Reviews - Blood Song | The StoryGraph

1.03k reviews for:

I loved this book once it actually got going. I had a little bit of trouble early on because the italics and the framing narrative kind of annoyed me. Vaelin is a character that's easy to like and watching him grow into himself through the order and it's trials was a really good read. I found most of the characters likable and I feel they each had their good and bad like all people do. I have to say as soon as I saw the appendices at the end I was sad it was over and I now need to relentlessly pursue the next one in the series.

ncrabb's review against another edition

4.0

This is an excellent fantasy that isn't so long it will cause you to lose your willpower.

pctek's review against another edition

5.0

These things are always subjective, like art...you like what you like, and someone else's taste may be different.
But. I read few fantasy books, well, I finish few of them.
Some books are read once and while quite good, not something I would reread.
This is one that not only did I finish within a day but is a reread. And thus remains on my bookshelf.

Perhaps it's the characters, and the world the author builds.
I enjoyed them. Yes this one comes close to being a cliched special hero...but he has failings too, and isn't good at everything.
People die, some his friends, some turn out not to be friends after all.

Spoiler

His dog dies, and yes he probably was fairly certain it would

But that is partly what makes it good, no superhero nonsense.
And the authors telling of the tale, it reads smoothly and easily, you get caught up in the events and can't wait to see What Happens Next.

Buy it, well worth at least one read, even if it doesn't make your keep list.

abfrost's review against another edition

5.0

Blood Song is a military/fantasy novel that is first of a three part series. I just finished reading Blood Song for a second time and enjoyed it just as much, if not more so, than my first read through.

This story follows the life of Vaelin Al Sorna as he recounts his time as a brother of the Sixth Order. He tells of how after the passing of his mother, the 10 year old Vaelin is dropped off by his father at the gates of what is known as the Sixth Order. The Sixth Order is something of military school that teaches harsh and sometimes lethal lessons.

The world that Ryan creates is one of mystery and danger, that is also touched by something like magic. This magic however is feared, misunderstood, and often present without being noticed. I found myself caring for the characters and the bonds that were formed between them. There are tons of fight scenes that is expertly written and subtle plots that always leave you wanting more.

I’ve just started on the second book of the series called Tower Lord and I suspect I am going to enjoy it. Do yourself a favor though, if you are a fan of military stories or just fantasy in general, and pick a copy of Blood Song.