The Sword in His Hand--Image of a sword stuck in the grass

Book Review: The Sword in His Hand

“I believe there will be justice, Torsten, for all the terrible wrong that has been done to you. But until you can forgive, you will never be free. You will never be free to love anything else but the sword in your hand,” (J.J. Fischer’s The Sword in His Hand, pg. 515)

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A fugitive washed ashore on a land she never knew existed.

A prince imprisoned by his tyrant uncle and abandoned by his rebel brothers.

When they meet in a prison cell the night before their scheduled execution, neither El nor Torsten realize that their paths are about to be intertwined for good.

Soon a group of rebels arrive to rescue them and bring Torsten to a stronghold outside the kingdom of Darcentaria. With the king’s cruelty and oppression growing daily, the rebels are readying for battle. Torsten’s royal bloodline and renown as a warrior make him a hero in the eyes of those fighting for freedom.

But it’s El’s knowledge as an Outsider that might just be the key to winning the war.

El is quickly trapped in a web of alliances and betrayals, deadly ambushes, and daring escapes. As she travels through perilous lands with Torsten and his company, she struggles to determine who she can trust. The rebels want her to help them reach the Outside world. She knows that doing so could destroy them. Yet refusing could mean her death.

Through the dangers of the journey, El begins to realize that there’s one war no one can escape: the war against the darkness in ourselves.

But how can she make Torsten understand the danger of that darkness when he sees it as the only way to survive?

How can she convince him of the need for forgiveness, when she herself struggles with doubt?

In a kingdom plagued by war, where does justice end and the sharp edge of revenge begin?

About the “The Sword in His Hand”:

The Sword in His Hand is an action-packed adventure that will leave you eager for the sequel. Set in a kingdom hidden in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle, the novel follows the story of a girl from the modern world who’s thrust into the care of a hardened warrior on the path of revenge. El, Torsten, and their allies face the threat of capture and the dangers of the wilderness as they make their way to a rebel stronghold.  Readers will be captivated by the beautiful landscapes, deadly foes, and true-to-life characters that El and her companions find along their journey.

This book’s peril-filled plot and engaging medieval-style setting are enough keep fantasy fans satisfied from start to finish. Even so, what really makes this book unique are the powerful themes woven throughout. J.J. Fischer fills her narrative with questions about forgiveness, trust, and loyalty. She raises moral dilemmas and explores the natural overflow of beliefs through her characters’ actions and their budding relationships.

Readers will sympathize with El as she wrestles with the challenge of trying to do what’s right while also struggling to survive. Her pacifist beliefs are put to the test when Torsten repeatedly saves her life by ending the lives of others. Torsten sees war as a natural part of his harsh reality and has no qualms about doing what it takes to survive. El, however, yearns to find a third option which doesn’t end in death.

Through both characters, J.J. Fischer shows plainly the darker parts of human nature. She reminds us of the challenges of living in a broken world and shows that none of us are immune to evil in ourselves. The Sword in His Hand is the perfect blend of adventure and truth.

If you enjoy a fast-paced, excitement-filled novel with characters that pull at your heart, I highly recommend checking out J.J Fischer’s newest release.

(If you’re interested in reading The Sword in His Hand, you can pick up a copy on Amazon. I also discovered you can pre-order the sequel which comes out in July! Can you tell I’m excited for the next book?)

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*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Ambassador International in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.*

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