Pennyblade

By: J.L. Worrad

Narrated by: Sarah Lambie

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A sharp-tongued disgraced noble turned mercenary has to stop the world collapsing into chaos in this gripping, savagely funny epic fantasy packed with unforgettable characters, for fans of Joe Abercrombie.

Exile. Mercenary. Lover. Monster. Pennyblade.

Kyra Cal’Adra has spent the last four years on the Main, living in exile from her home, her people, her lover and her past. A highblood commrach—the ancient race of the Isle, dedicated to tradition and the perfection of the blood—she’s welcome among the humans of the Main only for the skill of her rapier, her preternatural bladework. They don't care which of the gleaming towers she came from, nor that her grandmother is matriarch of one of Corso’s most powerful families.

But on the Main, women loving women is a sin punishable by death. Kyra is haunted by the ghost of Shen, the love of her life, a lowblood servant woman whom Kyra left behind as she fled the Isle.

When a simple contract goes awry, and her fellow pennyblades betray her, Kyra is set onto a collision course with her old life, and the age-old conflict between the Main and the Isle threatens to erupt once more.

©2022 J. L. Worrad (P)2022 W F Howes

Unique in a good way, yet the ending fell flat.

The main character Kyra reminded me of Gideon in the book Gideon the Ninth. She’s a witty bas ass chick who has a pension for women and weapons. There are so many fantasy books out there that start out the same way. A young woman, who after having lost her mother and father becomes a thief to survive living on he streets, Somehow she always knows how to wield a blade, yet she’s only 14. Then she finds out that she’s the secret heir to the throne of some kingdom, followed by the inevitable punch line where the handsome prince shows up and the once strong willed, knife wielding warrior becomes a love sick damsel in distress. BARF!!!

This isn’t that kind of story. Kyra’s journey is definitely predicated by her heartbreak, but it doesn’t make her weak, which is why I prefer f/f love dynamics. I’ve found that there is a major shift with a female protagonist once a male love interest shows up. The gender roles shift, and she can no longer take risks or fight or do what ever it is that makes her such a badass because he doesn’t think its safe for her to do so. She doesn’t want to lose him, so she makes herself small.

What I like about this story is that it’s told in a 2nd person point of view. The chapters alternate between Kyra’s current situation, then shift back a few years prior. You find out little by little how she got to where she is which is where the book starts.. It keeps you guessing, which makes it more compelling.

I like adult books that have swearing, sex and a bit of traumatic suspense. There is swearing and sex, but not in much detail. There is also a build up of a possible enemy to love interest relationship, but it’s slower than a snail and never really goes anywhere.

The narrator was great, which is so important because it can either make or break a story.

My only issue was the end. There was a huge build up of the storyline, and it peaked with only about 15- 20 minutes to go in the book. So I was kinda like, “What the f? Is that it?” The huge reveal happened in a 10 minute period, and the main character even said, “what do we do now?” Then it was over. I actually thought it was going to be a duology or a trilogy because the build up continued all the way until the last chapter.

But all in all, I really enjoyed it.

has it's ups and downs

overall I love the story building and character writing, the ending kinda falls flat but everything leading up to it is worth it.
felt like the author kinda just wrote themself into a corner and gave up
but, it's a well constructed corner.

Imagine Gideon the Ninth as a Faye

It’s so good! The main character is crass and funny. Lots of lusty lesbian scenes