Rua, our main FMC is a hard character to like and so can be off-putting especially when it wasn't entirely what I was expecting from book two in this series.
The series plot continues on with Rua and Renwick and whilst neither character receives much intro it does jump straight into their character plot (which is similar to that of book one for Remy and Hale) and that is obvious from the start to everyone in the book and reading it (except to Rua apparently).
I was frustrated with this book because I wasn't loving the main characters and I was still grasping the world in which these books are based. It is however, a fairly easy and quick read so if you want a lighter romantasy than say Cassandra Clare or Sarah J Maas type series then this works.

I received this book as an ARC and have provided an honest review

I was not able to download the arc before the archive date however I have heard good things about this book and intend to read it outside of netgalley when I have the opportunity

I requested the entire series so here's to book 2 being more enjoyable than the first!
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
Plot-Compared to the rest of reviews I have seen since I read this with people preferring book 1, I personally preferred this one. It had more substance and the plot actually developed a lot more than the first book- I think the viewpoints being changed definitely helped with this. It just felt more well rounded and fleshed out, and the writing style has definitely improved.

World building- By far the best part and you can tell this is the writers strong suit- additionally you can see it much better in this book. I really loved the world and felt much more invested in the world this time.

Characters- So the lead character was completely unlikeable for most of it, but honestly this just intrigued me more and i actually enjoyed the development she showed during the story.

Final Thoughts,
Better than book 1, but still nothing massively outstanding to shout about.

This is young adult fantasy and is the second book in the 5 Crowns of Okrith series

The female main character is the sister of the main character from the first book. She is now the wielder of the immortal blade which means she can basically kill anyone and is invulnerable to certain things.

As with the first books, our 2 main characters have to track down a particular witch's artifact in order to defeat a bad guy and prevent a war.

I found the female main character in this very unlikeable - she's very self hating and self destructive. She has a reason for that, as she has a traumatic background but she is coming across as a stroppy teenager rather than someone you could empathise with. Most of the book is her stomping around, frowning and rolling her eyes and getting called out by other characters for those things.

This also makes it hard to invest in the romance side of things given she acts like such a brat.

The next book does move the focus to a different character again, but I'm not sure whether I'll continue with the series

3.5 stars

I would say I enjoyed book 1 more because there was this long character build which was absent in this book. This book while is the next in the series Remy is not the pov we get but we get ruas. I think it didn't develop how book 1 made me think it would. Rua was more annoying of a character instead of this bad ass we saw in book 1 so it wasn't my favorite but there was flow.

The addictive second novel in the Five Crowns of Okrith series brings us into a new part of the world as the fae princess Rua joins forces with a truly unlikely ally…. This book bursts from the first page like a horse at the gate and never stops running. It’s a wild ride.

I wasn’t sure if I would like this as much as The High Mountain Court since it followed Rua instead of Remy, but I did really enjoy it! At first I wasn’t crazy about Rua, but as the book went on I really started to like her! I really loved her and Renwick as they both overcame their struggles and found each other. This book was action packed and fast paced. I can’t wait to continue this series!

Well this book just blew me away. I loved The High Mountain Court so of course I was desperate to read the next instalment all centered around Rua!

Rua is a character who elicits all kinds of emotion - frustration, fear, joy, empathy and love. I just adore her. A.K. Mulford has beautifully illustrated the lasting effects of losing your family, not knowing who your family are and how it affects someone like Rua, thrown into royal life after nineteen years of feeling like an outsider.

Renwick is an incredible character who compliments Rua perfectly and made their love story a complete joy.

Our side characters Bri and Aneryn - they are just wonderful and I cannot wait to see how Bri's story develops in The Rogue Crown.

The Witches Blade is another 5 star read - incredible. I just loved it.

This fantasy series is so good! The world building is on point and the storyline is gripping. I have read a lot of fantasy but did not find this samey and really enjoyed it

This is the second book in the 5 crowns of Okrith series and I liked it even more than the first.

We have a new POV in this book which focuses on Remy's little sister Rua, who survived with the red witches. After wielding the immortal blade during the final battle, Rua finds herself battling the demons when she's the death and destruction she's caused. I really enjoyed Remy's character in the last book, but I loved Rua so much more. It's so engaging to read a character with dark, shadowy parts to their character. Rua finds herself drawn to Renwick, the witchslayer and king of the Northern Court but every time they start to close the gap between them, Rua pushes him away once more.

Again, this book is fast paced and engaging. The worldbuilding is excellent. I wasn't sure I was prepared to leave Remy and Hale behind, but this second novel was better than the first.

If you're a fan of SJM then these books are a must read.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

The Witches Blade is the second book in the Five Crowns of Okrith fantasy romance series by author AK Mulford. Each book in the series follows a different couple with this one focusing on Rua (younger sister of Remy from the first book) and Renwick, the newly appointed Northern King. The story picks up immediately after the first book finished, so I’d recommend reading that one first. Initially at first I was unsure how I’d adjust to a new couple, but I found that of all the books in the series Rua and Ren were actually my favorite. I’ve read other reviews which say they found Rua to be annoying but I enjoyed her flawed, darker take and her character growth. I also found the romance in this one to be more believable and less insta-love like Remy and Hale. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series which focuses on Bree who has been a favorite since book 1. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an arc of this book.

This is a great second book, wasn’t sure I’d enjoy as much as the first , it’s always a worry when I really loved the first but this didn’t let me down. Although a continuation from the first book this is told from different perspectives than in book one, this is told from Rua’s perspective who is Remy’s sister. Tobegn I wasn’t as keen on Rua, but as the book developed I really grew to like her and she became a firm favourite in the end. Although slower paced than the first, I love how much emotion this book wrung from me. I loved the twists I didn’t see coming and can’t wait for more.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The 2nd book in the series is not just the next chapter but it is also told from a different point of view.

In this book we follow the story from Rua’s side. The plot is interesting and keeps the reader engaged without feeling boring. There are a couple of surprising twists and a few spicy scenes if you’re keen.

The MC wasn’t my favourite and found her very childish, stubborn and annoying most of time, but it didn’t put me off. In this story we get to see and learn more about the other characters too which is nice as we slowly create an image/ opinion about the whole imaginary world and how different the kingdoms can be from one another.

I’m very hooked on these series and the thing that they’re easy to read is addictive for me. I’m off for book three :)

After my initial disappointment that Remy and Hale wouldn't feature heavily in book 2 I found myself captivated by Rua.

She isn't a very likeable character in the beginning but as the book progressed I really came to love her.

Obviously you can't beat the enemies to lovers storyline and I actually found myself enjoying Rua's relationship more than Remy and Hales.

This is fast becoming one of my favourite fantasy series! Can't wait to read Bri's story next!!

The Witches’ Blade
by A.K. Mulford

Earc: NetGalley
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 27th October 2022
Genre : Romance, Sci-Fi and Fantasy

When she realizes that the King has raised an army of Blue Witches to take the throne, she devotes herself to ridding the world of tyrants. But her vengeful spirit is Renwick's business.

Renwick, new king of the north and nephew of the usurper. He was a somewhat shady character in the first volume, but he was also an unexpected ally. There's magic in abundance, action, adventure, daring, and left-wing romance! Some of my favorite characters were lucky enough to survive this book. Witchblade follows the events of the High He Mountain He Court, but follows a different protagonist. Rua, Remy's sister, must ally with Renwick, the intimidating, stone-bound King of the North.

The world buildings are wonderfully detailed. It really builds on our previous knowledge and opens up the world for us.

The plot contains many twists and turns.

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #The Witches’ Blade #romance #SciFiandFantasy @harpercollinsuk

4 ⭐️
1 🌶️
2 😢

A brilliant follow up to one of my favourite fantasies of the year.

Witches’ Blade follows on from the events of The High Mountain Court but we follow a different main character. Rua is Remy’s younger sister who has to team up with the intimidating, stony-faced Northern King, Renwick.

The world building is fabulous and detailed; it really builds upon our prior knowledge and expands the world for us.

The plot is just as exciting with multiple twists and turns. I do think the middle third was slow at times but that last third was mind-blowing! I sobbed multiple times throughout this book.

I especially loved the development of our side characters; they’re all very individual and well thought out. But I have heard some grumbling about the FMC being unlikable …. like, duh, that’s the point 🤦‍♀️. The people who don’t like this are the same people who didn’t like A Court of Silver Flames. Rua is such a Nesta. And I’m a Nesta. So I’m a Rua 🤣!

Overall, great addition to the series, can’t wait to get started on the next one!

Posted on GoodReads 31/10/2022.

Ruadora aka Rua is the younger sister and only remaining relative of Remy (Book 1). The High Mountain Court may never be what it once was but it is slowly rising from the ashes. Rue now has an enchanted relic, the Witch Blade, which was made using Red Witch Magic.

When she realises that a King has raised an army of Blue Witches with the intent of claiming the throne, she dedicates herself to ridding the world of the despot. But hankering her pursuit of vengeance is the matter of Renwick.

Renwick, the new king of the North and nephew of the usurper. He was a bit of a shady character in Book 1 but was also a surprising ally. There is magic galore, action, adventure, daring do and some romance that came out of the left field! Some of my favourite characters were lucky to survive this book. There were more than few eeeeeeek moments.

~ ARC Review ~

🍁Publishing Oct/27/2022🍁
Name: The Witches Blade
Author: A K.Mulford
Rating: 4.5 stars - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.4
5
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Pages: 395 paperback

Book two of four in the 'Five Crowns of Okrith' series

The Witches Blade, just like book one in the series is a fast paced, enemies to lovers, adult fantasy that will have you gripped from the first page.

'Eighteen-year-old Ruadora Dammacus now possesses the Immortal Blade, a powerful artefact that might be enough to overthrow the cruel oppression threatening the land. Yet when Rua discovers the Northern Court King’s uncle is not only alive but has cast a curse on the blue witch army, she realises that the battle has only just begun.'

The second book in the series follows Rua, Remy's long lost sister and wielder of the Immoral Blade. I dived straight into book two straight from (probably my favourite book of 2022) The High Mountain Court so was a little taken aback by Rua's point of view and ultimately love story, as I was expecting a continuation of Remy but after the initial shock (and okay, a little disappointment) I came to absolutely adore Rua!!

Of course some of the characters in this book are known to us already but we get to delve deep into what makes them tick, we are introduced to a diverse team of new characters and we get to learn more about the world around them, the politics and the details of the other courts.

The Witches Blade also has a much more prominent enemies to lovers vibe than the previous book. This book is darker all round with the characters walking a tight rope with their morality but my favourite trope (fated mates) is still the most prominent love I take away from this story cementing the genre as romance... although a much slower paced burn than Remy.

The journey these wonderful characters are currently on just keeps getting better and better and I can not wait for the next book in the series!

A huge thank you to A.K.Mulford, HarperCollins and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This series is fast becoming one of my new favourites. The world building and characters are fantastic. The only thing that let this book down was that Rua was just too self-deprecating for too long and I wish her resolution had happened sooner. Other than that I couldn't fault it and can't wait to read the next book.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I was super keen to get into Rua's story, and it did not disappoint. I actually loved Rua even more than Remy in the end. I always find it interesting to get insight into a characters childhood and Rua's traumatic upbringing really informed her character. I liked the enemies to lovers vibe even more this time around, because there was much more conflict on both sides and I do enjoy a bit of angst on my way to the spice.

A really fun engaging read and I can't wait for the next one!