A Prologue of Deception is the first book in the Talisman series by J.D. Dresner. Nina Kevlar is a young swordswoman-for-hire haunted by her birth, her mother’s death, and her father’s fame. Her ambition to become her own person by participating in the gladiatorial Common Games is unexpectedly fulfilled when she is chosen to represent The Sandblade Guild. Her training in the Guild’s magical home in a rough section of the city perfects her skills in preparation for the combat arena. But nothing has prepared her for the magic and the monsters she will find there. At the Games, she is given the name of her mother’s killer by a mysterious stranger. In the halfling Doekkar, she finds an ally she can trust, but there are also many whose motivations and actions are suspect.

Fantasy fans have a new heroine to cheer for and a new world to explore. With an original, fast-paced plot, A Prologue of Deception will keep readers breathlessly glued to the page, following Nina’s adventures. The characters, the magic, and the vivid world-building showcase J.D. Dresner’s skills as a writer and storyteller. Nina is a complex and likable character, the underdog who still has the empathy and curiosity to seek out the truth. The discovery that her personal story is entwined with greater events of the age also opens a door to the richly imagined world of Corwyn. The feasting and drinking, essential elements in fantasy tales, are not neglected either. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book as Nina embarks on a new quest. Highly recommended.

A Prologue of Deception by J.D. Dresner is a compelling fantasy novel with gladiators, magicians, and monsters. Nina Kevlar is a swordswoman who dreams of becoming a gladiator, and when Savant Krell of the Sandblade Guild offers her a spot in the Common Games, she takes it. With the guild's backing, she enters the arena where she has to fight against all manner of dangerous creatures. There she also befriends Doekkar Dâyne, a half-dwarf and fellow fighter. Just as she adjusts to her life as a gladiator, however, she starts to realize that the games and the guild she's representing have secrets that she never dreamed of.

One of the things I liked was the setting of Parriün City itself, in particular Rogue Corner with its ruffians and the Sandblade Guild, with its magic, assassins, and secrets. I found Nina to be a tragic character, with the constant comparison to her father, the great gladiator, taking its toll. She's full of frustration and resentment, and that's what drives her to prove herself. Doekkar was my favorite of the lot, a very likable half-dwarf with a warm personality and a real protective streak toward Nina. Krell was also a character I really liked. He was the guild's vice-master, a very good swordsman, and he became Nina's mentor. The pace is fairly even at the start, but the arena fights soon ramp up the action, and I was looking forward to seeing how Nina would do. If you like fantasy with gladiatorial combat, a determined heroine, and intrigue off the field, then I definitely recommend A Prologue of Deception by J.D. Dresner.