A Kiss of Glass

Hands of the Order

By: J.D. Brubaker

Narrated by: Rylee Kuberra

At eight years old, Nasya Ember was sold into a mysterious organization called The Order. She and several other girls were taken and trained by a group of women known as The Mothers. Training was extreme. The Mothers were ruthless. The girls who graduated from training were lethal. And for Nasya, training did more than prepare her to become a Hand of The Order. Each step forward in training awakened new things from inside of her, things neither she nor The Mothers can completely explain. Her search for answers runs parallel to her life within The Order. Will she choose power? Will she choose love? Or will other forces work against her?

A dark fantasy sapphic retelling of the Cinderella fairytale.

©2023 Janel D. Brubaker (P)2024 Janel D. Brubaker

blown out of the water!

I just finished a "reread" by listening to the recently released audiobook version of this story. And boy was I blown out of the water.. I didn't think I could love it anymore... but I do! The life that narrator Rylee Kuberra brought to JD's characters was mesmerizing... I am even more so an on the edge of my seat waiting for more!

Such a good sapphic fantasy book! Highly recommend!

I devoured this book! It was such a fun read. The characters are so relatable and piqued my interest right away. This is such an original retelling of a classic story. It's easy to follow while still have a complicated story. Add this to your list!

A fascinating reimagining of a classic

The interweaving of magic, intrigue, and suspenseful action with the main characters internal struggles keeps the reader engaged and invested in the outcome.

Loved it

The story begins with our main character, Nasya, who is sold to an enigmatic lady, providing a bittersweet salvation for her impoverished family. Despite the initial harshness, this twist of fate leads Nasya into the mysterious Order, an elite group of female assassins.

Brubaker weaves a tale that seamlessly transitions between past and present, offering a deep and engaging narrative. The story is enriched with elements of magic, mysticism, and intense training, drawing you into Nasya's world as she discovers her powers and forms an unbreakable bond with her best friend and roommate, Scarlet. The relationship dynamics are beautifully explored, adding layers of emotion and depth to the characters.

The action sequences are thrilling, with meticulously planned assignments that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Brubaker's pacing is reminiscent of the best thriller and action novels, making it impossible to put the book down.

What truly stands out in this novel is the vivid world-building and descriptive imagery. Brubaker's rich vocabulary brings every scene to life, from the intense training sessions to the serene yet dangerous landscapes. The dreams and visions interspersed throughout the story offer valuable insights and adding an element of suspense.

This book is a journey of survival, loyalty, and self-discovery. The themes of female empowerment, strength, and friendship are prevalent, making it a compelling read. This book is a must-read, and I can't wait for the next one in the series!

Not a sapphic story-no HEA

I went into this story thinking it was sapphic. The storyline jumped from past to present so much you could get lost if you don’t pay 100% attention to it(may be it’s because it’s a audiobook). There is barely any relationship building between Nasya and Scarlet so hard to believe they could be in love. Nasya is a whore in a whore house between assassin jobs and is very much into Fu*king everyone and thinking about her next client. The sex between her and Scarlett had barely any detail compared to her and a man she slept with which was full of detail. Don’t want to hear about the MC in detail fu*king a man. Also she has all this magical power but doesn’t use it for the most part. This book should not be labeled sapphic. It could be LGBTQ with the book being about a Bi MC. The book was well written but due to the reviews I read I thought it would be very different.