Ninetoes vs Blood Song

Ninetoes takes on the first book in Anthony Ryan’s Raven’s Shadow series, BLOOD SONG.

TITLE: Blood Song (Raven’s Shadow Series #1)

AUTHOR: Anthony Ryan

GENRE: Fantasy

PAGES: 618

Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I have my review of Anthony Ryan’s BLOOD SONG: RAVEN SHADOW’S SERIES BOOK 1. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

I love fantasy novels. Now, to be honest, you may not know it from the books I have reviewed on my blog, but fantasy novels have been a mainstay in my reading. It has been a while since I dove into that section of my library, and that dry spell has been cured with Anthony Ryan’s Blood Song (Raven’s Shadow Series book 1).

Blood Song tells the story of Valein Al Sorna, son of the Battle Lord and an initiate in the Sixth Order. He is being trained to be a warrior priest, one in defense of the Faith. His life has become one of constant training, constant beatings, and conditioning to become a Brother. But being a Brother in the Sixth Order is only the tip of the iceberg that is his life. It soon becomes apparent that he is destined for things beyond his comprehension, and he soon learns that the world is not so black or white as he was led to believe.

This book is rich in detail, has all the hallmarks of a modern fantasy novel: action, adventure, political intrigue, and even love. Not just love, but forbidden love! You cannot help but be drawn into the life of Valein Al Sorna and his brothers.

This book is compelling to read. It will upset you if you have to put it down for any reason. If I had to find any fault in this book, it is that it does become a bit predictable, and it will remind you of a certain movie franchise in parts, but I will leave it for you to figure that one out.

All in all, I give this 4.5 bookmarks out of 5!

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.