Genres: New Adult, NA Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 2 June 2022 | Series: The Five Crowns of Okrith | Series Book: #2 | Pages: 449 | Publisher: Harper Voyager | Review
“I am only interested in curses.”
A. K. Mulford
Overview:
Thanks to the lovely people on Bookstagram and Tiktok, The Witches’ Blade by A. K. Mulford became my next read for October! After recently reading the first book in this series, I knew I’d be in for a treat.* And I’m so glad to say that Mulford once again delivers an epic NA fantasy full of witches, heartache and war!
Princess Rua lingers in the Northern Court, trying to figure out where she now belongs in the world. Even as she learns of the power and consequences that come with wielding the Immortal Blade, there is still no peace in the northern kingdom. King Renwick’s uncle is determined to wreak havoc across the land and has cursed the army of blue witches. Can Rua trust herself in this war? Will anyone willingly aid Renwick, the Witchslayer? And why do Rua and Renwick feel this pull towards each other?
The sleepy dragon by Dirty Paws Australia thought it was the best bedtime story!
Happiness Boost:
I think I actually like The Witches’ Blade even more than the previous book! Mulford gives us a heroine who feels isolated and is struggling with her identity in this shifting world. I love that Rua has so many facets to her, and that even as she struggles with who she is, she forms unlikely friendships. Of course this had to be my first happiness boost; Mulford is so skilful at giving us complicated and relatable characters! Plus Rua’s experience of her first ever birthday party both filled my heart and cracked it a little at the same time. If you read this book and don’t love her character? I’m sorry but we can’t be friends.
The plot expands in this second instalment of The Five Crowns of Okrith, and even more key characters and evils come into play. I really enjoy that these books are clearly linked, but you also get enough of a story arc that they can basically stand on their own. Magic and secrets are rife within The Witches’ Blade and they easily burrowed their way into my bookish heart.
The Immortal Blade is reminiscent of Tolkien’s One Ring, in that it can persuade the user to certain actions. And I had to include it as a happiness boost because it works *so* well! If you’re worried you’ll lose yourself to an item you possess, everything becomes fraught with danger. You can’t trust what is being whispered in your mind.
Downside:
I loved this NA fantasy so much; there’s no downside!
Final Thoughts:
The Witches’ Blade by A. K. Mulford is an incredibly special NA fantasy. It’s a tale of witches, heartache and war… But above all, it is a tale of just how far someone will go to do what is right. I *loved* Rua and her story arc, and I feel like this series is just getting better and better! There are high stakes and so much more for a reader to fall in love with in The Witches’ Blade. If you adore NA fantasy? This series is for you! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can order The Witches’ Blade via these links:
* You can read my review of the first book here: The High Mountain Court: A. K. Mulford
