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Title: The Silent Blade
Author: Jesseca Wheaton
Published By: CreateSpace (2016)
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? (Taken from Goodreads)
Review:
Brilliant book. Brilliant title. Brilliant everything! * I have cut all spoilers from this review. To see my review with all it spoilery goodness, you can check out my review on https://www.goodreads.com *
Some favorite quotes and my responses…
How I do friendships:
“Eira twisted her hair around her finger… ‘I miss her.’ ‘Eira, you saw her yesterday,’ Willem reminded.”
That moment that makes me go, YASS!!
“ ‘Eira, if one of us do get injured or even killed, it’s not God taking us from you. We are His to begin with.’ ”
When I realize the characters are smarter than me:
“ ‘Jealously is like a sword, a silent blade that comes into our life and wrenches us from any good that may have been there before. And without Jesus’ help it will never stop. It will just keep twisting and twisting till there is nothing left and it finally consumes us.’ ”
Onto the actual review..
Firstly I’ll just say that as I was reading this, I had my doubts. I had trouble keeping up with some of the characters—who they were and such. I was having trouble understanding some of the plot or what the purpose of the plot was…that is—until I finished it and IT ALL CAME TOGETHER!
So bottom line: HANG WITH IT, because it will blow your mind!
Few negatives, expanded: I had confusions about characters and who they were and couldn’t keep track of most of them, except for Eira, Willem, Casimir, Kevin—all the rest, I felt, lacked depth or significance, and I got them confused easily.
While I loved the historical aspect, I felt at times it was either forgotten or overdone. I think it was trying to be portrayed as realistic as possible to that time period, but I thought at times it got overdone, going over the top to enhance the historical feel when not absolutely necessary. Not a true negative, but just a note.
Positives? I loved Eira. I loved Casimir. And I LOVE THEM TOGETHER! It was so sweet. A little cheesy, sure, but just really super sweet. I loved it so much. I also loved the relationship between Kevin and Eira. It was so sweet and touching!
Really, I’d love to just talk about the ending. Because everything came together, all the loose ends tied together, the assumed-emptiness filled. And it did BEAUTIFULLY. I was in awe finishing this book, for I had not grasped the depth while reading.
The plotline was so unique and individual, and perfectly lining up with the jealousy theme. It was captivating from the start, though, and had me hooked. I loved the characters and the way they interacted with one another. I appreciated the foreshadowing and hidden hints that I didn’t even know were there, leading up to the final point. I loved the message this book delivered, clearly and cleverly. So while I did have my doubts reading it, they were all dismissed by the way it came together. The author has doubtlessly improved a lot since her last book (though that was great too) and I am looking forward to seeing what else she comes out with!
Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Recommended to: Fans of historical fiction!
** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**