A fabulous book which I could not put down. Really easy to read, gripping and wonderfully told story that I would recommend to others!!

This novel was exciting and terrifying from start to finish. The technology that is explored in this novel doesn’t seem real because you really don’t want it to be but in the back of your mind, you can keep thinking could this be real.

The novel starts with a mysterious disease that is killing thousands of individuals living in Tibet but no one really knows what it is, why it seems to only target these individuals and how the disease came to be. When it becomes clear that this is just not your regular illness, the US military steps in.

What begins to unfold is mind blowing, as the characters enter a high risk race to be the first to develop this new weapon but at what cost? The race to be the first to uncover the secrets to replication is full of betrayal, death and lies, and puts two super giants fighting against each other. Who will discover the technology first? Who can you trust? How do you decide who lives and who dies?

This novel was both terrifying and incredible at the same time – I loved it and could not put it down. The plot is nothing that I could have expected and is well developed, leaving you on the edge of your seat and needing to know what happens next. I was not sure what to expect when I read the book description, but this novel did not disappoint. A definite must read thriller!

Brian Nelson's The Last Sword Maker is a compelling near future thriller, first in his Course of Empire series. Though the villain and the scientific talents are definitely over the top, I was glued to its pages, following this idea of a new arms race, based on 'a new breed of biological weapon', a nanovirus.

The author lays out an intriguing (and very scary) possibility that might well lie in mankind's future, in an account jam packed with highly improbable, but most entertaining, action.

If you love a good conspiracy story as to what the government is actually up to, then you will love The Last Sword Maker. Call me naive but I try to trust the government as much as possible. However, after reading this book and getting an insight into the future of warfare, chills ran down my spine. The fact that nanotechnology is currently being explored made the story even more real.

There is a lot of science and politics in The Last Sword Maker. Personally, I would have preferred more about the ordinary person, which is why my favorite scenes were those set in Tibet. The inclusion of so much science also meant that some of the text went over my head, unfortunately. While I could appreciate how well-researched the book was, I myself am not equipped enough in the area to truly comprehend some of what was included. That meant for me a feeling that the book could have been shorter, and have a less complex plot.

Saying that I enjoyed the level of action present in The Last Sword Maker, and how it progressively increased as the book went on. I wanted to know how everything wrapped up in the end.

The Last Sword Maker was such an exciting read. I enjoyed this scifi techno thriller that is plausible and terrifying.

The writing, plot and characters were so entertaining that I could not put this book down. The story line was so realistic and the action was non stop which included my fingers as I turn those pages.

I recommend this book!

#1 in The Course Of The Empire series.

A terrible virus is killing people in Tibet…sounds familiar….except this virus is a weapon. A mix of artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and genetics.

The developer has used Tibet as a testing ground.

The Last Sword Maker is a science based thriller, as the US race to find the secret of this new tech from China before the nano-virus teaches itself to replicate and spread as a natural virus does.

There is lots of science throughout, but the author’s writing explains it so well and has made it understandable to the layman without being patronising.

A very clever thriller that’s full of action. A real page turner that’s terrifying as it feels so, so possible.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC of The Last Sword Maker. This is my honest and unbiased review.

There are many helpful reviews for this solid thriller, so I'll just recommend it to this engaging read good tech. I look forward to the next installment.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

What an amazing, mind-blowing spy thriller! The advance in nanotechnology combined with a spy thriller that takes you on a chase of a lifetime, this book is simply fantastic!
We are introduced to three characters as the story begins - Admiral Curtiss, Sonam and Eric. As the story proceeds, we see the spotlight is on Eric. Eric and his buddies are caught between the race for who invents it first and sabotage. Throw in some double agents to the mix for the thrill of it!
The Last Sword Maker is a well-researched book. Brian Nelson has done an excellent job in portraying communist propaganda, hunger for power and domination, and the struggle for freedom in this book.
I highly recommend this book.

What a tremendous thriller this is. The story takes place in the not too distant future, 2025, with science and warfare playing central roles hand in hand to find the ultimate weapon to wipe out anything from one person to a whole nation. China and the USA are the two nations that are racing to find the answer and have that control.
What makes this seem more real is that this is all behind the scenes stuff that goes in secrecy. The advances in science that place’s warfare in the hands of deadly viruses more rather than soldiers on the front line. It all feels so scarily not that far away, especially with the times we live in now. The thing is this story goes one step further and it scared the hell out of me. Why? because one day someone will do this.
From opening the first page of this book it just takes over your life. When I had to go without reading it for a couple of hours my mind was still with the characters. The top character has to be Eric Hill who at university simply blows the minds of his tutors. When he gets a call asking him to join some of the best scientific minds in the world to work on a special project he jumps at the chance.
Eric is the loveable nerd that made every page seem so real. There is, of course, a lot of science in the story but it is truly fascinating. Oh boy does this take off in the second half with kidnappings, car chases and deadly outcomes? It is tremendous! The supporting characters in the story are top of their league. Just stunning. There are horrific torture scenes in the story, shocks and punch in the air moments.
One of the best books of its kind around. I cannot recommend this book enough. The best bit is, this is book 1 in the series, so excited with this author’s work.
I wish to thank, FSB Associates, NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

I gave this book five stars because it is a meaty, well-written book that will keep you entertained for hours. As long as you aren't the super-picky critical type! Although the story is coherent and well-plotted, there are lots of empty cul-de-sacs you'll travel down, many amazing things that will see no use, fascinating characters that come and are gone in the blink of an eye, etc. This book promises to be the first of [more] so perhaps some of these things will make more sense the next time around. Some of these flaws are dealt with in more detail in other reviews, but I don't personally think they ultimately detract from the reading experience.

Nelson's masterpiece seems eerily around the corner for mankind. This is the kind of science fiction I enjoy, realistic and believable - the only thing you are left wondering is when doe this happen? The plot was fast paced and reminded me of a Tom Clancy novel. Looking forward to next novel from Nelson.

Normally, this is not the sort of book I would choose to read. Something set in the future is not my style. There are three or four different scenes, which usually annoys me. I would be reading a chapter and was quite enjoying it then the author would finish that chapter and switch scenes. However, after half a page I was engrossed in the new scene and all of a sudden that chapter ended and a new scene starts. Again, within half a page I was enthralled in the new scene. So the change of story lines flowed very smoothly and each “story” is smoothly intertwined and makes perfect sense where it fits in the book. It kept me wondering how each scene would tie up towards the finish and I was not disappointed. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. It was well written and the story lines flowed seamlessly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book