The Tenets in the Tattoos
The Tenets in the Tattoos

Author: Becky James

Publisher: Clarkenhome Press

Published:

Total Pages: 537

ISBN-13: 1916877400

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Breaking the tenets of Special Forces means one thing. Death. Thorrn has his life mapped out – be the best swordsman in the king’s army and become Captain one day. What doesn’t fit in with his plans is some short, unimpressive waif claiming to be his soul companion, the platonic other half of his spirit. But when the king demands that he hand Evyn over, Thorrn is confronted with a choice: protect Evyn and keep her secret from the magical community who would drain her for the power resonating inside her, or turn her over to save his career, family name, and reputation. When a powerful mage moves against the kingdom, Thorrn and Evyn will have to summon all their courage and find allies from unexpected corners – including different worlds and times. For alongside the realms of Oberrot and Earth are the multiverses, and one of them should surely be able to help… A swordsman, an apothecarist, a shy librarian (“I’m beginning to think being underestimated is kind of my superpower”), and a powerful mage. Only they can save the kingdom. A page-turning new adventure awaits, from a fresh voice in fantasy. Contains twinned souls with a twist, enemies to inseparable friends, coming of age, learning to accept yourself and others, some epic swordfights, and a smattering of romance. “The plot is gripping, but it's a solid combination between a solid plot and a downright fabulous character development, as well as an absolutely beautiful narrative, that turns this debut into an addictive, practically unputdownable read.” - The Magic Book Corner “An action-packed adventure...The storyline is ambitious in its scope and really is one for fans of fantasy and science fiction, with multiple tropes all utilised to great effect as Thorrn and Evyn’s path unfolds.” - LoveBooks.co.uk “I found myself laughing and, at times, having tears in my eyes.” - Reedsy Discovery Reviewer “James has created a unique, new twist on soulmates that was refreshing and genius! James’ world building is exceptional as it sucks you right in and is executed perfectly.” - J.A. Culican, USA Today Bestselling Author

The King's Swordsman Omnibus One
The King's Swordsman Omnibus One

Author: Becky James

Publisher: Clarkenhome Press

Published: 2023-08-28

Total Pages: 1794

ISBN-13: 1915572045

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Dive into sword and sorcery portal fantasy in The King's Swordsman series, where we follow swordsman Thorrn. He has his life mapped out for him: be the best swordsman in the kingdom of Oberrot defending against rogue mancers and mages and get promoted. But things are never that simple and he is forced to confront everything he thought he knew; about Earth being real and not a fairy story for children; about what he's willing to sacrifice in obedience to the king; and that not all mages are bad. You will love this series if you adore: Sweeping sword and sorcery portal fantasy Character driven stories Narration by a cocky swordsman Hilarious fish-out-of-water scenes as he navigates magicless Earth for the first time. Enemies to inseparable friends Defiantly different portal fantasy Twinned souls with a twist Portal fantasy with time bending (Dr Who meets The Witcher) Stories with lots of heart, a bit dark and ballsy Characters with staying power This collection includes Books 1-4 of The King's Swordsman series and, never before published, the prequel novella Dough Boy! Contains: The Tenets in the Tattoos The Bind of Blood and Bonds The Limit of the Lonely Man The Tempered Turns of Time “The plot is gripping, but it's a solid combination between a solid plot and a downright fabulous character development, as well as an absolutely beautiful narrative, that turns this debut into an addictive, practically unputdownable read.” - The Magic Book Corner “An action-packed adventure… The storyline is ambitious in its scope and really is one for fans of fantasy and science fiction.” - LoveBooks, The Tenets in the Tattoos “Indie Books We Love.” “This author has a gift of making her readers live her tales alongside her characters.” - The Magic Book Corner, The Bind of Blood and Bonds “I found myself laughing and, at times, having tears in my eyes.” - Reedsy Discovery Reviewer

Lord of the Fire Lands
Lord of the Fire Lands

Author: Dave Duncan

Publisher: Open Road Media

Published: 2014-04-01

Total Pages: 549

ISBN-13: 1497606330

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“Exceptional . . . Duncan can swashbuckle with the best, but his characters feel more deeply and think more clearly than most” (Publishers Weekly). Raider and Wasp have spent five years at Ironhall studying to become Blades, expert swordsmen whose talents stand unmatched. Magic both enhances the Blades’ fighting skills and binds them to lifelong duty. But when Raider and Wasp are selected to protect the king of Chivial himself, they refuse, an act unprecedented in the living history of the Blades. Now on the run for their “treasonous” act, the two gifted swordsmen must escape to the Fire Lands, where pirates, monsters, and mixed allegiances wait around every corner. As old hatreds and still‐fresh tragedies come to light, these young swashbucklers must confront both harsh truths from the past and a present swarming with their would‐be brothers at arms seeking vengeance and intending punishment. Dave Duncan’s Lord of the Fire Lands serves as a splendid sequel and companion to his earlier book The Gilded Chain, and his later Tale of the King’s Blades Sky of Swords. Engaging and complex, it may be enjoyed as a standalone novel or in combination with the rest of the trilogy. Either way, readers are in for a smart, thrilling adventure that cuts like a knife.

Swords and Swordsmen
Swords and Swordsmen

Author: Mike Loades

Publisher: Pen & Sword Books

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781848841338

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Swords and Swordsmen chronicles the major developments in the sword's design, manufacture and use from Ancient Egypt to the American Civil War. Author Mike Loades traces the history of the sword in war and the evolution of the private duel. The book takes certain surviving swords as landmarks on this journey of discovery. Each can be linked to a specific individual, allowing each sword to be discussed in the social and military context of its time and forming the starting point for detours through other types of sword and contemporary developments in their design, manufacture and use. From Tutankhamun to General Custer, and including a chapter on the legendary samurai Uesugi Kenshin, this book charts the lives of warriors from many ages and cultures; men whose lives often depended on their skill with the sword. Illustrated with line drawings (many derived from old fight manuals) and dozens of photographs of surviving swords, Swords and Swordsmen celebrates these weapons as iconic works of art and powerful cultural symbols as well as examining the lethal practicality of their sue.

Gilded Chain
Gilded Chain

Author: Dave Duncan

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2009-10-13

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 006182724X

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As unwanted and rebellious boys, they find refuge in Ironhall....Years later they emerge as the finest swordsmen in the realm—A magical ritual of a sword through the heart binds each to his ward—if not the king himself, then to whomever else the monarch designates—with absolute loyalty.And the greatest Blade of them all was—and is—Sir Durendal. But a lifelong dream of protecting his beloved liege from enemies, traitors, and monsters is dashed to bits when Durendal is bonded till death to an effete noble fop at his king's orders. Yet Destiny has many strange and inscrutable plans for the young knight—for a mission, a contest, and, perhaps, a treasure await him in a faraway land. But he soon finds himself enmeshed in treason and foul intrigues, compelled to betray the king he had hoped to serve. The Blades have ways to protect their own, but death and madness haunt the path to salvation—and few ever return unscathed. As unwanted and rebellious boys, they find refuge in Ironhall....Years later they emerge as the finest swordsmen in the realm—A magical ritual of a sword through the heart binds each to his ward—if not the king himself, then to whomever else the monarch designates—with absolute loyalty. And the greatest Blade of them all was—and is—Sir Durendal. But a lifelong dream of protcting his beloved liege from enemies, traitors, and monsters is dashed to bits when Durendal is bonded till death to an effete noble fop at his king's orders. Yet Destiny has many strange and inscrutable plans for the young knight—for a mission, a contest, and, perhaps, a treasure await him in a faraway land. But he soon finds himself enmeshed in treasonand foul intrigues, compelled to betray the king he had hoped to serve. The Blades have ways to protect their own, but death and madness haunt the path to salvation—and few ever return unscathed.

Zen and the Way of the Sword
Zen and the Way of the Sword

Author: Winston L. King

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 9780195092615

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How the samurai cultivated Zen, relating its teaching of a free and spontaneous mind to the experience of a warrior in individual combat, and finding philosophical strength in Zen as they prepared themselves for death.

Swords and Swordsmen
Swords and Swordsmen

Author: Mike Loades

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-03-04

Total Pages: 654

ISBN-13: 1848847033

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“A ‘must have’ book for anyone who has an interest in edged weapons . . . Loades holds the reader’s full attention with each sword’s story that he tells.” —The Lone Star Book Review This magnificent book tells the story of the evolution of swords, how they were made, how they were used, and the people that used them. It doesn’t claim to give comprehensive coverage but instead takes certain surviving examples as landmarks on a fascinating journey through the history of swords. Each is selected because it can be linked to a specific individual, thus telling their story too and giving a human interest. So the journey starts with the sword of Tutankhamun and ends with the swords of J. E. B. Stuart and George Custer. Along the way we take in Henry V, Cromwell and Uesugi Kenshin, and there is the most detailed discussion you’ll find anywhere of all of George Washington’s swords. The chapters on these specific swords and swordsmen are alternated with more general chapters on the changing technical developments and fashions in swords and their use. The reader’s guide on this historical tour is Mike Loades. Mike has been handling swords most of his life, as a fight arranger, stuntman and historical weapons expert for TV and stage. As much as his profound knowledge of the subject, it is his lifelong passion for swords that comes through on every page. His fascinating text is supported by a lavish wealth of images, many previously unpublished and taken specifically for this book. “Superb . . . the most breathtaking coverage from the earliest days to modern times. Brilliant.” —Books Monthly

Martial Culture and Historical Martial Arts in Europe and Asia
Martial Culture and Historical Martial Arts in Europe and Asia

Author: Hing Chao

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-11-11

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 9811920370

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This open access book is the first publication to provide a comparative framework for the study of martial culture and historical martial arts in Europe and Asia, in particular in Italy and China. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of martial studies, contributors to this volume include historians, archeologists, art historians, scholars of fencing literature, metallurgists, as well as contemporary master swordsmiths and masters-of-arms in historical martial arts. Assembling researchers from these diverse fields, this book offers a multi-perspectival and dynamic view of martial culture across time and space. The cross-cultural and interdisciplinary significance of this book cannot be overemphasized. Whereas a number of contributors are internationally recognized and, indeed, leading authorities in their respective fields; for example, Jeffrey Shaw has been a world-leading new media artist and scholar since the 1970s, while Ma Mingda is a well-known historian and the contemporary founder of Chinese martial studies; and while there are significant overlaps in their research interests, this book brings their research within a single volume for the first time. Equally significant, the book is structured in such a way to reflect the various core aspects of martial studies, particularly in relation to the study of historic sword culture, including history, culture, philosophy, literature and knowledge transmission, material culture, as well as the technical aspects of historical fencing. As one of the first titles on martial studies, this book becomes a reference not only for scholars taking an interest in this subject, but also for historians; scholars with interest in Chinese and/or Italian history (particularly of the Medieval or early modern periods), the history of international relations in Asia / Far East; anthropologists; scholars of martial (arts) studies and researchers in sword-making and/or historic metallurgy.