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)

Pretty good story... but...

The story was really good. I enjoyed how the whole story took place across most of his teen years and some adult. At first, I was worried that it was skimming too close to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (for the sake of originality), but was quite pleased that it took on another light early on.

As for the narrator... there were times that I found it difficult to discern which character was currently speaking. He has little-to-no difference with the pronunciation from character to character. A woman would be speaking with a man and I'd have no idea who was currently talking. No voice lightening, no changes. Though, he has an excellent reading voice, for sure. I never found his narrative boring or dull, so there is that.

All in all, good book! Check it out.

Yep. Get it.

Any additional comments?

I agree with what everyone is saying: this is a complex (but not overly so) novel that scratches all of my Epic Fantasy itches, and then some. Upon completing it, I immediately restarted it to see if the seeds of the ending were present. Of course they were. Nothing in this book is extraneous. It is multi-layered and accessible. I loved our hero almost from the word 'go.'

Great book.... Bad narration

Steven Brand has a pleasant voice, however it's the same voice for every character and the narration. I found my mind disengaging from the story because of this and getting to the end was more tedious than enjoyable.

Book is still worth it and the power of narration

The story is well written, emotional, and engrossing. I'm 1/2 of the way through and HOOKED! But I had to write this review now!

I wasn't sure if I wanted to get the book based on the reviews about the narrator - glad I did anyways - but it's a struggle.

I listen to a lot of books. My work is sometimes dull and I can listen while I work. I also listen when I drive, work out, and with Alexa (whisper voice so she doesn't trigger), when I'm cooking or showering.
You will have a hard time doing this with this reading. You need to pay close attention of else you will have no idea when a different person is speaking, or the situation changed, or if the scene has moved to a different scene, or an emotionally important event is underway.
I had to restart the book a few times before I understood why I was struggling to follow the story.

Steven Brand isn't a narrator - he is a reader.

He has a wonderfully silky voice, but If Tim Gerard Reynold is the Dicaprio of reading, then Steven Brand is a cardboard cut out of Lennie, sitting on the stage at a 6th grade production Of Mice and Men. You will have to significantly lower your expectations to appreciate the effort of all those around him - remember there are other compelling reason you are in audience other than the acting of Lennie - and the story is Really good.

I'm convinced if Anthony Ryan narrated this book with TGR, he would sell 5 times as many audio books - but still worth the struggle - the story and writing is that good.

Couldn’t stop listening

There is not a boring moment in this book. From cover to cover I enjoyed every moment. Sitting in the garage on my way home from work until my husband comes looking for me, inventing things that need to be ironed so that I have a reason to seclude myself in the laundry room, driving slowly everywhere I go so that I could hear more of the story until the next errand stop. I can’t wait to start book 2.

After a decade of reading Fantasy....

Would you consider the audio edition of Blood Song to be better than the print version?

Yes. This book is an excellent example of a skillfully written story enhanced by skillful telling. I can not express how much I have enjoyed this story in the audio version.

What about Steven Brand’s performance did you like?

Mr. Brand's performance is a gift to each listener. His ability to bring the story to life is a unique and beautiful experience.

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

This beautifully woven story will capture you and transform your perceptions in subtle, but powerful ways. It is a story that you carry with you throughout the day and whispers to you to listen to the songs around you. Without revealing too much, the changing relationships with Vaelin Al Sorna and his 'brothers" was the absolutely engaging. Vaelin's plainly stated perspective is rendered in a manner that is believable and compelling.

Any additional comments?

This is a book not to miss. I bought the audio and book and shared it with friends. I feel like proselytizing for Mr. Ryan...okay pun intended. After 20+ years of reading fantasy, this is the first review I have written... and I can not recommend it enough.

Wow!

this is by far one of, if not the best book I've listened to. highly recommended

Outstanding!

This was very well written with a very interesting story. The characters are flawed and compelling. This is my third time listening to it.

Headlines are a dumb idea, but the book was great.

Excellent story, loved the guys voice! It's been hard for me to get into a story lately but I'm cured of that now.

Great story, so- so narrator

The narrator didn't often change his tone, so during conversations in the story it was difficult to tell who was talking.