Shadowblade: An Epic Fantasy Adventure Romance

Jay Aspen

Feb 2021 · A Dance of Fire and Shadow Book 1 · Sandfire Publishing Ltd

About this ebook

Ariel knows that to accept the Shadowblade's deadly gift of fighting skill and power is the first step on a dark path to tyranny.

Blade adepts are hated and feared––and ultimately hunted down and killed.

She has no choice. It's her only chance to rescue her sister from capture and slavery by the ruthless Rapathian invaders.

It feels like a desperate but simple decision until she meets Marin, Captain of the Eldrin, the elite force protecting King and realm from attack. Pledged to fight invaders, they are also sworn to capture and kill dangerous Blade adepts.

Now Ariel has to convince Marin and his highly skilled team of fighters to help her rescue her sister––and that they can trust her to fight alongside them. 

Failure means instant death. But the path to success is long and hard. Love and war would be complex enough without having to resist the temptation that too much power brings––or the interference of powerful Elementals focused on revenge...

Shadowblade is the first in A Dance of Fire and Shadow, the epic fantasy adventure-romance series by Jay Aspen

Ratings and reviews

Shadowblade is an epic fantasy novel with a strong female lead set against the backdrop of a Kingdom facing invasion. After their village is raided, Ariel’s sister Alina is kidnapped and Ariel is drawn into making a Faustian pact with a shadowy Elemental in order to gain the skills needed to rescue her sister. During this quest Ariel’s strength and wit is tested to the limit but she will also find love in the guise of an enigmatic Mage-Warrior. Highly recommended!

the idea or story is good but the 1st person narrative turned me off, it's like she's telling the story not writing it, there is a difference

Another excellent fantasy adventure from Jay Aspen. Precise and nimble storytelling carries the reader from a peaceful village world and into a landscape of hidden knowledge, intrigue and betrayal. An effortless read.

About the author

Jay writes from experiences in wilderness travel and extreme sports; snow peaks in the Andes, big walls in Yosemite and Baffin Island, sailing the Irish sea to photograph puffins and dolphins. A science degree and training with Himalayan shamans led to an interest in bio-psychology. She lives in the wild Welsh Borders, sings jazz, rides horses.

 https://www.jayaspen.com