Waiting on Wednesday – The Way of the Shield by Marshall Ryan Maresca

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme that was hosted by Breaking the Spine to let us share our excitement for books coming out soon. It has gone the way of the wind and is no longer hosted there. But Wishful Endings is now hosting Can’t Wait Wednesday so we can keep the momentum going and link up there.

I’ve enjoyed Maresca’s numerous ongoing series, and I’m quite curious were this one is going to go. Sounds like it could be another fun one

The Way of the Shield (Maradaine Elite, #1) by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Also by this author: The Thorn of Dentonhill, A Murder of Mages
Published by Daw Books on October 2, 2018
Pages: 368

   

The first novel in the Maradaine Elite series blends fast-paced high fantasy and political intrigue.

Dayne Heldrin always dreamed of being a member of the Tarian Order. In centuries past, the Elite Orders of Druthal were warriors that stood for order, justice, and the common people. But now, with constables, King’s Marshals, and a standing army, there is little need for such organizations, and the Tarian Order is one of the last remnants of this ancient legacy. Nevertheless, Dayne trained his body and mind, learned the arts of defense and fighting, to become a candidate for the Tarian Order.

When a failed rescue puts Dayne at fault for injuring the child of a powerful family, his future with the Tarians is in jeopardy. The Parliament controls the purse strings for the Order, and Dayne has angered the wrong members of Parliament. He returns to the capital city of Maradaine in shame, ready to be cast out of the Order when the period of his candidacy ends.

Dayne finds Maradaine in turmoil, as revolutions and dark conspiracies brew around him, threatening members of Parliament and common people alike. Dayne is drawn into the uproar, desperate not to have one more death or injury on his conscience, but the Order wants him to stay out of the situation. The city threatens to tear itself apart, and Dayne must decide between his own future and his vow to always stand between the helpless and harm.