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)

Captivating Story, well written

If I was reading this as a book, I would call it a page turner. Well developed characters.

Surprise favorite

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. I was pleasantly surprised by it. Just go for it!

Narration leaves much to be desired

Great book and story, the narration was bland and lacked character differentiation. will continue with other books in the series but it's a shame the narrationisnt better with such a good book.

My favorite fantasy book of all time.

Narration was perfect and made relive the greatest book of fantasy I ever read. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Most Excellent Book

This was a great book. the story is intriguing and different. The characters are well developed and interesting. The book has its highs and lows and yet still has a reasonable conclusion despite being 1 of 3. Looking forward to reading the second book.

To good for me to never heard of this author.

I just finished reading the book and I want to go back in that world again and again and again. I'm very astounded at finding this author, whom I have never heard of before, write such a spectacularly beautiful book. I really feel like this book would be worth 2 credits it's that good. The characters are built up just enough so you feel like you know them. There are surprises, there are laughs and there are tears. I have not had a book that allowed me to drive 7 hours than once I arrived to my destination made me want to drive around the block for another hour just to not stop listening. If he can duplicate this feat on his next book I want to be the first to say a Star is born. I highly recommend reading this book. I am a fan now.

True Review

I have 439 audibles and this is my favorite one so far! Starting on book two now.

Whose who?

Narrator has a nice voice. But no clue which character was which. All voices are exactly the same and it was very hard to follow the book. Most of time just guessing who was talking, what time frame. Could just be me.

fantastic book and a fantastic reading.

I loved it! 2nd time I've listened to it. Fantastic narrator. Now the next one.

the hooks are firmly in place

good writing with some strong characters, plenty of mystery and a nicely woven plot that assures on what my next credit will be spent. I had a little trouble following some of the jumps in time between chapters and therefore think I missed a few things that should have been a little more clear to me, but you can probably attribute that to listening while at work.