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5.0
1 rating
Aaliyah .
Mar 19, 2026
This book was the perfect choice to kick of my 2025 reading challenge!! I absolutely loved Keera, one of my favorite FMC of all time. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, the supporting characters made me feel every emotion, and the themes/tropes made me contemplative.
Keera is a complex character who is upfront about her flaws and struggles. As the Blade (top assassin) of King Aemon, she has enormous pressure on her to neutralize a mysterious threat only known as The Shadow. We see Keera struggle with doing the king's will and hurting/killing her people (the Halfling) and she drinks heavily to assuage the guilt and pain from her duty.
As the story moves on, we hear about Keera's promise to take the king out but the person whom she make the promise to is dead and Keera suffers nightmares. One thing that made me emotional was how she carved the names of her victims into her skin, almost like a penance for her crimes. For the "evil" she does as the Blade, Keera has a soft side which I loved. She attempts to protect one of the servants named Gwyn, a sweet character who is tortured by Prince Damien as he knows that Keera and Gwyn are close. Victoria is another character whom Keera seeks to assist. They help Halflings escape the kingdom and the evil rule of Aemon.
We eventually see Keera leave the kingdom to seek out The Shadow, crossing into the faeland. She meets Lord Feron, leader of the Dark Fae along with the charming Nikolai and the brooding Riven, whom Keera seems to recognize during a party.
The plot picks up after Keera offers a shaky alliance with Riven, Nikolai, and Syarra. The goal is to disrupt the Aemon's kingdom and eventually take him out. She has to prove herself several times to the three people as she knows that her reputation and job as the Blade makes her hated pretty much everywhere. I enjoyed reading from her point of view and I felt every emotion along with Keera; anger at Riven for his constant brooding and distrust plus sarcastic remarks. Annoyance with all three core members of the alliance, etc.
Once we get to the climax of the book (the Harvest and aftermath), it's action packed. The budding romance between Keera and Riven is tastefully woven and leaves readers wanting more. And the end had me gaping and salivating for the next book!
Melissa Blair's intricate and immersive book is a must read and I will definitely be reading the rest of the Halfling Saga soon.
Keera is a complex character who is upfront about her flaws and struggles. As the Blade (top assassin) of King Aemon, she has enormous pressure on her to neutralize a mysterious threat only known as The Shadow. We see Keera struggle with doing the king's will and hurting/killing her people (the Halfling) and she drinks heavily to assuage the guilt and pain from her duty.
As the story moves on, we hear about Keera's promise to take the king out but the person whom she make the promise to is dead and Keera suffers nightmares. One thing that made me emotional was how she carved the names of her victims into her skin, almost like a penance for her crimes. For the "evil" she does as the Blade, Keera has a soft side which I loved. She attempts to protect one of the servants named Gwyn, a sweet character who is tortured by Prince Damien as he knows that Keera and Gwyn are close. Victoria is another character whom Keera seeks to assist. They help Halflings escape the kingdom and the evil rule of Aemon.
We eventually see Keera leave the kingdom to seek out The Shadow, crossing into the faeland. She meets Lord Feron, leader of the Dark Fae along with the charming Nikolai and the brooding Riven, whom Keera seems to recognize during a party.
The plot picks up after Keera offers a shaky alliance with Riven, Nikolai, and Syarra. The goal is to disrupt the Aemon's kingdom and eventually take him out. She has to prove herself several times to the three people as she knows that her reputation and job as the Blade makes her hated pretty much everywhere. I enjoyed reading from her point of view and I felt every emotion along with Keera; anger at Riven for his constant brooding and distrust plus sarcastic remarks. Annoyance with all three core members of the alliance, etc.
Once we get to the climax of the book (the Harvest and aftermath), it's action packed. The budding romance between Keera and Riven is tastefully woven and leaves readers wanting more. And the end had me gaping and salivating for the next book!
Melissa Blair's intricate and immersive book is a must read and I will definitely be reading the rest of the Halfling Saga soon.