This was a wonderfully done historical fiction novel, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed about the genre. The plot worked well overall in this world and time-period, it had characters that I cared about and wanted to know more about. Z. S. Winters has a strong style for this type of book and hope there is more in this world.

What a fun, mystical tale! I am here for pagan adventures and twists! So glad I got to pick this one up!

This was interesting book to read. I hadn't even thought about this time in history before and after reading it I went on a google search to learn more. I love this about a book that it sparks your interest and you learn something new..

As it was such a complicated history I found it quite difficult to follow the characters throughout the book especially with all the betrayals etc, so I had to keep a record of this whilst reading. I found the book quite well researched (based on my limited knowledge) and kept me intrigued.

ARC Review ✨️

☆An intriguing story☆

This is a new to me author, and I really enjoyed the writing. The multi pov added to the story and made it even more enjoyable. Dzintara was such an interesting character. I ended up loving her so much. The story as a whole was very intriguing and had a nice touch of politics and revenge.

Thanks so much to the author, Book Whisperer, and Netgalley for the ARC!

Fast paced, exciting story of a female warrior in the 13th century. Dzintara along with her Khanjar blade is the hero of the story. Bereft at the loss of her lover, hiding her skills as a healer, Dzintara must thread a dangerously narrow path between her enemies and the city's politics. Set largely in Riga over a thousand years ago, the culture politics between the natives and the church are front and center in this gripping story. Impossible to put down, definitely worth a read!

The Khanjar's Crusade is a story of betrayals, conflicts of cultures and religions, and revenge. The book is well-written and tracks the saga of a young woman who was traded into child slavery to protect a family secret and rescued by a man who teaches her to be a healer and a warrior. After his murder she embarks on a quest to fight their common enemy and find out the truth about the family secret - a fantastic cache of gold. Is it real? Where is it or what happened to it? Will her father own up to what he did to her and tell her why?

This story contains harsh and violent events in keeping with a medieval time period which may not appeal to everybody. I thank NetGalley and Z.S. Winters for the opportunity to read the advance copy of this novel.