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The Blood Scouts #2
Drown Deep
Where armies won't go, the Blood Scouts must…
Wild Wish has reluctantly left the front line behind. No more fighting. No more friends. But she's about to get an invitation to a fight no one else dares touch.
There's trouble in the Saints Mire, a strictly neutral land with deep religious history. Here, the secrets of the Prophets are preserved by the foreboding Ten Priories – isolated for centuries, steeped in myth, and now under attack.
A rogue Drail army of veterans, criminals and goblins has invaded, and a reckless company of Comity partisans are itching to stop them. The top brass want nothing to do with it, so it's up to Wild Wish and her new band of ragged misfits to keep things from escalating.
She must brave the heart of a nightmare land harbouring great, hidden power – and even greater hidden threats. Secrets millennia in the making may be exposed – with the potential to change the very shape of the war.
But if Wish can find an opportunity to rebuild The Blood Scouts, maybe it'll be worth it?
Drown Deep is a breakneck return to the Rocc and its epic global get ready for more heart-pumping action and enthralling characters from this unforgettably unsettling world.
Wild Wish has reluctantly left the front line behind. No more fighting. No more friends. But she's about to get an invitation to a fight no one else dares touch.
There's trouble in the Saints Mire, a strictly neutral land with deep religious history. Here, the secrets of the Prophets are preserved by the foreboding Ten Priories – isolated for centuries, steeped in myth, and now under attack.
A rogue Drail army of veterans, criminals and goblins has invaded, and a reckless company of Comity partisans are itching to stop them. The top brass want nothing to do with it, so it's up to Wild Wish and her new band of ragged misfits to keep things from escalating.
She must brave the heart of a nightmare land harbouring great, hidden power – and even greater hidden threats. Secrets millennia in the making may be exposed – with the potential to change the very shape of the war.
But if Wish can find an opportunity to rebuild The Blood Scouts, maybe it'll be worth it?
Drown Deep is a breakneck return to the Rocc and its epic global get ready for more heart-pumping action and enthralling characters from this unforgettably unsettling world.
- GenresFantasy
520 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Phil Williams
25 books139 followersPhil Williams is an author of fantasy, horror and dystopian fiction, including the Blood Scouts epic military fantasies, the Ordshaw urban fantasy thrillers and the post-apocalyptic Estalia series. He also works as a fiction editor and writes reference books to help foreign learners master the nuances of English, two of which are regular best-sellers on Kindle. As a long-term teacher and tutor of advanced English, he runs the popular website “English Lessons Brighton”.
Phil lives with his wife by the coast in Sussex, UK, and spends a great deal of time walking his impossibly fluffy dog, Herbert.
Phil lives with his wife by the coast in Sussex, UK, and spends a great deal of time walking his impossibly fluffy dog, Herbert.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 10, 2025
I love this series! It's a concept based around the idea of a Fantasy World War, with a heavy emphasis on the bortherhood (or sisterhood in this case) that being in that war fosters between soldiers. It feels like the author really understands the source material, which in this case is war stories. The way folk survived the wars, or didn't, and what it turned people into. And yes, there's a big fantastical plot happening at the same time, but it's the characters that really matter, and they shine!
October 29, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Drown Deep is the second novel in the military fantasy series The Blood Scouts, written by Phil Williams; a book that I was really eager to read, as it is the sequel to one of my favourite reads of 2023, However Many Must Die, and it didn't disappoint. Saint Mire, a neutral land with deep religious history, has been invaded by a rogue Drail army, and that will be the reason that will take Wild Wish back to the front.
Wild Wish reluctantly left the action behind; no more fighting meant no more friends, and the experience of being an instructor is not what she expected. However, the invasion of Saint Mire requires an intervention, and what a better person to lead a group into these nightmare lands that Wild Wish; and despite her reluctance to take the leadership of the unit, the opportunity of reviving the Blood Scouts from a band of ragtags overcomes her own doubts.
And they might not be the unit where Wish started her adventures, but the found family sentiment is there; she doesn't consider herself a leader, but we can appreciate how she will do anything in her hand to protect her unit. They are not a conventional group, but Saint Mire neither is; a difficult place where danger is omnipresent, and soon we will see how the Scouts will need to fight against the own nature, and add to the mix that not only the Drail Empire is fighting there, but a partisan group that is trying to defend Saint Mire. And let me tell you, many things have changed from the first book, with a Wish that still thinks about her former mates, but who is ready to take the responsibility.
The worldbuilding is simply amazing, bringing us to a new part of the world, which is characterized by its vast history and how it is related to religion; but not only that, but Williams puts the spotlight to the resistance organized by the own inhabitants of the place. Saint Mire is, at the same time, fascinating but dangerous, plagued by dangerous creatures; you are also captivated by how much lore of the world is introduced during our stay here.
Drown Deep is a sequel that builds much using the previous work done in However Many Must Die, and the whole series is a must read if you like military fantasy; Williams weaves together an epic story with the intimacy and intensity of how Wish cares for other people, and that's some I love. Do yourself a favour and pick this series as soon as possible.
Drown Deep is the second novel in the military fantasy series The Blood Scouts, written by Phil Williams; a book that I was really eager to read, as it is the sequel to one of my favourite reads of 2023, However Many Must Die, and it didn't disappoint. Saint Mire, a neutral land with deep religious history, has been invaded by a rogue Drail army, and that will be the reason that will take Wild Wish back to the front.
Wild Wish reluctantly left the action behind; no more fighting meant no more friends, and the experience of being an instructor is not what she expected. However, the invasion of Saint Mire requires an intervention, and what a better person to lead a group into these nightmare lands that Wild Wish; and despite her reluctance to take the leadership of the unit, the opportunity of reviving the Blood Scouts from a band of ragtags overcomes her own doubts.
And they might not be the unit where Wish started her adventures, but the found family sentiment is there; she doesn't consider herself a leader, but we can appreciate how she will do anything in her hand to protect her unit. They are not a conventional group, but Saint Mire neither is; a difficult place where danger is omnipresent, and soon we will see how the Scouts will need to fight against the own nature, and add to the mix that not only the Drail Empire is fighting there, but a partisan group that is trying to defend Saint Mire. And let me tell you, many things have changed from the first book, with a Wish that still thinks about her former mates, but who is ready to take the responsibility.
The worldbuilding is simply amazing, bringing us to a new part of the world, which is characterized by its vast history and how it is related to religion; but not only that, but Williams puts the spotlight to the resistance organized by the own inhabitants of the place. Saint Mire is, at the same time, fascinating but dangerous, plagued by dangerous creatures; you are also captivated by how much lore of the world is introduced during our stay here.
Drown Deep is a sequel that builds much using the previous work done in However Many Must Die, and the whole series is a must read if you like military fantasy; Williams weaves together an epic story with the intimacy and intensity of how Wish cares for other people, and that's some I love. Do yourself a favour and pick this series as soon as possible.
November 2, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book, but for me it was just not close to the high of However Many Must Die. The first book was a delight, but I felt, with a largely changed cast of characters, too much of the charm was missing. I'm probably sad at that more than disappointed in the book.
Just like in the first book, we are given a muddy, dangerous landscape to experience the horrors of war and the equally horrific beings, be they human or other creatures, embroiled in it. There's a nice twist to the tale as well, and it was a good read, but it remains a step down for me. Hopefully the next Blood Scouts book will be a return to form though, and there were promising signs pointing in that direction as this book closed out.
I enjoyed this book, but for me it was just not close to the high of However Many Must Die. The first book was a delight, but I felt, with a largely changed cast of characters, too much of the charm was missing. I'm probably sad at that more than disappointed in the book.
Just like in the first book, we are given a muddy, dangerous landscape to experience the horrors of war and the equally horrific beings, be they human or other creatures, embroiled in it. There's a nice twist to the tale as well, and it was a good read, but it remains a step down for me. Hopefully the next Blood Scouts book will be a return to form though, and there were promising signs pointing in that direction as this book closed out.
November 5, 2024
Drown Deep by Phil Williams is the second book in the Blood Scouts series, and in my eyes even better than the first!
I adored having Wild Wish as the central character, and seeing her trying to adjust to where life takes her. From being supposed to be an instructor, to a leader, to whatever will be next - it definitely never gets boring around her. Her tone and voice was just super easy for me to fall in love with.
There's a tiny bit of romance, but it fits perfectly well with Wild Wish's character, and didn't detract from the story at all. None of the typical romance tropes, and instead more of a "do I even have time for this?" vibe combined with her confusion about her current place in the world overall gave her a whole other angle. It definitely added to her growth and the character arc over all. If I may remind you, I usually detest romance, so if I think it enhances something, it must be a bit special.
It has been a while since I read the first book, but from memory, this sequel is even bloodier than the first, if only a bit. However it also had me chuckling aloud quite often, which led to strange looks coming my way on a plane. So maybe read this in the comfort of your home, if you have social anxiety like me...
The mix of (dark) humour and gore galore was just immensely entertaining, while the more thought provoking bits gave the book a lot of depth as well.
Combine this with utterly wonderful worldbuilding, and a setting that is nature in its rawest and harshest form, as well as some ancient monasteries, and it's an amazing allrounder.
I adored having Wild Wish as the central character, and seeing her trying to adjust to where life takes her. From being supposed to be an instructor, to a leader, to whatever will be next - it definitely never gets boring around her. Her tone and voice was just super easy for me to fall in love with.
It must’ve taken a series of huge explosions, and indeed a particularly heartless attacker, to destroy such a grand bridge.
“Bloody animals,” Dalliance repeated, shaking his head.
Wish agreed, but silently wondered if the Drail had even done it. It was the sort of thing she could imagine herself doing, even if mostly by accident.
There's a tiny bit of romance, but it fits perfectly well with Wild Wish's character, and didn't detract from the story at all. None of the typical romance tropes, and instead more of a "do I even have time for this?" vibe combined with her confusion about her current place in the world overall gave her a whole other angle. It definitely added to her growth and the character arc over all. If I may remind you, I usually detest romance, so if I think it enhances something, it must be a bit special.
It has been a while since I read the first book, but from memory, this sequel is even bloodier than the first, if only a bit. However it also had me chuckling aloud quite often, which led to strange looks coming my way on a plane. So maybe read this in the comfort of your home, if you have social anxiety like me...
Having been given the quick rundown of the Saints Mire’s generally disagreeable territory,with a particular focus on how brutal the bogs were (and it was mostly bogs), she was informed their best hope was to enter the region via boat, through the delightfully named Paradise Fails. Using the waterways of Paradise Fails, they could easily (as if) reach the equally delightfully named priory of Drowndeep (not one with nuns), before striking out across the land where it was possible to drown.
The mix of (dark) humour and gore galore was just immensely entertaining, while the more thought provoking bits gave the book a lot of depth as well.
Combine this with utterly wonderful worldbuilding, and a setting that is nature in its rawest and harshest form, as well as some ancient monasteries, and it's an amazing allrounder.
October 24, 2024
Fantastic, thrilling follow-up full of rich characters, gruesome monstrosities, and strange locales. The type of book that makes me seethe with jealousy because I wish I'd written it.
December 10, 2024
Thank you to Phil Williams for the e-arc!
*
I adored Wild Wish in However Many Must Die (HMMD) and was thrilled to come back the series and spend more time with her and the remaining blood scouts. That said, I was unsure how Phil Williams would pull off that same magic of HMMD without having Drown Deep- his newest entry in the series, feel like a clone of the first book, but no problem because the story is quite a bit different all-around while still maintaining all the things that made HMMD special to me.
Wish, up until now, has been spending her time away from the frontlines training new recruits to be better marksmen- she’s a little bored, has way too much thinking time, and misses her fellow Scouts fiercely.
All that changes with a request from her late commander, Four Skills, to take a team and go to the boggy region at Saints Mire to find out the what’s and why’s of the Drail Army’s presence in the area- which is a long way from anything important in the grand scale of things in this ongoing war.
The plan is for Wild Wish to lead a newly rebuilt team of Blood Scouts for this venture into the mire and while Wish has serious doubts about her skills as a leader, she secretly hopes with this opportunity she’ll find some of her missing friends along the way.
Her team may not be made up of all women like before, but it is of course, the best ragtag group of misfits the army has to offer.
We do have a few faces from last book in Captain Drade, the dirtminder Emi, and Sergeant Caracker (the Ogre) but there are a lot of new faces joining the party with a couple fresh-faced recruits, and a group of rough around the edges soldiers from the coast called the raw boys.
Wild Wish, is still that hopeful character that I fell in love with last book, but the world is wearing her down and I’m starting to see her rose-coloured glasses beginning to fade. She feels a little more mature here too as she grows into her role of command. But the dreams of her farm, while still there are feeling a little further away in her thoughts and goals than ever before.
I really just enjoyed all the cast; they each added something special and I’d love to talk about every one of them but I’ll just mention a couple others outside of saying how happy I was to have Brade and Emi back.
Harvidare really grew on me. She is someone that grabs your attention right away- she’s smart, personable, and half nuts and I want more of her.
And Bleacher was the one that I never expected to grow an attachment to… what a fun character.
There are so many others but finding your favourites in the story is half the fun.
*
So, you thought those giant spiders in the mountain foothills in HMMD were dangerous? Well, just wait until you see what the bogs have to offer.
I loved how different the battles were in Drown Deep and how this world is totally unpredictable and dangerous.
There were a wide variety of situations in first book, but the bogs offer a whole new set of problems and you just never know when some giant creature is going to slurp a person up with its big sticky tongue. (This had to be one of most horrifying (but fun) moments in the whole book for me. I think this even beat out the scary people-sized spiders from HMMD)
*
I’ll wrap things up before I start spoiling too many goodies by saying- Drown Deep is a solidly entertaining follow-up. It’s just pure fun! I love the characters, I love the setting and world, and I can’t wait to see what upcoming adventures Phil Williams has to offer us in The Blood Scouts series.
*
I adored Wild Wish in However Many Must Die (HMMD) and was thrilled to come back the series and spend more time with her and the remaining blood scouts. That said, I was unsure how Phil Williams would pull off that same magic of HMMD without having Drown Deep- his newest entry in the series, feel like a clone of the first book, but no problem because the story is quite a bit different all-around while still maintaining all the things that made HMMD special to me.
Wish, up until now, has been spending her time away from the frontlines training new recruits to be better marksmen- she’s a little bored, has way too much thinking time, and misses her fellow Scouts fiercely.
All that changes with a request from her late commander, Four Skills, to take a team and go to the boggy region at Saints Mire to find out the what’s and why’s of the Drail Army’s presence in the area- which is a long way from anything important in the grand scale of things in this ongoing war.
The plan is for Wild Wish to lead a newly rebuilt team of Blood Scouts for this venture into the mire and while Wish has serious doubts about her skills as a leader, she secretly hopes with this opportunity she’ll find some of her missing friends along the way.
Her team may not be made up of all women like before, but it is of course, the best ragtag group of misfits the army has to offer.
We do have a few faces from last book in Captain Drade, the dirtminder Emi, and Sergeant Caracker (the Ogre) but there are a lot of new faces joining the party with a couple fresh-faced recruits, and a group of rough around the edges soldiers from the coast called the raw boys.
Wild Wish, is still that hopeful character that I fell in love with last book, but the world is wearing her down and I’m starting to see her rose-coloured glasses beginning to fade. She feels a little more mature here too as she grows into her role of command. But the dreams of her farm, while still there are feeling a little further away in her thoughts and goals than ever before.
I really just enjoyed all the cast; they each added something special and I’d love to talk about every one of them but I’ll just mention a couple others outside of saying how happy I was to have Brade and Emi back.
Harvidare really grew on me. She is someone that grabs your attention right away- she’s smart, personable, and half nuts and I want more of her.
And Bleacher was the one that I never expected to grow an attachment to… what a fun character.
There are so many others but finding your favourites in the story is half the fun.
*
So, you thought those giant spiders in the mountain foothills in HMMD were dangerous? Well, just wait until you see what the bogs have to offer.
I loved how different the battles were in Drown Deep and how this world is totally unpredictable and dangerous.
There were a wide variety of situations in first book, but the bogs offer a whole new set of problems and you just never know when some giant creature is going to slurp a person up with its big sticky tongue. (This had to be one of most horrifying (but fun) moments in the whole book for me. I think this even beat out the scary people-sized spiders from HMMD)
*
I’ll wrap things up before I start spoiling too many goodies by saying- Drown Deep is a solidly entertaining follow-up. It’s just pure fun! I love the characters, I love the setting and world, and I can’t wait to see what upcoming adventures Phil Williams has to offer us in The Blood Scouts series.
March 10, 2025
Quattro stelle piene per questo secondo episodio.. bello, di alta qualità, ma inferiore al primo..
La scrittura di Phil è davvero ottima, riesce a dar vita a personaggi unici e indimenticabili e a rendere ancora più interessante il Worldbuilding già creato..
Rispetto al primo, qua la prima metà è stata un po' poco dinamica, con alcuni interessanti momenti tra le paludi, ma con momenti un po' fermi che avrebbero potuto essere sfoltiti per i miei gusti..
Ho apprezzato il fatto che non ha semplicemente riproposto il format del primo libro.. cambiano quasi tutti i personaggi, a parte Wild Wish, Emi e Brade, la missione è piuttosto diversa e anche la struttura non ripropone quando di già visto.. mi sono un po' mancati i dialoghi frizzanti e irriverenti tra i commilitoni, ma sono state interessanti le dinamiche tra soldati che non si conoscono..
La cosa che mi è piaciuto meno è la quasi totale assenza del sistema magico creato, che è davvero una figata.. a parte un apparizione qua è del tutto assente.. e le paludi con i loro priorati e i vari monasteri erano così tenebrosi e carichi di mistero, che promettevano un risvolto fantasy roboante, ma che poi si sono risolti in un modo che non mi ha pienamente soddisfatto, brusco e poco magico..
Detto ciò, resta un ottimo libro, sperando che nelle prossime avventure il lato fantasy sia un po' più presente, perché tutto il resto è davvero affascinante e divertente..
La scrittura di Phil è davvero ottima, riesce a dar vita a personaggi unici e indimenticabili e a rendere ancora più interessante il Worldbuilding già creato..
Rispetto al primo, qua la prima metà è stata un po' poco dinamica, con alcuni interessanti momenti tra le paludi, ma con momenti un po' fermi che avrebbero potuto essere sfoltiti per i miei gusti..
Ho apprezzato il fatto che non ha semplicemente riproposto il format del primo libro.. cambiano quasi tutti i personaggi, a parte Wild Wish, Emi e Brade, la missione è piuttosto diversa e anche la struttura non ripropone quando di già visto.. mi sono un po' mancati i dialoghi frizzanti e irriverenti tra i commilitoni, ma sono state interessanti le dinamiche tra soldati che non si conoscono..
La cosa che mi è piaciuto meno è la quasi totale assenza del sistema magico creato, che è davvero una figata.. a parte un apparizione qua è del tutto assente.. e le paludi con i loro priorati e i vari monasteri erano così tenebrosi e carichi di mistero, che promettevano un risvolto fantasy roboante, ma che poi si sono risolti in un modo che non mi ha pienamente soddisfatto, brusco e poco magico..
Detto ciò, resta un ottimo libro, sperando che nelle prossime avventure il lato fantasy sia un po' più presente, perché tutto il resto è davvero affascinante e divertente..
February 3, 2025
Drown deep is the second book in this WW1 inspired fantasy world, it was just as epic and gripping as the first! Diving deeper into the worlds politics and religion. The authors world building continues to be incredible with the introduction of new regions and terrifying beasts.
It was nice to see character tie ins from the prequel novela, along side the returning cast from however many must die and new interesting characters.
I wish book three was out already, can't wait to return to the Roc and continue Wish and the scouts journey
It was nice to see character tie ins from the prequel novela, along side the returning cast from however many must die and new interesting characters.
I wish book three was out already, can't wait to return to the Roc and continue Wish and the scouts journey
October 18, 2024
I was sent a pre release copy of this novel, having read the first one in the series and really enjoying it. Drown Deep is a brilliant sequel and thoroughly enjoyable. Beautifully written, the author manages to describe the world he has transported the reader to without detracting from the story or slowing the pace. The characters are believable and there are a few, ‘oh no,’ I can’t believe you did that to him/her, moments. I can’t wait to read the next one!
October 24, 2024
Drown Deep is the second book in his Blood Scouts Series.
In Drown Deep, we meet up again with Wild Wish as she has moved into her new position as a rather bored training instructor. However, she is contacted by Four Skills who has a cunning plan to get the gang back together, travelling to Saints Mire on a recon mission.
Four Skills explains that the neutral Saints Mire has been infiltrated by the Drail and that the Comity need a crack squad to go in and see what the damage is, and by her reckoning, this would lead to any requests to reconvene the Blood Scouts without any question.
The only problem is that Wish would have to be joined by a new group of recruits and the inimitable Captain Brade.
I am sure that I will do this book a great disservice in how good it actually is.
The story is set in a fantasy world that is engaged in a World War scenario. Whilst the book is set in this type of world, there are also strong epic fantasy tones mixed in.
As with the first book, the world that Phil Williams has developed is vivid and feels real and there are elements that seem familiar. There are all the things that you would expect in this type of story and yet they feel utterly alien.
In addition to this, the characters are all good, and it was great to see the relationship between Wish and Brade develop.
In Drown Deep. Phil Williams extends both the world and the setting with the inclusion of Saints Mire. It gives some background to the religions of the world in which the story is set and also give more insight into the Drail as a whole.
As you would expect, the book is pretty grim and gritty, yet Phil Williams manages to interject humour into the story, particularly when Wild Wish has to interact with the new recruits that she has with her on the mission, particularly the ogres who join the merry band.
I don’t know about anyone else that reads this book, but it doesn’t half put me in mind of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe books (obviously set in a fantasy world and a completely different setting), which for me is no bad thing as I love Sharpe, and I am also loving Wild Wish and The Blood Scouts.
Drown Deep is a brilliant sequel to the first book and I cannot wait to see more adventures with Wild Wish and the Blood Scouts.
In Drown Deep, we meet up again with Wild Wish as she has moved into her new position as a rather bored training instructor. However, she is contacted by Four Skills who has a cunning plan to get the gang back together, travelling to Saints Mire on a recon mission.
Four Skills explains that the neutral Saints Mire has been infiltrated by the Drail and that the Comity need a crack squad to go in and see what the damage is, and by her reckoning, this would lead to any requests to reconvene the Blood Scouts without any question.
The only problem is that Wish would have to be joined by a new group of recruits and the inimitable Captain Brade.
I am sure that I will do this book a great disservice in how good it actually is.
The story is set in a fantasy world that is engaged in a World War scenario. Whilst the book is set in this type of world, there are also strong epic fantasy tones mixed in.
As with the first book, the world that Phil Williams has developed is vivid and feels real and there are elements that seem familiar. There are all the things that you would expect in this type of story and yet they feel utterly alien.
In addition to this, the characters are all good, and it was great to see the relationship between Wish and Brade develop.
In Drown Deep. Phil Williams extends both the world and the setting with the inclusion of Saints Mire. It gives some background to the religions of the world in which the story is set and also give more insight into the Drail as a whole.
As you would expect, the book is pretty grim and gritty, yet Phil Williams manages to interject humour into the story, particularly when Wild Wish has to interact with the new recruits that she has with her on the mission, particularly the ogres who join the merry band.
I don’t know about anyone else that reads this book, but it doesn’t half put me in mind of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe books (obviously set in a fantasy world and a completely different setting), which for me is no bad thing as I love Sharpe, and I am also loving Wild Wish and The Blood Scouts.
Drown Deep is a brilliant sequel to the first book and I cannot wait to see more adventures with Wild Wish and the Blood Scouts.
November 15, 2025
The Blood Scouts 02 Drown Deep by Phil Williams
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
In this story, the main character is thrust even further into the leadership role for The Blood Scouts (or what's left of the group women of snipers). Now, she is leading men, and even men Ogres...which she's not too pleased with herself, or whether she's able to lead this band of misfits.
She's an amazing sniper, but that's a lonely and solitary profession/skill. Leading others in battle is not a skill that everyone can do. She's able to prove her ability, which was a task harder than she thought, but now...can she lead them on this current mission? That's the big question.
In this story, the old insecurities pop up, and she's now faced with an alternate desire to find the lost soldiers/snipers from The Blood Scouts, that have been missing from the last battle (from the first book in the series).
Throw in some religious beliefs that a few in this world believe, a few other forces in this ONGOING war...that have different beleifs and purposes in why they are fighting this war...and you have a new conflict. Do you trust the man that has been assigned to your troop...as the negotiator? or do you think he's going to get himself, our hero and the people she's leading killed because of his arrogance? It could and might happen. You'll see...if you read this novel.
Also, there is a person that Wish meets that confuses her, and she doesn't know how to decifer whether this person is on her/their side, OR whether the person is even sane. Yeah...it isn't easy to know and when to trust ANYONE.
Great battle sequences, and the individual conflicts and fighting styles and skills. Really interesting. Also, Game of Thrones style of leaving characters that you grow to love, dying in the muck...as the story progresses forward. This author really knows how to "kill his darlings", that's for sure.
Next up is The Blood Scouts 03 A Winter's Mercy by Phil Williams...which just came out in early November 2025. Woohoo!
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
In this story, the main character is thrust even further into the leadership role for The Blood Scouts (or what's left of the group women of snipers). Now, she is leading men, and even men Ogres...which she's not too pleased with herself, or whether she's able to lead this band of misfits.
She's an amazing sniper, but that's a lonely and solitary profession/skill. Leading others in battle is not a skill that everyone can do. She's able to prove her ability, which was a task harder than she thought, but now...can she lead them on this current mission? That's the big question.
In this story, the old insecurities pop up, and she's now faced with an alternate desire to find the lost soldiers/snipers from The Blood Scouts, that have been missing from the last battle (from the first book in the series).
Throw in some religious beliefs that a few in this world believe, a few other forces in this ONGOING war...that have different beleifs and purposes in why they are fighting this war...and you have a new conflict. Do you trust the man that has been assigned to your troop...as the negotiator? or do you think he's going to get himself, our hero and the people she's leading killed because of his arrogance? It could and might happen. You'll see...if you read this novel.
Also, there is a person that Wish meets that confuses her, and she doesn't know how to decifer whether this person is on her/their side, OR whether the person is even sane. Yeah...it isn't easy to know and when to trust ANYONE.
Great battle sequences, and the individual conflicts and fighting styles and skills. Really interesting. Also, Game of Thrones style of leaving characters that you grow to love, dying in the muck...as the story progresses forward. This author really knows how to "kill his darlings", that's for sure.
Next up is The Blood Scouts 03 A Winter's Mercy by Phil Williams...which just came out in early November 2025. Woohoo!
January 4, 2025
Drown Deep is book 2 in Phil Williams’ WW1 inspired dark fantasy series and a rollercoaster of a read.
Following the events of book 1, the infamous Blood Scouts lay divided and separated across various fronts. Wild Wish trains the next generation of snipers for combat but a surprise visit from an old comrade pushes her in a new direction. A mysteries letter addressed to the Blood Scouts from the neutral land of the Saints Mire threatens to open a new front in the war.
Wild Wish must rebuild the Blood Scouts from the ground up and determine if this mysterious group of partisans are truly aligned with Stanciff against the Drail or have their own motivations. In a barren, monstrous land, the reformed Blood Scouts fight for their lives to unearth a mystery and stop a deranged maniac from unleashing the power of a magical weapon.
Another great read from the author. Fantastic characters, intriguing setting, and plenty of action. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
Following the events of book 1, the infamous Blood Scouts lay divided and separated across various fronts. Wild Wish trains the next generation of snipers for combat but a surprise visit from an old comrade pushes her in a new direction. A mysteries letter addressed to the Blood Scouts from the neutral land of the Saints Mire threatens to open a new front in the war.
Wild Wish must rebuild the Blood Scouts from the ground up and determine if this mysterious group of partisans are truly aligned with Stanciff against the Drail or have their own motivations. In a barren, monstrous land, the reformed Blood Scouts fight for their lives to unearth a mystery and stop a deranged maniac from unleashing the power of a magical weapon.
Another great read from the author. Fantastic characters, intriguing setting, and plenty of action. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
February 16, 2025
A satisfying follow up story for Wild Wish. With a new ragtag set of Scouts to command and old friends hopefully to reunited with, Wish is called to Saints Mire a land of religious legend and as inhospitable as any on Rocc. Now in command Wish is up against a dangerous shifting landscape and political and religious ideologies. Enough to keep anyone unsteady. Another brilliant book.
November 5, 2024
This is an absolutely mammoth adventure! A great continuation of the plot & story, masses of action, mayhem & violence, in this well crafted, dystopian, fantasy adventure. It is really well written, so many twists & turns, it almost had my head spinning! A really great read!
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