This is a really complex story about how Harold experiences the world after the brutal murder of his father and brothers. This was a story that I had to take breaks reading from - not because it was bad but because I needed time to process the horror that this character goes through. Harold experiences trauma and abuse throughout his story. The centralness of the sword to the story is a really interesting motif - the representation of how poorly his father treated him in life, yet the sword is what he uses to carry out his work.

A really interesting read that I look forward to seeing where it goes.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I was hooked from the cover and description and so glad I got to read this. It had that element that I was looking for and was a strong introduction to the world and characters. It was a strong start to the Empire of the Beast series, and had that fantasy element that I wanted. I enjoyed how good TM Carruthers wrote this and am excited for more.

The cover art and synopsis were so intriguing. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it. The writing style in my opinion is almost too blunt and lacks any real depth. I wanted to connect with the main character, but every sentence seems so clipped. The absence of descriptors and eloquence is almost criminal. I truly believe though that there will be readers who resonate with the main character and enjoy this writing style.

I've received this book as an eArc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the premise of this book, reading the synopsis and the beginning of this book was a good hook, and drew me in initially. I love the concept of the bastard son and reclaiming what is his, and I think this had the potential to do that, but just not for me.

I unfortunately DNF'd this book. I gave it until about 25% until coming to this conclusion so that it would give the book some time to draw me in.

For me personally, I just couldn't get into it. I can see how this could be appealing for some people, but it just wasn't for me.

I thought that the story just kind of jumped around, without any real rhyme or reason. I didn't really care for the main character, nor the side characters. Everything that happened, even the twist in the beginning just didn't have any weight behind it, so it wasn't impactful for me.

I'd be willing to give this author another try to see if this was just a one off for me, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

This book was very well paced and very well written. I loved the story and the characters in this novel very much. The relationship was developed very well, and it felt realistic. I would love to read more books set in this world.

"His Father's Sword" is an extraordinary journey into a richly imagined fantasy world that grabs your attention from the first page and never lets go.

The protagonist, Harald, is captivating in a deeply human and complex way. His internal dialogue and struggles with recent events are written in a way that makes you share his feelings. The relationship between Harald and Lot is another standout, evolving in a wonderfully genuine way that grounds the story and makes the emotions even more emphatic and the twist full of tension.

t’s a story that feels both epic and intimate, and I couldn’t put it down. I eagerly anticipate more stories from this world.

I will happily read about Harald all day, this book was engaging well written and paced beautifully. I look forward to more twists from this well written fantasy world. Especially is the characters continue to be as well fleshed out as this book .
All in all a well written book with strong characterisation beautifully descriptive text and a tale that's still relatable despite its fantasy base

His Father's Sword is as close to a true fantasy as I can find. But aside from the true fantasy elements, this book is much more.

Harald, and LOT are both human and real with their relationship developing and evolving in a very realistic way. Haralds internal dialogue & mental response to trauma are so poignant for the reader that you can imagine yourself in these mindstates.

The story builds up and creates suspense & is multidimensional and interesting. The pacing is just right, as it is slower and more detailed when needed and quick to change with twists.

I would highly recommend this book and would gladly read more in this world.