When a series of gruesome rituals are discovered in the icy hinterlands of Albyn, three of the realm's most storied guardians are sent to track down and bring those responsible to justice.
Lord Bradon, veteran commander and warrior, driven by his unabating love for a woman forever beyond his reach. Sir Killock, a Templar knight more at home in the endless wilderness than in any castle or court. The paragon Danielle d'Lavandou, heir to the Martyr's Blade, a legendary weapon guarded by her ancestors for generations.
What they uncover is far more than simple murder: a terrifying threat to all the realms of mankind, thought sealed away so long ago that it now exists only as legend.
The fate of her friends, and of the entire kingdom, rests in Danielle's hands. Will she be able to wield the Martyr's Blade when it is most needed, and what sacrifice will it demand, this time?
As crown and temple clash over control of the Blade, Danielle must decide if she will sacrifice life, friendship, and even love, to defy the coming darkness.
A tale of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice, The Martyr's Blade has earned critical praise for its epic story of enduring characters and the stunning world in which they live.
Manners fashions a tasty fantasy. ~Publishers Weekly
This is a book I want to hand to everyone I love and say, "Here, read this. Don't ask me any questions. Just do it." If you are a fantasy/sci-fi lover with a healthy love of adventure and romance of the best kind, you will not regret this investment. ~San Francisco Book Review
The Martyr's Blade welcomes readers into an incredibly dense and meticulously crafted world that becomes more enrapturing with every chapter. ~SPR
It is an exceptional debut novel, and a great fantasy novel in general. Definitely worth a read. ~Portland Book Review
Manners' writing style is impeccable. His descriptions were vivid, his characters were colorful and engaging, and his plot was captivating, suspenseful and filled with action. ~Readerviews
Manners takes his time to craft the intricacies of every player, not leaving any character unfinished. That attention to detail also carries on to the descriptions, with his prose rivaling the beauty of poetry in certain moments, transporting readers to the stunning world that he has created. One can almost hear the whistle of swinging swords, and feel the icy chill of the barren landscapes. ~SPR
This is fantasy fiction you can sink your teeth into. ~San Francisco Book Review
Author Joel Manners creates an amazing world here, vivid and believable, based in our reality but just different enough to tease and excite the senses. He serves up a full sensory experience, providing detailed scenery, sounds and smells to bring us right into his magical realm. He populates this world with diverse people who look and sound different; and he uses this diversity to great effect, providing heroes and heroines that make and break the molds. ~San Francisco Book Review
An epic fantasy in the style of J.R.R. Tolkien, with a dash of George R.R. Martin's brutal realism. ~Portland Book Review
The scale of the novel, which includes countless side plots, character tangles and betrayals, is undeniably ambitious. Even so, Manners pulls it off with impressive flair and sensitivity, balancing the swordplay and action with edge-of-your-seat suspense and meaningful dialogue. ~SPR
An epic fantasy read that the audience will find very difficult to put down. ~Readerviews
The story is distinctly new, and boldly pushes on certain boundaries of the genre that should make dedicated fantasy readers perk up and pay attention. ~SPR
Joel Manners does an excellent job of perpetuating excitement for his readers, and not being afraid of putting his characters in real danger, making for a visceral and emotionally wrenching read. Capturing readers' hearts so quickly is no easy feat in the fickle world of fantasy fans, but The Martyr's Blade should appeal to all lovers of this genre, both old and new. ~SPR
