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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
emotional
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:
Complicated
My July #12challenge12friends2025 was bloodguard by cecy Robson
I loved this book! I read most of it in my 10 hour car ride to gencon (one way).
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a Rollercoaster of a read. It was so good. The characters are amazing and really make you feel. I would recommend this book if you like fantasy books, that have good world building.
I loved this book! I read most of it in my 10 hour car ride to gencon (one way).
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a Rollercoaster of a read. It was so good. The characters are amazing and really make you feel. I would recommend this book if you like fantasy books, that have good world building.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was probably one of the best male character driven books I’ve read like ever. Leif was such an interesting character and there were scenes that just gutted me!
4 Stars
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I loved that the main POV was the MFC and Lucas Webley did it justice on every level. Typical gladiator style plot with some nice twists that were predictable but enjoyable. Finally, a story without an absolute cliffhanger of an ending. I am looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I loved that the main POV was the MFC and Lucas Webley did it justice on every level. Typical gladiator style plot with some nice twists that were predictable but enjoyable. Finally, a story without an absolute cliffhanger of an ending. I am looking forward to the next book.
Bloodguard is a gripping blend of gladiatorial combat, political intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. The male protagonist, Leith, is a standout—finally, a male main character who’s a man and not a teenage boy! His perspective really pulled me in, and I appreciated the maturity and depth he brought to the narrative. The book is written in dual POV, which worked well, though I personally found myself drawn more to Leith’s chapters than those of the female protagonist.
Speaking of the female lead, she’s okay, but a bit naive. Her lack of awareness of the complexities in her kingdom—especially with the regent and the political schemes unraveling around her—left me wanting more. The political intrigue in the story had a lot of potential, but I wish it had been explored more deeply. Some of the twists were predictable, but there were definitely a few that caught me off guard, which kept the plot engaging.
The pacing overall was decent, though the book did feel a bit too long. There were moments, especially during one of the trials, where the action got so intricate that I found myself lost in the details of the fight. A little more clarity there would have helped.
What really carried the story for me was Leith. He’s a powerful yet grounded character, someone who holds onto his values even while fighting for his life in a brutal and unforgiving setting. His ability to forge genuine friendships in such a monstrous environment made him incredibly likable and relatable.
Overall, BloodIt’s definitely worth picking up if you enjoy dual POVs, high-stakes trials, and strong, morally driven characters.
Speaking of the female lead, she’s okay, but a bit naive. Her lack of awareness of the complexities in her kingdom—especially with the regent and the political schemes unraveling around her—left me wanting more. The political intrigue in the story had a lot of potential, but I wish it had been explored more deeply. Some of the twists were predictable, but there were definitely a few that caught me off guard, which kept the plot engaging.
The pacing overall was decent, though the book did feel a bit too long. There were moments, especially during one of the trials, where the action got so intricate that I found myself lost in the details of the fight. A little more clarity there would have helped.
What really carried the story for me was Leith. He’s a powerful yet grounded character, someone who holds onto his values even while fighting for his life in a brutal and unforgiving setting. His ability to forge genuine friendships in such a monstrous environment made him incredibly likable and relatable.
Overall, BloodIt’s definitely worth picking up if you enjoy dual POVs, high-stakes trials, and strong, morally driven characters.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Strong character development:
No