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Bloodline Trilogy #2
Wrath of the Medusa
Niarmit has, for the moment, escaped the curse of the Great Helm and the grasp of the Dark Lord. Accepting at last a destiny which she never sought, her hopes of uniting the Salved people now rest on the uncertain loyalty of Prince Rugan and his army.
Dema the Medusa broods in the captured fortress of Listcairn consumed by a rage for glory, to the consternation of friend and enemy alike.
Hepdida strives to live up to Niarmit’s expectations but finds that old nightmares can still haunt her days and that a palace can hold more peril than a battlefield.
And through it all, Maelgrum weaves his malice as the guilty and the innocent are driven to fulfil his millennium long wait for revenge.
***
The Medusa’s hood was down and her mask was off as she carved, bit and stoned her way towards Rugan’s standard. Even her allies gave her and her steed a wide birth as, at the peak of her powers and the crest of her rage, she swept all before her.
A silver soldier, braver than the rest, dared to ride near and catch her sword with his. Their blades both wet with blood of different hues, slid down until they were locked hilt to hilt.
“Major, no,” a voice called. “Leave this abomination to me.”
Too late, the soldier’s eyes met the Medusa’s sparkling gaze and with an inward breath he turned to overbalanced stone. His mount buckled beneath the weight and the leaning statue of the rider toppled against Dema’s palfrey. As the horse slid and skittered its way free of the falling new formed masonry, Dema slipped from the listing saddle and turned to face the owner of the voice.
Dema the Medusa broods in the captured fortress of Listcairn consumed by a rage for glory, to the consternation of friend and enemy alike.
Hepdida strives to live up to Niarmit’s expectations but finds that old nightmares can still haunt her days and that a palace can hold more peril than a battlefield.
And through it all, Maelgrum weaves his malice as the guilty and the innocent are driven to fulfil his millennium long wait for revenge.
***
The Medusa’s hood was down and her mask was off as she carved, bit and stoned her way towards Rugan’s standard. Even her allies gave her and her steed a wide birth as, at the peak of her powers and the crest of her rage, she swept all before her.
A silver soldier, braver than the rest, dared to ride near and catch her sword with his. Their blades both wet with blood of different hues, slid down until they were locked hilt to hilt.
“Major, no,” a voice called. “Leave this abomination to me.”
Too late, the soldier’s eyes met the Medusa’s sparkling gaze and with an inward breath he turned to overbalanced stone. His mount buckled beneath the weight and the leaning statue of the rider toppled against Dema’s palfrey. As the horse slid and skittered its way free of the falling new formed masonry, Dema slipped from the listing saddle and turned to face the owner of the voice.
- GenresFantasy
469 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 1, 2019
Finally I took this one up again after a long break! The break was not due to the book, but to me not really being able to focus on reading, so I stuck with easy UF or such or audiobooks.
This was even better than the first! After over a years break it took me a little bit to get back into the story, but then I finished it within a couple of weeks (which is almost lightning speed for me at the moment...).
I liked the characters more in this than in book two as they just got more rounded and fleshed out and we learned a lot of new things about them. Some undertook surprising changes -but in a way 201that felt realistic, not completely out of character! Quite some twists and turns along the way.
The plot itself halts a bit in the second half, as it's more about puzzling out what to do and were to stand. There's also a new mystery to solve along with those already set up in book one. So even though there isn't much change in were we are in the end, there is a lot of change in what we know now and what the characters learned. So I was entertained and engaged just fine all the way through!
I'll definitely pick up the next one, even though it will be a while as I'll be busy reading for 2 blogs in SPFBO 2019!
This was even better than the first! After over a years break it took me a little bit to get back into the story, but then I finished it within a couple of weeks (which is almost lightning speed for me at the moment...).
I liked the characters more in this than in book two as they just got more rounded and fleshed out and we learned a lot of new things about them. Some undertook surprising changes -but in a way 201that felt realistic, not completely out of character! Quite some twists and turns along the way.
The plot itself halts a bit in the second half, as it's more about puzzling out what to do and were to stand. There's also a new mystery to solve along with those already set up in book one. So even though there isn't much change in were we are in the end, there is a lot of change in what we know now and what the characters learned. So I was entertained and engaged just fine all the way through!
I'll definitely pick up the next one, even though it will be a while as I'll be busy reading for 2 blogs in SPFBO 2019!
April 5, 2019
Book 2 in the trilogy has turned out to be just as absorbing as volume 1.
This fairly traditional fantasy world of humans, Elves, Orcs, mages, etc., is in a state of widespread conflict. In this volume the warring factions are mostly in a sort of stalemate. There are serious exchanges between the two sides, and the ‘dark side’, with it’s seriously evil leader, is in the ascendant, but a knockout blow in the conflict doesn’t seem to be quite there.
This volume doesn’t stagnate though. It further develops the leading characters within each of the opposing factions. Most satisfyingly on the ‘dark side’ where some supporters of the evil mage attempt to do each other down to gain favour. Their varying motivations to take the evil side are outlined, and maybe some show regrets. The ‘goodies’ also have their factional arguments, and don’t seem to have great leadership. And is there a spy at work?!
There’s quite a bit of magic at work in this series, which is not usually my preference in fantasy. But another reason I’m liking this author’s work is that he manages not to let the characters and storyline be overwhelmed by the magic being thrown around by many of the protagonists. The magic supplements rather than dominates the action. Having said that, the magic associated with an important artefact introduced in volume 1, the Helm, is looking to be a critical factor in this conflict, with its own world. One caveat I have about the magical aspects of the story is the frequency some of the lead characters are healed of their injuries, with crippling injuries becoming almost superfluous due to the presence of mages/healers, a bit too reminiscent of fantasy computer games!
So, despite the overall conflict being in a stalemate, there’s a lot going on, and the characters, as in volume 1, shine out. The story continues to absorb.
Volume 3 when I get some time....
This fairly traditional fantasy world of humans, Elves, Orcs, mages, etc., is in a state of widespread conflict. In this volume the warring factions are mostly in a sort of stalemate. There are serious exchanges between the two sides, and the ‘dark side’, with it’s seriously evil leader, is in the ascendant, but a knockout blow in the conflict doesn’t seem to be quite there.
This volume doesn’t stagnate though. It further develops the leading characters within each of the opposing factions. Most satisfyingly on the ‘dark side’ where some supporters of the evil mage attempt to do each other down to gain favour. Their varying motivations to take the evil side are outlined, and maybe some show regrets. The ‘goodies’ also have their factional arguments, and don’t seem to have great leadership. And is there a spy at work?!
There’s quite a bit of magic at work in this series, which is not usually my preference in fantasy. But another reason I’m liking this author’s work is that he manages not to let the characters and storyline be overwhelmed by the magic being thrown around by many of the protagonists. The magic supplements rather than dominates the action. Having said that, the magic associated with an important artefact introduced in volume 1, the Helm, is looking to be a critical factor in this conflict, with its own world. One caveat I have about the magical aspects of the story is the frequency some of the lead characters are healed of their injuries, with crippling injuries becoming almost superfluous due to the presence of mages/healers, a bit too reminiscent of fantasy computer games!
So, despite the overall conflict being in a stalemate, there’s a lot going on, and the characters, as in volume 1, shine out. The story continues to absorb.
Volume 3 when I get some time....
March 27, 2019
Oh my good God! I’ve just finished this, the second book in T.O. Munro’s The Bloodline Trilogy, and I can tell you now...this is even better, EVEN BETTER than the first book ~ I am literally stunned into....well, a very stunned state, by the literary genius of this author. I feel like the lady Medusa herself, has ‘shot me a cheeky glance’ and has left me literally ‘stock-stone-still’ ~ I AM SPELL-BOUND💫 (in a good way obvs 😳).
Need I say that I absolutely loved (love) this story!
I’m not going to say anything about the story details, because anything that I could come-up with, just couldn’t do it the justice that it so rightly deserves. And anyway, I definitely do not want to spoil anything for you all; I will just keep quiet 🤫
All I will say is....why the heck is this trilogy ‘self-published’ Matthew? This book is right up there with some of the most extraordinarily beautifully written and wonderfully conceived SFF stories that I have ever read...and I’ve read a lot.
In this book, following-on from book 1, the main POV characters develop and grow, and some of them even switch their allegiance, which is quite unexpected. However, I am minded to tell you, that my initial thoughts about Odestus, seem to be ‘spot on’ ~ I like him, have done from the beginning.
Wow! This book has the lot....powerful and dangerous characters; caring and decent characters; strong and passionate characters; weak and bumbling characters; duplicitous and cunning characters.... (the characters are just amazing, they really are); a plot with so many twists and turns, that one really does need to be on-the-ball (otherwise you absolutely will miss something integral to the story 😳); it is cleverly and so beautifully written; it has magic (lots of it); brutality (lots of it); courage and heroism (lots of it....are you getting my drift 🙂)...., and, I’ll tell you now, it is a little bit saucy in places😉 This is a superbly written story, by a superb author, it really is.
And, to cut a long story short.....this has got to be the ‘cliff-hanger’ of the century 🤭
So, on that note, I simply cannot stay and chit-chat with you any longer, as I’m heading straight off to tuck into the third book....like RIGHT NOW😃
ENJOY 😊
⚔️🖤⚔️
Need I say that I absolutely loved (love) this story!
I’m not going to say anything about the story details, because anything that I could come-up with, just couldn’t do it the justice that it so rightly deserves. And anyway, I definitely do not want to spoil anything for you all; I will just keep quiet 🤫
All I will say is....why the heck is this trilogy ‘self-published’ Matthew? This book is right up there with some of the most extraordinarily beautifully written and wonderfully conceived SFF stories that I have ever read...and I’ve read a lot.
In this book, following-on from book 1, the main POV characters develop and grow, and some of them even switch their allegiance, which is quite unexpected. However, I am minded to tell you, that my initial thoughts about Odestus, seem to be ‘spot on’ ~ I like him, have done from the beginning.
Wow! This book has the lot....powerful and dangerous characters; caring and decent characters; strong and passionate characters; weak and bumbling characters; duplicitous and cunning characters.... (the characters are just amazing, they really are); a plot with so many twists and turns, that one really does need to be on-the-ball (otherwise you absolutely will miss something integral to the story 😳); it is cleverly and so beautifully written; it has magic (lots of it); brutality (lots of it); courage and heroism (lots of it....are you getting my drift 🙂)...., and, I’ll tell you now, it is a little bit saucy in places😉 This is a superbly written story, by a superb author, it really is.
And, to cut a long story short.....this has got to be the ‘cliff-hanger’ of the century 🤭
So, on that note, I simply cannot stay and chit-chat with you any longer, as I’m heading straight off to tuck into the third book....like RIGHT NOW😃
ENJOY 😊
⚔️🖤⚔️
July 7, 2021
Absolutely loved the second book! It was gripping from start to finish.
The character development that took place was so pleasing to read. These characters have grown so much in a span of the two books, it has been amazing seeing that and also meeting new characters. The world is so vast, you think you fully understand it and then you read some more only to be astounded by the complexity of it all.
The twists and turns are amazing! As someone who prides themselves on being able to predict revelations, I was astonished and surprised with each twist and turn!
And the big battle in the beginning was delightfully written, with such clear imagery.
Cannot wait to read the third instalment, there is so much I need to know!!
The character development that took place was so pleasing to read. These characters have grown so much in a span of the two books, it has been amazing seeing that and also meeting new characters. The world is so vast, you think you fully understand it and then you read some more only to be astounded by the complexity of it all.
The twists and turns are amazing! As someone who prides themselves on being able to predict revelations, I was astonished and surprised with each twist and turn!
And the big battle in the beginning was delightfully written, with such clear imagery.
Cannot wait to read the third instalment, there is so much I need to know!!
January 6, 2022
I really enjoyed the first book in the Bloodline Trilogy, but I enjoyed this second instalment even more. Since I knew the characters already I was immediately invested in their continued storylines, all of which went in intriguing and often unexpected directions that had me wound up with suspense.
There was a great murder mystery at the heart of the story. I feel like I don’t see enough mystery-fantasy blends out there, and I always enjoy them. I got fooled by several red herrings and didn’t predict who the murderer ultimately was, so it provided a great shocking twist when revealed at the conclusion. There were also other tantalising hints and surprises that had me curious as to where things might head in the next book.
Both the villainous and the good characters evolved and revealed more of their nuances, with redemptions, corruptions, and all shades in between. The antagonist, Maelgrum, is the only one who remains a more one-dimensional dark-lord type character, but I didn’t find that a problem, as that’s often a reflection of the inhuman nature of immortal all-powerful fantasy villains, and ultimately it is the minions who do his bidding that are more relatable and important to the story.
The magical Helm continues to be a fascinating and unique idea that is used to even more creative and surprising effect, and I am intrigued as to how this cursed weapon and the various worlds of the ‘planes’ will feature in final book.
So all in all, I loved Wrath of the Medusa, and I’m eager to see how the story continues.
There was a great murder mystery at the heart of the story. I feel like I don’t see enough mystery-fantasy blends out there, and I always enjoy them. I got fooled by several red herrings and didn’t predict who the murderer ultimately was, so it provided a great shocking twist when revealed at the conclusion. There were also other tantalising hints and surprises that had me curious as to where things might head in the next book.
Both the villainous and the good characters evolved and revealed more of their nuances, with redemptions, corruptions, and all shades in between. The antagonist, Maelgrum, is the only one who remains a more one-dimensional dark-lord type character, but I didn’t find that a problem, as that’s often a reflection of the inhuman nature of immortal all-powerful fantasy villains, and ultimately it is the minions who do his bidding that are more relatable and important to the story.
The magical Helm continues to be a fascinating and unique idea that is used to even more creative and surprising effect, and I am intrigued as to how this cursed weapon and the various worlds of the ‘planes’ will feature in final book.
So all in all, I loved Wrath of the Medusa, and I’m eager to see how the story continues.
July 8, 2016
Through the years I have expected a small if not fair amount of recap when starting book 2 of any series. A bit of refresher to get things moving and plodding along the path but Mr. Munro did not waste any time rocketing to full speed with the Wrath of the Medusa. Past page one the reader needs to grab hold and don't let go. There is action from all corners and characters.
All the characters get developed wonderfully with the same attention to the right amount of detail for each one as Mr. Munro did in the first book, Lady of the Helm. The background and tidbits offered are pertinent to the plot and world building in general. Foreshadowing some moments but the reader will more than likely gloss over them until a few twist and turns reveal themselves. Once those turns are revealed the savviest readers will wonder "how did I miss that". I knew that there were a few surprises going in but I guessed wrong time and time again. Which made me enjoy the book in reflection all the more.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and development of the plot and side stories in general. The only thing I would have like would be a bit more backstory on Maelgrum and Chirads history. But that could always be parleyed into a prequel (hint, hint!) I would think. The richness of the characters helped set the tempo and depth of the plot. The reader is left with questions and wanting more but not to the point of it affecting the quality of the book. I think a reader should be left wanting a bit more, adds to the anticipation of the next novel and the overall experience. Well done!!
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of SF. The abilities of Mr. Munro's writing is equal to many of the well known authors of the genre. I had reservations when I started reading the first book in the trilogy but I now know my life is enriched for having discovered the writings of T. O. Munro.
Oh, did I mention there was a Medusa in the book? A Medusa!!!!
Lady of the Helm
Wrath of the Medusa
All the characters get developed wonderfully with the same attention to the right amount of detail for each one as Mr. Munro did in the first book, Lady of the Helm. The background and tidbits offered are pertinent to the plot and world building in general. Foreshadowing some moments but the reader will more than likely gloss over them until a few twist and turns reveal themselves. Once those turns are revealed the savviest readers will wonder "how did I miss that". I knew that there were a few surprises going in but I guessed wrong time and time again. Which made me enjoy the book in reflection all the more.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and development of the plot and side stories in general. The only thing I would have like would be a bit more backstory on Maelgrum and Chirads history. But that could always be parleyed into a prequel (hint, hint!) I would think. The richness of the characters helped set the tempo and depth of the plot. The reader is left with questions and wanting more but not to the point of it affecting the quality of the book. I think a reader should be left wanting a bit more, adds to the anticipation of the next novel and the overall experience. Well done!!
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of SF. The abilities of Mr. Munro's writing is equal to many of the well known authors of the genre. I had reservations when I started reading the first book in the trilogy but I now know my life is enriched for having discovered the writings of T. O. Munro.
Oh, did I mention there was a Medusa in the book? A Medusa!!!!
Lady of the Helm
Wrath of the Medusa
January 4, 2014
You've read book 1 - you know the land, the main characters and the overarching threat to it all. You think you know it all - well, by the end of "Wrath of the Medusa" you realise you didn't. Like all good stories there are hidden motivations, love, betrayal, and lots of action.
You have to keep reading as one revelation after another forces you re-evaluate and re-think where the story is going and how it will all turn out in the. The writing is crisp and clean with barely a word wasted.
All we have to do now, is wait for Book 3 and ponder - did that really happen? Surely not? Because that means... or does it?
You have to keep reading as one revelation after another forces you re-evaluate and re-think where the story is going and how it will all turn out in the. The writing is crisp and clean with barely a word wasted.
All we have to do now, is wait for Book 3 and ponder - did that really happen? Surely not? Because that means... or does it?
September 18, 2015
SO GOOD!!!! Oh my gosh, so unexpected at the end, it even scared me a bit, such a plot twist so good!
December 18, 2020
What I thought would be a standard war epic with one battle after another became interesting with the inclusion of a murder mystery. Five stars!
However, I think the biggest factor in one’s buying decision should be the type of narrative. Munro doesn’t use what I’d call “plain speak” in his narration; he instead sought to mimic the classics with their sophistication and five-dollar words. This makes for a challenging read that’s hard to simply skim through. If narrative is like running water, a Harry Potter book would be a lazy river ideal for fishing, while “Wrath of the Medusa” is like whitewater rapids.
Five stars doesn’t make a book perfect, though. Budding writers can get a lesson in overexplaining in Munro’s work, as well as an odd cause-and-effect which can be seen in the following:
“Or perhaps she views your efforts and devotions unworthy of her further support.” This blunt alternative interpretation of events brought a wail from the panting princess on the bed …
The “panting princess” in question happens to be in labor. Why an “alternative interpretation of events” would cause her to wail is beyond me. My best guess is that Munro was trying to be fancy and a bit humorous.
And here’s another nugget:
“The questions remains.” Jolander returned to the crux of the matter. “She was running from him and he was chasing her. Why was that?”
Oh, he was returning to the crux of the matter. Thanks, I wouldn’t have figured that out on my own; I needed to have that pointed out to me. But honestly, I feel like my intelligence has been insulted. Perhaps the author should have trusted his readers not to have picked up the book based solely on its pretty cover art?
However, I think the biggest factor in one’s buying decision should be the type of narrative. Munro doesn’t use what I’d call “plain speak” in his narration; he instead sought to mimic the classics with their sophistication and five-dollar words. This makes for a challenging read that’s hard to simply skim through. If narrative is like running water, a Harry Potter book would be a lazy river ideal for fishing, while “Wrath of the Medusa” is like whitewater rapids.
Five stars doesn’t make a book perfect, though. Budding writers can get a lesson in overexplaining in Munro’s work, as well as an odd cause-and-effect which can be seen in the following:
“Or perhaps she views your efforts and devotions unworthy of her further support.” This blunt alternative interpretation of events brought a wail from the panting princess on the bed …
The “panting princess” in question happens to be in labor. Why an “alternative interpretation of events” would cause her to wail is beyond me. My best guess is that Munro was trying to be fancy and a bit humorous.
And here’s another nugget:
“The questions remains.” Jolander returned to the crux of the matter. “She was running from him and he was chasing her. Why was that?”
Oh, he was returning to the crux of the matter. Thanks, I wouldn’t have figured that out on my own; I needed to have that pointed out to me. But honestly, I feel like my intelligence has been insulted. Perhaps the author should have trusted his readers not to have picked up the book based solely on its pretty cover art?
September 26, 2016
Suffered a bit from middle book syndrome in that it continued more then it set up for completion.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews