The Silent Blade // Book Review

It's here. Peoples, it's here! PUBLICATION DAY!!!! *add fanfare* The Silent Blade is now officially out!!!! :D Hip hip hurray!! 

Synopsis

Dromiskin, Ireland. 925 A.D.

Eira has no greater desire than to see her life returned to what it once was—before her older brother Kevin's sudden disappearance four years earlier. But the simple life she hoped for seems unattainable; on the contrary, her life is about to get all the more complicated.

When she suddenly finds herself and Willem, her twin brother, taken captive by someone who claims to be Kevin’s enemy, things go from bad to worse. It soon becomes clear that she and Willem are to become bait in a trap set for Kevin, and Eira knows she must try to warn him. But how, when she herself is a captive?

As mysteries of the past are unveiled, and loyalties are revealed, Eira realizes how precious her friends truly are. And when mortal danger threatens those nearest to her, will she be able to trust God with the lives of her friends and family?

~ Book Review ~

Where oh where to start?! The Silent Blade was amazing, and it’s definitely on my re-read list! Most of the characters were well-developed and easy to relate to, and I caught myself having a mini movie in my head of what I was reading. (After I read the book, I went to Jesseca’s blog and looked up pretty much every post she had ever done on The Silent Blade, specifically the character spotlights, just to solidify the pictures in my mind ;)) 

The relationships throughout the book were also great, and spoke about the characters as well. Casimir and Eira were sweet, but it was not gooey, and "lovey" and all - it was just right! ;) Willem, Eira, and Kevin’s relationship together was really… refreshing. I love reading about sibling relationships, and Jesseca had it spot-on! Willem could be teasing at times, but he was always willing to help (the cooking scene was so funny! :)) And can I just say, Kevin is an awesome older brother. He’s like the older brother I’ve always wished for and can never have ;) 

Character-wise? Hmmm… well, let’s see if I can do a fast version of this. (Note: I’m not going to do all the characters - cause that would make it a mite too long ;))

Eira is brave, witty, and does she have some talent with that sword of hers! And as Kevin realized, she isn't just beautiful on the outside, she's beautiful and precious on the inside too. Her heart is given fully to both God and family and her perception of others is something special. 
Willem is that typical teasing brother, (‘cept this time he’s actually also Eira’s twin) but he can be very serious when he needs to be. 
Casimir is an awesome person and an awesome friend too! I think everyone needs at least one person like him in their lives :) Protective, loyal to his friends and a good cause, and God-honouring too (‘cause that’s very important! :)) 
Kevin - ah! You can’t help but like this guy. He loves his family and, like Casimir, is very protective over them. He is very smart and quick at thinking, but if his family is in danger, well - then you kinda don’t know quite what he’s gonna do ;) Which can be a good thing, but at the same time a not-so-good thing. You might understand better if you read the book, so if you haven’t already, go read it. Please. 
Merek is ze bad guy. It’s amazing what jealousy did to him. He was very much blind in his anger and desire for unrighteous revenge, leading for an interesting adventure, to be sure! 

SPOILER 

I did find it a little strange trying to imagine a sixteen year old girl getting engaged at the end, but it was what happened in those days! :D 

END OF SPOILER

All in all, I LOVED The Silent Blade. The themes tied in beautifully and the plot made very memorable. It's also clean and family-friendly :) It might be a little more difficult for younger ages to fully understand the themes, so if I had to assign an age range, I'd say around 12 and up. 


You can find The Silent Blade on Amazon here, Goodreads here, and Createspace here

Favourite quotes

“You know I can’t dance!” . . . “I think I do remember a conversation we had about it. . . I never confirmed nor denied whether or not I regretted the dance.” . . . “I positively cannot dance” . . . “I promise, I can.” . . . “I’m afraid I’m hurting you.” 

“You know, you’re not too big for my lap.”

"Being hit with the hilt of Merek’s sword wasn’t exactly my idea of a warm welcome.”

“…if one of us do get injured or even killed, it’s not God taking us from you. We are His to begin with. Our life is in His hands and He will decide what’s best. But,” he chuckled, “I certainly hope we’re both around for a little while longer.”

“Jealousy is like a sword, a silent blade that comes into our life and wrenches from us any good that may have been there before. And without Jesus’s help it will never stop.”

~ The Giveaway ~

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~ About the Author ~

Jesseca is an 18-year old daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano.  And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home. 

~ Blog Tour Schedule ~

Wednesday, July 20th

Mikayla H.at The Bubblegum Ballerina --Review

Blessing Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Author Interview

Ivy Rose at  Lakeside Publications --Review, Spotlight

Mallory Beth at Renewed by Grace --Review

Thursday, July 21st

Lydia Dyslin at Through the Wardrobe --Review

Rebekah Eddy at Rebekah’s Remarks --Review, Interview

Abigayle Allison at The Left-Handed Typist --Review, Spotlight

Friday, July 22nd (Publication Day!!) 

Blessings Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Review

Rebekah Ashleigh at Rebekah Ashleigh --Spotlight

Amanda Tero at  With a Joyful Noise --Review, Interview, Spotlight

Deborah O’Carroll at The Road of a Writer –Review, Spotlight

Kaitlyn K. at Prairie Gal Cookin’ --Review, Spotlight

Bethany R. at A Great God and Good Cocoa --Review, Spotlight

Deborah C. at Reading in June --Spotlight, Review

Emily at A Purpose and a Promise --Spotlight, Review

Saturday, July 23rd

Kellyn Roth at Reveries--Review, Interview

Jason McIntire at Elisha Press--Interview

Natasha H. at Looking Through my Lens --Review

Faith P. at Stories by Firefly --Review, Interview

Monday, July 25th

Jesseca Wheaton at Whimsical Writings --Blog Tour wrap-up post