By day Yosyph appears nothing more than a mute
tavern-hand. By night he is the shadowy leader of a growing revolution.
When he learns that thousands of his people will be
sent as slaves to the mines, he must choose—fight the royal army with an
ill-prepared rebellion or journey to the land of his ancestors through the
deadly King's Trial, where he hopes to win the help of his kin.
His journey grows complicated when he rescues a
maiden and enrages a prince, but if he doesn’t return with help in time, the
people he’s loved and secretly served will be gone.
As a youth, I made up stories to help my little
sisters go to sleep. It backfired. We stayed up for hours continuing the tale.
The King’s Trial was born in those late, whispered nights.
Ever since I climbed up to the rafters of our barn
at age four, I've lived high adventure: scuba diving, mud football with my
brothers, rappelling, and even riding a retired racehorse at full
gallop—bareback. I love the thrill and joy.
Stories give me a similar thrill and joy. I love
living through the eyes and heart of a hero who faces his internal demons and
the heroine who fights her way free instead of waiting to be saved. I read
fiction and true-story adventure. I write both, though I'm starting with
publishing the fiction—fact will come later.
I create high fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and
poetry. I live a joyful adventure with my husband and six children. I am a
Christian and I love my Savior.
I read this book long back during it's drafting stages, and again recently as Maria has worked on it. And I adore it! I loved it from the start - the concept is fun and engaging. And Maria's way with words keeps a reader captivated. This book has been polished and shined to perfection. And when I finished reading it, I wrote to Maria and asked where the next book is because I was so eager to keep reading. It starts out with a feel similar to The Scarlet Pimpernel, which is a story I love. And then becomes its own story, it's own adventure. I found myself rooting for people I never imagined I would like, and holding my breath as challenges were presented and the characters had to respond.
Great story, wonderful characters, twists and turns you don't see coming. It's a wonderful book, a wonderful story, and a great read.
I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
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