Published: January 2018
Pages: 463
Series: Of Blood and Bone #1
Summary
A race of warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished lands, but their peace is brutally enforced.
In the south, hotheaded Riv is desperate to join the Ben-Elim’s peacekeeping force, until she unearths a deadly secret.
In the west, the giantess Sig investigates demon sightings and discovers signs of an uprising and black magic.
And in the snowbound north, Drem, a trapper, finds mutilated corpses in the forests. The work of a predator, or something far darker?
It’s a time of shifting loyalties and world-changing dangers. Difficult choices need to be made. Because in the shadows, demons are gathering, waiting for their time to rise…
My thoughts
I haven’t read the The Faithful and the Fallen series and didn’t realise that they were linked to this series. This can still be an entry point and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although as Fallen is this books history. You may find small spoilers if you read on.
By the first 26 pages and I was very upset so it’s safe to say I was pretty hooked throughout this story. Gwynne’s writing is as enjoyable as ever so coupled with this plot and fantastic characters, I am excited to finish this trilogy.
The narrative is woven through multiple perspectives and we are introduced to a new generation of heroes and anti-heroes, each grappling with their own challenges and destinies. Gwynne excels at making you care about these characters, investing you in their struggles and triumphs. Their journeys are filled with peril, moral dilemmas, and the ever-present threat of a world on the brink of another war – or perhaps something worse?
These characters have very different and unique backstories, all touched on by the previous war. They hold different perspectives and beliefs which is very refreshing. This isn’t a simple battle of one side against another. It is far more complex than that and even those on the same side don’t necessarily see eye to eye.
I love a book filled with politics and this is no different. There is clearly a lot going on and our characters have to read the room and play the game to have a chance of winning. There is no clear good versus evil here. What there is though is plenty of tension. Gosh it was like I had overcaffeinated myself my heart was racing.
The magic and world building of this book reminded me of the Witcher videogame. The landscape and characters, to the small settlements and monster that roam the wilderness. Even the fighting scenes described reminded me so much of that classic-fantasy style. Gwynne is brilliant at writing battle scenes that are so realistic and plausible without being boring. Reading those scenes feels like you’re right there on the battle fielding watching it all go down. You get enough detail to make out the moves whilst feeling the characters emotions, their worry, their perseverance, their vengeance. It all comes together and adds weight to the stakes at the play, and spoiler, they are high!
Would I recommend?
I would totally, I think I am going to pause here and read the Faith and Fallen series first just to add to the history of this world. But then I’m coming straight back to this series for more!