Title: SASHA - A TRIAL OF BLOOD AND STEEL
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Author: Joel Shepherd
Edition released: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7336-2141-3
443 pages
Reviewed by: Adam Donnison

Lenayin is a country divided by religious and ethnic tensions exacerbated by the desire of the ruling class of Verenthanes to take more power in their regions over the Goeren-yai. The king has an uneasy hold on power, only possible by the agreement of the nobles, and deliberately weak so as to not provide an incentive for the nobles to rise against the benevolent rule. The Goeren-yai have for a century endured this situation, however with the fear that the living symbol of their pride - the Udalyn, are likely to be attacked, they look for a leader to unite them.

Sasha is the daughter of the king, but has forsaken all of this to live with the Goeren-yai and to study under the famed warrior Kessligh. Her prowess with the blade has lead the Goeren-yai to see in her the Synnich - the great spirit that may unite them. The Verenthane nobles see a potentially dangerous enemy. Sasha is young, impetuous and untested in battle, and therefore an unlikely leader, but events seem to conspire to cast her in that role.

I really, really liked SASHA. The central character was eminently believable, and complex enough that you could both like and dislike her at the same time. The social themes explored in this book by Joel Shepherd also offers a depth that helps cement this as a great story. It is in some ways a coming of age tale, with Sasha having to confront things that she thought she had put behind her, and to take on responsibilities that are almost overwhelming.

SASHA is a classic grand saga that will please any fantasy fan. It also has depth and character development that will bring new readers to the genre, and ultimately is a great story that will engage and entertain. I found it very hard to put this book down. SASHA is a great read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.