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kmartbooks's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
2.5
Part of the Battleborn Mage series, "Blood of Vengeance" by Angel Haze delivers a grimdark and intense gladiatorial story. The story centers around Killien, a character who has been stolen from the streets and enslaved into the brutal world of gladiatorial combat. Forced to adopt the identity of "Killer," the prince's savage and bloodthirsty champion, Killien must rely on cunning and subterfuge to survive in the treacherous arena.
What sets Killien apart from his fellow gladiators is a closely guarded secret: his mastery of magic, which enhances his weapons and fuels his deadly attacks. However, the cost of defeat in this unforgiving world is a fate far worse than death.
Angel Haze's storytelling plunges readers into a grimdark world where the stakes are high, and survival demands more than just physical prowess. Killien's journey is compelling, and his character development as he navigates this brutal world is a central focus of the narrative. One of the standout elements of the story is the brief camaraderie that Killien forms amidst the bloodshed. These relationships add depth to his character and provide moments of emotional connection in an otherwise harsh and unforgiving setting.
However, it's worth noting that the narrative does contain instances of what I perceived to be fatphobia and some concerning comments about women, which may be a point of concern for some readers. I suspect it's just meant to be edgy, but it did make me uncomfortable.
Overall, "Blood of Vengeance" is a dark and gripping gladiatorial fantasy that delves into the complexities of power, survival, and the lengths one will go to in order to stay alive. With its intense action and intricate character dynamics, this book is interesting enough to warrant my diving into the series.
What sets Killien apart from his fellow gladiators is a closely guarded secret: his mastery of magic, which enhances his weapons and fuels his deadly attacks. However, the cost of defeat in this unforgiving world is a fate far worse than death.
Angel Haze's storytelling plunges readers into a grimdark world where the stakes are high, and survival demands more than just physical prowess. Killien's journey is compelling, and his character development as he navigates this brutal world is a central focus of the narrative. One of the standout elements of the story is the brief camaraderie that Killien forms amidst the bloodshed. These relationships add depth to his character and provide moments of emotional connection in an otherwise harsh and unforgiving setting.
However, it's worth noting that the narrative does contain instances of what I perceived to be fatphobia and some concerning comments about women, which may be a point of concern for some readers. I suspect it's just meant to be edgy, but it did make me uncomfortable.
Overall, "Blood of Vengeance" is a dark and gripping gladiatorial fantasy that delves into the complexities of power, survival, and the lengths one will go to in order to stay alive. With its intense action and intricate character dynamics, this book is interesting enough to warrant my diving into the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Fatphobia and Misogyny
davidgreenwriter's review
5.0
A visceral, heart-thumping read.
Mixing sword and sorcery with grimdark and Spartacus sounds ambitious and perhaps a little crazy, but Haze manages to pull it off. The world - humans, goblins, elves, magic and all - feels real and grounded. The action is violent and lands with a heavy punch, the various character arcs ring true and the villains are ones you love to loathe and enjoy reading.
Mixing sword and sorcery with grimdark and Spartacus sounds ambitious and perhaps a little crazy, but Haze manages to pull it off. The world - humans, goblins, elves, magic and all - feels real and grounded. The action is violent and lands with a heavy punch, the various character arcs ring true and the villains are ones you love to loathe and enjoy reading.
booknookbella's review
3.5
Reign of Shadows
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5
World: ⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: N/A
I think the overall story is great, but I think I had a bit too high hopes going into this after reading the prequels. Too many things ended up not making sense to me,(like Killien worrying the Prince will find out where he is, but the prince's own advisor also tags along on the trip? They go to save his mother, nothing else matters, but she's not even mentioned once her unborn child's prophecy is revealed?) and the magic system is still not properly explained. However, I love the characters, Killien's dad is amazing (as is their relationship), and the action is super cool. I might still continue the series.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5
World: ⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: N/A
I think the overall story is great, but I think I had a bit too high hopes going into this after reading the prequels. Too many things ended up not making sense to me,
emmar's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
angrycroak555's review
4.0
This book is a very entertaining, fast paced, action packed gladiator fighting.
karlakayjenniges's review
4.0
When I think of gladiators, I think of the old collosseums, Roman rule, and brutality.
I enjoy watching shows about the gladiators, so I was intrigued by this when the author offered it for free.
This does have slavery, brutality, blood, guts and gore. It also has unfair rule, imagine that!
But this also has mages, goblins, magic, and other fantasy creatures. Creating a unique world of YA fantasy entangling the gladiator arena, ruled by a glutinous prince and his power hungry wife.
The author uses a no holds bar use of language, she's not afraid to lay it all out there. With in depth description of the world and despair, this created a mighty action filled vivid, descriptive world in the life a a gladiator. From fighting in the arenas to fighting in the disgusting pits. All because of what was considered an act against the law, when it was a fight for his family.
I had fun reading this, especially the added little elements of humor (goblins you know can be quite humorous, even with their devious little minds).
I did have some issue with a few statements , but I'm not getting into those, I can ignore such things and still enjoy what I'm reading. Plus I don't do spoilers.
So, a very kind thank you to Author Angel Haze for providing a free copy of her book to enjoy and review. All opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
I enjoy watching shows about the gladiators, so I was intrigued by this when the author offered it for free.
This does have slavery, brutality, blood, guts and gore. It also has unfair rule, imagine that!
But this also has mages, goblins, magic, and other fantasy creatures. Creating a unique world of YA fantasy entangling the gladiator arena, ruled by a glutinous prince and his power hungry wife.
The author uses a no holds bar use of language, she's not afraid to lay it all out there. With in depth description of the world and despair, this created a mighty action filled vivid, descriptive world in the life a a gladiator. From fighting in the arenas to fighting in the disgusting pits. All because of what was considered an act against the law, when it was a fight for his family.
I had fun reading this, especially the added little elements of humor (goblins you know can be quite humorous, even with their devious little minds).
I did have some issue with a few statements , but I'm not getting into those, I can ignore such things and still enjoy what I'm reading. Plus I don't do spoilers.
So, a very kind thank you to Author Angel Haze for providing a free copy of her book to enjoy and review. All opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
ketilgarnes2021's review
4.0
The story was great. It is fast paced and exciting. it has plenty of blood and gore. I love ther is no romance in this book. Her you will only find, blood, swearing, magic, death and a bit of comrade, which i like.
aconitecafe's review
5.0
Angel is a fantastic dark fantasy writer. Once again I couldn't put one of her books down! She wove a bloody battle of redemption and still managed to pull at the heart strings. Killens depth as a gladiator and character development is wow. Loving the build up of mystery surrounding the shadowspawn and can't wait to discover more about them.
You can always tell authors that write in the genre they love to read, the words practically flow off the page. Don't let this novella fool you, the ride that awaits is an epic, adventure and will leave you wanting more from this world. It is a complete story, with no crazy cliff hanger and well worth your time.
You can always tell authors that write in the genre they love to read, the words practically flow off the page. Don't let this novella fool you, the ride that awaits is an epic, adventure and will leave you wanting more from this world. It is a complete story, with no crazy cliff hanger and well worth your time.
kixfan's review
5.0
Wonderfully fast paced story. Full of battles and gladiators. Action packed and highly enjoyable!
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