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Blood & Fur #1
The Last Emperor: A Progression Fantasy Epic
To survive, this sorcerer must gain the power to destroy the Gods...
Each year, the Nightlords choose a new Emperor to rule Yohuachanca. Delicious food graces his palate. The realm’s most beautiful women fill his vast palace. Four priestesses counsel him in all matters. The life of an emperor is good, luxurious, and short...
For at the year’s end, he is sacrificed to the Nightlords under the light of the Scarlet Moon.
Iztac is the piss-poor orphan chosen to be this year’s emperor. A sacrifice bound for the altar.
But the Nightlords have made a mistake this time. For Iztac is a sorcerer, whose soul journeys into the secret underworld to plunder the secret spells of the dead. There, in the darkness, hides the power to drag the Nightlords off their throne.
He has a year to find it, or perish for good.
Iztac may not be the first emperor, but he will be the last.
Don't miss this action-packed Progression Fantasy saga with a unique spin from Maxime J. Durand, bestselling author of Vainqueur the Dragon, The Perfect Run, and Apocalypse Tamer.
Each year, the Nightlords choose a new Emperor to rule Yohuachanca. Delicious food graces his palate. The realm’s most beautiful women fill his vast palace. Four priestesses counsel him in all matters. The life of an emperor is good, luxurious, and short...
For at the year’s end, he is sacrificed to the Nightlords under the light of the Scarlet Moon.
Iztac is the piss-poor orphan chosen to be this year’s emperor. A sacrifice bound for the altar.
But the Nightlords have made a mistake this time. For Iztac is a sorcerer, whose soul journeys into the secret underworld to plunder the secret spells of the dead. There, in the darkness, hides the power to drag the Nightlords off their throne.
He has a year to find it, or perish for good.
Iztac may not be the first emperor, but he will be the last.
Don't miss this action-packed Progression Fantasy saga with a unique spin from Maxime J. Durand, bestselling author of Vainqueur the Dragon, The Perfect Run, and Apocalypse Tamer.
578 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2024
287 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 12, 2024
I read a good chunk of this book on royal road previously so I was able to get through this quick.
So the premise and overall plot line was super interesting. I like the world and all the characters. The underworld and Gods components are interesting. The book is amazing as a concept but its overall execution was lacking for me
This book suffers from a lot of telling not showing. Theres sooooo much talking and not enough action. There was hardly any purely action scenes, which is super surprised coming from the author who wrote The Perfect Run. So even though I was interested in the plot I found myself desperate for something big to happen. So big event or set piece. Some cool fight or anything. I felt this way about the Commerce emperor too so maybe thats just his style now.
I probably won’t be continuing with the series tbh. I just need more bite and grit in my stories
So the premise and overall plot line was super interesting. I like the world and all the characters. The underworld and Gods components are interesting. The book is amazing as a concept but its overall execution was lacking for me
This book suffers from a lot of telling not showing. Theres sooooo much talking and not enough action. There was hardly any purely action scenes, which is super surprised coming from the author who wrote The Perfect Run. So even though I was interested in the plot I found myself desperate for something big to happen. So big event or set piece. Some cool fight or anything. I felt this way about the Commerce emperor too so maybe thats just his style now.
I probably won’t be continuing with the series tbh. I just need more bite and grit in my stories
November 9, 2024
So I supposed Apocalypse Tamer was the writing style, but after trying all the other books it appears to be this. There are obviously people who like it a great deal, and I’m glad they enjoy it. For me it seems pompous and a bit dull. Fun not allowed kind of books. Not what I like at all. I guess I will stop trying the author’s books, no reflection on their writing it’s just not for me.
September 16, 2024
Simply Divine…Horror
This gives the same vibe as the authors other short series, Underland. Not sure if I’m referencing the right work, but simply put I love the horrific, yet potent tale Maxime Durand was able to accomplish. He is a skilled writer and cannot wait to read the next installment and his other works.
This gives the same vibe as the authors other short series, Underland. Not sure if I’m referencing the right work, but simply put I love the horrific, yet potent tale Maxime Durand was able to accomplish. He is a skilled writer and cannot wait to read the next installment and his other works.
September 20, 2024
It’s a Maxime J. Durand book alright... I loved "The Perfect Run," really liked "Vainquer the Dragon," but "Apocalypse Tamer" was a bit too silly for me. To give you an idea of my tastes. I thought this book was pretty ok, but probably not "for me."
I had a really hard time with the Aztec names of characters, deities, places, etc. especially when listening to the audiobook without the text in front of me. This book was basically a love letter to Aztec mythology like the Percy Jackson books are for Greek mythology.
It starts off really slowly, but by the end of the book I do want to know what happens next. Not enough to immediately buy book 2, but I will likely get it later when all of my favorite series are out of new books.
I had a really hard time with the Aztec names of characters, deities, places, etc. especially when listening to the audiobook without the text in front of me. This book was basically a love letter to Aztec mythology like the Percy Jackson books are for Greek mythology.
It starts off really slowly, but by the end of the book I do want to know what happens next. Not enough to immediately buy book 2, but I will likely get it later when all of my favorite series are out of new books.
November 27, 2024
I recommend this series with some pretty big caveats to it.
Why I like this so much, it's an intense story in a not often used fantasy setting with a compelling start and driven characters. The main character is certainly not one to be reactive and aggressively tries to act on the world with some pushback and the author does a good job of having other characters in the setting pushing their own agendas and plots.
This story does a great job of setting the stakes so high and the results so grim, that you feel the rage through the pages at what has been and will be done. The main character I would argue leans a bit too level headed and logical for their age if anything but they still make plenty of very reasonable errors with good justifications. All in all a very good back and forth game where nobody can tell the truth(the whole truth) not even to their allies if they want to get out alive.
Now for the caveat, Harem is present no matter how logical, and there is weird sex stuff (French author) no matter again...how logical or how well it's woven into the plot.
Caveat 2 the writing is good but at the same moment this is still a fairly quick written novel it was a webnovel after all so temper your expectations for each book being written in like a 4-5 month span along side another book being written.
Why I like this so much, it's an intense story in a not often used fantasy setting with a compelling start and driven characters. The main character is certainly not one to be reactive and aggressively tries to act on the world with some pushback and the author does a good job of having other characters in the setting pushing their own agendas and plots.
This story does a great job of setting the stakes so high and the results so grim, that you feel the rage through the pages at what has been and will be done. The main character I would argue leans a bit too level headed and logical for their age if anything but they still make plenty of very reasonable errors with good justifications. All in all a very good back and forth game where nobody can tell the truth(the whole truth) not even to their allies if they want to get out alive.
Now for the caveat, Harem is present no matter how logical, and there is weird sex stuff (French author) no matter again...how logical or how well it's woven into the plot.
Caveat 2 the writing is good but at the same moment this is still a fairly quick written novel it was a webnovel after all so temper your expectations for each book being written in like a 4-5 month span along side another book being written.
January 12, 2025
Great Aztec mythology and magic, a little too racy
This is the best exploration of Aztec mythology in a fantasy setting I have ever encountered. There are some typos (misspelling Xibalba and Xilbaba, and nightlord as nighlord) but the writing is otherwise very good. There’s a lot of blood and guts and human sacrifice, as is expected in an Aztec story. The Nahuatl and cultural references are stellar and fairly accurate as far as I can tell. My only gripe is that the scenes with the emperor’s consorts/concubines are a little too explicit. It’s historically accurate, but I would’ve preferred it to be a little cleaner. I was also a big fan of including empires like the Sapa (Inca) and the Three Rivers, and I thought combining the Aztec and Mayan empires into one mega empire was logical enough for the fantasy setting. I was also a big fan of dinosaurs being casually included, and the extremely accurate mesoamerican diet that is represented— tomatoes, potatoes, tortillas, corn, fish, turkeys, llama, bison, deer, avocados, chocolate, vanilla, beans, chiles, etc. There’s also almost no obvious LitRPG elements— the progression is very seamless and natural.
This is the best exploration of Aztec mythology in a fantasy setting I have ever encountered. There are some typos (misspelling Xibalba and Xilbaba, and nightlord as nighlord) but the writing is otherwise very good. There’s a lot of blood and guts and human sacrifice, as is expected in an Aztec story. The Nahuatl and cultural references are stellar and fairly accurate as far as I can tell. My only gripe is that the scenes with the emperor’s consorts/concubines are a little too explicit. It’s historically accurate, but I would’ve preferred it to be a little cleaner. I was also a big fan of including empires like the Sapa (Inca) and the Three Rivers, and I thought combining the Aztec and Mayan empires into one mega empire was logical enough for the fantasy setting. I was also a big fan of dinosaurs being casually included, and the extremely accurate mesoamerican diet that is represented— tomatoes, potatoes, tortillas, corn, fish, turkeys, llama, bison, deer, avocados, chocolate, vanilla, beans, chiles, etc. There’s also almost no obvious LitRPG elements— the progression is very seamless and natural.
June 7, 2025
This book is probably the darkest book I have ever read, and I'm an avid fan of horror books in general.
But don't take this as an insult, quite the contrary, most disturbing stories make the mistake of weaving meaningless horror for shock value, here this isn't the case, you honestly feel how terrifying the villains are, how little humanity they have left, and how intense the stakes are, any mistake and you simply know that the worst of the worst can happen while death would be a blessing.
For the negative reviews, please understand that this book is heavily with politics and schemes, of a similar tone of game of thrones and similars, the action exists but it comes with buildup and context first.
But don't take this as an insult, quite the contrary, most disturbing stories make the mistake of weaving meaningless horror for shock value, here this isn't the case, you honestly feel how terrifying the villains are, how little humanity they have left, and how intense the stakes are, any mistake and you simply know that the worst of the worst can happen while death would be a blessing.
For the negative reviews, please understand that this book is heavily with politics and schemes, of a similar tone of game of thrones and similars, the action exists but it comes with buildup and context first.
October 15, 2024
Amazingly Different
A breath of fresh air. A dark, adult, Mesoamerican fantasy story. I have been looking for a break from white knight, Norse or Greek themed, practically juvenile stories for a while and this story hit just the right spot. As much as I enjoy this author's other stories like Vanqueur, this is my new favorite book by him. Characters make sense, have unique abilities and themes, and encounter morally ambiguous scenarios that are not magically solved by a third party. Highly recommend if looking for something a little darker and more adult than most other "progression" fantasy stories out there.
A breath of fresh air. A dark, adult, Mesoamerican fantasy story. I have been looking for a break from white knight, Norse or Greek themed, practically juvenile stories for a while and this story hit just the right spot. As much as I enjoy this author's other stories like Vanqueur, this is my new favorite book by him. Characters make sense, have unique abilities and themes, and encounter morally ambiguous scenarios that are not magically solved by a third party. Highly recommend if looking for something a little darker and more adult than most other "progression" fantasy stories out there.
January 6, 2025
It's only because I enjoyed some of the author's previous books that I'm giving this a try.
The name makes it sound like some furry novel.
Hmm. The author wrote a Greek Epic litrpg. I wonder if this is an Aztec one. I was never really interested in the Aztec Gods (too much sacrifice), so I never followed the mythos. I just know a few names of their Gods.
I'm halfway through and not liking this. I don't think I will continue the series when I'm done. It's nice that the author took the Aztec mythos and put a spin on it . But this isn't my cup of tea, and was a slog to swallow.
3/5 Stars
The name makes it sound like some furry novel.
Hmm. The author wrote a Greek Epic litrpg. I wonder if this is an Aztec one. I was never really interested in the Aztec Gods (too much sacrifice), so I never followed the mythos. I just know a few names of their Gods.
I'm halfway through and not liking this. I don't think I will continue the series when I'm done. It's nice that the author took the Aztec mythos and put a spin on it . But this isn't my cup of tea, and was a slog to swallow.
3/5 Stars
September 21, 2024
A beautiful and haunting tapestry blending Aztec, fantasy and horror in a compelling and imaginative work. This is one you might struggle to put down.
I’m not always a fan of dark fantasy / horror as it can feel a bit too masochistic at times, I have none of those issues here thankfully even while the story can get rather dark at times it still remains a treat.
Very creative, imaginative and filled with quite possibly the most horrific depiction of vampires I’ve so far encountered in literature.
I’m not always a fan of dark fantasy / horror as it can feel a bit too masochistic at times, I have none of those issues here thankfully even while the story can get rather dark at times it still remains a treat.
Very creative, imaginative and filled with quite possibly the most horrific depiction of vampires I’ve so far encountered in literature.
September 13, 2024
Audiobook review:
Very entertaining book! I really enjoyed the novelty of an original fantasy world. It took me a while to get used to the religious and cultural references, but as soon as I did that’s when the story took off for me. The author also created characters with meaningful and realistic motives given their often grim circumstances. The audible narration was also really well done. I’m definitely going to read the rest on royalroad.
A solid 4/5
Very entertaining book! I really enjoyed the novelty of an original fantasy world. It took me a while to get used to the religious and cultural references, but as soon as I did that’s when the story took off for me. The author also created characters with meaningful and realistic motives given their often grim circumstances. The audible narration was also really well done. I’m definitely going to read the rest on royalroad.
A solid 4/5
October 7, 2024
I liked this book quite a bit. There’s a bit too much mature content for me personally, but I think the premise is so cool that I can get over it. It’s so cool to see a book with magic based on magic from Central America, like I’m a little sick of seeing the same old same old and this was refreshing. It was a little sad though, it doesn’t feel happy.
May 12, 2025
Good, not great. But like most of Maxime Durand's work, I still want to keep up with the story. His writing has something new and different that other LitRPG writers don't have - a sort of realism about them makes relationships and power-plays in the books seem authentic. I may get the next book if it's on sale.
September 12, 2024
Vampires Aztec
A man is chosen as a emperor \sacrifice. He is determined to rebel and thwart them and even attempt to kill the cruel blooddrinkers. But they are might and image but overwhelming powerful. But he is determined to try
A man is chosen as a emperor \sacrifice. He is determined to rebel and thwart them and even attempt to kill the cruel blooddrinkers. But they are might and image but overwhelming powerful. But he is determined to try
March 2, 2025
I went into this book essentially blind. I knew nothing beyond the title and the author's previous works. I was shocked by how much this story connected with me. I never knew I needed more Aztec inspired fantasy until I stumbled on this. This book is like Coco with a lot more human sacrifice
March 22, 2025
Try as I might it was hard to put down
It is by its nature a dystopian novel, hard to describe and at times brutal to read. Yet that is what has made it an entertaining read, not my normal style of reading but nevertheless here I am writing a review. Yes buying the next book.
It is by its nature a dystopian novel, hard to describe and at times brutal to read. Yet that is what has made it an entertaining read, not my normal style of reading but nevertheless here I am writing a review. Yes buying the next book.
September 12, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5
October 14, 2024
Quite dark and slow building, but I really enjoyed the Aztec vampire setting the book explores.
January 15, 2025
DNF 25%
Just not me
Just not me
didn-t-like-it
March 23, 2025Note to self: Didn't like that audiobook narrator.
May 13, 2025
Tried it twice and finally checked it in DNF pile.
May 28, 2025
Too much damn talking to himself, just move on already
June 1, 2025
Slow and steady
I found this book really slow, and it did not keep my interest. I will keep reading this series mostly because I want to know if it gets better.
I found this book really slow, and it did not keep my interest. I will keep reading this series mostly because I want to know if it gets better.
July 21, 2025
Seemed like something I would like, but just didn't grab me.
January 2, 2026
this was way more epic fantasy than i expected. the whole book covers only about a week. there is a lot of detail, a lot going on.
i enjoyed it more than i thought i would.
i enjoyed it more than i thought i would.
March 21, 2026
loved the characters, pace and story building
was 🤌
was 🤌
September 22, 2025
3.5 — started strong, became less suspenseful and chilling over time as the protagonist gained power and momentum. At some point, it became clear that there would be no more significant losses or risks in the book, and I skimmed the last few chapters as the story coasted to a clean, sunshine-and-rainbows ending (in contrast to the messy, blood-spattered opening).
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews