Blood Song

The first book of Blood Song is something the author has spent years on before publishing it, and it shows. The world-building is sturdy and well thought-out, yet the author avoids the trap of going "bragging mode" and spending more time talking about every detail of the world rather than focusing on the story. Speaking of the story, the characters are very vivid and interesting, keeping you close and making you root for them all-heartedly. The mysteries that go beyond their understanding are sprinkled in just the right amount, keeping you entertained without frustrating you from seeing the characters being… show more.

Being such a fan of the work of David Gemmell, I was delighted when I found this book and felt like Anthony Ryan had combined an emulation of Gemmell’s style with his own sensibility and pragmatism to create a wonderfully realized world. The characters are brilliantly developed and have a well-defined psychological realism. The magic system feels so distinctive from other fantasy stories I have read, and I loved the way the focus throughout the story splits into three and coalesces smoothly and coherently. I found the theme of religious conflict particularly pertinent.

I was reminded of the movie masterpiece… show more.

Grittier than the other recommendations, I’m recommending this novel as well for its new take on the fantasy genre. Following a protagonist whose magical abilities act like a sixth sense, as well as quenching my lust for adventure, this book and its series tell one epic adventure through this world. I love how magic has its firm place in the world without dominating it, and this novel has taught me a lot about how battles are fought and how armies may work.