Shortly before I read Healer’s Bane, I also read Hope’s ebook The Stealthmaster’s Shadow, which came out early last year. I decided I would subject you to my review on that one, too. Or you can check it out on Amazon. Or you can ignore me all together.

It’s ten confounded years since the war ended.

Verus, a retired soldier, determines to enforce the peace the victory ought to have brought. His wanderings bring him to the city of Nerva, a sprawling riverside chaos no other Stealthmaster will touch.


Commandeering the task of a former comrade, Verus presents himself to the governor and promises to search out hidden Subverters. After all, those brave enough to pit themselves against the ruling tyrant will need help. Weapons, perhaps, or information.


The wishes of the Subverters themselves are immaterial. They weren’t there during the war.

They didn’t see the horrors Tauscher spread.


Verus has.


So has the new ambassador from Zahavia who strides through the great doors of the feasting hall, bringing Verus face to face with nightmares from his past.


As the simple mission dissolves into confusion, Verus struggles to help those he’s plunged into danger—from a trusting serving lad to the infuriating woman he’s taken to calling Princess. Fleeing will only make the enemy stronger. But staying…


Staying could doom them all.


Perfect for those who love fantasy but don’t have the time to sit down for a full-length novel, the fourth novella in the Legends of Light series presents the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses in a clean, exciting, and inspiring manner. Full of wit, secrets, danger, and distant threats looming on the horizon, this is more than the mere retelling of a favorite fairy tale.


A stand-alone story, The Stealthmaster’s Shadow focuses on the fourth Fruit of the Spirit, long-suffering, while following the results of the war between the Prince and Tauscher.


Hope Ann uses chocolate to bribe a wide ring of spies, from the realm leapers of Aslaria to the double agents of Elkbend, for their stories. Based in Indiana, she is the self-published author of the Legends of Light series, personal writing coach, and the Communications Coordinator for Story Embers. You can find out more about her at authorhopeann.com.

“Never Regret Acts of Courage” . . . and Never Regret Reading The Stealthmaster’s Shadow!

5 Stars
 
Ten years have passed since the last book in the incredible Legends of Light series, Shadows of the Hersweald. Those who accept the Prince’s pardon are now in danger of being outlawed. The Stealthmaster, Verus, has been sent to hunt them down, but he has a mission of his own.
 
I received The Stealthmaster’s Shadow for my birthday. I made myself promise to read only one chapter a day, because, well, I just don’t have that sort of time to be on my computer. Besides, it made the adventure last longer, right?
 
Yeah. That worked fine until about halfway through. I sat down and read the entire last half of the book in one afternoon.
 
Hope kept me guessing—I was just as confused as Verus there at the beginning. I kept guessing right up until the last pages. The last half of the book was a tearjerker (and I don’t say that about many books). It never gets freaky with violence or graphic descriptions (despite the fact that it’s allegorical to the persecution of Christians). Also, there is no language or inappropriate boy/girl relationships. The ending is gorgeous—I love that she’s not just a “everybody gets rescued and they live happily ever after” kind of author. You never know what might happen!
 
I didn’t have any trouble picking up on the worldbuilding. (And I don’t read a lot of fantasy, so that’s a big deal.)
 
There’s lots to like with her characters: Verus is amazing. Adreana is a strong female character. And little Eolus! He is too sweet.
 
This is a very timely and necessary story. It dives into the murky waters of suffering, persecution, and its purpose—and comes out with its head above water. As with all of Hope’s work, it is evident that she thought through the questions and answer—this isn’t a trite book that slaps a Band-Aid over suffering.
 
So, my advice (if you care for that sort of thing)? “Never regret acts of courage” . . . and never regret reading The Stealthmaster’s Shadow!

Kynet never planned to be at the forefront of the rebellion. That was her brother’s hobby: rallying the people. Plotting against the leaders. Running into dangers she’d have to negotiate him out of.

That was before the Poisoner tried to kill her.

Left with strange powers in the aftermath of his attack, Kynet is even more convinced the rebellion isn’t worth it. For every life her healing saves, ten more are wasted.

But her quest to stop the carnage before war breaks out will bring her face to face with the man who tried to murder her... and with her own helplessness against a grim reality she may not be able to change.

Hope Ann uses chocolate to bribe a wide ring of spies, from the realm leapers of Aslaria to the double agents of Elkbend, for their stories. Based in Indiana, she is the self-published author of the Legends of Light series, personal writing coach, and the Communications Coordinator for Story Embers. You can find out more about her at authorhopeann.com.
 
I received my copy on Monday and read the entire book three times since. (I’ve read the last chapter close to five times, I believe.)
 
But here is my official review (if you believe in that sort of thing). You can also check the review out on Amazon.
 
Healer’s Bane Sneaks in and Touches Your Heart While You’re Busy Turning Pages

5 stars
 
If you could take the pain of the entire world, would you do it? That’s the question facing Kynet. Of course, she also has to deal with a brother who won’t give up his rebellion OR listen to her, and a poisoner who won’t quit stalking her.
 
Oh. My. Goodness.
 
I was hooked from page one. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. I saw it all like a movie. Hope has a way of painting such detailed pictures with her words. The ending will smack you out of nowhere—it takes epic and beautiful to a whole new level! I never saw it coming and immediately went back to discover what clues I had missed. Despite the fact that the majority of the book deals with pain and death, she never freaked me out with graphic descriptions. Also, there is no language or inappropriate boy/girl relationships.
 
Hope’s worldbuilding is EXCELLENT! I saw and understood Lacrecia right away, and found it very interesting. (And I don’t read a lot of fantasy!)
 
I jumped immediately into Kynet’s head—I saw what she saw, heard what she heard, felt what she felt. I could see each of the characters in my mind—Nayn, Lael, and yes, even the Poisoner. I adore little Ean—he is such a sweetheart!
 
One of the things I love about Hope’s books is that with each one you can tell she put so much thought and work into how the world would work, and how the plot would surprise us, and how the characters would tug at us, and most importantly, what she would say through all of that. This book delves into the tough questions of pain, suffering, and their purpose. It’ll make you think. It also is an amazing starting point to sharing the Gospel—while the healers in this book may have been imperfect, there is a Healer Who is perfect.
 
Please, please, please read this book. Healer’s Bane sneaks in and touches your heart while you’re busy turning pages.