June 2019 BotM: Blood Song (Raven's Shadow #1)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

The June 2019 BotM is Blood Song by Anthony Ryan!

Please remember to use spoiler tags: < spoiler > < /spoiler > (remove spaces)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Let me say it all at once here. I love this book. It tells a very enthralling story. The next 2 in the trilogy are...less than satisfying. The good news is, the last two being poor books don't in any way hurt this book. I recommend it.

[Words]

I’m sorry to hear the sequels are not as strong...I just started it today and it’s very good so far.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I was drawn in from the first on this one.

[Words]

I’m reading this so slowly, just about a third of the way through, but I swear it keeps getting better and better. The world is narrow until the introduction of some new characters, and then it broadens. The characters are just supporting until new obstacles draw out their personalities and inner conflict. I can’t stop myself from enthusing over what I’m reading so far - only a third through, though.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Cool,

:)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

So. Just to be honest...

I've don't mostly nothing except read reddit subs lately, lol.

I also don't expect to see Mike around too much in the future...they just confirmed release of Baldur's Gate III.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I heard...but haven't seen it yet!!!!

Of course it depends on what it costs as to how quickly I get it.

:)

[Jackie]

I just got this book from the library so should be starting in the next few days.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I heard...but haven't seen it yet!!!!

Of course it depends on what it costs as to how quickly I get it.

:)"

:-D

I'm sure there's gonna be a sale. *nods*

[Mike (the Paladin)]

So far the release date is still a mystery...but the trailer is out. They show what looks like a sort of Cthulhu villain (maybe a Cthulhu Illithid cross???).

:)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "So far the release date is still a mystery...but the trailer is out. They show what looks like a sort of Cthulhu villain (maybe a Cthulhu Illithid cross???).

:)"


WASN'T THAT CREEPY???!!!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Yeah...especially as we watch a human slowly transform into said monster...looks like a cool game, LOL.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Yeah...especially as we watch a human slowly transform into said monster...looks like a cool game, LOL."

I know! We were totally creeped out. Especially considering where he was when the transformation happened. You think that it was the "thing" that made him look around? I was thinking that.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I don't know. I kind of got the idea that it was some kind situation where the humans (and maybe elves etc.) were being changed or taken over.

I'll probably lose a lot of time to this game...though I'm getting older I wish they'd hurry and get it out!

[Emily]

I started the book yesterday, and my kindle tells me I’m 17% in. A couple thoughts so far: (view spoiler)[ After the first test, I wasn’t sure Vaelin was right to follow Sollis’s advice and lie to the other boys. I at least thought he should have told the true story to Caenis. Also, I’m guessing that the wolf that showed up is actually Caenis, and I hope I’m right. Granted, I’ve been reading lots of Patricia Briggs lately, so I’ve got werewolves on the brain. I’m concerned about the ominous few sentences about not being able discern whether Caenis was laughing or sighing after Vaelin told him to ask Sollis about the dead assassins. I hope it doesn’t mean Caenis is going to turn out to be a baddie, because I’m already attached. Also, why do you think Vaelin stays when he has the chance to go home? Simple anger at his father, or does he think he’ll be able to change the Order from within, since he’s already realizing he doesn’t agree with everything they do? (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

Finished! My wild theory about the wolf was wrong, but it made me happy while it lasted. 😁
I liked it. My husband read this several years ago and enjoyed it, and it’s been on my to-read list for a while. I’m bummed to hear the other books aren’t as good, but I agree with Mike that this one works fine on its own. While there’s certainly more story to tell, this first book had a lot of resolution and thankfully doesn’t end on a cliffhanger. One thing confused me, and I wonder if anyone has theories: (view spoiler)[When Vaelin and Dentos are riding through the sandstorm and V asks the blood song to help him find Dentos, why does he suddenly change his mind and say he doesn’t want its help?
While I’ve got the spoilers hidden, one thing I didn’t love was that Barkus had been possessed for most of the time and not really Barkus. I can see how it was hinted at, but I don’t see why the Order had to support the war against Alpira to root him out. (hide spoiler)]

[Mike (the Paladin)]

The second book is...okay but it does wander a bit. BUT the third book for some reason is simply, well poor. It's as if he lost the story line completely (in my humble opinion of course.

Sad.

[Words]

Emily, my thoughts followed a somewhat similar path as yours,
(view spoiler)[I thought Caenis was in some way a part of the attempt on Vaelin’s life because Caenis advised him on which way to go during the test...then he found all of the dead assassins Vaelin left behind, despite being dropped off before Vaelin along the river (presumably well before)...then there was all the knowledge Caenis seemed to have...Eh, well, so much for my detective skills.

That sandstorm scene was a confusing read for me, too. I don’t quite understand what the blood-song/wolf was doing, but my guess is that it wanted him to ride onwards toward the keep instead of looking for Dentos. My question is, what the heck is the wolf? The mason said it was a spirit of some sort, but I didn’t understand whether it was a separate entity with its own blood song, or if it was an expression of Vaelin’s own gift.

On rooting Barkus out, the Aspect only said that various Seers agreed that there would be only one chance to uncover who the One Who Waits is, then he cited a specific prophecy that said the chance would come when the king sent troops into the desert to fight...
As a plot device - a little shaky, whipping out the heretofore unknown prophecy to explain/condone actions, but there it is.
(hide spoiler)]

Overall, though, I really like this book. It’s very character driven and while Vaelin is certainly interesting, I thought the side characters and their motivations were fairly well developed as well. :)

[Emily]

Ah, yes. Thanks for the reminder about the prophecy. It’s unsettling how quickly I can forget things like that when I just read the book. I kind of blew through it, so maybe that’s why. I do share your opinion of how it was used.