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Heromaker #2
Warrior of Legend
Win a free print copy of this book!
1 day and 17:07:30
5 copies available
U.S. only
Reed is officially a member of the immortal order of the Aristene. She even has a new name: Machianthe. It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of—so why isn’t she happy?
Maybe it’s because every hero she helps can only find glory at the cost of their life. Or maybe it’s because she can’t stop thinking about the prince she left behind.
Now Reed looks for any opportunity to help with low-risk hero’s trials. And a princess looking for a glorious marriage? Nothing could be less dangerous. But Hestion is one of the suitors, and while Reed is occupied trying to win him back, an old danger is gaining strength.
To battle the growing threat, the Aristene must band together, but the order has never been more divided. Will Reed be able to survive this war with her chosen family and her heart intact?
Maybe it’s because every hero she helps can only find glory at the cost of their life. Or maybe it’s because she can’t stop thinking about the prince she left behind.
Now Reed looks for any opportunity to help with low-risk hero’s trials. And a princess looking for a glorious marriage? Nothing could be less dangerous. But Hestion is one of the suitors, and while Reed is occupied trying to win him back, an old danger is gaining strength.
To battle the growing threat, the Aristene must band together, but the order has never been more divided. Will Reed be able to survive this war with her chosen family and her heart intact?
512 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 29, 2024
About the author
Kendare Blake
37 books55.3k followersSo, I write books. The Anna Dressed in Blood duo is horror, The Goddess War trilogy is mythology, and Three Dark Crowns is fantasy, because the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, may not be right for some. Love to read, too. Fiction, philosophy, good books, bad books, because you take the good you take the bad you take them both and there you have a stack of books and stuff. I mean, you've got to be adventurous. There's more to life that what you're living, so take a chance and face the wind.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 15, 2024
What a beautiful masterpiece of a book...
Warrior of Legend did not leave me feeling disappointed, actually I think it was better than the first book!
The characters developed so much in this book from the very start to the end and I loved seeing all the povs in this. Gosh, it felt like the plot took you on a rollercoaster ride (and an emotional one at that)!
So many plot twists I couldn't see coming and some almost had me in tears. The writing in this book was quite different from the first, definitely more mature which was a nice surprise!
I had a feeling this book would hurt and...yep, yep it did. I can say I definitely stared at a wall in fits of rage, although that cliffhanger was wonderfully done and I can't wait for the third book!
*𝘓𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴/𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤*
~4.5
Warrior of Legend did not leave me feeling disappointed, actually I think it was better than the first book!
The characters developed so much in this book from the very start to the end and I loved seeing all the povs in this. Gosh, it felt like the plot took you on a rollercoaster ride (and an emotional one at that)!
So many plot twists I couldn't see coming and some almost had me in tears. The writing in this book was quite different from the first, definitely more mature which was a nice surprise!
I had a feeling this book would hurt and...yep, yep it did. I can say I definitely stared at a wall in fits of rage, although that cliffhanger was wonderfully done and I can't wait for the third book!
*𝘓𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴/𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤*
~4.5
Want to read
January 2, 2024I was so infatuated with the first book- I cannot wait for the second one!!!!
August 11, 2024
Of course this sequel would end up destroying me. But I loved it with all of my heart. Five stars for this most wonderful book. But, yes, there were several parts that truly hurt my heart deeply. Yet this book was filled with everything that I wanted. And I loved it so very much. But yes. That ending is truly the meanest. Hmph.
I'm going to try my best not to share spoilers about this book. It will be hard, haha. As all I want is to talk about the romance and the ending and the hurt and ahh. But I shall control myself. And mention just parts of it all, ha. But oh, this book really made me feel everything. All the hurt. But all the joy as well. I loved it lots.
There is much to say about this one. I'm going to share a bunch, yet not nearly enough. As this book was long. And so fantastic. I truly loved it from beginning to end. Despite that ending. Hmph. It takes place one year after book one ended. Reed has already had three more heroes, leading them to Glorious Deaths. She is moving a bit too fast, trying to escape her broken heart. I loved how we also got to see Hestion and his broken heart, how he's not been doing well for the past year. I loved that, ha. There is so much happening in the beginning of the book. I shall not share it. But I loved how Reed and Lyonene switched heroes, in a way. With Reed taking her hero, to be a matchmaker, so Lyonene could be elsewhere. Everything went wrong. And I loved it, ha.
Because as Reed travels to this new place to play matchmaker for a princess, she learns her first suitor will be Hestion. Yeah. Drama will happen. And I loved it. I loved when they finally met after a year apart. Even though it hurt. Ouch. But I also just loved this whole world. I loved the magic of the Aristene. I loved how Reed got the princess to like her, how she liked her as well. I liked reading about all the daily things. How everything had meaning, how everything then went wrong. Everything about this book was amazing.
There was so much going on in this book. We see a little more of Sar, and oh, how I loved that funny and sweet boy. I want to see more of him, though. Especially after how everything ended, how he will have his heart broken, several times. I want to see it. Hmph. We also got to know the princess Yngarue so much. I was conflicted about her. But I grew to love her, somewhat. Her little brother was the cutest, though, and I do not want him to die from illness. How rude. But yes. I so loved reading about this different royal family.
We get to see more of the villain from book one, the bones of the prophet. We get to see more monsters. And oh, I loved it so much. It was truly horrible at times, all that happened. Yet it was fully interesting and exciting and I loved the plot twists. A small peek at the boy king from book one, whom I still adore. There is another war going on as well. I loved it all. It was thrilling to read about. I loved seeing the Aristenes at war and their horses too. The best warriors. Honestly just loved the entire plot in this book the very most.
The romance in this sequel was all kinds of wonderful. Well. At first it was all kinds of horrible, ha. Hestion still blames Reed for his brother dying. How she chose to have his brother die, to save Hestion. I am still mad at him not understanding it. But I loved this boy too much. Sigh. We get to see much more of him in this. Several points of views too, which I loved. I am still mad at him for sleeping around so much. Hmph. But he loves Reed. Despite the pain. Despite him taking a long time to show it. And oh, loved it so much.
They do have their troubles in this book. There were a few jealousy scenes that I did not like that much. But it was not too bad and it did not last, thankfully. They should stop being stubborn and just show how much they actually love each other. I will say that I very much loved the romance in this book. But I wish some scenes had been a little more detailed, ha. But it was also perfect. And I loved that it was there. I loved how Hestion changed, how he cared more for Reed. How he would do anything for her. How rude.
I cannot help but talk a little about Lyonene. She has spent the past year still with her first hero, Alsander. She should have left him right after the war. But she did not. And I did not fully get it, as I did not think she loved him. But I think she grew to love him more. Though I didn't truly like Alsander at all. Hmph. Lyonene deserved so much better. But oh. This girl. She made all the mistakes in this book. And it hurt my heart so much. She should have been smarter. She ruined too much. Sobs. Yet still loved her like crazy, of course.
We see so much of the other Aristene too. At first I hated Mol a little. But I grew to like her. We see more of Aster and Veridian together. I love Aster. A little unsure about Veridian, as she was a little crazy. But I adored her too. We see more of the elders, Ferreh and Tiern. I do not like them. Especially not after what happened near the end. Yeah. They are the rudest. Yet I loved reading about them. And oh. The horses. The Areions. I loved them so. Silco most. Loved when he tried to be sneaky in the barn. Made me laugh.
There was also Aethiel. The large warrior with the biggest heart. The one who used to be a queen. I must admit that I did not get it when I read Champion of Fate, ha. I was searching for what connected this story to Three Dark Crowns, to Fennbirn. It was Aethiel. It was made much clearer in this book. And oh, how I loved that. I loved learning about her past. I loved getting to know her more. Aethiel was the best. Always fun to read about. I loved how these books were connected in small ways. I want them to connect more.
Biggest thank you to the publisher, Quill Tree Books, for the auto approval on Edelweiss. I am so beyond thrilled that I was able to read this one early. I couldn't resist it when I saw it and had to read it right away. I'm so happy that I re-read Champion of Fate first, as I loved having all the details fresh in my mind. This truly was such an incredible duology. But oh, how badly I want there to be another book. It's all set up for one more. The publisher need to get it. I need it the most. So, please. Read this perfect duology of books.
Warrior of Legend was everything I wanted from the sequel to Champion of Fate. It was truly perfect. And I loved every moment. Well, probably. My heart was broken a bit too many times, ha. But gosh, this book was thrilling and exciting. I was nervous so many times, wondering what would happen. The relationship between all of the Aristene was the most beautiful. I loved how Reed and Lyonene loved each other like sisters. I loved the romance, despite how it broke me at times. But yes. This book is worth all of the pain.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2024...
I'm going to try my best not to share spoilers about this book. It will be hard, haha. As all I want is to talk about the romance and the ending and the hurt and ahh. But I shall control myself. And mention just parts of it all, ha. But oh, this book really made me feel everything. All the hurt. But all the joy as well. I loved it lots.
There is much to say about this one. I'm going to share a bunch, yet not nearly enough. As this book was long. And so fantastic. I truly loved it from beginning to end. Despite that ending. Hmph. It takes place one year after book one ended. Reed has already had three more heroes, leading them to Glorious Deaths. She is moving a bit too fast, trying to escape her broken heart. I loved how we also got to see Hestion and his broken heart, how he's not been doing well for the past year. I loved that, ha. There is so much happening in the beginning of the book. I shall not share it. But I loved how Reed and Lyonene switched heroes, in a way. With Reed taking her hero, to be a matchmaker, so Lyonene could be elsewhere. Everything went wrong. And I loved it, ha.
Because as Reed travels to this new place to play matchmaker for a princess, she learns her first suitor will be Hestion. Yeah. Drama will happen. And I loved it. I loved when they finally met after a year apart. Even though it hurt. Ouch. But I also just loved this whole world. I loved the magic of the Aristene. I loved how Reed got the princess to like her, how she liked her as well. I liked reading about all the daily things. How everything had meaning, how everything then went wrong. Everything about this book was amazing.
There was so much going on in this book. We see a little more of Sar, and oh, how I loved that funny and sweet boy. I want to see more of him, though. Especially after how everything ended, how he will have his heart broken, several times. I want to see it. Hmph. We also got to know the princess Yngarue so much. I was conflicted about her. But I grew to love her, somewhat. Her little brother was the cutest, though, and I do not want him to die from illness. How rude. But yes. I so loved reading about this different royal family.
We get to see more of the villain from book one, the bones of the prophet. We get to see more monsters. And oh, I loved it so much. It was truly horrible at times, all that happened. Yet it was fully interesting and exciting and I loved the plot twists. A small peek at the boy king from book one, whom I still adore. There is another war going on as well. I loved it all. It was thrilling to read about. I loved seeing the Aristenes at war and their horses too. The best warriors. Honestly just loved the entire plot in this book the very most.
The romance in this sequel was all kinds of wonderful. Well. At first it was all kinds of horrible, ha. Hestion still blames Reed for his brother dying. How she chose to have his brother die, to save Hestion. I am still mad at him not understanding it. But I loved this boy too much. Sigh. We get to see much more of him in this. Several points of views too, which I loved. I am still mad at him for sleeping around so much. Hmph. But he loves Reed. Despite the pain. Despite him taking a long time to show it. And oh, loved it so much.
They do have their troubles in this book. There were a few jealousy scenes that I did not like that much. But it was not too bad and it did not last, thankfully. They should stop being stubborn and just show how much they actually love each other. I will say that I very much loved the romance in this book. But I wish some scenes had been a little more detailed, ha. But it was also perfect. And I loved that it was there. I loved how Hestion changed, how he cared more for Reed. How he would do anything for her. How rude.
I cannot help but talk a little about Lyonene. She has spent the past year still with her first hero, Alsander. She should have left him right after the war. But she did not. And I did not fully get it, as I did not think she loved him. But I think she grew to love him more. Though I didn't truly like Alsander at all. Hmph. Lyonene deserved so much better. But oh. This girl. She made all the mistakes in this book. And it hurt my heart so much. She should have been smarter. She ruined too much. Sobs. Yet still loved her like crazy, of course.
We see so much of the other Aristene too. At first I hated Mol a little. But I grew to like her. We see more of Aster and Veridian together. I love Aster. A little unsure about Veridian, as she was a little crazy. But I adored her too. We see more of the elders, Ferreh and Tiern. I do not like them. Especially not after what happened near the end. Yeah. They are the rudest. Yet I loved reading about them. And oh. The horses. The Areions. I loved them so. Silco most. Loved when he tried to be sneaky in the barn. Made me laugh.
There was also Aethiel. The large warrior with the biggest heart. The one who used to be a queen. I must admit that I did not get it when I read Champion of Fate, ha. I was searching for what connected this story to Three Dark Crowns, to Fennbirn. It was Aethiel. It was made much clearer in this book. And oh, how I loved that. I loved learning about her past. I loved getting to know her more. Aethiel was the best. Always fun to read about. I loved how these books were connected in small ways. I want them to connect more.
Biggest thank you to the publisher, Quill Tree Books, for the auto approval on Edelweiss. I am so beyond thrilled that I was able to read this one early. I couldn't resist it when I saw it and had to read it right away. I'm so happy that I re-read Champion of Fate first, as I loved having all the details fresh in my mind. This truly was such an incredible duology. But oh, how badly I want there to be another book. It's all set up for one more. The publisher need to get it. I need it the most. So, please. Read this perfect duology of books.
Warrior of Legend was everything I wanted from the sequel to Champion of Fate. It was truly perfect. And I loved every moment. Well, probably. My heart was broken a bit too many times, ha. But gosh, this book was thrilling and exciting. I was nervous so many times, wondering what would happen. The relationship between all of the Aristene was the most beautiful. I loved how Reed and Lyonene loved each other like sisters. I loved the romance, despite how it broke me at times. But yes. This book is worth all of the pain.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2024...
August 21, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC
My immediate thought after finishing this book was I want more. Seeing more of the Aristene, the intense journey Reed and Lyonene wet through was all so well done and I am just not ready to leave this world. The book was still satisfying and it does feel like a complete duology, this is clearly the end of this part of their journey, so don't take this as things feel incomplete. I just really love all these characters so much and its such a rich world that I want more. Mild spoiler here, the ending does leave open that possibility too, but without feeling incomplete. That said lets go back to how amazing these characters are, I really enjoyed seeing more of the Aristene and more of just how their society works. I appreciated the new characters and how they affected the dynamics between our returning heros. The magic system is fascinating and I think it was used so well throughout the book too. The plot was well done, I liked the pacing and was struggling so much with not wanting to put the book down but also not wanting the book to be over as I approached the end. All around an excellent book. Kendare Blake is a masterful storyteller and I'm now craving a Three Dark Crowns reread to make sure i didn't miss any other connections.
My immediate thought after finishing this book was I want more. Seeing more of the Aristene, the intense journey Reed and Lyonene wet through was all so well done and I am just not ready to leave this world. The book was still satisfying and it does feel like a complete duology, this is clearly the end of this part of their journey, so don't take this as things feel incomplete. I just really love all these characters so much and its such a rich world that I want more. Mild spoiler here, the ending does leave open that possibility too, but without feeling incomplete. That said lets go back to how amazing these characters are, I really enjoyed seeing more of the Aristene and more of just how their society works. I appreciated the new characters and how they affected the dynamics between our returning heros. The magic system is fascinating and I think it was used so well throughout the book too. The plot was well done, I liked the pacing and was struggling so much with not wanting to put the book down but also not wanting the book to be over as I approached the end. All around an excellent book. Kendare Blake is a masterful storyteller and I'm now craving a Three Dark Crowns reread to make sure i didn't miss any other connections.
September 12, 2024
I forced myself to read this one slowly because I knew I'd be sad once it was over!
This story has it all. Amazing world building, characters that you'll both love and hate, and twists and turns that will keep you coming back for more.
Kendare Blake does a masterful job creating the Aristene world, winding each location into the plot and giving enough backstory to keep the story moving and interesting. The characters are both magical and real. Not only is Reed our FMC but she's a flawed one at that. And the supporting characters were some of my favorites, Hestion (so dedicated), Aster (loved her mother like personality), Veridian (the rebel we all love), Aethiel (a boss ex-queen). I even loved the acknowledgments for this one - peek Three Dark Crowns.
The story is heartbreaking and will leave you screaming WHY?! But that makes it all the more entertaining!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Harper Collin's Children's Books/Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
This story has it all. Amazing world building, characters that you'll both love and hate, and twists and turns that will keep you coming back for more.
Kendare Blake does a masterful job creating the Aristene world, winding each location into the plot and giving enough backstory to keep the story moving and interesting. The characters are both magical and real. Not only is Reed our FMC but she's a flawed one at that. And the supporting characters were some of my favorites, Hestion (so dedicated), Aster (loved her mother like personality), Veridian (the rebel we all love), Aethiel (a boss ex-queen). I even loved the acknowledgments for this one - peek Three Dark Crowns.
The story is heartbreaking and will leave you screaming WHY?! But that makes it all the more entertaining!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Harper Collin's Children's Books/Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
August 7, 2024
First, thank you to Harper Collins Publishers for allowing me to read the ARC of Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake.
After reading the Champion of Fate, the first book in the Heromaker series, I was hooked on the story of the world of the Aristene’s. Warrior of Legend did not disappoint. Reed is a fierce FMC and continues to amaze me. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was another twist that left me speechless. And what a cliffhanger of an ending. I can not wait to read the third book in the Heromaker series and see what Kendare Blake has in store for Reed and everyone else in her world.
After reading the Champion of Fate, the first book in the Heromaker series, I was hooked on the story of the world of the Aristene’s. Warrior of Legend did not disappoint. Reed is a fierce FMC and continues to amaze me. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was another twist that left me speechless. And what a cliffhanger of an ending. I can not wait to read the third book in the Heromaker series and see what Kendare Blake has in store for Reed and everyone else in her world.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews