Wow, this book was great! It is action-packed and suspenseful, but there are also plenty of scenes that allow the reader to take a breath and relax before jumping back into action. That is my favorite kind of pacing for a book, and it is done so well here!

Technically this book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading Of Sword and Shadow first because Rasheed is introduced in that one. Also, it’s a great book too, so then the reader can enjoy two amazing books!

I loved the themes of faith in God and of the importance of family, whether they are chosen family or family by blood. The historical details are fascinating, and I was able to follow along with the various political parties, even though that’s not my strong point. It’s very well-written!

I love epilogues, but I have to say that this book has one of my favorite epilogues ever. It was perfection!

Content:
Lots of fighting
Brief mentions of the possibility of sexual assault, but nothing happens
TW: miscarriage

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was a fan of Swords and Shadows, but think I liked this book even more! This book is full of adventure, danger with a side of romance. I love a book that can immerse me in the time period, and I love it even more when it’s a new-to-me setting! Thebes was quite the place to start out this magnificent story and I felt like I was there. I loved the redemptive qualities that are discussed throughout, and thought it added such an incredible tone to the story. There is mention of violence in this book as it takes place in a war filled time and appreciated the content warning to let me know about it going in. I am pretty squeamish with violence and felt ready to take this book on and would recommend for mature middle graders and up. Last, but not least, this has one of my favorite epilogues I’ve read!

Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards continues the story of Rasheed, Gil, and Eudocia that began approximately eleven years earlier in Of Sword and Shadow. I recommend reading these novels in order. Although Of Daggers and Deception gives backstory, reading them sequentially establishes the characters and vividly depicts their prior actions.

Rasheed serves as the narrator in Of Daggers and Deception and the story hooked my attention early on. I stayed engaged as the plot clipped along brimming with danger, suspense, and mystery. Although Rasheed seemed super-human in some of the battles, he made an admirable male lead for other reasons: his wisdom, the way he valued contributions by women, his pursuit and protection of Cecilia, his bravery, and his devotion to the Lord.

Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards felt balanced – not too heavy, not too light. A recurring theme of God as a loving God rather than a dictator doling out commands and consequences added spiritual depth to the novel that I appreciated. At times, I found it challenging to keep all the warring factions and their motives straight, but the story earned four stars from me and has a permanent home on my bookshelf beside Of Sword and Shadow.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I always enjoy a book by A.L. Sowards and this time was no different. The tales she weaves grab you in a way that keeps you going until you reach the finish line. I loved seeing Gil and Eudocia again and getting to know Rasheed better. Sowards books are well researched, unique in their story lines, and action packed. Definitely worth reading!

This was a great book and a fabulous follow-up to the first book in the series. So much historical detail is shared, but it's done through a unique and interesting plot and wonderfully well-written characters. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Rasheed and how his and Cecilia's relationship developed. I would definitely recommend this book and this series!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow burn but once I got into it, I had to know how it would end. I enjoyed seeing these characters again and seeing how Gil and Eudocia were still in love. The history is very fascinating and I felt like I was transported through time while reading this book. Definitely recommend this book for those looking for intrigue, action, and romance combined.
#OfDaggersandDeception #NetGalley

This book was not quite my cup of tea. It is a historical novel from a very long ago time. The writing was okay, it just didn't hold me. The dialogue felt too modern, but the characters were well developed.

This is book 2 in this series. I haven’t read book one but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this one. There were references to happenings in the first book but it was easy to figure out what had happened. This is historical fiction set in the fourteenth century and is historically accurate even though the characters are fictional. Some of the famous people are real and some happenings are real also. Sowards has done her research on this book and you can tell it is accurate. There is a lot of war and violence described in detail and told in the main character's POV. The romance is well done and matches the customs of the day. If you are a fan of historical fiction you are sure to enjoy this book and this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author via NetGalley with no requirement for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

#OfDaggersAndDecepton #NetGalley

This is the second book in the series, and could be read as a stand alone novel. I enjoyed both books, but this one is my favorite.
A capture of a young lady from Venice, sends a group to find her. There is plenty of action and fighting. This book was hard to put down.

As much as I liked the first book in the series, I think I liked this one even more.

This is Rasheed's story, told in his POV, who's a friend to Gillen and Eudocia from book one. It's been a few years since and they've made a good life for themselves as owners of a bathhouse. But their past brings them problems and soon they're involved in a fight for their lives.

What a fascinating historic time period! I appreciate how well written and research this story is.
There's adventure, action, treason, combat, friendship, and romance. I had a hard time putting it down.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards, 238 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Sixteen years ago, Rasheed was disowned by his family for kissing a girl promised to someone else. Since then, Rasheed has found a new family, fought and won impossible battles, and bought a bathhouse. When an attractive woman (promised to someone else) and his brother show up in the same day, Rasheed’s life makes another permanent turn -- for better or for ill, only God knows.
Soward’s tears at her readers’ hearts as we, alongside the characters, struggle to understand who is friend and who is foe -- and who has been killed in the meantime. I admire how Sowards is able to place her characters naturally into little-known historical settings, but I admit that I skimmed over some of the more political-heavy details. Don’t get bogged down in the details and let yourself feel the hope and betrayal, the desperation and faith of these characters. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mention of brothels, and the implied threat of rape; the violence rating is for murder and battle gore.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I loved the first book, Of Sword and Shadow, and I was so excited to be able to read Of Daggers and Deception. As much as I loved Gil and Eudocia's story, I really loved Rasheed's story!

The setting of this book really makes it a pleasure to read. I don't know much about this time and place in history before these books, and it's a great mix of political upheaval and danger. Sometimes it was a little confusing to keep all the different groups straight in my mind, but it always made sense as the story went on.

Rasheed and Cecilia had the best interactions, especially when they were forced into close proximity during their escape! Their love story unfolded in such a sweet way.

I also loved to see the change with in the relationship between Rasheed and his brother. It was so touching to see them both heal from the hurt they'd held in for years.

I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans who are interested in less common settings!

Thank you to NetGalley, Covenant Communications, and A.L. Sowards for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

This is a sequel to Of Sword and Shadow. Read that one first because it is so good! And this one will have more meaning. It was a nice action and adventure. Teens will love this. There is talk of slavery and violence but over all the first was a bit more everything. There is a couple of sweet kisses but overall this is a more action-adventure story. Sowards is a talented writer.

I read this story in one sitting it was so good; I didn't want to put it down! A.L. Sowards does a fantastic job weaving history through out the story with plausible events, action packed scenes, and a side of romance! This is one you won't want to miss!

*note can be read as a stand alone

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This book was just as good as the first one! I loved seeing the characters grow. They are still dealing with the past, but also creating new connections and developing a better future. I love how the author weaves historical elements together into an amazing, exciting narrative. The diverse, colorful world she creates invites the reader to travel back in time to medieval Greece. As an aspiring linguist, I especially love how many different languages our multilingual characters use during their adventures! I hope there are more books planned in this Mediterranean world. If you’re looking for a well-researched, authentic historical novel with captivating characters and a rapid-paced plot, this book is for you!

I received a copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

"Of Daggers and Deception" is a romance and adventure set in 1390 in Greece. It's the second book in the series, but it works as a stand alone. The characters were well-developed, complex, interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story, creating a distinct sense of time and place. While based on true events, many details of specific battles are unknown and the author filled this in with events involving our fictional heroes. The adventure involved many suspenseful battle and escape scenes.

Rasheed admired Cecilia's intelligence, resourcefulness, and beauty, but she's already betrothed. Cecilia wanted to be valued for herself, not just as a pawn in a political marriage, so she's tempted by the respect and care shown by Rasheed. Then he learned about her talent that made her a valuable resource that her family wasn't about to let go of even for a love match. Both believed that God had a plan and purpose for their lives even when it wasn't clear to them. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting, enjoyable novel.

This is the second book in this medieval romance series. And wow! It’s intense. It begins 11 years after the ending of the last book (Of Sword and Shadows). This is Rasheed’s story. He was Gillen’s Moorish friend from the last book, a Muslim convert to Christianity. His long-lost brother appears, and we see Gillen and Eudocia a lot, as Eudocia is kidnapped by a mysterious enemy. Gillen, Rasheed, his brother, and some Venetians they get tangled up with, take off to rescue her. Cecilia is a beautiful Venetian that Rasheed is drawn to, but her betrothed has been kidnapped as well with Eudocia, so again, his love is in vain and he tries to ignore his infatuation with her. But when Turkish pirates enter the picture, everything goes haywire. More people are killed, more people are taken prisoner, more people fight and flee for their lives. In a word—intense!

I won’t give you the details and ruin your fun in reading it for yourself. Just know, although this book was long, I read it in two days. I could not put it down once I started because I was thoroughly captivated and had to know what would happen next. And a LOT happens. Wow! There is so much political intrigue, espionage, betrayal, heartache, growing friendships, death, crazy plot twists and more to keep you from all the chores you probably need to get done. So beware. This book will seriously kidnap you from life and not let you go until you read The End. That is not an exaggeration. But I highly recommend letting yourself get kidnapped. Stockholm Syndrome with this book is real. You will grow to love your captor. You will learn more about the area of Greece during the 14th century and all the crazy political maneuverings going on in all those little areas from all the different cultures and religions that vied for power in that region. So grab this book, bind yourself to the couch, and enjoy being a prisoner.

I loved this story. It had everything; romance, action, intensity, and true Christian faith. The story takes place in the 1300s in Greece. It cool to see the era and land disputes of that time come to life.

This book is a thrill ride from beginning to end. It is full of action as Rasheed, Gil and Eudocia fight for their lives and those they love. With battles, intrigue and romance this book has it all. I really enjoyed delving into this particular time period as well. I would highly recommend this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the advanced copy of this book. I really loved the first book in this series, Of Sword and Shadow, so I was thrilled to get a chance to read and review the second book, Of Daggers and Deception.

I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I dod the first one. It was full of action and suspense from almost the first page. It also had a great love story. I never wanted to put it down!

I enjoyed getting to become reacquainted with Gil and Euducia, whom I loved from the first book, and was thrilled when one of my favorite characters, Rasheed, became the main character in this book.

If you love books with a lot of action and suspense or a good love story you will love reading this book. I would recommend that you read the first book in this series before you read this book. I think without it you would be missing a lot of information important to the story.