The King's Sword

The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga

Fiction - Historical - Personage
418 Pages
Reviewed on 09/06/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The King’s Sword: The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers is a delightful journey back to 15th-century Europe, where small kingdoms and principalities were the way of the European continent. Matthias is a soldier, pure and simple, after having first been sold to the crown and then pledging himself in service to King Girault of Ewigsburg. After one particularly harrowing battle, in which his prince was killed, Matthias is tasked with a mission for his king; to travel to the far Kingdom of Leuceria and to plight the king’s troth to the beautiful princess Avelina. Avelina has lived a life of prestige and honor, as the rightful heir of the Leucerian throne since the death of her father and mother, so many years earlier. The Regent Niro, who has effectively ruled Leuceria since her parents' death at his hands, has no intention of giving up the throne to the young princess. The simplest solution for Niro is to get rid of Avelina, be it through death or a foreign marriage. Matthias finds himself riding into a hotbed of intrigue and political backstabbing as he seeks to fulfill his quest; a quest that includes a dangerous and hazardous journey through the mountains back to Ewigsburg and safety, all the while pursued by Niro’s vengeful and vicious son’s men, hell-bent on killing Matthias, the princess and Matthias’ band of soldierly brothers.

I am an immense fan of medieval historical literature and The King’s Sword fits this bill for me as a reader spectacularly. Author Rebekah Simmers has created a tale redolent of the very best of knightly stories of honor, political intrigue, romance, and love. The author’s vibrant and rich descriptive prose brings the environment of medieval Europe to life. Matthias and Avelina’s journey through the mountains is beautifully crafted and one can picture the towering peaks, waterfalls, and hidden dangers as the pair make their way back to Ewigsburg. The two principal characters are wonderfully supported by a cast that is easily identifiable and relatable. What I particularly loved was the author’s ability to use her characters to ask and question some of the big issues of life; self-determination, purpose, the nature and power of love, the importance of doing what is right rather than what is expedient, and perhaps most importantly, being true to oneself. The balance the author achieves between the action of the story and the development of the characters, their emotions, their dreams, their deep-rooted fears, and their self-doubts is remarkable. At no time does one want to take a break from this story; it keeps dragging you forward relentlessly to its ultimate conclusion. I can highly recommend this book and look forward to more tales of Avelina, Matthias, and Metzlingen as this story is just the first in a planned series.

Teresa Syms

The King’s Sword, The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga, is a historical fiction novel written by Rebekah Simmers. The book tells the tale of Matthias, The King’s Sword. Matthias is fresh off a bloody battlefield and, without time to rest, he is being sent on another quest for his king. He is to negotiate with General Niro for the hand of Princess Avelina of Leuceria. She is to be the future Queen. After Niro murdered her parents many years earlier, he has treated Avelina as a pawn. However, Avelina sees this bridal negotiation as a means to escape her captors. Once Matthias secures Avelina, they make their escape through the mountains toward his home country. Every step of their journey is filled with adventure, rugged terrain, and the every-constant threat from Niro’s son, Marcus. Marcus wants Avelina dead, and he won’t be satisfied until he is King of Leuceria. Nothing can stop Matthias and Avelina. Not even being trapped inside a mountain during a landslide. Their real test, however, is remaining true to their oaths, despite the fact of their growing love for one another. Matthias is loyal to his king and does his best to deny his feelings. Will they make it back to King Girault in time for the marriage, or at all?


Rebekah Simmers' book, The King’s Sword, is a well-written, action-packed book filled with battles, intrigue, politics, and romance during a time of the German Renaissance. It is a well-written, descriptive book giving excellent details of the 1479 time period, court life and politics, as well as the early Germanic culture. Simmers’ exceptional character development, descriptive accounts of castle life, tournaments, and life for non-royals sets the stage for this story to unfold. Matthias, a gentle giant of a man who is determined to keep his word to his King, his men, and Avelina, may lose the battle for his heart. Avelina, an exotic young princess who wants nothing more than her freedom, learns to trust Matthias and in the end, must give him up and close off her heart to love. Or does she? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. A fantastic, suspenseful book that will leave the reader waiting for the next book in the saga.

Susan Sewell

In The King's Sword: The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers, Matthias and his brothers are sold as young men to serve as soldiers to Prince Siegfried, nephew of the king of Ewigsburg. When Prince Siegfried dies in battle, Matthias bargains with the king for his and his brother's liberation. In return for their release, Matthias must travel across the mountains to the seaside kingdom of Leuceria to negotiate with the reigning General for the princess, Avelina. However, the General's son Marcus has no intention of letting Avelina live. Matthias flees with Avelina in the night and knows Marcus is not far behind. He sends the horses ahead with his brother. In the meantime, Matthias and Avelina cross the mountains on foot. While battling the elements and their growing attraction for each other, Matthias struggles with his conscience. What will happen when they arrive at Ewigsburg? Will Matthias forfeit his future to win Avelina from the king?

The stunning novel, The King's Sword by Rebekah Simmers, is a picturesque portrayal of kingdoms in medieval Europe. During the long and arduous journey to protect his king's betrothed, a soldier falls in love with his charge thus jeopardizing his freedom in the historical romance. Superbly written, Rebekah Simmers created an authentic story world that brilliantly represents the era. With breathtaking imagery, the story depicts landscapes in and around present-day Germany. Taking place during the Renaissance era, the story captures and ingeniously portrays the medieval atmosphere perfectly. Exciting and dramatic, this enthralling novel will charm everyone who has a penchant for historical tales with a romantic theme.

Tom Gauthier

The King’s Sword is a work of historical fiction by Rebekah Simmers. Set in the shadows of the Alps, this tale of Renaissance Germany has all the elements of a luscious blend of romanticism, chivalry, and epic heroes. It’s the late 15th century, and Matthias, a nondescript common soldier, is thrust into a world far above his station. In The King’s Sword, Rebekah Simmers sends us spinning into a world that once was. A world of fallen princes and quests to save fair maidens. Matthias has this role, and the saving of the beleaguered Princess Avelina is his quest. A quest not for himself but for his king. He carries his sword in the king’s name and has given his word that he will overcome all obstacles. From Avelina’s viewpoint, the arrival of a mysterious soldier shines a bright light of hope on her in the depth of darkness. Together they embark on a journey filled with the promise of forever changing their plights.

Rebekah Simmers has created a tale of classic chivalry and romance in The King’s Sword that is keenly reminiscent of the Victorian-era authors. Simmers’s style echoes that great age of the English novel with its characteristic realism. Stories that are thickly plotted, crowded with characters, and long. She has researched well, blending history with the tales of old to reclaim the past in classic Victorian literature and the medieval literature of England – set in Germany. The Victorians loved the heroic, chivalrous stories of knights of old, and so do we as hope springs eternal to regain some of the noble, courtly behavior that The King’s Sword reminds us of. While reading Simmers’s tale, I also detected hints of the themes of the chansons de geste that take us deeper into the complexities of those medieval relationships. A well-researched and compelling story.

Rabia Tanveer

The King's Sword is the first novel in the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers. One miss-step and Prince Siegfried is dead. Matthias is horrified but there is nothing he can do but bring the body back to the king and explain. As just a foot soldier, Matthias is not expecting to get a lot of attention from the king. However, his act of loyalty brings him to the king's attention. The king entrusts a huge task to Matthias; bring a foreign princess to the king so he can marry her. Princess Avelina is nothing more than a political pawn, ready to be handed over to the person who will bring the most profit. However, when Matthias arrives, Avelina thinks she finally has a chance to get out of her horrible life. Neither Avelina nor Matthias is ready for what fate has in store for them

This is one of the top 10 historical fiction novels that I have read in my life. Divided into five parts, the story is filled with action, adventure, and a lot of hope that readers will enjoy. I loved the concept of found family and how the author introduces this concept to readers. Matthias is not unsure of himself, but he knows he needs to prove himself to the king and the prince. However, Avelina shakes his resolve and makes him take risks. Avelina is such an inspiration, to be honest. Her circumstances are no good and she knows that. She sees an opportunity to change her future and she takes it. The dialogues are rich, the descriptions are realistic, and the plot thickens at the right pace to entice readers. Absolutely amazing, fantastic, and entertaining, and I cannot wait for the next novel in the series.