flygonby_7 's review for:

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan

5.0

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Blood Song is the first book in the Raven's Shadow series by Anthony Ryan. Because of this book I want to read more in the series. The story is one of the life of masterful warrior, Vaelin Al Sorna, and his training at the Sixth Order, his commanding of troops at various battles, and his encounters with mysterious magic. The Blood Song is a magical gift Vaelyn possesses. In the world of this book, religion is illegal and magic is referred to as an evil known as "the Dark." It is revealed fairly early that Vaelyn is relaying his story to a historian while on a voyage to a place where he is to be killed. This is one of the ways that Ryan makes this story unique from other fantasy books. The story also takes place over many years, shows main characters dying and losing battles, and focuses more on various mysteries at times. Blood Song is a totally unique fantasy story. I would recommend this to any fan of fantasy, definitely high school age or older, or to people who have had trouble getting into the magic-heavy bravado that is many fantasy stories.