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The Divine Godsqueen Coda #1
The Godsblood Tragedy
An orphan, without a trueborn name, returns to the city of her birth to uncover her past. Hounded by the servants of the Dark God and dying from the poisonous mist that covers the land, her path leads to one of the magical seals protecting the holy ruin of Eminence.
A father, murdered and reborn, aims to bring down the floating fortress hovering over his homeland. Burdened by loss, he’s willing to sacrifice his soul to free his city and get revenge for the destruction of his family.
A mother, captured and bonded to a daemon, kills in the name of the Dark God so she can free her tortured daughter. Relentless in her vengeance, she hunts the one person who could end her suffering: the man who would destroy her vile master.
A drake, the banished hatchling of a failed advisor, seeks his father’s stolen horns. Untested, he desires to right his father’s wrongs in the eyes of the gods and restore his family’s honor.
As all converge in the occupied desert city where the world’s fuel source is mined, one family’s bond will be tested. Old betrayals will resurface, anger and resentment will flourish, but one thing remains clear: blood rules all.
A father, murdered and reborn, aims to bring down the floating fortress hovering over his homeland. Burdened by loss, he’s willing to sacrifice his soul to free his city and get revenge for the destruction of his family.
A mother, captured and bonded to a daemon, kills in the name of the Dark God so she can free her tortured daughter. Relentless in her vengeance, she hunts the one person who could end her suffering: the man who would destroy her vile master.
A drake, the banished hatchling of a failed advisor, seeks his father’s stolen horns. Untested, he desires to right his father’s wrongs in the eyes of the gods and restore his family’s honor.
As all converge in the occupied desert city where the world’s fuel source is mined, one family’s bond will be tested. Old betrayals will resurface, anger and resentment will flourish, but one thing remains clear: blood rules all.
595 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2024
18 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Bill Adams
6 books88 followersSci-fi/Fantasy author of middle grade and adult, editor, pizza connoisseur, Gooner, Ace, father, he/him
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 1, 2025
Above poisonous air a technological shadowed city. Where dark gods stir. Origins uncovered & winged beasts prowl. The lust for dominance is deadlier still.
A spellbinding steampunk/dark fantasy blend. Full of mystery & wondrous magic.Head spinning action.
Absolutely captivating!
A spellbinding steampunk/dark fantasy blend. Full of mystery & wondrous magic.Head spinning action.
Absolutely captivating!
July 13, 2025
What a rollercoaster of a start to a series. Bill sure has made a world that plays with your head, heart and feelings. I can with my hand on my heart say that i was confused, annoyed, mind-blowed and had a bit headache sometimes, in a good way. I would probably have tossed the book on the wall a few times if it wasn't for the fact that I read it on my Kindle.
This feels like a different type of book then I usually read and a bit harder to understand. So I'm gonna be honest that I struggle a bit with the first 130 pages. This was a fantastic book, but with the heavily and complex world building it took me abit of time before I was on the right track.
What I appreciate in books I'm not used to read is when it's multiple povs. For me it makes it much more easier to keep on track with the book, and I think Bill has done a fantastic job with the character, the flow and the pov rotation. That makes you will always grasp after the next pov that comes, and all of them are fantastic to read about.
I think at this moment this is the best book I read about rebellion and a war that is right around the corner. Where we get to see both sides, with the "good guys" and "bad guys", since we have povs from both places. So if you love that, check it out.
So far this is not a series you can call fast paced, so take your time and I promise the time will be well rewarded. Because for someone this can be something that can take a while to get into, but well rewarded
While this is a fantastic book, it's not everyone I would recommend this too. It has a nice warning page at the start of the book with some different stuff that can trigger someone. And also if you are new to the genre, then it's probably the best to start with something a bit easier before going into this.
This feels like a different type of book then I usually read and a bit harder to understand. So I'm gonna be honest that I struggle a bit with the first 130 pages. This was a fantastic book, but with the heavily and complex world building it took me abit of time before I was on the right track.
What I appreciate in books I'm not used to read is when it's multiple povs. For me it makes it much more easier to keep on track with the book, and I think Bill has done a fantastic job with the character, the flow and the pov rotation. That makes you will always grasp after the next pov that comes, and all of them are fantastic to read about.
I think at this moment this is the best book I read about rebellion and a war that is right around the corner. Where we get to see both sides, with the "good guys" and "bad guys", since we have povs from both places. So if you love that, check it out.
So far this is not a series you can call fast paced, so take your time and I promise the time will be well rewarded. Because for someone this can be something that can take a while to get into, but well rewarded
While this is a fantastic book, it's not everyone I would recommend this too. It has a nice warning page at the start of the book with some different stuff that can trigger someone. And also if you are new to the genre, then it's probably the best to start with something a bit easier before going into this.
November 11, 2024
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes an author will come along and really exceed your expectations on a novel you’ve already been looking forward to. Bill Adam had me glued to the pages with The Godsblood Tragedy so much that I was pestering them with questions and theories throughout only to have my mind blown by the end.
This is a multi-POV contained story about rebellion and hope, and the burdens that come with it, but there are moments where you just want the action to push this forward. Ashe, who doesn’t know her true name, is this mysterious orphan who sets out to uncover her past. Ashe was written brilliantly. A character that had one goal in mind. Emre, somehow murdered and reborn, wants to bring down Gargantuan - the floating city - and will do anything to accomplish this. Cadrianna, captured and bound to a demon, kills in the name of the Dark God. Lojen, a drake out to find his father’s stolen horns and right his father’s wrongs. Lu Har, who reminded me of Fou-Lu from Breath of Fire IV. A malevolent being and one that is the opposite of our characters. Strix, a talking sword! All these were characters so unique but so essential to the story and I cannot wait to see what happens from here.
Bill’s writing was easy to follow but that doesn’t take away from how descriptive this was. There were times that you could really feel the mysterious mist, feel how these characters felt in the heat of things, feel the chains of Gargantuan and its surroundings. The dialogue between characters, especially Strix and Cadrianna, was enjoyable but I was a fan of how Bill described these characters' feelings. There was a sense of these characters being actual people with inner turmoil that led to some rash decisions. We aren’t drip-fed the lore and instead have to piece this together. Bill wants to write this book about these characters whilst giving us hints at the larger story and what worked here was coming to our own conclusions. I like this way of revealing things and Bill masterfully did this.
I was a massive fan of the story here. Bill unravelled things at a steady pace but I just wanted to know more. Who are these Divines? Who is Canlan Carr? What happens in the Void? It’s a testament to Bill's plot that I’m hurrying for the release of book two because I was so invested in each story arc. The ending itself blew my mind and it was so epic. This is one for fans of magic systems such as Sandersons. We have different forms of aethurgy - Soul, Vision, Burn, Shard and Void - and Bill can do so much with this magic system and where it comes from. This is one of those self-contained stories that opens up massively by the end. As much as I rooted for these rebels, and was left completely heartbroken, this is a story that is just getting started and I dread to think what is on the way because I now know that Bill will not hold back.
This is a series I’m completely here in the long run for. Bill Adams has created something incredibly special and I want everything from the Mistlands injected into my DNA from here on. It is a rare piece of work that I’m glad to have given a chance because now I will not be able to get enough of this. Check this one out!
Sometimes an author will come along and really exceed your expectations on a novel you’ve already been looking forward to. Bill Adam had me glued to the pages with The Godsblood Tragedy so much that I was pestering them with questions and theories throughout only to have my mind blown by the end.
This is a multi-POV contained story about rebellion and hope, and the burdens that come with it, but there are moments where you just want the action to push this forward. Ashe, who doesn’t know her true name, is this mysterious orphan who sets out to uncover her past. Ashe was written brilliantly. A character that had one goal in mind. Emre, somehow murdered and reborn, wants to bring down Gargantuan - the floating city - and will do anything to accomplish this. Cadrianna, captured and bound to a demon, kills in the name of the Dark God. Lojen, a drake out to find his father’s stolen horns and right his father’s wrongs. Lu Har, who reminded me of Fou-Lu from Breath of Fire IV. A malevolent being and one that is the opposite of our characters. Strix, a talking sword! All these were characters so unique but so essential to the story and I cannot wait to see what happens from here.
Bill’s writing was easy to follow but that doesn’t take away from how descriptive this was. There were times that you could really feel the mysterious mist, feel how these characters felt in the heat of things, feel the chains of Gargantuan and its surroundings. The dialogue between characters, especially Strix and Cadrianna, was enjoyable but I was a fan of how Bill described these characters' feelings. There was a sense of these characters being actual people with inner turmoil that led to some rash decisions. We aren’t drip-fed the lore and instead have to piece this together. Bill wants to write this book about these characters whilst giving us hints at the larger story and what worked here was coming to our own conclusions. I like this way of revealing things and Bill masterfully did this.
I was a massive fan of the story here. Bill unravelled things at a steady pace but I just wanted to know more. Who are these Divines? Who is Canlan Carr? What happens in the Void? It’s a testament to Bill's plot that I’m hurrying for the release of book two because I was so invested in each story arc. The ending itself blew my mind and it was so epic. This is one for fans of magic systems such as Sandersons. We have different forms of aethurgy - Soul, Vision, Burn, Shard and Void - and Bill can do so much with this magic system and where it comes from. This is one of those self-contained stories that opens up massively by the end. As much as I rooted for these rebels, and was left completely heartbroken, this is a story that is just getting started and I dread to think what is on the way because I now know that Bill will not hold back.
This is a series I’m completely here in the long run for. Bill Adams has created something incredibly special and I want everything from the Mistlands injected into my DNA from here on. It is a rare piece of work that I’m glad to have given a chance because now I will not be able to get enough of this. Check this one out!
April 15, 2025
I'm going to tackle this review a bit differently than I normally do. Mainly because I want to approach it for what it is. BLUF: this was a 4.75/5 for me (easily rounded up to a 5, there's no question it's deserving of it). If you're a fan of either Final Fantasy XII or Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, chances are you'll love this book!!
The Story:
An incredible entry in Bill Adams' dark, twisted, steampunk-esque world that's thriving on rebellion, but shows shades of hope and perseverance throughout. This tale is incredibly multi-layered, to the point it almost feels akin to Inception at some points. The chapters run concurrent to one another, so you'll be pulled through the Gargantuan heist at a breakneck pace and follow along the characters' actions, the parties in each chapter, and all of the nuanced events happening in tune with one another.
The Worldbuilding:
If there was a bible on how to world build something from nothing, Adams would be a key contributor. Admittedly, it took me a while to get into the swing of the setting (I'm a medieval guy who often refers to myself as a "stupid reader" and wants to be handheld as I learn things. There was a great bit of terminology at the beginning that helps give you the pat on the butt you need. The rest of the plane you build in the air! It was so incredibly deep and detailed, everything felt so alive and connected. The heroes, the villians, their arcs, adventures, and relationships were all spun together beautifully.
The Prose:
Think "easy to follow" like Brando Sando, but on an acid trip. You get prose that's so easy to follow and understand, but at the same time (I come back to my inception reference) it's SO DEEP! Bill gives you not only a solid grasp on character personalities and motivations, and does everything in such a way that each character entering from stage left feels new, and exciting. You won't fun the same "run of the mill" formula with Adams' characters, no sir! Everyone has their own voice, their own personality, and they all weave together for a perfectly imperfect cast of characters.
Who I latched on to:
The obvious answer here is Cadrianna and the Strix–hands down an incredible tandem! Cad has such a dark past that makes her who she is, and with the changes in her life (including the binding to the demon), she's equally as conflicted about what's happening as the reader is. This was an awesome duo that I fell in love with, and was eager to see more of each time the chapter headings read "Cadrianna."
Who I didn't care much for:
Understood his motivations, but I just couldn't connect with Lojen for whatever reason. Not that the character's chapters weren't great, because Bill did an awesome job with this part of the story, but I just didn't personally feel drawn to him.
What I didn't like (why I deducted a quarter point):
Because everything was a new concept to me, and so foreign (this is nowhere close to second earth as I usually read), I had a tough time adjusting during the pre-heist pages (roughly 150 or so). It slowed me down to have to read back in a few parts to understand the way things worked. Again, not bad, because Bill was awesome at describing everything, it was just a lot all at once, with quite a few different POVs coming at you in those pages. Again, it just comes with the territory of having such a deep, well thought out world. I found myself getting lost, but again mainly from my personal "dumb reader" sentiment.
Though there were things that slowed me down in the beginning, those were absolutely dashed the moment we began ascending into Gargantua. For anyone who loves deep world building that really activates your imagination, this is the story for you! The woven web of connections and stories brings so much life to this book that you won't regret picking it up!
P.S. - you won't have everything answered for you in this book, and Adams leaves it on a twisted gut punch of a finish.
Now, onto the scale of highest importance: the f**k off scale. *ahem* (mild spoilers)
For the events within Passage One of the Divine Godsblood Coda, Bill Adams is hereby granted 3/5 f**k offs:
1) For making Cadrianna sleep with her boss and not know why. Not drunk, not a one night stand (oh no, this little "no pants dance" has been going on for a while)
2) For interrupting Ashe's personal reflection period with personal desire (I'm a no spice reader, this one snuck up on me - this is the ever elusive and collectible *personal* fuck off)
3) As I alluded to above: "what in the actual f**k did you do to my beloved in the end?
Guess I'll just have to come back for Lady Drakeslayer lol!
The Story:
An incredible entry in Bill Adams' dark, twisted, steampunk-esque world that's thriving on rebellion, but shows shades of hope and perseverance throughout. This tale is incredibly multi-layered, to the point it almost feels akin to Inception at some points. The chapters run concurrent to one another, so you'll be pulled through the Gargantuan heist at a breakneck pace and follow along the characters' actions, the parties in each chapter, and all of the nuanced events happening in tune with one another.
The Worldbuilding:
If there was a bible on how to world build something from nothing, Adams would be a key contributor. Admittedly, it took me a while to get into the swing of the setting (I'm a medieval guy who often refers to myself as a "stupid reader" and wants to be handheld as I learn things. There was a great bit of terminology at the beginning that helps give you the pat on the butt you need. The rest of the plane you build in the air! It was so incredibly deep and detailed, everything felt so alive and connected. The heroes, the villians, their arcs, adventures, and relationships were all spun together beautifully.
The Prose:
Think "easy to follow" like Brando Sando, but on an acid trip. You get prose that's so easy to follow and understand, but at the same time (I come back to my inception reference) it's SO DEEP! Bill gives you not only a solid grasp on character personalities and motivations, and does everything in such a way that each character entering from stage left feels new, and exciting. You won't fun the same "run of the mill" formula with Adams' characters, no sir! Everyone has their own voice, their own personality, and they all weave together for a perfectly imperfect cast of characters.
Who I latched on to:
The obvious answer here is Cadrianna and the Strix–hands down an incredible tandem! Cad has such a dark past that makes her who she is, and with the changes in her life (including the binding to the demon), she's equally as conflicted about what's happening as the reader is. This was an awesome duo that I fell in love with, and was eager to see more of each time the chapter headings read "Cadrianna."
Who I didn't care much for:
Understood his motivations, but I just couldn't connect with Lojen for whatever reason. Not that the character's chapters weren't great, because Bill did an awesome job with this part of the story, but I just didn't personally feel drawn to him.
What I didn't like (why I deducted a quarter point):
Because everything was a new concept to me, and so foreign (this is nowhere close to second earth as I usually read), I had a tough time adjusting during the pre-heist pages (roughly 150 or so). It slowed me down to have to read back in a few parts to understand the way things worked. Again, not bad, because Bill was awesome at describing everything, it was just a lot all at once, with quite a few different POVs coming at you in those pages. Again, it just comes with the territory of having such a deep, well thought out world. I found myself getting lost, but again mainly from my personal "dumb reader" sentiment.
Though there were things that slowed me down in the beginning, those were absolutely dashed the moment we began ascending into Gargantua. For anyone who loves deep world building that really activates your imagination, this is the story for you! The woven web of connections and stories brings so much life to this book that you won't regret picking it up!
P.S. - you won't have everything answered for you in this book, and Adams leaves it on a twisted gut punch of a finish.
Now, onto the scale of highest importance: the f**k off scale. *ahem* (mild spoilers)
For the events within Passage One of the Divine Godsblood Coda, Bill Adams is hereby granted 3/5 f**k offs:
1) For making Cadrianna sleep with her boss and not know why. Not drunk, not a one night stand (oh no, this little "no pants dance" has been going on for a while)
2) For interrupting Ashe's personal reflection period with personal desire (I'm a no spice reader, this one snuck up on me - this is the ever elusive and collectible *personal* fuck off)
3) As I alluded to above: "what in the actual f**k did you do to my beloved in the end?
Guess I'll just have to come back for Lady Drakeslayer lol!
March 24, 2025
What a wild ride!
Bill really gave us a great epic novel here. Huge world, detailed multilayered characters, super interesting magic system.
This is an author who isn't afraid to kill off his characters if the story demands it. However, it's not all doom and gloom...there are flashes of humour that actually made me laugh out loud. There were instances that I was BIG mad at him lol but in the end, everything made so much sense to the story.
While this is a plot driven book, there is no lack of character development. The evil ones are SUPER evil...so easy to hate and no redeeming qualities at all. I love that! The good are flawed and make decisions that straddle the line between good and evil, but every single one is supporting the end game.
So well done!
Bill really gave us a great epic novel here. Huge world, detailed multilayered characters, super interesting magic system.
This is an author who isn't afraid to kill off his characters if the story demands it. However, it's not all doom and gloom...there are flashes of humour that actually made me laugh out loud. There were instances that I was BIG mad at him lol but in the end, everything made so much sense to the story.
While this is a plot driven book, there is no lack of character development. The evil ones are SUPER evil...so easy to hate and no redeeming qualities at all. I love that! The good are flawed and make decisions that straddle the line between good and evil, but every single one is supporting the end game.
So well done!
July 3, 2025
Really entertaining read. Adams' world is deep and rich with lore, taking well-worn tropes and making them feel fresh again. Strong plot all the way through, a slow-burn that fully pays off with an explosive finale that had me eager for what came next.
While some of the character work doesn't reach the same heights as the rest of the book - Ashe in particular, who I found a bit overly edgy - we still get some really memorable leads who leap off the page, Emre especially, with strong depth and complexities throughout.
If you're looking for a fresh new sci-fantasy with some Mistborn vibes, then this is one to give a look.
While some of the character work doesn't reach the same heights as the rest of the book - Ashe in particular, who I found a bit overly edgy - we still get some really memorable leads who leap off the page, Emre especially, with strong depth and complexities throughout.
If you're looking for a fresh new sci-fantasy with some Mistborn vibes, then this is one to give a look.
October 3, 2025
This is an intricate work of world- and character-building and a ripping good time overall. The world is crafted with detail and care; the characters are diverse, interesting, conflicted, imperfect, and vulnerable; the layers of plot—adventure, heist, riot, quest, fight, machination, sex, deception, betrayal, victory, blood, blades, bullets; now repeat—are a pageturning dream; the writing is accessible, peppered with flair, full of nuance and voice. The Godsblood Tragedy was clearly written with love, panache, and energy; and as a series opener, it's a fantastic opening salvo in what is sure to be a riotous series—and an icon of science-fantasy in the coming years.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
June 16, 2025
Well that was an easy 5 stars.
Dense worldbuilding for the first half or so but so worth it. It's all good, especially if you like thick worlds like I do, and it all ties back in really fun (and often surprising) ways.
Once this story picks up, it hits like a freight train. Very well done.
Dense worldbuilding for the first half or so but so worth it. It's all good, especially if you like thick worlds like I do, and it all ties back in really fun (and often surprising) ways.
Once this story picks up, it hits like a freight train. Very well done.
October 16, 2024
Read my full review: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-go...
July 5, 2024
GALLLDDDDIFFFFOOORRR.…
Sorry, wrong book.
"Like sheep you are. A name from the dead and all you can do is bleat."
Surely this isn't the same author who cowrote the whimsical Tanna the Tendersword. The Godsblood Tragedy is a dark, depressing, yet epic journey spanning through multiple POVS. While the scope of the world and cast of characters can seem overwhelming at first, everything really clicks as the story progresses. I had absolutely no idea how everything was going to streamline into a coherent narrative but it all comes together, piece by piece. I caught some of the twists but missed others. If you're big into noticing tiny details there are hints scattered about.
There are a ton of characters (both POV and otherwise) but like the blurb, its easier to focus on the main four: Ashe, Emre, Cadrianna, and Lojen. I was immediately drawn to Lojen because... he is a lizard-man. While he is the better POV character for plot reasons, I enjoyed his sister, Ruane more. Their dynamics with the human characters play off each other perfectly and help add unique qualities to the dialogue and lore. Ashe, Emre, and Cadrianna all have real Mistborn vibes. Emre has that Kelsier "no matter the cost" personality while Ashe is kind of like Vin but with more F bombs and another cuss word that always gets cut off right before the—
Cadrianna is my favorite POV. I'm always drawn to characters that have a god or some divine force (good or bad) chatting through their thoughts. Her demonic blade, Strix is a great addition, and there some really fun back-and-forth between them:
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE HIM, CAD, HE IS A PLUCY ONE."
"Plucky? Do you even know what that word means?
"I'M WELL PLUGGED INTO THE YOUTH THESE DAYS, WITH THE SAYINGS AND SUCH."
It adds some levity to an otherwise super dark world. Sadly enough, despite Strix, Cadrianna's POV is still probably the most brutal. I won't go into spoilers but some of the subject manner is profoundly uncomfortable.
There is too much to touch on everything. The Solanine announcements, Pits, Nocturne, and Fallen drive home how brutal the world is, and the villains are all so horrible. If you're willing to be confused for a few chapters and learn as you go, there is a really special story here. It’s harsh, but the constant melancholy only makes the happier moments all the more satisfying.
"Never forget the truth of who you are."
Sorry, wrong book.
"Like sheep you are. A name from the dead and all you can do is bleat."
Surely this isn't the same author who cowrote the whimsical Tanna the Tendersword. The Godsblood Tragedy is a dark, depressing, yet epic journey spanning through multiple POVS. While the scope of the world and cast of characters can seem overwhelming at first, everything really clicks as the story progresses. I had absolutely no idea how everything was going to streamline into a coherent narrative but it all comes together, piece by piece. I caught some of the twists but missed others. If you're big into noticing tiny details there are hints scattered about.
There are a ton of characters (both POV and otherwise) but like the blurb, its easier to focus on the main four: Ashe, Emre, Cadrianna, and Lojen. I was immediately drawn to Lojen because... he is a lizard-man. While he is the better POV character for plot reasons, I enjoyed his sister, Ruane more. Their dynamics with the human characters play off each other perfectly and help add unique qualities to the dialogue and lore. Ashe, Emre, and Cadrianna all have real Mistborn vibes. Emre has that Kelsier "no matter the cost" personality while Ashe is kind of like Vin but with more F bombs and another cuss word that always gets cut off right before the—
Cadrianna is my favorite POV. I'm always drawn to characters that have a god or some divine force (good or bad) chatting through their thoughts. Her demonic blade, Strix is a great addition, and there some really fun back-and-forth between them:
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE HIM, CAD, HE IS A PLUCY ONE."
"Plucky? Do you even know what that word means?
"I'M WELL PLUGGED INTO THE YOUTH THESE DAYS, WITH THE SAYINGS AND SUCH."
It adds some levity to an otherwise super dark world. Sadly enough, despite Strix, Cadrianna's POV is still probably the most brutal. I won't go into spoilers but some of the subject manner is profoundly uncomfortable.
There is too much to touch on everything. The Solanine announcements, Pits, Nocturne, and Fallen drive home how brutal the world is, and the villains are all so horrible. If you're willing to be confused for a few chapters and learn as you go, there is a really special story here. It’s harsh, but the constant melancholy only makes the happier moments all the more satisfying.
"Never forget the truth of who you are."
November 9, 2024
The Godsblood Tragedy transports you to a streampunk-like, dystopian city rich with tech fueled by magic that seamlessly blends fantasy with bits of sci-fi for an enrapturing, dark, odyssey packed with action, lore, and divine (and Divine) characters.
You know how when you start a book and you're kind of confused and wondering what in the world is happening (in a good way), then it clicks and you're so enthralled you devour the rest of the book at the speed of light? And when you finish, you kind of want to immediately start reading it again because you feel like you likely missed little, tiny details and things, nuance and such, from early on? That was this book for me.
📚 If you like the richly detailed, unique, expansive, and immersive world building that Brandon Sanderson is known for, but want it to be more complex, intricate like MurderBot (Martha Wells) or Malazan (Steven Erikson), with blood and fight scenes on par with The Shadow of the Gods (John Gwynne) and/or The First Law (Joe Abercrombie), meticulous word choices like in The King Killer Chronicles (Patrick Rothfuss)and bits of humor interspersed along the lines of Good Omens (Terry Pratchett) or Martha Wells - this is for you.
It's like Adams took the best parts of all these excellent fantasy authors, put them into his BrainBlender™️ to spin and dice them apart and then together, until it came out as this wonderfully unique and original amalgamation that is The Godsblood Tragedy. I compare them to give an idea of what those aspects are similar-ish to, but this book is 100% it's own expansive, immersive, unique, fully ensorcelling world with a heart, mind, and soul all of its own - all encapsulated within a richly imagined, lore filled, genre bending world.
"The only twist you care about are the ones made of dough and coated in cinnamon."
📖 The plot is exquisite, with carefully crafted twists and turns, and then the shockers and reveals. 🤯
"O a revenge plot," she said jokingly. "I love those."
This is a book you as the reader have to pay attention; it's not a casual, light read. Actually, I think it's more that you get more
intrinsic reading reward for paying attention, but would still get enjoyment if you don't as much. Alliances changing and shifting, tie ins, call backs, making your guesses, etc are the types of things your mind will be juggling.
"The poison fog coalesced, drawn from every nook in the catacombs, forming around her body like a heaving cocoon, soaking in her emotions."
✍️🏼 With rich descriptions, meticulous and intentional word choices, interesting turns of phrases, great (and often witty, funny even) dialogue that fits the characters and reads as natural, this book is truly a gem. A must read for epic fantasy fans.
"I guess this is pretty. A nice place if you enjoy smoldering architecture falling from overhead. "
I love that Adams doesn't force feed the ample lore to readers, but more drops crumbs for you to find. I also love that while the book is a full story in and of itself, Adams masterfully includes pieces that indicate a much bigger world to come. 🧩
Adams is so meticulous, intricate, and intentional in his writing that over 75% of the book one of the MCs tries to say one single sentence, and gets interrupted every time. Until past 75%. It isn't a plot point, just a piece of funny (to me) dialogue, which is part of why I love this aspect. It highlights and encapsulates Adams' storytelling mastery.
⏳️The rate at which you're given new/additional information, plus the varying chapter lengths, the pace moves pretty quickly.
If, or rather when, you feel like you don't know what's going on - trust me, there's a reason and you don't want to rush the early part of the book. Soak it in, fully absorb the world you're being introduced to.
🗺 Adams meticulously builds an intricate world rich in lore that I urge you to take your time exploring (what I wouldn't give to see Drenth on the big screen, or the city floating over it, held in places by gargantuan chains).
🔮 The magic system is beautifully developed and explained, with clear and big drawbacks. I always enjoy elemental magic, and the unique spin Adams gives it is a lot of fun.
👥 These characters ooze personality and nuance. Adams takes time to delve into their often complex emotions, what drives them, making for excellent character studies. The detail and emotion shown in the characters and their relationships with themselves and one another highlight the very real complexities we all face.
The villains are truly villainous. I can't even say I love to hate them, not yet. Especially after that ending. Yet I also want to know more about them.
I'm a sucker for both animal familiars and typically insentient things being sentient, especially when either has humorous dialogue.
Thank you to @billadams_willow_wraith_press and @lovebookstours for the #gifted ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
You know how when you start a book and you're kind of confused and wondering what in the world is happening (in a good way), then it clicks and you're so enthralled you devour the rest of the book at the speed of light? And when you finish, you kind of want to immediately start reading it again because you feel like you likely missed little, tiny details and things, nuance and such, from early on? That was this book for me.
📚 If you like the richly detailed, unique, expansive, and immersive world building that Brandon Sanderson is known for, but want it to be more complex, intricate like MurderBot (Martha Wells) or Malazan (Steven Erikson), with blood and fight scenes on par with The Shadow of the Gods (John Gwynne) and/or The First Law (Joe Abercrombie), meticulous word choices like in The King Killer Chronicles (Patrick Rothfuss)and bits of humor interspersed along the lines of Good Omens (Terry Pratchett) or Martha Wells - this is for you.
It's like Adams took the best parts of all these excellent fantasy authors, put them into his BrainBlender™️ to spin and dice them apart and then together, until it came out as this wonderfully unique and original amalgamation that is The Godsblood Tragedy. I compare them to give an idea of what those aspects are similar-ish to, but this book is 100% it's own expansive, immersive, unique, fully ensorcelling world with a heart, mind, and soul all of its own - all encapsulated within a richly imagined, lore filled, genre bending world.
"The only twist you care about are the ones made of dough and coated in cinnamon."
📖 The plot is exquisite, with carefully crafted twists and turns, and then the shockers and reveals. 🤯
"O a revenge plot," she said jokingly. "I love those."
This is a book you as the reader have to pay attention; it's not a casual, light read. Actually, I think it's more that you get more
intrinsic reading reward for paying attention, but would still get enjoyment if you don't as much. Alliances changing and shifting, tie ins, call backs, making your guesses, etc are the types of things your mind will be juggling.
"The poison fog coalesced, drawn from every nook in the catacombs, forming around her body like a heaving cocoon, soaking in her emotions."
✍️🏼 With rich descriptions, meticulous and intentional word choices, interesting turns of phrases, great (and often witty, funny even) dialogue that fits the characters and reads as natural, this book is truly a gem. A must read for epic fantasy fans.
"I guess this is pretty. A nice place if you enjoy smoldering architecture falling from overhead. "
I love that Adams doesn't force feed the ample lore to readers, but more drops crumbs for you to find. I also love that while the book is a full story in and of itself, Adams masterfully includes pieces that indicate a much bigger world to come. 🧩
Adams is so meticulous, intricate, and intentional in his writing that over 75% of the book one of the MCs tries to say one single sentence, and gets interrupted every time. Until past 75%. It isn't a plot point, just a piece of funny (to me) dialogue, which is part of why I love this aspect. It highlights and encapsulates Adams' storytelling mastery.
⏳️The rate at which you're given new/additional information, plus the varying chapter lengths, the pace moves pretty quickly.
If, or rather when, you feel like you don't know what's going on - trust me, there's a reason and you don't want to rush the early part of the book. Soak it in, fully absorb the world you're being introduced to.
🗺 Adams meticulously builds an intricate world rich in lore that I urge you to take your time exploring (what I wouldn't give to see Drenth on the big screen, or the city floating over it, held in places by gargantuan chains).
🔮 The magic system is beautifully developed and explained, with clear and big drawbacks. I always enjoy elemental magic, and the unique spin Adams gives it is a lot of fun.
👥 These characters ooze personality and nuance. Adams takes time to delve into their often complex emotions, what drives them, making for excellent character studies. The detail and emotion shown in the characters and their relationships with themselves and one another highlight the very real complexities we all face.
The villains are truly villainous. I can't even say I love to hate them, not yet. Especially after that ending. Yet I also want to know more about them.
I'm a sucker for both animal familiars and typically insentient things being sentient, especially when either has humorous dialogue.
Thank you to @billadams_willow_wraith_press and @lovebookstours for the #gifted ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2024
New to me author Bill Adams has me in an absolute choke hold with this epic, high fantasy, high stakes adventure of a start to a series. I mean this book was everything and absolutely more I could want.
I read this in one sitting, have been interested in it for a very long time so when the chance to read and review for a blog tour I was very much all in.
A book with multiple character story lines and plots a plenty I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up to root for any of the characters but the writing style had me hooked.
A story with humour, darkness and a whole lot to love I cannot wait to continue with this series. Massive recommendations for anyone that wants to start their indie or epic fantasy journey this was just a wonderful time. 😊
I read this in one sitting, have been interested in it for a very long time so when the chance to read and review for a blog tour I was very much all in.
A book with multiple character story lines and plots a plenty I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up to root for any of the characters but the writing style had me hooked.
A story with humour, darkness and a whole lot to love I cannot wait to continue with this series. Massive recommendations for anyone that wants to start their indie or epic fantasy journey this was just a wonderful time. 😊
September 24, 2024
I loved this world. A lot of passion went into the creation of this world I can tell. Some really interesting characters. Realise already the book was quite long but maybe some of the side cast could have had a bit more development but maybe that is to come in the future. Not a criticism really, just wanted more Wick!
Very much looking forward to the next instalment.
Very much looking forward to the next instalment.
August 4, 2024
Where to start? You can tell the author spent so much time building this world, creating the very specifics cadences of the dialects for different characters, and creating so many awesome characters. A labor of love, definitely!
This is a chonker of a book and it’s dense, bloody, and not for the faint of heart. I’d say it took 150 pages before I really knew what was going on (and got a feel for the large cast of characters) but one I figured things out, I was hooked! Heists, revenge, creative profanity, and some great character development!
The third act was so good! A breathless pace to the end and a great lead in to book 2!
Full review to come on SFFinsiders.com
This is a chonker of a book and it’s dense, bloody, and not for the faint of heart. I’d say it took 150 pages before I really knew what was going on (and got a feel for the large cast of characters) but one I figured things out, I was hooked! Heists, revenge, creative profanity, and some great character development!
The third act was so good! A breathless pace to the end and a great lead in to book 2!
Full review to come on SFFinsiders.com
November 6, 2024
This is an amazing story! It's told from multiple points of view with quite a few characters but each character is unique, complex and absolutely critical to the story! The writing is absolutely fantastic! You can clearly see the settings, get a clear picture of each character and their emotions! I loved every minute I spent reading this story! There is so much more I want to know and learn about the world, the magic system, the characters and so much more! The ending was great and I can’t wait for the second book! Thank you Love Book Tours and Bill Adams for sharing this book with me!
October 1, 2025
The Godsblood Tragedy was such a fresh and exciting read! I really enjoyed the mix of characters — each POV brought something different to the story, and it never felt repetitive or dull. The world is layered and intriguing, but the writing style makes it easy to follow, so I was never bogged down in heavy info dumps.
I especially appreciated how natural the prose felt — it flows well and makes this a book you can sink into quickly. It balances action, atmosphere, and character moments in a way that kept me hooked from the start.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that felt unique compared to a lot of fantasy I’ve picked up recently. I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel!
I especially appreciated how natural the prose felt — it flows well and makes this a book you can sink into quickly. It balances action, atmosphere, and character moments in a way that kept me hooked from the start.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that felt unique compared to a lot of fantasy I’ve picked up recently. I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel!
February 7, 2025
Baller stuff that really showcases Bill Adams' style, flow, and banter.
A nice mix of Borderlands, Mistborn, & Dune that got me hyped for the sequel!
A nice mix of Borderlands, Mistborn, & Dune that got me hyped for the sequel!
August 1, 2024
Per cucinare un gran piatto non servono solo gli ingredienti, ma anche saperli usare.. perché gli ingredienti sono quasi sempre i soliti, ma è lo chef che fa la differenza... Scrivere un romanzo fantasy è la stessa cosa, gli ingredienti sono quasi sempre i soliti, conta la bravura.. e poi ci sono i grandi chef che usano un sacco di ingredienti strani, che sembrano stonare e poi invece creano un sapore che funziona, che eccita il palato...
Ecco, Adams questo riesce a fare... Prende un sacco di ingredienti strani e li mette insieme: un mondo ricoperto da nebbie velenose, mega-città con mura enormi e possenti aspiratori contro le nebbie, led e neon stile cyber ma alimentati dalla magia, telecamere e schermi, che osservano tutti come una distopia in stile 1984, alianti, cingolati e automi stile steampunk ma sempre alimentati dalla magia, fortezze volanti, draghi, draghi mutaforma, elfi, goblin, orchi ma non usati come nel Classic fantasy, panteon di divinità, dèi e dee, ascendenti, rovine antiche, misteri, esseri mostruosi, spade senzienti, uomini rettili, uomini coniglio, veggenti, profezie, ladri e rapine come i migliori heist fantasy, un sistema magico alla Sanderson, complesso e sfaccettato, il vuoto e le anime dei morti, fucili e pistole come nei flintlock fantasy, personaggi queer, e areonavi, e un botto di altra roba.. Ecco, butta tutto insieme, e cavolo, funziona alla grandissima!!!
E tutto questo solo nel primo terzo dei libro!!!!! Come i migliori chef trasforma il tutto in un eccellente piatto gourmet, che da vita a un dark fantasy moderno, fresco e divertente.. una sorta di Mistborn (perché un po' sì, lo ricorda) ma molto più adulto e con dei risvolti molto oscuri... Una sorta di Mistborn che incontra Richard Morgan e Rob J Hayes..
La parte in cui tirano in mezzo profezie la odio, eppure qui funziona bene, è coerente...
Non mancano riferimenti a film e a altri libri, ma Adams ha creato un prodotto davvero unico.. con uno stile diretto ma nemmeno troppo semplice, molti sinonimi e scelta dei termini affatto banale.. la storia si segue bene, anche se ci sono molti personaggi (4 i principali più altri che si aggiungono via via), perché la storia è quasi tutta dentro un unica città, e la vicenda è tutta collegata.. Una cosa che personalmente apprezzo è quando ti buttano dentro una storia senza spiegarti molto e poi via via metti insieme i pezzi, sia della trama, sia del pluri-sfaccettato Worldbuilding, che del sistema magico.. spesso vengono dette cose o viste cose che non si capiscono, ma col tempo tutto assume un senso davvero epico e intelligente! La trama non è troppo complessa ma nemmeno semplice, alcuni plot twist sono intuibili, ma molti altri no, e comunque ogni tassello va al posto giusto in modo perfetto e progressivo..
A metà c'è una scena in cui si accede alla magia del vuoto... Cavolo!!! Da brividi!!! Pesante e adulta come dovrebbero essere tutti i fantasy per me!!! Adorata!!!!
Anche la parte centrale ha un ritmo ottimo, che non stanca mai, intervallando magnificamente azione cinematografica e scoperte.. e il lavoro sui personaggi diventa davvero ottimo, rendendoli umani e profondi, emozionando e empatizzando con loro!!
Per arrivare poi a una terza parte finale dove ci sono mille ribaltamenti, tradimenti, doppi giochi, tripli giochi, tutto verso un finale epico ed emozionante.. è difficile trovare libri di 600 pagine che non abbia qualche pagina di troppo.. qui invece nulla è in più.. la complessa storia di Adams trova una sua ottima conclusione, anche se non tutte le domande ricevono risposta, e sono curioso di vedere dove porteranno i prossimi volumi!!
Senza dubbio per me una delle migliori letture di questo 2024!!!!
Ecco, Adams questo riesce a fare... Prende un sacco di ingredienti strani e li mette insieme: un mondo ricoperto da nebbie velenose, mega-città con mura enormi e possenti aspiratori contro le nebbie, led e neon stile cyber ma alimentati dalla magia, telecamere e schermi, che osservano tutti come una distopia in stile 1984, alianti, cingolati e automi stile steampunk ma sempre alimentati dalla magia, fortezze volanti, draghi, draghi mutaforma, elfi, goblin, orchi ma non usati come nel Classic fantasy, panteon di divinità, dèi e dee, ascendenti, rovine antiche, misteri, esseri mostruosi, spade senzienti, uomini rettili, uomini coniglio, veggenti, profezie, ladri e rapine come i migliori heist fantasy, un sistema magico alla Sanderson, complesso e sfaccettato, il vuoto e le anime dei morti, fucili e pistole come nei flintlock fantasy, personaggi queer, e areonavi, e un botto di altra roba.. Ecco, butta tutto insieme, e cavolo, funziona alla grandissima!!!
E tutto questo solo nel primo terzo dei libro!!!!! Come i migliori chef trasforma il tutto in un eccellente piatto gourmet, che da vita a un dark fantasy moderno, fresco e divertente.. una sorta di Mistborn (perché un po' sì, lo ricorda) ma molto più adulto e con dei risvolti molto oscuri... Una sorta di Mistborn che incontra Richard Morgan e Rob J Hayes..
La parte in cui tirano in mezzo profezie la odio, eppure qui funziona bene, è coerente...
Non mancano riferimenti a film e a altri libri, ma Adams ha creato un prodotto davvero unico.. con uno stile diretto ma nemmeno troppo semplice, molti sinonimi e scelta dei termini affatto banale.. la storia si segue bene, anche se ci sono molti personaggi (4 i principali più altri che si aggiungono via via), perché la storia è quasi tutta dentro un unica città, e la vicenda è tutta collegata.. Una cosa che personalmente apprezzo è quando ti buttano dentro una storia senza spiegarti molto e poi via via metti insieme i pezzi, sia della trama, sia del pluri-sfaccettato Worldbuilding, che del sistema magico.. spesso vengono dette cose o viste cose che non si capiscono, ma col tempo tutto assume un senso davvero epico e intelligente! La trama non è troppo complessa ma nemmeno semplice, alcuni plot twist sono intuibili, ma molti altri no, e comunque ogni tassello va al posto giusto in modo perfetto e progressivo..
A metà c'è una scena in cui si accede alla magia del vuoto... Cavolo!!! Da brividi!!! Pesante e adulta come dovrebbero essere tutti i fantasy per me!!! Adorata!!!!
Anche la parte centrale ha un ritmo ottimo, che non stanca mai, intervallando magnificamente azione cinematografica e scoperte.. e il lavoro sui personaggi diventa davvero ottimo, rendendoli umani e profondi, emozionando e empatizzando con loro!!
Per arrivare poi a una terza parte finale dove ci sono mille ribaltamenti, tradimenti, doppi giochi, tripli giochi, tutto verso un finale epico ed emozionante.. è difficile trovare libri di 600 pagine che non abbia qualche pagina di troppo.. qui invece nulla è in più.. la complessa storia di Adams trova una sua ottima conclusione, anche se non tutte le domande ricevono risposta, e sono curioso di vedere dove porteranno i prossimi volumi!!
Senza dubbio per me una delle migliori letture di questo 2024!!!!
June 25, 2024
** I received this as an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Godsblood Tragedy certainly does not suffer a lack of scale or ambition. With a diverse and extensive cast of characters, nations, ethos, and orders of players in this story you’re certain to find something that appeals to you. A science fantasy adventure detailing one woman’s search for details about her past and what happens in a world where the villains have already won.
I’m a sucker for a great magic system, and I knew when I read the details of multiple magic systems in the introduction that I’d be hooked. A depth of care and craft went into not only devising them but making them feel distinct from each other and at the same time - powerful. As much as I liked the systems involved the characters are excellently written. The agendas of everyone involved and their personal goals were well realized and I picked up several darlings along the way. I say that, to say this - damn you Bill. I could tell about 2/3 of the way through that it was setting me up for heartbreak and he did not disappoint. I had three or four possibilities rolling in my head about how it would play out but the afterward I did not see coming. It was worse, in the best way possible, than I anticipated.
Getting started with a heist, unique magic systems, and well written characters in a magitech setting is an excellent recipe for getting me hooked on a story and I was going to head off to Twitter to yell at him for making me wait for the next part but I’ve been assured it’s almost done. With that said, I would highly recommend this book and prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that ensues.
The Godsblood Tragedy certainly does not suffer a lack of scale or ambition. With a diverse and extensive cast of characters, nations, ethos, and orders of players in this story you’re certain to find something that appeals to you. A science fantasy adventure detailing one woman’s search for details about her past and what happens in a world where the villains have already won.
I’m a sucker for a great magic system, and I knew when I read the details of multiple magic systems in the introduction that I’d be hooked. A depth of care and craft went into not only devising them but making them feel distinct from each other and at the same time - powerful. As much as I liked the systems involved the characters are excellently written. The agendas of everyone involved and their personal goals were well realized and I picked up several darlings along the way. I say that, to say this - damn you Bill. I could tell about 2/3 of the way through that it was setting me up for heartbreak and he did not disappoint. I had three or four possibilities rolling in my head about how it would play out but the afterward I did not see coming. It was worse, in the best way possible, than I anticipated.
Getting started with a heist, unique magic systems, and well written characters in a magitech setting is an excellent recipe for getting me hooked on a story and I was going to head off to Twitter to yell at him for making me wait for the next part but I’ve been assured it’s almost done. With that said, I would highly recommend this book and prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that ensues.
July 28, 2025
This book was FUN.
Never have I gone so quickly from "what the hell is going on?", to "Sorry I can't come into work today I'm *sick*".
I'll admit the magic and politics took a lot of concentration from my poor little brain at the beginning, but this world is massive and immersive and soon I was in the thick of it. I'm usually not a fan of multi-POV, but it was used expertly here to aid in world building; and to figure out all major players and the threads woven between them all.
The language was a little crass for my poor sensitive soul at times, but the banter was truly lyrical and the characters adorable.
My only complaint was that I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review; but some books need to be held hands. This is one such book. I think I shall wait for the final installment and gift myself some sweet paperbacks.
Never have I gone so quickly from "what the hell is going on?", to "Sorry I can't come into work today I'm *sick*".
I'll admit the magic and politics took a lot of concentration from my poor little brain at the beginning, but this world is massive and immersive and soon I was in the thick of it. I'm usually not a fan of multi-POV, but it was used expertly here to aid in world building; and to figure out all major players and the threads woven between them all.
The language was a little crass for my poor sensitive soul at times, but the banter was truly lyrical and the characters adorable.
My only complaint was that I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review; but some books need to be held hands. This is one such book. I think I shall wait for the final installment and gift myself some sweet paperbacks.
November 8, 2024
This book is a bit Sci-fi and Fantasy. It takes a little while with the world building. However, the action is nearly immediate after that and it does not let up. This is an intense thrill ride with multiple POVs that interconnect over time. It even has a "talking" sword which I love by the way. It is a very bloodthirsty and witty sword. It talks back a lot. Honestly, it reminds me of the axe from Barbaric. Strix, that's the sword's name is by far my favorite. Lightens the very intense mood at times with just the right amount of dark humor in my opinion. The purpose was not necessarily my favorite or the easiest to get into but with that much action, it still very easily grabs your attention.
July 22, 2024
A multi-POV epic urban fantasy that focuses on the fallout from a successful takeover of the city of Drenth by servants of the Dark God.
Ashe is an orphan seeing her past. Emre, toppled royalty now known as the Gutter King, plots for vengeance. Cadrianna is a puppet of the Dark God, bonded to a daemon knife. Lojen is a drake following in his father's footsteps.
The Godsblood Tragedy has it all. From a floating city to blood magic, from criminal heists to grand parties, from sexy villains to sarcastic daggers. There's something here for everyone.
Bill Adams is a master of the English language. With an eye for spectacle, he draws you into the grand city and shows you the blood that was spilled there. The pacing is superb and the characters felt real with earned motivations.
Between the complexity of the world, the prose, the magic, and that there are four primary POVs with two more minor characters we get to see the world through, my biggest complaint about this story was that it took me a hundred or so pages to orient myself and get invested in the characters. But I'm glad I did and you will be too.
Go read The Godsblood Tragedy.
Ashe is an orphan seeing her past. Emre, toppled royalty now known as the Gutter King, plots for vengeance. Cadrianna is a puppet of the Dark God, bonded to a daemon knife. Lojen is a drake following in his father's footsteps.
The Godsblood Tragedy has it all. From a floating city to blood magic, from criminal heists to grand parties, from sexy villains to sarcastic daggers. There's something here for everyone.
Bill Adams is a master of the English language. With an eye for spectacle, he draws you into the grand city and shows you the blood that was spilled there. The pacing is superb and the characters felt real with earned motivations.
Between the complexity of the world, the prose, the magic, and that there are four primary POVs with two more minor characters we get to see the world through, my biggest complaint about this story was that it took me a hundred or so pages to orient myself and get invested in the characters. But I'm glad I did and you will be too.
Go read The Godsblood Tragedy.
April 21, 2025
If you’re looking for a light, easy reading this is not the book for you. This one needs time to be read and digested.
With rich world-building, this story has a complex lore filled with history, legends and an intricate magic system. I am personally not a fan of the idea of technology and magic mixed together, but I thought it was an interesting concept to have machines fuelled by magic elements and Adams has developed this idea seamlessly into the story.
The story also brings to the fore a full cast of diverse characters, each with their own complicated backstories. The bad guys are surely bad, but you can find a set of morally dubious folks along the way, which of course spices things up.
My favourite character is clearly the Strix, because, who does not love a talking demon blade?
With a heart-pumping epic finale that leaves more open questions than at the beginning of the story, fans of epic fantasy must add this one to their reading list!
With rich world-building, this story has a complex lore filled with history, legends and an intricate magic system. I am personally not a fan of the idea of technology and magic mixed together, but I thought it was an interesting concept to have machines fuelled by magic elements and Adams has developed this idea seamlessly into the story.
The story also brings to the fore a full cast of diverse characters, each with their own complicated backstories. The bad guys are surely bad, but you can find a set of morally dubious folks along the way, which of course spices things up.
My favourite character is clearly the Strix, because, who does not love a talking demon blade?
With a heart-pumping epic finale that leaves more open questions than at the beginning of the story, fans of epic fantasy must add this one to their reading list!
July 30, 2024
A truly epic, truly dark fantasy.
This opens with a heist, and it doesn’t let up from then on.
There’s a brilliant magic system that blends a poisonous mist, the elements, and DRAGONS. I especially appreciated that using the magic came with its own dire consequences.
The setting is huge and detailed enough that it feels like a real world. No stone left unturned here.
And the cast—diverse, colorful characters that feel like fully fleshed-out, living people. Love them or hate them (because they aren’t all heroes!), they’re going to make you feel the feelings. My personal favorite is a certain scale-covered cinnamon roll :)
This opens with a heist, and it doesn’t let up from then on.
There’s a brilliant magic system that blends a poisonous mist, the elements, and DRAGONS. I especially appreciated that using the magic came with its own dire consequences.
The setting is huge and detailed enough that it feels like a real world. No stone left unturned here.
And the cast—diverse, colorful characters that feel like fully fleshed-out, living people. Love them or hate them (because they aren’t all heroes!), they’re going to make you feel the feelings. My personal favorite is a certain scale-covered cinnamon roll :)
November 6, 2024
A really good read
The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams.
Passage One of the Divine Godsqueen Coda.
I loved the cover of this book. It's why I signed up. This was a really good read. I had to get used to the writing style. This is a long read. Took me a few days to read this book. It took me a while to get into the world building and to understand it. I do enjoy fantasy and science fiction. I am just getting into fantasy. Just the mention of dragons and demons, and I will read it. I'm looking forward to the next book. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams.
Passage One of the Divine Godsqueen Coda.
I loved the cover of this book. It's why I signed up. This was a really good read. I had to get used to the writing style. This is a long read. Took me a few days to read this book. It took me a while to get into the world building and to understand it. I do enjoy fantasy and science fiction. I am just getting into fantasy. Just the mention of dragons and demons, and I will read it. I'm looking forward to the next book. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
July 30, 2024
I do love a good genre-bending novel and The Godsblood Tragedy is certainly an interesting mix of subgenres - ranging from steampunk/gaslamp tendencies, to epic fantasy to even some science fantasy references. The setting is certainly a grim one - largely centered around a city surrounded by poisonous wasteland, currently being controlled by an oppressive imperial state with a floating fortress sitting over the city to project power, ruled over by someone called 'The Fallen'. All very ominous, and giving an interesting throwback to Rogue One in its imagery to me.
We are also given an intriguing magic system, with different ways of calling magic linked to different aspects (most prominently life and death). This is all tied into some extensive mythologizing with a pantheon of gods. There is a lot of world building fitted into this novel, and the world is an intriguing one.
This is epic fantasy, so there is quite a large cast of characters to follow, and some of them do struggle to stand out. With stories that revolve around murky moralities, which The Godsblood Tragedy is certainly touching into, understanding the motivation for the characters is so important. Some characters (Cadrianna is the standout here) show this extremely well, with the circumstances of their grey morals being extremely well realized. Others are less well developed (evil characters can sometimes descend into caricatures), but the main 'heroic' characters are certainly well developed.
There is an impressive degree of politicking as well, with the planning and foresight displayed by some of the characters leading to extremely clever if somewhat convoluted plots. The impressive Machiavellian nature of Emre and The Fallen plays out like a dance in places with some spectacular choreography. There was a breathless pace that was maintained throughout the story, which is both a positive and a negative. There is certainly plenty of exciting action sequences, but at times it felt that there was a lack of space for the characters to breath, to allow us to really dig into what they were doing. And there was a tendency in the slower sections for the story to become somewhat exposition heavy. This probably comes back to the shear amount of world building and story trying to be crammed into the one book.
There is always a degree of subjectivity to any review. Objectively I can see that what has been written here shows some impressive vision, with the interwoven plotting building to the climactic end of the story. The world, with its mixture of references is satisfyingly different from a lot of what is out there, whilst providing plenty of nods to its own influences. That being said, I struggled to differentiate the voice of some of the characters with it getting a bit to broad in its ambition at times. This was an enjoyable and fun read, I really respect the ambition on display even if it struggled at times to breath.
3.5/5
We are also given an intriguing magic system, with different ways of calling magic linked to different aspects (most prominently life and death). This is all tied into some extensive mythologizing with a pantheon of gods. There is a lot of world building fitted into this novel, and the world is an intriguing one.
This is epic fantasy, so there is quite a large cast of characters to follow, and some of them do struggle to stand out. With stories that revolve around murky moralities, which The Godsblood Tragedy is certainly touching into, understanding the motivation for the characters is so important. Some characters (Cadrianna is the standout here) show this extremely well, with the circumstances of their grey morals being extremely well realized. Others are less well developed (evil characters can sometimes descend into caricatures), but the main 'heroic' characters are certainly well developed.
There is an impressive degree of politicking as well, with the planning and foresight displayed by some of the characters leading to extremely clever if somewhat convoluted plots. The impressive Machiavellian nature of Emre and The Fallen plays out like a dance in places with some spectacular choreography. There was a breathless pace that was maintained throughout the story, which is both a positive and a negative. There is certainly plenty of exciting action sequences, but at times it felt that there was a lack of space for the characters to breath, to allow us to really dig into what they were doing. And there was a tendency in the slower sections for the story to become somewhat exposition heavy. This probably comes back to the shear amount of world building and story trying to be crammed into the one book.
There is always a degree of subjectivity to any review. Objectively I can see that what has been written here shows some impressive vision, with the interwoven plotting building to the climactic end of the story. The world, with its mixture of references is satisfyingly different from a lot of what is out there, whilst providing plenty of nods to its own influences. That being said, I struggled to differentiate the voice of some of the characters with it getting a bit to broad in its ambition at times. This was an enjoyable and fun read, I really respect the ambition on display even if it struggled at times to breath.
3.5/5
July 9, 2025
Ok, ok. Let’s get the jokes over with:
“He finally finished! It took him forever. He’s a turtle reader. Does he even read?” Har har.
Yes, I have finished. Actually, I finished about a month ago (end of February, I think), but I’m not a professional reviewer like everyone else in the Indie book community seems to be (and Bill knows how I feel about his writing and that's all that matters to me), so it took me a bit to gather the courage to review a book written by someone very close to me.
With that said: READ THIS BOOK.
I’m going to start this off with a disclaimer: Bill is my co-author for The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword. The universe brought him to me, and I am very familiar with his style, attitude, motivations, etc. I have a unique perspective coming to this book (I was a critique partner on it or one version of it), and I don’t want anyone reading this to think that somehow sways my rating. I would’ve rated this a 5 if I had no idea who Bill Adams was.
The only problem I had with The Godsblood Tragedy (TGT from here on out) was my own lack of time and commitment to finish this big boy in a timely manner. It's, as the kids say, a legitimate chonker
Bill’s writing style is emotional, visceral, and completely engaging. It’s like he’s talking to you, telling you the story himself, sitting across from you in a leather chair, ale in hand. Ok, I romanticize things, but whatever. That's how I see it.
And boy, what a story.
I don’t know if I read this in another review or if I’m imagining I read it (these days I can't tell), but the following phrase kind of sums it all up:
Every page feels like it was carved out of blood and sand.
This is an ensemble cast of characters--Emre, Ashe, Cadrianna, Finn, Lojen, Evander…each one with some kind of tragic story that sometimes just wrenches you (okay, all the time).
My favorites (of course, to no one’s surprise): the cinnamon-roll Lojen, with Wick (I'm a sucker for strange animal people) and Neenah LeFleur close behind (who needs a novella of her own. Seriously, Bill. Get on it.)
Okay, enough stream of consciousness (this is why I don’t review much)…
Why should you read this? Who is TGT for? List time (I do love a good list): read this if…
* If you like complex books that weave in and out of a connected story
* If you like a big cast of characters with big stories
* If you like rebellions and shocking twists/deaths (!!)
* If you like cool element-ish magic, arm tattoos, neat gods/divinities/whatever
* If you like snarky, naughty banter and edge-of-your-seat fighting and gore
* If you like massive floating cities, mist, and deep, weird hidden lore
* If you like thoughtful prose and well-planned pantser (haha, I joke) plotting
Got it? Good. Go forth, young story hounds and enter Drenth!
Side Note:
I’m currently reading Lady Drakeslayer (Book 2). I’m 15% in as of this moment (I think).
Why am I leaving this little nugget in this review? Because it takes me forever to finish books, and I want everyone to know it’s just as incredible (with a different tone…when I review, I’ll let you know what I mean. Come back in 6 months).
“He finally finished! It took him forever. He’s a turtle reader. Does he even read?” Har har.
Yes, I have finished. Actually, I finished about a month ago (end of February, I think), but I’m not a professional reviewer like everyone else in the Indie book community seems to be (and Bill knows how I feel about his writing and that's all that matters to me), so it took me a bit to gather the courage to review a book written by someone very close to me.
With that said: READ THIS BOOK.
I’m going to start this off with a disclaimer: Bill is my co-author for The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword. The universe brought him to me, and I am very familiar with his style, attitude, motivations, etc. I have a unique perspective coming to this book (I was a critique partner on it or one version of it), and I don’t want anyone reading this to think that somehow sways my rating. I would’ve rated this a 5 if I had no idea who Bill Adams was.
The only problem I had with The Godsblood Tragedy (TGT from here on out) was my own lack of time and commitment to finish this big boy in a timely manner. It's, as the kids say, a legitimate chonker
Bill’s writing style is emotional, visceral, and completely engaging. It’s like he’s talking to you, telling you the story himself, sitting across from you in a leather chair, ale in hand. Ok, I romanticize things, but whatever. That's how I see it.
And boy, what a story.
I don’t know if I read this in another review or if I’m imagining I read it (these days I can't tell), but the following phrase kind of sums it all up:
Every page feels like it was carved out of blood and sand.
This is an ensemble cast of characters--Emre, Ashe, Cadrianna, Finn, Lojen, Evander…each one with some kind of tragic story that sometimes just wrenches you (okay, all the time).
My favorites (of course, to no one’s surprise): the cinnamon-roll Lojen, with Wick (I'm a sucker for strange animal people) and Neenah LeFleur close behind (who needs a novella of her own. Seriously, Bill. Get on it.)
Okay, enough stream of consciousness (this is why I don’t review much)…
Why should you read this? Who is TGT for? List time (I do love a good list): read this if…
* If you like complex books that weave in and out of a connected story
* If you like a big cast of characters with big stories
* If you like rebellions and shocking twists/deaths (!!)
* If you like cool element-ish magic, arm tattoos, neat gods/divinities/whatever
* If you like snarky, naughty banter and edge-of-your-seat fighting and gore
* If you like massive floating cities, mist, and deep, weird hidden lore
* If you like thoughtful prose and well-planned pantser (haha, I joke) plotting
Got it? Good. Go forth, young story hounds and enter Drenth!
Side Note:
I’m currently reading Lady Drakeslayer (Book 2). I’m 15% in as of this moment (I think).
Why am I leaving this little nugget in this review? Because it takes me forever to finish books, and I want everyone to know it’s just as incredible (with a different tone…when I review, I’ll let you know what I mean. Come back in 6 months).
Want to read
November 23, 2024FanFiAddict Indie Author book sale weekend Nov 23-25
November 8, 2024
Tropes:
Elemental magic
daemons
meddling gods
fantasy/ sci-fi creatures
chosen one
poisonous mist
What. A. Journey. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect with The Godsblood Tragedy but I'm so glad I took a chance on it. If you're a fan of Brandon Sanderson, Final Fantasy games, Dune (movie or book), or Guardians of the Galaxy, you're going to enjoy The Godsblood Tragedy.
TGT is an epic fantasy that definitely will proceed with further books. The world building in the first half of this book is massive and you jump right into the heart of the action! The thought and love that was put into it is top-notch. I was a little overwhelmed at first, I'm not very use to world building without hand holding, but it was WORTH IT. I loved it. The fact that this world takes place in the middle of a desert, with a poisonous magical mist, where creatures hold aether, or magic, and there's a GIANT FLOATING ISLAND/CITY that's tethered down just above your city is crazy!
TGT follows the story of a few characters but there are 4 main ones, I'd say. Ashe is a runaway orphan, looking to find her family, dying from being poisoned by the mist. She's became a theft for the gangs and is one of the 2 FMCs. Cadrianna is a mother, bonded to a daemonized knife called Strix. She's become a killer for "The Fallen", the man running the city, in order to save her daughter's life. Emre, is a father, who was once murdered but was brought back to life per the gods. He will do whatever he can to save his city from The Fallen and to also protect his daughter. The last MC for me is Lojen. He's a walking, talking lizard, who is searching for his father's lost horns.
For me, while I loved every character, except The Fallen and his posse, of course, Strix was definitely a favorite of mine. He was so funny and not what you'd expect of a daemon. But I also loved side characters Wick and Finn. Wick reminds me of Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy, only it's rabbit instead of raccoon. The banter between Wick and whoever he's talking to is hilarious. I didn't expect to chuckle reading an epic fantasy but I think that's a reason I like Bill's writing!
Overall, I definitely recommend and I'm going to need book 2 like tomorrow.
Elemental magic
daemons
meddling gods
fantasy/ sci-fi creatures
chosen one
poisonous mist
What. A. Journey. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect with The Godsblood Tragedy but I'm so glad I took a chance on it. If you're a fan of Brandon Sanderson, Final Fantasy games, Dune (movie or book), or Guardians of the Galaxy, you're going to enjoy The Godsblood Tragedy.
TGT is an epic fantasy that definitely will proceed with further books. The world building in the first half of this book is massive and you jump right into the heart of the action! The thought and love that was put into it is top-notch. I was a little overwhelmed at first, I'm not very use to world building without hand holding, but it was WORTH IT. I loved it. The fact that this world takes place in the middle of a desert, with a poisonous magical mist, where creatures hold aether, or magic, and there's a GIANT FLOATING ISLAND/CITY that's tethered down just above your city is crazy!
TGT follows the story of a few characters but there are 4 main ones, I'd say. Ashe is a runaway orphan, looking to find her family, dying from being poisoned by the mist. She's became a theft for the gangs and is one of the 2 FMCs. Cadrianna is a mother, bonded to a daemonized knife called Strix. She's become a killer for "The Fallen", the man running the city, in order to save her daughter's life. Emre, is a father, who was once murdered but was brought back to life per the gods. He will do whatever he can to save his city from The Fallen and to also protect his daughter. The last MC for me is Lojen. He's a walking, talking lizard, who is searching for his father's lost horns.
For me, while I loved every character, except The Fallen and his posse, of course, Strix was definitely a favorite of mine. He was so funny and not what you'd expect of a daemon. But I also loved side characters Wick and Finn. Wick reminds me of Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy, only it's rabbit instead of raccoon. The banter between Wick and whoever he's talking to is hilarious. I didn't expect to chuckle reading an epic fantasy but I think that's a reason I like Bill's writing!
Overall, I definitely recommend and I'm going to need book 2 like tomorrow.
May 31, 2025
DNF at 75%.
Amazing world-building. Such a cool setting. Such cool races. Fun sci-fantasy rogue stuff. But, dang, these characters are boring. And what really does this in is how edgy and adult it is for the sake of being edgy and adult. Not for the sake of good story. Or good characters. But just so the author could say "look for edgy i was". Meh.
Amazing world-building. Such a cool setting. Such cool races. Fun sci-fantasy rogue stuff. But, dang, these characters are boring. And what really does this in is how edgy and adult it is for the sake of being edgy and adult. Not for the sake of good story. Or good characters. But just so the author could say "look for edgy i was". Meh.
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