The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams – a Review

The Sharpest Blade
Shadow Reader series
Book #3
Release Date: December 31, 2013

Links to order The Sharpest Blade:
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Description:
Torn between two worlds.
Torn between two lives.

McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?

After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.

With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it

Review:
The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams is the 3^rd and final book in her Shadow Reader series.  I have been on pins and needles all year waiting to see how Sandy Williams was going to end this series, since she had a major twist at the end of the 2^nd book, The Shattered Dark.  I have not been this tense and excited to read a book, as I was when I started The Sharpest Blade, and what an exciting and action filled finale this was. I savored every moment, which should tell you how much I enjoyed this series.  

If you want a reminder of this series, my two previous reviews can be found under the reviews tab, but for a quick reminder.  MacKenzie is our heroine, and she is a Shadow Reader, who can direct the Fae to where their enemies are, just by reading their shadows.    In this urban fantasy world building of Faes and humans, there is a civil war, with a dictator Fae King, who rules the realm, and the rebels, who want to overturn the king.  In the second book, all three were on the same team, with the rebel leaders having a true descendant to the crown.   Our heroes in this series are Aren, the hot hot hot, rebel leader and Kyol, the also hot, Fae Warrior, both of whom McKenzie cares about.  But in book two, she totally falls in love, as I did, with the wonderfully and devilish, Aren.  Book two ended with a shocking twist.

There is no doubt that The Sharpest Blade gives us a tougher and stronger McKenzie, who is fully in the middle of this civil war.  Though Kyol and Aren are on the same team, to protect Lena, their new Queen, they both dislike each other.  Throughout this exciting story with all trying to save Lena, McKenzie is torn between her love of Aren, and her bond with Kyol.  I will not give any spoilers, but I will say this was a fantastic exciting and intense story.  McKenzie is such a great heroine, and it is her strength, bravery, and perseverance that allows her to save the lives of some of her close allies.  Sandy Williams had us glued to our seats, and didn’t let go until the exciting and climatic ending.  Who does McKenzie end up with?  Will either Kyol or Aren die?  Who wins the war, and does Lena become the Queen?  I’m not telling, go read the book.  🙂

However, I am sad; this series was great, I became so invested into these fantastic characters that Sandy Williams created, that I will miss them dearly. From McKenzie, Aren, Kyol, Lena, Lorn, Paige, and especially Sosch.  I am very sad to not being able to see them again.  I wish Williams did some kind of epilogue telling us more about their future, or maybe Sandy will do a novella.  We can always hope.  Thank you, Sandy Williams for this fantastic ride.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher