Haven

A Trial of Blood and Steel, Book 4

By: Joel Shepherd

Narrated by: Kate Reading

The heart-stopping conclusion to the Trial of Blood & Steel quartet.

The Army of Regent Arrosh advances on the forces loyal to Saalshen, homeland of the serrin people, as the serrins' friends are in full retreat. Their only hope is to reach the city of Jahnd—the serrin word for haven—across the Ipshal River.

The Army of Lenayin marches with the Regent, but Sasha, sister of newly crowned King Koenyg, can no longer stomach the awful cause for which her people fight. As tensions build between Sasha and her brothers, her sister Sofy—wedded to the Regent—travels to the city of Tracato to attempt to negotiate a peaceful transition of its rich heritage to her husband's rule. But there are forces beneath the Regent's banner that wish to see all serrin and serrin-influenced civilization destroyed for good.

While the serrin people fight for survival, families must be betrayed, enemies reconciled, nations persuaded, and great armies fought, as Sasha's tale reaches its dramatic conclusion.

©2017 Joel Shepherd (P)2017 Podium Audio

ACTION AND WISDOM, POLITICS AND HUMAN NATURE

great book and masterfully performed. There is lots of action, told by enthusiastic persona with sufficient attention to detail to draw in the listener and illuminate the mind of a person that much in love with war. This is enhanced by a very fine reader who read sensitively, not overdoing her role, but adding just enough angst and exuberance to remain not only believable, but to somehow add more to the story than words alone could not.

great ending to the series

I appreciated the full conclusive battle, swaying to both sides, and I do appreciate that the last chapter gave closure to most things. I've read or listened to too many books that leave so much open at the end.
of course this could have more sequels, but it'd be a whole new set of stories

Perfectly Put Together

I knew that the series needed to end and I was ready to see how it did. But, that did not stop me from craving more once I did arrive at the end of this epic tale. I loved the well defined characters, the cities and landscapes that were painted clearly in my mind's eye and a story so well developed that I felt like a character moving through each chapter. I truly appreciated the lack of predictability, the obvious effort to put forth an awesome story and the perfect narration of my favorite narrator, Kate Reading. Thank you, Joel Shepard.

Definitely worth sticking with

a nutshell, every book in the series has gotten better. I have mixed luck with many self published authors but was drawn to this one by the excellent narration of Kate Reading. The first book, Sasha - a trial of blood and steel, I had a lot of trouble getting into it. Starts of with characters, whose relationships with one another are confusing, discussing the political and military background of peoples you’re not yet familiar with. I found it dry and confusing with a strong lack of action.

Fortunately I keep reading until I understood enough to make the plot aisle full. From the end of the first book until the conclusion of the last I was hooked. Reading has narrated some of the best fantasy books out. Thrre. This isn’t

Great conclusion

I really enjoyed this series. Hate to see it end. Would recommend it to anyone. Very entertaining.