Synopsis
Laster has always wanted to prove himself to his father by becoming a knight of Alamore.
Only months away from the end of his training, he has his chance when his own mentor, Sir Dasroch, gives him the honor of riding in place of a knight on a borderland patrol.
But the perfect dream he has lived is shattered with the strike of a single lethal arrow.
After a nightmarish attack, Laster finds himself captured by the enemy, chained and imprisoned.
As his plans to escape are thwarted one after the next, Laster knows time is running out. It seems there is only one hope left. But can he really trust his life to the very Prince who put him in chains?
Review
I read this book as a judge for FanFiAddict during SPFBO XI. These opinions are entirely my own and don’t necessarily represent the views of the rest of the team.
Shadow of the Sword is a fast-moving, classic-feeling fantasy adventure built around a simple but compelling question: what happens when the only way to survive is to trust your enemy?
Laster is on the verge of achieving everything he’s worked for—after six years of training, he’s just months away from becoming a knight of Alamore and finally making his father proud. Then, in a single ambush, everything falls apart. Captured by the prince of a rival kingdom and facing execution, he’s forced into an uneasy alliance with the very person he’s been raised to hate. It’s a clean, straightforward premise that works well, and the story wastes little time throwing the characters into danger.
Plot-wise, the novel is engaging and packed with action. There are plenty of twists, close calls, and shifting loyalties, and the constant sense of looming war keeps the stakes high. The relationship between Laster and Prince Esrin becomes the engine that drives the story forward, especially as both must navigate political tension and survive hostile territory together. The ending delivers an unexpected resolution that ties things together in a satisfying way.
It’s worth noting that this book functions as a prequel or background story to the larger William of Alamore series, and it occasionally assumes readers already know the world and characters. While it can stand alone, it likely feels richer when read alongside the main series. Still, even on its own, it tells a complete and enjoyable adventure.
The characters are where the story finds its strongest moments. Laster is earnest and flawed, shaped by his rigid ideas of honor and loyalty, which makes his perspective feel authentic—even when you can see he’s misjudging the situation. His stubbornness can be frustrating at times, but it also highlights his growth as the story unfolds.
The real standout, though, is Prince Esrin. He’s layered, sympathetic, and far more complex than first impressions suggest. Watching him slowly peel back the assumptions Laster—and the reader—have about him is one of the book’s biggest pleasures. Fans of redemption arcs or morally gray princes will find a lot to love here; he brings an emotional depth that elevates the whole narrative.
The worldbuilding leans toward familiar medieval fantasy territory—knights, rival kingdoms, swords, and court intrigue—but there’s a comforting charm to that simplicity. It feels intentionally classic, almost Arthurian at times, which suits the story’s themes of honor, loyalty, and duty.
The prose is clear and accessible, and while the pacing occasionally slows in spots, there’s enough action and intrigue to keep the pages turning. The overall tone stays PG-13, making it approachable for a wide range of readers without sacrificing tension.
In the end, Shadow of the Sword is an enjoyable, traditional fantasy adventure with strong character dynamics and plenty of swordplay. If you’re a fan of knights, princes, political intrigue, and reluctant alliances that turn into something deeper, this is an easy recommendation—and a solid entry point into the world of Alamore.
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