When a series of gruesome rituals are discovered in the icy hinterlands of Albyn, three of the realm’s most storied guardians are sent to track down and bring those responsible to justice.
Lord Bradon, veteran commander and warrior, driven by his unabating love for a woman forever beyond his reach. Sir Killock, a Templar knight more at home in the endless wilderness than in any castle or court. The paragon Danielle d’Lavandou, heir to the Martyr’s Blade, a legendary weapon guarded by her ancestors for generations.
What they uncover is far more than simple murder: a terrifying threat to all the realms of mankind, thought sealed away so long ago that it now exists only as legend.
The fate of her friends, and of the entire kingdom, rests in Danielle’s hands. Will she be able to wield the Martyr’s Blade when it is most needed, and what sacrifice will it demand, this time?
As crown and temple clash over control of the Blade, Danielle must decide if she will sacrifice life, friendship, and even love, to defy the coming darkness.
A tale of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice, The Martyr’s Blade has earned critical praise for its epic story of enduring characters and the stunning world in which they live.
"4 out of 5 stars. ... an epic fantasy in the style of JRR Tolkien, with a dash of George R. R. Martin's brutal realism ... an exceptional debut novel, and a great fantasy novel in general. Definitely worth a read." ~ Portland Book Review
"5 out of 5 stars. Manners' writing style is impeccable. His descriptions were vivid, his characters were colorful and engaging, and his plot was captivating, suspenseful and filled with action. ... an impressive first novel worthy of five out of five stars as an epic fantasy read that the audience will find very difficult to put down. Manners has definitely won me over personally, as a fan that will wait impatiently for the next book in this series."~Reader Views
"4.5 out of 5 stars. This is fantasy fiction you can sink your teeth into ... a book I want to hand to everyone I love and say, 'Here, read this. Don't ask me any questions. Just do it.' If you are a fantasy/sci-fi lover with a healthy love of adventure and romance of the best kind, you will not regret this investment." ~San Francisco Book Review
"5 out of 5 stars. The Martyr's Blade welcomes readers into an incredibly dense and meticulously crafted world that becomes more enrapturing with every chapter. The world-crafting on display in this novel, particularly in the complexity of the plot and the thorough development of each character, makes this an epic tale from the very start, and something very special in the genre. The only real problem is the difficulty one will have trying to put the book down." ~Self-Publishing Review