The Bloodline

The Anchor's Inheritance Saga #3

by Michael Todd, Michael Anderle

One brawl. Six years of secrets. No way back.

When a tavern fight strips six years of careful concealment from a fire-mage princess, Nick Vance has one night to hide her in plain sight before the Crown's hunters reach the Fringe. The disguise he crafts is clever, dangerous, and temporary at best.

The real threats aren't wearing uniforms.

A villain is trafficking enslaved spirits with pre-war methods the last generation burned entire facilities to erase. Something ancient is pushing everything in the Fringe toward his walls. A mysterious Patron is offering protection and asking nothing yet, which is the part that worries him most.

Nick's barony stands between all of it. His spirits are war-veterans with old debts and older wounds. His walls are half-built. His mana is always running thin.

The King is counting miles. The darkness is counting days.

Can he finish building fast enough to stand against what's coming, or will the Fringe consume everything he's raised from the mud? Pick up THE BLOODLINE and find out.

Genres: Fantasy

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2026

Reviews

[Janet]

I like the complexity of the world built in the series. The characters have plenty of growth and deal well with each other. There is a very obvious evil vs good set up that continues to run the storyline. The Patron remains a mystery with a few hints or suppositions that are not fleshed out. The battle between Patron and Thorne is a potential but I get the feeling Nick will be in there instead. Luckily, his "two voices" have almost totally been silenced. They are referenced a few times but nothing at all like in Book 1.
For clarity (and very hopefully in future books), this is NOT a harem book. There is not (so far) any sexual connotations beyond Nick and Kaela. It's even stated clearly at one point. Mira and Ashlen are more like very close sisters to Nick than any hint of lovers. It's great to see the Homestead grow and expand. I look forward to book 4 and more of the family.

[Steve]

I'm trying find something to say about this 10 days after I read it, and I seem to have blanked it. Take from that what you will about this book.

[David Blomeyer]

Tighten your Filters please

You still get 5 because I get it.

The voices and tension do not vary. Your slice of life moments and shocking reveals feel the same. The repetitions of the same words in the same order stand out after a while.

It makes me want to help you write better prompts, because it still ends up ok, though not as well as the first book, which clearly had more investment.

I feel like you can either have the echos of auto completions or spelling errors, and you have both.

Please consider doing better.

[Jennifer King]

Great series

One of the best series I have read lately. The people feel real. All the progress feels earned not just handed out. I'm really enjoying the character development of the princess and Mira. I suspect I know where their arcs are headed and am looking forward to it. I don't feel I can tell much more about the book without giving away too many spoilers. I highly recommend it 👍😁👍

[jason gross]

excellent series

Good story. clean no word porn but with a hint of romance. Boy to man main character; powerful , capable and beautiful women characters, a plot line of finding and choosing good in a difficult and evil world. I’m not a swearing guy so could do without that element but it isn’t excessive. Bottom line - every thing I want in escapist reads that leaves me refreshed to go back to my mundane life and tackle my mundane challenges. Thank you!

[Liz K.]

Augh! I need book 4!

Every now and then, you’ll yell at the author because the next book which continues the story is yet to be published. Well…I am loudly yelling, now! This is an exceptional series. The story captures you on page 1, book 1 and never let’s go. The characters become part of your life - you’ll cheer for their victories, growl at their enemies and anxiously await the arrival of their next challenge.

[Michael Bonkowski]

This series just gets better and better.

Mr. Todd is a master at maintaining tension in his stories. Although the main character and his found family suffer defeats they are seldom final they are setbacks that may be turned to future success. Tha whole three books hang together as a single narrative. An amazing story.

[Grant Merrifield]

Epic book Three.

Everything if moving together.
Great book. Great story.
I am really invested in these characters at this point.
I cant wait to vist this universe again.
I would read the Next three books right now if I could..

[Gail Schlosser]

Great intertainment!

This is a very good series enjoyable reading creative and worth the time to read it including staying up later because you get so caught up in the story I highly recommend reading this book in the series David Schlosser

[david Kympton]

I enjoyed the first two books in this series. The pace in book 3 was slow and drawn out. By the halfway mark in book three, I realized there had to be a book 4 if the story was ever going to have a climax. The rest of the book dragged out previous themes.

[Daniel Ervin]

This entry was a slog to get through. Boring and almost all talk. I still like the series and want to see where everything goes. Hopefully a lot of what it sets the next book up for pays off but this was a total set up book

[Steve Widmer]

Best series to date...

This developing family/group of warriors and mana wielders is extremely difficult to put down. It's a full featured read.

Just give it a try. You will not be disappointed.

[Jonathan]

Again…

…the saga continues to be something natural. Stories usually devolve into “how can I impress the audience” instead of a good tale or organic process. The author avoids most of those pitfalls…

[Rob McAnally]

Excellent series. Great story line development that draw the reader in.
I want to continue reading, but sadly :-( have to wait for the next book.

[Robert L.]

Very good book

This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Mira. I anxiously await the author's next novel.

[Steve Niedzwiecki]

The Bloodline

This story is so real. The characters all seem so natural. Most all of Michael's books keep me on the edge, always waiting for more.