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annamariahz's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
shiloah_faith's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosepup77's review
5.0
Fantastic book. Picked up right where Blood Gospel (book one) left off and already can't wait to see what will happen in book three.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
2.0
While The Blood Gospel was a problematic read for me, one with which I wasn't entirely comfortable, I enjoyed the adventure aspects of it enough to give the second volume a chance. All I asked was that the issue of faith be better explored, that Erin's character develop the way I felt it should, and that the villains come out of the shadows.
Unfortunately, Innocent Blood (The Order of the Sanguines #2) failed to deliver for me on all accounts. I hate to say it, but as much as I have enjoyed some of James Rollins solo efforts, I think I'm done with this series.
What originally drew me to the series was its take on vampires. I'm a huge fan of dark, sinister, old-fashioned, monstrous vampires, so I was really curious to see what he and Rebecca Cantrell would do with the mythology. The whole idea of the strigoi (damned and fallen) versus the Sanguine (saved and redeemed) is an interesting one, but I didn't feel they did anything to develop it further here. If anything, they erased some of the grey areas that I felt made the concept so interesting.
The first book teased us with a question as to whether consecrated wine really has magical/miraculous properties, or whether graduating strigoi into Sanguine was all a matter of faith, but it shied away from providing an answer. Here, we see the power of consecrated wine, and the consequences of would-be Sanguinists being found unworthy. Not without faith, mind you, but unworthy. Clearly, despite the novel's early tease (in which a Crusader if he is so certain there is only one God), the authors come down hard on the side of Christian certainty.
As for the characters, I was really disappointed in the way Erin's character was developed here. I felt she was robbed of much of her objectivity and inquisitiveness, becoming little more than a romantic entanglement. Similarly, Jordan fell very much into the stock hero mold, and what I originally thought to be a game-changing act of sacrifice turned into nothing more than an excuse to have him jump the proverbial religious shark.
Rasputin was one of the most interesting characters introduced in The Blood Gospel, and I was curious to see how he'd be developed here, but I found his potential to be largely wasted. By contrast, I really loved what they did with the introduction of Elizabeth Bathory, especially the complexities of her relationship with Rhun. I kept waiting for her to be cleansed and redeemed, to fall into the fold, but Rollins and Cantrell allow her to remain true to her past and to her self. It was probably her, more than anybody else, who kept me reading.
While the presence of Judas in the series pushed the story a bit too far into Christian territory for me, he presented some interesting dilemmas, and prompted some interesting questions. I quite liked the way he was explored, the influence he had on the other characters, and the justifications he presented for his actions. As willing as I was to accept his role, though, the story lost me completely when it started dealing with angels. It was at that point that I started skimming, looking ahead, and waiting for an end, as opposed to anticipating it.
Overall, Innocent Blood started out slow, with very little of consequence happening early on. There was some absolute carnage at the halfway point that got me interested, with what seemed to be some legitimate stakes involved, but the potential was just as quickly erased. What we're left with is a religious thriller that becomes more tedious than tantalizing. It will probably appeal very much to the right audience, but I'm convinced now that audience simply doesn't include me.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Unfortunately, Innocent Blood (The Order of the Sanguines #2) failed to deliver for me on all accounts. I hate to say it, but as much as I have enjoyed some of James Rollins solo efforts, I think I'm done with this series.
What originally drew me to the series was its take on vampires. I'm a huge fan of dark, sinister, old-fashioned, monstrous vampires, so I was really curious to see what he and Rebecca Cantrell would do with the mythology. The whole idea of the strigoi (damned and fallen) versus the Sanguine (saved and redeemed) is an interesting one, but I didn't feel they did anything to develop it further here. If anything, they erased some of the grey areas that I felt made the concept so interesting.
The first book teased us with a question as to whether consecrated wine really has magical/miraculous properties, or whether graduating strigoi into Sanguine was all a matter of faith, but it shied away from providing an answer. Here, we see the power of consecrated wine, and the consequences of would-be Sanguinists being found unworthy. Not without faith, mind you, but unworthy. Clearly, despite the novel's early tease (in which a Crusader if he is so certain there is only one God), the authors come down hard on the side of Christian certainty.
As for the characters, I was really disappointed in the way Erin's character was developed here. I felt she was robbed of much of her objectivity and inquisitiveness, becoming little more than a romantic entanglement. Similarly, Jordan fell very much into the stock hero mold, and what I originally thought to be a game-changing act of sacrifice turned into nothing more than an excuse to have him jump the proverbial religious shark.
Rasputin was one of the most interesting characters introduced in The Blood Gospel, and I was curious to see how he'd be developed here, but I found his potential to be largely wasted. By contrast, I really loved what they did with the introduction of Elizabeth Bathory, especially the complexities of her relationship with Rhun. I kept waiting for her to be cleansed and redeemed, to fall into the fold, but Rollins and Cantrell allow her to remain true to her past and to her self. It was probably her, more than anybody else, who kept me reading.
While the presence of Judas in the series pushed the story a bit too far into Christian territory for me, he presented some interesting dilemmas, and prompted some interesting questions. I quite liked the way he was explored, the influence he had on the other characters, and the justifications he presented for his actions. As willing as I was to accept his role, though, the story lost me completely when it started dealing with angels. It was at that point that I started skimming, looking ahead, and waiting for an end, as opposed to anticipating it.
Overall, Innocent Blood started out slow, with very little of consequence happening early on. There was some absolute carnage at the halfway point that got me interested, with what seemed to be some legitimate stakes involved, but the potential was just as quickly erased. What we're left with is a religious thriller that becomes more tedious than tantalizing. It will probably appeal very much to the right audience, but I'm convinced now that audience simply doesn't include me.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
mjwerts's review
4.0
Picking up a few months after the events of The Blood Gospel, the second book in The Order of the Sanguines trilogy finds our heroes separated by continents, as Dr. Erin Granger and Sergeant Jordan Stone attempt to return to some semblance of their previous lives, while Father Rhun Korza has vanished. The fallout from The Blood Gospel and new elements of the ancient prophecy soon bring them back together — alongside some new faces — in another globe-spanning adventure steeped in blood and faith.
If you enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, you shouldn't be disappointed by Innocent Blood. All surviving characters from the first novel are back, and are joined by new narrators, which include none other than Judas and the delightfully conniving Elisabeta Bathory. Both provide unique new perspectives, while the mysteries, prophecies and tough choices continue to mount. It's a strong installment that sets up what is hopefully a thrilling, satisfying conclusion.
If you enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, you shouldn't be disappointed by Innocent Blood. All surviving characters from the first novel are back, and are joined by new narrators, which include none other than Judas and the delightfully conniving Elisabeta Bathory. Both provide unique new perspectives, while the mysteries, prophecies and tough choices continue to mount. It's a strong installment that sets up what is hopefully a thrilling, satisfying conclusion.
erikaerisa's review against another edition
5.0
I won the first in a giveaway here on Goodreads, and have to say the excitement from the first held true through the second. It truly reminded me of a mix of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and the CW's Supernatural.
jules_writes's review
4.0
Maybe even in parts a 4.5/5* rating.
I'm looking forward to reading the final series instalment.
I'm looking forward to reading the final series instalment.
ruthiemacgregor's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #74 Read in 2014
Innocent Blood by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
This is the second in the series. The prophesied trio (Rhun the Knight of Christ; Jordan the Warrior and Erin the Woman of Learning) are trying to find the First Angel so he/she can open the Blood Gospel and stop the world from ending...no pressure. Innocent Blood, like book #1, is action-packed and hard to put down. The main characters are joined by interesting secondary characters who have bigger roles: Christian, Bernard, Judas, The Blood Countess. This series is an interesting blend of military action, paranormal and spiritual; I enjoy these books.
I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Innocent Blood by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
This is the second in the series. The prophesied trio (Rhun the Knight of Christ; Jordan the Warrior and Erin the Woman of Learning) are trying to find the First Angel so he/she can open the Blood Gospel and stop the world from ending...no pressure. Innocent Blood, like book #1, is action-packed and hard to put down. The main characters are joined by interesting secondary characters who have bigger roles: Christian, Bernard, Judas, The Blood Countess. This series is an interesting blend of military action, paranormal and spiritual; I enjoy these books.
I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com