Scan barcode
mxsallybend's review
4.0
Indiana Jones meets Locke Lamora by way of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser in a rollicking adventure yarn, complete with boiling seas, sunken palaces, and more than just a little magic.
I tell you right now, were I reading again for this year's SPFBO, The Blackbird And The Ghost would be stiff competition indeed for the likes of Chasing Graves (Ben Galley) and Seraphina’s Lament (Sarah Chorn) as my top choice. It's a fun adventure novel, full of imagination, with some fantastic historical and archaeological aspects. Hûw Steer hits that perfect mix of history, world-building, setting, characters, and action in a book that is over far too soon.
The story opens with a bit of tomb raiding that is as intense as it is exciting. There are traps, puzzles, and dangerous miscues for Tal Wenlock to face, and he does it with charm and humor. It leaves the reader hanging on the threat of blood and betrayal, but finding out how he got there is so enjoyable you almost resent having to come back around and resolve the cliffhanger.
As for getting there, it involves a steelship journey across the boiling seas, which could be a story all on its own, through the massive gates of the Corpus Isles. It takes us across a familiar sort of fantasy village, deep into the mines, and high atop a scholarly tower. We meet Tal's arch-nemesis, who is menacing enough as a man and ever more chilling with his unusual magical talents. We also meet a senior healer in the tower who comes to be Tal's mentor/accomplice, and the friendly banter between the two of them keeps much of the story moving.
While the promise of its blurb seemed too good to be true, The Blackbird And The Ghost delivered on everything I wanted and left me wanting more. If, like me, you're the kind of reader who roots for the thieves and the adventurers, putting treasure and quests above saving the world, then you're going to enjoy this.ml
I tell you right now, were I reading again for this year's SPFBO, The Blackbird And The Ghost would be stiff competition indeed for the likes of Chasing Graves (Ben Galley) and Seraphina’s Lament (Sarah Chorn) as my top choice. It's a fun adventure novel, full of imagination, with some fantastic historical and archaeological aspects. Hûw Steer hits that perfect mix of history, world-building, setting, characters, and action in a book that is over far too soon.
The story opens with a bit of tomb raiding that is as intense as it is exciting. There are traps, puzzles, and dangerous miscues for Tal Wenlock to face, and he does it with charm and humor. It leaves the reader hanging on the threat of blood and betrayal, but finding out how he got there is so enjoyable you almost resent having to come back around and resolve the cliffhanger.
As for getting there, it involves a steelship journey across the boiling seas, which could be a story all on its own, through the massive gates of the Corpus Isles. It takes us across a familiar sort of fantasy village, deep into the mines, and high atop a scholarly tower. We meet Tal's arch-nemesis, who is menacing enough as a man and ever more chilling with his unusual magical talents. We also meet a senior healer in the tower who comes to be Tal's mentor/accomplice, and the friendly banter between the two of them keeps much of the story moving.
While the promise of its blurb seemed too good to be true, The Blackbird And The Ghost delivered on everything I wanted and left me wanting more. If, like me, you're the kind of reader who roots for the thieves and the adventurers, putting treasure and quests above saving the world, then you're going to enjoy this.ml
thevoraciousbibliophile's review
5.0
This is one epic fantasy book! Tal Wenlock and his adventures make a really compelling story.
Tal is a very unique character. He is different from most tomb raiders, more interested in the history of an artefact than the artefact itself. I find his past quite interesting.
I loved the descriptions in this book. The tomb, the traps, the port, the sea…the little details were perfect, and it was very easy to picture the story.
The characters are also intriguing, and make you want to know more about them. The plot twists are excellent.
I found this book very relaxing and easy to understand. It’s a great read, not too complicated but mysterious enough to keep you wondering, “what’s next?” It’s a whole new world to dive into, and I’m grateful for it!
The end of the story hints at a sequel, and I’m hoping to read it as soon as it comes out! This book is a real page-turner, so you should definitely read it.
Click here to read the full review.
Tal is a very unique character. He is different from most tomb raiders, more interested in the history of an artefact than the artefact itself. I find his past quite interesting.
I loved the descriptions in this book. The tomb, the traps, the port, the sea…the little details were perfect, and it was very easy to picture the story.
The characters are also intriguing, and make you want to know more about them. The plot twists are excellent.
I found this book very relaxing and easy to understand. It’s a great read, not too complicated but mysterious enough to keep you wondering, “what’s next?” It’s a whole new world to dive into, and I’m grateful for it!
The end of the story hints at a sequel, and I’m hoping to read it as soon as it comes out! This book is a real page-turner, so you should definitely read it.
Click here to read the full review.
More...