Army of Shadows

Orcs: Bad Blood #2

by Stan Nicholls

A sojourn in their idyllic homeworld has left Stryke and the Wolverines lacking purpose. So when an opportunity for bloodletting appears, Stryke seizes it. Utilizing mysterious artifacts, the Wolverines are transported to Acurial, a world where the indigenous orc population is cruelly subjugated by human invaders.

Upon their arrival, Stryke's band joins with Acurial's emerging resistance movement. As the revolution gathers pace, the Wolverines are forced to embark on a quest that will see Stryke and his comrades pursued by both their most ruthless enemy and a mysterious troop hell-bent on their destruction.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Roman, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Epic

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Stan Nicholls (born 1949) is a British author and journalist, working full-time since 1981. He is the author of many novels and short stories but is best known for the internationally acclaimed Orcs: First Blood series.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I did the first book, which is unusual for me with trilogies. It seemed to me to be better in just about every department; writing, characters and plotline.

The only thing that didn't quite measure up to make it a 5-star was the ending. Not that it was bad, it's just that I'm not a fan of hanging-endings.

If those things don't bother you then I would recommend you give this trilogy a try.

[Marleen De Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastische reeks waarbij je "monsters" als "toffe mensen" gaat beschouwen. Eender welk boek uit de serie je neemt, eerst krijg je volledig update van de vorige boeken. Het zijn voor mij persoonlijk, de eerste boeken waar ik genoten heb van gevechten. Het wordt zo duidelijk voorgesteld dat ik het gemakkelijk voor mijn ogen zag !
Tad Williams schreef op de cover "Er is geen bende orcs waar u meer plezier aan zult beleven" en zo is het ook.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely felt like a middle book, and one that made little to no headway in the grand plot. But we did get to witness some scraps and some loyalty and some courage, so that's cool. It was a decent background for work, but I can't say it was anything special. And unfortunately, I'm not even sure the library has book three. Last I checked it looked like it didn't... Maybe I'll just never know about these mysterious instrumentalities. We'll see.

[Carl Gilliam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the last two and ended with a major cliff hanger. Not like problems that need to be resolved but in the middle of an action just stops.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking little series, no retreat, no surrender with these orcs, highly recommend...💙

[Бранимир Събев · Rating 3 out of 5]

В своята поредица Стен Никълс преобръща представите ни за орките като една от най-презряните раси в жанра фентъзи, наложена първо от Толкин, а после и от други автори. Тук орките не са грозни, гнусни, смрадливи изчадия, жадуващи за човешко месо и служещи безрезервно на зли господари. Не са тъпи и малоумни същества, нито пък прокълнат изкривен вариант на елфите. Орките са силни, горди и могъщи създания, които не признават друга воля освен тяхната, известни по всички светове като умели бойци, кълнящи се само в своите мечове.

Във втората книга авторът изправя смелите воини пред нови изпитания. Страк и неговата дружина са изтръгнати от досадното бреме на скуката – Дженеста се е завърнала и трябва да бъде унищожена. Ала това не единственият проблем – има светове и раси за освобождаване, както и намеса на нови играчи в борбата за контрол над инструментумите.

Екшънът е перманентен, действието е задъхано, битките просто не спират.
Естествено, няма как да не споменем и някои минуси – Хаскеер е още по-противен и на моменти безпричинните му заяждания дразнят читателя, карайки го да се съмнява в точните авторови цели. Друг пропуск е липсата на карти – нещо едва ли не задължително в една фентъзи книга. За сметка на това положителните черти за много. На първо място е великолепният превод на Валерий Русинов, който е превеждал титани в жанра като Джордан, Мартин, Ериксън, Бруст и др. Друг плюс е тънкият черен хумор в книгата, така подхождащ на раса като орките. Ала най-силното нещо, което те кара да се замислиш дълбоко, е ролята на човешката раса в поредицата. Показани отстрани, хората наистина заслужават негативно отношение. Подли, алчни, коварни, интриганти, ламтящи за богатства и власт, те няма да се спрат пред нищо, за да постигнат целите си. Постоянно воюващи с всички други раси, дори и помежду си – това са човеците и неслучайно всички други същества ги ненавиждат. Защото появата им води до робство, до умъртвяване на природата, до заграбване и изчерпване на природните ресурси… Защото след появата им изчезва дори и магията.

„Кръвна вражда” е не по-малко увлекателна от първата книга, дори напротив, по-интересна е. Е, като всяко уважаващо себе си фентъзи, поредицата не свършва дотук и макар да си бях обещал повече да не подхващам дълги многотомни саги, които не е ясно кога (и дали) ще свършат, явно ще чакам с нетърпение следващата част от поредицата на Стен Никълс.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off right after the 1st part finishes, plans have not gone as they should, and everything needs sorted, typically bad luck and funny with it. After some more skirmishes and a bit of a showdown, the Orcs use the magical Instrumatalities to transport then to another world thus facilitating an escape. After a few sandstorms, ice ages and acid rain worlds, they eventually rest up on a desolate world with a ruined civilisation, all the building of the cities are wrecked and no plants grow in the soil, made me think atomic war form centuries past. after resting the try and transport back to their new home worlds, only to end up on another random world, where they appear as Gods to a primitive bunch of local dwarves. Then there is a slave raid by humans and some of the natives and one of their female band members are swiped. A chase ensues, and also a mystery boat shadowing them, all fast paced and easy reading...Oh no, just finished and it's left on a bugger of a cliffhanger....must be a part 3 to follow.
I like Stan Nicholls, he has a very good, easy to read, light , fast paced style of writing, this is his 7th work I have read and I plan to read more.

[Delray Beach Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orcs Army of Shadows Orcs Bad Blood 2 by Stan Nicholls

Although enjoying their peaceful home world, Stryke and his band of Wolverines lack a purpose. This all changes when they are asked to free their brethren on planet where orcs are ruthlessly subjugated by the local humans. Joining forces with the resistance, they soon began to fight off the human invaders. However when their old foe appears, things take a change for the worst and now they must fight for survival. Will the Wolverines free their orc kind? Or will their dreaded witch woe finally defeat them.

Pick up a copy today to learn the epic conclusion.

For more information on book, go to this site:
http://www.stannicholls.com/

Reviewed by Wyatt Rutherford, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.

[Eric Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series they're light fast paced and interesting. While helping Orcs in a distant world rise up Stryke and the band get stuck and must use the stars once again. They don't quite work right and find themselves bouncing from world to world. They finally find a safe resting spot or so they think. Helluva a c!cliffhanger!

[Penney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off slow but then after a while it was better. The auther of this book wrote this book perfectly so you can see it all in your mind. This book would be good for the people that like adventure and older time peroids. This book is very good and their is no other book like it.

[Orbit]

Fall-Winter-2010

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is better than the last book, and it has some exciting moments. It is a quick and easy read for any that want just that.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but not great

[Batsap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing awe-inspiring, but it was a quick, fun read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the Orcs series so far because it took the story to a new level. With the gateway corps, Jannesta, and the Wolverines all now in play for multidimensional craziness!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orcs saga continues to provide simple, exciting action fantasy. It's by no means great literature, but who cares? It's fun!

[Joe Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and quick read.

[Arnoud Visser]

The first book which dare to describe a kiss between an orc and a human. This is a major step in the emancipation of fantasy books.

[Rudi Opperman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orcs books have a set format, but they are, nonetheless, enjoyable.