BOOK REVIEW: BLOOD SONG (Raven's Shadow Book #1) by Anthony Ryan

I really enjoyed Blood Song - it's one of the those classic epic fantasies that carries you away with it, making it hard to put down! 

The novel follows Vaelin Al Sorna from boyhood to manhood through a series of trials, intrigue and battles that makes the reader feel as if you're right there with him.

Blurb: 

We have fought battles that left more than a hundred corpses on the ground and not a word of it has ever been set down. The Order fights, but often it fights in shadow, without glory or reward. We have no banners. 

Vaelin Al Sorna's life changes forever the day his father abandons him at the gates of the Sixth Order, a secretive military arm of the Faith. Together with his fellow initiates, Vaelin undertakes a brutal training regime - where the price of failure is often death. Under the tutelage of the Order's masters, he learns how to forge a blade, survive the wilds and kill a man quickly and quietly. 

Now his new skills will be put to the test. War is coming. Vaelin is the Sixth Order's deadliest weapon and the Realm's only hope. He must draw upon the very essence of his strength and cunning if he is to survive the coming conflict. Yet as the world teeters on the edge of chaos, Vaelin will learn that the truth can cut deeper than any sword.

***

The characterisation is one of my favourite things in this book. In many ways, the storyline is nothing new: young boy joins warrior order, after being abandoned at the door by his father and grows up to be one of the most formidable warriors the world has ever known - yet it is Ryan's telling of the story, and the way he makes us care about the characters, which makes it entirely unique. 

In many novels where the main character must join an order or train to become a great warrior or wizard, I find myself wishing the writer would hurry it up - but not with Blood Song. Vaelin's time as an apprentice brother in the sixth order is beautifully told, without going into too much detail, and is what allows the reader to forge a bond with him; it sets the tone and pace for the rest of the book, as well as over-shadowing the whole story with a sense of foreboding. 

The tale of the Witch's Bastard, that appears half-way through the book, was also an interesting addition to the story, adding a 'fairy-tale' element to the novel - even if, once they read the fable, many readers will guess what's coming...

Ryan's writing is effortless and absorbing to read. I loved the way he brought the supporting cast of characters - especially the other brothers of the order and the female characters - to life. The king, who manipulates him into doing his bidding is chillingly manipulative without sliding into a 'arch-villain' stereotype, which would have been easy to do - and the princess is a fascinating character I'm sure we'll hear more from in the next books!

Blood Song is a gripping adventure that is sensitively written - a story about a warrior, a killer, who must come to terms with who he is, a man who must break free of his past and make decisions that will cost him greatly, in order forge a new life for himself.

Highly recommended for all those who love epic fantasy!

Sneak peek at The Citadel of Lies

The final edits and polish are being made to The Citadel of Lies (Book Two of the

Palâdnith Chronicles). The  final stages before publication are an exciting period for an author. The long months of edits are over - the rewrites, exasperation, and even more rewrites, are done. Now its about making the novel shine. For those of you who are patiently waiting - your wait is almost over! In the meantime, I have pasted in the Prologue of The Citadel of Lies into this blog post, to whet your appetite!

If you enjoy the Prologue and would like to read more, but haven't yet read the first book in the series, here's a link to it on Amazon: Journey of Shadows (Book One of the Palâdnith Chronicles) - available in Kindle edition (US$2.99) or in paperback (US$10.44).

As the theme of this book centres of the difference between truth and lies, the tale begins with a quote from the great Marcus Aurelius. 

The

Citadel

of

Lies

Book Two of the Palâdnith Chronicles

Sam J. Charlton

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact.

Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Marcus Aurelius

Prologue

The Messenger

  “My Queen, I bring news.”

The voice rasped, breaking the endless silence.

“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be here. Tell me, have my servants succeeded?”

The woman’s gaze slid over the ravaged creature that bowed before her. Like the others, he would serve her till she chose to free him. Although she could not communicate directly with the four she had sent out through the portal, the others here could share their thoughts. They were one entity, the keepers – and now they served only her.

The keeper before her cringed and stepped back from his mistress before replying.

“The brothers still elude their hunters.”

The woman frowned.

“How is that possible?” she enunciated each word carefully, as if speaking to a half-wit. “How have three creatures, bred for one purpose only, failed me?”

“They have not failed you yet mistress. The youngest of the three brothers escaped on horseback. He travelled inland and entered the Valley of the Tors, where the Malwagen took him captive. There, your servant could not reach him. He managed to escape the sprites, and his hunter has now tracked him to Mirfaran. The assassin sent after the weaponsmith travelled to Catedrâl, only to find his quarry three days gone – he now tracks him through the Rocklands towards Tarras. The eldest brother survived two attacks during his journey west, before he met with Floriana DeSanith on the road across the High Dragon Spines. She has given him courage and purpose.”

The messenger’s voice trailed off then, watching as his mistress’s face grew thunderous.

“I gave my own blood to create those creatures,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing into slits, “and they cannot catch three unsuspecting and untrained men!”

“There is still time my Queen! Your servants close in, even as we speak. They will not fail you.”

The woman clenched her fists and waited for her murderous rage to pass.

“They had better not. What news of my fourth servant. Has he found it yet?”

“Not yet my Queen. He searches still, but it has been hidden well.”

“Over two decades in that place and still no closer to retrieving it – I am very disappointed in you all.”

The servant quivered, but wisely kept silent.

The woman waved him away.

“Leave me. I cannot stand the sight of any of you!”

The messenger shuffled back, bowing so low that his knuckles scraped on the damp stone. Relieved to have survived the encounter, the creature stepped onto a rope bridge that creaked under his weight, and hurried away.

Riadamor, Queen of Moden sighed. She suddenly felt old and weary beyond description. She looked about her with disdain. What a foul domain she ruled. Three decades of residence in this wretched prison had not made her accept her fate.

She stood on the stone platform; the very place she and Belythna had awoken on the day of their arrival. It was the portal into Moden but in thirty years there had been no other newcomers – they had been the last.

It had been from this platform that she had sent her four servants forth. After years of experiment and failure, she had discovered that, unlike mortals, the Keepers of Moden could pass through the portal. The keepers she had chosen had not wanted to go, but torture had made them biddable. She had sent the first one out years ago, but had been forced to wait till the brothers’ Sentorân charms no longer protected them before she could send forth the others. It had taken a powerful spell, and much of her own blood, but she had eventually succeeded in transporting her servants out of Moden and into Palâdnith – the world she was desperate to return to.

In reality, the platform on which she stood was the flat top of a rock pillar that rose from the centre of the abyss and anchored a network of rope bridges. It was a solitary island of stone in an empty sea, and five paces from one side to the other.

Riadamor circled the platform, her long silver gown rustling as she strode. With Belythna dealt with – imprisoned in one of the many cells that lined the cavern walls – time stretched out with agonising slowness. Moden held her in stasis. She did not need to eat or sleep; she would never grow old or die. The boredom of her existence had almost broken her but still she fought it.

I will not be defeated, Riadamor vowed, my servants will do my bidding and I will leave this place.

The witch knelt then and placed her hands on the cold stone beneath her feet.

I came into Moden through this stone and I will leave the same way. 

Patience, my fellow epic fantasy adventure lovers - the rest is coming soon!

Goodreads Book Giveaway - Journey of Shadows

I love Goodreads. As an avid epic fantasy reader, I really enjoy being part of a site that is all about readers sharing their views. For me, it's far better than Amazon. The reviewers might be more critical but Goodreads reviews are infinitely more interesting and better written than those you find on Amazon. You might not agree with everyone's opinion, but what I really appreciate is that many of the reviews are constructive and thought-provoking. Although I am an author, I am also a voracious reader - and I enjoy reading through reviews on Goodreads, and adding those as friends who have spent a real time and effort on their reviews. It's more than a hobby for some - it's a passion!

As an author, Goodreads also offers me the opportunity to promote my work on their site via Self-Serve advertising and through book giveaways. My latest epic fantasy, 'Journey of Shadows' was published in February this year. Goodreads are currently running a giveaway (ends 21 April 2013), and the winner will receive a paperback copy of the novel.

'Journey of Shadows' is the first installment of the the Palâdnith Chronicles - the story of three brothers and a legacy that binds them. It's an epic adventure. If you're a fantasy fan and enjoy fast-moving, character-driven stories, why not enter?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Journey of Shadows

by Sam J. Charlton

Giveaway ends April 21, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win