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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I never actually thought I would be this invested in this series or with the characters. Yet I find myself an unravelled crying mess. This series started with great potential in Godblind, but lost me on the huge amount of characters and what came out as fragmental as result. But the potential lay in the dark plot and the world Stephen created. And she does manage to bring her characters (well most of them) to life (why else am I crying over them). Darksoul was a huge step forward because it stretched over a shorter amount of time and the characters were less over the place.
Bloodchild took it even further. It’s the longest of the bunch, with just 500 pages (my edition). It doesn’t follow as many characters as the previous books, and I’m so happy the POV’s we lost didn’t get replaced by new ones. Though there were a couple of side characters that I would have loved to see with their own POV’s because I really wanted to get inside their heads. Such as Valan, Corvus’s Second. I cared so little for him in previous books I don’t remember if he actually did anything. But now, through Tara and also The Blessed One, we got to see him much more and the way he acted made him kind of interesting through most of the book.
The book starts shortly after where Darksoul ended, with the Mireces having taken over Rilporin and the Rilporians having fled Rilpor in search for allies. And after Darksoul, they have a lot of trauma to deal with, not least Dom and Crys. And Tara’s doing the goddess’s work, infiltrating the Mireces in Rilporin. Rillirin, pregnant, struggles to keep her away from the Mireces as they believe the child will bring back the Dark Lady. I was bit worried how everything would have room to wrap up in this. But it’s a very satisfying conclusion. The ending was really fucking intense and also heart-breaking.
A lot of shit is going down in this book. It was actually bit exhausting at points. The characters are suffering. Which is also exhausting. Because I was suffering. The pacing is really good. And the fewer characters makes it less jumpy. And the grimdark continues, with battles, torture, gore, death, trauma.
All the characters has come such a long way. Rillirin has grown so freaking much since the beginning of the first book where she could barely look someone in the eye to telling the Blessed One “fuck your face” right up her face. My Tara is super brave and bad-ass, as usual. I grieve a little that Gilda barely was in the book because she’s brave and wise. And my preciouses Dom and Crys. Both broken and having to deal with what happened in Darksoul. Crys having to cope with Foxy inside him and the fact he might die to end the war. Also his relationship with Ash is the preciousest thing ever in this series. Dom being so broken and unhinged.
There’s still a few bumps down this road, which is why it’s not up among the 5 stars. It’s a little to do with that there’s still a few characters I still don’t like following their POV’s. I also wish the books, all of them, had been longer.
I’m so happy I didn’t ditch series after being partly disappointed with book one, because this series is a great grimdark series.
Bloodchild took it even further. It’s the longest of the bunch, with just 500 pages (my edition). It doesn’t follow as many characters as the previous books, and I’m so happy the POV’s we lost didn’t get replaced by new ones. Though there were a couple of side characters that I would have loved to see with their own POV’s because I really wanted to get inside their heads. Such as Valan, Corvus’s Second. I cared so little for him in previous books I don’t remember if he actually did anything. But now, through Tara and also The Blessed One, we got to see him much more and the way he acted made him kind of interesting through most of the book.
Spoiler
Then he got into torture-mode and I was like, “Really, Valan? I thought we had something going on here.”The book starts shortly after where Darksoul ended, with the Mireces having taken over Rilporin and the Rilporians having fled Rilpor in search for allies. And after Darksoul, they have a lot of trauma to deal with, not least Dom and Crys. And Tara’s doing the goddess’s work, infiltrating the Mireces in Rilporin. Rillirin, pregnant, struggles to keep her away from the Mireces as they believe the child will bring back the Dark Lady. I was bit worried how everything would have room to wrap up in this. But it’s a very satisfying conclusion. The ending was really fucking intense and also heart-breaking.
A lot of shit is going down in this book. It was actually bit exhausting at points. The characters are suffering. Which is also exhausting. Because I was suffering. The pacing is really good. And the fewer characters makes it less jumpy. And the grimdark continues, with battles, torture, gore, death, trauma.
All the characters has come such a long way. Rillirin has grown so freaking much since the beginning of the first book where she could barely look someone in the eye to telling the Blessed One “fuck your face” right up her face. My Tara is super brave and bad-ass, as usual. I grieve a little that Gilda barely was in the book because she’s brave and wise. And my preciouses Dom and Crys. Both broken and having to deal with what happened in Darksoul. Crys having to cope with Foxy inside him and the fact he might die to end the war. Also his relationship with Ash is the preciousest thing ever in this series. Dom being so broken and unhinged.
There’s still a few bumps down this road, which is why it’s not up among the 5 stars. It’s a little to do with that there’s still a few characters I still don’t like following their POV’s. I also wish the books, all of them, had been longer.
I’m so happy I didn’t ditch series after being partly disappointed with book one, because this series is a great grimdark series.
The amazing ending to a great series.
This book has only one issues: it's the last in a series and that's sad.
The world building, the characters development and the well crafted plot were great.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
This book has only one issues: it's the last in a series and that's sad.
The world building, the characters development and the well crafted plot were great.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Full review here
My expectations for Bloodchild were somewhere between terror and excitement. After the emotional rollercoaster of the first two books, I knew this wouldn’t be an easy ride. My hopes were high and I (foolishly) thought I was ready for the final instalment in the dark fantasy trilogy by Anna Stephens.
If you think you are prepared for this book, I can promise this: you’re not. This was one of those occasions where I sat there in stunned silence once I finished it, uncertain if I was about to laugh, cry or some hysterical mixture of the two.
The intricacies of the plot do not diminish at all in this final book. There are twists and turns along the way, but the reader is carried along easily. Despite being told through multiple narrations, there is never any confusion about who you’re with and what their situation is.
There are several layers to the plot: war, Gods, love, betrayal, pain, hope and overwhelming odds that seem impossible to overcome even with a God on your side helping win over new allies. With the country in the grip of the Mierces, Mace and his band of survivors must face their worst nightmares if they don’t want to lose their Gods for good.
I don’t know where to start with characters – there are so many epic ones that I could spend the entire thing gushing. Tara is my favourite this time: never giving up, no matter what it costs her, even if that means finding love only to lose it again.
Crys and Ash once again broke my heart into thousands of little pieces. Those two take the firm spot of favourite couple in any literature: their love leaves me grinning like a fool; their pain is heart-shattering.
Talking of couples: Mace and Dalli are now established and they too are adorable together. Rillirin and Dom might have a fleeting chance at a future – or, at least, the chance to be on the same side of the war.
There is still no messing with Gilda – if she faced the Dark Lady herself, I’m not sure who would come off worse.
Lanta and Corvus have problems of their own this time around. Lanta is the character you love to hate and while there is a touch more humanity to Corvus, he never does anything to redeem himself.
The loss of characters in the first two books means you really connect with those who are left. You feel their emotions; their pain; their hope; their determination. You want them to come through unscathed, but the previous books are a strong enough indication that just because they’re the good guys doesn’t mean everything is going to go their way. There is loss in this book as well, and it’s just as heart-breaking as previously.
The switching narration makes this a fast paced and tense book. Knowing not everyone will survive keeps your heart in your mouth throughout.
Couldn’t put it down – perfect end to a powerful trilogy.
My expectations for Bloodchild were somewhere between terror and excitement. After the emotional rollercoaster of the first two books, I knew this wouldn’t be an easy ride. My hopes were high and I (foolishly) thought I was ready for the final instalment in the dark fantasy trilogy by Anna Stephens.
If you think you are prepared for this book, I can promise this: you’re not. This was one of those occasions where I sat there in stunned silence once I finished it, uncertain if I was about to laugh, cry or some hysterical mixture of the two.
The intricacies of the plot do not diminish at all in this final book. There are twists and turns along the way, but the reader is carried along easily. Despite being told through multiple narrations, there is never any confusion about who you’re with and what their situation is.
There are several layers to the plot: war, Gods, love, betrayal, pain, hope and overwhelming odds that seem impossible to overcome even with a God on your side helping win over new allies. With the country in the grip of the Mierces, Mace and his band of survivors must face their worst nightmares if they don’t want to lose their Gods for good.
I don’t know where to start with characters – there are so many epic ones that I could spend the entire thing gushing. Tara is my favourite this time: never giving up, no matter what it costs her, even if that means finding love only to lose it again.
Crys and Ash once again broke my heart into thousands of little pieces. Those two take the firm spot of favourite couple in any literature: their love leaves me grinning like a fool; their pain is heart-shattering.
Talking of couples: Mace and Dalli are now established and they too are adorable together. Rillirin and Dom might have a fleeting chance at a future – or, at least, the chance to be on the same side of the war.
There is still no messing with Gilda – if she faced the Dark Lady herself, I’m not sure who would come off worse.
Lanta and Corvus have problems of their own this time around. Lanta is the character you love to hate and while there is a touch more humanity to Corvus, he never does anything to redeem himself.
The loss of characters in the first two books means you really connect with those who are left. You feel their emotions; their pain; their hope; their determination. You want them to come through unscathed, but the previous books are a strong enough indication that just because they’re the good guys doesn’t mean everything is going to go their way. There is loss in this book as well, and it’s just as heart-breaking as previously.
The switching narration makes this a fast paced and tense book. Knowing not everyone will survive keeps your heart in your mouth throughout.
Couldn’t put it down – perfect end to a powerful trilogy.
So I have finally finished the Godblind trilogy...and I am emotionally drained after that! Anna Stephens has created some unforgettable characters in this series. She took me with those characters on one of the darkest and most compelling journeys I have ever been on.
I always try to avoid spoilers in my reviews especially with a final book in a series, so I can't really go into any detail about Bloodchild. The overall story is about the war between The Gods of Light and the Rilporians against the Red Gods and the fanatical Mireces. I will say I was gripped from the first page to the last, and I have been on a rollercoaster ride emotionally with everything that has happened.
This book surpassed all of my expectations, which were high to begin with thanks to the previous books in the trilogy. I've already mentioned the unforgettable characters but I cannot stress how exceptional these characters were for me. There is also an incredible plot that entranced me all through the three books and I loved the author's take on the interfering gods trope.
This is a dark, bloody and often brutal series, with a vein of hope running through it thanks to the characters within the story. I ran the full spectrum of emotions; there have been moments of exhiliration to moments of absolute despair.
Ms. Stephens really knows how to write visceral and intense scenes, and there were moments where I had to walk away in each book and take a deep breath. This is one hell of a series and if you are looking for a grimdark trilogy to sink your teeth into, then I wholeheartedly recommend this one. I'm off to fall into the void that is another book hangover.
I always try to avoid spoilers in my reviews especially with a final book in a series, so I can't really go into any detail about Bloodchild. The overall story is about the war between The Gods of Light and the Rilporians against the Red Gods and the fanatical Mireces. I will say I was gripped from the first page to the last, and I have been on a rollercoaster ride emotionally with everything that has happened.
This book surpassed all of my expectations, which were high to begin with thanks to the previous books in the trilogy. I've already mentioned the unforgettable characters but I cannot stress how exceptional these characters were for me. There is also an incredible plot that entranced me all through the three books and I loved the author's take on the interfering gods trope.
This is a dark, bloody and often brutal series, with a vein of hope running through it thanks to the characters within the story. I ran the full spectrum of emotions; there have been moments of exhiliration to moments of absolute despair.
Ms. Stephens really knows how to write visceral and intense scenes, and there were moments where I had to walk away in each book and take a deep breath. This is one hell of a series and if you are looking for a grimdark trilogy to sink your teeth into, then I wholeheartedly recommend this one. I'm off to fall into the void that is another book hangover.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bloodchild is the last book in The Godblind Trilogy and what a rollercoaster this trilogy is. Dark to extreme levels, emotional and tense, it brings an epic conclusion to the ongoing and bloody war between the Mireces and the Rilporians, and the war between their gods. Going in, I had no idea how this series would end in a way that was satisfying but also fit in with the tone of the series, but it worked. There are so many characters in this series, but this book highlighted how much I connected with them over the course of the trilogy, as if I had fought at their side. We get to see perspectives from both sides, and there are such a mix in personalities and motivations that keep it interesting, across both the large battle scenes and smaller personal moments. This is a twisted series, and Bloodchild is a worthwhile ending to it. I look forward to reading more from Anna Stephens.
Having finished Godblind and Darksoul in the last month, my anticipation for Bloodchild was off the charts and it did not disappoint. I couldn't put it down (and have just finished reading it for a second time), and there are some scenes that I know I will be going back to. The perfect ending to one of my favourite trilogies, and one that has given me far too many feelings.
*Full review now at https://beneathathousandskies.com/2020/05/30/book-review-bloodchild-godblind-3-anna-stephens/*
*Full review now at https://beneathathousandskies.com/2020/05/30/book-review-bloodchild-godblind-3-anna-stephens/*
The amazing ending to a great series.
This book has only one issues: it's the last in a series and that's sad.
The world building, the characters development and the well crafted plot were great.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
This book has only one issues: it's the last in a series and that's sad.
The world building, the characters development and the well crafted plot were great.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75/5
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What an epic finale! The Godblind Trilogy was my first time reading grimdark and boy, was it brutal.
The first third of the book was bleak and depressing and I often got lost with all the battle formation jargon, but once the writing picked up, I found myself enraptured in the adrenaline of battle and political intrigue. The characters were complex and the weakest characters showed development. (Rillirin, I didn't think I could like you but you've earned my respect). I never knew who was gonna make it out alive...and even if they didn't die, will they wished they had?
Like I said, this series was brutal. It was gross and gory and heartbreaking and miserable. It was also sprinkled with hope, love, and redemption. Stephens definitely piqued my interest in the grimdark genre, but for now, I gotta read something light and fluffy hehe.
------
What an epic finale! The Godblind Trilogy was my first time reading grimdark and boy, was it brutal.
The first third of the book was bleak and depressing and I often got lost with all the battle formation jargon, but once the writing picked up, I found myself enraptured in the adrenaline of battle and political intrigue. The characters were complex and the weakest characters showed development. (Rillirin, I didn't think I could like you but you've earned my respect). I never knew who was gonna make it out alive...and even if they didn't die, will they wished they had?
Like I said, this series was brutal. It was gross and gory and heartbreaking and miserable. It was also sprinkled with hope, love, and redemption. Stephens definitely piqued my interest in the grimdark genre, but for now, I gotta read something light and fluffy hehe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Vomit
This book brings to an end one of the best trilogies I've read in a long, long time.
I love the characters and I love how the characters in this book are not the same as they were in book 1. Every one of them has gone on their own journey and the decisions they make are as a direct result of that. I might not like everything that they do or say but it's all understandable and inevitable.
The plot of this book is a natural progression of the series but is 100% a complete story in itself.
The story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and packs an emotional punch that left me feeling bereft for days.
This series is so fresh and interesting and well written. Read it. You will not regret it.
I love the characters and I love how the characters in this book are not the same as they were in book 1. Every one of them has gone on their own journey and the decisions they make are as a direct result of that. I might not like everything that they do or say but it's all understandable and inevitable.
The plot of this book is a natural progression of the series but is 100% a complete story in itself.
The story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and packs an emotional punch that left me feeling bereft for days.
This series is so fresh and interesting and well written. Read it. You will not regret it.