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)

Keeps you listening

Would you listen to Blood Song again? Why?

Maybe, I have so many new books to listen too, but if those run out, I would reach for this again.

What three words best describe Steven Brand’s performance?

I can't think of 3 words without sounding harsh. I enjoyed Brand's voice well enough, and his reading cadence, but he doesn't do different voices, so at times I found it difficult to follow who was talking. Everyone once in a while he threw in a different accent, but that was, I think, the only other accent he could do.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed at a few parts. :) But its hard to make me laugh out loud at a book.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the writing in this one. It was descriptive enough, and the pace was lovely. I am looking forward to the next two books.

Maybe David Gemmel's

It is epic fantasy in the style similar to David Gemmel. Multiple twists within the plot and well main characters

Epic tale

Epic in scale and story. Great at bringing the reader into a forging of a brotherhood.

Characters

Sometimes when the reader read different characters, it was difficult to distinguish the transition from one to the other. Besides that, it was written and read extremely well and had me captivated from the beginning to the end. I am fascinated by the web that was woven with all of the characters and the story line. I love the imagination and detail allowing me to experience the story, not just hear it.

Outstanding Start

This is a sweeping epic that kept me engrossed from start to finish. The comprehensive writing by Anthony Ryan was excellent and I am so pleased it will be a trilogy. This book starts out with the main character telling his story to an enemy historian who has been sent to chronicle his life story.

Vaeline, a ten year old boy is indentured to walk in his fathers steps and become, "The Sword of the King". His father takes him to the Sixth Order and explains that this will be his life's path and that the Order will be his only family. Throughout his apprenticeship he surprisingly, retains an admirable moral compass that was instilled in him by his Mother, and rarely seen in the Sixth Order.

Once he is old enough to become, "The Sword of the King", Vaeline unfortunately, discovers that unlike himself, the King does not walk the same ethical path. The tasks that he is commissioned by the King to perform, are quite Machiavellian and put him continually in very jeopardizing situations. The Princess Lyrna and Vaeline somehow become unlikely cohorts and endeavor to preserve some semblance of honor for the Royal family. They are also are trying to uncover the dark secrets that may be behind the possible existence of a dissolved, mystical, Seventh Order that they hope will reveal more information about Vaelines, newly discovered, magical gift.

A perfect mix of a great author and a wonderful narrator. Steven Brand's voice is very smooth and expressive. I hope he returns for the next books.

Reminds me a lot of Name of the Wind, but better

Would you listen to Blood Song again? Why?

Yes, because it was fantastic.

What other book might you compare Blood Song to and why?

Name of the Wind, Brent Weeks' stuff

Which character – as performed by Steven Brand – was your favorite?

I really liked the lead, he's really the only 3 dimensional character in the story, but he's worth the entire time. Always engaging, and read with nuance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The twist. The twist and the fight in the square.

Any additional comments?

None

new favorite book

loves it its my new favorite series
great everything love the hotory background i have found that when authors have it showes in the story

Mature and dark

Yupp I enjoyed it greatly only bad thing in this book was that it jumped through time to much I would have preferred to read it

Excellent story, writing, and performance.

Excellent story, characters, writing, and performance. Loved it. On to the next book in the series...

Wonderful!

This book was entertaining and had many facets. I'm going to listen to it again, just so I have all the characters right in my mind. I've never done that before, but I think it necessary before I read the next in the series. I can't wait to see what happens!