I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series. I absolutely could not wait for one book to finish before awaiting breathlessly for the next.
Jessop is a very interesting character who manages to get her way into an elite order which is not open to women. In fact some of the seniors have very strong feelings but Jessop is talented in a way that few can match. Even though I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop I was completely floored by the twist and the cliff hanger.

The Glass Blade Book Review
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The Hunters of Infinity have been protecting the Daharian galaxy for years, but there has never been a female Hunter, until now. In a seedy bar in the shadowy corners of Daharia, Jessop comes to the rescue of young Hunter Kohl O’Hanlon. Impressed by her remarkable sword-wielding skills, the Hunters invite her to their training facility, the Glass Blade, though not all are pleased with the intrusion. But they soon discover that Jessop learned to fight from the rogue leader of the Shadow City of Aranthol—and escaped. Now they want to use her intimate knowledge of their enemy to destroy him. As Jessop grows closer to this elite brotherhood, their leader succumbs to a mysterious ailment, and Kohl learns that Jessop is hiding dark secrets, raising suspicions about the enigmatic woman who saved his life. Has the Hunters’ security been breached—or do they have a traitor in their ranks?

The story was interesting but not captivating. It was pretty predictable, and the big reveal fell flat.There wasn’t enough intrigue to fool really fool a group of paranoid men at war so opposed to female soldiers. Also so much time was spent within the training facility, but nothing was really happening. We knew Jessop was training, but we didn’t really get to see much of that. She is a woman in a totally male facility, she is the strongest fighter there and almost no one trusts her. It was a waste to not see her either win over, solidify her status as other, or make the men question her existence. Also everyone there is mind reader, it seems like she should’ve been dealing with constant probing from curious hunters. Things finally got interesting when they left to hunt down some rogues, but the tension wasn’t really there. While Jessop and Kohl were developed there were only brief interactions with one member of their party, and none with the other too. So while they were in a dangerous situation it was hard to care if anyone got hurt or killed because they were newly and randomly introduced.

I also am not a fan of instalove. However on Kohl’s part it made sense. Jessop is pretty, strong, saved his life, and he barely has any interaction with women. His immediate infatuation is understandable. Jessop on the other hand caring for him that much made no sense. It was clear from the beginning she was on a mission, and although we don’t know exactly what that is it is clear that Kohl is a tool to achieve her goal. Maybe if it had been made clear how much time she spent at the facility, but it only seemed like a few weeks at the most. I just don’t believe in that amount of time she would’ve been that concerned about Kohl. Yes they had sex, but women are perfectly capable of separating sex from emotion. Especially after what was revealed about her in the end.

The world building was good. the cultures and species were interesting. I am interested in the second book. This is one of those series that can either get a lot better, or tank depending on the next installment. I give it 2.5 stars.

The Glass Blade by Ryan Wieser was not what I expected. When I see words like galaxy in the blurb, especially when I compare it with the cover, I expect something along the lines of a Sci-Fi genre. Instead, it felt more along the lines of the fantasy realm that I use to read years ago. It was kind of nice to step back into the genre. Once I got over that mindset, I found myself actually enjoying the book.

Action, mystery and plenty of build-up is what I found once I started reading. Jessop I found to be somewhat of a conundrum. She’s strong and tough but I have questions. What were her motivations to want to be involved in the training facility that has very archaic ideas about allowing women in? Obviously, I got the answer but the whole time my brain kept questioning why. There were aspects to her story I guessed right away, others came as no big surprise, and others – no way!

The story itself was unique and is kept at a fast-pace that keeps the excitement level very high. I had a love/hate/WTH relationship with most of the characters that kept me on my toes. Sorting out Jessop’s loyalties, undecided about Kohl, wanting to stick the glass blade through jerkface Hanson’s (who I couldn’t stand from the very beginning) superior souless heart, and of course the infamous Falco Bane. I did find the constant reminder of Falco Bane, what he did a bit obsessive and the constant harping about it a bit grating. There’s a lot to absorb and it all leads to a very exciting, climatic ending to find out SURPRISE! there’s a cliffy. Guess I should have paid attention to the fact this was a series. Oh well, I still enjoyed the book. Here’s hoping the next book in the series is just as good if not better.

Reviewed by Jac

This review will appear on vampirebookclub.net:

Rating (out of 5): 2.5

Jessop is a warrior with exceptional powers and skill – and when she saves the lives of a couple of men who turn out to be Hunters of Infinity, a select group of men who protect the galaxy. When she ends up back at their base while helping to keep one alive, she is viewed with distrust and suspicion – more so when the Hunter’s leader falls ill suddenly. As Jessop tries to prove herself, there will be more deaths, betrayals, and revenge.

The story takes place in a galaxy far, far away. Well, it’s never actually made clear whether the Earth really exists in relation to this story at all. Most of it actually takes place within the Hunter’s base, a sterile place where the transparent walls and floors hide more than most would guess. There is a short bit that takes place in an outpost, which seemed almost like what one would find in an old western.

The main character is Jessup, along with a Hunter by the name of Kohl, and a former Hunter named Falco – long considered a traitor. None of the characters, including Jessup, really felt complete to me. I struggled to really contextualize her as a person, partly I think because there is so much mystery surrounding her presence and her goals. I really didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters, and often I felt more frustrated with them than anything. And without any spoilers, there is a major twist at the end that simply did not feel realistic. When you have a character who has trained for something for pretty much their entire life, then the focus to accomplish that goal would have to be laser. And instead, it was wishy-washy at best.

The story was also very frustrating to me. So much time was spent weaving the mystery of Jessup throughout, that it felt like far too many puzzle pieces were missing. There is mystery, and there are just holes – and this story had holes. Much of backstory is explained at the very end, but it was too little, too late. In addition, there was pretty much an immediate sexual relationship between Jessup and Kohl that felt…off. I’m not a prude by any means, but this felt more like the author was writing for a YA group and felt that – in order to keep their attention – there MUST be a relationship happening. It was far too forced, and so detracted from the story rather than adding to it.

Frankly, the best part of the book came about the last quarter. If the rest of the story had been written with the same tenseness and thoroughness as the first three-quarters, I feel I would have liked it much better. As it was, while this is the first part in a series, I’m afraid that The Glass Blade has severed any chance of pursuing the story further.

I enjoyed this fast paced and well written Sci Fi adventure with a great kick ass female lead.I think I am well out of the intended audience ,being far from a young adult, but was still able to go with the flow and enjoy the story.I think was a good read, and am sure others will enjoy it as much as I did.thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

Jessop is a master swordsman that escaped Falco Bane's stronghold. She strives to be the first woman hunter, and knows the fortified Hunter's domain is the only place she will be safe from him. But the council is wary, and she must prove herself as saving 2 hunters lives in a brawl is not enough to trust her. A thrill ride of betrayal, revelations, agony of the heart, and the heartless. A twisty little devil of a novel. Like a "whoa" moment? Read this first in a series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

The Glass Blade is an exciting tale that will easily appeal to fans of Star Wars. From the start the parallels between the Hunters of Infinity and the Jedi are obvious. Both are skilled fighter who use a wholly unique weapon and both are masters of the powers of the mind. Such was the similarity that it took me quite some time to take the novel seriously. Like Rey, Jessop is a rarity, a woman with ability as great or possibly greater than the Hunters of Infinity. Here is where the novel departs. Despite saving two Hunters, Jessop is viewed with suspicion and distrust, and is even tortured. She possesses knowledge of their greatest enemy, knowledge that would be of immeasurable help. But there has never been a female Hunter. Is Jessop the answer to their hopes, or does she have a darker purpose? Sometimes the line between light and dark is difficult to see - and sometimes hope lies in the dark.

The Glass Blade is a solid, well written fantasy/sci-fi novel that has a nice twist.

Jessop is a compelling, multifaceted lead. Her fresh perspective leads readers to question how “good” the Hunters are. Ryan Wieser is a good writer and The Glass Blade is a promising debut. For some the similarity between the Hunters and the Jedi will be an attraction, while for others it will be a distraction. I'm curious to see what his next novel has to offer.

4 / 5

I received a copy of The Glass Blade from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom