What do you think?
Rate this book
Les Ogres-Dieux #2
Gli Orchi-Dei, Vol. 2: Mezzo Sangue
Dai bassifondi al castello degli Orchi-Dei, il destino inarrestabile di Yori, figlio illegittimo pronto a tutto pur di prendersi ciò che gli spetta, tra lussuria, compromessi e trame nell'ombra...
Un intreccio gotico emozionante sui legami di sangue.
Un intreccio gotico emozionante sui legami di sangue.
152 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2016
7 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Hubert
90 books154 followersHubert Boulard de son vrai nom ; il naît à Saint Renan, Finistère, en 1971. À l’origine, il ne se destine pas à la Bande dessinée, mais aux Arts plastiques. Il entre aux Beaux-Arts, d’abord à Quimper, puis à Angers. C’est là qu’a lieu une rencontre déterminante : Yoann (Toto l’Ornithorynque, La Voleuse du Père Fauteuil...), qui se destine déjà à être auteur et est publié en Angleterre. C’est lui qui fait (re)découvrir la bande dessinée à Hubert et ce qui s’y passe alors, tant aux États-Unis (Miller, Sankievitz, Mac Kean, Mignola ...) qu’en France (Barbier, David B., Trondheim...). En 1994, Hubert passe son diplôme de fin d’étude avec des installations tendance conceptuelle. Une fois sorti, il se pose l’inévitable question : « Et maintenant ?» d’autant plus qu’il se sent de moins en moins attiré par le milieu de l’Art Contemporain et de plus en plus par l’écriture. Après un bref passage dans le graphisme, il commence à travailler comme coloriste (Ninie Rezergoude avec Yoann et Omond, éditions Delcourt en 1999). De nombreuses collaborations suivront (notamment avec Paul Gillon, Jason, David B, Tronchet, Philippe Berthet, Vink…). Il est actuellement le coloriste de la série Spirou, avec Yoann et Fabien Vehlmann. Parallèlement, en 2000, il signe ses premiers projets en tant que scénariste : Le Legs de l’Alchimiste avec Hervé Tanquerelle, paru chez Glénat (qui passe le relais à Benjamin Bachelier au tome 4) et Les Yeux verts avec Zanzim au dessin, aux éditions Carabas. En 2006, Hubert ait son entrée chez chez Poisson Pilote avec La Sirène des Pompiers, dessinée par Zanzim et Miss Pas Touche, réalisé avec les Kerascoët. Suivront en 2010 Bestioles, avec Ohm chez Dargaud, La Chair de l’araignée avec Marie Caillou chez Glénat et en 2011 Beauté avec les Kerascoët chez Dupuis. Hubert vit et travaille à Paris.
Texte et photo © Dargaud
Texte et photo © Dargaud
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 30, 2019
Much better than the first volume Petit which was about these inbred giants who ruled over humanity, squishing and eating them when they could. This is more of a sidequel, telling the story of a young, male courtesan who rises up to become chancellor for said giants. Most of this reads like historical fiction, detailing how this bastard of a lord rose up to run the kingdom. It's only toward the end when the weird giants make an appearance again. The art is incredibly detailed, especially the architecture, giving the book an old European feel.
Received a review copy from Lion Forge and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Lion Forge and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
September 17, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
actual rating: 3.5
I haven't read the first volume in this series but they seem to all be standalone stories set in the same universe and I didn't really feel like I was missing any important information. The art is absolutely gorgeous and the delicate almost anime-like features on many of the characters are a great contrast to the dark and detailed architecture that makes up the background. The story is interesting although it really seems to move too quickly and I think would have had more emotional weight if it had slowed down to really show us Yori's descent. Still, it was a very interesting read and without the ogre-gods could easily have been a historical fiction story set in France or any other number of European countries. The summaries of the other volumes don't really appeal to me as they are about different characters, but I'm glad I read this one.
actual rating: 3.5
I haven't read the first volume in this series but they seem to all be standalone stories set in the same universe and I didn't really feel like I was missing any important information. The art is absolutely gorgeous and the delicate almost anime-like features on many of the characters are a great contrast to the dark and detailed architecture that makes up the background. The story is interesting although it really seems to move too quickly and I think would have had more emotional weight if it had slowed down to really show us Yori's descent. Still, it was a very interesting read and without the ogre-gods could easily have been a historical fiction story set in France or any other number of European countries. The summaries of the other volumes don't really appeal to me as they are about different characters, but I'm glad I read this one.
November 30, 2022
Having greatly enjoyed the first volume in The Ogre Gods series, Petit, I was disappointed by this supposed sequel. I was looking forward to the further adventures of Petit, a pint-sized giant, yet that is not what happens here. Instead, we are given a parallel story of human chamberlains, only slightly tangentially touching on the events of the first book.
This parallel story in terms of themes is also very closely aligned to the drama and conflicts in the first book, so that added to the feeling that little was gained here. It almost feels like a re-run. Once again we are given a wide-eyed young hero, a determined schemer, who looks identical in each volume (one with dark hair and one light hair).
So, not a sequel, and looking into books 3 and 4 I see the series talked about as being "standalone" books. That said, I did enjoy Half-Blood for all the same reasons I enjoyed the first volume, for the detailed art and complex story. However, that story, for all its complexity, really did not go anywhere. And I fear that we shall never know more about Petit, from book one—or indeed unlikely to learn more about Yori in this book.
This parallel story in terms of themes is also very closely aligned to the drama and conflicts in the first book, so that added to the feeling that little was gained here. It almost feels like a re-run. Once again we are given a wide-eyed young hero, a determined schemer, who looks identical in each volume (one with dark hair and one light hair).
So, not a sequel, and looking into books 3 and 4 I see the series talked about as being "standalone" books. That said, I did enjoy Half-Blood for all the same reasons I enjoyed the first volume, for the detailed art and complex story. However, that story, for all its complexity, really did not go anywhere. And I fear that we shall never know more about Petit, from book one—or indeed unlikely to learn more about Yori in this book.
May 17, 2019
Just as lush and darkly delicious as its predecessor with the added bonus of a deeper and way more devious story coming to the fore. Highly recommended for all fans of graphic fantasy, I am eagerly awaiting volume 3.Vive la France!
September 13, 2019
2,5/5. After enjoying the first one in this series, this one left my on my appetite. The Ogre Gods are just not there enough, almost not there at all and this was disappointing. I enjoy the black an white art a lot but the story lack what make it special in the first place. Introducing written full text chapters to present characters is also a concept I still enjoy, but again, not enough. original form, but the story hurts it all.
October 10, 2018
Un très bel objet avec une BD en noir et blanc aux décors détaillés.
J'aime particulièrement le Livre des chambellans qui vient interrompre la narration lorsqu'un des anciens chambellans est mentionné.
On a envie de se promener davantage dans ces décors, que ce soit le palais des ogres-dieux ou les villes du commun des mortels. Peut-être avec Petit, premier tome des Ogres-Dieux que je n'ai pas lu (ce qui n'est pas un problème pour comprendre cette histoire)
J'aime particulièrement le Livre des chambellans qui vient interrompre la narration lorsqu'un des anciens chambellans est mentionné.
On a envie de se promener davantage dans ces décors, que ce soit le palais des ogres-dieux ou les villes du commun des mortels. Peut-être avec Petit, premier tome des Ogres-Dieux que je n'ai pas lu (ce qui n'est pas un problème pour comprendre cette histoire)
October 28, 2019
Disappointing after the first great volume. The characters were all lackluster, same thing for the plot which was the regular story of a guy ready to do anything to rise to power. Had a hard time believing everyone fell for the manipulation of MC too. The worst here were the reading bits : while in the last book they were really interesting and gave you important info for the story, here they were needless and hindered the flow of the plot.
February 12, 2025
Le second opus est moins gore mais bien plus politique. On se croirait dans GOT ! J'ai vraiment adoré ! Le personnage de Yori Draken est très bien travaillé et la bd nous montre sa terrible ascension vers le pouvoir et la folie destructrice ! Très bel ouvrage et quelles illustrations !
September 22, 2019
Book two in the Petit series. This book tells the story of Yori who rises from poverty to become an all powerful chamberlain. In book one Yori was the chamberlain to the Ogres who managed to find Petit the half - ogre and this story shows us his life and how he rose to power.
Yor is also a Half-Blood, the son of a noble-born and his mistress. Yori is brought up with the noble man's legitimate children, but he and his mother are thrown out of their home when he fights with his step brothers. Yori and his mother endure a life of poverty and exploitation until Yori meets an older woman and becomes her lover.
From then on fuelled by ambition Yori begins to climb to the heights of society, gathering power as he rises, but his rise to power is not without an emotional and physical cost.
This is a good sequel to book one and focuses on a side character from book one. We get to learn more about this kingdom in which giants rule and humans serve them. The story has quite a few twists and turns but it is gripping because although Yori is grasping he is also a consumate politician balancing his power over people and his weakness before the ogres, and using people and discarding them. The reader is torn between cheering Yori as he gets revenge on those who have hurt him and disliking him as he callously disposes of those who get in his way.
The artwork is good with drawings that convey the drama and suspense of this weird world.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Yor is also a Half-Blood, the son of a noble-born and his mistress. Yori is brought up with the noble man's legitimate children, but he and his mother are thrown out of their home when he fights with his step brothers. Yori and his mother endure a life of poverty and exploitation until Yori meets an older woman and becomes her lover.
From then on fuelled by ambition Yori begins to climb to the heights of society, gathering power as he rises, but his rise to power is not without an emotional and physical cost.
This is a good sequel to book one and focuses on a side character from book one. We get to learn more about this kingdom in which giants rule and humans serve them. The story has quite a few twists and turns but it is gripping because although Yori is grasping he is also a consumate politician balancing his power over people and his weakness before the ogres, and using people and discarding them. The reader is torn between cheering Yori as he gets revenge on those who have hurt him and disliking him as he callously disposes of those who get in his way.
The artwork is good with drawings that convey the drama and suspense of this weird world.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 15, 2020
'Half-Blood: The Ogre Gods Book Two' by Hubert Boulard with art by Bertrand Gatignol continues the grotesque world of brutish giants and the humans that serve them.
The half-blood of the title is Yori. Son of a noble and his mistress, Yori and his mom find themselves cast in the street and make their way the way most people with no job skills do. Yori has a plan though, and uses his body to find his way back in the castle to get his vengeance.
I like this world, but I wouldn't want to live in it. I like the story as well as the supporting text sections about various chancellors that served the giants and how they survived (or rather didn't). The art, like the first volume, paints the giants and their brutal ways in two-tone art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The half-blood of the title is Yori. Son of a noble and his mistress, Yori and his mom find themselves cast in the street and make their way the way most people with no job skills do. Yori has a plan though, and uses his body to find his way back in the castle to get his vengeance.
I like this world, but I wouldn't want to live in it. I like the story as well as the supporting text sections about various chancellors that served the giants and how they survived (or rather didn't). The art, like the first volume, paints the giants and their brutal ways in two-tone art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
October 8, 2025
(4.3) This book delves into the human figures who navigate the political dynamics between ogres and humans, centering on the coveted role of Chamberlain. It follows Yori—the current Chamberlain—whose origins as the love child of a noble add depth to his character and motivations. The artwork, rendered mostly in black and white hues, is strikingly engaging. I’m eagerly anticipating volume three.
August 31, 2022
this is so pretty the scenery in this serie is incredible
September 12, 2019
Toujours aussi bon graphiquement et toujours autant d'intérêt à suivre ces personnages atypiques.
June 10, 2025
mais les dessins svp ????
January 9, 2019
J'ai retrouvé avec plaisir l'univers créé par Hubert et Bertrand Gatignol.
Bien que cela se passe sur la même temporalité que le premier tome, j'ai trouvé cette lecture assez différente. Tandis que Petit se concentrait sur les ogres, on découvre ici l'univers des hommes. J'ai trouvé cette histoire plus sombre que la précédente. Il y est question de pouvoir, de complots et de manipulations.
Au départ, j'avais trouvé Yori attendrissant par son passé. Néanmoins, au fil des pages, il change radicalement et devient un homme prêt à tout pour acquérir une place haut placée dans la hiérarchie des hommes. Mon empathie s'est donc clairement évaporée.
Les personnages et l'intrigue restent le point fort de cette bande-dessinée. J'ai hâte de connaître le fin mot de cette histoire.
Par ailleurs, les dessins sont toujours aussi sublimes. C'est un réel plaisir pour les yeux.
Ma chronique : https://psycheedelik-unehistoiredemot...
Bien que cela se passe sur la même temporalité que le premier tome, j'ai trouvé cette lecture assez différente. Tandis que Petit se concentrait sur les ogres, on découvre ici l'univers des hommes. J'ai trouvé cette histoire plus sombre que la précédente. Il y est question de pouvoir, de complots et de manipulations.
Au départ, j'avais trouvé Yori attendrissant par son passé. Néanmoins, au fil des pages, il change radicalement et devient un homme prêt à tout pour acquérir une place haut placée dans la hiérarchie des hommes. Mon empathie s'est donc clairement évaporée.
Les personnages et l'intrigue restent le point fort de cette bande-dessinée. J'ai hâte de connaître le fin mot de cette histoire.
Par ailleurs, les dessins sont toujours aussi sublimes. C'est un réel plaisir pour les yeux.
Ma chronique : https://psycheedelik-unehistoiredemot...
August 21, 2017
J'avais adoré le premier volet (racontant l'histoire de Petit) et j'étais donc super contente de retrouver le royaume des Ogres-Dieux une nouvelle fois :-)
January 2, 2019
J'ai trouvé ce volume plus clair et plus intérressant que le premier.
March 1, 2021
Era difficile fare meglio del primo, ma gli autori ci sono riusciti. Immenso.
It was difficult to do better than the first, but the authors succeeded. Immense.
It was difficult to do better than the first, but the authors succeeded. Immense.
December 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book a bit less than the first one, maybe because I started and stopped reading it too many times, but somehow it read too linear and flat to me. This time instead focusing on giants, Hubert tells the story of the Machiavellian raise in ranks for Yori, a bastard child of the noble-born and his mistress that finds his way from the muddy streets at the foot of the giants' castle to becoming chamberlain.
The narrative is similar to first book, we get a graphic novel with short text chapters and whole book reads almost like historic book. It still lacked two things to make it more interesting - novelty, because this story tangentially touches the story from the first book, reader knows most of the characters from previous book, but it still tells almost the same story and lacks any disclosure. It is basically one big background story for Yori, main (anti)hero.
Other thing that lacks here in my opinion, are giants. They are almost non-existent, and they are the main reason why first book was so interesting and catchy. While my main critique of the first book was lack of the depth for most characters, here we get a lot of character development - for Yori.
That being said, I still liked the book, only got a bit disappointed that we haven't seen anything of Petit (main protagonist of first book) and that all the parts from the first book that I enjoyed most were missing. This book also works as stand alone book, or if you skipped first book, you will still get most of the story if you just start this series from here, but I strongly recommend reading the Petit first, just to get deeper into the story and atmosphere.
Art remains the same as in first book, Disney-like, gothic, black and white fairy tale. It suits the story well, adds to it, and it is very enjoyable.
The narrative is similar to first book, we get a graphic novel with short text chapters and whole book reads almost like historic book. It still lacked two things to make it more interesting - novelty, because this story tangentially touches the story from the first book, reader knows most of the characters from previous book, but it still tells almost the same story and lacks any disclosure. It is basically one big background story for Yori, main (anti)hero.
Other thing that lacks here in my opinion, are giants. They are almost non-existent, and they are the main reason why first book was so interesting and catchy. While my main critique of the first book was lack of the depth for most characters, here we get a lot of character development - for Yori.
That being said, I still liked the book, only got a bit disappointed that we haven't seen anything of Petit (main protagonist of first book) and that all the parts from the first book that I enjoyed most were missing. This book also works as stand alone book, or if you skipped first book, you will still get most of the story if you just start this series from here, but I strongly recommend reading the Petit first, just to get deeper into the story and atmosphere.
Art remains the same as in first book, Disney-like, gothic, black and white fairy tale. It suits the story well, adds to it, and it is very enjoyable.
June 5, 2022
The sequel to Petit focuses more on the human aspect of the Giant-human interaction, and while interesting, is part of the reason for the lower score. It's like writing a story about wolves and switching to badgers in the next book; interesting choice, but the people who came for the wolves are left out in the cold a bit.
The characters in this installation are even more interesting and nuanced than the giants, who serve as background setpieces and forces of nature. Offhand mentions of names and events, in other stories and books swept over without a word, are here delved into in the very next page so the reader has full context for the goings-on and history in the world. it is a creative decision that I very much appreciate, more due to the execution of it than the content. The rabbit holes never go too far, simply stating a synopsis of events long past without overstaying and messing with the pacing.
The worldbuilding is complex and concise, the art just as stellar as in Petit, the plot working in tandem with events that came before and setting the stage for events to come. For me, the biggest draw in this book is the art, which is simply extraordinary.
I'd recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first installation, those who enjoy political intrigue, conniving man-whores, and cannibalistic giants. And body horror, can't forget that. I will read it again, if only to study the art and panel layout.
The characters in this installation are even more interesting and nuanced than the giants, who serve as background setpieces and forces of nature. Offhand mentions of names and events, in other stories and books swept over without a word, are here delved into in the very next page so the reader has full context for the goings-on and history in the world. it is a creative decision that I very much appreciate, more due to the execution of it than the content. The rabbit holes never go too far, simply stating a synopsis of events long past without overstaying and messing with the pacing.
The worldbuilding is complex and concise, the art just as stellar as in Petit, the plot working in tandem with events that came before and setting the stage for events to come. For me, the biggest draw in this book is the art, which is simply extraordinary.
I'd recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first installation, those who enjoy political intrigue, conniving man-whores, and cannibalistic giants. And body horror, can't forget that. I will read it again, if only to study the art and panel layout.
March 23, 2020
This is book two of the Ogre Gods and once again, I was enveloped into a fascinating, cruel and nasty world. I expected another story about the giants but instead we get the human perspective of living among the giants. Yori is the illegitimate son of a noble born. His mother loves Yori's father, who promises them a wonderful life as long as they stay in the shadows and don't cause any trouble. Well trouble comes to Yori, whose father throws him and his mother out. Yori never forgives this and plots and plans to be in a position of power over all noble born. Readers will watch as Yori develops from a sweet child to a monster. The black and white illustrations add to the misery and ugliness of the story's plot in a unique and captivating way. The cool part is that if you read book one, you will appreciate how Hubert spun the story to connect book one and two. I am hoping to get my hands on book 3 to continue this saga.
October 27, 2019
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. The artwork in this book is INCREDIBLE! The story is also quite good, but the artwork is mesmerizing, truly and completely. I have to search for the first book, but the coverage is so complete in this book that I really I am going to look back at the artwork. I generally don't bother reading the "in between parts", however, you definitely don't want to skip over those parts, they are equally as rich as the rest of the book. I am anxious to see what comes next with the Ogre-Gods. Yes, Yes, and more Yes, followed by a huge thanks for putting this piece of art together, because really when it all comes together this well, it's f**king art!
February 19, 2023
Le dessin est époustouflant, l’usage de blanc et noir fascinant, mais l’histoire est tellement dans la ligne des BD franco-belges avec des moments bizarres écrits pour la misère que j’ai pas vraiment arrivé à comprendre le but du truc, sauf s’il veut s’agir d’un sort de Zola / Hugo dessiné avec plus de personnages d’ouf et des ogres. Tout ça pour dire que c’est pas à mon goût personnel, sauf si je divorce l’art de l’histoire et franchement, c’est pas le cas.
November 6, 2024
This is much more complex than I expected. We keep having excerpts that tell us the stories of many characters, giant and non. There's a lot of politics and intrigue between people with power, and talk of reigns territories and succession. It is all very interesting.
It could be pretty brutal, and it gets pretty dark. Especially regarding family ties. And the drawings are pretty graphic. But I enjoyed all of that, and it's pretty easy to go through. I'm also interested in knowing more.
It could be pretty brutal, and it gets pretty dark. Especially regarding family ties. And the drawings are pretty graphic. But I enjoyed all of that, and it's pretty easy to go through. I'm also interested in knowing more.
March 14, 2021
Le concept mélant récits historiques introductifs et pages BD alternés est beaucoup mieux exploité dans ce deuxième tome. Et comme en sus on a conservé la qualité du crayon et la cruauté du monde c'est une bonne surprise. La capacité des histoires à se lire en stand-alone tout en enrichissant l'univers dans lesquelles elles se déroulent est un atout supplémentaire.
August 22, 2021
Fermo restando che il vero punto di forza di questa saga sono i disegni di Gatignol, insieme ariosi e plastici, Mezzo Sangue presenta una storia ancora più feroce del precedente volume, con un protagonista più sgradevole ma anche più interessante. Quello che funziona un po' meno sono gli inserti in prosa, che creano delle pause non sempre organiche al ritmo del racconto.
September 20, 2022
¡Me ha gustado incluso más que el primero! El personaje protagonista es fascinante en su implacable ambición por escalar posiciones, un auténtico antihéroe amoral pero cuya historia no puedes dejar de admirar hasta el final, cuando cambia el devenir de toda la situación. A por el tercero en la saga.
November 19, 2022
Vale no me esperaba para nada que este fuese sombre los chambelanes, tremendísima jugada con el título y las pintas del tío. El caso es que estaba mazo intrigada porque para dos segundos que aparece en el libro anterior yo estaba a lo "porque este personaje super secundario está tan trabajado????????". Que bueno que se ha resuelto el rosco.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews