Blood Feud

A Legends of Ansu Novel

By: J.W. Webb

Narrated by: Andrew McDermott

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Cursed by a witch, scarred by a bear. Introducing Jaran Saerk. Three misfits against an empire.

Exiled from his home, rebellious Northman Jaran Saerk serves Imperial Shen in the long-running war against the Cardalan Republic. After illegally killing a man, Jaran falls foul of his Shen leaders and finds himself with enemies on all sides. His only desire is to find and kill the witch Sheega, who stole his inheritance and murdered his kin. But first, he has to overcome the creatures she keeps sending his way.

Recently captured slave Savarna hides a dark secret and doesn’t plan on staying a slave for long. Once she’s escaped, she’ll slip inside the Golden Palace and kill the empress of Shen. Easy. Unfortunately, plans change. Things get complicated for Savarna when she meets the belligerent Northman Jaran Saerk.

Finvar the Droll is a retired thief and former gang member. The talkative trickster allies himself with Jaran Saerk whom - he insists - he can help in the Northman’s vendetta against the witch Sheega. But can Jaran trust this talkative conniver? Reckless Finvar says he has a plan. If employed, it could well result in the death of them both.

Blood Feud is the first book in a new trilogy starring the characters above. The novel is also the latest edition in a stunning new fantasy series called Legends of Ansu. If you like tough action featuring gritty, humorous characters set to a vivid fantasy backdrop of war and vengeance, then you are going to love this new tale by JW Webb. 

Buy Blood Feud to begin listening to this exciting series today!

©2020 James William Pugh (P)2020 James William Pugh

Doesn't work for me

Narration: Heavy accent made it a bit difficult for me to follow; this was exacerbated by the lilting tone and halting cadence where most sentences seem to end in a question? which typically irritates the <%@! out of me and I almost didn't finish it. Instead I got the kindle unlimited version and had Alexa read it to me :-)

Story: Here we have the first of a new trilogy and the ninth within the same universe. The cast of characters include a berserker, a thief, a mysterious former slave [and her brother ... sort of] that all join up to take a tilt at the prophesy supporting a old 'Blood Feud.' As expected, the attempts by the antagonist to avoid it are what starts the clock ticking. It takes a bit [four chapters] to get all the crew together [with a little help from a seer/witch]; and of course, 'strays should stick together in a place like this,' so naturally these strangers are now joined at the hip hence forth. Once that happens, the story smoothly moves from scene to scene (with a convenient seer/shaman/etc periodically guiding our intrepid heroes). Along the way I found some of the word choice/phrases to be hilariously [and perhaps unintentionally] over the top :-) but it kind of works within the classic fantasy tropes I grew up with. Unfortunately, when combined with a somewhat derivative [info-dump] world-building, it gives the whole performance something of a journeyman feel (not something I would have expected for the 9th time out); it is still a fun escape. Perhaps the most significant issue that I have with this story is the [huge] cliff-hanger ending (no resolution of anything as far as I can see ... it just stops) ... and that vexes me!

This book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
I was given this free audiobook review copy (ARC) at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#audiobookboom #TheMageQueen

A Great Listen

A wicked witch, shifters, berserkers, swords and drinking, what else do you need in a great adventure. Fate has brought them together and together three misfits will save the world or die trying. An interesting plot and well written character enhance this story that will grab you and keep you listening long after you should have turned it off. Well worth the listen and I'm looking forward to listening to book 2. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review.

A new adventure

This combination of author and narrator never fails to entertain.
The start to this shows that it's going to be another hit.
This audio was given to me in exchange for an unbiased review.

AWESOME READ!

I absolutely loved it! This book caught my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout the entire book. This book was full of action, adventure, drama and suspense! The narration was outstanding and gave the story that extra flair! It will keep you entertained! The author did an amazing job with the character builds and plot! This author is by far one of the best! I look forward to reading more books in this series! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Not a Bad Story but a Strange one for Sure

As many others have written this book has witches, lycanthropes and warriors who have a berserker mode but its also about family. Jaran and Savanna are twins trying to avenge their fathers death and end a feud that has gone on for generations. As least this is what I have gathered so far. The fact that this is book 9 in the world make things a little clearer. It explains why I feel like some of this information is assumed to be knowledge the reader already should know and most likely is for those who have read the other 8 books in the world of Ansu. Also Andrew McDermott has a unique reading style that I have enjoyed in other narratives he has done but this one he was just a bit bland. With the cliffhanger ending on this one, I feel like I need to read book two for a better understanding.

Great story!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. As I've mentioned before, anything Andrew McDermott narrates is a book I'll listen to! This story fortunately can stand on its own as well! The characters are interesting and well developed. The story world is detailed and interesting. The book is well written and I recommend it for sword and sorcery or fantasy fans! I'm looking forward to the other books in the world of Ansu!

Great writing, sword and sorcery adventure, wonderful addition to his ever expanding world

Author J. W. Webb has expanded his ever growing universe. I read the Legends of Ansu books and really enjoyed them. This book Blood Feud is a backstory of a character from the previous books. It is a trio of unlikely characters on a quest to help Jaron to get revenge. It is well written and has lots of surprises. New countries to add to his expanding world. My favorite character was Finvar a thief traveling with Jaren. I thought he was funny and surprising . It is worth reading . You will enjoy it.

Good

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Lots of action, drama and suspense. I did not know this was part of a series until after I started listening to it. Maybe I should go back and listen to more of the series? I didn't really feel like I was missing anything but I do like to listen to a while series (or at least the majority of it).

I did not like the narration but that could just be because I am very picky when it comes to who I listen to. I will be looking at getting the rest of the series though.

good

no need to read previous stories this is a standalone in itself. I go like the narration as it just adds to the story. I do reccomend listening and/or reading.

Addictive - Beserkers, Witches, Shape Shifters

An addictive new Ansu fantasy trilogy
I was gifted a copy of this audio book. I am a fan of this world created by J W Webb, and of the narrator, Andrew McDermott. I truly enjoyed the earlier stories featuring Corin an Fol. This new story didn't disappoint. This is my honest and unsolicited opinion.

Andrew McDermott does a stellar performance narrating this ninth book in the Legends of Ansu. I love Andrew's Irish accent, perfectly suited to this fantasy realm. His interpretation of the characters consistent and charismatic. The audio adds that extra special dimension to this fantastic saga.

I loved this newest venture in the legends of Ansu. It is the start of a trilogy featuring new protagonists set a thousand years after Corin an Fol. The blurb sets the scene. Jarad Saerk the Norseman, Savarna Eltayn from Rundali and Finvar the Droll are a trio who come together, destined to confront the witch Sheega. There are forces of the other realms meddling in the affairs of men. Great characters, intricate plot, gripping adventure, immersive story telling. Some fade to black sexual content. Gruesome explicit battle scenes. Once again a great map, Finvar's Chart of Northeastern Ansu, helps ground the action. As the first part of a trilogy there is a cliff hanger ending with many threads to be woven back together. However don't let that deter you from starting the journey.

It should be noted that Jarad's father, Helgri Hrundsson, was killed when Jarad was a babe. So Jarad did not witness his father's death, as per one of the reviews. His uncle Erland was acting under the spell of the witch Sheega. The Traveller whisked Jarad and his mother, Bera, to safety and forbade any mention of Jarad's home, Valkador. Speaking the words would alert the witch Sheega to Jarad and his whereabouts. The prophecy states that Jarad would kill Sheega when he was 27 years old. So Sheega endlessly searches.

Thus Jarad was unaware of his birth right until Gromaki, the assassin sent to kill him, confessed with his dying breath that Erland King of Leeth had sent him. Jarad knew that his uncle, a puppet of the witch, had killed his father, but the details hazy. "He'd assumed that Erland was long dead, vanished like all rumor of his ancient island home. Valkador. Another name he hadn't heard in years, and only twice in childhood"

Highly recommended. Just let the magic of a lilting Irish accent take you on a journey in a wonderful fantasy world.