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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
This book was a 5 star read all the way through. For me it was a slow burn, reminiscent of Robin Hobb, in that even if I wasnt at a particularly exciting part of the book, I was still loving it. I love the "school" setting trope and this has it in plenty. Not a school in actuality but you get that feel. It is an epic covering many years, most of the main character's life. Everything is woven together well and there is an avalanche of an ending where you get all your questions answered, even ones I didnt realize I had until right at the end. This book earned its 5 stars all the way and I highly suggest anybody who loves a fantastical school setting to give it a try.
Some people are born storytellers, they can take any story and turn it into something amazing. Anthony Ryan is one of those storytellers. Blood Song doesn't break new ground, it doesn't change the genre, it just simply tells a great story. The main character is actually likable, tries to follow his conscience and do the right thing.
Not going to lie, I came into this book expecting to be disappointed. They hype was just so over the top, there was no way the book could reach those lofty heights, was I ever wrong!
Be warned this is a massive book, and once you start you will be spending a lot of late nights trying to sneak in just a couple more pages.
Not going to lie, I came into this book expecting to be disappointed. They hype was just so over the top, there was no way the book could reach those lofty heights, was I ever wrong!
Be warned this is a massive book, and once you start you will be spending a lot of late nights trying to sneak in just a couple more pages.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book! Oh my god, this book. Endless story building with the most remarkable Vaelin in the lead. I loveeeed Vaelin. He is what every strong lead should be. Kind yet powerful, not someone who has always been on the good side but strives to be. The ending where everything comes together was remarkable yet leaves so much left unsaid for the remaining books. So much heartbreak, so much yearning, so many feels. I love you, Anthony Ryan. You are amazing!!!
Hm. 4.5 stars on average -really?
The book started promisingly: an enigmatic character is introduced that is loved by some, hated by others and clearly presently in an uncomfortable situation. This is going to be a great read!
Only then it switches to that character's childhood, which immediately robs him of any and all enigma. We're back to the stereotypical son-of-a-rich-man-needs-to-go-through-hard-schooling-with-his-male-comrades story. Sigh. Even in that there would be potential for suspense, for strong friendship bonds and secrets. Alas, what I got on the first 180 pages was just disappointing in terms of the story telling tools that were employed. None of the boys, not even the protagonist, gained much profile for me. I caught myself thinking 'With such a linear story, the emphasis should lie on great character development, but there is not enough character described for any of them to work with'. That's when it hit me: I really lacked a strong incentive to finish this.
Perhaps I'm missing out, but I have limited reading time and tons of more promising books waiting for me.
The book started promisingly: an enigmatic character is introduced that is loved by some, hated by others and clearly presently in an uncomfortable situation. This is going to be a great read!
Only then it switches to that character's childhood, which immediately robs him of any and all enigma. We're back to the stereotypical son-of-a-rich-man-needs-to-go-through-hard-schooling-with-his-male-comrades story. Sigh. Even in that there would be potential for suspense, for strong friendship bonds and secrets. Alas, what I got on the first 180 pages was just disappointing in terms of the story telling tools that were employed. None of the boys, not even the protagonist, gained much profile for me. I caught myself thinking 'With such a linear story, the emphasis should lie on great character development, but there is not enough character described for any of them to work with'. That's when it hit me: I really lacked a strong incentive to finish this.
Perhaps I'm missing out, but I have limited reading time and tons of more promising books waiting for me.
My first novel by Anthony Ryan.
Vaelin is an intriguing character, the story twists and turns, and the world has so much depth.
Like Keschet, I see a long game in progress!
Vaelin is an intriguing character, the story twists and turns, and the world has so much depth.
Like Keschet, I see a long game in progress!
2/7/18 - ON SALE for $2.99:
http://amzn.to/2xO5E0n
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Sooooo . . . if you haven't already noticed, I've been on something of a fantasy kick of late. It's been years since I've gotten back to my roots, so now I'm playing catch-up. Anthony Ryan has been on my TBR for even longer than I'd realized . . . I have a problem . . . It's called "one-clicking." You may have a similar problem . . . *snickers*
Apparently I one-clicked BLOOD SONG before it got snapped up by Ace, b/c, yes, this is one of those remarkable independently published books that gathered so much public interest by virtue of its own merit that it got purchased by one of the Big Five. *high fives Ryan*
Anyway, the point is that despite a handful of grammatical errors in my own unedited version of the book, it was fantastic.
The story begins as a historian of an empire is taking custody of an enemy nation's war champion . . . A war champion who had been imprisoned for years . . . A war champion who was being paroled to fight to the death for the release of a woman from the enemy nation . . . A woman who the war champion had widowed himself by killing the heir of the emperor . . . a man who was the historian's best friend . . .
Awkward.
But as much as Historian despises this man, this Hope Killer, he cannot help but be intrigued by him.
He watches as the governor of the very city War Champion seized during the war comes the dock, bringing War Champion his sword that had been given into Governor's care. He watches as Governor tries to encourage War Champion about his upcoming (doomed to fail) duel: maybe he'll win, maybe this is the first step in his journey home . . .
Who is this War Champion that he should win the respect and friendship of a man whose city he took by force?
Vaelin Al Sorna, that's who.
And Historian, being a chronicler of history, finds that he cannot resist the urge to record a firsthand account of the war and the events leading up to the invasion from one who would know the enemy's---King Janus of the Unified Realm---mind, when War Champion offers to tell his story during their voyage (to the PIRATE NATION where the duel is to take place).
From there we go backward.
We learn of Vaelin's childhood, how his father left him at the gates of the Sixth Order, the only Order of warriors, and thus the only trained fighters who are not subject to the King's commands:
For the realm, and for the Faith. The Sixth Order is a highly trained, highly efficient, and highly deadly group of paladins (<------warrior priests).
We learn of the bonds of brotherhood forged during their rigorous, often deadly training. Of the eleven boys who share quarters, only five live to become Brothers, Vaelin their acknowledged leader.
We learn of the Dark, a nebulous force that manifests itself in unnatural abilities and talents, and we learn of the king of a nation hellbent on legislating morality with an iron fist.
BLOOD SONG is a tale filled with suffering and injustice, but it's also a tale of friendship and loyalty and perseverance, and woven throughout are hints of a Darkness gathering, while flaws in the Realm's belief system are slowly but steadily revealed.
In short, it's compelling. Sometimes bleak, sometimes hopeful, always determined, BLOOD SONG grabbed me by the horns and didn't let go until this chapter of the story was complete, and even then it was only for as long as it took me to one-click the next book. Highly recommended.
My other reviews for this series:
Tower Lord (Raven's Shadow, #2) by Anthony Ryan
http://amzn.to/2xO5E0n
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Sooooo . . . if you haven't already noticed, I've been on something of a fantasy kick of late. It's been years since I've gotten back to my roots, so now I'm playing catch-up. Anthony Ryan has been on my TBR for even longer than I'd realized . . . I have a problem . . . It's called "one-clicking." You may have a similar problem . . . *snickers*
Apparently I one-clicked BLOOD SONG before it got snapped up by Ace, b/c, yes, this is one of those remarkable independently published books that gathered so much public interest by virtue of its own merit that it got purchased by one of the Big Five. *high fives Ryan*
Anyway, the point is that despite a handful of grammatical errors in my own unedited version of the book, it was fantastic.
The story begins as a historian of an empire is taking custody of an enemy nation's war champion . . . A war champion who had been imprisoned for years . . . A war champion who was being paroled to fight to the death for the release of a woman from the enemy nation . . . A woman who the war champion had widowed himself by killing the heir of the emperor . . . a man who was the historian's best friend . . .
Awkward.
But as much as Historian despises this man, this Hope Killer, he cannot help but be intrigued by him.
He watches as the governor of the very city War Champion seized during the war comes the dock, bringing War Champion his sword that had been given into Governor's care. He watches as Governor tries to encourage War Champion about his upcoming (doomed to fail) duel: maybe he'll win, maybe this is the first step in his journey home . . .
Who is this War Champion that he should win the respect and friendship of a man whose city he took by force?
Vaelin Al Sorna, that's who.
And Historian, being a chronicler of history, finds that he cannot resist the urge to record a firsthand account of the war and the events leading up to the invasion from one who would know the enemy's---King Janus of the Unified Realm---mind, when War Champion offers to tell his story during their voyage (to the PIRATE NATION where the duel is to take place).
From there we go backward.
We learn of Vaelin's childhood, how his father left him at the gates of the Sixth Order, the only Order of warriors, and thus the only trained fighters who are not subject to the King's commands:
"You fight," Vaelin told the Aspect, the violence and the blood making his heart hammer in his chest.
"Yes." The Aspect halted and looked down at him. "We fight. We kill. We storm castle walls braving arrows and fire. We stand against the charge of horse and lance. We cut our way through the hedge of pike and spear to claim the standard of our enemy. The Sixth Order fights, but what does it fight for?"
"For the realm."
For the realm, and for the Faith. The Sixth Order is a highly trained, highly efficient, and highly deadly group of paladins (<------warrior priests).
We learn of the bonds of brotherhood forged during their rigorous, often deadly training. Of the eleven boys who share quarters, only five live to become Brothers, Vaelin their acknowledged leader.
We learn of the Dark, a nebulous force that manifests itself in unnatural abilities and talents, and we learn of the king of a nation hellbent on legislating morality with an iron fist.
BLOOD SONG is a tale filled with suffering and injustice, but it's also a tale of friendship and loyalty and perseverance, and woven throughout are hints of a Darkness gathering, while flaws in the Realm's belief system are slowly but steadily revealed.
In short, it's compelling. Sometimes bleak, sometimes hopeful, always determined, BLOOD SONG grabbed me by the horns and didn't let go until this chapter of the story was complete, and even then it was only for as long as it took me to one-click the next book. Highly recommended.
My other reviews for this series:
Tower Lord (Raven's Shadow, #2) by Anthony Ryan
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated