my own.
October 12, 2023
WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL WAS THAT ENDING???????? 😳😳😳😳😳
January 7, 2024
5 Stars
JC Rycroft. What just happened?
This novella was so quick but packed with a lot I didn’t feel the slap on my face at the end. I’m stunned, still reeling from the lingering pleasurable read but in shock by what just happened.
JC Rycroft. What just happened?
This novella was so quick but packed with a lot I didn’t feel the slap on my face at the end. I’m stunned, still reeling from the lingering pleasurable read but in shock by what just happened.
January 21, 2023
Well-written fantasy gem
The debut of Rycroft is a polished little gem of fantasy. The writing and world-building is well done: the female hero who though young has already experienced a lot. There are swords, caravans, a hot liaison and mysogyny. The story has an interesting angle - how to survive as a young woman in a male dominant field (oh so familiar even in our time and age) and does not follow the easy path - there is a f/f attraction, but no classic romance, there is triumph and there is utter failure … and did I mention so well written?
I am looking forword to reading more by this talented Australian author. This is the prequel to the series Everlands Cycle so there is a good chance of more enjoyment.
You get it for free when signing the author’s newsletter:
https://jcrycroft.com/newsletter/
The debut of Rycroft is a polished little gem of fantasy. The writing and world-building is well done: the female hero who though young has already experienced a lot. There are swords, caravans, a hot liaison and mysogyny. The story has an interesting angle - how to survive as a young woman in a male dominant field (oh so familiar even in our time and age) and does not follow the easy path - there is a f/f attraction, but no classic romance, there is triumph and there is utter failure … and did I mention so well written?
I am looking forword to reading more by this talented Australian author. This is the prequel to the series Everlands Cycle so there is a good chance of more enjoyment.
You get it for free when signing the author’s newsletter:
https://jcrycroft.com/newsletter/
August 3, 2025
Well done, sneaky book, well done. You got me good. Hmpf!
Pouting aside, this was a very very lucky find. It was a solid, sour and sweet read, although I was left wanting for more and happy to get into the next books, they promise women with swords, messy queers, dragons, evil exes and what not, I am in!
Still in doubt? We may glimpse a wombat somewhere in the landscape, come on! Wombats! (Ed. Got excited, I mean, wombats in next book lol). I am a happy camper.
Pouting aside, this was a very very lucky find. It was a solid, sour and sweet read, although I was left wanting for more and happy to get into the next books, they promise women with swords, messy queers, dragons, evil exes and what not, I am in!
Still in doubt? We may glimpse a wombat somewhere in the landscape, come on! Wombats! (Ed. Got excited, I mean, wombats in next book lol). I am a happy camper.
June 22, 2025
Can’t believe a 2 hour audio had this much plot! Loved getting more into who Des is. Wish I had read this before the blood borne dragon, I thought it was published after so I read it after and that was the wrong move
June 30, 2023
A short story prequel to The Blood-Born Dragon.
The writing is beautiful, the steam is cold shower worthy, and the heartbreak is harrowing.
A brilliant introduction to Des and, the promise to herself that leads her to her next unexpected adventure
The writing is beautiful, the steam is cold shower worthy, and the heartbreak is harrowing.
A brilliant introduction to Des and, the promise to herself that leads her to her next unexpected adventure
January 23, 2023
JC Rycroft is a name to watch in indie fantasy. Her writing is seamless and the character arc, even in the short space of a novella, was expertly done.
One thing I really loved about this is the complicated hero and the queerness of her sexuality. Rycroft writes real, authentic characters facing impossible and heart-wrenching situations.
As someone who doesn’t typically read fantasy, I might just have been converted! Cannot wait for the release of the trilogy this precedes.
One thing I really loved about this is the complicated hero and the queerness of her sexuality. Rycroft writes real, authentic characters facing impossible and heart-wrenching situations.
As someone who doesn’t typically read fantasy, I might just have been converted! Cannot wait for the release of the trilogy this precedes.
January 31, 2024
A wonderful entry into the series. Adventurous and heartbreaking, and oh so compelling!
November 24, 2024
Holy s**t what was that ending, ouch my insides hurt.
Whilst not a literal masterpiece and a very young persons writing style. I absolutely loved this novella and can’t wait to read more of Des’s journey.
I don’t shy away from spicy books but I do prefer that it doesn’t takeover the story. This one did a bit and was quite explicit, but there was still enough great story to keep on point.
Definitely need to see what a full novel by this author is like.
I received a ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Whilst not a literal masterpiece and a very young persons writing style. I absolutely loved this novella and can’t wait to read more of Des’s journey.
I don’t shy away from spicy books but I do prefer that it doesn’t takeover the story. This one did a bit and was quite explicit, but there was still enough great story to keep on point.
Definitely need to see what a full novel by this author is like.
I received a ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
April 9, 2025
This novella was well-crafted, and I found its length to be ideal for a prologue. The Author was able to contribute to the narrative without overwhelming the reader, which was nice. I appreciated the representation of the Sapphic relationship; the couple was engaging, and the author handled the more intense scenes well and did them justice. The ending was quite poignant, so sad, but it was intriguing enough for me to consider continuing with the series.
November 29, 2024
I think this is the first audiobook I listened to with an Australian narrator! It was such a good listen!!
The story itself is also so good, lots of action (including sapphic action) packed into such a small space. Just an all round amazing experience!
The story itself is also so good, lots of action (including sapphic action) packed into such a small space. Just an all round amazing experience!
May 20, 2025
Wow that ending wants me to find more in the series
dnf
October 20, 2024i'm just not interested in reading in english right now. but if you're looking for a bi4bi sapphic story, you can give this one a try
dnf 26%, chapter 4
october 17, 2024
dnf 26%, chapter 4
october 17, 2024
December 26, 2024
Now THAT is how you do a prequel novella. I had other reading plans after this and they all included short books to finish the year. But now I'll be starting the next book so thanks for that.
May 16, 2024
Fantastic Novella
I absolutely love this novella. Des is,
the hero of my dreams. Can't wait to get started on Book 1. Highly recommend!
I absolutely love this novella. Des is,
the hero of my dreams. Can't wait to get started on Book 1. Highly recommend!
October 26, 2024
When I tell you nothing could’ve prepared me for the end of this book 🙂↔️ it’s an understatement!
This novella which is the prequel to the Everlands Cycle series did the job in getting me to want more and got me intrigued in what’s next for our main character Des!
She has been hired to be the caravan’s security of a former client. She’s unsure she can lead this mission despite having taken that route before. So she asks Cap, a mercenary, to prepare a crew that will lead them during this journey. A lot of drinking and some flirting is involved and things don’t go as well as they’ve expected!
The narration was great, I’m always impressed when narrators are able to have different voices for different characters especially if they’re the same gender!
The pacing was good and the book flew by so fast! I’m really looking forward to the audiobook 1 and 2 in this series!
My rating system:
Narration: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Entertainment: 4/5
Emotions: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing early access to this audiobook.
This novella which is the prequel to the Everlands Cycle series did the job in getting me to want more and got me intrigued in what’s next for our main character Des!
She has been hired to be the caravan’s security of a former client. She’s unsure she can lead this mission despite having taken that route before. So she asks Cap, a mercenary, to prepare a crew that will lead them during this journey. A lot of drinking and some flirting is involved and things don’t go as well as they’ve expected!
The narration was great, I’m always impressed when narrators are able to have different voices for different characters especially if they’re the same gender!
The pacing was good and the book flew by so fast! I’m really looking forward to the audiobook 1 and 2 in this series!
My rating system:
Narration: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Entertainment: 4/5
Emotions: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing early access to this audiobook.
February 1, 2023
This a stunning debut and surely a first taste of delicious things to come. This novella showcases some very beautiful writing, with a fast paced, and sometimes gut-wrenching, plotline that was both easy to follow, yet showed glimpses of complex worldbuilding going on under the text. There are compelling characters who are drawn effectively by the author, sometimes with just a few brushstrokes, yet without resorting to cliché. The novella is unapologetically and refreshingly focused on exploring worlds outside of cis masculinity, and the sapphic sexual tension through the text, and accompanying erotic scenes, are frankly very hot. Those steamy moments, and the novella as a whole, display Rycroft's exquisite attention to timing and the careful staging of tension and release as part of their approach to writing. I suspect the forthcoming novels will further build on this, and promise to be knock out reads. Looking forward...
July 19, 2023
Brilliant, so much in such a few pages.
I read A Hired Blade after reading book 1 of Everlands. Through book 1 there is a deep sadness in Des, some sorrow that haunts her, and in AHB we discover why and it is heartbreaking.
This wee novel has it all, the drama, the sizzle, the fighting, the tender moments. A great cast and so much hope in our hearts for Des, but it’s not to be, and leads into book 1’s story perfectly.
I could happily just read story after story about snippets of Des’s life. I actually really enjoy that the books didn’t try the chapter 1 dump of Des’s past. Instead hints are woven through both books, which works brilliantly to help Squid in book 1 learn more about his blood sworn partner.
I want more and more
I read A Hired Blade after reading book 1 of Everlands. Through book 1 there is a deep sadness in Des, some sorrow that haunts her, and in AHB we discover why and it is heartbreaking.
This wee novel has it all, the drama, the sizzle, the fighting, the tender moments. A great cast and so much hope in our hearts for Des, but it’s not to be, and leads into book 1’s story perfectly.
I could happily just read story after story about snippets of Des’s life. I actually really enjoy that the books didn’t try the chapter 1 dump of Des’s past. Instead hints are woven through both books, which works brilliantly to help Squid in book 1 learn more about his blood sworn partner.
I want more and more
October 26, 2024
Short, sweet, and heartbreaking. Badass lady mercenary Des helps out her friend Karina protecting her caravan. Her usual merc partner left her as his feelings weren’t returned, so she was forced to hire a troop she didn’t fully know — and who turned out to be a bunch of drunkards with bad attitudes. Karina and Des finally explore the tension and desire that has been sparking between them for over a year -and it’s pretty hot! Karina also encourages Des to take over the mercenary troop as Cap is not being a good leader and is dismissing all of Des’s concerns and warnings, resulting in some tragic happenings. This novella has me curious to explore the rest of the stories as they unfold.
October 16, 2024
This novella was my first dive into this series, and judging just by this, I will be reading more of this series. This book takes place prior to the rest of the series, and was short but enjoyable and had an ending that had me so shocked. Des was such a cool character and one that I could see myself rooting for and wanting the best for her. I can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes her.
Thank you to J.C. Rycroft, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.
Thank you to J.C. Rycroft, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.
September 2, 2025
There's nothing I like more than strong female characters with some emotional turmoil thrown in (add a dash of queer fantasy and I knew this was a winning recipe).
World building, solid character descriptions, well written FF smut and adventure/bloody battles to the death, I can't say more without spoilers..
Let's just say, for such a short novella, this had a LOT going for it.
I've seen many authors achieve less with a much higher word count.
JC Rycroft really does have her own unique writing voice, and I cannot wait to get into the rest of this series and read more about Des and her travels. This was such an excellent introduction into a series, I'm already obsessed.
World building, solid character descriptions, well written FF smut and adventure/bloody battles to the death, I can't say more without spoilers..
Let's just say, for such a short novella, this had a LOT going for it.
I've seen many authors achieve less with a much higher word count.
JC Rycroft really does have her own unique writing voice, and I cannot wait to get into the rest of this series and read more about Des and her travels. This was such an excellent introduction into a series, I'm already obsessed.
February 17, 2024
I'm finding it hard to leave a 3-star review after being blown away by the first book of this series, "The Blood-Born Dragon".
But since this is a 100-page short novella, it's not really comparable.
It is a fun read to fill in a bit of backstory after reading the first (or the second) book and shorten the wait for the release of the third one.
As for the story itself, it's a quick adventure that goes down fast.
I have to say I haven't felt connected with any of the new characters presented, and I didn't care what would happen to them. Not nearly as I do with the main plot's Liv, Squid & Co.
Still, I had fun reading it, and lately, I've been dropping books after the first 70-80 pages a lot, and it feels good to read something to the end and not necessarily give it 5 stars. I almost started to think the problem was in me. Of course, it partly is, but let's be on my side and bash the literature, not me. Heh
But since this is a 100-page short novella, it's not really comparable.
It is a fun read to fill in a bit of backstory after reading the first (or the second) book and shorten the wait for the release of the third one.
As for the story itself, it's a quick adventure that goes down fast.
I have to say I haven't felt connected with any of the new characters presented, and I didn't care what would happen to them. Not nearly as I do with the main plot's Liv, Squid & Co.
Still, I had fun reading it, and lately, I've been dropping books after the first 70-80 pages a lot, and it feels good to read something to the end and not necessarily give it 5 stars. I almost started to think the problem was in me. Of course, it partly is, but let's be on my side and bash the literature, not me. Heh
October 26, 2024
This was a quick read that made me want to explore the other books in the series. The character development of Des was good, and I enjoyed the story. I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator, Katherine Littrell, did a very good job. My only criticism is that even for a novella, I did find the ending to be a little rushed. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2024
I should’ve taken the warnings on this one.. :,)
Gorgeous, well made cover, format and content warnings. Lovely descriptive writing that gives a great feel for the scenes and characters, this novella stomped on my heart but it still somehow makes me want to keep reading the series, call me a masochist 🤷♀️
Gorgeous, well made cover, format and content warnings. Lovely descriptive writing that gives a great feel for the scenes and characters, this novella stomped on my heart but it still somehow makes me want to keep reading the series, call me a masochist 🤷♀️
October 27, 2024
This book! It was so good! I'd not read the novella for this series yet so I went in blind and it was such a good time.
A little spicy, a lot of action, and the ending? Hurt so good... Katherine's casting was perfection. Her range really did this book justice and everyone had a distinct voice. I am excited for the next one!
A little spicy, a lot of action, and the ending? Hurt so good... Katherine's casting was perfection. Her range really did this book justice and everyone had a distinct voice. I am excited for the next one!
October 22, 2023
3.5 Rounded up
Such a fun introduction to this world and some of the characters waiting for you inside of these pages.
Charming prose, characters you want to follow and sapphic as heck with a touch of spice. A Hired blade was a fun adventure that has be excited to see where the story goes next.
Such a fun introduction to this world and some of the characters waiting for you inside of these pages.
Charming prose, characters you want to follow and sapphic as heck with a touch of spice. A Hired blade was a fun adventure that has be excited to see where the story goes next.
October 1, 2024
2.5 stars. I got this novella from author for honest review.
I have no prior knowledge of the series that this prequel novella is part of.
A typical epic fantasy from what I gather. An easy enough read - a plot I've read numerous times and unfortunately on page sex, which I'm not a great fan of.
I have no prior knowledge of the series that this prequel novella is part of.
A typical epic fantasy from what I gather. An easy enough read - a plot I've read numerous times and unfortunately on page sex, which I'm not a great fan of.
November 13, 2024
Wow what an ending and definitely need to know more. The Author has created an amazing world and interesting characters. This is a novella to the novels to come. Poor Des what do you do when you lost everything? A must read.
November 21, 2024
A quick hero (or villain?) Origin story from a mercenary who made the wrong choices. Lots of spice, shocking end.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Dreamscape Media for my copy of this audiobook
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Dreamscape Media for my copy of this audiobook
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews