The story opens as the group travels to the healer that will hopefully save Temra after she was injured and received a nick in her lung. The group consists of the captured warlord Kymora, Ziva, Temra, Kellyn and Petrik. Kymora happens to be Petrik’s mother and his father is the deceased king. They’re all on their way to get help from Petrik’s half brother, Prince Skiro. Soon after they arrive at their destination, they’re informed that the healer has been kidnapped by Prince Ravis, Skiro’s oldest and war hungry sibling. Petrik shows Kellyn and Ziva the portals to the siblings’ connected kingdoms. They use the portrait portal to quickly get to Ravis’ kingdom and rescue the healer by Kellyn causing a distraction. Ziva sends Petrik and the healer back to Skiro’s kingdom then she destroys the portrait and goes back for Kellyn. She’s captured along with him and forced to create magical weapons to conquer the other kingdoms. Ziva vows never to create magical weapons again after seeing what Kymora and Ravis do with them. The group moves from one conflict to another after Ziva escapes with Kellyn and goes back to Skiro’s castle. Ravis soon attacks and Skiro uses the imprisoned Kymora against the attack. She’s loose and still wants to conquer the world. Ziva has tough decisions to make involving her magical abilities, Temra, Kellyn and their future. She also works at overcoming her anxiety and undergoes tremendous character development. The suspense and action made the reading go by quickly and I like the snippets of humor woven through the duology, 5 stars!

3.5 stars

This was so much fun and really well paced, but the only reason I haven't rated it higher is because Ziva got on my nerves. The stakes are high in this book, and I love that we got to expand on the world. Great battles, solid friendships and a sweet, sweet romance.

This book proves even someone with anxiety can thrive in a fantasy novel, 4.5/5⭐️

I loved its predecessor Blade of Secrets, it was so refreshing to see myself reflected in a fantasy novel with someone who suffers from anxiety. I equally loved this book too.

In the kingdom of Ghadra, it has been split into 6 each section being controlled by a prince or princess. The politics was meh but it wasn't meant to be the main focus. A few people have magic, usually reflected in some skill such as painting, healing or metalwork. The magic was a bit simplistic but I liked the expansion of it when Ziva was experimenting with her powers. Tricia's writing has some drug in it because I am always hooked on it, my brain can just decompose from reality and be sucked away from life. It has some witty humour, such as about legs ahah, but I think my overemotional self cried way too much.

The plot follows Ziva and her crew after some pretty traumatic events in the first book and are in a race against time. The stakes are much higher and I got so invested in the angst and my goodness there was a lot. The battle scenes slapped, it was like full-on Narnia but mixed with medieval strategies such as boiling oil. I prefer its predecessor's plot as this one is more character focus than plot. There were some among us moments and great parallels and tension. Also had found family and a one-bed trope.

Ziva is the most relatable protagonist in a fantasy novel. Her anxiety is portrayed so well and mirrored mine: doesn't like cities, beats herself over mistakes, thinks only of the bad things, commitment, likes safe spaces, has panic attacks, and guilt and is not really good at social situations and eye contact. But she went on so much growth: she uses positive thinking, did public speaking, let her sister go and started instigating moments with Kellyn. She is so brave and it gave me hope. Tamra developed into her own as she becomes a real badass with hopes and aspirations outside of her sister. I absolutely adore their bond.

Kellyn ahhh: he is a family man, great with a sword, and has charm but is also sensitive. I laughed so many times at his jokes. He is the most understanding when it comes to Ziva's anxiety. He held her hand so her anxiety did not spiral, "I'm too busy obsessing over you", was kinda being a therapist, "My heart is better for having you in it". I loved how Ziva called Kellyn "mine" at some point. I kept awwwing at them and I love their compromise at the end. Petrik was hilarious in this book as he was mostly asking for forgiveness but has that fizz for Tamra "You upend me". The ending scene where they all so goodbye made me laugh and cry.

I would read Tricia Levenseller’s shopping list my god I adore her writing style and the continuation of the series was done impeccably

After enjoying the first book in this series I went into this one hoping I would love it even more.

I'm a big fan of Tricia Levenseller and it kills me to say this but I had to dnf this one. I'm so gutted, trust me this was not a decision taken lightly. I went into this one straight after finishing the first one so that I wouldn't forget anything but I just could not get into it. I put it down and two weeks later I dreaded picking it up.

I've loved everything Tricia has written so it kills me to dnf this series. It just was not for me and that's okay! Everyone should still go read this series and all of her other books!

Master of Iron is a good last book with a fitting ending to this duology. I do have to say that i liked the first one a little bit more.

The reason for that might be the fact that Petrik was my favorite character and i felt like this second book focused less on him and Temra and mostly on Ziva and Kellyn. I still enjoyed reading about them a lot and i think Zivas power is one of the coolest ones i've read about.

Another thing i really liked about this book is something that already stood out to me in the first one: the fact that Ziva has social anxiety. It felt super realistic and i could relate to her on many levels.

Overall i really like Tricia Levensellers writing style because it is mostly fast paced and keeps you on your toes and her worlds are never that hard to get into but still feel very thought out.

(3.5 stars)

2,5 stars, thanks to Netgalley for this free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

The first chapter explains the plot of the first novel, as if Tricia knew that no one would remember the happenings. I can confirm, because I didn’t. So definitely thankful for that.

The storyline of this sequel is pretty solid, and doesn’t ruin the buildup from the first. HOWEVER, everything is so underdeveloped. There are other people with magic, yet they only exist as little points for Ziva to explore herself. The politics are also underdeveloped, also affected by lack of effective worldbuilding.

However, my biggest issue is the characters. They were all pretty good, with good banter between each other. But then, reach this book and you’ll see how dense they all are.

Ziva was so annoying. And don’t even start with the “she has anxiety” because trust me, the anxiety discussions in the novel where my favourite parts (even though they weren’t as good as its predecessor either). What i mean when I say she’s annoying, i mean her stupid actions towards Kellyn. Poor guy, what’s he supposed to do, read her mind? We’ve been over it all in the first book, yet she couldn’t speak to him, and say she feels guilty? Also, does she have no common sense to know she likes him? The internal conflict of hers could be that she likes him, not IF. What is this, she has the emotional maturity of a child? No, that’s an insult to children. They know a lot more about and can put their emotions into words.

Same for Temra. Her talks about adventure were a staple of wattpad characterisation and writing. Ok Temra. You’re the coolest girl around, because you’re so unlike those other bitches.

Though, I have to thank Tricia for the consent talks. As this book is more targeted for younger teens, it is so extremely well done of her to spell it all out. Especially for teen girls, I think we’re taught to take it all in, and never say no. And overall, the plot would be appreciated more by younger people (~14).

I loved the characters in the first book and it left it on such a cliffhanger that I just had to read the second as soon as I could. It was really enjoyable but I found that I liked the first book better and felt the second was maybe a little bit out of pace in places with times of really slow moments and then the action is over in a matter of pages. The characters evolved more and I was happy with the ending.

In Master of Iron, Tricia Levenseller delivers an action-packed conclusion to the Bladesmith duology. The plot picks up where Blade of Secrets left off, with Ziva, the bladesmith, Kellyn, the mercenary, and Petrik, the scholar, racing against the clock to reach the capital.

The elements I loved about the first book were developed further: Ziva’s craft as a smith, her understanding of how her magic works, the way she deals with her social anxiety, her relationship with Kellyn. Ziva is a unique protagonist, and I loved seeing her grow while remaining completely unique.

I also need to quickly rave about the absolutely stunning cover art for the Pushkin editions of Levenseller’s books – the coherent look Micaela Alcaino has given these novels is simply beautiful!

I liked this one slightly less than the first one, but it still was a good continuation and clean ending of this duology.

I missed the main four characters travelling together, their adventures and camaraderie. The second book focused exclusively on Ziva and Kellyn, and their love story takes a significant part of the plot and I wasn’t so invested in them. I wanted to hear more about Petrik and Temra, and I actually thought it would have been great to have another POV. I wanted to see how Petrik and Temra's relationship develops but from their perspective, not from Ziva's.

Still, Master of Iron offers a realistic representation of people with anxiety disorders and I related a lot with Ziva and her overthinking every situation. For Ziva only, I’m so thankful to the writer. This is still the best feature of this story, together with the brilliant writing by Tricia Levenseller. She is so good, her plotting is always flawless and her stories are always entertaining and easy to read.

I discovered it was the second it a series after I started it so I assume I could have lost something even if I enjoyed it.
Good world building, interesting characters, a gripping plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Ohhh.Emmm.Geee! WHAT a conclusion! I was so so invested in this! I truly LOVE Tricia's writing and it did not disappoint. I think I loved this more than the first one! I think when you find yourself dreaming of being a Bladesmith she has definitely done her job as a storyteller!

I only wish I could read it for the first time again. I loved the characters and her writing of our villain was just perfect! I didn't hate her... I loved her for what she was!

It was an easy fast-paced read! Enough gore, enough creativity and absolutely enough creativity to captivate the reader!

Thank you for my eARC.
Levenseller is quickly becoming a favourite author of mine. I loved this book and have really enjoyed my time with this series and these characters

I loved it! I had been waiting for this book for what felt like forever after the first book and it did not disappoint! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this title!

I remember literally nothing from the first book, which makes enjoying the sequel very difficult. Love the anxiety rep, though. Read via audio (narrated by Emily Ellet).

Disclaimer: While I read an audiobook copy that I borrowed from the library, I initially received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I didn't get the time to read this book before it got archived. I received permission to read it two weeks ago and wanted to start in it half august, but it got archived.

Tricia Levenseller is one of my favourite fantasy writers, and she has once again written a book that made me happy while reading it. While I enjoyed Blade of Secrets, it didn’t manage to quite reach my expectations. But luckily Master of Iron, it’s sequel, takes everything I loved with the first book and just did everything better! One of the main things that made this book so much enjoyable was the fact that the story wasn’t as repetitive as the first book. Here instead of being sort of in a loop of basically the same event, there is a linear progressive story. The characters also get more space to shine in this book, which made me very happy as the characters truly are what makes these books so wonderful. Especially the main character Ziva, as it’s nice to see a character with social anxiety going on an adventure and being bad-ass without having to change who she is. I could go on forever about this book, but I don’t want to spoil everything. But it’s just a fun read that I had a great time with!

**Actual rating is 4.5 stars**

This is a brilliant ending to the duology, and Ziva is such a special character. Having a protagonist who is neurodivergent and living with crippling anxiety is a bold choice for an action packed fantasy, and in this book Ziva’s emotional arc pays off big time. The romance is handled beautifully, and the final battle is breathlessly exciting. A fast-paced, satisfying read.

Master of Iron
Bladesmith #2
Fantasy
Tricia Levenseller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tricia Levenseller has done it again! I absolutely love her style of writing and after reading Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1) I had to add her to my auto-buy authors list 😂.

This picks up almost immediately after the first book and instantly puts you on edge with the threat of death, danger around every corner and the race against time.

Ziva still has her issues and battles with her anxiety daily but it's great to see her slowly improving and growing. I really liked the encouragement Kellyn gave her and their relationship.

The world building is great, we get to explore even more places and their leaders and I found the pacing just right - it only took me a few hours to finish it. The new characters are nicely developed too.

I wish the ending was slightly different but the way it finishes means it's a HEA and concludes the duology smoothly.

I'll always recommend Tricia Levenseller and her books!


*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I feel so seen by this duology. I absolutely love the anxiety rep in this story. Not all heroes have to be brave, adventurous and unafraid. Some might be just fine in their comfort zone.

And then there's Tricia Levenseller's writing. I don't know how she does it, but every time I pick up one of her books I find myself having read 100 pages without even realising. They are so easy to read, I'm sure her writing is the cure to any and all reading slumps.