Blades of Destiny

Author: Ben Cotterill

Genre: Fantasy Science fiction

Publisher: Next Chapter

Date Published: 2024

Book Length: 330

Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend

About Book: Rella has known the rumours of technology are true ever since she witnessed a spacecraft fall from the skies. But, on Arcadia, speaking that truth can get you hanged as a heretic. Only her collection of blades offers a glimmer of hope against Arcadia's ruthless dictators.

Though often lacking in social graces, Rella, a governor's daughter, suffers no lack of hand-eye coordination or resolve to survive after her father's wrongful death. When she gets word that the fanatics who executed her father have seized her only remaining friend, Rella knows it is time to put her training to the ultimate test. She must find a way to break into the Omi's Sanctuary, buried beneath their capital city.

Help arrives from the most unlikely of sources: a traveling Omi monk with a hidden agenda of his own. He seeks safe passage, while Rella needs his navigational knowledge of the underground maze leading to the heart of the Omi's stronghold. The pair must put their differences aside as the rescue mission morphs into a quest to expose the secrets concealed by their oppressors-and possibly even unveil the true history of humankind.

My Thoughts: Blades of Destiny by Ben Cotterill is a Science Fiction, Fantasy adventure book and not my normal genre to read.

The book is told from two time periods and although it was a little confusing to start with, it certainly added context to the story and I quickly began to know what was happening.

Cotterill story offers a blend of high-stake adventure along with deeply rooted conspiracies. The book takes you to the world of Arcadia where technology is taboo and heresy is met with the hanging noose.

The main protagonist Rella is a compelling character with grit and determination along with skill and a sense of what is right. Cotterill’s description of places and events is vivid and enabled me to feel the oppression. The books pacing is just about right with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. But beware the book is about a continuing hard warn battle and sometimes not for the faint hearted.

In conclusion, Blades of Destiny is a tale of resilience and courage. Cotterill’s narrative is entertaining and thought provoking, I think, asking us to question boundaries between myth and reality and the lengths people will go to for justice. If you are a fan of Science Fiction, fantasy or adventure then give this book a read.