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Land of Exile #1
By Blood, by Salt
Azetla has served the Maurowan Army for thirteen years. There are seven left to pay. A pariah and a debt soldier, he is a commander with no rank, a soldier without citizenship, and wears a sword that it is unlawful for him to either own or use. He has learned to hold his tongue or risk losing everything.
When Azetla’s battalion is sent into the desert to catch a Sahr devil—one of the famously brutal inhabitants of the region—his tenuous position is threatened. He discovers that there is far more to this mission than catching a fiend. For the Emperor of Maurow, it is a way to prove that he fears nothing, not even devils. For the Emperor’s brother, it is a stepping-stone to rebellion. For Azetla it could be deadly either way, as he is cornered into choosing a side in the coming coup.
But the devil that Azetla finds in the desert is not what anyone expects or wants. As the conspiracy against the Emperor becomes entangled with the simmering ambitions of the desert tribes, Azetla must decide if he’s willing to strike a bargain with a devil in order to survive.
Naturally, she is not to be trusted. But then again, neither is he.
When Azetla’s battalion is sent into the desert to catch a Sahr devil—one of the famously brutal inhabitants of the region—his tenuous position is threatened. He discovers that there is far more to this mission than catching a fiend. For the Emperor of Maurow, it is a way to prove that he fears nothing, not even devils. For the Emperor’s brother, it is a stepping-stone to rebellion. For Azetla it could be deadly either way, as he is cornered into choosing a side in the coming coup.
But the devil that Azetla finds in the desert is not what anyone expects or wants. As the conspiracy against the Emperor becomes entangled with the simmering ambitions of the desert tribes, Azetla must decide if he’s willing to strike a bargain with a devil in order to survive.
Naturally, she is not to be trusted. But then again, neither is he.
372 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2024
135 people are currently reading
4947 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Odom
2 books175 followersJ.L. Odom hails from Oklahoma. After a five year stint in the Marine Corps as an Arabic linguist, she graduated from George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs, focusing on Conflict and Security. She lives with her husband and five children wherever it is that the U.S. Army happens to send them. Her hobbies include running, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and cooking meals for a crowd.
Her inspirations are C.S. Lewis and Robin McKinley, war history (and history in general), middle eastern languages, and desert landscapes.
She can be found on instagram with the handle @jlodom.author
Her inspirations are C.S. Lewis and Robin McKinley, war history (and history in general), middle eastern languages, and desert landscapes.
She can be found on instagram with the handle @jlodom.author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
September 18, 2025
This is the SPFBO champion for SPFBOX - the tenth annual contest.
It beat 299 other books.
It's one of my favourite of the 10 champions to date (selected from 3,000 entries). It also has the joint lowest score of the 10 champions. I believe I understand why.
This is a subtle book (I will try not to use the word "subtle" too often in this review). If you've read a lot of fantasy or have come to fantasy from other genres, you might welcome this. If you are looking for the mage to throw fireballs, or the peerless swordsman to leave ten enemies bleeding in his wake before the first of them realises he's dead. This ain't that.
It's far from clear that there are any magics or monsters in the book at all.
It is a VERY well written book. Sometimes you get debut authors who come out of the gates seemingly fully formed, with the most beautiful prose - I feel that Josiah Bancroft was one such, and J.L Odom is another. Her writing is, like the book, subtle, but it's always on point, line by line it's powerful and lovely in an understated way.
Paragraph by paragraph the writing is elegant and with a light touch reveals all manner of subtexts and delicate interactions between the characters.
On one level the entire book is about a man who is structurally at the bottom of society, discriminated against on the grounds of race and religion, with those injustices written into law and stamped across the hearts of the citizens of the empire he's in.
The religion he practices is monotheist and could be modeled on old style Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, and the empire has many gods, having a more Roman feel to it. There are many religious sects and national differences and it all feels like something real, like what we see in the world around us, rather than simplified for the purpose of storytelling.
It's fairly common practice, when focusing on a person subject to multiple injustices, to make that person a paragon of goodness, giving them charisma, humour, and all the sympathetic qualities. But our man is less immediately attractive, and it’s a bold move. He’s restrained, pious, and calculating. It is, a grownup book that has grownup things to say.
It also doesn’t just deal with the black and white of structural injustice. It burrows into the effects on relationships at many levels. It reminded me of my childhood in the 70s – when the UK was a much more racist place than today – and my interactions with the very few Indian kids. I was friendly with one of them but as a little boy all of that came through the society’s lens and the views of my classmates. And again, in my late teens when meeting and being friends with my first black people there were still subtle intrusions into those friendships owing to the fact of my upbringing, culture, and being a real human being not a paragon.
All of that felt indirectly examined and displayed in this book.
There is of course another level to the novel. A fascinating mystery about the nature of one powerful individual whose abilities are part of myth, and about who our opinions constantly fluctuate. A person whose capacity both for violence and for deep manipulation with a light touch seem potentially unbounded at some moments and at others, quite vulnerable.
And on top of that there’s political vying for power in the empire court, nobles of various stripes trying to better their lot or hold on to what they already have.
It’s an intriguing, slow burn, with characters that might not be as compelling as your typical example of well-written characters (strong personalities like Tyrion Lanister or Locke Lamora maybe), but are more normal characters written about with what was to me compelling insight and meaning.
Many fantasy readers might bounce off this book (although that doesn’t seem to be reflected in the average rating or the fact that it won the SPFBO contest), but for those who are fans of a more thoughtful, literary approach, I think it will be a big hit.
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It beat 299 other books.
It's one of my favourite of the 10 champions to date (selected from 3,000 entries). It also has the joint lowest score of the 10 champions. I believe I understand why.
This is a subtle book (I will try not to use the word "subtle" too often in this review). If you've read a lot of fantasy or have come to fantasy from other genres, you might welcome this. If you are looking for the mage to throw fireballs, or the peerless swordsman to leave ten enemies bleeding in his wake before the first of them realises he's dead. This ain't that.
It's far from clear that there are any magics or monsters in the book at all.
It is a VERY well written book. Sometimes you get debut authors who come out of the gates seemingly fully formed, with the most beautiful prose - I feel that Josiah Bancroft was one such, and J.L Odom is another. Her writing is, like the book, subtle, but it's always on point, line by line it's powerful and lovely in an understated way.
Paragraph by paragraph the writing is elegant and with a light touch reveals all manner of subtexts and delicate interactions between the characters.
On one level the entire book is about a man who is structurally at the bottom of society, discriminated against on the grounds of race and religion, with those injustices written into law and stamped across the hearts of the citizens of the empire he's in.
The religion he practices is monotheist and could be modeled on old style Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, and the empire has many gods, having a more Roman feel to it. There are many religious sects and national differences and it all feels like something real, like what we see in the world around us, rather than simplified for the purpose of storytelling.
It's fairly common practice, when focusing on a person subject to multiple injustices, to make that person a paragon of goodness, giving them charisma, humour, and all the sympathetic qualities. But our man is less immediately attractive, and it’s a bold move. He’s restrained, pious, and calculating. It is, a grownup book that has grownup things to say.
It also doesn’t just deal with the black and white of structural injustice. It burrows into the effects on relationships at many levels. It reminded me of my childhood in the 70s – when the UK was a much more racist place than today – and my interactions with the very few Indian kids. I was friendly with one of them but as a little boy all of that came through the society’s lens and the views of my classmates. And again, in my late teens when meeting and being friends with my first black people there were still subtle intrusions into those friendships owing to the fact of my upbringing, culture, and being a real human being not a paragon.
All of that felt indirectly examined and displayed in this book.
There is of course another level to the novel. A fascinating mystery about the nature of one powerful individual whose abilities are part of myth, and about who our opinions constantly fluctuate. A person whose capacity both for violence and for deep manipulation with a light touch seem potentially unbounded at some moments and at others, quite vulnerable.
And on top of that there’s political vying for power in the empire court, nobles of various stripes trying to better their lot or hold on to what they already have.
It’s an intriguing, slow burn, with characters that might not be as compelling as your typical example of well-written characters (strong personalities like Tyrion Lanister or Locke Lamora maybe), but are more normal characters written about with what was to me compelling insight and meaning.
Many fantasy readers might bounce off this book (although that doesn’t seem to be reflected in the average rating or the fact that it won the SPFBO contest), but for those who are fans of a more thoughtful, literary approach, I think it will be a big hit.
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Join my 3-emails-a-year mailing list #prizes
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April 29, 2025
Congratulations to By Blood, By Salt on winning the SPFBOX competition (the top book out of 300 entries)!
My SPFBOX finalist review of By Blood, By Salt is published at Before We Go Blog.
It’s hard to believe that By Blood, By Salt is a debut novel. J.L. Odom’s writing is on par with that of Robin Hobb, poetic without being flowery, accessible yet having a certain gravitas that demands the reader’s full attention.
The desert world of By Blood, By Salt is fully realized with a long and intricate history. From the opening pages of the book, the worldbuilding in By Blood, By Salt feels so natural and immersive, never a chore for the reader. I especially enjoyed learning about the various religions and conflicting superstitions presented from multiple points of view.
The characters are also very well developed, led by the main protagonist Azleta, an outsider known as the jackal who is thrust into the middle of a burgeoning political conflict:
“For one, there was this Azetla. Devout servant of the desert God, full to the brim with his own quiet fire, and even quieter sense of purpose. That was not to be taken for granted.”
The main antagonist of the book is a devilish being known as the Sahr. Is it human or something supernatural? One of the delights of By Blood, By Salt is peeling back the layers of mystery surrounding this seemingly inscrutable creature.
“The Sahr scoured each and every one of them with its gaze. The eyes seemed to drink, slow and strong.”
The plot of By Blood, By Salt is a slow burn. J.L. Odom’s narrative is full of meticulously crafted details that seem repetitive at times but end up contributing to the depth of the novel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with By Blood, By Salt and recommend it to anyone looking for a mature, beautifully written fantasy.
My SPFBOX finalist review of By Blood, By Salt is published at Before We Go Blog.
It’s hard to believe that By Blood, By Salt is a debut novel. J.L. Odom’s writing is on par with that of Robin Hobb, poetic without being flowery, accessible yet having a certain gravitas that demands the reader’s full attention.
The desert world of By Blood, By Salt is fully realized with a long and intricate history. From the opening pages of the book, the worldbuilding in By Blood, By Salt feels so natural and immersive, never a chore for the reader. I especially enjoyed learning about the various religions and conflicting superstitions presented from multiple points of view.
The characters are also very well developed, led by the main protagonist Azleta, an outsider known as the jackal who is thrust into the middle of a burgeoning political conflict:
“For one, there was this Azetla. Devout servant of the desert God, full to the brim with his own quiet fire, and even quieter sense of purpose. That was not to be taken for granted.”
The main antagonist of the book is a devilish being known as the Sahr. Is it human or something supernatural? One of the delights of By Blood, By Salt is peeling back the layers of mystery surrounding this seemingly inscrutable creature.
“The Sahr scoured each and every one of them with its gaze. The eyes seemed to drink, slow and strong.”
The plot of By Blood, By Salt is a slow burn. J.L. Odom’s narrative is full of meticulously crafted details that seem repetitive at times but end up contributing to the depth of the novel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with By Blood, By Salt and recommend it to anyone looking for a mature, beautifully written fantasy.
August 15, 2025
By Blood, By Salt is a masterpiece. Every so often, I have the pleasure of chancing upon a read that demands my instant trust of the author. So often fantasy novels get caught up in the spectacle over the characters or give just enough nuance to hold the threads together until the climactic ending. By Blood, By Salt is meticulously crafted by an author who loves the art of storytelling. It instantly gave me a similar depth of flavor as genre giants like Steven Erikson, Daniel Abraham, and Fonda Lee.
Epic and military fantasy are core pillars of the genre, and for those of us who spend a lot of time in those categories, it can be easy to feel as though we’ve seen it all done before. However, By Blood, By Salt effortlessly demands its own consideration alongside its many predecessors with a fresh style and voice.
Odom’s prose also deserves heavy praise here, because the descriptions and dialogue within the story were so artfully written. From the settings to the uniquely individual cast of characters, each element had a vibrant life of its own.
Instead of swerving away from heavy themes, Odom leans in with confident intention and weaves a strong story anchored by flawed, multi-faceted characters that are evolving constantly through the confrontations both external and internal throughout the pages. But where many authors cross the line into a style that ends up feeling a bit heavy-handed to the reader, Odom instead invites us into the story to explore each theme through the eyes of characters from a variety of perspectives.
There are so many details in every piece of dialogue and motive, and yet it never felt dense or dull. If you’re the type of reader who loves to settle in with a deeply layered story that proves you’re in good hands? This is it. By Blood, By Salt is a phenomenal triumph of a debut novel.
Epic and military fantasy are core pillars of the genre, and for those of us who spend a lot of time in those categories, it can be easy to feel as though we’ve seen it all done before. However, By Blood, By Salt effortlessly demands its own consideration alongside its many predecessors with a fresh style and voice.
Odom’s prose also deserves heavy praise here, because the descriptions and dialogue within the story were so artfully written. From the settings to the uniquely individual cast of characters, each element had a vibrant life of its own.
Instead of swerving away from heavy themes, Odom leans in with confident intention and weaves a strong story anchored by flawed, multi-faceted characters that are evolving constantly through the confrontations both external and internal throughout the pages. But where many authors cross the line into a style that ends up feeling a bit heavy-handed to the reader, Odom instead invites us into the story to explore each theme through the eyes of characters from a variety of perspectives.
There are so many details in every piece of dialogue and motive, and yet it never felt dense or dull. If you’re the type of reader who loves to settle in with a deeply layered story that proves you’re in good hands? This is it. By Blood, By Salt is a phenomenal triumph of a debut novel.
April 29, 2025
One hour ago, this book was declared the winner of SPFBO X.
As of this moment, the book has 115 ratings on Goodreads. I am marking this to assess how much the needle moves as a result of winning the contest.
This title will also be helped by its inclusion in the SPFBO Champions' League, a contest between the 10 winners of SPFBO to date. This will start in 1 month and run to the end of December. It's another batch of free publicity for this and the other 9 books.
As of this moment, the book has 115 ratings on Goodreads. I am marking this to assess how much the needle moves as a result of winning the contest.
This title will also be helped by its inclusion in the SPFBO Champions' League, a contest between the 10 winners of SPFBO to date. This will start in 1 month and run to the end of December. It's another batch of free publicity for this and the other 9 books.
April 20, 2024
3.75
✨ARC READ✨
Book drops May 14
This book took me a bit to get into, the writing style is a bit different that what I’m used to but it is oh so pretty, I was highlighting left and right, I just zoned out sometimes while reading, soo I probably missed some information (that’s probably a me problem)
WHAT I LIKED:
✅The characters were obviously well thought out and very lovable(particularly the Sahr, it was great)
✅I loved the world it is set in, and how every group of people had a different god they believed in
✅ok…I may be wrong but my romance senses are tingling…Buttt if its happening it’s a slow burnnnnn
✅The writing was really pretty once I got used to it( like I said earlier I was highlighting a lot)
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
❌It kinda took me a while to get through all the world building, and during that time did I zone out a lot? Yes. Did I probably miss some vital information? Yes. (But that’s a me problem)
❌The writing was a little hard to get used to, sometimes it got a little TOO lyrical for me (personal taste)
✨ARC READ✨
Book drops May 14
This book took me a bit to get into, the writing style is a bit different that what I’m used to but it is oh so pretty, I was highlighting left and right, I just zoned out sometimes while reading, soo I probably missed some information (that’s probably a me problem)
WHAT I LIKED:
✅The characters were obviously well thought out and very lovable(particularly the Sahr, it was great)
✅I loved the world it is set in, and how every group of people had a different god they believed in
✅ok…I may be wrong but my romance senses are tingling…Buttt if its happening it’s a slow burnnnnn
✅The writing was really pretty once I got used to it( like I said earlier I was highlighting a lot)
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
❌It kinda took me a while to get through all the world building, and during that time did I zone out a lot? Yes. Did I probably miss some vital information? Yes. (But that’s a me problem)
❌The writing was a little hard to get used to, sometimes it got a little TOO lyrical for me (personal taste)
April 27, 2025
I read this for SPFBO. This was my favourite of the SPFBO finalists by quite some distance. It’s a powerful story about outsiders, how they try to fit in, and how they are treated. It’s also an incredibly well constructed fantasy set in a lush, carefully-constructed Middle East analogue. The word “worldbuilding” gets used for a whole bunch of different things, from Tolkien’s languages to Sanderson’s magic systems and movie-style big ideas. In By Blood, By Salt, the worldbuilding is primarily focused on cultures, and we get very distinct, rich cultures that our characters move through. This isn’t a high-action fantasy. It’s a fantasy about people and the situations politics and bigotry put them in. I found it a highly compelling read. The only reason it wasn’t a 10/10 for me was that the end didn’t quite stick a strong landing. It’s the first in a series, so this is understandable, but I would have liked a stronger ending nonetheless. I strongly recommend this if you’re into character- and culture-driven stories in a vivid setting.
9.5/10 for the purposes of SPFBO.
9.5/10 for the purposes of SPFBO.
June 13, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
By Blood, By Salt is the first novel in the military fantasy series Land of Exile, written by J.L. Odom, which is also part of the SPFBOX. A character focused fantasy with a desert setting inspired by the Middle Easts and that puts a great importance in an often overlooked aspect, like it is language, with a set of well-fleshed characters.
Azetla has served in the Maurowan Army for thirteen years; a pariah because of his origins, a soldier without a rank inside the battalion, in a precarious position that can be lost with the minimal mistake. When his battalion is sent into the desert to capture a Sahr devil, he soon discovers that there's more behind this mission that catching an inhabitant of the zone. The Emperor pretends to show that nothing can oppose to him; but for the Emperor's brother, this is the first step to rebellion.
When his commander, and his main defender, is killed during the capture of the Sahr, Azetla finds himself in a delicate equilibrium, especially as the Sahr devil might be the key that can help Azetla to cement his position. A bargain with somebody he shouldn't trust; but for the rest, Azetla wasn't worthy of that confidence.
After a relatively slow first quarter of the book, where Odom introduces us with a great amount of detail to the world and the politics, details that later will gain more relevance, we will jump into the action and the life of this battalion in a hostile terrain; the author manages to capture the difficulties of troops in a strange land, and the struggles they many time experience. Not only that, but also shows less pleasant aspects such as the casual racism (and with Azetla we have a prime example), but also the importance of communication as the bridge to gap different origins. The use of several POV helps to reflect all those aspects with different perspectives.
The world itself is one of the best example of desert settings in fictions, partly inspired by the Middle East, and it features a rich variety of cultures and religions, which are explored through different eyes and origins. While the Empire of Maurow is the hegemonic force, we can see how the local populations are the key to transit many of the most arduous places, requiring of a good relationship and collaboration with them.
As previously said, the pacing is a bit slow at the start, but once we are in the desert, the things pick really fast; we can consider that the author was introducing us to the world to later just focus on the characters.
If you are looking for an authentic and well written military fantasy, By Blood, By Salt is an excellent choice; a strong debut that starts the Land of Exile series and which hints a bigger arc that I want to continue exploring in next books!
By Blood, By Salt is the first novel in the military fantasy series Land of Exile, written by J.L. Odom, which is also part of the SPFBOX. A character focused fantasy with a desert setting inspired by the Middle Easts and that puts a great importance in an often overlooked aspect, like it is language, with a set of well-fleshed characters.
Azetla has served in the Maurowan Army for thirteen years; a pariah because of his origins, a soldier without a rank inside the battalion, in a precarious position that can be lost with the minimal mistake. When his battalion is sent into the desert to capture a Sahr devil, he soon discovers that there's more behind this mission that catching an inhabitant of the zone. The Emperor pretends to show that nothing can oppose to him; but for the Emperor's brother, this is the first step to rebellion.
When his commander, and his main defender, is killed during the capture of the Sahr, Azetla finds himself in a delicate equilibrium, especially as the Sahr devil might be the key that can help Azetla to cement his position. A bargain with somebody he shouldn't trust; but for the rest, Azetla wasn't worthy of that confidence.
After a relatively slow first quarter of the book, where Odom introduces us with a great amount of detail to the world and the politics, details that later will gain more relevance, we will jump into the action and the life of this battalion in a hostile terrain; the author manages to capture the difficulties of troops in a strange land, and the struggles they many time experience. Not only that, but also shows less pleasant aspects such as the casual racism (and with Azetla we have a prime example), but also the importance of communication as the bridge to gap different origins. The use of several POV helps to reflect all those aspects with different perspectives.
The world itself is one of the best example of desert settings in fictions, partly inspired by the Middle East, and it features a rich variety of cultures and religions, which are explored through different eyes and origins. While the Empire of Maurow is the hegemonic force, we can see how the local populations are the key to transit many of the most arduous places, requiring of a good relationship and collaboration with them.
As previously said, the pacing is a bit slow at the start, but once we are in the desert, the things pick really fast; we can consider that the author was introducing us to the world to later just focus on the characters.
If you are looking for an authentic and well written military fantasy, By Blood, By Salt is an excellent choice; a strong debut that starts the Land of Exile series and which hints a bigger arc that I want to continue exploring in next books!
June 29, 2025
The more I read of the book the more impressed I was with the writing. When I found out that this was the author’s first book I was in awe. Now that I have finished it, I’m almost speechless. The skillset and maturity J.L. Odom demonstrates through these pages with her craft not simply matches but far surpasses many well established authors. Her insights into human nature and the way she weaves these observations into the story would be treasured on the shelves of literary fiction, while here it enriches a solid military fiction by giving it more gravity and depth.
“The northerners were all so wildly anxious about Azetla, skirting around him as if he was a snake raising its head, even as he bowed before them. She had pulled him across the whole desert, through enemies and allies, straight into the tip of a sword.”
“Suddenly, the Sahr stepped closer and an earnest look showed on its face, which felt far more hazardous than any sneer or cruel grin.”
“Sarrez was Makarish. He was also a just man. Azetla struggled to reconcile these two truths, so they sat there, neither fact quite touching the other in his mind.”
“He seemed as before, but Joseph could feel the lie of it. There had been a hardness in his voice and a hostility in his manner during the meeting with Lord Verris. Oh, yes, Lord Verris was allowed to speak his piece and berate the “jackal” but, by the end of it, Azetla still managed to firmly gather everyone’s words and put them all in his preferred order.”
“But then he saw. His eye caught her like a shadow or a figment, flickering faintly within a swath of dark, caught between the bands of light, then solidifying.”
“The words had real vinegar in them, and a sharp, aimed point.”
“Azetla wondered if Everson even knew of this shadow behind him; she was just a plain texture draped against the dark, arms folded, beautifully still.”
I have to be honest, I struggled with the beginning. This is a slow-burn story that demands patience early on, which I had none of while I was ill with COVID and tried to get into the book. Luckily, I pushed through, both my fight with the virus and the measured pace into which the reader is introduced into this world. It absolutely paid off.
The book has a historical fiction feel, an alternate world rich in cultural detail, curses, religious beliefs, and the kind of mystery that suggests magic without fully revealing it. In its own covert ways, it might even remind us to re-open our eyes to the many wonders of our own world.
It’s realistic in ways fantasy rarely is. The well-balanced, unflinchingly true to their nature characters, the harshness of life for those less fortunate, the brutality of battles and the rough camaraderie of soldiers, the way faith shapes thought and action are all clearly depicted with an immersive prose that puts you right onto the page. At times, the scope of the story and the political rise of an outcast underdog gave me echoes of Gladiator or Braveheart. And I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
“The northerners were all so wildly anxious about Azetla, skirting around him as if he was a snake raising its head, even as he bowed before them. She had pulled him across the whole desert, through enemies and allies, straight into the tip of a sword.”
“Suddenly, the Sahr stepped closer and an earnest look showed on its face, which felt far more hazardous than any sneer or cruel grin.”
“Sarrez was Makarish. He was also a just man. Azetla struggled to reconcile these two truths, so they sat there, neither fact quite touching the other in his mind.”
“He seemed as before, but Joseph could feel the lie of it. There had been a hardness in his voice and a hostility in his manner during the meeting with Lord Verris. Oh, yes, Lord Verris was allowed to speak his piece and berate the “jackal” but, by the end of it, Azetla still managed to firmly gather everyone’s words and put them all in his preferred order.”
“But then he saw. His eye caught her like a shadow or a figment, flickering faintly within a swath of dark, caught between the bands of light, then solidifying.”
“The words had real vinegar in them, and a sharp, aimed point.”
“Azetla wondered if Everson even knew of this shadow behind him; she was just a plain texture draped against the dark, arms folded, beautifully still.”
I have to be honest, I struggled with the beginning. This is a slow-burn story that demands patience early on, which I had none of while I was ill with COVID and tried to get into the book. Luckily, I pushed through, both my fight with the virus and the measured pace into which the reader is introduced into this world. It absolutely paid off.
The book has a historical fiction feel, an alternate world rich in cultural detail, curses, religious beliefs, and the kind of mystery that suggests magic without fully revealing it. In its own covert ways, it might even remind us to re-open our eyes to the many wonders of our own world.
It’s realistic in ways fantasy rarely is. The well-balanced, unflinchingly true to their nature characters, the harshness of life for those less fortunate, the brutality of battles and the rough camaraderie of soldiers, the way faith shapes thought and action are all clearly depicted with an immersive prose that puts you right onto the page. At times, the scope of the story and the political rise of an outcast underdog gave me echoes of Gladiator or Braveheart. And I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
December 19, 2024
This book I think, is suited for a particular set of readers and thankfully I was one of them. What I mean by the above is that this military fantasy is heavily character driven and it depends on the reader's preferences how much enjoyment he/she will get from it.
Speaking of characters, the author has done a magnificent job with all the main characters and since this is multi-POV, it's a rare achievement especially for a debut. The characters motivations and actions are so well thought out, so believable and so well presented. I was fascinated by them and especially by our main protagonist Azetla. He faces racism from almost everyone but at the same time gains respect from most of the other cast and the balance was making me feel for him but also route for him to succeed.
Also the desert setting is wonderfully described, along with the different factions, the different dialects and their importance, all of which make for a very interesting world.
So why do I think that the target group for this book is not so wide.. Well the pacing is slow (not a problem for me) and there is a lack of action. The above combination will probably annoy some readers. In addition the plot while interesting with some clever political intrigue, doesn't appear to have a specific arc (an endgame) which we look to be accomplished. More it feels like a big setup to know the characters for what is to come in the sequels.
All in all this was a very pleasant surprise for me and it's books like this for which I follow the SPFBO competition. Books that feel a bit different than most and new writers with great potential.
I received an advance review copy from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Speaking of characters, the author has done a magnificent job with all the main characters and since this is multi-POV, it's a rare achievement especially for a debut. The characters motivations and actions are so well thought out, so believable and so well presented. I was fascinated by them and especially by our main protagonist Azetla. He faces racism from almost everyone but at the same time gains respect from most of the other cast and the balance was making me feel for him but also route for him to succeed.
Also the desert setting is wonderfully described, along with the different factions, the different dialects and their importance, all of which make for a very interesting world.
So why do I think that the target group for this book is not so wide.. Well the pacing is slow (not a problem for me) and there is a lack of action. The above combination will probably annoy some readers. In addition the plot while interesting with some clever political intrigue, doesn't appear to have a specific arc (an endgame) which we look to be accomplished. More it feels like a big setup to know the characters for what is to come in the sequels.
All in all this was a very pleasant surprise for me and it's books like this for which I follow the SPFBO competition. Books that feel a bit different than most and new writers with great potential.
I received an advance review copy from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 10, 2024
Read for SPFBOX as part of team Fantasy Book Critic. This is just my opinion, group verdict may differ widely.
5.5/10
Set in an entrancingly rich ancient Middle Eastern inspired world, By Blood, By Salt is a political military fantasy that takes the concept of slow-burn to a whole new level. Come for the immersive desert setting and Arab-flavoured cultures, stay for the dangerously complex enemies to tentative allies dynamics, unexpected underdogs, cutthroat schemes, and bold twists and turns.
Now, By Blood, By Salt is objectively an extremely strong book that honestly had all the makings of a new favourite for me; the cultural world building is so rich and nuanced, the political and religious strife is deliciously tense, the prose is beautifully lyrical and transportive, and the intense inner conflicts of all the characters are so beautifully complex and believably messy. And yet, I unfortunately found myself struggling through the pages, desperately searching for any kind of emotional buy-in.
While I was enamoured with the entrancing atmosphere and the alluring air of danger and intrigue from the very first page, it wasn’t until the 25-30% mark when we travelled into the desert together with Azetla and James to capture the legendary Sahr devil that the plot started to grab me, for a while at least. I loved how Odom built up the tension and suspense, and I found myself morbidly captivated by the terrifyingly realistic way that she captured the dangers and horrors of being sent out on campaign into a strange, hostile land.
However, once the mission was completed and we left the desert again, my interest started to wane more and more with each chapter. Yes, my anthropology and linguistics loving heart was eating up all the culture clashing and the interpersonal conflicts within this diverse cast of characters, though it admittedly took me a frustratingly long time to wrap my head around all the intricacies of this world’s bloody history and its complicated political landscape. To me, the mysterious and enigmatic Sahr devil was easily the most compelling character of the entire story, and I honestly would have loved to spend even more time digging into her intriguing backstory and exploring the tenuous bond between her and her captors, namely Azetla.
Ultimately, I think this is more a case of “it’s not you, it’s me”, because there really is no denying that Odom is a very skilled storyteller. To me, it really shows that By Blood, By Salt is a book that is written straight from the heart, and I think the brutally raw exploration of hard-hitting themes of war, cultural identity, religious zeal, ingrained racism, corruption and ruthless ambition will resonate with a lot of readers. Especially fans of the political and cultural worldbuilding in S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Sienna Frost’s Obsidian: Awakening could find much to love here, and I would definitely recommend By Blood, By Salt if you are in the mood for a diverse desert fantasy that is as intricately epic as it is intimately vulnerable.
5.5/10
Set in an entrancingly rich ancient Middle Eastern inspired world, By Blood, By Salt is a political military fantasy that takes the concept of slow-burn to a whole new level. Come for the immersive desert setting and Arab-flavoured cultures, stay for the dangerously complex enemies to tentative allies dynamics, unexpected underdogs, cutthroat schemes, and bold twists and turns.
Now, By Blood, By Salt is objectively an extremely strong book that honestly had all the makings of a new favourite for me; the cultural world building is so rich and nuanced, the political and religious strife is deliciously tense, the prose is beautifully lyrical and transportive, and the intense inner conflicts of all the characters are so beautifully complex and believably messy. And yet, I unfortunately found myself struggling through the pages, desperately searching for any kind of emotional buy-in.
While I was enamoured with the entrancing atmosphere and the alluring air of danger and intrigue from the very first page, it wasn’t until the 25-30% mark when we travelled into the desert together with Azetla and James to capture the legendary Sahr devil that the plot started to grab me, for a while at least. I loved how Odom built up the tension and suspense, and I found myself morbidly captivated by the terrifyingly realistic way that she captured the dangers and horrors of being sent out on campaign into a strange, hostile land.
However, once the mission was completed and we left the desert again, my interest started to wane more and more with each chapter. Yes, my anthropology and linguistics loving heart was eating up all the culture clashing and the interpersonal conflicts within this diverse cast of characters, though it admittedly took me a frustratingly long time to wrap my head around all the intricacies of this world’s bloody history and its complicated political landscape. To me, the mysterious and enigmatic Sahr devil was easily the most compelling character of the entire story, and I honestly would have loved to spend even more time digging into her intriguing backstory and exploring the tenuous bond between her and her captors, namely Azetla.
Ultimately, I think this is more a case of “it’s not you, it’s me”, because there really is no denying that Odom is a very skilled storyteller. To me, it really shows that By Blood, By Salt is a book that is written straight from the heart, and I think the brutally raw exploration of hard-hitting themes of war, cultural identity, religious zeal, ingrained racism, corruption and ruthless ambition will resonate with a lot of readers. Especially fans of the political and cultural worldbuilding in S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Sienna Frost’s Obsidian: Awakening could find much to love here, and I would definitely recommend By Blood, By Salt if you are in the mood for a diverse desert fantasy that is as intricately epic as it is intimately vulnerable.
December 8, 2025
Excellent book
May 11, 2025
I’ve had this one on my radar for a while even before it won SPFBOX. By Blood By Salt is a sword and sandal military fantasy.
It tells the story of a man named Azetla who lives in a country that had been conquered by a larger empire. He is part of a military unit and by sheer skill and usefulness (and a little bit of luck) he has risen high in the ranks. However his unit is caught up in internal court politics when the emperor decides to send his treacherous brother on a suicide mission to capture a desert devil. What they find in the desert will shock them and maybe even change the course of the empire.
This book deals with themes about living under an empire and a system that hates you because of your nationality. It gives a very honest and clear look of what it’s like to live as a conquered people under an empire that despises you. Without coming across heavy handed or preachy it shows how much living under such a system would hurt you, but also programs you to hate and hurt others.
As far as fantasy novels go, you won’t find better writing. Odom shows a lot of skill with the pen and there isn’t a clunky line or description in this book. The dialogue is especially good between characters, feeling both realistic and very engaging.
People have remarked that it takes a while to get going and I didn’t find that to be the case at all. I was gripped from page one, and I feel like anyone who’s read epic or military fantasy will feel the same. Actually there’s a change in the story halfway through and I felt like the story slowed down after that. It took me a while to adjust to the change, but it took the story in a new and unique direction.
Odom’s characters are excellent as well, especially Azetla. Each character feels like a product of their time and culture and not like 21st century Americans in a fantasy environment.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s definitely one of the best self pub novels I’ve read and well deserving of the win. Definitely check this one out, it deserves the love and the audiobook is also excellent!!
It tells the story of a man named Azetla who lives in a country that had been conquered by a larger empire. He is part of a military unit and by sheer skill and usefulness (and a little bit of luck) he has risen high in the ranks. However his unit is caught up in internal court politics when the emperor decides to send his treacherous brother on a suicide mission to capture a desert devil. What they find in the desert will shock them and maybe even change the course of the empire.
This book deals with themes about living under an empire and a system that hates you because of your nationality. It gives a very honest and clear look of what it’s like to live as a conquered people under an empire that despises you. Without coming across heavy handed or preachy it shows how much living under such a system would hurt you, but also programs you to hate and hurt others.
As far as fantasy novels go, you won’t find better writing. Odom shows a lot of skill with the pen and there isn’t a clunky line or description in this book. The dialogue is especially good between characters, feeling both realistic and very engaging.
People have remarked that it takes a while to get going and I didn’t find that to be the case at all. I was gripped from page one, and I feel like anyone who’s read epic or military fantasy will feel the same. Actually there’s a change in the story halfway through and I felt like the story slowed down after that. It took me a while to adjust to the change, but it took the story in a new and unique direction.
Odom’s characters are excellent as well, especially Azetla. Each character feels like a product of their time and culture and not like 21st century Americans in a fantasy environment.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s definitely one of the best self pub novels I’ve read and well deserving of the win. Definitely check this one out, it deserves the love and the audiobook is also excellent!!
September 15, 2025
Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. This is a thought provoking, deep, politically interesting examination of racism, prejudice, and religion, set against the backdrop of creative and grounded world building, and populated with three dimensional characters. The prose is clean, sharp, and evocative. There’s a sparseness, but a richness, to the language that leaves an impression. The author doesn’t use ten words when five will do, but in spite of that she doesn’t sacrifice atmosphere or emotion.
The tension of the story is layered. While there is an overarching, well drawn, political plot, it is anchored in personal character interactions. It gives the book a weight and a groundedness that made it feel real. The pacing is perfect. It’s slow and even, building in a precise and thoughtful way. There is no drag, and no rush. It kept me invested from the first to the last page.
I was impressed by the ability of the author to make fallible characters, whose motivations you understand while recognizing how blindly prejudiced they are. No character falls into a stereotype, and their interactions with each other are as complex as if they existed outside the page. The growth of each person is slow, deliberate, and human. I felt as if I was getting to know these characters the way I would if I met them in real life: in bits and pieces, building trust over time.
The topics covered are heavy and complicated, and handled with a deft and compassionate hand. I finished the book feeling invigorated, contemplative, and awed by how memorable the experience of reading it was. I cannot recommend this enough.
The tension of the story is layered. While there is an overarching, well drawn, political plot, it is anchored in personal character interactions. It gives the book a weight and a groundedness that made it feel real. The pacing is perfect. It’s slow and even, building in a precise and thoughtful way. There is no drag, and no rush. It kept me invested from the first to the last page.
I was impressed by the ability of the author to make fallible characters, whose motivations you understand while recognizing how blindly prejudiced they are. No character falls into a stereotype, and their interactions with each other are as complex as if they existed outside the page. The growth of each person is slow, deliberate, and human. I felt as if I was getting to know these characters the way I would if I met them in real life: in bits and pieces, building trust over time.
The topics covered are heavy and complicated, and handled with a deft and compassionate hand. I finished the book feeling invigorated, contemplative, and awed by how memorable the experience of reading it was. I cannot recommend this enough.
February 2, 2025
By Blood, By Salt is exactly the kind of book I love. Incredibly enjoyable and solid prose? Check. A rich plot with political and religious tones? Check. An incredible MC to root for? Check! A pace befitting the story? Check.
It just never fails, with good books you know from the very start that you’re onto a winner. I LOVED how the intrigue was steadily rolling off the page from get-go. I loved how Odom‘s approach and writing supported the steady advancement of plot, intricately setting everything up for the next destination on this journey. It wasn’t rushed or too overly action-centred, but done with wit and cleverness. The maneuvering of higher orders, the ill-will of ambitious “articles”, the mystery of unknown… Man, I love me stories like this!
The military aspect was just strong enough to add nuance to the story without being over the top. The political, religious and cultural elements were delivered in perfect balance providing plenty of layers, making this story an absolute delight to devour. It is a brilliant, engaging story with incredible world-building and tons of emotional buy-in. Odom simply knows what she’s writing about and you can feel it off the page.
Azetla is the type of character that, as you get to know him, demands respect. Sure, Odom threw him into some very difficult to stomach situations, racially abusive moments, humiliating moments in which no man should ever be, but the consistency with which his Character (with capital C) was written, demonstrated a solid backbone. But, it’s not only the very respectable characteristic of remaining true to himself in difficult situations that makes Azetla an incredibly strong character, he’s also observant, intelligent and does not kick up an unnecessary fuss when he knows it wouldn’t do him any good. There was essentially not a bad decision made by him, he was clever and cunning and he did it without brawl. Makes you think there’s still more to learn about him, that the plot hasn’t yet really opened up in full… That there’s more to the story.
As someone who LOVES character-driven stories, this one gave me tons of rewards through Azetla. It didn’t hurt that all of the action was a darned good read, too. As the story drew to a conclusion, when I thought the good couldn’t get any better, Odom hinted at a bombshell – at least, I think that’s what it was – making me effectively yearn for the sequel. Luckily, not long to wait! A Haunt for Jackals is set to drop in a little over a month from now. Just… Perfect! 👌
It just never fails, with good books you know from the very start that you’re onto a winner. I LOVED how the intrigue was steadily rolling off the page from get-go. I loved how Odom‘s approach and writing supported the steady advancement of plot, intricately setting everything up for the next destination on this journey. It wasn’t rushed or too overly action-centred, but done with wit and cleverness. The maneuvering of higher orders, the ill-will of ambitious “articles”, the mystery of unknown… Man, I love me stories like this!
The military aspect was just strong enough to add nuance to the story without being over the top. The political, religious and cultural elements were delivered in perfect balance providing plenty of layers, making this story an absolute delight to devour. It is a brilliant, engaging story with incredible world-building and tons of emotional buy-in. Odom simply knows what she’s writing about and you can feel it off the page.
Azetla is the type of character that, as you get to know him, demands respect. Sure, Odom threw him into some very difficult to stomach situations, racially abusive moments, humiliating moments in which no man should ever be, but the consistency with which his Character (with capital C) was written, demonstrated a solid backbone. But, it’s not only the very respectable characteristic of remaining true to himself in difficult situations that makes Azetla an incredibly strong character, he’s also observant, intelligent and does not kick up an unnecessary fuss when he knows it wouldn’t do him any good. There was essentially not a bad decision made by him, he was clever and cunning and he did it without brawl. Makes you think there’s still more to learn about him, that the plot hasn’t yet really opened up in full… That there’s more to the story.
As someone who LOVES character-driven stories, this one gave me tons of rewards through Azetla. It didn’t hurt that all of the action was a darned good read, too. As the story drew to a conclusion, when I thought the good couldn’t get any better, Odom hinted at a bombshell – at least, I think that’s what it was – making me effectively yearn for the sequel. Luckily, not long to wait! A Haunt for Jackals is set to drop in a little over a month from now. Just… Perfect! 👌
February 19, 2025
By Blood, By Salt is a fun read with a lot going for it and a lot that does undeniably well. But it failed to connect with me in any significant way.
Plenty of quotable lines come from the book's flowing, enjoyable style. But it can take a minute to find its stride. Early in the book, I was occasionally taken out of the story by some odd phrasing or a sentence that just didn't flow quite right. However, the further I got into the book, the less this happened. I also think the author tends to lean a bit too much on telling over showing. This wasn't so significant that I lost all enjoyment, but I feel like I would have had more connection to the characters and plot if things were approached a little differently.
Now, the plot and characters of By Blood, By Salt are pretty deeply entwined. The main premise involves our protagonist trying to keep his head above water as the political machinations of our other main players begin circling around him. I'm a sucker for some political intrigue, but this didn't really work for me as well as it could have. I still found it enjoyable, but I think the cast was a little too small for me to really buy into a lot of the plans and ideas. Also, a lot of characters keep things close to their chest. Both what they know and how they know it. So there were a few times when a character would present some information that left me wondering how they came to their conclusions. I did like a lot of the characters, but never really felt like enough time was given to any of them individually for them to have a satisfying arc.
To end on a good note, I do think the world-building is very strong. It feels obvious that a lot of time, knowledge, and care went into the cultures that make up this desert empire. I especially enjoyed the culture of the main character. We get a lot more on his culture than many of the others but I could still feel a lot lying beneath the surface of the ones that weren't as big of a focus.
Overall, I think By Blood, By Salt was enjoyable. I will likely pick up the sequel to see how the author improves from here, and see if I get a little more to sink my teeth into.
Plenty of quotable lines come from the book's flowing, enjoyable style. But it can take a minute to find its stride. Early in the book, I was occasionally taken out of the story by some odd phrasing or a sentence that just didn't flow quite right. However, the further I got into the book, the less this happened. I also think the author tends to lean a bit too much on telling over showing. This wasn't so significant that I lost all enjoyment, but I feel like I would have had more connection to the characters and plot if things were approached a little differently.
Now, the plot and characters of By Blood, By Salt are pretty deeply entwined. The main premise involves our protagonist trying to keep his head above water as the political machinations of our other main players begin circling around him. I'm a sucker for some political intrigue, but this didn't really work for me as well as it could have. I still found it enjoyable, but I think the cast was a little too small for me to really buy into a lot of the plans and ideas. Also, a lot of characters keep things close to their chest. Both what they know and how they know it. So there were a few times when a character would present some information that left me wondering how they came to their conclusions. I did like a lot of the characters, but never really felt like enough time was given to any of them individually for them to have a satisfying arc.
To end on a good note, I do think the world-building is very strong. It feels obvious that a lot of time, knowledge, and care went into the cultures that make up this desert empire. I especially enjoyed the culture of the main character. We get a lot more on his culture than many of the others but I could still feel a lot lying beneath the surface of the ones that weren't as big of a focus.
Overall, I think By Blood, By Salt was enjoyable. I will likely pick up the sequel to see how the author improves from here, and see if I get a little more to sink my teeth into.
July 26, 2025
3,5*
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely!
By Blood, By Salt by J.L. Odom was a bit of a mixed batch for me. I really enjoyed the outsider perspective, with Azetla becoming the leader in an army, despite technically not even being allowed to wear the sword.
The tone and voice were engaging, and I always enjoy the conflict that comes from different cultures clashing!
Especially another addition to the cast later on was very intriguing, and a main draw for me.
The world building and cultures are well developed, and gave the book some nice depth.
However, other than Azetla I didn't really form a bond with the characters, and the slow pace started to lose my interest over time. I started really curious, but the farther in I got, the more I found myself drifting off, and having to reread whole sections. Which in the end led me to not really remembering a lot of the plot, just weeks after finishing the book. The start is still strong in my mind, but it gets foggy from the halfway point on.
This obviously doesn't have to be a fault of the book, sometimes book and reader just don't vibe well with each other.
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely!
By Blood, By Salt by J.L. Odom was a bit of a mixed batch for me. I really enjoyed the outsider perspective, with Azetla becoming the leader in an army, despite technically not even being allowed to wear the sword.
The tone and voice were engaging, and I always enjoy the conflict that comes from different cultures clashing!
Especially another addition to the cast later on was very intriguing, and a main draw for me.
The world building and cultures are well developed, and gave the book some nice depth.
However, other than Azetla I didn't really form a bond with the characters, and the slow pace started to lose my interest over time. I started really curious, but the farther in I got, the more I found myself drifting off, and having to reread whole sections. Which in the end led me to not really remembering a lot of the plot, just weeks after finishing the book. The start is still strong in my mind, but it gets foggy from the halfway point on.
This obviously doesn't have to be a fault of the book, sometimes book and reader just don't vibe well with each other.
January 20, 2026
This was the most recent winner of the spfbo (self published fantasy blog off) competition. And I can see why. This was brilliant.
January 31, 2025
I read this for SPFBO. To find out more about the SPFBO contest and to see the participating bloggers/authors and reviews follow the links below
I had some pretty high expectations (and some low ones) for By Blood, By Salt by J.L. Odom.
High, because military fantasy is a genre that I love to pieces, and low because it can also be one of those genres that might have a few soldiers and be called military and we could never see another military aspect the whole book- so I was trying to not be too hopeful about it.
By Blood, By Salt follows mainly Azetla, a debt soldier in the Maurowen Army, along with a few other characters that help round out the story and world.
Azetla, is a commander in his battalion, but only by the grace of his captain- who recognizes his worth and is willing to bend the rules to allow him to use his talents for their benefits. Outside of his battalion (and even to some degree inside of it) he is considered to be lower than dirt. Azetla is the ultimate underdog and well, I’ve probably mentioned a few hundred times by now just how much I love the underdog characters. Making that the second trope box ticked for me.
By Blood, By Salt, abounds with political intrigue, and a complex cultural hierarchy that I’m not going to lie- takes a while to wrap your head around.
Sometimes when being introduced to a new world like this, there can be a fair amount you can discard as unimportant, or file away in your head for later, without affecting the pace or feeling like you’re missing anything significant.
But here because BB,BS opens during an important festival to its people, so right off the bat we have this mix of information about the people and its cultures along with a whole lot of very similar sounding names of the tribes, I might add. It was a lot to take in all at once and made it harder to decide what I could file away for later.
It did make for a slower start but it does settle. I found I’d read a chapter, go do something and let it meld, then come back and do it again until I felt like I had the gist of the world and people. This is definitely a ymmv situation when it comes to patience while waiting for the pieces to fall together though.
As much as I enjoy a political-intrigue heavy plot, and as interesting as I found the world and its nuances (of which I’m not going to go into the intricacies of either thing because the summary says it better than I could ever) I need good strong characters to get me through. I’m not one of those people that likes sim-based games and to me world-building, without good characters is pretty much the equivalent of a sim-game.
Luckily, not only did By Bood, By Salt have a solidly build political-intrigue plot, and well-realized world- it also had character’s that I found utterly fascinating.
I already professed my love of the underdog Azetla- he’s smart as a whip and plays his cards close to his chest, and I loved that about him.
But the whole cast was made up of everything else I love too. They’re cunning, a little unsure at times, and all very self-aware.
Some, I desperately wanted to slap (Wesley was at the top of the list). Others, I wanted to succeed but also slap… The Corr, who is the most fish out of water character, and held my attention every moment he’s on the page. He is the least cunning and knows he is out of his depth, he doesn’t have the chaps to be doing what he’s doing, but is willing to go all in, even when it scares the crap out of him.
And finally, The Sahr who is a favourite right behind Azetla, and sometimes even before him. Another underdog in her own way, she was also cunning as all hell, and I loved her.
And lastly- while we get very real looks at these characters as people, their thoughts and plans, I feel like there is just enough mystery left to really let me speculate about story possibilities and nothing makes me want to read on quicker than trying to prove I’m right about something.
I loved the writing, it’s in a style has just enough prettiness to it to really set the stage while also being engaging and smart. It’s lovely. There’s nothing I love more than well-written passages and dialogue.
If you hadn’t gathered from the above, I enjoyed this one a lot. I think I would have picked up the next book immediately if it had been available and that’s not something I ever do.
SPFBO score -9
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Finalist board is here
Mark Lawrence: SPFBOX finalists - SPFBO 10
I had some pretty high expectations (and some low ones) for By Blood, By Salt by J.L. Odom.
High, because military fantasy is a genre that I love to pieces, and low because it can also be one of those genres that might have a few soldiers and be called military and we could never see another military aspect the whole book- so I was trying to not be too hopeful about it.
By Blood, By Salt follows mainly Azetla, a debt soldier in the Maurowen Army, along with a few other characters that help round out the story and world.
Azetla, is a commander in his battalion, but only by the grace of his captain- who recognizes his worth and is willing to bend the rules to allow him to use his talents for their benefits. Outside of his battalion (and even to some degree inside of it) he is considered to be lower than dirt. Azetla is the ultimate underdog and well, I’ve probably mentioned a few hundred times by now just how much I love the underdog characters. Making that the second trope box ticked for me.
By Blood, By Salt, abounds with political intrigue, and a complex cultural hierarchy that I’m not going to lie- takes a while to wrap your head around.
Sometimes when being introduced to a new world like this, there can be a fair amount you can discard as unimportant, or file away in your head for later, without affecting the pace or feeling like you’re missing anything significant.
But here because BB,BS opens during an important festival to its people, so right off the bat we have this mix of information about the people and its cultures along with a whole lot of very similar sounding names of the tribes, I might add. It was a lot to take in all at once and made it harder to decide what I could file away for later.
It did make for a slower start but it does settle. I found I’d read a chapter, go do something and let it meld, then come back and do it again until I felt like I had the gist of the world and people. This is definitely a ymmv situation when it comes to patience while waiting for the pieces to fall together though.
As much as I enjoy a political-intrigue heavy plot, and as interesting as I found the world and its nuances (of which I’m not going to go into the intricacies of either thing because the summary says it better than I could ever) I need good strong characters to get me through. I’m not one of those people that likes sim-based games and to me world-building, without good characters is pretty much the equivalent of a sim-game.
Luckily, not only did By Bood, By Salt have a solidly build political-intrigue plot, and well-realized world- it also had character’s that I found utterly fascinating.
I already professed my love of the underdog Azetla- he’s smart as a whip and plays his cards close to his chest, and I loved that about him.
But the whole cast was made up of everything else I love too. They’re cunning, a little unsure at times, and all very self-aware.
Some, I desperately wanted to slap (Wesley was at the top of the list). Others, I wanted to succeed but also slap… The Corr, who is the most fish out of water character, and held my attention every moment he’s on the page. He is the least cunning and knows he is out of his depth, he doesn’t have the chaps to be doing what he’s doing, but is willing to go all in, even when it scares the crap out of him.
And finally, The Sahr who is a favourite right behind Azetla, and sometimes even before him. Another underdog in her own way, she was also cunning as all hell, and I loved her.
And lastly- while we get very real looks at these characters as people, their thoughts and plans, I feel like there is just enough mystery left to really let me speculate about story possibilities and nothing makes me want to read on quicker than trying to prove I’m right about something.
I loved the writing, it’s in a style has just enough prettiness to it to really set the stage while also being engaging and smart. It’s lovely. There’s nothing I love more than well-written passages and dialogue.
If you hadn’t gathered from the above, I enjoyed this one a lot. I think I would have picked up the next book immediately if it had been available and that’s not something I ever do.
SPFBO score -9
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Finalist board is here
Mark Lawrence: SPFBOX finalists - SPFBO 10
December 27, 2025
A rich tapestry of fantasy
It took me awhile to get through this book one because I wanted to savor it and two because this isn't a book you can just rush through. It has a lot of layers and nuances to keep track of, all woven together to create a solid story. The characters were fleshed out and felt so real. I really enjoyed the mystery of Tzal and the revelations scattered throughout the story.
It took me awhile to get through this book one because I wanted to savor it and two because this isn't a book you can just rush through. It has a lot of layers and nuances to keep track of, all woven together to create a solid story. The characters were fleshed out and felt so real. I really enjoyed the mystery of Tzal and the revelations scattered throughout the story.
April 14, 2025
This is a story I read as it’s a finalist for the #SPFBO this year and I’m a judge.
Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me right from the get-go. I found it a very slow start, a slow middle, and a pretty slow ending too. Personally, I tend to not mind a slow burn, but this just didn’t hook me in enough with other factors like characterisation or plot, I just wasn’t overly interested throughout which really was a shame, as I never managed to ignite a spark of excitement for it.
We follow Azetla (mainly) who is a Jackal, and in this world that’s not a good thing. He’s looked down on by almost everyone, not allowed to do things other people can, not allowed to progress and possess rank, and yet he’s a bit of an anomaly as he does seem to hold some sway over the men in his battalion, and he is very close to the leader of the battalion too.
Azetla seems like an intriguing character when we first meet him, as he’s different to the expectations which the other characters put on him. He defies orders in a way which makes him unique, but not so daring or bold as to need to be challenged as long as he keeps his head down. He’s a character who had a lot of potential, and yet for me he just didn’t quite show up and engage me as much as I wanted.
The other main plot line besides Azetla is the Sahr, and the hunt for them. They are supposedly magic/demon-like beings and the battalion that Azetla is part of are sent to hunt one and bring them back to their leader. This seems like a potential suicide-mission, but the brother to the leader comes along too, which is unusual, and it seems that politicking is taking place whilst the adventure occurs.
The Sahr was by far the most interesting and different of the characters as she is misjudged and misinterpreted time and time again. Her perception and her ability to manipulate and temper people was really nicely done, and I think if this had purely been an adventure to learn about her and her people I would have preferred it. There was, again, a lot of potential here which I liked seeing.
So what went wrong for me, with two characters that could have done a lot to make me like and root for them, I just wasn’t connected?! I found the pacing incredibly dull and slow, and at times it just felt mundane. I suppose long marches across the desert are kind of tedious but for me this read felt very tedious at times and I really did have to force myself through. This is no slight to the author, I think the writing was solid, but the story and characters really didn’t compel me to read on at any stage.
Overall, although I did manage to finish this, it was a struggle and I have no desire to continue the series. I think there’s some potential here which just didn’t quite play out, and that’s a shame, and I see a lot of people who did like it a lot more than I did, which is good. Personally I think if you like a lot of political manoeuvring and a lot of slow slow burn with the pacing then this might work well for you, as it stood the setting was ok, the characters felt like they flopped a little for me, and the plot felt glacial at times. 2*s is being quite generous as I almost gave up on this quite a lot, but I have to concede the writing was good if not my style or tone or pace.
Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me right from the get-go. I found it a very slow start, a slow middle, and a pretty slow ending too. Personally, I tend to not mind a slow burn, but this just didn’t hook me in enough with other factors like characterisation or plot, I just wasn’t overly interested throughout which really was a shame, as I never managed to ignite a spark of excitement for it.
We follow Azetla (mainly) who is a Jackal, and in this world that’s not a good thing. He’s looked down on by almost everyone, not allowed to do things other people can, not allowed to progress and possess rank, and yet he’s a bit of an anomaly as he does seem to hold some sway over the men in his battalion, and he is very close to the leader of the battalion too.
Azetla seems like an intriguing character when we first meet him, as he’s different to the expectations which the other characters put on him. He defies orders in a way which makes him unique, but not so daring or bold as to need to be challenged as long as he keeps his head down. He’s a character who had a lot of potential, and yet for me he just didn’t quite show up and engage me as much as I wanted.
The other main plot line besides Azetla is the Sahr, and the hunt for them. They are supposedly magic/demon-like beings and the battalion that Azetla is part of are sent to hunt one and bring them back to their leader. This seems like a potential suicide-mission, but the brother to the leader comes along too, which is unusual, and it seems that politicking is taking place whilst the adventure occurs.
The Sahr was by far the most interesting and different of the characters as she is misjudged and misinterpreted time and time again. Her perception and her ability to manipulate and temper people was really nicely done, and I think if this had purely been an adventure to learn about her and her people I would have preferred it. There was, again, a lot of potential here which I liked seeing.
So what went wrong for me, with two characters that could have done a lot to make me like and root for them, I just wasn’t connected?! I found the pacing incredibly dull and slow, and at times it just felt mundane. I suppose long marches across the desert are kind of tedious but for me this read felt very tedious at times and I really did have to force myself through. This is no slight to the author, I think the writing was solid, but the story and characters really didn’t compel me to read on at any stage.
Overall, although I did manage to finish this, it was a struggle and I have no desire to continue the series. I think there’s some potential here which just didn’t quite play out, and that’s a shame, and I see a lot of people who did like it a lot more than I did, which is good. Personally I think if you like a lot of political manoeuvring and a lot of slow slow burn with the pacing then this might work well for you, as it stood the setting was ok, the characters felt like they flopped a little for me, and the plot felt glacial at times. 2*s is being quite generous as I almost gave up on this quite a lot, but I have to concede the writing was good if not my style or tone or pace.
December 10, 2024
rtcBy Blood, By Salt swaps out epic spell-slinging for sharp character drama and cultural nuance. J.L. Odom takes readers to the desert sands of Maurow, where survival often comes down to how well you navigate politics, prejudices, and your commanding officer’s death glares.
By Blood, By Salt’s protagonist, Azetla, is the ultimate underdog - a debt soldier clinging to his place in a battalion that barely tolerates him. His knack for staying alive and keeping his battalion in one piece is impressive. He’s no chosen hero—just a man who has survived 13 years of bigotry, bad odds, and life-or-death missions. His arc is gritty, and personal; It’s easy to root for him even when he’s making deals with beings he really shouldn’t trust.
Then there’s James Sivolne, the emperor’s bookish, tea-loving brother dragged into rebellion by his friend Wesley, and a mysterious figure you’ll have to discover for yourself. Their dynamic brings a touch of levity and humanity. There are more players here, but don’t expect to fall in love with every character—beyond Azetla, some personalities fade into the background, and you’ll need time to orient yourself in the sea of names.
The book starts slowly. Odom takes her time building the world—the desert setting, inspired by Middle Eastern cultures, is immersive and beautifully rendered. Language, religion, and social hierarchies are detailed, and it requires time, but also gives the story nuance. While the first quarter may feel like a slog, it’s worth(ish) sticking around. Once the battalion hits the desert, the story shifts into higher gear with tense missions, brutal hardships, and strong political intrigue. With that said, even once the action picks up, some sections still feel bogged down, and the slower moments risk losing your attention.
Ultimately, By Blood, By Salt is a good read if you’re willing to wade through its denser parts. It’s not perfect, but its blend of grit, cultural nuance, and character-driven drama is clearly well-thought-out. Just be patient.
By Blood, By Salt’s protagonist, Azetla, is the ultimate underdog - a debt soldier clinging to his place in a battalion that barely tolerates him. His knack for staying alive and keeping his battalion in one piece is impressive. He’s no chosen hero—just a man who has survived 13 years of bigotry, bad odds, and life-or-death missions. His arc is gritty, and personal; It’s easy to root for him even when he’s making deals with beings he really shouldn’t trust.
Then there’s James Sivolne, the emperor’s bookish, tea-loving brother dragged into rebellion by his friend Wesley, and a mysterious figure you’ll have to discover for yourself. Their dynamic brings a touch of levity and humanity. There are more players here, but don’t expect to fall in love with every character—beyond Azetla, some personalities fade into the background, and you’ll need time to orient yourself in the sea of names.
The book starts slowly. Odom takes her time building the world—the desert setting, inspired by Middle Eastern cultures, is immersive and beautifully rendered. Language, religion, and social hierarchies are detailed, and it requires time, but also gives the story nuance. While the first quarter may feel like a slog, it’s worth(ish) sticking around. Once the battalion hits the desert, the story shifts into higher gear with tense missions, brutal hardships, and strong political intrigue. With that said, even once the action picks up, some sections still feel bogged down, and the slower moments risk losing your attention.
Ultimately, By Blood, By Salt is a good read if you’re willing to wade through its denser parts. It’s not perfect, but its blend of grit, cultural nuance, and character-driven drama is clearly well-thought-out. Just be patient.
June 2, 2025
I'm slowly going through SPFBO winners in no particular order, and it's easy to see how By Blood, By Salt deserves its place. It's almost criminal how good this is for a debut author, and I will definitely be keeping an eye on Odom's future projects and this series in particular.
As Shrek would say, this is all about "layers"; it's an incredibly deep military fantasy full of political and religious intrigue, with complex cultures and social systems.
The main character, Azetla, is extremely likeable, but Odom also does a great job of describing how other characters see him from their own POVs, based on their own social and cultural backgrounds.
It's definitely a book that gets you thinking too; it's been a couple of days since I finished, and it's still swimming around in my head, and I'm still discovering new things.
My only caveat would be if you're looking for classic fantasy (e.g., magic/dragons etc.), this probably isn't it. The world feels very gritty and real and almost reads like historical fiction set in a desert fantasy world! Would highly, highly recommend and can't wait to continue Azetla's journey. In contention for my book of the year so far!
As Shrek would say, this is all about "layers"; it's an incredibly deep military fantasy full of political and religious intrigue, with complex cultures and social systems.
The main character, Azetla, is extremely likeable, but Odom also does a great job of describing how other characters see him from their own POVs, based on their own social and cultural backgrounds.
It's definitely a book that gets you thinking too; it's been a couple of days since I finished, and it's still swimming around in my head, and I'm still discovering new things.
My only caveat would be if you're looking for classic fantasy (e.g., magic/dragons etc.), this probably isn't it. The world feels very gritty and real and almost reads like historical fiction set in a desert fantasy world! Would highly, highly recommend and can't wait to continue Azetla's journey. In contention for my book of the year so far!
December 26, 2025
Absolute banger.
I love indie fantasy and can recommend a ton of them based on what traits, tropes, and styles the reader values. You like X? Here's a recommendation for Y. You like 1, 2, 3? Here's a tailored recommendation of 4, 5, 6. Ultimately, though, there's only a few that I'd recommend blindly and to anyone who lends me their ear: The Price of Power by Michael Michel, The Whisper That Replaced God by Timothy Wolff, and Icebreaker by Steven William Hannah.
By Blood, By Salt has joined that list.
This is astoundingly well crafted. The worldbuilding is so nuanced and fleshed out and REAL. Holy cow.
The characters also leap off the page, especially James. Watching them interact in this world has been an absolute joy.
By Blood, By Salt feels like a quieter Godblind with some dashes of Malazan's scheming and worldbuilding & Abercrombie's character work.
Elite, elite novel. If you've been looking into this novel after it won SPFBO, do not hesitate. It deserves all the praise allotted to it, and I will be prioritizing Odom's work from this day forward
I love indie fantasy and can recommend a ton of them based on what traits, tropes, and styles the reader values. You like X? Here's a recommendation for Y. You like 1, 2, 3? Here's a tailored recommendation of 4, 5, 6. Ultimately, though, there's only a few that I'd recommend blindly and to anyone who lends me their ear: The Price of Power by Michael Michel, The Whisper That Replaced God by Timothy Wolff, and Icebreaker by Steven William Hannah.
By Blood, By Salt has joined that list.
This is astoundingly well crafted. The worldbuilding is so nuanced and fleshed out and REAL. Holy cow.
The characters also leap off the page, especially James. Watching them interact in this world has been an absolute joy.
By Blood, By Salt feels like a quieter Godblind with some dashes of Malazan's scheming and worldbuilding & Abercrombie's character work.
Elite, elite novel. If you've been looking into this novel after it won SPFBO, do not hesitate. It deserves all the praise allotted to it, and I will be prioritizing Odom's work from this day forward
May 7, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That was AN AMAZING READ! I literally loved everything about this book, except the fact that it's very slow-paced in the beginning (Around 80 pages I think before I actually got invested in the plot I think). Personal opinion: I usually don't enjoy books that spend a lot of time on world-building but in this book, it's done quite well + once the book picked up, I couldn't even put it down! I also understand that it's necessary for this book to have had so much world-building, being the 1st in a series and in order to know the world we would be diving into. And Jamie Odom's writing style is CHEF'S KISS! I loved how it was flowerly wherever needed and straight to the point in other places.
"The words were spoken. Now it was up to the One who heard." ✨
Coming to the characters - the most important and the best part of the book in my opinion. I loved how the book was in a multi-POV format, which allowed the readers to connect with each and every character. But those POVs were comparitively vague when it came to our two protagonists (don't get me wrong, I LOVED that is was vague). We never got a full picture of Azetla or the Tzal - although we are in their minds, there are only hints as to who they might be or represent amd what their motives are. Basically, the characters are soo well written that I grew to love them all and care about them (umm maybe I don't care much about cold-hearted Riada but still, you get my point). Especially Azelta, the Tzal, James (the Corra) and Captain Hodge, these characters were PERFECTION, ABSOLUTE PERFECTION 🤌.
"They were each other's mirror image. No wonder they hated each other so desperately."
In short, I loved reading By Blood, By Salt (and I may or may have not underestimated it at the start 😭)! I would definitely recommend this book as it's a must-read for all fantasy lovers, especially if you love military fantasy or want to try it.I mean, what are y'all waiting for? Go buy the book! Not me forgetting that this only releases next week ☠️. Anyways, GET WRITING JAMIE ODOM we need that second book soon and thank you so much for the ARC!
That was AN AMAZING READ! I literally loved everything about this book, except the fact that it's very slow-paced in the beginning (Around 80 pages I think before I actually got invested in the plot I think). Personal opinion: I usually don't enjoy books that spend a lot of time on world-building but in this book, it's done quite well + once the book picked up, I couldn't even put it down! I also understand that it's necessary for this book to have had so much world-building, being the 1st in a series and in order to know the world we would be diving into. And Jamie Odom's writing style is CHEF'S KISS! I loved how it was flowerly wherever needed and straight to the point in other places.
"The words were spoken. Now it was up to the One who heard." ✨
Coming to the characters - the most important and the best part of the book in my opinion. I loved how the book was in a multi-POV format, which allowed the readers to connect with each and every character. But those POVs were comparitively vague when it came to our two protagonists (don't get me wrong, I LOVED that is was vague). We never got a full picture of Azetla or the Tzal - although we are in their minds, there are only hints as to who they might be or represent amd what their motives are. Basically, the characters are soo well written that I grew to love them all and care about them (umm maybe I don't care much about cold-hearted Riada but still, you get my point). Especially Azelta, the Tzal, James (the Corra) and Captain Hodge, these characters were PERFECTION, ABSOLUTE PERFECTION 🤌.
"They were each other's mirror image. No wonder they hated each other so desperately."
In short, I loved reading By Blood, By Salt (and I may or may have not underestimated it at the start 😭)! I would definitely recommend this book as it's a must-read for all fantasy lovers, especially if you love military fantasy or want to try it.
August 5, 2025
Different in the best of ways. Every minute I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it. It left me wanting more and the build up makes me think the best is yet to come.
September 11, 2025
I smell biiig secrets!
This book had my attention immediately and kept me from the rest of my current reads until I finished. If this is her debut, I can't wait to see where her career goes.
This book had my attention immediately and kept me from the rest of my current reads until I finished. If this is her debut, I can't wait to see where her career goes.
March 20, 2024
I devoured this book in 24 hours. It grabbed my attention with the cover and the title and the summary and I just felt the pull, the need to read it.
Part of why it didn't take me much time at all to go through was that the plot is presented to us as straightforward and simple, even if at second and third glance there is much more to it.
The author paints such a clear picture of the world that you can't help but be drawn in. The in-world terms used in different languages, the different races, the political system, the beliefs, all of these together helped build such a vivid backdrop to our characters that you feel as if you are next to them, take part in their journey and share their problems. We don't get lost in all the dialects and tribes however, because the contextual clues are there to help us navigate at all times.
The characters are easily the strongest part of the book, and the multi-POV helped build them and flesh them out as people. I never expected to sympathise with James of all people but here I am secretly rooting for him, even though his character would have been so easy to throw into a stereotypical puppet. And he is a puppet, but he's also a person, and some of us will relate to his wants.
While categorized as fantasy, there aren't a lot of fantasy elements aside from being set in a fantasy world with gods and not-quite-monsters. There is a constant tease of fantastical beings being kept at the back of the reader's mind though.
That brings me to the emphasis on gods and their importance in this world, and to the characters. It is never explained why the protagonist is almost fanatical about upholding tradition and rituals - by himself, never pushing it onto others - but I suppose that is what belief is. Believing without having a clear reason for it. Unconditional.
But that connects to something that I love in this book, which is we never get the full picture of our two protagonists. We are in their mind but their full mind is never revealed to us. There are hints as to who they might be or represent amd what their motives are but we are kept guessing, and even when a crumb is revealed to us, there are bigger implications that keeps us on our toes.
All in all, this story is one I will be thinking about until the next installment is out. I am invested.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Part of why it didn't take me much time at all to go through was that the plot is presented to us as straightforward and simple, even if at second and third glance there is much more to it.
The author paints such a clear picture of the world that you can't help but be drawn in. The in-world terms used in different languages, the different races, the political system, the beliefs, all of these together helped build such a vivid backdrop to our characters that you feel as if you are next to them, take part in their journey and share their problems. We don't get lost in all the dialects and tribes however, because the contextual clues are there to help us navigate at all times.
The characters are easily the strongest part of the book, and the multi-POV helped build them and flesh them out as people. I never expected to sympathise with James of all people but here I am secretly rooting for him, even though his character would have been so easy to throw into a stereotypical puppet. And he is a puppet, but he's also a person, and some of us will relate to his wants.
While categorized as fantasy, there aren't a lot of fantasy elements aside from being set in a fantasy world with gods and not-quite-monsters. There is a constant tease of fantastical beings being kept at the back of the reader's mind though.
That brings me to the emphasis on gods and their importance in this world, and to the characters. It is never explained why the protagonist is almost fanatical about upholding tradition and rituals - by himself, never pushing it onto others - but I suppose that is what belief is. Believing without having a clear reason for it. Unconditional.
But that connects to something that I love in this book, which is we never get the full picture of our two protagonists. We are in their mind but their full mind is never revealed to us. There are hints as to who they might be or represent amd what their motives are but we are kept guessing, and even when a crumb is revealed to us, there are bigger implications that keeps us on our toes.
All in all, this story is one I will be thinking about until the next installment is out. I am invested.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2024
The book started off well but ran out of steam or my interest began to wain as it went on. I still think this should do well in the self published competition its been entered in . Id give it a 3.5 and would give the next book in the series or try depending on how my TBR pile is . Its a military fantasy which starts off really well so might be worth a shot to fans of Sharpe (although theres no romance in it).
March 30, 2025
J.L. Odom’s “By Blood, By Salt” is a highly impressive debut novel, filled with beautiful, evocative prose, a layered and complex world, and some great slow burn relationships. This is also a book that will only appeal to a pretty specific subset of people; if you’re not drawn in by the end of the first chapter, I can’t guarantee that things will ratchet up. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it “love it or hate it, but it’s certainly “enjoy it or meh.”
The positives: Odom writes like a poet. Her prose is gorgeous, lyrical, and evocative. There were whole sentences I savored for their beauty. That said, writing style alone does not make a compelling book for many people, and this kind of thing won’t be to everyone’s taste. The story takes place in a desert setting inspired by Arab cultures (Odom apparently has a background as an Arabic linguist with the military) and, vitally, avoids the tendency of Westerners to exoticize non-Western, non-Christian cultures. As much as the reader learns about the empire of Maurow and its various tribes and vassal states, I was still craving more. The characters, particularly protagonist Azetla (a debt-conscript in a military battalion who, as a member of a pariah tribe, is legally forbidden to lead or carry a weapon, yet has risen in secret to high levels or command) and a mysterious and often alien desert jinn known as “the Sahr,” are intriguing and compelling. I thought maybe I was getting little potential romance-tingles between Azetla and the Sahr, which I definitely trust this author to handle with sensitivity and care, but anything that blossoms is obviously being held for future books.
As I said, this is the author’s first book, and while it is miles better than other debut novels I could name, Odom does have some room to grow as a writer rather than a storyteller. Where I struggled most with the book was the sloooooow pacing and what I can only describe as the overall construction of the book. I don’t expect handholding, but there was something about how the plot unfolded (sloooooowly) that just left me a little disengaged and failed to draw me in as completely as I would have liked. Not everything has to have a standard three-act structure, of course, but for me, the best books are the ones that grab my attention and refuse to let it wander. I just didn’t get that with “By Blood, By Salt”; during the slowest portions of journeying through the desert or internal musing, it took a conscious effort to keep going.
So, in short, incredible prose, fantastic worldbuilding, pretty good characters, plot itself perhaps a bit lacking. To be determined whether I pick up the second book or not, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on J.L. Odom’s future endeavors.
The positives: Odom writes like a poet. Her prose is gorgeous, lyrical, and evocative. There were whole sentences I savored for their beauty. That said, writing style alone does not make a compelling book for many people, and this kind of thing won’t be to everyone’s taste. The story takes place in a desert setting inspired by Arab cultures (Odom apparently has a background as an Arabic linguist with the military) and, vitally, avoids the tendency of Westerners to exoticize non-Western, non-Christian cultures. As much as the reader learns about the empire of Maurow and its various tribes and vassal states, I was still craving more. The characters, particularly protagonist Azetla (a debt-conscript in a military battalion who, as a member of a pariah tribe, is legally forbidden to lead or carry a weapon, yet has risen in secret to high levels or command) and a mysterious and often alien desert jinn known as “the Sahr,” are intriguing and compelling. I thought maybe I was getting little potential romance-tingles between Azetla and the Sahr, which I definitely trust this author to handle with sensitivity and care, but anything that blossoms is obviously being held for future books.
As I said, this is the author’s first book, and while it is miles better than other debut novels I could name, Odom does have some room to grow as a writer rather than a storyteller. Where I struggled most with the book was the sloooooow pacing and what I can only describe as the overall construction of the book. I don’t expect handholding, but there was something about how the plot unfolded (sloooooowly) that just left me a little disengaged and failed to draw me in as completely as I would have liked. Not everything has to have a standard three-act structure, of course, but for me, the best books are the ones that grab my attention and refuse to let it wander. I just didn’t get that with “By Blood, By Salt”; during the slowest portions of journeying through the desert or internal musing, it took a conscious effort to keep going.
So, in short, incredible prose, fantastic worldbuilding, pretty good characters, plot itself perhaps a bit lacking. To be determined whether I pick up the second book or not, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on J.L. Odom’s future endeavors.
September 18, 2025
Beautiful work. I was instantly pulled into the desert world, it was so enrapturing. The politics, intrigue, social divide and characterization were all top-notch. This was a fast read for me because I simply couldn't bring myself to leave any chapter for another day.
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