Romantasy alert! Blood and Steel by Helen Schreuerer.

Synopsis

With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend.

Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.

The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.

All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms.

Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?

Audiobook Review

4,5 stars

this will be a short review as I am already busy binge listening to the sequel!

Blood and Steel was a book club read and I listened to the audio in a record time.

If you mix:

• an orphan young woman determined to become a legendary warrior before her foretold death at 27;
• Her sister being a very gifted alchemist
• A prophecy forbidding any woman to wield a blade
• A formidable and sexy Warsword (warrior)
• Shadow wraith/reapers threatening to invade the realms

You get a very compelling story!

Of course I want to know if Thea (Althea) will be allowed to learn to become a shield bearer despite the prophecy.

Of course I will follow with baited breath her secret training and then all the trainings she will get (ATA girl! You show them what you are worth)

Of course I despised Sebsastien Barlow the bully whose mission is to make Thea’s life impossible ( and preferably hurt/maim or kill her). By the by he reminded me of another Barlow named Jack in Fourth Wing

Of course I wanted Hawthorn and and all his sexy muscles to fall for Thea (even if it’s not a given)

Of course I rejoiced when Thea found Kip and Kal as friends, even if they were seen as the black sheep among the shield bearers.

And of course I followed all Thea’s adventures, fights, kisses and journey with enthusiasm! To the point that I jumped on its sequel as soon as I finished the book!

Is it flawless? No.

Is it a Pulitzer? No.

Is it full of never seen before tropes? No

Is it very readable? Yes!

Thanks for reading.

Sophie