Book Review for The Blood Within the Stone by T.R. Thompson
The Blood Within the Stone, by T.R. Thompson, is an epic fantasy about surviving in a world where the strong are targeted, and the weak are left behind.
The book is separated into two parts. The first part introduces a young boy named Wilt, who, alongside his friend, Higgs, was recently accepted into the Grey Guild, a thieves’ guild that specialized in surviving the struggling town of Greystone. However, when a Prefect from Redmonis comes for the two boys, they’re thrusted into a city of nightmares. The second part deals with the threats that Redmonis faces, alongside the dangers that are slowly fostering from within the city. Thompson delivers a fast-paced adventure where darkness lurks around every corner, where death awaits the pawns.
I loved the relationship between Wilt and Higgs. Even in Greystone, it was clear that the two looked after one another, with Wilt watching over Higgs as an older brother, and Higgs looking after Wilt with his wit and his Rats. Old Pete, as well as Daemi, were wonderful companions to them, so much so that I felt at home whenever I read about them. Their bond sharply contrasts to the Sisters, who were more of an eerie, collective conscious, rather than individual people. They weren’t human, in my opinion. They stamp out anyone who would get in their way, who was a threat to their way of life. In a way, they represented an illustrious account of Social Darwinism, where the weak die out, and the strong survive.
This idea was a constant theme within the book. A new trade route had been found that bypassed Greystone, and because of that Greystone died out. Thieves began roaming the streets, and only those skilled enough can get into the Thieves’ Guild. In Redmonis, a haunting saying kept coming back to me, and that is that “” the strong is always targeted.” Thompson beautifully illustrates the power struggle between the characters; those that aren’t cut out for this world tend to get weeded out. Red Charley had been one; in fact, for the most part, he was probably the detestable butt monkey readers kick whenever they feel frustrated.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I loved the narrative and details Thompson weaves into the story. The relationships between the characters and the parallels between Redmonis and Greystone were well done. What’s more, the concept of the strong and the weak was also clearly portrayed within the theme. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it for fans of Chosen of Trees and of Talons, by Jeff Pryor, and Feast of Fates, by Christian A. Brown.
