Anna Stephens

This was a very belated read for me, having bought it back in 2017. It’s very clearly the first book in a series, so expect cliffhangers rather than resolution.

Overall, the book has real strengths, though it didn’t feel like it was breaking new ground or offering something particularly exciting, and I’m not currently motivated to follow the cliffhangers through the rest of the series.

On the positive side, Stephens has created a detailed and vivid world, complete with religions, armies, show more roles, and locations. The setting is a god-believing, pseudo-medieval world with two nations in conflict and competing religious practices. Interestingly, all the characters technically follow the same pantheon, which gives a different perspective on religious conflict compared to more conventional fantasy worlds.

There are strong female characters on both sides of the conflict, and the book acknowledges sexism and violence against women. Most female characters occupy traditional roles, such as priestess or escaped courtesan, which feels like a missed opportunity in a fantasy setting to reimagine these roles further.

The character cast is large and the pacing is brisk. Many of the protagonists are likable, funny, or sassy, and there’s an arc exploring same-sex attraction. This is handled with realism - but again, with heavy doses of homophobia as a common reaction, which limits the potential for reimagining these dynamics. That said, I understand this is grimdark fantasy, and some of these darker elements are part of the genre.

Where it was challenging for me was in getting into the book. As an audiobook, it took a while to become familiar with the locations and to connect with the characters, especially given the short chapters. I also agreed with other reviewers that some of the “bad guy” characters felt two-dimensional, and a major reveal didn’t feel fully foreshadowed.

All that said, if dark fantasy is your thing and you enjoy nods toward progressive ideas within grim settings, this is likely a series you’d enjoy. I wouldn’t hesitate to read Stephens again, but for now, I’m not ready to prioritise this series on my to-read list. show less

Bloodchild delivers a strong end to a remarkable trilogy. For all its grimdark trappings, this is a tale as interested in compassion and redemption as it is in gut-spilling warfare. Never an easy read (for me, at least), it has turned out to be an enormously emotionally rewarding one.

Hats off to Anna Stephens – she’ll make me consider reading more grimdark in future. At least if it’s written by her.

Full review (note: some plot details/minor spoilers, although none touching on the show more outcome)

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

A pretty standard fantasy 'horror' book. It was clear as it enters the last couple of chapters that it was heading to be part of a series of books, and was not going to close any storylines within the book itself. If not for the appearance of a beloved character in the final chapter, I doubt I would look to read more of this series, as it is, I might.

Middle books are tricky, as are second books. This one did much to lose my goodwill in the first half, but Anna Stephens once again left me more or less okay by the end.

Not a book for those who dislike violence, swearing, festering wounds, sieges, betrayals and widespread murderdeathkilling. And in the end, I think this series _is_ too grimdark for me and I’m still no closer to (although also no further away from) being ready to make the case that yes, but at least its feminist grimdark.

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I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less