Blade of Secrets

Tricia Levenseller

May 2021 · Bladesmith Book 1 · Sold by Feiwel & Friends

About this ebook

In Blade of Secrets, a romantic YA fantasy adventure from the author of Daughter of the Pirate King, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made.

Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.

Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims' secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord’s intentions to use the weapon to enslave all the world under her rule, she takes her sister and flees.

Joined by a distractingly handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of the world’s known magics, Ziva and her sister set out on a quest to keep the sword safe until they can find a worthy wielder or a way to destroy it entirely.

Praise for the Bladesmith Duology:

"An addictive page-turner. Loaded with action, betrayal, slow-burn romance—honestly, that is the best first kiss scene ever... Be prepared to laugh, cry, and gasp." — Mary E. Pearson, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Remnant Chronicles

"Levenseller elevates her already intriguing fantasy world through her depiction of Ziva, whose anxiety will ring true for anyone who’s ever had a panic attack. Grab this and devour it." — Booklist, starred review

"Blade of Secrets is an impactful, eye-opening journey of social anxiety that is flawlessly blended with Levenseller's signature flair for adventure and romance." —Bookstagram sensation Bridget Howard, @darkfaerietales_

Ratings and reviews

Younger me would’ve probably liked this book quite a bit. Young blacksmith Ziva is talented yet relatable in her social anxieties. I have a soft spot for the mercenary Kellyn, who's eerily similar to another character I love, and even if he’s a bit useless, he doesn’t suffer as much as poor Domacridhan (from the recent Realm Breaker, in which the Powerful Warrior is incapable of doing anything on his own).

Wow this story was so compelling and intriguing. I loved the magic, and the world. The main characters were all so different and made the best group of rag tag, reluctant heroes. Ziva is a skilled magic wielding blade smith, but she also suffers anxiety. Her sister is a free spirit who loves Ziva and will always be there for her. We end up with a scholar added in, who seems like an odd fit, but he can cook, so of course the girls find him useful. And of course we also have a mercenary!

I've read this author's books before and enjoyed the world building and real-life characters, but this book is now my favorite novel of hers. I need to get my hands on the second book immediately. I was hooked from the first page and immediately identified with Ziva. She has internal anxiety issues which keep her at home as much as possible with only her forge and sister as company. Ziva's growth arc throughout the book felt natural and so well paced. I adored the loving sister relationship and

About the author

Tricia Levenseller, author of the Daughter of the Pirate King duology, Warrior of the Wild, and The Shadows Between Us, is from a small town in Oregon, but now lives next to the Rocky Mountains in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English language and editing, and she is thrilled that she never has to read a textbook again. When she's not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, and watching her favorite TV shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.