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The Bloodbaths
Crixus Oraan is a water artesan, an engineer who builds aqueducts and piping for bathhouses and mansions in the empire of Rond (which bears a resemblance to our own Roman Empire). His guild has entrusted him with a large sum of gold to establish a branch in the up-and-coming coastal town of Restia. In a misguided effort to win enough gold to buy a lavish house for his new fiancé Kharrina, he loses the guild's gold in a card game. A shady sea captain present at the game-and possibly responsible for fleecing him-offers to sneak him off to the wild and mysterious continent of Minq. Afraid to lose his status in society for his crime, he agrees, hoping to gain back the gold he lost and compensate the guild back in Rond. In this first volume in the bold new Aqua Pura Trilogy, Crixus finds employment with the Lamiae of Nistru, a cruel society where those at the top bathe in the lifeblood of those on the bottom. Will his conscience allow him to finish the job? By turns dark, comedic, erotic and thrilling, The Bloodbaths is a book that transcends genre to stand on its own.
- GenresFantasy
376 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 30, 2009
A historical dark fantasy with one of the best twists, and presentations, of vampires that I have ever come across. I simply love how the lamiae are utterly supernatural, dark, and inhuman, and yet remain completely relatable. The world is wonderfully rich with details, familiar and fantastical, and the style of writing captured me.
I listened to the free podiobook version, and I must say it is one of the vary best podiobooks I've ever listened too in terms of production quality - the clarity of audio, the music, and Veronica Giguere is a wonderful narrator.
I highly enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone interested.
I listened to the free podiobook version, and I must say it is one of the vary best podiobooks I've ever listened too in terms of production quality - the clarity of audio, the music, and Veronica Giguere is a wonderful narrator.
I highly enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone interested.
August 10, 2012
Note on my edition: I downloaded this great book from manybooks.net for free on my Kindle. There's no option for me to change my edition to an ebook, so this will have to suffice. The ebook edition is missing many passages which I'm sure are present in the print edition. The most common problem was sentences or dialogue with italics being cut off, though I can't say this was the rule. This obviously detracted from the overall reading experience and maybe the author can look into getting this broken transcription fixed.
As I said, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Crixus is an very likable protagonist, even in his extreme folly. The world was rich and well thought out without any over the top or meandering prose. The point where one finally realizes how this hapless plumber's tale will intersect with vampires had me grinning with genuine anticipation. The villains were delightful in their brutality, and as a well seasoned reader of horror, appreciated their ability to make me grimace in disgust. The ending felt somewhat rushed (not the mention bleak) but I would certainly continue this series. Where's book two?
As I said, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Crixus is an very likable protagonist, even in his extreme folly. The world was rich and well thought out without any over the top or meandering prose. The point where one finally realizes how this hapless plumber's tale will intersect with vampires had me grinning with genuine anticipation. The villains were delightful in their brutality, and as a well seasoned reader of horror, appreciated their ability to make me grimace in disgust. The ending felt somewhat rushed (not the mention bleak) but I would certainly continue this series. Where's book two?
June 12, 2008
This was an excellent book, featuring an unlikely hero and interesting characters on the whole. The exposition was minimal and the cultures seemed well portrayed. On a whole, I enjoyed the book. While I must say that there was a couple chapters in which I was yelling at the protagonist to avoid a certain mistake, It was well done.
It has also been released in a free audiobook form at Podiobooks.com where I listened to it. Planning on buying the hardcopy.
It has also been released in a free audiobook form at Podiobooks.com where I listened to it. Planning on buying the hardcopy.
August 13, 2011
A great roller coaster ride. The main character was strong and inspiring, making the best of bad situations, but being all together human and easy to understand. Would highly recomend, puts plumbers in a whole new light.
June 9, 2008
While this isn't my genre usually, I really enjoyed this book. I don't really think all parts of it should be read while in the tub though.
June 24, 2008
Starts a bit slow and keeps you completely off balance. It's never quite what you think for a vampire novel.
September 9, 2010
A different view of vampires. They are the dominate, tyrannical race and do not have to hide in the shadows and feed openly of the serfs who work the land
February 13, 2015
Over 2 hours of listening & 5 chapters in, I just could not get interested into this story. I found it boring, others may like it though.
March 2, 2016
...that's it?
Well ok.
Interesting setting. Sexist tropes abound and became distracting. Promising but very amateur offering from Libbey.
Well ok.
Interesting setting. Sexist tropes abound and became distracting. Promising but very amateur offering from Libbey.
May 7, 2016
Where is the sequel?
August 9, 2019
I just could not get interested into this story. I found it boring, others may like it though
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews