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Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Anna Augustine’s By Blood and Blade is a story of building trust between two people who have never known genuine love. They have forced Ameer Dhamar to find a wife to produce an heir. When he sees Inara’s refusal to avoid eye contact, he buys her and insists on an immediate ceremony. That evening, Dhamar learns with horror that his father has ordered a priest to witness the consummation of the wedding. Inara is stunned when Dhamar refuses to force her to have sex. He covers them and fakes the ordeal. When they arrive at the palace, the council and Malek Nadar summon Dhamar and Inara. Nadar informs his son that he will be leading a war immediately after the festival. How is Dhamar going to convince Inara to love him in four days?
Anna Augustine's unique approach to romance was intriguing. She includes a glossary of terms that makes it easy to understand the meanings of Talethan terms like Malek and Ameer. Their alternating views allowed me to connect with Dhamar and Inara as their aspirations and insecurities were unveiled. Dhamar’s kindness and desire to make Inara happy were admirable. The council and his father were points of suspense, and the tension was palpable. The transitions between perspectives were easy to follow. I liked the engaging dialogue between Inara and Dhamar. The idea of Inara asking a question, then switching to Dhamar asking a question, revealed their genuine personalities. The vivid details of the people and their surroundings were easy to envision. I wasn’t ready for the story to end, as every page was captivating. By Blood and Blade is a slow-burn romance built on two people learning to trust each other.
