Book Review: Petrador

By Sandy Amazeen Jun 20, 2010, 1:56 GMT

Beginning right where Sasha left off, book two in A Trial of Blood & Steel continues Sasha’s story as her sister Alythia is getting married into the noble house of Halmady. Meant to cement a peace agreement, the marriage triggers an escalating power struggle among the other noble houses with the help of a conniving archbishop. Sasha wants nothing more then to lay low and continue her sword training under Kessligh’s expert supervision. As a former warrior, Kessligh understands the price of warfare paid by solder and civilian better then most and like Sasha, wants nothing more then to prevent the upcoming battles between Lenayin and Bacosh.

As the houses of Petrodor engage in their political machinations, Sasha seeks allies among the serrin, a dangerous race of people from beyond the Bacosh. Even Sasha’s old serrin friend Errollyn may not prove trustworthy in this high stakes game where power and politics is everything and treachery is commonplace.

To navigate the many names and political players, newcomers to the series will need to start with the first book, Sasha to make any sense of this tangled web of subplots that starts out slow before building up speed. Living in exile has done little to temper Sasha’s headstrong character as she continues to reject sound advice and blindly follow her own path. For fantasy readers looking for less paranormal influence and more complex political intrigue with solid world building, this is just the ticket.