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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought I had 'out grown' fantasy novels. They were all starting to sound the same to me. But this book was wonderful. It made me laugh out loud, gasp in surprise, and broke my heart. Fabulous characters, intriguing plot, plenty of twists and turns. Equally important - the writing itself was solid. I was in that wonderful zone where I forgot I was reading and felt that I was really there. Looking forward to reading the next one.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Blood Song is a compassionate, dark, power fantasy. The protagonist is genuinely kindhearted, but that doesn't stop events from forcing him to use his godlike warrior powers to eviscerate obstacles. His friends and enemies are not entirely one-dimensional, but the various twists and reveals lack emotional punch. This is likely down to the terrible prose, replete with simplistic phrasing and confusing run-on sentences. In that sense this is a great story told in the wrong medium for this creator. Additionally the setting is unnecessarily misogynist and violent without a corresponding narrative payoff. Many interesting ethical questions are raised and then dismissed with superficial puerility. It's not a bad book, it just doesn't say anything beyond "Fantasy sure is fun, isn't it?"
Four stars "only" as it's taken me more than I planned to finish the book and it's not a real page-turner: the story unfolds in a rather slow manner. Good thing is that, even though "Blood Song" is the first installment of a saga (a trilogy maybe?), it's got a proper ending, and a sad one. What else? Oh yes, I'd call Blood Song a gritty-fantasy novel, not too gritty though: we're not into Martin's and Abercronbie's territory, give you that; yet the author is not afraid to kill the good guys, so to say. Over all, a very pleasant read. I guess I'll get myself "Tower Lord", too.
Brilliant. Loved the different orders and watching the protagonist grow from a kid. Vaelin is totally kick ass.
adventurous
dark
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:
No
Every fantasy book creates a new world. This one is an easy and fun read. You really want to find out what happens to 10-year-old Vaelin Al Sorna after Daddy drops him off at a religious warrior order to serve for the rest of his life. "Wheeeeeeeee. Thanks, Dad! What? I get to stay out in the woods in the bitter winter with assassins and bears trying to kill me? Wheeeeeeeee. You're the best! Big hug!" (Note: Not actual book dialogue.)
The action is well written—nothing gratuitous—and even though it's almost a 600-page book, there are no slow parts. I do have to take some points off because there really isn't much stand-out originality in the story.
Like all fantasy books, it's too big a world to be a stand-alone book (also, publishers want those sequels). Part two comes out this summer.
The action is well written—nothing gratuitous—and even though it's almost a 600-page book, there are no slow parts. I do have to take some points off because there really isn't much stand-out originality in the story.
Like all fantasy books, it's too big a world to be a stand-alone book (also, publishers want those sequels). Part two comes out this summer.
Amazing fantasy right here. I'd even rank it up with Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan and some other big name fantasy novelists. It was hard when it came to putting it down and doing homework or going to work! The only small grief is the ending. The chapter before the last one is a good place to leave it but the last chapter was, though informative, inherently disturbing. I very much hope there is going to be a sequel, but is recommend this book whether there is it not. Maybe close the the book before that last chapter if you can force yourself.
Back to my review. The protagonist, Vaelin, is an amazingly insightful character with surprising depth and it is fascinating to follow his bloody, traumatic, courageous childhood and watch him grow into a somber, weary yet incredibly powerful warrior. You must read this.
Back to my review. The protagonist, Vaelin, is an amazingly insightful character with surprising depth and it is fascinating to follow his bloody, traumatic, courageous childhood and watch him grow into a somber, weary yet incredibly powerful warrior. You must read this.