Of Daggers and Deception by A.L. Sowards

Of Daggers and Deception
by A.L. Sowards

ISBN-13: 9781524420543
Paperback
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: December 6, 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After years as a soldier and mercenary, Rasheed has retired from battle to run the bathhouse in Thebes with his friends Gillen and Eudocia. The simple life suits them, so when Venetian strangers come to town looking to hire the renowned crew, their answer is no. But when one of his friends is abducted, Rasheed is left with no choice but to take up his weapons and join forces with the Venetians, including the beautiful and clever Cecilia, whose betrothed has also been seized by the unknown foe.

As the reluctant allies face ambushes and the looming threat of capture, Rasheed and Cecilia forge a surprising connection. But as the party races to rescue their friends, Rasheed discovers that nothing is as it seems. As his trust in Cecilia begins to waver, he realizes that in the end, they will both be forced to make a choice between love and duty.


My Review:
Of Daggers and Deception is a romance and adventure set in 1390 in Greece. It's the second book in the series, but it works as a stand alone. The characters were well-developed, complex, interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story, creating a distinct sense of time and place. While based on true events, many details of specific battles are unknown and the author filled this in with events involving our fictional heroes. The adventure involved many suspenseful battle and escape scenes.

Rasheed admired Cecilia's intelligence, resourcefulness, and beauty, but she's already betrothed. Cecilia wanted to be valued for herself, not just as a pawn in a political marriage, so she's tempted by the respect and care shown by Rasheed. Then he learned about her talent that made her a valuable resource that her family wasn't about to let go of even for a love match. Both believed that God had a plan and purpose for their lives even when it wasn't clear to them. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting, enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.