Sasha
Sasha turns her back on her regal heritage, forsakes the life she could have as the princess in a rich kingdom, and trains instead to be a powerful warrior, fighting for the good of the people her father commands.
Sasha is a princess, the like of which the highland country of Lenayin has never seen before. Spurning her royal heritage to be raised by the great warrior, Kessligh, her exquisite swordplay astonishes all who witness it.
But Sasha is still young, untested in battle and often led by her rash temper. In the complex world of Lenayin loyalties, her defiant wilfulness is attracting the wrong kind of attention.
Lenayin is a land almost divided by its two faiths: the Verenthane of the ruling classes and the pagan Goeren-yai, amongst whom Sasha now lives. The Goeren-yai worship swordplay and honour and begin to see Sasha as the great spirit - the Synnich - who will unite them. But Sasha is still searching for what she believes and must choose her side carefully.
When the Udalyn people - the symbol of Goeren-yai pride and courage - are attacked, Sasha will face her moment of testing. How will she act? Is she ready to lead? Can she be the saviour they need her to be?
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Joel Shepherd
Joel Shepherd is an Australian author whose imagination bridges the vast expanse of science fiction and the intricate depth of fantasy. Born in Adelaide in 1974 and raised in Perth, he discovered an early fascination with storytelling through science fiction films and speculative tales that stretched beyond everyday life. This curiosity eventually led him to study film and television arts at Curtin University, a foundation that shaped his cinematic approach to narrative and world-building.
A Trial of Blood and Steel
A Trial of Blood and Steel consists of four books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
