Katie Cross
The Swordmaker by Katie Cross | The Historical Collection Book 2
The Swordmaker by Katie Cross | The Historical Collection Book 2
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All novels in The Historical Collection are standalones and can be read at any time.
Andrei Kuzmin is more than a swordmaker.
He is a legend.
In the arctic lands of the Southern Network, members of the legendary silkmaking clan understand one truth above all others: the clan keeps the Sirilas magic in balance by obeying its rules, and the Sirilas magic keeps them alive.
Andrei has always believed in those rules.
As the loyal, steady future Guide to the Clan, he expects a life of order, duty, ease, and prosperity.
Then a sword stands in his way.
Quite literally.
The strange weapon shoves Andrei out of his stable world and into a new magic—one that does not care about the requirements of the Sirilas magic, the expectations of the clan, or the future Andrei thought he understood.
While Andrei struggles to rid himself of the meddlesome sword, a new threat emerges.
Alek Popov, High Priest of the Southern Network, wants the well-kept secrets of the silkmaking magic. And if Andrei cannot keep both magicks in balance, the clan’s future may unravel from the inside out.
Can Andrei forge the path required of him?
Or will his faltering loyalty destroy the clan he was born to protect?
The Swordmaker is the second standalone novel in The Historical Collection by Katie Cross, a clean YA fantasy collection set in Alkarra before The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Sisterwitches Series. This historical fantasy adventure features ancient magic, legendary weapons, craft magic, forbidden knowledge, magic and politics, clan loyalty, forgotten history, and no spice.
Perfect for readers who love clean YA fantasy, magical weapons, ancient secrets, arctic fantasy settings, political intrigue, powerful magic systems, standalone fantasy novels, and worldbuilding origin stories.
Perfect For Readers Who Love
- YA fantasy books with legendary weapons
- Clean fantasy with no spice
- Historical fantasy set in magical worlds
- Ancient magic and forgotten history
- Craft magic and magical objects
- Forbidden knowledge
- Magic and politics
- Clan loyalty and hidden traditions
- Arctic fantasy settings
- Political intrigue and dangerous leaders
- Medieval fantasy worlds
- Standalone fantasy novels
- Alkarra origin stories
Format Options
This product is available in multiple formats, depending on the edition selected:
- Ebook
- Audiobook
- Paperback
Please choose your preferred format before checkout.
Series Reading Order
The Historical Collection
- The High Priestess
- The Swordmaker
- The Advocate
- The Great Library of Burke
- Wildrose
- The Weavers of Magic
All novels in The Historical Collection are standalones and can be read in any order.
The Historical Collection takes place in Alkarra before The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Sisterwitches Series.
FAQ
Is The Swordmaker part of The Historical Collection?
Yes. The Swordmaker is book 2 in The Historical Collection by Katie Cross.
Do I need to read The High Priestess before The Swordmaker?
No. The Historical Collection is made up of standalone novels set in Alkarra. You can read The Swordmaker at any point.
Is The Swordmaker connected to The Network Series?
Yes. The Swordmaker is set in Alkarra and takes place before The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Sisterwitches Series. It explores earlier history, magic systems, and world-shaping events in the same fantasy world.
Is The Swordmaker appropriate for young adult readers?
Yes. The Swordmaker is a clean YA fantasy novel written for young adult readers and adult readers who enjoy magical weapons, ancient magic, political intrigue, clan secrets, and no-spice fantasy adventure.
Does The Swordmaker have romance?
The Swordmaker is primarily focused on Andrei, the Sirilas magic, the legendary sword, clan loyalty, and political danger. It is clean YA fantasy with emotional stakes and no spice.
Is there spice?
No. The Swordmaker is clean YA fantasy with no spice.
What tropes are in The Swordmaker?
This book includes legendary sword, ancient magic, craft magic, forbidden knowledge, magic and politics, clan secrets, arctic fantasy, forgotten history, medieval fantasy, and standalone fantasy.
What formats are available?
Depending on the edition selected, The Swordmaker may be available as an ebook, audiobook, or paperback.
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I think I have now read all of her Ankara books and this is my absolute favourite. I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to a Southern Clan whose unique magics and setting were fascinating. Learning the story of the Ensis, Andrew The Swordmaker turned a fleeting character in the novels into a fully-fleshed being. Now, to see if Sacha gets a story! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
This book is one you can’t put down. It keeps you glued to the story, the more you read the more you gave to read!
Katie Cross masterfully takes the characters through some difficult decisions that will affect their lives & the lives of their communities. She uses the fantasy genre to examine difficult choices we have to make in real life. I was engrossed in this tale & had a tough time putting it down. Very well written.
This book is one of the historical books that help to let readers know more about the world of Alkarra. The intricacies of the different magics are fascinating! The magic finds the witch, not the other way around. Highly recommend as a supplement to the Network series of books by Katie Cross.
The Swordmaker gives readers of Katie J. Cross' Alkarran books an in depth perspective into the life of Andrei, the first Alkarran swordmaker. Andrei has been preparing to assume the role of Guide for his clan and it's Sirilas magic, when suddenly he is given the magic to create swords. His clan doesn't believe in the use of swords, which makes this magic even more troublesome. Journey with Andrei as he struggles through the conflicts of the two powerful magics in his life. Which one will he choose?