Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a short and sweet fantasy novella. I really enjoyed the main character and her struggles. I wish this would have been given a full length novel as I wanted to know more about her past. I loved the sapphic romance as well.

This novella was well-crafted, and I found its length to be ideal for a prologue. The Author was able to contribute to the narrative without overwhelming the reader, which was nice. I appreciated the representation of the Sapphic relationship; the couple was engaging, and the author handled the more intense scenes well and did them justice. The ending was quite poignant, so sad, but it was intriguing enough for me to consider continuing with the series.

It’s a good novella. At first I was confused then I feel I gained some insight into the rest of the story. The ending didn’t hit me hard like it did others just because I didn’t feel attached to the characters.

Great fantasy read for the season. Loved the characters and story line. Great narrator. The cover of the book is also beautiful

*3.75 stars

Short and to the point. Great novella to get you interested in the series. I enjoyed it. For the length, there was so much action and that ending took me by surprise. Had a good bit of everything: action, adventure, banter and a dash of spice!

Thanks NetGalley.

𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦: 🌶🌶🌶

𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴:
I really enjoyed this audio, and especially liked how the narration was in an Australian accent, which fit nicely with the Australian-esque fantasy world.

I listened to this after reading books one and two of the series, and even though I knew some of what was coming, it still made me a little teary. While this didn't have a HEA, I did love the quick read, sapphic steamy scenes, Liza the horse, and how the backstory helps to shape the next books.

I recommend if you love WLW epic fantasy.

Bummed this one didn't work for me! I liked the narrator, but this plot fell a bit flat and I didn't quite want to root for anyone in the story. Meh overall from me.

J.C. Rycroft’s A Hired Blade delivers a gripping, action-packed fantasy tale that balances the grit of a sellsword’s life with the complexities of leadership and desire. The novel follows Des, a seasoned mercenary, who finds herself at a crossroads—both personally and professionally—when an old acquaintance, Karina, hires her to lead a caravan through dangerous brigand territory. What seems like a simple job quickly spirals into a tense and suspenseful journey, where Des must navigate both the physical threats of marauders and the internal struggles of leadership and attraction.

Rycroft’s world-building is solid, crafting the dry, harsh landscape of Rescalin in a way that feels both immersive and atmospheric. The setting itself becomes a character of sorts, with its dusty roads, looming dangers, and the ever-present tension between survival and the promise of coin. The caravan’s journey is fraught with obstacles, both external and internal, keeping the pace tight and the stakes high. The danger of brigands, along with the undercurrents of personal conflict within the caravan, adds to the tension and keeps the reader invested.

Des is a compelling protagonist, tough and practical but also grappling with moments of doubt and vulnerability. Her decision to delegate leadership to Cap, an experienced mercenary, is quickly tested as she watches the crew fall into disarray. The friction between her and Cap—who is dismissive of her concerns—creates a palpable sense of unease and conflict. Des’s struggle with authority and trust is central to the story, making her journey not only one of physical survival but also of personal growth.

The romance between Des and Karina adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Rycroft wisely doesn’t let it overshadow the main plot. Instead, the developing relationship feels like an organic part of Des’s journey, adding emotional depth and internal stakes as Des contemplates what she truly wants—both as a mercenary and as a person. Karina’s flirtations and desires tug at Des’s heart in ways that further complicate her already difficult situation, making for a satisfying mix of tension and vulnerability.

The novel does have a few pacing issues, particularly during moments when the plot slows down to explore Des’s internal conflict. While this introspection is important for character development, it occasionally interrupts the otherwise smooth flow of action. Additionally, some readers might find the resolution of the brigand conflict a bit too convenient, with certain plot points wrapped up a little too easily, given the tense buildup.

Nonetheless, A Hired Blade is an engaging and enjoyable read for fans of character-driven fantasy with plenty of action, romance, and moral dilemmas. Rycroft’s writing is sharp, and the tension between Des’s professional skills and her personal challenges creates a compelling narrative that leaves readers eagerly turning the pages. The novel delivers on its promises of swordplay, leadership challenges, and a blossoming romance, making it a satisfying read for those who enjoy stories about strong characters caught in tough situations.

I think this is the first audiobook I listened to with an Australian narrator! It was such a good listen!!

The story itself is also so good, lots of action (including sapphic action) packed into such a small space. Just an all round amazing experience!

Thank you to J.C. Rycroft and Netgalley for providing me an ALC of A Hired Blade! This is the first J.C. Rycroft book I've ever explored. The audio was a quick listen and very enjoyable. The narrator, Katherine Littrell, was incredible! I was not expecting an Australian author, but I loved this (this was the first book I've listened to where the narrator was Australian).

Des was a wonderful character in the book, and I think Rycroft really knows how to successfully build that character development. Personally I wish the ending wasn't as rushed, but given there's so much action and lots of worldbuilding, that made up for it. It makes me excited for the rest of the books in the series.

Thank you again!

A quick hero (or villain?) Origin story from a mercenary who made the wrong choices. Lots of spice, shocking end.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Dreamscape Media for my copy of this audiobook

A Hired Blade is a short prequel to The Everlands Cycle. I've never read this series, but this prequel made me want to. Des is a sellsword and takes a guarding a caravan for a client. Des is nervous to lead so they hire a questionable man. I love Des' character and her struggle with her confidence in her self is very real. This short novella packs a lot into it, with a fast pace, lgbt romance, some spice, and some heartache. I think Des should have believed in herself and taken the lead over the hired captain. I'm hopeful that in future books she has found confidence in herself. That ending though...ooph! Could it have been worse, absolutely. But still! I hope Des is able to get justice one day.

The narrator did a great job providing unique and identifiable voices for all the characters. The emotion, pace, flow, and vocal tones were spot-on. Absolutely drew you into the story. 5 stars for the narrator!

Excuse me?! I was not prepared for how rapidly I’d be sucked into this world. I’m left completely shocked. How dare you take such a character from me 😭 This novella swooped in and had me in minutes. Flawless set up for a series I will absolutely be continuing on with. Historical vibes, sell swords and bandits, a caravan to protect. Power struggles between the experienced captain and a younger female mercenary, because why wouldn’t misogyny rear its ugly head?! Oh, and toss in some queer spice that absolutely slaps, and I’m 100% invested. Well done!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

I don’t know, what was the author trying to get at with this plot. It’s just a story that’s kind of boring until I’m balling my eyes out in the end and then bam that’s the end. Not my kind of novella.

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 28th November and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of December.

I picked this book as it was the novella prior to the series. I had not heard of this series before. It was so good to listen to. The narrator did a wonderful job and the author left me wanting to read the next book. It had just the right amount of spice for this length book. I highly recommend listening and will be looking into the rest of the series.

This was a short and sweet novella to begin this world with! I thought that this book was a great introspective to the world and characters. I loved the sapphic elements to the story, and I hope to listen to the rest of this series. The main character, Des, is funny and has an interesting backstory that makes her intriguing to follow. I am interested in listening to the next books in the series! The narrator, Katherine Littrell, was very expressive and captured the MC Des very well. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this Audio ARC!

A Hired Blade is a decent sapphic fantasy novella.

Des is hired by Karina to help with security for a caravan across the desert. Des has to balance trying to corral the drunken crew while also cozying up to Karina.

The spice was good and I enjoyed the world building. My biggest complaint is I felt like there wasn't enough character development for me to get to know the characters well, and that made the ending fall flat.

3 stars

This book! It was so good! I'd not read the novella for this series yet so I went in blind and it was such a good time.

A little spicy, a lot of action, and the ending? Hurt so good... Katherine's casting was perfection. Her range really did this book justice and everyone had a distinct voice. I am excited for the next one!

Short, sweet, and heartbreaking. Badass lady mercenary Des helps out her friend Karina protecting her caravan. Her usual merc partner left her as his feelings weren’t returned, so she was forced to hire a troop she didn’t fully know — and who turned out to be a bunch of drunkards with bad attitudes. Karina and Des finally explore the tension and desire that has been sparking between them for over a year -and it’s pretty hot! Karina also encourages Des to take over the mercenary troop as Cap is not being a good leader and is dismissing all of Des’s concerns and warnings, resulting in some tragic happenings. This novella has me curious to explore the rest of the stories as they unfold.

When I tell you nothing could’ve prepared me for the end of this book 🙂‍↔️ it’s an understatement!

This novella which is the prequel to the Everlands Cycle series did the job in getting me to want more and got me intrigued in what’s next for our main character Des!

The narration was great, I’m always impressed when narrators are able to have different voices for different characters especially if they’re the same gender!

The pacing was good and the book flew by so fast! I’m really looking forward to the audiobook 1 and 2 in this series!