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Promise of Blood (Powder Mage, #1)

Brian McClellan

Start date: August 21, 2016

Finish date: September 20, 2016

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What Members Thought

Nov 19, 2016 Scott Firestone rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Promise of Blood opens with a coup, led by Field Marshal Tamas, overthrowing a crappy king set to enslave his country to another just to play back his bad debts. It's a fantasy of the "political intrigue" variety--no unicorns, orcs, or other beasties. But there's plenty of magic--starting with the Powder Mages, who have a connection to gunpowder, and even snort it like snuff in order to enter a powder trance and gain a heightened sense of awareness. There are indications this is addictive and ul Promise of Blood opens with a coup, led by Field Marshal Tamas, overthrowing a crappy king set to enslave his country to another just to play back his bad debts. It's a fantasy of the "political intrigue" variety--no unicorns, orcs, or other beasties. But there's plenty of magic--starting with the Powder Mages, who have a connection to gunpowder, and even snort it like snuff in order to enter a powder trance and gain a heightened sense of awareness. There are indications this is addictive and ultimately harmful, though. There are other magics, too, and even though the powder mages are the "stars" here, these other magics are pretty dang cool themselves.

So, after the coup, Tamas comes to realize that overthrowing a bad leader doesn't just make everything better. There's a government to set up, uprisings to squash, and traitors to suss out. He wears this mantle of leadership in a realistic way, and he's constantly facing moral dilemmas.

At over 500 pages, there were definitely places where McClellan could have cut. And I saw a couple of other "rookie" mistakes. For example, Adamat was one of my favorite characters, and I was happy to come to sections from his viewpoint. He's supposed to be this amazing investigator, but all he does is go from place to place asking questions. You could argue that's all good investigation is, but I still had an expectation that he'd be Sherlock Holmes. Also, bagging on the church seems kinda lazy now. "Oh, wow...a religious leader who's rich, jerky, and having sex with every woman he can find. Way to pave new ground."

Still, his characters were realistic and complex, his writing was solid and workmanlike, and his magic system was fun and unique--not surprising since McClellan was a student of Brandon Sanderson. If you're looking for a solid fantasy that's not trying desperately to be the next Game of Thrones (i.e. over-the-top "gritty"), then consider this first book in the Powder Mage trilogy. I'll definitely be reading further into the series. ...more

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Sep 21, 2020 Dea rated it did not like it

Shelves: abandoned

Oh no no no...

He had the brief satisfaction of watching her jaw drop. Then she was on her feet, headed toward the closet. Adamat watched her for a moment. Her body was more angular than it had once been; sharp elbows and wrinkled skin in place of soft curves and a gentle, lovely plumpness. The years since his retirement from the force had taken their toll on her, and she was not as beautiful as in her youth. Adamat pictured himself. He was no one to judge. Short, balding, his round face grown le

...more

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May 12, 2021 Bee rated it really liked it

Shelves: reread, audiobook, steampunk, military-fantasy, grim-dark

The Powder Mage's first book is a solid relatively grim military fantasy.

What it lacks in details and solid character development it makes up for in scope and sheer adventure. I'll be diving back into this series soon.

The main story wraps up relatively well, but it does leave you a a cliff dangling for answers.

2024 reread

The more of McClellan I read the more I enjoy his writing. The world building is so seamless and solid. his character development is a lot better than i initially gave him cre ...more

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