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Adventures of Baron Von Monocle #2
The Blood of Giants: Book Two of the Adventures of Baron Von Monocle
Danger looms on a foreign continent… Zaira von Monocle is getting the hang of commanding her airship, when crisis hits her homeland, Rislandia. Caught in a terrible cycle of withdrawal from their power-serum, Wyranth soldiers are ravaging the countryside in a berserk rage. The Grand Rislandian Army has been unable to slow their bloodthirsty advance. The Wyranth’s serum has its origin in legend, a children’s tale about giants roaming the land of Zenwey, far across the ocean. Zaira must take the Liliana and her crew to this faraway land, in hopes that she might find a cure before the Wyranth take even more lives. When Zaira arrives on Zenwey, she finds the continent to be a mysterious and hostile environment. She must navigate her way past savage jungle warriors, fantastic creatures and terrors, and evil forces that have flying machines of their own. Before she can try to save Rislandia, she has to survive!
- GenresSteampunk
247 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2018
About the author
Jon Del Arroz
88 books461 followersJon Del Arroz is a powerhouse in speculative fiction and comics, celebrated as "the leading Hispanic voice in science fiction" by PJ Media, and a #1 Amazon bestselling author whose works resonate with fans craving bold, unapologetic storytelling. His novels, like the swashbuckling steampunk adventure For Steam And Country and the space opera The Stars Entwined, have earned accolades for their fast-paced plots and richly drawn characters. He is a Dragon Award finalist and 2018 CLFA Book of the Year Award winner, as well as N3F Speculative Fiction winner for best graphic novel.
Beyond the page, Jon Del Arroz is a prolific journalist and cultural commentator, with incisive pieces in outlets like The Federalist and Fandom Pulse that tackle the intersections of pop culture, gaming, and politics with fearless clarity. His investigative work and YouTube livestreams have built a loyal following, offering a sharp alternative to mainstream narratives.
Beyond the page, Jon Del Arroz is a prolific journalist and cultural commentator, with incisive pieces in outlets like The Federalist and Fandom Pulse that tackle the intersections of pop culture, gaming, and politics with fearless clarity. His investigative work and YouTube livestreams have built a loyal following, offering a sharp alternative to mainstream narratives.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2018
I will start by saying, I loved book 1: "For Steam and Country." I loved the main character, Zaira von Monocle because she struck me as a real teen persona dealing with issues in life that were beyond what some teens deal with. This novel, which happens after Del Arroz's novella "Knight Training" is an excellent addition to the series and shows personal growth on the part of the author as well as the character.
In this novel, Zaira continues in the footsteps of her father by taking command of the airship, the Liliana. Though the Wyranth has been (mostly) defeated with the loss of their secret serum in the first book, the army continues to be aggressive and war-like toward the people of Rislandia. Zaira has an unexpected guest who poses questions and answers that seem plausible and push her and the airship crew off on an adventure to get answers about the mythical giants.
Zaira must face her feelings for her childhood friend, find the truth about a race of mythical creatures, face down factions that see her as a lesser being and enslave her, and still manage to get back in time to help save Rislandia.
This book was non-stop action and movement. There were points when I wondered if, while running alongside Zaira, I would ever catch my breath. When I say I inhaled this book because I wanted to find out what happened next, that is no exaggeration. I read this in a day because I couldn't stop. I can't wait to read the next book. I'm also now going to go back and read "Knight Training" to get a better look at a possible love-interest for Zaira in her childhood best friend.
Put out the next book already. I'm ready to find out what happens now!
In this novel, Zaira continues in the footsteps of her father by taking command of the airship, the Liliana. Though the Wyranth has been (mostly) defeated with the loss of their secret serum in the first book, the army continues to be aggressive and war-like toward the people of Rislandia. Zaira has an unexpected guest who poses questions and answers that seem plausible and push her and the airship crew off on an adventure to get answers about the mythical giants.
Zaira must face her feelings for her childhood friend, find the truth about a race of mythical creatures, face down factions that see her as a lesser being and enslave her, and still manage to get back in time to help save Rislandia.
This book was non-stop action and movement. There were points when I wondered if, while running alongside Zaira, I would ever catch my breath. When I say I inhaled this book because I wanted to find out what happened next, that is no exaggeration. I read this in a day because I couldn't stop. I can't wait to read the next book. I'm also now going to go back and read "Knight Training" to get a better look at a possible love-interest for Zaira in her childhood best friend.
Put out the next book already. I'm ready to find out what happens now!
August 24, 2018
Couldn't put it down
Clear you schedule before you start because you will have a hard time putting this down. This is tightly scripted story that continues to develop the characters we have come to know and love and the Kingdom of Rislandia.
Clear you schedule before you start because you will have a hard time putting this down. This is tightly scripted story that continues to develop the characters we have come to know and love and the Kingdom of Rislandia.
September 30, 2018
Solid sequel
Honestly, I liked the characters far better in the sequel than in the first. They have developed nicely. The action is solid and its a fun tead.
Honestly, I liked the characters far better in the sequel than in the first. They have developed nicely. The action is solid and its a fun tead.
September 30, 2019
Not a complete story...
Another promising author who resorts to “cliff hangers“ to sell books. I’m not going to be a party to the wiles of 2nd rate writers.
Another promising author who resorts to “cliff hangers“ to sell books. I’m not going to be a party to the wiles of 2nd rate writers.
May 9, 2020
I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.
I really loved the adventure Del Arroz laid out here for Zaira. It definitely had some Star Wars influences, mostly from the prequels (but maybe that's just how I imagined it all), as well as some Final Fantasy elements that stand out with the weapons they use as well as the aircrafts themselves. Marina continues to be one of my favourite characters in this series and I loved her development over this book as well even if she wasn't there for the bulk of it.
A few things I had to mention however, I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities when it comes to humour. Like, for example (sort of spoiler) when Zaira grabs a bag of explosives and fails at throwing them the first time, that could be great comedic relief in the midst of the dire escape situation they were all in. I appreciate the action and fun adventures, but I feel like good humour does make it all come together.
There is one part in particular where I didn't feel like Zaira was really the hero we saw in the first book. Like when she let Rhys start the escape when she told him they had to go now and he refused, then he came back essentially saying she was right but sort of leading the charge himself. I understand he knows the place better than she does, but if Zaira thought it was the right call at first, she should have implored him to escape when even she noticed they couldn't wait anymore, no? At least, that's what I feel like Zaira would have done.
Hoping we'd see how Marina would react to the potion Rhys gave her before they left the Nightmen's underground city, maybe in the 3rd book? I kinda was hoping to see her go berserker and kick some ass (not that she already doesn't).
I always say I find love triangles dumb, but I feel like it's done in a tasteful way here and again, not the focus of the story which is nice.
Still, very entertaining read, I feel like with the right amount of humour a bit more assertiveness from Zaira when it comes to leading her own crew would have made this a 5-star book.
I really loved the adventure Del Arroz laid out here for Zaira. It definitely had some Star Wars influences, mostly from the prequels (but maybe that's just how I imagined it all), as well as some Final Fantasy elements that stand out with the weapons they use as well as the aircrafts themselves. Marina continues to be one of my favourite characters in this series and I loved her development over this book as well even if she wasn't there for the bulk of it.
A few things I had to mention however, I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities when it comes to humour. Like, for example (sort of spoiler) when Zaira grabs a bag of explosives and fails at throwing them the first time, that could be great comedic relief in the midst of the dire escape situation they were all in. I appreciate the action and fun adventures, but I feel like good humour does make it all come together.
There is one part in particular where I didn't feel like Zaira was really the hero we saw in the first book. Like when she let Rhys start the escape when she told him they had to go now and he refused, then he came back essentially saying she was right but sort of leading the charge himself. I understand he knows the place better than she does, but if Zaira thought it was the right call at first, she should have implored him to escape when even she noticed they couldn't wait anymore, no? At least, that's what I feel like Zaira would have done.
Hoping we'd see how Marina would react to the potion Rhys gave her before they left the Nightmen's underground city, maybe in the 3rd book? I kinda was hoping to see her go berserker and kick some ass (not that she already doesn't).
I always say I find love triangles dumb, but I feel like it's done in a tasteful way here and again, not the focus of the story which is nice.
Still, very entertaining read, I feel like with the right amount of humour a bit more assertiveness from Zaira when it comes to leading her own crew would have made this a 5-star book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2019
This is the second book in the main story line, but the 3rd overall. Zaira von Monacle is visited by the enemy of Rislandia, the Iron Emperor himself. He claims that the Wyranth soldiers he commands are becoming more feral due to the destruction of the giant blood in the end of the first book. He suggests for both countries sakes that they send Liliana, the airship Zaira commands to the Zenway continent, to see if rumours of giants still living there are true.
The Liliana makes the journey, and comes under attack by the Nightmen, a group of almost human beasts that are stronger and as it turns out, related to giants, several times. While exploring, Zaira, and several of her companions, including James and Ethan from the second book, get sold into slavery to the Nightmen. They manage to escape with the help of Rhys, a human who lived with the Nightmen, but who is a scientist who thinks he may have developed a cure. They travel back to Rislandia, only to discover that the Wyranth troops have attacked Rislandia while the Liliana has been gone, removing one of the effective tools the Rislandians had of fighting back. The story ends with the Wyranth moving closer to the capital.
The Liliana makes the journey, and comes under attack by the Nightmen, a group of almost human beasts that are stronger and as it turns out, related to giants, several times. While exploring, Zaira, and several of her companions, including James and Ethan from the second book, get sold into slavery to the Nightmen. They manage to escape with the help of Rhys, a human who lived with the Nightmen, but who is a scientist who thinks he may have developed a cure. They travel back to Rislandia, only to discover that the Wyranth troops have attacked Rislandia while the Liliana has been gone, removing one of the effective tools the Rislandians had of fighting back. The story ends with the Wyranth moving closer to the capital.
November 24, 2018
Del Arroz ups the action in this second installment, where the reprecussions of the first adventure has some unexpected and unwelcome consequences. Consequences that take our heroes to a strange and savage land.
On the plus side, we've got new vistas, new enemies, and a lot more airship action.
On the con side, there's more modern slang than I like, and what's the deal with that Emperor? His scenes just don't ring true to me. Fortunately, he's only in there for a little while at the beginning, then the crew of the Liliana takes off.
For Steam and Country!
On the plus side, we've got new vistas, new enemies, and a lot more airship action.
On the con side, there's more modern slang than I like, and what's the deal with that Emperor? His scenes just don't ring true to me. Fortunately, he's only in there for a little while at the beginning, then the crew of the Liliana takes off.
For Steam and Country!
October 1, 2018
Keeps Getting Better
Every book in this series is better than the last. The feel of old-school young-adult adventure remains, but the main character is more sympathetic this time and the romantic complications deeper and more complicated. The story rarely goes in the direction you expect, making it all the more rewarding. Really looking forward to the next one!
Every book in this series is better than the last. The feel of old-school young-adult adventure remains, but the main character is more sympathetic this time and the romantic complications deeper and more complicated. The story rarely goes in the direction you expect, making it all the more rewarding. Really looking forward to the next one!
November 18, 2018
Enjoyable read!
Great story! Fascinating characters, intriguing plot and breathtaking scenes. This book has it all from action and suspense to betrayal and romance.
Great story! Fascinating characters, intriguing plot and breathtaking scenes. This book has it all from action and suspense to betrayal and romance.
April 14, 2019
Excellent
Wonderful read! Great character development and world development. A nail bitter from start to finish. Can’t wait to read the next!
Wonderful read! Great character development and world development. A nail bitter from start to finish. Can’t wait to read the next!
August 12, 2019
Adventurous
Fun and lots of harrowing adventure! Love the characters and the story line. The steam punk aspect full of gears and flying ships is really cool!
Fun and lots of harrowing adventure! Love the characters and the story line. The steam punk aspect full of gears and flying ships is really cool!
November 11, 2019
Love the writing style and the heroine. Would love to see the airship mapped out and I eagerly await her next adventure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews