Terah Edun is the New York Times bestselling author of the Courtlight, Crown Service, and Birthright series, set in the Algardis Universe. Her books boast exhilarating adventures, breathless romance, and incredible fantasy for readers of all ages. You can visit her online at www.terahedun.com.

Blades Of Magic: Crown Service #1 by Terah Edun

It is not a peaceful time in the Algardis Empire. War is raging between the mages and seventeen-year-old Sara Fairchild will be right in the middle of it.

She just doesn't know it yet.

Sara is the daughter of a disgraced imperial commander, executed for desertion. Sara is also the best duelist and hand-to-hand combatant in Sandrin. She lives quietly with her family's shame but when challenged about her family's honor, her opponent inevitably loses.

On the night she finds out her father's true last actions, she takes the Mercenary Guilds' vows to serve in the emperor's army. Using her quick wits and fierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division.

There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden. Dark enemies hunt her and soon it's not just Sara questioning the motivation behind this war.

While fighting mages, blackmailing merchants and discovering new friends, Sara comes across something she's never had before – passion. The question is – can she fight for her empress against a mage who might unwittingly claim her heart?

This is year one of the Initiate Wars. Sara is hoping it doesn't become the year she dies.

 

REVIEWS

  • "Blades of Magic is an intriguing start to the Crown Service series, with lots of action and an awesome protagonist."

    – City Of Books

  • "Unique and imaginative magic systems, and strong female characters (evocative) of Brandon Sanderson."

    – TDIR Blog

  • "I began this book with no idea what to expect, and was quickly drawn in by the world building, characters, and action packed plot. Looking forward to the rest of this series!"

    – Amazon Review

  • "This book was great, a fast pace, a kick-a** heroine, a good storyline. Its been awhile since I've seen such a strong female lead. She is a no-nonsense, cutthroat woman, who don't take s*** from no one and is very practical. I loved what I saw and I cant' wait to see more. This is the first novel I've read from Terah Edun and it seems it won't be the last."

    – Sam
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Sara Fairchild stared with hard eyes at the three men and two women who surrounded her. They had cornered her in an alley. But only because she wanted them to. She was having a bad day, might as well end it right. Feet planted firmly in the dry dirt, she called out to the group arrayed in a semi-circle around her, "Nice day for a fight, isn't it?"

The woman to her right wore a raggedy scarf around her hair and her ears were covered in at least five earrings per lobe. She glared and said, "You think you're funny, girl?"

Sara watched as the woman spit into the dirt before her in disgust.

"Your da was a disgrace," the woman continued. "You're just like him. A coward."

"And a cheat!" said the man directly in front of her. He nervously fingered a blade in his hands. It was a poorly crafted one. That Sara could tell from five feet away. She stood in front of him with her back up against the wall. She wasn't carrying her sword, but she did have one fine long knife at her waist, a dagger on her thigh, and a baton she'd lifted from a city patrolman in her right hand.

"Is that so?" Sara said, directing her voice at the man in front of her, "And what, pray tell, did I cheat you of, Simon Codfield?"

Her tone was level. Even surprised. He shifted warily. He was nervous even with four of his friends to back him up. When the people standing with him began to look at him oddly, he stiffened his back. Simon licked his lips and said, "Cards. I know you had an extra ace in your belt. Admit it now and we'll only beat you two ways until Sunday."

She tilted her head. "And if I admit it later?" Even he couldn't miss the derision in her voice.

"We're trying to go easy on you," said Simon Codfield, his voice dipping into desperation. He might be a liar as well as a thief, but he was no fool. Sara knew the only reason he and his crew had followed her into this alley was because if he didn't accuse her, he would have to take the fall for losing over forty shillings in a card game that had only started on a bet of five. She knew and he knew that he didn't have forty shillings to give. That was one month's pay for a dockworker, never mind a ne'er-do-well like Simon who hadn't worked an honest job a day in his life.

"Tell you what. Why don't you drop those trousers of yours? Then we'll call it even," said the thief lord in charge of the west district of Sandrin. She turned to face the man who had spoken. He rubbed a hand over his two-day-old beard with a grin.

Sara brought up the long knife in her left hand. "Why don't you drop yours, Severin, so that I can cut off your balls for you?"