A missing giant. A sinister conspiracy. A decision that will change the fate of a jarldom.The bone trade is big business. Black market buyers will offer many silvers for fresh giant bone, to carve into charms or use in dark enchantments. When cloaked men kidnap the giant Njal Frostborn, everyone knows why. He’s destined to be murdered and sold in that terrible trade.His best friend, apprentice … trade.
His best friend, apprentice wizard Idun Wintermoon, is determined to save him from that terrible fate. But to do so, she must defy the head of her order, and face powers far beyond her ability. To survive, she’s going to need an ally. Luckily for her, Lissette Forlatt – a down-on-her-luck sellsword – is on the case. Together, they’ll brave worse than the elements and rogue mages in their quest to save Njal. What they discover might shake the jarldom to its core.
If they live long enough to tell the story.
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I received an advanced copy of this book to review. The story was well written and enjoyable and the characters likable. I look forward to the sequels. If you are an internal editor like myself, I can say this was one of the cleanest manuscripts I’ve ever read. I am often distracted by grammatical errors, poor punctuation and poor editing. But this book was a joy to read. The book reminded me of The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss but it is a lighter read, with a more positive energy, not as dark. I recommend it, even if you don’t enjoy fantasy, just to follow these characters, because you don’t get bogged down by too much magical jargon or the like. It references Nordic gods, but not in too much detail so that you don’t have to be thoroughly knowledgeable about the mythology. I guess what I am trying to say is that the book is not intimidating in any way and should be enjoyed by all readers not just fans of the fantasy genre. I recommend this book to all readers
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
Ford introduces a brand new series in “Bone Traders: Sellswords & Spellweavers, Book 1”
The author does a fantastic job, as usual, of world building and character development while they weave a tapestry of a tale balancing exposition and action.
Q: Will Idun be able to keep studying at the University?
Q: Will Idun be able to rescue her friend?
Q: Who is behind the kidnappings of the giants?
A: Grab this book and find out!
I highly recommend this entertaining page turner and I look forward to more books in the series to come.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
Our heroine tends to chaff at the rules, particularly when they stand in the way of helping a friend. But she may have bitten off more than she can chew and a little help goes a long way.
This is book one of this series.
This is something of a high fantasy story with magic and fantastic races, but it is also more than that. These things are just the background, albeit and very well detailed and put together world, in which our characters interact. The characters are the stars of the show and they are stars indeed. Well crafted with good back stories that grow over time, I really enjoyed them one and all. Our two heroines are front and center and I enjoyed their banter along the journey. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.
Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from StoryOrigin for review purposes.
Bone Traders (Sellswords & Spellweavers Book 1), my ninth read from author Rachel Ford. Another new series, imagine that. This book is so well-written & enjoyable, no matter the genre a Rachel Ford book can be counted on to be entertaining & enjoyable. I look forward to the next book in the series. “I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.” (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
Wonderful fantasy world. I really enjoyed the adventure. Lots of fun character’s mages, giants, sellswords. Mages and apprentices and of course they don’t do as told and things never go as expected. Definitely worth a read.
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
Received as a review copy, this is an honest review. Idun ‘s life is changed when his friend and mage Njal is kidnapped to be sold by bone traders, whom use a giant’s bones in dark magic. With the aid Liss and other giant captives, Idun may get his friend back and help stop other grizzly murders. Highly recommended.