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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this book and all of the fighting scenes! Cant wait for book 2!
dark
tense
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an exciting and thrilling read. The characters will pull you in until you’re not sure what viewpoint you want to know more about. There are a variety of themes that were very intriguing and was a different way of telling the story. The action is intense and will keep you hooked from battle to battle. I strongly encourage this book. If you’d like to know more of what I thought about this book, feel free to contact me.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this book, and I’m anxiously waiting for the next book to come out now so I can see what happens next with these characters! I loved the pacing and the writing, there was never a dull moment and even when there wasn’t any action going on, we were getting more insight into the characters and the world. The pacing was fast, and the fight scenes were so fun to read! For lack of a better word, this felt almost self-aware, in the sense that the characters were (for the most part) straightforward with their expectations, like when Cyrus was going through his training and his mentor was clear on what would happen, and Cyrus was understanding and knew what was going on. It’s a little hard to describe that feeling that I had while I was reading those sections, but it was very refreshing and I very much enjoyed it!
I also really liked the characters and how even though Cyrus was clearly the main character, you also got the stories of Mari, Stasia, Thorda, and Rayan. Each character had a clear voice and you almost instantly fell in love with them all. Honestly, the characters were the main selling point of this book for me, the character art Dalglish posted on Twitter is what convinced me to request the ARC in the first place!
I also thought the world was really interesting, with this small island kingdom that was invaded by the mainland empire. I really hope we get to see more of the island in the next books, because the story is pretty contained within the capital city. Despite that, it doesn’t feel like it takes place in a small place, and I liked how we got just enough description to make you curious about the rest of the kingdom.
Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of books that have religious fantatics who force their views on others because a lot of the time the focus is TOO much on that aspect, but in this case, I think that it was nicely balanced with the other aspects of the story and the characters.
In fact, I’ve been wracking my brain to try to think of any negatives that I had while reading and honestly, I can’t think of any!
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more of this series, and finally reading more from this author, as I’ve had MANY of his books on my unread TBR for far too long.
I also really liked the characters and how even though Cyrus was clearly the main character, you also got the stories of Mari, Stasia, Thorda, and Rayan. Each character had a clear voice and you almost instantly fell in love with them all. Honestly, the characters were the main selling point of this book for me, the character art Dalglish posted on Twitter is what convinced me to request the ARC in the first place!
I also thought the world was really interesting, with this small island kingdom that was invaded by the mainland empire. I really hope we get to see more of the island in the next books, because the story is pretty contained within the capital city. Despite that, it doesn’t feel like it takes place in a small place, and I liked how we got just enough description to make you curious about the rest of the kingdom.
Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of books that have religious fantatics who force their views on others because a lot of the time the focus is TOO much on that aspect, but in this case, I think that it was nicely balanced with the other aspects of the story and the characters.
In fact, I’ve been wracking my brain to try to think of any negatives that I had while reading and honestly, I can’t think of any!
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more of this series, and finally reading more from this author, as I’ve had MANY of his books on my unread TBR for far too long.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I overall enjoyed the story, the world building and particularly the cast of characters. However, I was hoping for a little more complexity in the plot beyond a revenge/rebellion story. That said, it's well executed and if you like that trope and lots of action scenes, I think this book is worth checking out.
The book starts off strong. The young prince, Cyrus, witnesses his parents' execution by the newly arrived conquerors from the Everlorn Empire. Cyrus is spared but becomes a prisoner. What sets this world apart, though, is that gods live among the people and each realm has their own gods that they worship. In the dramatic opening chapter, one of the two gods of Cyrus's home is killed. Two years later, the other god is killed and that sets off the chain of events where the prince joins a well-funded rebellion to become the mysteriously masked Vagrant.
From there, we witness Cyrus's training to become a legendary fighter and serve as the champion of the rebellion to inspire hope and resistance among the populace. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including the antagonists but the standout characters are sisters Stasia and Mari. Stasia is a typical badass warrior that can best almost anyone in a fight, whereas Mari is a god-whisperer who can take on a hybrid form between human and god to obtain superhuman powers.
My favorite parts of the book were the slow moments where the characters interacted with each other. Their reflection on the suffering they've endured and the doubts they have, and what their true desires are were done really well. Found family is one of the central themes of this book. With people's lives shattered by death and loss, finding a place of love, comfort, and belonging offers some hope and respite from the horrors of the rebellion.
A lot of the magic of both the rebellion and the empire revolve around the manifestation, usurpation, or control of divine beings. I found this aspect of the book to be pretty intriguing and I haven't read a lot of fantasy books where divinity plays a central role in the magic system. I also enjoyed the discussion of faith and how belief in that faith often blinds you to your own sins while admonishing others for theirs. Succinctly, it's a lot of "my God is better than your God" conflict in this book.
And while there were some nice surprises toward the end of the book, the plot was a little too simple for my taste. I needed more intrigue, a mystery or another side plot. That's my personal preference. A revenge/rebellion story is just not enough to captivate my interest for 500 pages. Fortunately, the story is well told and the characters are good but that is the main reason for my 3.5 star rating.
Overall, I recommend this book if you enjoy action heavy fantasy with a mix of living gods and a band of rebels grouping together to overthrow an all powerful empire. Mix that in with a good cast of characters with great LGBTQ+ representation, and it's an overall satisfying read.
The book starts off strong. The young prince, Cyrus, witnesses his parents' execution by the newly arrived conquerors from the Everlorn Empire. Cyrus is spared but becomes a prisoner. What sets this world apart, though, is that gods live among the people and each realm has their own gods that they worship. In the dramatic opening chapter, one of the two gods of Cyrus's home is killed. Two years later, the other god is killed and that sets off the chain of events where the prince joins a well-funded rebellion to become the mysteriously masked Vagrant.
From there, we witness Cyrus's training to become a legendary fighter and serve as the champion of the rebellion to inspire hope and resistance among the populace. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including the antagonists but the standout characters are sisters Stasia and Mari. Stasia is a typical badass warrior that can best almost anyone in a fight, whereas Mari is a god-whisperer who can take on a hybrid form between human and god to obtain superhuman powers.
My favorite parts of the book were the slow moments where the characters interacted with each other. Their reflection on the suffering they've endured and the doubts they have, and what their true desires are were done really well. Found family is one of the central themes of this book. With people's lives shattered by death and loss, finding a place of love, comfort, and belonging offers some hope and respite from the horrors of the rebellion.
A lot of the magic of both the rebellion and the empire revolve around the manifestation, usurpation, or control of divine beings. I found this aspect of the book to be pretty intriguing and I haven't read a lot of fantasy books where divinity plays a central role in the magic system. I also enjoyed the discussion of faith and how belief in that faith often blinds you to your own sins while admonishing others for theirs. Succinctly, it's a lot of "my God is better than your God" conflict in this book.
And while there were some nice surprises toward the end of the book, the plot was a little too simple for my taste. I needed more intrigue, a mystery or another side plot. That's my personal preference. A revenge/rebellion story is just not enough to captivate my interest for 500 pages. Fortunately, the story is well told and the characters are good but that is the main reason for my 3.5 star rating.
Overall, I recommend this book if you enjoy action heavy fantasy with a mix of living gods and a band of rebels grouping together to overthrow an all powerful empire. Mix that in with a good cast of characters with great LGBTQ+ representation, and it's an overall satisfying read.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love an author who can make you love characters almost instantly, but also plants the seed of “trust no bitch’ right away. This is my first Dalglish book and damn, call me impressed.
I kid you not when I say that I fell in love with just about every single character in this book. The entire cast is perfect and meld and bounce so well off of each other. It’s a testament to Dalglish’s craft that he can get you so emotionally connected so quickly. And then of course he has to hurt them so badly - but I’m a masochist of a reader, so I enjoyed a lot of the pain he put these characters (and the reader) through. And the story? The twists? I was screaming in my notes for the second half of this book and could not put it down.
This book also gave me major Arcane vibes, in the sense of the characters & the storytelling style - Dalglish is careful not to fill in the story wall to wall, but let’s it breathe and grow into something I think any fantasy fan will love sinking their teeth into
All this praise being said, this was also rough read for me, a Queer reader from a former religious background. There are some scenes that were very difficult to read and I was not expecting them. One scene that was personally difficult for me to read was a scene that involved threatening a sapphic couple with sexual assault if they did not comply with the newly implemented conservative laws. Dalglish gives his Queer characters strength and power and love, but he puts them through the emotional ringer too. Especially right now, this may not be a book that some Queer folks should look to for escapism - so take care when picking this up.
CW: violence, gore, homophobia, transphobia, death of parents, threatening sexual assault on a sapphic couple, use of the term “crossed-women” for trans women, descriptions of fat bodies shapeshifting (which I thought was straightforward and well done, but this could differ for other readers) & child murder
*I received an eARC from NetGalley & Orbit in exchange for my honest review*
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.75 stars
The Bladed Faith is a headlong sprint into the chaos of revolution and revenge. A compelling exploration of love, loss, grief, and hope.
Thank you so much to Orbit books for this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow what a ride! David Dalglish is an author that I haven’t had much experience with so I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. I am a sucker for revenge stories, especially ones that aren’t mindless rage all the time and delve deeper into exploring those emotions of grief and anger that the protagonist is dealing with.
“The wise can rebuild a better world from the ashes, but for there to be ashes, we must first burn down the old and the rotten. I say we get to burning.”
The characters in The Bladed Faith are not one dimensional. Cyrus, Mari, Keles, Thorda, and Stasia in particular are very complex characters that felt so real and relatable in many different ways.
The main POV and who we get to see the most of is Cyrus, the last royal standing after his parents were murdered by their conquerors, the Everlorn Empire. We get in Cyrus’ head quite a lot throughout the story which was the perfect way to understand exactly where he was coming from. Cyrus is a concoction of so many differing traits packed into one. He is kind and caring, yet angry and sad. He is afraid, but also courageous. Filled with doubt and insecurity, yet driven and determined. Cyrus is a perfect example of how to portray a conflicted character.
“Only we decide who we are. No one else. The Vagrant is just a mask. It is an identity you slide over yourself like a cloak. It can be removed. It can be rejected. You are not a slave to it, no matter the pressures you face or the guilt that weighs upon you. Clinging to it may grant survival, but it may also drag you under. Always know the difference. Always make it your choice.”
However, each of these characters have their moments to shine. Each one brings something unique to the table to form the the main lense from which we view book 1 of this series. We have Stasia, the extremely strong and tough, yet kind warrior. Mari is the god-whisperer and the peacekeeper of the group. I loved the mix of gentleness and optimism that counterbalanced the ruthlessness she exhibits in battle. Thorda is the money and mastermind behind the rebellion. Haunted by his harsh past, he is utterly resolved and determined to do all he can to see Thanet’s rebellion succeed. And then there is Keles. I honestly am not 100% sure why, but I instantly connected with Keles. She is such a compelling character. The faithless Paladin who despite herself decides to help the rebellion anyway. I loved her character in this book even though we only met her about halfway through.
Another thing that is done very well in this book is tension. In part because of the very nature of this book, the rebellion of a conquered people, the tension is almost always high. The protagonists are always in danger of being discovered and/or killed and because of that I was always worried about the fate of these characters that I had come to love very quickly.
“Empires crumble. They grow and swell and conquer, and with each gluttonous mile they swallow down, they come that much closer to bursting. Their foundation is rot. It trembles beneath them as they climb for the sky. Let Thanet be the breaking point.”
I am a huge fan of found family and it is all over the place in this one. I love seeing bonds of loyalty that run so deep despite horrible circumstances. The way that Cyrus, Stasia, and Mari form an adopted sibling like bond was especially moving and heartwarming to see.
The plot moved at a brisk pace that felt like a natural fit for the story. There is an abundance of action and suspense, with some intrigue smattered here and there throughout the narrative. There is also quite a bit of introspection and meaningful character moments throughout this tale. I devoured the last 21% in one sitting, keeping myself up until 2am to do so. There were big reveals, twists and turns, and so many little hints at what is to come!
The Bladed Faith is riveting, immersive, action packed, and downright epic. Despite it being only the beginning of February I know that it will be on my list of favorites for 2022. I cannot wait until the sequel comes out next year so I can see how Cyrus and company fair in the coming chaos!
The Bladed Faith is a headlong sprint into the chaos of revolution and revenge. A compelling exploration of love, loss, grief, and hope.
Thank you so much to Orbit books for this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow what a ride! David Dalglish is an author that I haven’t had much experience with so I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. I am a sucker for revenge stories, especially ones that aren’t mindless rage all the time and delve deeper into exploring those emotions of grief and anger that the protagonist is dealing with.
“The wise can rebuild a better world from the ashes, but for there to be ashes, we must first burn down the old and the rotten. I say we get to burning.”
The characters in The Bladed Faith are not one dimensional. Cyrus, Mari, Keles, Thorda, and Stasia in particular are very complex characters that felt so real and relatable in many different ways.
The main POV and who we get to see the most of is Cyrus, the last royal standing after his parents were murdered by their conquerors, the Everlorn Empire. We get in Cyrus’ head quite a lot throughout the story which was the perfect way to understand exactly where he was coming from. Cyrus is a concoction of so many differing traits packed into one. He is kind and caring, yet angry and sad. He is afraid, but also courageous. Filled with doubt and insecurity, yet driven and determined. Cyrus is a perfect example of how to portray a conflicted character.
“Only we decide who we are. No one else. The Vagrant is just a mask. It is an identity you slide over yourself like a cloak. It can be removed. It can be rejected. You are not a slave to it, no matter the pressures you face or the guilt that weighs upon you. Clinging to it may grant survival, but it may also drag you under. Always know the difference. Always make it your choice.”
However, each of these characters have their moments to shine. Each one brings something unique to the table to form the the main lense from which we view book 1 of this series. We have Stasia, the extremely strong and tough, yet kind warrior. Mari is the god-whisperer and the peacekeeper of the group. I loved the mix of gentleness and optimism that counterbalanced the ruthlessness she exhibits in battle. Thorda is the money and mastermind behind the rebellion. Haunted by his harsh past, he is utterly resolved and determined to do all he can to see Thanet’s rebellion succeed. And then there is Keles. I honestly am not 100% sure why, but I instantly connected with Keles. She is such a compelling character. The faithless Paladin who despite herself decides to help the rebellion anyway. I loved her character in this book even though we only met her about halfway through.
Another thing that is done very well in this book is tension. In part because of the very nature of this book, the rebellion of a conquered people, the tension is almost always high. The protagonists are always in danger of being discovered and/or killed and because of that I was always worried about the fate of these characters that I had come to love very quickly.
“Empires crumble. They grow and swell and conquer, and with each gluttonous mile they swallow down, they come that much closer to bursting. Their foundation is rot. It trembles beneath them as they climb for the sky. Let Thanet be the breaking point.”
I am a huge fan of found family and it is all over the place in this one. I love seeing bonds of loyalty that run so deep despite horrible circumstances. The way that Cyrus, Stasia, and Mari form an adopted sibling like bond was especially moving and heartwarming to see.
The plot moved at a brisk pace that felt like a natural fit for the story. There is an abundance of action and suspense, with some intrigue smattered here and there throughout the narrative. There is also quite a bit of introspection and meaningful character moments throughout this tale. I devoured the last 21% in one sitting, keeping myself up until 2am to do so. There were big reveals, twists and turns, and so many little hints at what is to come!
The Bladed Faith is riveting, immersive, action packed, and downright epic. Despite it being only the beginning of February I know that it will be on my list of favorites for 2022. I cannot wait until the sequel comes out next year so I can see how Cyrus and company fair in the coming chaos!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes