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madao3's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
willrefuge's review
4.0
8 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/28/the-judas-blossom-by-stephen-aryan-review/
1260 in Persia wasn’t a great year, but it could’ve been worse.
Following the assimilation into the Mongol Empire the year before, fighting was pretty much done by the time the year turned, though the locals wouldn’t’ve known that. Kaivon, a former Persian general-turned-rebel, despises the Mongols with the very fiber of his being, but he’s decided that just cutting the head off the snake would mean very little in terms of vengeance. Instead, when Kaivon ends up saving the life of Hulagu, he has a chance to join the khan’s inner circle—and destroy it from within.
Hulagu and his youngest son, Temujin (named after the great Chinggis), have never seen eye-to-eye. After his most recent failure, Temujin is forced into the army, accompanying his father on the warpath. Though the son is resigned to do his part in the army, Hulagu isn’t thrilled to see his disappointment of a son marching with him. Instead, the khan of the Ilkhanate has more on his mind—hoping to take the Holy Land by the turn of the year. And things aren’t going well. Dissent amongst his kin has strife striking the Empire from within, and more and more enemies hopeful to see them fail without. But when his son Temujin stumbles across an ancient secret that might aid him, Hulagu would be a fool to turn it down. Even though he’s pretty certain his son will end up disappointing him once more.
The Twelve are a secret society that want nothing more than their homeland to be freed. They are willing to fix events, forfeit land, squander money, and spend as many lives as they need to to get the Mongols out, but nothing that is worth doing ever comes easy. Fortunately, theirs’ is the long-game—and what the Twelve have in excess are time and patience.
And time destroys all.
—
I wasn’t even sure how to voice Kokochin’s journey in the blurb, so I skipped it, but to tell the truth I think I found her story the most interesting. For a character that is literally a footnote in history, that’s saying something. So much potential for the author to work with—and he does an excellent go of it. Her story is fascinating, head and shoulders above both Kaivon and Hulagu’s, who competed for the rest of my attention with the Twelve. I could never really get behind Temujin, even though he bears his grandfather’s great namesake.
While Stephen Aryan said he tried to stay as close to the original history as possible, some names and dates were intentionally changed to set the story up as advantageous as possible. Now, this will only seem a complaint if you know the history in any real detail, but I kept getting pulled out of the story to second-guess dates and names and the overall timeline. Again, this is pretty much only a “me” problem, but hey—it’s my review, innit?
The Mongol Empire can form a lovely tapestry on which to build your epic, and the Judas Blossom is just the beginning of what I hope will prove a long and fascinating series (or, likely a trilogy). Much like the Mongoliad before it, there’s just so much to focus on and so many pathways available to explore. Even if one DOES actually follow the history, rather than the Foreword Saga, which decidedly doesn’t. The backdrop of this epic was truly amazing, vividly realized and built, and possessive of an excellent story within. Still, I had minor issues with the pacing and the genre flip-flopping between historical fiction and fantasy, though these are minor complaints when the piece is viewed as a whole.
Where we start is interesting enough, but where the story leaves off is even more fascinating. There’s just so much possible in the next several years, with possibly the greatest dissolution in history on the near horizon (if you’re not familiar with the history, well, it IS history, so maybe google it). The history from that time is a bit sparse, and as we all know history is primarily written by the victors. There’s just so many directions the author can go from here, even while still honoring the true course of events. I can’t wait to see what he chooses!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/28/the-judas-blossom-by-stephen-aryan-review/
1260 in Persia wasn’t a great year, but it could’ve been worse.
Following the assimilation into the Mongol Empire the year before, fighting was pretty much done by the time the year turned, though the locals wouldn’t’ve known that. Kaivon, a former Persian general-turned-rebel, despises the Mongols with the very fiber of his being, but he’s decided that just cutting the head off the snake would mean very little in terms of vengeance. Instead, when Kaivon ends up saving the life of Hulagu, he has a chance to join the khan’s inner circle—and destroy it from within.
Hulagu and his youngest son, Temujin (named after the great Chinggis), have never seen eye-to-eye. After his most recent failure, Temujin is forced into the army, accompanying his father on the warpath. Though the son is resigned to do his part in the army, Hulagu isn’t thrilled to see his disappointment of a son marching with him. Instead, the khan of the Ilkhanate has more on his mind—hoping to take the Holy Land by the turn of the year. And things aren’t going well. Dissent amongst his kin has strife striking the Empire from within, and more and more enemies hopeful to see them fail without. But when his son Temujin stumbles across an ancient secret that might aid him, Hulagu would be a fool to turn it down. Even though he’s pretty certain his son will end up disappointing him once more.
The Twelve are a secret society that want nothing more than their homeland to be freed. They are willing to fix events, forfeit land, squander money, and spend as many lives as they need to to get the Mongols out, but nothing that is worth doing ever comes easy. Fortunately, theirs’ is the long-game—and what the Twelve have in excess are time and patience.
And time destroys all.
—
I wasn’t even sure how to voice Kokochin’s journey in the blurb, so I skipped it, but to tell the truth I think I found her story the most interesting. For a character that is literally a footnote in history, that’s saying something. So much potential for the author to work with—and he does an excellent go of it. Her story is fascinating, head and shoulders above both Kaivon and Hulagu’s, who competed for the rest of my attention with the Twelve. I could never really get behind Temujin, even though he bears his grandfather’s great namesake.
While Stephen Aryan said he tried to stay as close to the original history as possible, some names and dates were intentionally changed to set the story up as advantageous as possible. Now, this will only seem a complaint if you know the history in any real detail, but I kept getting pulled out of the story to second-guess dates and names and the overall timeline. Again, this is pretty much only a “me” problem, but hey—it’s my review, innit?
The Mongol Empire can form a lovely tapestry on which to build your epic, and the Judas Blossom is just the beginning of what I hope will prove a long and fascinating series (or, likely a trilogy). Much like the Mongoliad before it, there’s just so much to focus on and so many pathways available to explore. Even if one DOES actually follow the history, rather than the Foreword Saga, which decidedly doesn’t. The backdrop of this epic was truly amazing, vividly realized and built, and possessive of an excellent story within. Still, I had minor issues with the pacing and the genre flip-flopping between historical fiction and fantasy, though these are minor complaints when the piece is viewed as a whole.
Where we start is interesting enough, but where the story leaves off is even more fascinating. There’s just so much possible in the next several years, with possibly the greatest dissolution in history on the near horizon (if you’re not familiar with the history, well, it IS history, so maybe google it). The history from that time is a bit sparse, and as we all know history is primarily written by the victors. There’s just so many directions the author can go from here, even while still honoring the true course of events. I can’t wait to see what he chooses!
writingandwhimsy's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
While I enjoyed this book, I did have trouble getting into it and the slow pace had me bored at times. It was definitely well written, and the characters were interesting and fleshed out. Unfortunately, I did notice a few typos, but I’m expecting those were fixed before it was published. Epic fantasy isn’t really my thing, so I can’t say if this is a unique story, but the non-European setting has me suspicious that it probably is. Overall, any epic fantasy readers will love this, and even though this wasn’t my favourite book, I’d still be interested in the sequel.
While I enjoyed this book, I did have trouble getting into it and the slow pace had me bored at times. It was definitely well written, and the characters were interesting and fleshed out. Unfortunately, I did notice a few typos, but I’m expecting those were fixed before it was published. Epic fantasy isn’t really my thing, so I can’t say if this is a unique story, but the non-European setting has me suspicious that it probably is. Overall, any epic fantasy readers will love this, and even though this wasn’t my favourite book, I’d still be interested in the sequel.
emma_reads95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tombombadilo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
qjbrown96's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good
I completely did not realize this was historical fantasy. I thought it was going to be historical fiction and honestly I think I would have preferred it that way.
The story follows several characters during Kublai Khans invasion of Persia. I really appreciated this book just because it made me interested in that era of history and have been researching a lot about it.
The prose is really easy, the length is perfect, the ending made me want to continue in the series. My issue is instead of describing action scenes he would say someone “used lurching tiger” or something like that. Idk if that’s some kung fu move or he just pulled something out of his rear but it happens multiple times. Also the pacing was pretty slow but I’m willing to give forgive that on a first book. All in all a good read that I would recommend to people interested in Asian history with fantasy elements.
I completely did not realize this was historical fantasy. I thought it was going to be historical fiction and honestly I think I would have preferred it that way.
The story follows several characters during Kublai Khans invasion of Persia. I really appreciated this book just because it made me interested in that era of history and have been researching a lot about it.
The prose is really easy, the length is perfect, the ending made me want to continue in the series. My issue is instead of describing action scenes he would say someone “used lurching tiger” or something like that. Idk if that’s some kung fu move or he just pulled something out of his rear but it happens multiple times. Also the pacing was pretty slow but I’m willing to give forgive that on a first book. All in all a good read that I would recommend to people interested in Asian history with fantasy elements.
jakelewis_23_'s review against another edition
5.0
I believe this book was written for me! Loved it! Brilliantly combining a very interesting time in history with very mysterious magic! Cannot wait for book 2
unagi_'s review
4.0
[4.2; Bartek's review]
The book is very well written with excellent pacing.
the historical elements to the story were very well explained and the POVs were well balanced.
I only have 2 small complaints. I, personally, didnt like the introduction of magic in this book. i felt that the realistic aspects could have continued throughout the book and it would have been just as good if not better.
On a minor note, the moves in Kokochin's fight scenes being described as animal names etc were not my thing, i didnt enjoy reading them as much.
That being said, its a great introduction to a series with an exciting ending that makes you look forward to the sequel.
The book is very well written with excellent pacing.
the historical elements to the story were very well explained and the POVs were well balanced.
I only have 2 small complaints. I, personally, didnt like the introduction of magic in this book. i felt that the realistic aspects could have continued throughout the book and it would have been just as good if not better.
On a minor note, the moves in Kokochin's fight scenes being described as animal names etc were not my thing, i didnt enjoy reading them as much.
That being said, its a great introduction to a series with an exciting ending that makes you look forward to the sequel.
div94's review
adventurous
dark
informative
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
5.0
saraanneb3's review
1.0
This book finally turns interesting on page 349 and by then it was too late I had already decided I was gonna finish and not read any sequels, so that's a shame because those last couple chapters showed what this book could've been, but definitely were NOT up til that point