Master of Iron
#2 in Bladesmith Series
on Goodreads (5,848)
What’s inside...
The heart-stopping, epic sequel to Blade of Secrets by bestselling YA fantasy sensation Tricia Levenseller
Eighteen-year-old Ziva is in a race against time. Her beloved sister was gravely wounded in a battle with a fearsome warlord, and now she and her friends, the handsome mercenary Kellyn and young scholar Petrik, have only days to find a healer to save her life.
When their plan goes awry and the group gets captured by an ambitious prince, Ziva is forced to use her powers for sinister purposes, magicking dangerous weapons meant for world domination.
The forge, once her safe space from anxiety, is now Ziva's prison. How much of herself will she have to sacrifice to survive?
Why read this book
- Engages readers with dynamic, action-packed storytelling.
- Fosters creativity and strategic thinking.
- Strengthens reading skills and vocabulary expansion.
- Encourages resilience and perseverance through character challenges.
Character compass
Ziva
Petrik
Kellyn
Temra
Kymora
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make Bladesmith a hero in 'Master of Iron'? Why?
How does the relationship between Bladesmith and friends evolve throughout the story?
What lessons can we learn about trust and betrayal from the characters' experiences?
If you were in Bladesmith’s position, how would you handle the challenges he faces?
How do you think the setting of the story impacts the characters’ decisions and life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story and its characters. Use the open-ended questions to guide a deeper discussion on the themes of heroism, trust, and the consequences of decisions. Highlight correlations between the characters' experiences and real-life scenarios to make the conversation relevant. Be attentive and validate their opinions to make them feel heard and understood.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Master of Iron' demonstrates remarkable bravery and determination when confronting challenges, inspiring readers with her resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges, such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves, with courage and a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Importance of ingenuity and resourcefulness
Explanation: The inventive use of iron to overcome obstacles in the story showcases the value of thinking creatively to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination and resourcefulness in difficult situations, whether in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Characters in 'Master of Iron' often collaborate to achieve common goals, emphasizing that teamwork can lead to greater success than individual efforts alone.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child’s life through participating in team sports, group projects at school, or collaborating with siblings at home.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in achieving goals
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the main characters persist in their quests, illustrating the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it's learning a new skill or improving in a subject at school.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: Throughout 'Master of Iron', characters are faced with tough choices that test their morals, teaching readers about the complexity of ethical decision-making.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of considering the consequences of their actions and making choices that reflect their values.