Blood Song

Raven's Shadow, Book 1

By: Anthony Ryan

Narrated by: Steven Brand

Length: 23 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

From "a new master storyteller" comes the beginning of an epic fantasy saga of blood, honor, and destiny....

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 10 when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and 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. Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright and dropped at the doorstep of the Sixth Order like a foundling knows no bounds. He cherishes the memory of his mother, and what he will come to learn of her at the Order will confound him. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. 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.

©2013 Anthony Ryan (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Ryan is a new fantasy author destined to make his mark on the genre. His debut novel, Blood Song, certainly has it all: great coming-of-age tale, compelling character and a fast-paced plot. If his first book is any indication of things to come, then all fantasy readers should rejoice.” (Michael J. Sullivan, author of the Riyria Revelations series)

“Fans of broadscale epic fantasy along the lines of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels should find this debut much to their liking.” (Library Journal)

“Ryan hits all the high notes of epic fantasy - a gritty setting, ancient magics, ruthless intrigue, divided loyalties and bloody action.... [A] promising debut." (Publishers Weekly)

Simply amazing...

An outstandingly well written book you will read again and again. The narrator augments this by an uncanny performance. Read it!

Conscience vs schemes

Would you listen to Blood Song again? Why?

I actually did listen to it a second time. Book 2 of the series made some references to this book that I wanted to check out. I really glad I did. Not only did I fully enjoy the second listening as much as I did the first, but I also confirmed the connections to book 2 that I was looking for and had more jump out at me. Fully satisfying!

What did you like best about this story?

I can't nail it down to one thing. I really enjoyed the journey of the main characters rom boys to men. But I was also really pulled in by the emerging story of a virtuous man constantly struggling against the schemes of greedy or ambitious people who for one reason or another have sway over his destiny.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator wasn't terrible. But throughout much of the story, he treated commas like periods. The sentence would suddenly stop, pause, and then continue as if a new sentence. At first it was a little confusing. But once I got used to it, I stopped being surprised and losing my mental flow.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was. It is a very well paced story with relatable characters

Easily one of my favorites!

I love this book. I've listened to it multiple times, and that's something I never do with fiction books. Steven Brand's narration is the perfect voice for the story. Highly recommended.

Solid, engaging, rare

Well written, well conceived and well read. For those craving more differentiated character voices, remember that this is a telling that took place on a ship ride … so it makes sense that it is not acted out. So many audio books are over acted with fussy self conscious voices. The raspiness of the narrator is perfect for a warrior burned out by years of deprivation, loss and war.

My Song Is Loud and Clear

Vaelin Al Sorna tells the tale of his youth and how he learned to listen to the Blood Song. I highly recommend this book.

A Song In My Blood. by Daniel , springbrook Wisconsin

Though I have read or rather listened to many fantasy's, none has captured my ears and my imagination like this. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in writing there own fantasy novel, the way it restructured my writing style was phenomenal. My short stories and the beginning of my own book that I started at age 12 (though good for my age), was nothing after I listened to this. And I've listened to it about a hundred times.
Of course it would be totally unjust for me to write a review on this without mentioning the amazing narration performed by Steven Brand. He has an almost dark ability to bring the characters to life

refreshing!!

its hard to find something I've not read that's worth reading/listening or both.. I found it enjoyable and refreshing . I found myself laughing a couple of times out of nowhere.. and who cant get completely engaged with Steve Brand narrating..

Steven Brand = bad for great books

This narrator to this wonderful book is so bland and monotonous and does not use different voices for different people unless the story directly calls for it and then it is only for a sentence or two and then the narrator goes back to his normal narrating voice for this person. Michael Kramer, Michael Page or the guy who did Riyria Revelations could do a much better voice then Steven Brand, he must have come real cheap. Such a wonderful book, story and concept ruined by a monotonous reader who makes girls sound the same as boys sound the same as old men sound the same as old women. Better to read the book than hear Steven "Bland" Brand.

Fantastic Read!!

The story is a little slow in the beginning, but I promise that if you remain patient you will be duly rewarded.

Great story difficult narration

The story is great but the lack of voice differential with characters made it difficult. Would still recommend but be warned you will have a hard time listening at times.