Susan Murray (1)

Overall Impression: An exciting new fantasy series with an awesome female protagonist that is compulsively readable.

Recommended for: Fantasy fans. Fans of strong female protagonists.

I knew I was going to like this book from the very beginning. It's well written, and the characters are developed quite nicely. It starts with action rather than a bunch of exposition about the events leading up to what is currently happening and world development. Instead, the book begins with Alwenna being sent show more away by her husband with his trusted King's Man, Weaver, who is an immediately intriguing character. Weaver is obviously less than thrilled about being assigned to this task as he wants to stay behind and fight in the oncoming battle. However, his dissatisfaction in his king's decision seems to stem from more personal reasons, and Susan Murray does a good job of keeping his reasons a mystery until the opportune moment.

When we meet Alwenna, she is a woman who has been pampered for her entire life who suddenly has to rough it through the wilderness (against her wishes) in order to escape the clutches of the usurper, Vasic, whom her husband fears will take over the kingdom. However, despite Alwenna's cushy upbringing, she rises to the occasion, and time and again proves herself to be more than capable of taking care of herself when push comes to shove. Alwenna never shies away from a challenge, and never expects someone to save her. She insists that she be taught how to build a fire and properly de-feather, gut, and cook a chicken in case she ends up not having any servants to take care of her. (Which happens at various times throughout the book.) Not only does she insist on learning these things, but a couple of the things she learns become important later. This was refreshing since some books tend to have their heroes spontaneously gain skills when they are needed. Not the case here. It was well thought out, which made it that much more fun to read.

The plot moves at just the right pace, keeping it exciting while also allowing some time to develop Alwenna and Weaver as characters. This makes it really easy to become invested in the outcome since you actually know them well. I never felt like it was dragging and it was difficult for me to put it down. I almost missed my MAX stop on my way home because of this book. It's totally engrossing, which makes this book go by pretty quickly, and leaves you wanting more.

I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out, and will be anxiously awaiting the day! I need to know things! Also, the cover is pretty cool. Just saying. show less

Full review originally posted on Book Frivolity

*As a side note, the ARC I received was still in the editing process, so to be fair, I won't be commenting on error of continuity or grammar etc.


POV's: Multiple
Narrative: Third Person, Omni, Subjective

There is always something magical about a new fantasy series that features a strong female protagonist, that's not a simpering princess, a scheming queen or an arse kicking assassin. I for one celebrate when a mature female gets a starring role, show more and Alwenna although a courtly Queen, has intelligence, guts and strength without being an over the top character trope. Plus, she has a fairly earth shattering surprise up her sleeve!

The Waterborne Blade has a creep up plot that makes you think you have a handle on where the whole novel is heading, but about half of the way through, you realise you've just been running about with the characters for a while until the real story kicks in. I won't lie, I did start thinking that if there was any more travelling back and forth, I'd probably start scratching my head and losing interest. However, I have to hand it to Murray, she certainly knows when to kick in the exciting developments in plot and character to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you've reached the right place to set it down, you end up reading right through the night to find out where exactly the plot is about to take you. It pretty much blind sighted me and I read a lot of fantasy! There are parts that almost bleed into the Horror genre by the end, and I certainly never saw that coming! Anything more than that, and I'll end up adding spoilers!

The characters are quite nicely developed. Apart from Alwenna, we have the juxtaposing Kings Man Weaver, who is in pretty much every way Alwenna's opposite. It was interesting to watch the two of them crash off each other during the sections they were together, and then to see them realise that their predisposed ideas of each other are wrong on most counts.

Alwenna's point of view mostly uses flashbacks to fill in her back story, whilst Weaver's relies on character interaction and conversation. I didn't realise it at the time, but it was quite an ingenious way doing it. The flashbacks also work to give development to Alwenna's character, by supplying examples of her developing 'power', whilst the conversations with war comrades that Weaver has also bolsters his character as a warrior and King's man. It didn't register at the time that the mechanism was working in that way, until it was over!

The two other characters that make up the main group, but aren't point of view characters were actually handled well. The were pretty well fleshed out, and I felt a connection to them that I usually find lacking with the peripheral characters. I do hope to see more of them in the next novel.

Actually by the end of this novel, there's no real way of determining who will be coming back, or if they do, in what state!

The ending is certainly a cracker, so



Fast paced, enjoyable, not too heavy, not too light, just right fantasy!


Harcopy Worthy? I think so indeedy! I'd especially love to see the finished product! show less

It's probably a 4.25 really.. Rtc