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Blood of the Banshee: Part I
Part I of this dark fantasy novella begins the complete first book of Blood of the Banshee. This is Part 1 of a 5-part serial novella. It ends on a cliffhanger.
If you prefer complete books, the full volume will be released after Part 5.
When a banshee-blooded outlaw is snatched in a crowded inn, she becomes leverage in a legal battle amongst the Valariels of Sanctaris. Bindings hold her between life and death, and rival orders contest her fate. The Justarin demands custody while others fight to spare her.
Zaras, a battle-worn elf turned bounty hunter who nearly captured her, wakes in rioting Nocturnis, stabbed and choking on sewage. Auralon, exhausted from purging plagues, returns to Sanctaris to find the girl cocooned in spell-thread as his mentor faces a trial mired in politics.
Across the world of Elisar, dragons vanish, necromancy resurges, and plagues are spreading like ink in rainwater.
Blood of the Part One blends grim magic, political intrigue and gritty, character-driven drama. For readers who enjoy their fantasy unpredictable, their heroes flawed, and their antagonists certain they’re right.
Content The path through Lunaaris and Sanctaris is paved with violence, corruption, and death. Blood of the Banshee is written for mature readers and contains dark, emotionally heavy themes throughout.
If you prefer complete books, the full volume will be released after Part 5.
When a banshee-blooded outlaw is snatched in a crowded inn, she becomes leverage in a legal battle amongst the Valariels of Sanctaris. Bindings hold her between life and death, and rival orders contest her fate. The Justarin demands custody while others fight to spare her.
Zaras, a battle-worn elf turned bounty hunter who nearly captured her, wakes in rioting Nocturnis, stabbed and choking on sewage. Auralon, exhausted from purging plagues, returns to Sanctaris to find the girl cocooned in spell-thread as his mentor faces a trial mired in politics.
Across the world of Elisar, dragons vanish, necromancy resurges, and plagues are spreading like ink in rainwater.
Blood of the Part One blends grim magic, political intrigue and gritty, character-driven drama. For readers who enjoy their fantasy unpredictable, their heroes flawed, and their antagonists certain they’re right.
Content The path through Lunaaris and Sanctaris is paved with violence, corruption, and death. Blood of the Banshee is written for mature readers and contains dark, emotionally heavy themes throughout.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 16, 2025
This is an ARC Review. I'd say its a 3.5/5.
I love fantasy and have read a lot of the genre. Despite this, I found this novella challenging to read. This is not a recommended read for those new to the genre.
The writing itself is well done. I appreciate the world and character building. The way it was written made it easy to recreate everything in my imagination. I found the plot interesting and I was eager to meet the characters.
But, the details and subplots included are overwhelming and too much for a novella. The alternating POVs lead to more questions without answers. The characters are in two different places, with different scenarios and conflicts, surrounded by different characters whose backgrounds are not established. The readers are given varying amount if information and minimal context. The missing information affects the overall flow of the story and the reader experience.
It reads more like an unfinished novel rather than a novella. Maybe starting the series with a novel where characters and plots can be established would have been a better option for this series. I am hopeful that the following books will redeem this one and give the readers a better experience.
I love fantasy and have read a lot of the genre. Despite this, I found this novella challenging to read. This is not a recommended read for those new to the genre.
The writing itself is well done. I appreciate the world and character building. The way it was written made it easy to recreate everything in my imagination. I found the plot interesting and I was eager to meet the characters.
But, the details and subplots included are overwhelming and too much for a novella. The alternating POVs lead to more questions without answers. The characters are in two different places, with different scenarios and conflicts, surrounded by different characters whose backgrounds are not established. The readers are given varying amount if information and minimal context. The missing information affects the overall flow of the story and the reader experience.
It reads more like an unfinished novel rather than a novella. Maybe starting the series with a novel where characters and plots can be established would have been a better option for this series. I am hopeful that the following books will redeem this one and give the readers a better experience.
October 20, 2025
Blood of the Banshee: Part One - T.J. Hassall
I'm a bit torn writing this review because the concept really drew me in but it didn't keep me reeled in the way I'd hoped. A story about a banshee overall was right up my alley & honestly not something I've seen done before so amazing job to the author on narrowing sights on something we haven't seen! Within the first chapter I grasped the idea of what they were going for but was overwhelmed with so many terms I didn't understand because there wasn't a natural progression to the world building. We were kind of thrown in & expected to know what all of these terms meant for a first novel to a series. The changes in POVs during the chapters also were a bit difficult to follow. I feel like for a novella the chapters could have been split up a bit more to understand which POV we were looking at & wouldn't really matter much if the number of chapters went from 7 to 37 due to the length. It felt like so much was being put into the pages to ram into one chapter when realistically it just made me feel like I had to read the same lines over again to make sure I was on the same page & following the right POV. I do think the base of this plot has serious potential & very well may be opening the rest of this series to be outstanding & I'm looking forward to continuing this story! A bounty hunter chasing a banshee he let slip through his fingers? I need to know how this goes!
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC & getting to experience this world. I'm looking forward to seeing more! 💛
I'm a bit torn writing this review because the concept really drew me in but it didn't keep me reeled in the way I'd hoped. A story about a banshee overall was right up my alley & honestly not something I've seen done before so amazing job to the author on narrowing sights on something we haven't seen! Within the first chapter I grasped the idea of what they were going for but was overwhelmed with so many terms I didn't understand because there wasn't a natural progression to the world building. We were kind of thrown in & expected to know what all of these terms meant for a first novel to a series. The changes in POVs during the chapters also were a bit difficult to follow. I feel like for a novella the chapters could have been split up a bit more to understand which POV we were looking at & wouldn't really matter much if the number of chapters went from 7 to 37 due to the length. It felt like so much was being put into the pages to ram into one chapter when realistically it just made me feel like I had to read the same lines over again to make sure I was on the same page & following the right POV. I do think the base of this plot has serious potential & very well may be opening the rest of this series to be outstanding & I'm looking forward to continuing this story! A bounty hunter chasing a banshee he let slip through his fingers? I need to know how this goes!
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC & getting to experience this world. I'm looking forward to seeing more! 💛
October 16, 2025
Blood of the Banshee: Book 1 - 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this book as an advanced reader copy, and would like to thank to author and their team for doing so!
I’m honestly not sure how to rate this book, because I spent most of it feeling a bit confused about what was going on.
First off—and this might just be a me thing—the layout made it hard to read. Some paragraphs were only one or two sentences long, while others were a single line of dialogue followed by a short paragraph in the same exchange. It made the story feel choppy and difficult to follow. I’ve noticed some books now use extra spacing between every paragraph instead of standard indentation, but I’m not sure if that’s just a stylistic choice or an attempt to make the book longer. Either way, the formatting disrupted the flow for me and made it hard to stay immersed.
The story alternates between two POVs, but it felt like there was either too much detail in some places or not enough in others. One character is a bounty hunter who doesn’t do much bounty hunting, while the other is a healer who, well, heals. There’s also a banshee—but, she only appears for a very small portion of the book. Then in the final chapter, we’re suddenly introduced to two completely new characters without any context, which left me even more confused.
There are mentions of Velarians, riots, and the undead, but none of these elements are clearly explained. Why are the people rioting? Who are they rioting against? What role do the undead play? It all felt a bit scattered, and I struggled to piece it together.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is stunning, and the idea of a story centered around a banshee really intrigued me—it’s such a unique concept! But in the end, I was left unsure of what I had just read.
Still, I’d say give it a try. It might not have worked for me, but it could absolutely be someone else’s cup of tea.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy, and would like to thank to author and their team for doing so!
I’m honestly not sure how to rate this book, because I spent most of it feeling a bit confused about what was going on.
First off—and this might just be a me thing—the layout made it hard to read. Some paragraphs were only one or two sentences long, while others were a single line of dialogue followed by a short paragraph in the same exchange. It made the story feel choppy and difficult to follow. I’ve noticed some books now use extra spacing between every paragraph instead of standard indentation, but I’m not sure if that’s just a stylistic choice or an attempt to make the book longer. Either way, the formatting disrupted the flow for me and made it hard to stay immersed.
The story alternates between two POVs, but it felt like there was either too much detail in some places or not enough in others. One character is a bounty hunter who doesn’t do much bounty hunting, while the other is a healer who, well, heals. There’s also a banshee—but, she only appears for a very small portion of the book. Then in the final chapter, we’re suddenly introduced to two completely new characters without any context, which left me even more confused.
There are mentions of Velarians, riots, and the undead, but none of these elements are clearly explained. Why are the people rioting? Who are they rioting against? What role do the undead play? It all felt a bit scattered, and I struggled to piece it together.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is stunning, and the idea of a story centered around a banshee really intrigued me—it’s such a unique concept! But in the end, I was left unsure of what I had just read.
Still, I’d say give it a try. It might not have worked for me, but it could absolutely be someone else’s cup of tea.
October 16, 2025
I was grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC, and I can see the potential in the story and its characters. The concept is intriguing, and the cast of characters has a lot of depth and personality that kept me curious about where things were headed.
That said, I found the beginning a bit chaotic and hard to follow. The pacing felt uneven at times, and the narrative jumped around in a way that made it difficult to stay grounded in the story. Once I adjusted to the style, I was able to appreciate the unique ideas and emotional undercurrents the author was exploring.
Overall, it’s a creative read with interesting characters, but it could benefit from a smoother start and clearer transitions.
That said, I found the beginning a bit chaotic and hard to follow. The pacing felt uneven at times, and the narrative jumped around in a way that made it difficult to stay grounded in the story. Once I adjusted to the style, I was able to appreciate the unique ideas and emotional undercurrents the author was exploring.
Overall, it’s a creative read with interesting characters, but it could benefit from a smoother start and clearer transitions.
October 3, 2025
I was given an ARC copy of this before publishing. The world building was great, the characters were good but I am assuming they will be developed in the next books.
I loved the way it jumped from place/character it kind of reminded me of Joe Abercrombie books that I loved. I just struggled to grasp the plot. I do wish to read the next book as I have a feeling things will become more clearer as it progresses.
I loved the way it jumped from place/character it kind of reminded me of Joe Abercrombie books that I loved. I just struggled to grasp the plot. I do wish to read the next book as I have a feeling things will become more clearer as it progresses.
October 12, 2025
Received as an ARC. This was okay, some interesting things happened, although I’m not entirely sure how everything is connected to the entire plot. There was a lot of characters and the POVs switched often considering how short the read was.
I believe that perhaps it may make more sense as addition parts of this story is released.
I believe that perhaps it may make more sense as addition parts of this story is released.
October 19, 2025
‘Valariels dont show fear’
ARC read
Blood of the banshee - TJ Hassall
Thank you so much for letting me have a sneaky peek at this read as part of the ARC read.
By chapter 3 I was hooked into part one of this novella fantasy series! I could not put it down and was left with so many questions i hope we find the answers to soon.
Elfs? 🧝♀️ of course
Orcs? 🧌 well why on earth not
Dragons?🐉-high in the sky
Magic? ✨ - absolutely
This new fantasy world follows multiple characters as their fates intertwine.
Auralon ⚕️-can he keep the Valariels safe from troubled waters?
Zaras 🗡️ - lone ranger vibes with a troubled mind
Maggie ⚓️- I NEED to know more!
My Favourite character was Urlir and Gaarth, for reasons you MUST read to find out!
ARC read
Blood of the banshee - TJ Hassall
Thank you so much for letting me have a sneaky peek at this read as part of the ARC read.
By chapter 3 I was hooked into part one of this novella fantasy series! I could not put it down and was left with so many questions i hope we find the answers to soon.
Elfs? 🧝♀️ of course
Orcs? 🧌 well why on earth not
Dragons?🐉-high in the sky
Magic? ✨ - absolutely
This new fantasy world follows multiple characters as their fates intertwine.
Auralon ⚕️-can he keep the Valariels safe from troubled waters?
Zaras 🗡️ - lone ranger vibes with a troubled mind
Maggie ⚓️- I NEED to know more!
My Favourite character was Urlir and Gaarth, for reasons you MUST read to find out!
October 21, 2025
I really liked this book, received it as my first ever ARC and was not disappointed, the world building was brilliant and the way the author writes is fantastic, gripping and keeps you hooked.
The only reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars is purely because on a personal level, I struggle with character names and places being hard to read and pronounce but that is the only thing I struggled with during this read.
Cannot wait to see what the rest of the series has in store!
The only reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars is purely because on a personal level, I struggle with character names and places being hard to read and pronounce but that is the only thing I struggled with during this read.
Cannot wait to see what the rest of the series has in store!
October 21, 2025
Blood of the Banshee serves as the opening act in what promises to be an expansive and detailed fantasy saga set in a gritty world currently being devoured by conflict.
It’s a short and snappy read that might’ve benefited from slightly more focus on fewer main characters, but it did an overall commendable job of setting the stage for the larger plot.
We follow 3 main protagonists, though the third, Maggie, only appears in the last chapter of this first part. The other 2, Zaras the bounty hunter and Auralon, a mage, are unknowingly bound by their paths colliding with the same banshee-blooded prisoner. They were both engaging and interesting characters, with Zaras being slightly more complex due to the unsettling visions he suffers and how these visions cause danger to himself and those around him. His chapters were also injected with an empathetic degree of cynicism, and I very much got the sense of someone who’s seen enough of this dark world to have accepted his lot in now trudging through it.
The third MC, Maggie, was intriguing for the brief time she was on-page. Stuck on an island with only the company of a dead man, she was portrayed as being pragmatic but fearful, competent but reluctant. I’m not yet sure what her part is in the wider story, but I was captivated by her predicament and am interested to learn how she found herself with a supposedly reanimated corpse as her servant.
The writing style itself deserves a special mention. This is a dark world, and so the focus of the descriptions was always on the grimy and the grim. Action sequences delivered their punches with force and efficiency, and the rest of the prose was knife-sharp and brutal. There’s a particular scene that involves a tavern full of dead bodies, and suffice to say the descriptions were intense and visceral.
I also really enjoyed how, even in this short span, the standard fantasy races are being subverted. For example, Zaras encounters an orc, Ulrir, who, rather than being the brutish beast a fantasy veteran might expect, was actually very calm and helpful. Zaras and Auralon are themselves elves, but the Tolkien-esque serenity of stereotypical fantasy elves is thankfully missing here, and instead we’re provided with Zaras’s cynicism and Aurlon’s out-of-his-depth-competence.
My only real nitpick is the number of characters we’re already following here. The novella isn’t quite long enough to sustain 3 POV characters, and the fact it’s only the first part means there isn’t yet any resolution for any of the 3. Judging from other reviews, this can be somewhat overwhelming.
I wish Blood of the Banshee had been a little bit longer to allow for more time spent with the characters. I also feel that Maggie’s introduction could’ve been withheld until a later part, to allow for this part of the story to focus on just Zaras and Auralon. Although I didn’t find the number of characters to be a huge deterrent (as it’s the kind of book where you have to pay attention), I can see where it’s weakening the narrative slightly.
Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m excited to see what direction the narrative takes in later instalments.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
It’s a short and snappy read that might’ve benefited from slightly more focus on fewer main characters, but it did an overall commendable job of setting the stage for the larger plot.
We follow 3 main protagonists, though the third, Maggie, only appears in the last chapter of this first part. The other 2, Zaras the bounty hunter and Auralon, a mage, are unknowingly bound by their paths colliding with the same banshee-blooded prisoner. They were both engaging and interesting characters, with Zaras being slightly more complex due to the unsettling visions he suffers and how these visions cause danger to himself and those around him. His chapters were also injected with an empathetic degree of cynicism, and I very much got the sense of someone who’s seen enough of this dark world to have accepted his lot in now trudging through it.
The third MC, Maggie, was intriguing for the brief time she was on-page. Stuck on an island with only the company of a dead man, she was portrayed as being pragmatic but fearful, competent but reluctant. I’m not yet sure what her part is in the wider story, but I was captivated by her predicament and am interested to learn how she found herself with a supposedly reanimated corpse as her servant.
The writing style itself deserves a special mention. This is a dark world, and so the focus of the descriptions was always on the grimy and the grim. Action sequences delivered their punches with force and efficiency, and the rest of the prose was knife-sharp and brutal. There’s a particular scene that involves a tavern full of dead bodies, and suffice to say the descriptions were intense and visceral.
I also really enjoyed how, even in this short span, the standard fantasy races are being subverted. For example, Zaras encounters an orc, Ulrir, who, rather than being the brutish beast a fantasy veteran might expect, was actually very calm and helpful. Zaras and Auralon are themselves elves, but the Tolkien-esque serenity of stereotypical fantasy elves is thankfully missing here, and instead we’re provided with Zaras’s cynicism and Aurlon’s out-of-his-depth-competence.
My only real nitpick is the number of characters we’re already following here. The novella isn’t quite long enough to sustain 3 POV characters, and the fact it’s only the first part means there isn’t yet any resolution for any of the 3. Judging from other reviews, this can be somewhat overwhelming.
I wish Blood of the Banshee had been a little bit longer to allow for more time spent with the characters. I also feel that Maggie’s introduction could’ve been withheld until a later part, to allow for this part of the story to focus on just Zaras and Auralon. Although I didn’t find the number of characters to be a huge deterrent (as it’s the kind of book where you have to pay attention), I can see where it’s weakening the narrative slightly.
Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m excited to see what direction the narrative takes in later instalments.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
October 31, 2025
Firstly, I did enjoy this book and I would rate it between 3 and 3.5. It has great potential and is part one of five (I think). Personally, I'm not sure why it's been broken into 5 small parts (around 188 pages) rather than just a single novel (or maybe 2 novels).
Now, this story follows a few different POVs - two mainly and then a very intriguing one right near the end.
The pacing was good, and it kept me turning the page. The author did a great job building mood, and the main characters had very distinct voices.
Each chapter started with some information, and honestly, I wasn't really sure what that was at first, which always made the transition from one chapter to the next a little jarring.
There was a lot of world-building and story-specific species/concepts, etc, that were not always fully explained, and those slowed the story.
Also, there was a lot of detail, numerous names, terms, and locations - many of which were not really easy to read at first pass... which, again, slowed the read. With any story with a lot of detail, clarity is the key to keeping the flow, and I fell out of the story a lot because of this. Which is a shame, because I love the concepts.
I think this story could really have done with a glossary and character list (or at least a pronunciation guide). Having something like that (possibly at the front of the book) as a reference guide would definitely have made a difference.
Overall, the story was well written, interesting and had some great concepts (and the cover is gorgeous!)
NOTE: I was given an ARC of this book by the author.
Now, this story follows a few different POVs - two mainly and then a very intriguing one right near the end.
The pacing was good, and it kept me turning the page. The author did a great job building mood, and the main characters had very distinct voices.
Each chapter started with some information, and honestly, I wasn't really sure what that was at first, which always made the transition from one chapter to the next a little jarring.
There was a lot of world-building and story-specific species/concepts, etc, that were not always fully explained, and those slowed the story.
Also, there was a lot of detail, numerous names, terms, and locations - many of which were not really easy to read at first pass... which, again, slowed the read. With any story with a lot of detail, clarity is the key to keeping the flow, and I fell out of the story a lot because of this. Which is a shame, because I love the concepts.
I think this story could really have done with a glossary and character list (or at least a pronunciation guide). Having something like that (possibly at the front of the book) as a reference guide would definitely have made a difference.
Overall, the story was well written, interesting and had some great concepts (and the cover is gorgeous!)
NOTE: I was given an ARC of this book by the author.
October 28, 2025
Blood of the Banshee part 1 ARC
3 ⭐️ with high potential as series goes and can’t wait to see how the story progresses.
I want to start off by asking what the information at the start of each chapter is and how it’s relevant 😅
This was a read that captured my attention and I was intrigued to see what would happen. I liked the two main POVs (can we maybe have a location and POV heading with the chapter and possibly a map? 🤞🏻) I feel like this was a fast paced storyline with some good world building and didn’t feel like a struggle to digest information about a new world and we started to get information surrounding the use of magic so we had an idea of what was going on.
I’m going to assume that the red head in the inn is the same red head brought to the healers quadrant? I’m hoping book 2 will shed light on if our two MMCs are working for the same people and if they’re going to the same place (how did the other guy capture and bring her back so quickly?) and more about the different cities in this world and how they interact with each other and will we get any POVs from the Banshee?
Thank you for choosing me to give an ARC and I am looking forward to reading more of this series
3 ⭐️ with high potential as series goes and can’t wait to see how the story progresses.
I want to start off by asking what the information at the start of each chapter is and how it’s relevant 😅
This was a read that captured my attention and I was intrigued to see what would happen. I liked the two main POVs (can we maybe have a location and POV heading with the chapter and possibly a map? 🤞🏻) I feel like this was a fast paced storyline with some good world building and didn’t feel like a struggle to digest information about a new world and we started to get information surrounding the use of magic so we had an idea of what was going on.
I’m going to assume that the red head in the inn is the same red head brought to the healers quadrant? I’m hoping book 2 will shed light on if our two MMCs are working for the same people and if they’re going to the same place (how did the other guy capture and bring her back so quickly?) and more about the different cities in this world and how they interact with each other and will we get any POVs from the Banshee?
Thank you for choosing me to give an ARC and I am looking forward to reading more of this series
October 27, 2025
4.5/5 rounded up
Blood of the Banshee: Part One
Thank you T.J. Hassall for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide honest feedback.
Part One of a planned five part novella series, Blood of the Banshee was a grim, immersive political fantasy. The world building and character introductions are heavy - probably too complex for new comers to Fantasy. If you are familiar with LOTR or GoT, this would be on par with that style but condensed into a novella.
The cast of characters is diverse - elves, orcs, dragons, humans, banshees, and more!
Part one really focused on setting the stage, so there are many things left open ended that I'm excited to learn more about.....
🖤 There were hints of necromancy 👀
🖤 I can't wait to learn more about the banshee
🖤 I really liked Zaras and look forward to learning more of his back story
🖤 Dragons - need I say more??
🖤 The Orc siblings are a fun energy
🖤 Political intrigue
This was a solid 4.5/5 and I can't wait for Part Two. The world was captivating, the characters intriguing, and the plot has me hooked!
Part One releases 10/32/25!
Blood of the Banshee: Part One
Thank you T.J. Hassall for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide honest feedback.
Part One of a planned five part novella series, Blood of the Banshee was a grim, immersive political fantasy. The world building and character introductions are heavy - probably too complex for new comers to Fantasy. If you are familiar with LOTR or GoT, this would be on par with that style but condensed into a novella.
The cast of characters is diverse - elves, orcs, dragons, humans, banshees, and more!
Part one really focused on setting the stage, so there are many things left open ended that I'm excited to learn more about.....
🖤 There were hints of necromancy 👀
🖤 I can't wait to learn more about the banshee
🖤 I really liked Zaras and look forward to learning more of his back story
🖤 Dragons - need I say more??
🖤 The Orc siblings are a fun energy
🖤 Political intrigue
This was a solid 4.5/5 and I can't wait for Part Two. The world was captivating, the characters intriguing, and the plot has me hooked!
Part One releases 10/32/25!
February 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*please note, this is intentionally a zero spice, zero romance series. Do not pick this up if you are looking for that. *
@t.j.hassall T.J. Hassall has delivered an epic fantasy in a short amount of pages. The first novella in a series projected to be five total, we plunge into intense story telling immediately.
There are a lot of diverse and interesting characters to follow. Many unique and hard to pronounce terms which made me grateful that I listened to the audio version. @jvwintersnarration really helps keep terms and names clear. They also always provide me with a fantastic listening experience with how they read the story. At times you'll think there are more than 2 narrators because the characters are so different but equally as amazing.
The only critique I have was that there was a lot going on in such a short book that it was at times hard to follow. Not having the words in front of me may have also contributed to this.
I would recommend this to fans of epic dark fantasy as opposed to readers who are just starting out on their fantasy journey.
#BloodoftheBanshee #fantasy #epic fantasy #darkfantasy #novella
*please note, this is intentionally a zero spice, zero romance series. Do not pick this up if you are looking for that. *
@t.j.hassall T.J. Hassall has delivered an epic fantasy in a short amount of pages. The first novella in a series projected to be five total, we plunge into intense story telling immediately.
There are a lot of diverse and interesting characters to follow. Many unique and hard to pronounce terms which made me grateful that I listened to the audio version. @jvwintersnarration really helps keep terms and names clear. They also always provide me with a fantastic listening experience with how they read the story. At times you'll think there are more than 2 narrators because the characters are so different but equally as amazing.
The only critique I have was that there was a lot going on in such a short book that it was at times hard to follow. Not having the words in front of me may have also contributed to this.
I would recommend this to fans of epic dark fantasy as opposed to readers who are just starting out on their fantasy journey.
#BloodoftheBanshee #fantasy #epic fantasy #darkfantasy #novella
November 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 stars
Thank you TJ for the ARC!
Blood of the Banshee draws you deep into a world where folklore and survival collide. The story follows beautifully developed characters caught between the living and the supernatural, as ancient Irish legends bleed into a modern, gritty setting. There’s a real sense of atmosphere here: misty landscapes, haunting voices, and secrets that don’t seem to stay buried.
Hassall has a knack for creating tension and mood without ever overwhelming the reader. The pacing moves well, mixing eerie quiet moments with bursts of violence and revelation. The characters feel fantastical in their realism - flawed, frightened, oftentimes brave in spite of themselves - and that emotional core keeps the story grounded even when things begin to unravel.
It’s definitely a first part (there are questions left hanging and threads still to be tied up) but that just makes me curious to see where it all goes next. If you like dark folklore, character-driven horror, and stories that feel both mythic and modern, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you TJ for the ARC!
Blood of the Banshee draws you deep into a world where folklore and survival collide. The story follows beautifully developed characters caught between the living and the supernatural, as ancient Irish legends bleed into a modern, gritty setting. There’s a real sense of atmosphere here: misty landscapes, haunting voices, and secrets that don’t seem to stay buried.
Hassall has a knack for creating tension and mood without ever overwhelming the reader. The pacing moves well, mixing eerie quiet moments with bursts of violence and revelation. The characters feel fantastical in their realism - flawed, frightened, oftentimes brave in spite of themselves - and that emotional core keeps the story grounded even when things begin to unravel.
It’s definitely a first part (there are questions left hanging and threads still to be tied up) but that just makes me curious to see where it all goes next. If you like dark folklore, character-driven horror, and stories that feel both mythic and modern, this one’s worth picking up.
November 11, 2025
This was my First Arc and I will be forever grateful, for the advanced reader copy. I resonate with the author, as myself have a chronic illness. Whereas I began reading and she has started to write :-)
I’m slightly conflicted writing this review, as I wanted to love this much more than I did!
I started this book 3 times and put it down, I had to force myself to continue reading.
I felt the start of the book was quite abrupt and was very hard to read. The sentences had a choppy rhythm. I was very confused, up until around page 70. That being said, from then on, I felt it was much easier to read. It wouldn’t be the first time that a Fantasy has been confusing at the start!
I found the information at the start of each chapter, confusing without an explanation. I still haven’t figured out the relevance.
I do however think that this definitely has potential and interested, in how this story develops. Will look forward to the next extract, hopefully have more of a understanding where this story is moving :-)
I’m slightly conflicted writing this review, as I wanted to love this much more than I did!
I started this book 3 times and put it down, I had to force myself to continue reading.
I felt the start of the book was quite abrupt and was very hard to read. The sentences had a choppy rhythm. I was very confused, up until around page 70. That being said, from then on, I felt it was much easier to read. It wouldn’t be the first time that a Fantasy has been confusing at the start!
I found the information at the start of each chapter, confusing without an explanation. I still haven’t figured out the relevance.
I do however think that this definitely has potential and interested, in how this story develops. Will look forward to the next extract, hopefully have more of a understanding where this story is moving :-)
December 22, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book, and I’m so glad I did. I found it to be a fantastic start to what promises to be an interesting series.
From the opening chapters, the writing drew me straight into the world: vivid, atmospheric, and easy to visualise. The action sequences are sharp and engaging without ever becoming confusing, keeping the tension high throughout.
I found the premise refreshingly different from other fantasy stories I’ve read recently. Its blend of dark magic, political tension, and mystery gives the story a unique edge. The characters we meet are intriguing, with enough depth and unanswered questions to make me excited for future instalments.
What stood out most is how this book reminded me why I love the fantasy genre — the immersion, the sense of danger, and the wonder of stepping into a richly imagined world.
Overall, it’s a strong start and I’m excited to see where it goes next. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, and I highly recommend it to fans of dark fantasy
From the opening chapters, the writing drew me straight into the world: vivid, atmospheric, and easy to visualise. The action sequences are sharp and engaging without ever becoming confusing, keeping the tension high throughout.
I found the premise refreshingly different from other fantasy stories I’ve read recently. Its blend of dark magic, political tension, and mystery gives the story a unique edge. The characters we meet are intriguing, with enough depth and unanswered questions to make me excited for future instalments.
What stood out most is how this book reminded me why I love the fantasy genre — the immersion, the sense of danger, and the wonder of stepping into a richly imagined world.
Overall, it’s a strong start and I’m excited to see where it goes next. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, and I highly recommend it to fans of dark fantasy
October 28, 2025
Thought I'd take a little trip into fantasy - and I have no regrets!
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥."
'Blood of the Banshee's is an upcoming series filled with law, necromancy and consequence. With Part One set to be released on 31st October - but I managed to get hold of an ARC and I have BINGED it 🤌🏻🔮✨
Part One introduces us to a vast fantasy kingdom filled with elves, orcs, undead... And even a rather likable goat! 🐐👀🧝🏻♀️✨
A banshee-blooded outlaw has been captured and a ruthless bounty hunter has a job to do. With missing dragons and their riders, mystery surrounding our captured outlaw, curses causing havoc and corruption rife... I feel I'm hooked and cannot wait to find out what twists and turns lie ahead!
I want to give this ⭐⭐⭐.5 out 5 stars... Purely because my brain was just begging for more! More background, more understanding... Give us Part Two! 🙌🏻
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥."
'Blood of the Banshee's is an upcoming series filled with law, necromancy and consequence. With Part One set to be released on 31st October - but I managed to get hold of an ARC and I have BINGED it 🤌🏻🔮✨
Part One introduces us to a vast fantasy kingdom filled with elves, orcs, undead... And even a rather likable goat! 🐐👀🧝🏻♀️✨
A banshee-blooded outlaw has been captured and a ruthless bounty hunter has a job to do. With missing dragons and their riders, mystery surrounding our captured outlaw, curses causing havoc and corruption rife... I feel I'm hooked and cannot wait to find out what twists and turns lie ahead!
I want to give this ⭐⭐⭐.5 out 5 stars... Purely because my brain was just begging for more! More background, more understanding... Give us Part Two! 🙌🏻
November 1, 2025
This book feels like a fanfiction for a minor character in a series I haven't read - and that is meant as a compliment. The writer is clearly obsessed with their blorbo and the situations they're being put through.
The characters are nuanced and interesting, with some fun dialgue along the way. The book alternates between POVs, and the difference between those POVs is clear which is something I appreciate.
The plot is compact; there's a lot going on and not a lot of pages for it to happen on, so it got quite confusing at times. I'm not confident this is a strong way to start the series - the book doesn't stand on its own as a complete story. It works okay for me, as someone who also reads fanfiction and is prepared to anticpate not knowing what's going on, but I can see how that may be offputting to some readers.
I received an ARC copy of this book and my views are my own.
The characters are nuanced and interesting, with some fun dialgue along the way. The book alternates between POVs, and the difference between those POVs is clear which is something I appreciate.
The plot is compact; there's a lot going on and not a lot of pages for it to happen on, so it got quite confusing at times. I'm not confident this is a strong way to start the series - the book doesn't stand on its own as a complete story. It works okay for me, as someone who also reads fanfiction and is prepared to anticpate not knowing what's going on, but I can see how that may be offputting to some readers.
I received an ARC copy of this book and my views are my own.
November 4, 2025
This dark fantasy novella is a captivating introduction to the characters and the vast world they live in.
Within this world we follow multiple characters and each one interlinks with one another, but we don't know how just yet. This novella really sets the stage for the upcoming books.
Elves, orcs, dragons and magic ... And a goat named Gaarth 🐐 This world is brimming with various races, creatures and more!
How the author writes and builds the world is fantastic, you can tell Hassell has thought through it all. You really are stepping from one world and into another.
Each character was intriguing and I enjoyed being submerged in this fantasy realm, I was hooked throughout; I cannot wait for the next books of the series!
And what about the Banshee?
I want to delve deeper, learn more and explore every corner; I need more!
Within this world we follow multiple characters and each one interlinks with one another, but we don't know how just yet. This novella really sets the stage for the upcoming books.
Elves, orcs, dragons and magic ... And a goat named Gaarth 🐐 This world is brimming with various races, creatures and more!
How the author writes and builds the world is fantastic, you can tell Hassell has thought through it all. You really are stepping from one world and into another.
Each character was intriguing and I enjoyed being submerged in this fantasy realm, I was hooked throughout; I cannot wait for the next books of the series!
And what about the Banshee?
I want to delve deeper, learn more and explore every corner; I need more!
October 30, 2025
📖 ARC REVIEW 📖
A haunting, intelligent start to what’s shaping up to be a truly unique dark fantasy series.
This novella throws you right into a world where necromancy, law, and corruption intertwine,and where every choice feels like a slow bleed.
It’s not romantasy, and that’s part of its brilliance.
The tone is heavy, the writing deliberate, and the tension claustrophobic in the best way.
The characters,especially Zaras and Auralon, are complex and morally gray, their motives layered and uncertain.
The author’s worldbuilding feels like ink spreading across parchment: slow, rich, and unstoppable.
This is fantasy that doesn’t hold your hand.
It challenges you, unnerves you, and leaves you thinking long after the last page.
A haunting, intelligent start to what’s shaping up to be a truly unique dark fantasy series.
This novella throws you right into a world where necromancy, law, and corruption intertwine,and where every choice feels like a slow bleed.
It’s not romantasy, and that’s part of its brilliance.
The tone is heavy, the writing deliberate, and the tension claustrophobic in the best way.
The characters,especially Zaras and Auralon, are complex and morally gray, their motives layered and uncertain.
The author’s worldbuilding feels like ink spreading across parchment: slow, rich, and unstoppable.
This is fantasy that doesn’t hold your hand.
It challenges you, unnerves you, and leaves you thinking long after the last page.
October 31, 2025
I received this book as an arc and was really excited to read it.
Whilst I love the notion of the book and what the book could have become I found it really hard to read. I'm not sure whether it was due to the very many new terms there were in there relating to types of creatures or the differing POVs which was more confusing. I also feel that too much was included for a shorter book and I really think this would benefit from a longer form book with a bit more explaining of certain elements.
This works looks like it could be absolutely beautiful and I really hope I can come back to it one day and wrap my head around it because it really does have the potential to be something great.
thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your work 🙌
Whilst I love the notion of the book and what the book could have become I found it really hard to read. I'm not sure whether it was due to the very many new terms there were in there relating to types of creatures or the differing POVs which was more confusing. I also feel that too much was included for a shorter book and I really think this would benefit from a longer form book with a bit more explaining of certain elements.
This works looks like it could be absolutely beautiful and I really hope I can come back to it one day and wrap my head around it because it really does have the potential to be something great.
thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your work 🙌
October 18, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an ARC copy of this book before it getting released.
I really enjoyed the writing style it was good and very well thought out and written however I’m only giving three stars as it was also hard to follow at times I really struggled with the first half of the book but kept pushing through. The cover is stunning. But I wish the Banshee was mentioned more and we knew more of her background as she is only in it for such short amount of time in the second half of the book. I really wanted to rate this book higher and love it more than I did. I look forward to being able to read the second book to see how the series progresses.
I really enjoyed the writing style it was good and very well thought out and written however I’m only giving three stars as it was also hard to follow at times I really struggled with the first half of the book but kept pushing through. The cover is stunning. But I wish the Banshee was mentioned more and we knew more of her background as she is only in it for such short amount of time in the second half of the book. I really wanted to rate this book higher and love it more than I did. I look forward to being able to read the second book to see how the series progresses.
November 14, 2025
ARC review - Thank you to T.J. Hassall for send me an advance copy of Blood of the Banshee Part 1
Not sure where to begin reviewing this book except to say I feel like I’ve watched the first episode of a new fantasy series. I have no idea what’s going on but the world building, twists, turns and story behind the story has me wanting the next one ASAP. Blood of the Banshee is part 1 out of a 5 book series.
The story so far has dragons, the undead, orcs, bounty hunters and healers - need I say more. The writing was done well.
Honestly it’s 3.5 for the first book but I’m excited for the journey the series will take.
Not sure where to begin reviewing this book except to say I feel like I’ve watched the first episode of a new fantasy series. I have no idea what’s going on but the world building, twists, turns and story behind the story has me wanting the next one ASAP. Blood of the Banshee is part 1 out of a 5 book series.
The story so far has dragons, the undead, orcs, bounty hunters and healers - need I say more. The writing was done well.
Honestly it’s 3.5 for the first book but I’m excited for the journey the series will take.
December 9, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to arc review this book for you.
2.5-3 ⭐️
The overall concept intrigued me and I thought there would be more focus on the banshee herself, sadly there wasnt. The world building was good, but the different POV were a little confusing without headings and names, and I'm not sure how each person's POV intertwined together to form a larger scale story. I was left feeling confused but overall this story has the potential to be so good with a little tweaking.
Interesting mini stories but difficult to see the overall story from these mini stories as timeline and storyline a little blurred. Great writing style and detailed descriptions throughout.
2.5-3 ⭐️
The overall concept intrigued me and I thought there would be more focus on the banshee herself, sadly there wasnt. The world building was good, but the different POV were a little confusing without headings and names, and I'm not sure how each person's POV intertwined together to form a larger scale story. I was left feeling confused but overall this story has the potential to be so good with a little tweaking.
Interesting mini stories but difficult to see the overall story from these mini stories as timeline and storyline a little blurred. Great writing style and detailed descriptions throughout.
February 7, 2026
Really enjoyed this title, it's a good strong start to a bigger story.
It's a novella so it's only short but as I had the audiobook, that meant I listened to it twice as was a bit confused at first with the story jumping about between characters. I always speed up my audio books, so when I went back I slowed it down slightly and listened to chapters from just one character first and then the others If I'd have had it as an actual book I would definitely have been jumping back and forth as I got the story in order in my head.
Definitely intrigued by the story and I looking forwards to the rest of the installments.
It's a novella so it's only short but as I had the audiobook, that meant I listened to it twice as was a bit confused at first with the story jumping about between characters. I always speed up my audio books, so when I went back I slowed it down slightly and listened to chapters from just one character first and then the others If I'd have had it as an actual book I would definitely have been jumping back and forth as I got the story in order in my head.
Definitely intrigued by the story and I looking forwards to the rest of the installments.
November 3, 2025
ARC reader review
This book was most enjoyable, very atmospheric, full of elves, orcs, dragons and such.
Each chapter begins to introduce the reader to the main characters as T.J.Hassall, the author, gradually weaves them together and begins to draw you in to her world of magic.
The writing is such, that reading it on a cold and windy evening, you could almost believe you were in the story yourself.
Can't wait for the next installment!
***I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***
This book was most enjoyable, very atmospheric, full of elves, orcs, dragons and such.
Each chapter begins to introduce the reader to the main characters as T.J.Hassall, the author, gradually weaves them together and begins to draw you in to her world of magic.
The writing is such, that reading it on a cold and windy evening, you could almost believe you were in the story yourself.
Can't wait for the next installment!
***I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***
November 5, 2025
Beyond excited that I got the chance to be an ARC reader of Blood of the Banshee and I am OBSESSED!!
This book is a Novella that is part of an upcoming series of five books in total.
From T.J. Hassel: ‘It’s a shorter, darker read focused on law, necromancy and consequence. It’s not romantasy.’
And I loved every second of it. The writing itself is outstanding and soon the book consumed me completly.
I can’t wait for the next book of this series. I need answers! Go read it people!!
This book is a Novella that is part of an upcoming series of five books in total.
From T.J. Hassel: ‘It’s a shorter, darker read focused on law, necromancy and consequence. It’s not romantasy.’
And I loved every second of it. The writing itself is outstanding and soon the book consumed me completly.
I can’t wait for the next book of this series. I need answers! Go read it people!!
November 5, 2025
This novella, is definitely a great stepping stone for introducing who is who (and what) for the next book! At times I felt confused (pov changes), but then things did start to make sense. I can’t wait to read the next one and where this is going. I’m a little bit excited!!!
Thank you for the ARC read. I’m looking forward for more!!
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for the ARC read. I’m looking forward for more!!
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 14, 2025
I received this book as an ARC copy.
This book has great world building and story development. The flow of the story is spot on and I'd reached the end before I realised, wanting to continue with the next instalment.
This book has great world building and story development. The flow of the story is spot on and I'd reached the end before I realised, wanting to continue with the next instalment.
February 9, 2026
So at first this book had me confused by the different descriptions at the first of each chapter. It's 3rd person pov but follows multiple characters. tells what's going on in multiple places ( mainly 2 until the end.) during the same timeline. Definitely has me curious as to what happens next.
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