The first volume in the gripping fantasy quartet, A Trial of Blood and Steel. Sasha is a princess, the like of which the highland country of Lenayin has never seen before. Spurning her royal heritage to be raised by the great warrior Kessligh, her exquisite swordplay astonishes all who witness it. But Sasha is still young, untested in battle and often led by her rash temper. In the complex world of Lenayin loyalties, her defiant wilfulness is attracting the wrong kind of attention. Lenayin is a land almost divided by its two faiths: the Verenthane of the ruling classes and the pagan Goeren-yai, amongst whom Sasha now lives. The Goeren-yai worship swordplay and honour and begin to see Sasha as the great spirit, the Synnich, who will unite them. But Sasha is still searching for what she believes and must choose her side carefully. When the Udalyn people, the symbol of Goeren-yai pride and courage, are attacked by Verenthane forces, Sasha will face her moment of testing. How will she act? Is she ready to lead? Can she be the saviour the Goeren-yai want her to be?