Blood Song - Anthony Ryan

"The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm."

 Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order—a caste devoted to battle. Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate and dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.

Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the Unified Realm—and Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright knows no bounds. Even his cherished memories of his mother are soon challenged by what he learns within the Order.

But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the Realm, but the world.

My thoughts:

This book had me thinking about ratings, expectations and hype. Yes I expected a lot more. The book was good, but the problem was, it stayed at that, it was good, it never crossed over to really good. I do want to read book 2 one day to see if it gets to that awesome territory, and to see what happens. But, I am in no hurry to do so.

This book has one hell of a rating, and often when that's the case I think ok not for me, but yes I can see why others really enjoyed it. Now, I did enjoy the book, but I sure could not tell why so many others though it was freaking awesome. Good, yes, awesome, nah. It was a solid fantasy book that never really surprised me. It never had me loving anyone, or hating anyone, it just sailed through.

After the beginning I was scared, then it was just ok, and I was all -this is not good, and after it had turned better I still hoped it would throw that punch, but nothing. What made it so? Who knows.

Vaelin, an ok guy. See, I can't get excited over anything. He was just so good at everything and even things he was not good at...he was still good at them. Mary Stu? People either loved or hated him. He got famous over nothing. Put in charge, and I was all...ok, why? Show me why. He is not the smartest, but he can fight. I guess I wanted more from him. Oh and he was such a saint too, snooze. I am good, I like fighting, oh no I killed someone, whatever man. Get a grip.

The side characters were there, and then I have nothing more to say about them. Maybe this is why it never went to awesome. The characters are all one sided. 

Right, so there is this plot too, but now when I think back I remember going to the academy to learn to fight, fighting in campaigns, going to war. And in the between we learn that magic comes from darkness so those are hunted down. And you if you need God, or Gods, then you are hunted down. I could have done with more worldbuilding too.

I am so picky. Remember, the book was good. Why does no one ever believe me? Lol. I nit-ipck cos I expected more, I wanted awesome, I got good.

PS. He is called Hope-Killer many times as he is narrating this and then finally, at the end I learn why. Omg, what? Lame.

Conclusion
Wanted more

Cover
ok

Mass Market Paperback, 624 pages
Published June 24th 2014 by Ace (first published 2011)
Raven's Shadow #1
Fantasy
own

Review: Raven's Shadow - Patricia Briggs + winners!

For many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city. From the ashes of Colossae, the Travelers emerged - roaming the world to ensure that the Stalker would remain imprisoned forever...

Seraph is a Raven mage and among the last of the Travelers. Unwelcome among those who fear magic, the wizard clans have been decimated by the very people they've sworn to protect. But Seraph is spared a similar fate by the ex-soldier Tier - and together they build a life where she is no longer burdened by her people's responsibility. But now Tier is missing - or dead - and Seraph's reprieve from her duty is over. Using her magic to discover her husband's fate, Seraph realizes the Stalker's prison is weakening - and only she can fulfill her ancestors' oath to protect humanity from destruction... 

I had meant to wait with this review until I read book 2 so I could make it  a 2 in 1. That is why I wrote it shorter, and simple. But  I will just post it now, it has been sitting around for over a month ;)

My thoughts:

I like the fact that this fantasy has a mature heroine. Seraph is a traveler and she is rescued by a soldier named Tier. Travelers are not liked, they have magic, they are said to steal babies and all sorts of other stupid things. They are feared. Seraph and Tier gets married and 20 years later the real story starts.

A mature heroine with 3 kids, and a missing husband. Seraph was strong, and I liked her. Tier too, he was all nice. The kind you just want to hug.

I did get angry at all silly peasants and alike. They do not like the travelers, but the travelers are trying to protect these ignorant idiots. But I liked that. There are always some people at the bottom of the pecking order. And it makes you wonder what will happen when all travelers have been killed.

There was fantasy, magic and real life too. I liked that the book had an ending. So a good stand alone novel, but things are not solved so book 2, here I come.

Info:

Series: Raven Set, 1

Genre. Fantasy

Pages: 334

Published: 2010 (2004)

Source: My own shelf

WINNERS:

Only Mr Darcy Will do

Melissa (Books and things)

Kiss Me, Kill Me 

(I am late with this one, the winners already have their e-books ;)

Anachronist

Lisa

Lucky Leprachaun hop

Wild Desire Mishel PS (email staring with mish)

Wild Desire JHS

Kiss me, kill me  Danielle

A night of secrets Redd

Mind Readers   Lexie (email start shakes)

The ghost hunter Tyraa 

Heard from

Will email you lucky leprachauns today or tomorrow, or if you see this then email me first.

Edit: Lexie and Mishel, please email me back