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In The Blood King, sequel to The Summoner, Tris Drayke races against time to gain the skills he needs to challenge his half-brother Jared for the throne of Margolan and defeat the dark mage Arontala before the Obsidian King can be loosed from the abyss. Pursued by assassins and caught in a dangerous web of intrigue, Tris’ greatest danger is his own magic. The fate of his kingdom, his lady and his soul hang in the balance.
As Margolan plunges into darkness under the yoke of a tyrant, Tris leads an unlikely insurrection, knowing that if he fails, death will be the least of his worries. Betrayed by the living, Tris finds staunch allies among the dead and undead. As the truce unravels between mortals and vampires, angry ghosts demand their revenge, and the Sisterhood of mages lacks the power to intervene. The battle for the throne of Margolan and the freedom of the Winter Kingdoms rests on Tris Drayke’s magic—and his ability to control the powerful forces aligning against Jared and Arontala. Like a storm on the horizon, war is coming—but can Tris control what has been put into motion, or will his battle for the crown bring a greater darkness?
Series: Chronicles of the Necromancer #2, Genre: Fantasy, Pages: 615, Published: 2008 by Solaris, Source: My own
My thoughts:
I must say that I got confused at the end, not a bad confusion, just surprised because the story ended. Yes the quest was over, the good guys won. But this is a 4 book series? So I quickly did some research and it seems that book 3 is about one of the side characters. Go figure. Though I do not complain, a fantasy "series" that deals with the main issue in 2 books is something I like.
Tris needs to learn about his powers in this book, so that he can fight his evil brother Jared and his mage. And Jared, oh he is bad! He is a psychopath and that poor country under his rule! And of course the evil mage is insane too. So the baddies are really good at being bad, and that is the way is should be. To hate them with a passion. While the good guys are really good. Young Tris trying to cope with being a summoner, Kiera a warrior princess, the healer Carina, the bard Carroway, and Vahanian the mercenery. There are even vampires in this world. But they are good, sure they are undead but the stay close to their families afterwards. Just like the ghosts in this world. Some just linger on.
As the quest ends in this book there are lots of action to be had. A kingdom needs to be saved after all and a throne conquered. All while a few side characters fall in love.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed the story (even if I felt that confusion cos I thought it continued, lol ;) But I was happy to see it wrapped up and I will read the next book as it is about Vahanian who is a merc, smuggler, you name it. I am sure lots will happen there too.
Cover:
Bit creepy
Actually all the good characters continue to get their fair share of attention in Martin's books, which I love! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
That's good :D And I can't believe I did not know that this part of the journey would end in this one
DeleteSounds like an exciting story. I hope the next book is just as satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too :D
DeleteSounds like you enjoyed this one, cool cover!
ReplyDeleteLots of creepy peeps in the cover, lol
DeleteThe cover is creepy! O.O
ReplyDeleteThe first book's cover was the same, creepy!
DeleteNot a bad cover. For too many years I did not pick up fantasy because of the covers!
ReplyDeleteIt's good, just a bit creepy ;D I love fantasy covers
DeleteI love that even though there was confusion, you still enjoyed it :) I love the cover on this one!
ReplyDeleteMy confusion was mostly my own fault. Lol, who knew the journey would end..?
DeleteGlad to hear that it's an HEA :)
ReplyDeleteI do love that
Deletethe cover is a wee bit creepy. 0.0 But i feel like it fits the summary of the book.
ReplyDeleteIt does fit the story perfectly
DeleteA good fantasy, confusing or not, is something I always like! And good baddies make my day!
ReplyDeleteThey were so good! The brother took whatever women he wanted and then killed them. Ok that is of course bad, but you see my point. He was the kind of baddie you just want to see die die die
DeleteI do see your point ;).
DeleteRight I need to read some fantasy books - it's been too long! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat are you waiting for!!!? Run and get one :D
DeleteI kind of like that it wraps up in only tow books and the third is about one of the other characters. Long series tend to wear out on me.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Sure I love one that can keep it up but most just can't in the end
DeleteOh I love the cover and I like that it wraps up! Still, 4 books in the series isn't too bad.
ReplyDelete4 is actually really good so I did not have a problem with that :) Still nice to see one journey end in 2 hihi
DeleteThis was a new one for me and off to check the first one. Ane the cover is cool.
ReplyDeleteCool and creepy is the word
DeleteI love it when a book is actually wrapped up but still leaves you wanting to know more about someone else. Sounds like a good series.
ReplyDeleteI just wished I had known it ;) Lol, here I thought it would go on and suddenly I see the end coming and I wonder what will happen
DeleteI love the creepy cover! You review the best books! Or is it that you make them sound like the best books? Either way, great review and glad you shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteLol, well if you think they sound great then I am happy :) I have been rather lucky lately when it comes to books
DeleteI agree with you about the cover. I hope the next book in the series doesn't end with a confusing note.
ReplyDeleteOh it did not end with confusion, I was just confused cos I thought it would continue, not wrap up the story
DeleteI feel stupid just admitting this but one of the main reasons I quit reading fantasy is because I kept feeling lost in the story and became confusing to me to follow!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was not that the story was confusing, it was that i thought there would be more, not that he story would end all happily
Delete*sigh* Another series I need to get to. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you're welcome ;)
DeleteOh I hate it when a series gets sidetracked. I wonder if you can just skip book 3 and go straight to book 4?
ReplyDeleteIt did not get sidetracked, it ended. Book 3 is just about someone else and book 4 should be about him too. A new story will be told
DeleteI love to hate villains, so I like that the baddies are particularly well done in this series! It's always a little off putting initially when a series shifts focus onto a different character, but usually I really enjoy it when it happens:)
ReplyDeleteI do not think I will mind it. i just felt like this series could have ended. And book 3 would have another series name
DeleteAnother one I want to read *cries* I'm adding first book of this series to my never ending TBR. Let's see when I can read it.
ReplyDeleteThink about poor me then..I need more by her! ;)
DeleteNice review. I was talking with someone about fantasy books a few days ago, and I really want to find/read a great new series.
ReplyDeleteHm, what should I recommend?...I really liked the riyria series that I read not so long ago cos it was very old school and of course Brandon Sanderson's new epic series
DeleteIt sounds a little Game of Thrones-ish?? but I've only seen the tv series so not sure I'm on the right track. Anyway I think I'd enjoy this series :)
ReplyDeleteSo not Game or Throne'ish, no sex and no one dies
Delete