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The Blood Tree: A Young Adult Epic Fantasy
He knows that magic is killing her, but it’s the only thing that can save them.
Verhue and Yinashol are runaway slaves crossing a dangerous and unfamiliar country. Each time the untrained Yinashol uses magic to keep them safe, her power diminishes her soul. As Verhue knows all too well, Yinashol can’t continue this way without it killing her.
Traversing the forests, mountains and rivers of the Fractured Scale, they encounter friends and escape from slave hunters, each confrontation calling for the power Yinashol should not use.
But in a dangerous world where magic is power, can Verhue and Yinashol ever truly be free?
Each world has a beginning, and every world has an end. The story of the beginning of the end of the Fractured Scale begins with this thrilling young adult epic fantasy, The Blood Tree!
Verhue and Yinashol are runaway slaves crossing a dangerous and unfamiliar country. Each time the untrained Yinashol uses magic to keep them safe, her power diminishes her soul. As Verhue knows all too well, Yinashol can’t continue this way without it killing her.
Traversing the forests, mountains and rivers of the Fractured Scale, they encounter friends and escape from slave hunters, each confrontation calling for the power Yinashol should not use.
But in a dangerous world where magic is power, can Verhue and Yinashol ever truly be free?
Each world has a beginning, and every world has an end. The story of the beginning of the end of the Fractured Scale begins with this thrilling young adult epic fantasy, The Blood Tree!
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Adam J. Mangum
19 books19 followersAdam J. Mangum is an author, podcaster and marketer. He's the author behind a fantasy series (THE EMPIRE OF THE PEAKS) and a science fiction series (THE SYCORAX SERIES). He is also the host of a geeky clean show called BLEEP: The Podcast.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 13, 2023
I loved this, and can’t wait for the rest of the series! I recommend this to everyone!
I feel like The Blood Tree gave me everything I love about good epic fantasy (excellent world building, magic systems, characters, and story) without the intense commitment that it takes to read, say, a Stormlight Archive novel. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a book that takes me weeks to read, but I very much appreciate the same quality condensed into a shorter read.
I feel like The Blood Tree gave me everything I love about good epic fantasy (excellent world building, magic systems, characters, and story) without the intense commitment that it takes to read, say, a Stormlight Archive novel. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a book that takes me weeks to read, but I very much appreciate the same quality condensed into a shorter read.
February 5, 2025
Adam J. Mangum’s The Blood Tree plunges readers into an expansive and vividly constructed fantasy world where power, survival, and the complex interplay of good and evil take center stage. The story unfolds with two enslaved protagonists, Yinashol and Verhue, whose daring escape sets them on a perilous journey across a land brimming with political intrigue, sorcery, and danger. Anchored by Mangum's intricate world-building and a narrative that blends heart-pounding action with emotional depth, the novel unpacks themes of oppression, resilience, and destiny with raw intensity.
Mangum’s writing immediately struck me with its boldness and energy, especially in the opening chapters. Yinashol’s defiance in the face of brutal overseers jumps off the page and keeps me rooting for her. The prose here feels immediate and gritty, mirroring the characters’ harsh realities. But there were moments when the descriptions became a little heavy-handed. Yinashol’s disdain for her environment, though evocative, occasionally felt overexplained, leaving less room for readers to infer the oppressive atmosphere for themselves. The character development is deeply compelling. Verhue’s blend of scholarly intellect and quiet strength was a refreshing contrast to Yinashol’s fiery disposition. Their dynamic evolves naturally, highlighted in scenes like Verhue’s ascent up the old tree to orient himself in the wilderness. The moment when Yinashol surprises him with her agility and warmth adds a tender humanity to an otherwise grim narrative.
The book shines brightest in its handling of magic. Mangum’s depiction of Yinashol’s powers, especially her use of sorcery to manipulate plants and stones, was thrilling and visceral. The sequence where she weaponizes a bean plant to incapacitate her oppressor left me stunned—it’s rare to see magic depicted with such creativity and weight. Yet, for me, this same fascinating strength occasionally seemed overpowered. I felt it stretched believability even within the story’s fantastical framework.
The Blood Tree is a richly imagined and emotionally charged tale that will appeal to fans of high-stakes fantasy with morally complex characters. Readers who enjoy works like Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series or Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels will likely find much to love here. If you’re ready to be swept away by a tale of rebellion, courage, and the cost of power, this one’s worth your time.
Mangum’s writing immediately struck me with its boldness and energy, especially in the opening chapters. Yinashol’s defiance in the face of brutal overseers jumps off the page and keeps me rooting for her. The prose here feels immediate and gritty, mirroring the characters’ harsh realities. But there were moments when the descriptions became a little heavy-handed. Yinashol’s disdain for her environment, though evocative, occasionally felt overexplained, leaving less room for readers to infer the oppressive atmosphere for themselves. The character development is deeply compelling. Verhue’s blend of scholarly intellect and quiet strength was a refreshing contrast to Yinashol’s fiery disposition. Their dynamic evolves naturally, highlighted in scenes like Verhue’s ascent up the old tree to orient himself in the wilderness. The moment when Yinashol surprises him with her agility and warmth adds a tender humanity to an otherwise grim narrative.
The book shines brightest in its handling of magic. Mangum’s depiction of Yinashol’s powers, especially her use of sorcery to manipulate plants and stones, was thrilling and visceral. The sequence where she weaponizes a bean plant to incapacitate her oppressor left me stunned—it’s rare to see magic depicted with such creativity and weight. Yet, for me, this same fascinating strength occasionally seemed overpowered. I felt it stretched believability even within the story’s fantastical framework.
The Blood Tree is a richly imagined and emotionally charged tale that will appeal to fans of high-stakes fantasy with morally complex characters. Readers who enjoy works like Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series or Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels will likely find much to love here. If you’re ready to be swept away by a tale of rebellion, courage, and the cost of power, this one’s worth your time.
May 15, 2024
A book I am proud to emboss, marking it as a permanent resident of my library.
When you buy a self published book, you get either the best book you have ever read or incomprehensible garbage. This book is the beginning of an epic fantasy I already know I will become unhealthily obsessed with. I have already suggested it to anyone who would listen. Barring a hand full of jarring typos, the only bad thing about this book is I must wait on the second one.
I met Mr. Mangum at KC Comic Con and bought the book directly from him. I hope to stumble upon him again somewhere else, so I can get more of his books. He crafts stories well, using a method similar to Brian Jaques to keep a reader engaged. His worlds are thought out and rich. His characters unique. I had passed on his other series because the plot, as he had explained it to me, had not interested me. Now I feel I have done myself a disservice by not at least giving it a try. If and when we meet again, I will be remedying that. I hope that he will do me the kindness of signing all of them and offering his advice once more on publishing my own writing. Thank you for a wonderful book.
When you buy a self published book, you get either the best book you have ever read or incomprehensible garbage. This book is the beginning of an epic fantasy I already know I will become unhealthily obsessed with. I have already suggested it to anyone who would listen. Barring a hand full of jarring typos, the only bad thing about this book is I must wait on the second one.
I met Mr. Mangum at KC Comic Con and bought the book directly from him. I hope to stumble upon him again somewhere else, so I can get more of his books. He crafts stories well, using a method similar to Brian Jaques to keep a reader engaged. His worlds are thought out and rich. His characters unique. I had passed on his other series because the plot, as he had explained it to me, had not interested me. Now I feel I have done myself a disservice by not at least giving it a try. If and when we meet again, I will be remedying that. I hope that he will do me the kindness of signing all of them and offering his advice once more on publishing my own writing. Thank you for a wonderful book.
February 25, 2025
They are escaped slaves who are trying to stay safe. One can use magic but uses it takes some of their soul. They have so much to fight for but will it be at the expense of their soul. Follow them as they try to stay free
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I love their journey to stay free
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I love their journey to stay free
February 26, 2025
This is so sad and touching and passionate. What they have to go through just for some magic. Theres more to it BUT… i suck at not giving things away. I love this take on a fantasy book and a fantasy world and a magic system. Great job author.
March 22, 2025
The book has a serious sentimental storyline. This is all about magic and soul and how they stay afloat even though they had to lose part of them every time. A bit long but I finished it
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews