M.L. Wang’s stand alone YA fantasy novel set in the Theonite universe does not disappoint. You don’t have to have read the other Theonite books to read this. I didn’t! Based on Japanese samurai culture, this novel follows Mamoru a 14 year old first born son of the Matsuda family renown for their special blood line technique the whispering blade made of ice and able to cut through anything. It also follows Mamoru’s mother, Misaki, who appears to be your typical housewife and mother, but who actually had an interesting adventurous youth that she sacrificed for tradition. As Mamoru discovers that their fealty to the empire might be misplaced and he starts to lose sight of his purpose, an enemy blows into their land threatening to destroy everything and everyone. Can they defend their home and family?

Surprisingly rich characters and back story. The plot surprised me in a I can’t believe that really happened kind of moment. What even comes next? Where does this go? But it dives deeper and richer. Sacrifices, regrets, relationships, assumptions, friends in unlikely places. There’s a lot going on and I really enjoyed it!!

I listened to the audible and the narrator was good except his pronunciation of clearly Japanese derived words were pretty terrible. That aside, he did a good job!