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kittyg's review
2.0
This is basically a tiny prequel story to show hoe the King became the Blood King. It's a story which sets the scene, but not a lot else to go on so just a 2.5*s from me. Hoping the next one (99 days) will be better as it's a normal sized story :)
hurricanehailey's review
2.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I usually like books written in different povs but I felt this had a few too many. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and could have used a little more world building.
I did like the idea of proxys and how parts of the story were told in the villains pov.
I usually like books written in different povs but I felt this had a few too many. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and could have used a little more world building.
I did like the idea of proxys and how parts of the story were told in the villains pov.
kasfire's review
4.0
4.25/5 Stars
Wow. for such a short novel, it was jam packed with disturbing images and people. I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us. In this novel we followed The Blood King and his tyrannous outlook of controlling the world. And with the power of Transfers (taking someone's life span for your own) he has able to put that plan into motion for a couple hundred years. But too many Transfers come with a toll-Transfer Sickness, which deteriorates the mind. The Blood King suffers from this sickness, but believes he can beat it by bathing in the blood of children.
Though there are other characters that we are introduced to throughout this novel, The Blood King is the most horrific. I like the mythology and creatures that Keith Ward has created for this world. So since I have the next book, I shall be continuing this series.
Wow. for such a short novel, it was jam packed with disturbing images and people. I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us. In this novel we followed The Blood King and his tyrannous outlook of controlling the world. And with the power of Transfers (taking someone's life span for your own) he has able to put that plan into motion for a couple hundred years. But too many Transfers come with a toll-Transfer Sickness, which deteriorates the mind. The Blood King suffers from this sickness, but believes he can beat it by bathing in the blood of children.
Though there are other characters that we are introduced to throughout this novel, The Blood King is the most horrific. I like the mythology and creatures that Keith Ward has created for this world. So since I have the next book, I shall be continuing this series.
lordnikon's review
4.0
I was worried when I started this that I would not like it, but BOY was I wrong. A short novella to open the world that Ward has crafted, and I'm immediately in for the rest of the series, and bought it the moment I finished this one. Just a tidy little story with a compelling set of characters set against a unique and interesting world! Can't wait to get into the next two books!
stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Oh my word this book is clever!
There is no likeable character on which the reader can pin their empathy or even understanding, yet we are drawn in anyway, inexorably, by the desire to see the unlikeable characters stumble and fall. In the opposite of my usual preference of cheering a hero to victory, I found myself breathlessly willing the villains to failure!
And their failure seems unlikely in such a bleak, horrific set up. The villain has all the power, there is no clear opposition, and what there is is weak and ineffective. Everything seems hopeless, to the point that I was reading in existential dread for the people of this world.
Ther is particular horror here in almost every aspect of the ‘Blood King’ characterisation: the slow, creeping insanity; the blood (oh, the blood!); the theft of innocence; the greedy slurping of that which belongs to others, purely to selfishly add to the power, opulence and longevity of oneself. The character is abhorrent, with no redeeming qualities at all. Be prepared to be disturbed by the morality presented as ‘the norm’ here, as well as disgusted by the extremes to which the most venal character pushes that morality.
There is a subversion here though, masterfully constructed, that presents this as a fully ‘grimdark’ story, but then shows that people, and authors, can suddenly surprise us when we least expect it.
This book can easily stand alone as a single tale, as the immediate arc is resolved within the narrative, but having read it, I will certainly be seeking out more in this world, searching for the tiny flashes of light that may signal hope for the future of Walkland. Plus, the Soul Span / Proxy set up has so much potential for so many different and fascinating tales, as do the dragons: I am excited to see where the author goes with it all!
Everything was ready for the Transfer when Mavel arrived. She performed it in the poor family’s house, with no complications. The critically ill mother began to recover quickly, a sign of the baby’s strength. And the poor family that had sacrificed a baby was no longer destitute. Everybody was happier.
– Keith Ward, The Blood King
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
Oh my word this book is clever!
There is no likeable character on which the reader can pin their empathy or even understanding, yet we are drawn in anyway, inexorably, by the desire to see the unlikeable characters stumble and fall. In the opposite of my usual preference of cheering a hero to victory, I found myself breathlessly willing the villains to failure!
And their failure seems unlikely in such a bleak, horrific set up. The villain has all the power, there is no clear opposition, and what there is is weak and ineffective. Everything seems hopeless, to the point that I was reading in existential dread for the people of this world.
Ther is particular horror here in almost every aspect of the ‘Blood King’ characterisation: the slow, creeping insanity; the blood (oh, the blood!); the theft of innocence; the greedy slurping of that which belongs to others, purely to selfishly add to the power, opulence and longevity of oneself. The character is abhorrent, with no redeeming qualities at all. Be prepared to be disturbed by the morality presented as ‘the norm’ here, as well as disgusted by the extremes to which the most venal character pushes that morality.
There is a subversion here though, masterfully constructed, that presents this as a fully ‘grimdark’ story, but then shows that people, and authors, can suddenly surprise us when we least expect it.
This book can easily stand alone as a single tale, as the immediate arc is resolved within the narrative, but having read it, I will certainly be seeking out more in this world, searching for the tiny flashes of light that may signal hope for the future of Walkland. Plus, the Soul Span / Proxy set up has so much potential for so many different and fascinating tales, as do the dragons: I am excited to see where the author goes with it all!
Everything was ready for the Transfer when Mavel arrived. She performed it in the poor family’s house, with no complications. The critically ill mother began to recover quickly, a sign of the baby’s strength. And the poor family that had sacrificed a baby was no longer destitute. Everybody was happier.
– Keith Ward, The Blood King
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
nichola's review
3.0
This is a fascinating concept. Truly, I think it is brilliant and unique and the world seems to have so much room for growth, however the writer seems to lack nuance.
More showing and less telling would be ideal.
I am however very keen to get further into the dark world and see what happens next.
I have no doubt this writer will improve as he continues to write!
More showing and less telling would be ideal.
I am however very keen to get further into the dark world and see what happens next.
I have no doubt this writer will improve as he continues to write!