Blood Magic

Haven #5

by B.V. Larson

The Red Jewel is rediscovered and wielded in this, Book #5 of the series. Blood Magic reigns supreme, but who will master the Red Jewel first? The elder races gather, unhappy with the upstart humans and their possession of powerful Jewels. Brand leads an army of the River Folk and the Wee Folk to the Black Mountains to answer the request of the Kindred for aid. Enemy hosts march to face him. Fantastic forces are unleashed upon the world in a new war that will not be soon forgotten.

Blood Magic is the fifth book in this epic series of fantasy novels by B. V. Larson. At 81,000 words the fifth book is the longest of the series.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2010

About the author

Brian Larson is an American science fiction and fantasy author

Reviews

[pdarnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story continues the saga of the Haven people and those of the Kindred, Fae and others. This builds to a major war and the outcome is not what I anticipated. Very grueling and gruesome... it's war. But there is a twinkle of hope that remains. Not my favorite in the Haven series but good just the same. The pages flew by as quick as I'm able to read (which isn't fast by any means). However, I felt part of the story was missing, I really am not able to explain without giving away too much. I'll just say that Telyn's view was lacking.

[Andrew Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyros vs the Blood-Hound

Amber Magic Review
Sky Magic Review
Shadow Magic Review
Dragon Magic Review
Blood Magic Review
Death Magic Review

The world of Cymru (Wales?) is still mysterious and wondrous. Things become a bit gory and morbid but war coupled with the end days will do that to some folks. Even ancient folks. Larson's lore is entertaining and well-crafted, with his weaving of mythology from ancient legends.


"The primary motivator of all war was always the same in Cymru: The Dragons' Eyes."

It's the fifth era of the Earthlight and the Kindred have a unique situation: made up of Mechnicians, Talespinners, and Warriors, this era sees its first Talespinner become a Queen of the people. And to boot, she is mastering the fiery power of the Orange Jewel, Pyros. With such a shift of power and motivation, including the River Folks' jeweled Champion, enemies of the Kindred go on the bloody offensive while the jewels ultimately seek out bloodshed and control like a rabid bloodhound.

Some of the most intriguing characters here are among the Dead, King Herla and King Arawn, though Herla was put to rest in Volume 1. Once honorable or at least kingly among the humans, both have lived ancient years with most of their humanity lost, but for a smidgen of kinship still left. Oh how the living long for days of sunny river poling, like Jak, Corbin and Brand do as if they were still children.

Races and such:
- The Dead (dead humans of the Dead Kingdoms)
- Dragons
- Fairy Folk (Shining Folk)
- Goblin (Shining Folk) (primitive)
- Gnomes (Elementals)
- Kindred
- Kobolds (primitive)
- Merlings (primitive)
- River Folk (Humans)
- Rhinogs (Goblin/Human hybrid)
- Troll
- Wee Folk (Shining Folk)

Characters of Note:
- Anna - Kindred guard; throat slashed by kobold; died sounding the alarm savagely
- Arawn (Welsh mythology) - Lord of Anwyn (Welsh underworld); King of the Dead; rotting white robed skeleton
- Crawler - mechanical; manned by a Kindred Mechnician; brought to life by imprisoned fire elemental
- Eire (Ireland?) - island where Hob has his stronghold
- Golems - Kindred's granite, armored, and double-axed; earth elemental imprisoned inside that hates all life
- Queen of the Lakes - burial spot/fae mound
- Thorkil - Kindred captain; outspoken; orange hair; orange eyes

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kindred now have a queen and one of the Jewels, and the other races are nervous. Oberon is angry, the Fae now have to put up with the other races being in possession of Jewels whilst they have lost theirs. Oberon therefore goes the rounds of other races (Kobolds, Goblins etc.) he even attempt to rally the King of the Dead to his side in the upcoming war. Oberon decides its best to attack the Kindred whilst they are distracted rebuilding following the damage caused by the dragon attack and before Gurdin gets complete mastery of Pyros.
What follows is a good story about the various races attacking the Kindred and their defence.