The Censor's Hand

Book One of the Thrice-Crossed Swords Trilogy

De: A. M. Steiner

Narrado por: Michael Troughton

Magic has transformed the Unity, but at what cost?

Miranda, one of the 100 adopted daughters of the Dowager Duchess, wants nothing more than to become a master of the cunning arts. Only a fool would doubt her genius, but never before has a woman been permitted to wield such power.

Jonathan faces ruin. The sails of his mill haven't turned since the Company of Cunning diverted the winds of Bromwich to their advantage. He's always been a devout and law-abiding man. How far will he go to protect his family from destitution and the gangsters at his doorstep?

If Daniel, his brother, passes the tests to become a censor, maybe he could protect them. He might even get the chance to make amends for what happened to their sister. But in the real world, justice is elusive, and the damage of the past can rarely be undone.

A fantasy thriller for the adult listener, The Censor's Hand presents a dark and intricate vision of a world transformed by magic.

Reviews:

"I recommend this book." (Ventureadlaxre, Australia)

"A uniquely crafted world of fantasy and magic." (The Joycean Booknerdery, Netherlands)

"Masterfully crafted...I'm hanging on the edge of my seat to read the next installment. By the end of The Censor's Hand, you will be too." (Reader Nature, USA)

©2017 Ptolemy Publishing UK (P)2018 Adam M. Steiner

Reseñas de la Crítica

"An impressive new series." (Starburst Magazine, UK)

"Absolutely fantastic." (The Dyslexic Reader, Ireland)

"I really like this book." (The Weatherwax report, USA)

Refreshing story...something different

This is the first book I have listen to by A.M. Steiner and I really enjoyed it. Steiner delivers a story that is different than most good vs bad and he keeps it very interesting. I enjoyed the action and seeing how the all of the main characters deal with the challenges and struggles they have to deal with. Michael Troughton does an excellent job in telling the story and keeping you interested.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Not boring, but not interesting

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Nothing about this book really captured my attention. The characters were boring, the plot was boring, and even the fights were boring. I had to reread several sections cause I caught myself zoning out.

fantastic start

this start gives me a lot of hope for the future. This is a more serious fantasy novel. It was great and i can't wait for the sequel.

Steampunk, magic, and awesome world building!

Daniel is at the end of five years training to be a Censor. He’s ready to start his career doling out justice. Miranda is ward of the Duchess of the North and has ability to use Cunning to control magic that gives her an opportunity no woman before her has had. John is Daniel’s brother who just wants to keep the family mill going. They all get wrapped up in a murder mystery that proves big enough to change their world.

I’ve read a lot of books lately, really! Just check out my reviews at Science Fantasy Hub if you don’t believe me. Anyhow, I know The Censor’s Hand is one of those that is such a vivid world, you’ll fall back into recollections of certain scenes from time to time. Especially when real life is boring. Like being stuck on traffic on the stupid bridge. You’d think paying fifteen dollars to get over a river would be a quick thing…

This book made a twilight trip over the George Washington Bridge into Jersey worthwhile! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I’m going to use one of wifey’s monthly Audible credits for the other two books in the series, when she lets me.

I really liked all the freaky guys that practice Cunning with the Honorable Company. Their strategy is to appear “other-worldy” so that magic is attracted to them. A couple characters are very memorable. I don’t want to spoil, so you should just start reading for yourself.

Worth Getting Into

The Censor's Hand is an excellent book. The setting is a rich and vibrant world where science, magic, political intrigue, rebellion, and ideologies clash and intertwine flawlessly .While I initially had a difficult time getting into it, it keeps getting better and better. I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series

Stats
Plot- Three characters with separate yet interwoven lives and drastically different goals, all directed by unseen hands as a culture heads towards war and disaster. All of these factors serve to produce one of the most intriguing and well-crafted plots I have seen. (5 stars)
Characters - The characters are impelling and complex and truly draw you into the story. (5 stars)
Storytelling - The author's talent is undeniable, while I at first thought the story to be slow I quickly came to enjoy Steiner’s eloquence. Moreover, by the time the book ended I was excited to read more. (5 stars)
World Building - The Censor's Hand is set in a rich industrial world ripe with clockwork and seeped in magic. However, world building is not the author’s primary concern, which does leave room for the world to expand in future books (4 stars)
Magic System- Magic in this world is clearly complex and will likely continue to play a large role it the story, yet it remains, likely purposely, undefined and abstract. (4 stars)
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Morality rating- The Censor's Hand contains some language, violence, and sexuality as well as, an off-screen sex scene and the causal discussion of torture, sex, and homosexuality.