Impure Blood Volume 1

Impure Blood #1

by Nadja Baer, Nathan Lueth (Illustrator)

Dubbed the "Abomination" because of his appearance, Roan carries within his human body the Blood of a mystical and nearly extinct race known as the Ancients. Blood which manifests itself in exceptional strength and physical mutation. Blood that earned him imprisonment in the Veresta Stadium, where pure-blooded humans force him to fight in gladiatorial games. He jumps at the prospect of freedom when a mysterious girl named Dara appears at his cell and offers him a chance at a new life in exchange for his help. Roan cares only for his freedom until a new player joins the game and threatens the very existence of humanity. Now Roan must make a choice: Overcome a lifetime of humiliation, repression and rage, and protect the people that imprisoned him, or walk away and allow humanity to suffer the consequences of its mission to suppress the Ancient Blood.

Genres: Graphic Novels

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Nadja thinks there aren't enough smart, sassy heroines in speculative fiction. Her speculative fiction is full of smart, sassy heroines.

Coincidence?

You can join my reader group to get notifications of new releases and good deals here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

You can also follow me on Amazon for notices directly from the big river: https://www.amazon.com/Nadja-Baer/e/B...

Reviews

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compendium of the webcomic.

Volume 1 opens with a gladiator fight in which an enormous humanoid figure -- the Abomination -- fights off an entire crew of attackers -- announcer making it clear that he's done this for year -- and a man, Caspian, directs two women in the rescue from the cells. As Elnor distracts the guards, Dara reaches the cell, shows him she has the key, and not only gets his promise to help her, but his name, Roan. And then a mad charge through the city because he has to be out of the gates by dawn to be free. At the inn where they take him to recuperate, he learns more. And they reveal bits and pieces to each other. A mysterious attack, a machine-crazy girl who think Roan's really cool, and a secret society complicate events thereafter.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Impure Blood Volume 1 by Nadja Baer and Nathan Lueth, Illustrator. The story was original and intriguing and I enjoyed the illustrations. I am quite enjoying the novelty (there is nothing quite like Impure Blood on the market, and I am a sucker for originality) of this series and am looking forward to purchasing the next installment. In spite of the dates on my review, it is a quick read. It just took me a while because a co-blogger absconded with my copy for a while.

[Robert Defrank · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a fantastic world powered by the sort of steampunk technology that translates so well into graphic form, Roan is a gladiator half human and half an ancient magical race, now on the wane, and he must win his life in gladiatorial blood sports until he is approached by Dara, another half blood with a mysterious past, who offers to break him out and grant him freedom in exchange for an oath of service.

Roan accepts, and he and Dara sets off in search of the secrets of the Ancients along with Elnor the servant/assassin, and Caspian, the best and most amazing character in the whole story and who everyone needs to listen to but for some incomprehensible reason nobody sees it-

Err…never mind that.

The writing is fast-paced and humorous and the graphics express the story and characterizations perfectly. The only fault in my opinion was the focus on Dara’s story, while Roan seemed to get ever his issues a bit too quickly. Also, the savagery in the battle in the opening panels might lead readers to expect the story to be grimmer than it is.

[Jonas Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the first volume yesterday, loved the outline of the story. It's a build up to what I think will be some 5-star volumes. The elements of the Ancients and the powers really give me something to look forward to. There wasn't a lot of reveal in this first volume, it was more about the build up I think. And getting used to the landscape mode with the print version was unique, but I'm not positive it's my favorite for reading. In all, I'm off to read the next one.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Nadja Blair and Illustrator Nathan Lueth bring you a great new addition for your love of Steampunk literature. This world includes airships, partially understood technology, and ancient magic in the blood of some outcasts. This starts off a 4-book storyline that I found pleasing to read and full of adventure. I would have loved the story to stretch on even more!

[Joshua Gamradt · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 - Horrible | 2 - Not Good, but Creative | 3 - Okay, Worth Reading | 4 - Good | 5 - Awesome!

5 - Awesome! - First things first, I am NOT a great judge of comic book material, but I am a great judge of a good storyline and well developed characters.

I will not leave any spoilers here, but all I can say is AWESOME!!!

[Nerdy_Bee_Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to review this first volume because I know there are four total so there is more to come! This first one really threw you right into the world without telling you much. It was jarring at first but by the end of this volume I think it was really starting to get good. The illustrations are also beautiful and compliment the story well. I plan to continue with the series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start to a series. Art is beautiful. Mac was an immediate favorite for me. Excited to see where the series goes.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

see review for volume 4

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I was engaged by the mysterious backgrounds of the various characters and of the complex world they live in. The art is lovely and the pacing is spot on. I wish I had the next volumes but I guess I can go read the rest online.

[Centauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

looking forward to the next issue (the art alone earns a star or 2)
...the character Dara is very intriguing

[Kayla Whitehurst]

Had to pick up the next 2 in the series once I read this one. Interesting premise, can't wait to see where it goes!