1 review for A Blade of Black Steel

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   LN_Adcox (verified owner) – 04/30/2025

   STAND-OFF – Much of the book can be summed up by “stand-off”. It is a stand-off between the Cobalt Company and the Crimson Empire’s Ninth Regiment which has them surrounded, and a stand-off between the current leader of the Cobalt Company, Ji-hyeon, and the former leader, Zosia, who are fighting each other whenever they aren’t fighting something else. Meanwhile, Maroto, one of Zosia’s original villains, regains consciousness from the trip through the gate the villain Hoartrap inexplicably sent him through only to find himself on Jex Toth, until recently the Sunken Kingdom. He spends most of his time fleeing from or fighting one nightmare after another and is saved by Captain Bang, a former close friend of Zosia’s until the former stole the latter’s ship. Ironically Maroto’s nephew, Sullen, Maroto’s team of Purna and Diggelby and Ji-hyeon’s lover, Keun-Ju, are trying to find Maroto whom they assume is a deserter or a traitor. In turn, Sullen’s Mother and a holy man are tracking Sullen to kill him for abandoning his clan and are joined by a sorceress seeking revenge on Hoartrap. The love interests are just as convoluted. Maroto’s obsession with Zosia has been replaced by his interest in her guardian, Choi, but he now finds himself attracted to Bang. Sullen and Keun-ju had been rivals for Ji-hyeon’s affection and now find themselves also attracted to each other. There is an interesting world view on gender as it appears that one’s spirit determines gender and not physical attributes. The second book of this trilogy ends with the fates of Ji-hyeon, Zosia, the Cobalt Company, Maroto and every country on the Star very much in doubt.