"She paused, uncertain of what kind of help to pray for. Finding a good husband? Someone who made her parents happy? Someone who loved her? Someone she loved? She didn't want a husband, not really. In her heart of hearts, she wanted more. She just didn't know what 'more' looked like" 
 "Watching her fight was like watching a thunder storm-- powerful and violent and beautiful." 
 You may think Samantha's just a young girl in sought of vengeance, but who said that was a bad thing? 
 Lady Samantha, wearing dresses and always playing the perfect role, yet somehow wanting more. 
 Sometimes, "more" seeks you out, and when it does, you have two options,keep pretending, or you do something about it. 
 Sam choose the latter, deciding that life was more than just hiding behind a title. 
 It was about seizing your true desires. 
 After the death of her mother, Sam follows her calling to become a warrior. A Paladin, the protectors of the kingdom, hunting demons, and ensuring safety from the evils that lurk. With more dangers arising, and her mothers death at the hand of those she has promised to hunt, Samantha must give up everything, in order to gain it. 
 No longer Lady Samantha, but Sam, the sword fighting, spit fire of a mouth boy. Hiding her true identity and leaving her past behind, she now trains to become the warriors she's always admired. 
 What is not foretold, is that she isn't the only one there with a secret, and that her childhood savior, might just be her trainer. 
 As war is falling upon the kingdom, Sam must find a way to protect the people she is sworn to, but also herself. 
 Plot: 
 8/10 
 Characters: 
 9.5/10 
 Writing: 
 8/10 
 Development: 
 10/10 
 Alright, so my description of this book probably still does not do it enough justice. It seems so much simpler to write snarky reviews, and I've grown so used to them! I'm glad I enjoyed this book though, because I was in need of some well written work. It's surprising this novel isn't as popular here on goodreads. I'd say it deserves much more hype, I can't tell you how bored I've grown of damsels-in-distress. If you've gone tired of the typical, boy-saves-girl, then you'll definitely find this novel refreshing. Samantha was everything I wanted from an MC, and more. 
 Just take a look at this quote: 
 "No," she said. "I don't want your gown." She'd never been a girl in need of a handsome prince. 
 Isn't that just everything, you've wanted an MC to say. That, no, she does not need the simple comforts of having a handsome hero, because there was never need of one in the first place. 
 Now, I could continue on for paragraphs about how lovely this novel was, or I could give you some snippets of each important character: 
 Tristan: 
 Sam's Paladin mentor, in charge of training both her and Braeden. He's a master swordsmen, who has never lost a battle once. You can only imagine his distaste when paired with the scrawny, back talking boy(Sam). 
 "I would never follow a man weaker than I," Sam declared. 
 "Nor I, but strength isn't only physical," Tristan said. A flush of color crept into his cheeks. 
 "And sometimes even those of us who are strong can be weak" 
 "I learned long ago to put my faith in myself, not the Gods." 
 Braeden: 
 Part demon with catlike eyes, master at battle, and Paladin trainee alongside Sam. Let's say he reminds me of Damon Salvatore with his thoughts on himself, but his actions do not reflect those of Damon. He's more into proving himself as anything but the monster he perceives himself to be. I'd like to imagine if Sebastian from TMI had a conscious, they would be alike. 
 "Doesn't that hurt?" 
 Braeden must be hearing this, because he could of sworn he heard concern in Sam's voice. He shook his head. "The pain is insignificant. And I heal quickly." 
 Sam reached over and grabbed his wrist, lifting it up to inspect his hand. "Amazing. The cut is already healed over." 
 Now it was Braeden's turn to stare. No one ever touched him so casually, not even his old master. Who was this Sam of Haywood? 
 Sam felt a grin tug at her lips. "Quinn, Will," she said, "you can sit with us anytime." 
 Braeden's eyes flicked to hers. "Us, is it?" 
 "Aye." she met his gaze, daring him to challenge her. "Us." 
 Sam: 
 Just a complex, bad-ass woman, who doesn't need a knight in shining armor. 
 My mother is dead. 
 And there was nothing she, Paladin Lyons, or even the Gods could do about it. 
 Her hands clenched into fists. 
 She couldn't change the past, but she could change the future. 
 "As I was saying, it dawned on me- I've grown accustomed to having you around. Far too accustomed to lose you. I want you around." He brushed his fingers over her knuckles. "Say you'll be my wife." 
 - "Wanting me around is not a reason to marry me," she said finally. 
 This right here, is what I've always thought when I'd see proposals in books appearing like these. Wanting someone around is not a reason to marry the person. As lovely as it may sound, I'd like to imagine that it's more than just about "prince charming", but about the man under the title. Who is he when he is not who he claims? 
 If this hasn't convinced you enough to read this book, then I don't know what will. 
 Overall It was an amazing novel, and I'm certainly interested to see the rest of this series.