Of Deeds Most Valiant

A Poisoned Saints Standalone

By: Sarah K. L. Wilson

Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Stina Nielsen

Length: 18 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Eleven paladins walk into a monastery. Only one knows it's a trap.

When Victoriana Greenmantle is summoned to represent her paladin order in an unusual quest, the timing couldn't be worse.

Having just witnessed the horrific death of her mentor, she is barely a paladin at all. Worse, she has a trapped demon on her hands, and if anyone discovers she hasn't quite managed to cast it out, she will be made to suffer consequences worse than death.

The summoning requires Victoriana to journey to the newly revealed Aching Monastery and there to search for and recover the fabled Cup of Tears on behalf of her order.

But her order is not the only one seeking this relic. Her rivals are stronger, smarter, more experienced, and just as motivated as she is. Will this cynical paladin have the faith to find the truth?

When Adalbrand Von Menticure is summoned to the Aching Monastery, he is unamused. Far from his holy work healing the sick and injured, this quest seems a waste of his time. When the murders start, and he's thrown together unwittingly with a young female paladin who keeps breaking all the rules and drawing everyone's ire, he is forced to confront ghosts of his past. Can he push past his guilt to accept this tempting ally?

Together, these two holy paladins may be the only ones who can discover what or who is killing their compatriots and whether the Cup of Tears is really worth the bloodshed and danger within the monastery walls before time runs out and they are trapped forever.

A complicated mission, you say? Oh, but it gets worse because forbidden love is slowly stalking them both, complicating everything and leaving them each more vulnerable than they can afford to be in the face of a danger worse than either of them ever imagined.

Will this pair find strength in their strict discipline and holy orders in time to escape, or will they fall before the twin dangers of a rogue killer and an attraction more deadly than the simple risk of death?

This adult romantic epic fantasy standalone features paladins in all their aspects and is perfect for lovers of T. Kingfisher, Tamsyn Muir, and Danielle L. Jensen. Though this book is a part of a collection of books linked by the same world, it is a complete story in itself and does not bleed out into the other books in the series.

©2023 Sarah K. L. Wilson (P)2024 Podium Audio

surprises at everyturn!

I rarely write reviews but I really had to with this book. I started it thinking that I was not going to like the whole demon/Saint thing because those stories tend to be predictable and people often don't know what they are stirring up when they write or read this. But, this story surprised me. and there were so many layers to reflect on throughout the story. the different Paladins reflected the virtues, but their sins reflected the 7 deadly sins. and the story made me think of the Pharisees in the Bible who were so righteous they couldn't recognize the Messiah ( or didn't want to) showing how virtue can be twisted to be a tool against ourselves. But all of this was layered in a really interesting and suspenseful story that even included romance in the twists and turns of the story. a fascinating and enjoyable listen that kept me glued to the tale as I waited breathlessly to see how it would unfold.

Of Deeds Most Valiant

Very well spoken. I very much enjoyed the two different authors and their performances. The story is quite good and being assisted with a lot of passion from the voice actors led to a truly amazing listen.

Wow. Packs a serious punch. Made me think about the “big stuff” as well as deliver quite a story

This is a work of fantasy fiction, and it didn’t seem to have bigger goals than any story, but as soon as I got my bearings in this “world,” I was starting to feel reminded of the great work by C S Lewis “The Screwtape Letters.”
This isn’t at all like that story but it has a lot of moments that are similar. It shocked me to find this heady stuff punching me, all bound up in a rather odd, slightly dark work of fantasy fiction. And ALSO has the sweetest love story since “the Princess Bride.” How strange is that?!?! Gorgeous writing too. Great narration. I felt clocked once it was over. I needed to make sure it ended the way I hoped. I’m very glad to have found it - it’s a treasure. But I’d rather not read such a book again for a while. I’m flat out amazed this was written by this author. Not to be rude but her other books or series I’ve read aren’t half this cohesive and well, good writing. Made me freakin cry even. Or maybe I have come across the ones that are. Still, it’s very much worth reading or listening to. Should be a minor classic if you ask me.

Action, Romance, Intrigue

I love it. The romance is tantalizing and forbidden and delightful, and clean for those who prefer to skip the steam. There are puzzles and intrigue and conspiracy. There is action and the sort of inner turmoil that only SKLW can bring to life. The narration is very good, engaging. Definitely recommend and I look forward to more like this from the author.