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meeghanreads's review
5.0
I think that M E Vaughan may possibly be one of my new favourite fantasy authors. I am spellbound by this series, and I need the next book as soon as possible! Like, I don’t care if it’s ready, I just need it now.
Blood of the Delphi is the sequel to The Sons of Thestian (TSoT) and I loved it just as much. The story begins twelve years after the events of TSoT with Rufus and Joshua on the run with the help of the Delphi Knights, Jionat imprisoned in the catacombs under the spell, Arlen and his brothers questioning the decisions that led them down this path, Far returned to the Neve, and Sverrin in his place as King.
Despite being set so far forward, I don't feel that any of the in-between story is lost. As the characters reconnect we find out the key points of the last twelve years, and the story is all the richer for it. I mean, really, there’s only so much traipsing around that you can watch Rufus and Joshua do before it becomes monotonous. I will say that I am semi-devastated that Rufus and Luca didn't spend the last twelve years chasing each other through an apple orchard and producing little magi babies that are fluent in six languages and violin experts but, realistically, I knew it was never going to happen (and it wouldn’t be realistic if it did). But a girl can dream!
Once again, my heart broke in this story. Just for a very different character than I thought it would be. Which I really liked! I am a sucker for a good plot twist (in case you hadn’t noticed) and this delivers in spades. There is definite set up for the next novel, as there are introductions to characters that have very little to do with this story (that we can tell for now); however, unlike in King’s Cage (*shudders*) there was an actual point to this story and it wasn’t just filler. Which is kind of what you want from a book…
The characters absolutely grow and change in this story. In fact, we see very minor characters from TSoT become more significant here, creating this whole additional depth to the original story. There are definitely things coming together, like a Kaz-Brekker-plan unfurling, but I just can’t see where it will go yet! Enough hints without giving away all its secrets… I love it!
Suffice to say, I am hoping Vaughan releases book three soon - and she should know that I would be happy to receive an unedited ARC, you know, to help her with the process… ;)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ - 9/10 hearts
Blood of the Delphi is the sequel to The Sons of Thestian (TSoT) and I loved it just as much. The story begins twelve years after the events of TSoT with Rufus and Joshua on the run with the help of the Delphi Knights, Jionat imprisoned in the catacombs under the spell, Arlen and his brothers questioning the decisions that led them down this path, Far returned to the Neve, and Sverrin in his place as King.
Despite being set so far forward, I don't feel that any of the in-between story is lost. As the characters reconnect we find out the key points of the last twelve years, and the story is all the richer for it. I mean, really, there’s only so much traipsing around that you can watch Rufus and Joshua do before it becomes monotonous. I will say that I am semi-devastated that Rufus and Luca didn't spend the last twelve years chasing each other through an apple orchard and producing little magi babies that are fluent in six languages and violin experts but, realistically, I knew it was never going to happen (and it wouldn’t be realistic if it did). But a girl can dream!
Once again, my heart broke in this story. Just for a very different character than I thought it would be. Which I really liked! I am a sucker for a good plot twist (in case you hadn’t noticed) and this delivers in spades. There is definite set up for the next novel, as there are introductions to characters that have very little to do with this story (that we can tell for now); however, unlike in King’s Cage (*shudders*) there was an actual point to this story and it wasn’t just filler. Which is kind of what you want from a book…
The characters absolutely grow and change in this story. In fact, we see very minor characters from TSoT become more significant here, creating this whole additional depth to the original story. There are definitely things coming together, like a Kaz-Brekker-plan unfurling, but I just can’t see where it will go yet! Enough hints without giving away all its secrets… I love it!
Suffice to say, I am hoping Vaughan releases book three soon - and she should know that I would be happy to receive an unedited ARC, you know, to help her with the process… ;)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ - 9/10 hearts
trbartly's review
5.0
Firstly, I want to extend a huge thank you to M.E. Vaughan for sending me an e-copy of this book for review! It is always such a pleasure to work with you and read your work.
This review has been really hard to write, not because I have nothing good to say, but rather, there is so much that I don't know where to start! This book was everything I could have wanted in a sequel - heck, in a high fantasy novel period. It was just fantastic from start to finish.
The diversity, first and foremost, was superb. Like the first book in this series, this book was full of characters of color, various sexualities and genders. And, these aren't just aspects of the story that are mentioned but never seen. We get to see healthy same-sex relationships in characters like Emeric and Marcel on the page. While diversity in high fantasy is improving, it still isn't the norm, so this was refreshing and exciting to read.
Onto the plot and pacing. The Sons of Thestian was a little slow to start, but Blood of the Delphi was like white-water rafting. It was thrilling, heart-pounding fun (and sometimes pain) from the beginning! I was never bored or felt like the pace dragged along. The plot was also complex and suspenseful. So much so that I couldn't sit still! I actually had to get up and pace around through parts. I was that invested. However, this was definitely a New Adult high fantasy book, so keep that in mind going into this series since it addressed quite a few sensitive themes. I will be including a trigger warning at the end of this review, just in case.
That was especially important because there was a lot of world-building in this book. The Sons of Thestian mostly explained the magic system and the two main kingdoms of Mag Mell, Bethean and Hartmatia, but in Blood of the Delphi we saw a lot more of the faerie and other human kingdoms within Mag Mell. The religious, political and social structures are also more deeply explained as well. This amount of exposition could have felt heavy, but the slow release of info throughout the book coupled with the nice pace balanced it out.
Lastly, but not least, the characters. I loved all of them. I felt for their struggles, rejoiced at their triumphs. They made me laugh and cry. I just felt connected to them somehow. Many old favorites came back for this one, like Rufus and Fae, and the new characters were just as awesome like Joshua, but one really stole the show for me and that was Arlen Zachary. I didn't even like him in The Sons of Thestian, but with each chapter or scene I read about him, I fell more and more in love with his character. Honestly, I think he may be my very favorite at this point.
But enough of my gushing about Arlen. I also wanted to mention that the relationships between the characters were wonderful. Yes, there was some romance, but it did not outweigh the friendship, familial love and the camaraderie of groups like the Magi. It was nice to read a book that put importance on all kinds of love and relationships.
If you've read this entire review, my love for this book was clear. If not, let me sum it up a bit. This book was the perfect sequel and high fantasy novel. It neither skimped on world-building nor on action, and the diverse characters were a pleasure to know. I loved every page of this book. I strongly recommend it and (or course) the first book in the series and I literally cannot wait for the third book!
Beware of some spoilers ahead.
Trigger warning:
This review has been really hard to write, not because I have nothing good to say, but rather, there is so much that I don't know where to start! This book was everything I could have wanted in a sequel - heck, in a high fantasy novel period. It was just fantastic from start to finish.
The diversity, first and foremost, was superb. Like the first book in this series, this book was full of characters of color, various sexualities and genders. And, these aren't just aspects of the story that are mentioned but never seen. We get to see healthy same-sex relationships in characters like Emeric and Marcel on the page. While diversity in high fantasy is improving, it still isn't the norm, so this was refreshing and exciting to read.
Onto the plot and pacing. The Sons of Thestian was a little slow to start, but Blood of the Delphi was like white-water rafting. It was thrilling, heart-pounding fun (and sometimes pain) from the beginning! I was never bored or felt like the pace dragged along. The plot was also complex and suspenseful. So much so that I couldn't sit still! I actually had to get up and pace around through parts. I was that invested. However, this was definitely a New Adult high fantasy book, so keep that in mind going into this series since it addressed quite a few sensitive themes. I will be including a trigger warning at the end of this review, just in case.
That was especially important because there was a lot of world-building in this book. The Sons of Thestian mostly explained the magic system and the two main kingdoms of Mag Mell, Bethean and Hartmatia, but in Blood of the Delphi we saw a lot more of the faerie and other human kingdoms within Mag Mell. The religious, political and social structures are also more deeply explained as well. This amount of exposition could have felt heavy, but the slow release of info throughout the book coupled with the nice pace balanced it out.
Lastly, but not least, the characters. I loved all of them. I felt for their struggles, rejoiced at their triumphs. They made me laugh and cry. I just felt connected to them somehow. Many old favorites came back for this one, like Rufus and Fae, and the new characters were just as awesome like Joshua, but one really stole the show for me and that was Arlen Zachary. I didn't even like him in The Sons of Thestian, but with each chapter or scene I read about him, I fell more and more in love with his character. Honestly, I think he may be my very favorite at this point.
But enough of my gushing about Arlen. I also wanted to mention that the relationships between the characters were wonderful. Yes, there was some romance, but it did not outweigh the friendship, familial love and the camaraderie of groups like the Magi. It was nice to read a book that put importance on all kinds of love and relationships.
If you've read this entire review, my love for this book was clear. If not, let me sum it up a bit. This book was the perfect sequel and high fantasy novel. It neither skimped on world-building nor on action, and the diverse characters were a pleasure to know. I loved every page of this book. I strongly recommend it and (or course) the first book in the series and I literally cannot wait for the third book!
Beware of some spoilers ahead.
Trigger warning:
-Graphic violence (scenes of torture, fighting and some deaths of minor characters)
-Mentions of past child abuse
-A few instances of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault (one female on male, male on male and male on female). These involve main/POV characters and the male on male instance also has to do with extortion and prostitution.
-Self-harm, suicide themes and suicidal thoughts from a main/POV character
dionaea's review
3.0
Not a very good stand-alone but I'm reasonably sure that I'm supposed to read the first book before starting this. I had a hard time connecting to the characters that weren't Rufus and Joshua. Even with the glossary provided, I had trouble keeping track of who's who and their relationship with everyone else.
kaseyd's review
4.0
I liked this better than the first one (though I liked the first one, too). The characters, which really carried the first book, were even better developed, but the plot was actually existent and very interesting. This book is much more complex, developed, and serious--it is much less light-hearted. It also explores Rufus's bisexuality more frequently and explicitly than in the first book, and there is also an asexual character (though nobody who is not already aware of asexuality would really realize it).
scparris's review
5.0
Where to begin?!
[author:M.E. Vaughan|7372483] has EXCEEDED expectations with this masterpiece of a fantasy tale!
I can't even--
(breaths)
Okay, first thing the characterization of a previous character, whom, in Book 1, I cared little for immediately became a favorite! Arlen effin Zachary is a beautifully tormented character (perhaps even more tormented than my beautiful Rufus?), who is absolutely changed by the end of the book (GODS I WISH I COULD BUT I WON'T SPOIL IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK), but the progression is gradual, his torment builds and builds, especially under the watchful eye of the absolutely terrifying Sverrin who, himself, is another tormented character.
What I love about Vaughan's characters is that they are all well-rounded despite their roles, and even if one revolts you, something is uncovered later on that makes you look at that character with new (often sympathetic) eyes. It's a testament to her writing skill that the plot is carried out with this brilliant subtlety and you only wish for it to never end if only because you know something is coming but you do not know what.
It is a brilliantly done second novel that sets up the third excellently as I was breathless at the end, kind of sad at the rather abrupt ending, but only certain that I needed to read Book 3 as soon as possible.
With Fairies, Magic (a la Rufus Merle), tricks, a DRAGON (who doesn't love those?), royal politics, and beautiful friendships abound, Blood of the Delphi is a wonderful journey through Mag Mell, and I'd say my only complaint was that there was only *one* Dragon. ;) Though it's hardly a complaint.
[author:M.E. Vaughan|7372483] has EXCEEDED expectations with this masterpiece of a fantasy tale!
I can't even--
(breaths)
Okay, first thing the characterization of a previous character, whom, in Book 1, I cared little for immediately became a favorite! Arlen effin Zachary is a beautifully tormented character (perhaps even more tormented than my beautiful Rufus?), who is absolutely changed by the end of the book (GODS I WISH I COULD BUT I WON'T SPOIL IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK), but the progression is gradual, his torment builds and builds, especially under the watchful eye of the absolutely terrifying Sverrin who, himself, is another tormented character.
What I love about Vaughan's characters is that they are all well-rounded despite their roles, and even if one revolts you, something is uncovered later on that makes you look at that character with new (often sympathetic) eyes. It's a testament to her writing skill that the plot is carried out with this brilliant subtlety and you only wish for it to never end if only because you know something is coming but you do not know what.
It is a brilliantly done second novel that sets up the third excellently as I was breathless at the end, kind of sad at the rather abrupt ending, but only certain that I needed to read Book 3 as soon as possible.
With Fairies, Magic (a la Rufus Merle), tricks, a DRAGON (who doesn't love those?), royal politics, and beautiful friendships abound, Blood of the Delphi is a wonderful journey through Mag Mell, and I'd say my only complaint was that there was only *one* Dragon. ;) Though it's hardly a complaint.
jaironside's review
5.0
EVERYONE DROP WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THIS IS FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME ON KINDLE AND YOU CAN GET THE FIRST BOOK FOR JUST 99c/ 99p!
I'm incredibly wary of sequels. I mean, I know how hard a sequel is to write, but so many authors, especially SFF authors, rush out a second book or, worse, tag on a second book to a successful debut, that just isn't well thought out. As a reader you're left with characters that don't develop and a plot that can seem nonsensical or pointless. Middle book syndrome - we've all seen it.
This is NOT that book.
'The Sons of Thestian' gave us a view of a different kind of epic fantasy and 'Blood of the Delphi' builds on that. Starting (rather bravely) almost thirteen years after the end of book one, this book takes you straight in at the deep end, showing us what kind of life Rufus has been forced to live since. Old favourite characters return - and some not so favourite ones too. New characters move to centre stage. And all of them are great characters, with depth and motive and three dimensions, whether you like them or not. While both Rufus and Fae have changed and grown a lot since book one, perhaps the most distinctive change is in Arlen Zachary, who to be honest I wasn't all that worried about in the first book but now I am in swivets of anxiety about him while I wait for book three. It was good to see more of his backstory but be warned, Vaughan will make you care about him (and all the other characters) and then calmly and coolly rip your still beating heart out of your chest. Approach this book with caution - there will be tears.
The plot combines several viewpoints and consequently several different strands. Sometimes I find that when a fantasy author does this, I want to rush through segments to get to the character viewpoint I am interested in again. (Sorry George R.R. Martin...) This is never the case with Blood of the Delphi, wherever the author takes you is where the action is happening, be it the quiet and disturbing plains of Rufus' inner landscape or La Kalciar under full attack. The subplots, of which there are many, seem at times to depart from the story but they are never a distraction from the main plot and in the end, all serve to support the end game as Vaughan emerges victorious, all threads held firmly in hand. There are gods up to no good behind a layer of political intrigue and wrangling on the mortal realm, while in communities and families and between individuals, there are other, smaller scale but no less important struggles for power and influence.
The pace is good. The dialogue is even more natural and there is a real sense of place. Magmell is almost an unacknowledged extra character. In my humble opinion, the author has really found her voice with this book. I am not happy about certain events but only because she is hurting characters I love - so job well done really. Book three had better no be too far off...
Highly recommend for all fantasy fans and those who enjoyed 'The Sons of Thestian'.
Altogether this is a multifaceted, accomplished and brilliant SFF novel.
I'm incredibly wary of sequels. I mean, I know how hard a sequel is to write, but so many authors, especially SFF authors, rush out a second book or, worse, tag on a second book to a successful debut, that just isn't well thought out. As a reader you're left with characters that don't develop and a plot that can seem nonsensical or pointless. Middle book syndrome - we've all seen it.
This is NOT that book.
'The Sons of Thestian' gave us a view of a different kind of epic fantasy and 'Blood of the Delphi' builds on that. Starting (rather bravely) almost thirteen years after the end of book one, this book takes you straight in at the deep end, showing us what kind of life Rufus has been forced to live since. Old favourite characters return - and some not so favourite ones too. New characters move to centre stage. And all of them are great characters, with depth and motive and three dimensions, whether you like them or not. While both Rufus and Fae have changed and grown a lot since book one, perhaps the most distinctive change is in Arlen Zachary, who to be honest I wasn't all that worried about in the first book but now I am in swivets of anxiety about him while I wait for book three. It was good to see more of his backstory but be warned, Vaughan will make you care about him (and all the other characters) and then calmly and coolly rip your still beating heart out of your chest. Approach this book with caution - there will be tears.
The plot combines several viewpoints and consequently several different strands. Sometimes I find that when a fantasy author does this, I want to rush through segments to get to the character viewpoint I am interested in again. (Sorry George R.R. Martin...) This is never the case with Blood of the Delphi, wherever the author takes you is where the action is happening, be it the quiet and disturbing plains of Rufus' inner landscape or La Kalciar under full attack. The subplots, of which there are many, seem at times to depart from the story but they are never a distraction from the main plot and in the end, all serve to support the end game as Vaughan emerges victorious, all threads held firmly in hand. There are gods up to no good behind a layer of political intrigue and wrangling on the mortal realm, while in communities and families and between individuals, there are other, smaller scale but no less important struggles for power and influence.
The pace is good. The dialogue is even more natural and there is a real sense of place. Magmell is almost an unacknowledged extra character. In my humble opinion, the author has really found her voice with this book. I am not happy about certain events but only because she is hurting characters I love - so job well done really. Book three had better no be too far off...
Highly recommend for all fantasy fans and those who enjoyed 'The Sons of Thestian'.
Altogether this is a multifaceted, accomplished and brilliant SFF novel.
rickus90's review
5.0
This book absolutely killed me. I love it, and it will most likely be one of my favourite, if not THE favourite book of 2017. Full review can be found here: https://rickusbookshelf.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/arc-review-blood-of-the-delphi-by-m-e-vaughan-the-harmatia-cycle-2/
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