I went in with low expectations after not enjoying Levenseller’s The Shadows Between Us. I was pleasantly surprised at Blade of Secrets however! I think the anxiety struggles were so accurately addressed and the representation there was so great. As a fantasy it’s on the lighter end so it’ll be an easy read for anyone who isn’t already drawn to the genre.
The characters resemble an old RPG band teaming up to quest as they run with Ziva’s newly created weapon of mass destruction. Ziva’s relationship with Temra is a main focus, which I enjoyed. I like that this can actually pass the Bechdel test - a lot of young adult fantasy somehow can’t and ends up in endless arguments about the male characters. Ziva and Temra are full fleshed out characters who stand out on their own and are complete without the other characters. Kellyn is a cute addition to the band and adds a bit of spice to the story.
The characters resemble an old RPG band teaming up to quest as they run with Ziva’s newly created weapon of mass destruction. Ziva’s relationship with Temra is a main focus, which I enjoyed. I like that this can actually pass the Bechdel test - a lot of young adult fantasy somehow can’t and ends up in endless arguments about the male characters. Ziva and Temra are full fleshed out characters who stand out on their own and are complete without the other characters. Kellyn is a cute addition to the band and adds a bit of spice to the story.