The Sword Chronicles:
Child of the Empire
by
Michaelbrent Collings
She is a Dog - one of the many children and teens across the empire of Ansborn who have been sentenced to fight in the arenas. There they fight in battle after battle until they die for the sport of the people of Ansborn - an empire built atop the peaks of five mountains.
But one day she picks up a knife... and everything changes.
She discovers she is a Greater Gift - one of a handful of magic users with powers so great they have only two choices: to join the Empire as one of its premier assassins, or die as a threat to the Empire itself.
She is no longer a Dog. Now, she is Sword. And she will soon realize that in this Empire, not all is what it seems. Good and evil collide, and she can never be sure whom to trust - not even herself.
She holds life in her hands for some. Brings death by her blade to others.
She is a killer.
She is a savior.
She is Sword.
But one day she picks up a knife... and everything changes.
She discovers she is a Greater Gift - one of a handful of magic users with powers so great they have only two choices: to join the Empire as one of its premier assassins, or die as a threat to the Empire itself.
She is no longer a Dog. Now, she is Sword. And she will soon realize that in this Empire, not all is what it seems. Good and evil collide, and she can never be sure whom to trust - not even herself.
She holds life in her hands for some. Brings death by her blade to others.
She is a killer.
She is a savior.
She is Sword.
My Thoughts: There are always these wonderful moments when I find a book that is so perfectly long and detailed and adventurous that I know I will love it every single time I read it. I can without a doubt say that Child of the Empire is one of those books. I could open it back up right now and read it all over again and enjoy it just as much as the first time. In fact, I know when I re-read it I will still be left loving it and wanting more.
Child of the Empire takes place in a world sat upon five mountains. The mystery surrounding even that aspect of the story was amazing. I was constantly wondering what could be below the clouds, and how this empire came to be. Then there was the empire itself. Ansborn is a complex empire, with a lot of shady dealings and unanswered questions.
The characters that Michaelbrent Collings created are amazing. They are a complex cast, each bringing something important to the story. Sword is a survivor and I loved her. She was clever and learned quickly. She was blunt and asked questions that many would probably avoid. Her personal journey from a Dog to Sword and everything she does as Sword is impressive. Other characters throughout the story pull everything along and add so much. I fell in love with so many of them. I was surprised by them, grieved for their troubles, and was excited by their triumphs.
I loved this book so much. It is an epic fantasy that will intrigue readers. I wish they could make a movie that could do it justice. Now I am left, as it always seems when I find a new series to love, waiting for another book. I think it will be well worth the wait.
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About the Author:
Michaelbrent Collings is a #1 bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He has written numerous bestsellers, including Darkbound, Apparition, The Haunted, The Loon, Rising Fears, and the bestselling YA fantasy series The Billy Saga, beginning with Billy: Messenger of Powers.
He hopes someday to develop superpowers, or, if that is out of the question, then at least to get a cool robot arm.
Michaelbrent has a wife and several kids, all of whom are much better looking than he is (though he admits that's a low bar to set), and also cooler than he is.
Michaelbrent also has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MichaelbrentC...and can be followed on Twitter through his username @mbcollings. Follow him for cool news, updates, and advance notice of sales. You will also be kept safe when the Glorious Revolution begins!
He hopes someday to develop superpowers, or, if that is out of the question, then at least to get a cool robot arm.
Michaelbrent has a wife and several kids, all of whom are much better looking than he is (though he admits that's a low bar to set), and also cooler than he is.
Michaelbrent also has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MichaelbrentC...and can be followed on Twitter through his username @mbcollings. Follow him for cool news, updates, and advance notice of sales. You will also be kept safe when the Glorious Revolution begins!
I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
