What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Proxy #1
The Blood King
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Madness wears a crown.
And when evil and madness collide, no one is safe.
Lord Fathim has ruled Walkland for centuries, and his plot to take over the rest of the world is ripening. He has one small problem, though: he's going insane.
There is a cure. One person -- Mavel, a powerful and famous Span Seer -- can help restore his mind. She holds the key to Lord Fathim's future, and thus the future of all. But will her own fears and failures stop her? Can she, or anyone, stop The Blood King's reign of death?
Madness wears a crown.
And when evil and madness collide, no one is safe.
Lord Fathim has ruled Walkland for centuries, and his plot to take over the rest of the world is ripening. He has one small problem, though: he's going insane.
There is a cure. One person -- Mavel, a powerful and famous Span Seer -- can help restore his mind. She holds the key to Lord Fathim's future, and thus the future of all. But will her own fears and failures stop her? Can she, or anyone, stop The Blood King's reign of death?
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2016
44 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Keith Ward
6 books45 followersFor me, writing is an exploration. I put on my virtual pith helmet, grab my machete and start hacking through my mind, trying to find stuff that's interesting. Mostly, I just want to tell a good story -- I don't have grandiose ideas about changing the world through my prose (that would be nice, but nah -- it ain't happening).
I write mostly in the fantasy genre. I've loved fantasy since discovering Frodo, Gandalf and Smaug when I was still Hobbit-sized. For me, "The Lord of the Rings" represented how I wanted the world to be (heck, I'd still pay a lot of money for a ticket there, if anyone has one to sell). After that, it was "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant", "Sword of Shannara" and any other fantasy novels I could get my hands on. The local library was my favorite place to be. I did more traveling there than anywhere else.
I've written in many other genres over the years (mostly during my unprofitable screenplay-writing days), including historical fiction, mystery, thriller, western and contemporary drama. But I always seem to come back to fantasy. As a genre, it's difficult to do, since you have to make up *everything* you write -- when a character walks somewhere, you have to decide what "somewhere" is -- but that's part of the appeal for me. I get to explore much further than the confines of this reality.
Ultimately writing is part of my soul. I do it because I must. I don't write to feel alive. I write because *I am* alive. I hope you'll come along on the journey with me.
I write mostly in the fantasy genre. I've loved fantasy since discovering Frodo, Gandalf and Smaug when I was still Hobbit-sized. For me, "The Lord of the Rings" represented how I wanted the world to be (heck, I'd still pay a lot of money for a ticket there, if anyone has one to sell). After that, it was "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant", "Sword of Shannara" and any other fantasy novels I could get my hands on. The local library was my favorite place to be. I did more traveling there than anywhere else.
I've written in many other genres over the years (mostly during my unprofitable screenplay-writing days), including historical fiction, mystery, thriller, western and contemporary drama. But I always seem to come back to fantasy. As a genre, it's difficult to do, since you have to make up *everything* you write -- when a character walks somewhere, you have to decide what "somewhere" is -- but that's part of the appeal for me. I get to explore much further than the confines of this reality.
Ultimately writing is part of my soul. I do it because I must. I don't write to feel alive. I write because *I am* alive. I hope you'll come along on the journey with me.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 30, 2017
Spoilers throughout!!!
Madness wears a crown
In The Blood King, Keith Ward has created a stunning world of dark fantasy and war that I just need more of it.
We’re introduced to a world in trouble, ruled by Lord Fathim. He’s a malicious, sociopathic murderer, not caring that his kingdom is in drought and the people just outside of his castle are starving. He has entire villages slaughtered for their children, only to bathe in their blood to further his own health. He has children sacrificed to further his own life against the law and their families wishes. He’s truly scum in human form, having lived over 200 hundred years through transfers.
Transfers – transferring the soul of a human baby to yourself in order to absorb their life span. The problem? Fathim has come down with transfer sickness and it’s sending him insane. The only cure? Another Transfer with another baby, and Mavel, a Span Seer who is one of the only people who can do the Transfers.
Honestly, this is a stunning piece of fiction. I was hooked in within 5% of the book, and I couldn’t read it quick enough. It ended too quickly and I need more of the world that has been created in only 77 pages. I want more of this universe and some more of the story of Lord Fathim.
The writing was fantastic. Ward has amazing skills behind a pen, his craftsmanship, stunning. The description that Ward writes with is more than enough to invigorate the mind and create vivid, beautiful (and sometimes, horrific) imagery in your head. I could close my eyes and see everything he wanted us to see right behind my eyelids. The suspense in this gave me goosebumps so many times, I lost count. The amount of shivering I did gave me back twinges.
I cannot put into words just how perfect this was for dark fantasy. It’s definitely something I need more of and Keith Ward is definitely an author I’m going to be looking into more.
Madness wears a crown
In The Blood King, Keith Ward has created a stunning world of dark fantasy and war that I just need more of it.
We’re introduced to a world in trouble, ruled by Lord Fathim. He’s a malicious, sociopathic murderer, not caring that his kingdom is in drought and the people just outside of his castle are starving. He has entire villages slaughtered for their children, only to bathe in their blood to further his own health. He has children sacrificed to further his own life against the law and their families wishes. He’s truly scum in human form, having lived over 200 hundred years through transfers.
Transfers – transferring the soul of a human baby to yourself in order to absorb their life span. The problem? Fathim has come down with transfer sickness and it’s sending him insane. The only cure? Another Transfer with another baby, and Mavel, a Span Seer who is one of the only people who can do the Transfers.
Honestly, this is a stunning piece of fiction. I was hooked in within 5% of the book, and I couldn’t read it quick enough. It ended too quickly and I need more of the world that has been created in only 77 pages. I want more of this universe and some more of the story of Lord Fathim.
The writing was fantastic. Ward has amazing skills behind a pen, his craftsmanship, stunning. The description that Ward writes with is more than enough to invigorate the mind and create vivid, beautiful (and sometimes, horrific) imagery in your head. I could close my eyes and see everything he wanted us to see right behind my eyelids. The suspense in this gave me goosebumps so many times, I lost count. The amount of shivering I did gave me back twinges.
I cannot put into words just how perfect this was for dark fantasy. It’s definitely something I need more of and Keith Ward is definitely an author I’m going to be looking into more.
March 17, 2020
This is basically a tiny prequel story to show hoe the King became the Blood King. It's a story which sets the scene, but not a lot else to go on so just a 2.5*s from me. Hoping the next one (99 days) will be better as it's a normal sized story :)
February 6, 2017
I picked up a free copy of this book from instaFreebie.
What an absolutely fantastic story!! I was gripped - I loved it!
Aside from a storyline far more engaging than anything I've read recently, Keith Ward's writing is a delight - yes, there are a few little errors, but they really are minor and did nothing at all to spoil my enjoyment.
The characters are so well built and fit so well into the story...
I'm just in awe. Wow!
What an absolutely fantastic story!! I was gripped - I loved it!
Aside from a storyline far more engaging than anything I've read recently, Keith Ward's writing is a delight - yes, there are a few little errors, but they really are minor and did nothing at all to spoil my enjoyment.
The characters are so well built and fit so well into the story...
I'm just in awe. Wow!
February 7, 2017
I had already read The Rescue, a short story that spoils what Transfers are so I had missed out on a bit of the suspense of this book. However it's a great tale. The maquiavelic Lord Fathim is losing his mind and is heading his nation to self-destruction. The nation's most highly commended Time Seer Mavel becomes an unexpected victim of one of his plans and must make the most difficult choice in her life.
A chilling dark fantasy tale indeed.
A chilling dark fantasy tale indeed.
May 3, 2020
This was an emotional whirlwind.
I didn't like it. And then I got insanely sucked in. By the end, I was happily seated in the world, wanting to know what happens next!
And characters... It's been a long while since characters inspired such a reaction in me. I loved one. Wanted to give them a big 'ol hug. I hated another. With a passion. Their actions even made me cringe and gag a few times. I'll let you guess which one's which :P
I didn't like it. And then I got insanely sucked in. By the end, I was happily seated in the world, wanting to know what happens next!
And characters... It's been a long while since characters inspired such a reaction in me. I loved one. Wanted to give them a big 'ol hug. I hated another. With a passion. Their actions even made me cringe and gag a few times. I'll let you guess which one's which :P
March 28, 2019
Finished
July 1, 2017
4.25/5 Stars
Wow. for such a short novel, it was jam packed with disturbing images and people. I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us. In this novel we followed The Blood King and his tyrannous outlook of controlling the world. And with the power of Transfers (taking someone's life span for your own) he has able to put that plan into motion for a couple hundred years. But too many Transfers come with a toll-Transfer Sickness, which deteriorates the mind. The Blood King suffers from this sickness, but believes he can beat it by bathing in the blood of children.
Though there are other characters that we are introduced to throughout this novel, The Blood King is the most horrific. I like the mythology and creatures that Keith Ward has created for this world. So since I have the next book, I shall be continuing this series.
Wow. for such a short novel, it was jam packed with disturbing images and people. I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us. In this novel we followed The Blood King and his tyrannous outlook of controlling the world. And with the power of Transfers (taking someone's life span for your own) he has able to put that plan into motion for a couple hundred years. But too many Transfers come with a toll-Transfer Sickness, which deteriorates the mind. The Blood King suffers from this sickness, but believes he can beat it by bathing in the blood of children.
Though there are other characters that we are introduced to throughout this novel, The Blood King is the most horrific. I like the mythology and creatures that Keith Ward has created for this world. So since I have the next book, I shall be continuing this series.
January 9, 2018
This is not for the faint of heart. This is a hard cruel world. .... King Fathim is a cold and merciless ruler. He is called The Blood King behind his back. He wages war and decimates territory after territory killing all but the small children and babies.
He will stop at nothing to get what he desires. And what he desires is more years added to his already centuries old life span... yes, in this world it’s possible to take someone’s life span unto yourself. It only requires a victim and a Span Seer, who is someone that can see from birth how long a life span is to be.
Matra Mavel is the most famous Span Seer in the land so of course the King has chosen her to do the transfer.....turns out to be one giant surprise, even her apprentice doesn’t see it coming. I sure didn’t.
Brilliant beginning to this saga.
He will stop at nothing to get what he desires. And what he desires is more years added to his already centuries old life span... yes, in this world it’s possible to take someone’s life span unto yourself. It only requires a victim and a Span Seer, who is someone that can see from birth how long a life span is to be.
Matra Mavel is the most famous Span Seer in the land so of course the King has chosen her to do the transfer.....turns out to be one giant surprise, even her apprentice doesn’t see it coming. I sure didn’t.
Brilliant beginning to this saga.
August 3, 2017
I started this book today. I finished this book in a little over an hour. Not because it is so short but because I couldn’t put it down! I completely devoured this book!
Keith Ward takes us on a dark fantasy journey through Greyfelle where Lord Fathim (AKA The Blood King) rules over Walkland. But he isn’t going to stop there. He wants to rule over everything. With the help of Span Seeres, Lord Fathim uses his ruthless tactics to plot his destruction of the neighboring province, Desnu and soon, all of Greyfelle.
This story is told by multiple character pov’s. Each character intertwines with the others in a spectacular story of loyalty, magic and even betrayal.
read the full review at www.kaustinbookaholic.wordpress.com
Keith Ward takes us on a dark fantasy journey through Greyfelle where Lord Fathim (AKA The Blood King) rules over Walkland. But he isn’t going to stop there. He wants to rule over everything. With the help of Span Seeres, Lord Fathim uses his ruthless tactics to plot his destruction of the neighboring province, Desnu and soon, all of Greyfelle.
This story is told by multiple character pov’s. Each character intertwines with the others in a spectacular story of loyalty, magic and even betrayal.
read the full review at www.kaustinbookaholic.wordpress.com
September 21, 2022
This first book really serves as something of a prequel, and it's a skillful one. It introduces readers to the world of Walkland, and, boy, is it a bleak one. There is one central piece of magic in this world: people can be designated as proxies and have their spans, their appointed amount of time on the world, siphoned off and given to another. It's a dark, fascinating premise, and it is thoroughly explored in this short volume, which makes the daring choice to focus on the perspective of one of the people benefiting from this system, the wicked Lord Fathim, and his insane quest for immortality. He is a real villain (a literal baby-consuming monster), yet there is dark fun in reading the book.
August 8, 2017
What Can Go Wrong When Life Spans Can Be Bought?
"The Blood King wanted to start a war." With this opening salvo, Author Keith Ward dives into a world where the rich can extend their life for a price and the life of a new born. What can go wrong in a world where babies with long life spans are a valuable commodity and the process of transferring the life span leads to mental illness?
The book interleaves the story of a few characters. Very few are ones you want to see succeed or survive. Who, if anyone, will rise to above their past and their baggage?
This is an interesting introduction to the world of Greyfelle.
I was provided a copy of the book by the author.
"The Blood King wanted to start a war." With this opening salvo, Author Keith Ward dives into a world where the rich can extend their life for a price and the life of a new born. What can go wrong in a world where babies with long life spans are a valuable commodity and the process of transferring the life span leads to mental illness?
The book interleaves the story of a few characters. Very few are ones you want to see succeed or survive. Who, if anyone, will rise to above their past and their baggage?
This is an interesting introduction to the world of Greyfelle.
I was provided a copy of the book by the author.
January 4, 2019
I received an ARC of this story through Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I thought the description of this book sounded interesting and it did not disappoint. I feel like this story was more of a prequel to a story than the first book in the story. There was a lot of back story and explanations given, but not a whole lot of story moving forward. The idea of the Span Seers is very interesting and I like the set up of this world, it feels like something new and different than anything I've already read; it left me excited to read more of the series and find out the fate of the Blood King.
I thought the description of this book sounded interesting and it did not disappoint. I feel like this story was more of a prequel to a story than the first book in the story. There was a lot of back story and explanations given, but not a whole lot of story moving forward. The idea of the Span Seers is very interesting and I like the set up of this world, it feels like something new and different than anything I've already read; it left me excited to read more of the series and find out the fate of the Blood King.
August 21, 2017
This could have been a good book if the writing was a little better. The storyline itself was good and the ending was great but I was not a fan of the language used in the story. It was such a dark fantasy story to use such juvenile words (i.e. Goop and fancy hat) so I didn't think it matched. However I was interested to see how the book ended so that's a plus.
August 27, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I usually like books written in different povs but I felt this had a few too many. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and could have used a little more world building.
I did like the idea of proxys and how parts of the story were told in the villains pov.
I usually like books written in different povs but I felt this had a few too many. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and could have used a little more world building.
I did like the idea of proxys and how parts of the story were told in the villains pov.
January 9, 2018
I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. Keith Ward brings you into a new magical and dangerous world. One filled with treachery and war. Where mad men rule. I love Mavel, she is a coward at the beginning but then she grows into a heroine. You will like her secret. I recommend this book to all who like fantasy.
March 20, 2020
This is a fascinating concept. Truly, I think it is brilliant and unique and the world seems to have so much room for growth, however the writer seems to lack nuance.
More showing and less telling would be ideal.
I am however very keen to get further into the dark world and see what happens next.
I have no doubt this writer will improve as he continues to write!
More showing and less telling would be ideal.
I am however very keen to get further into the dark world and see what happens next.
I have no doubt this writer will improve as he continues to write!
July 25, 2017
Brutal and dark fantasy at it's best.
I loved how dark and gruesome this vast fantastical world is. The story and characters have you wanting for more, chapter after chapter. I can't wait to see what's in store for us in book 2.
I loved how dark and gruesome this vast fantastical world is. The story and characters have you wanting for more, chapter after chapter. I can't wait to see what's in store for us in book 2.
August 8, 2017
Wow... this book is definitely not for the faint of heart. A mad king, a harsh & drought stricken world where babies are sold like fruit just ripe for the picking. A page turner with an end that will leave you both crying & laughing while wanting to read more.
September 15, 2017
The Blood King
The Blood King could also be called The Bloody King, this is a very Dark Fantasy surrounding a very mad king and the damage that one man can do, when nobody is game enough to step in and stop him
"I Voluntary state that this is my honest review of this book"
The Blood King could also be called The Bloody King, this is a very Dark Fantasy surrounding a very mad king and the damage that one man can do, when nobody is game enough to step in and stop him
"I Voluntary state that this is my honest review of this book"
August 22, 2017
Good read
October 30, 2017
Interesting twist
The story was almost like a different rendering of the tale of Vladimer with a different type of bizarre twist.
The story was almost like a different rendering of the tale of Vladimer with a different type of bizarre twist.
November 29, 2017
A quick book to read, a very entertaining story
December 5, 2017
MY FIRST READ FROM AUTHOR KEITH WARD IS OBVIOUSLY THE BEGINNING OF AN EPIC AND I'M GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE
January 5, 2018
This is really a 2.5. Good story and idea but a very simplistic writing style and lack of character development leaves the reading feeling Less than satisfied.
December 29, 2018
The introduction to a brutal world where a king's people are no more than his live stock.
March 8, 2017
Finely written Dark Fantasy
The 4 star rating is due mainly due to the authors mastery of his craft. This book is well written and well edited. World building is strong enough to give the reader a pretty thorough understanding of this world and culture. Character development is exellent. At the beginning of the book it seems the king is going to be the central focus and while his actions are the driving force that keeps events unfolding. At the end of the book it becomes apparent that this story actually is about the driving force of personal development of another character.
That being said there was a scene at the end which gave me a serious case of the willies. It was a bit too much for me. I want to stress that this is a Dark fantasy.
The 4 star rating is due mainly due to the authors mastery of his craft. This book is well written and well edited. World building is strong enough to give the reader a pretty thorough understanding of this world and culture. Character development is exellent. At the beginning of the book it seems the king is going to be the central focus and while his actions are the driving force that keeps events unfolding. At the end of the book it becomes apparent that this story actually is about the driving force of personal development of another character.
That being said there was a scene at the end which gave me a serious case of the willies. It was a bit too much for me. I want to stress that this is a Dark fantasy.
October 9, 2017
[I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]
This book was very interesting to me. Normally high fantasy is not my regular cup of tea and I find they can be dense, hard to read through and need extra concentration to grasp a whole world; what with it's new magic systems to learn and kooky names and places. Amazingly this was not the case. The book was easy to read through and flowed so well I enjoyed it immensely. It was a short read and I sped through it happily.
I loved Keith's writing style and the smooth pacing of the story. I particularly loved the changing POV and how we saw from each perspective seamlessly. This can be tricky to get right and doesn't always suit the story but was done so well here. Seeing from the more evil characters to was terrifyingly brilliant and chilling.
I loved the good characters and found the evil ones disturbing which was perfect. I loved the plot and how it progressed. I couldn't quite anticipate the end but I loved the ending and overall it was a very pleasurable book to read. It will never be my favorite, because it's not my usual, but I really appreciated the story and loved that I was wonderfully surprised by liking it.
This book was very interesting to me. Normally high fantasy is not my regular cup of tea and I find they can be dense, hard to read through and need extra concentration to grasp a whole world; what with it's new magic systems to learn and kooky names and places. Amazingly this was not the case. The book was easy to read through and flowed so well I enjoyed it immensely. It was a short read and I sped through it happily.
I loved Keith's writing style and the smooth pacing of the story. I particularly loved the changing POV and how we saw from each perspective seamlessly. This can be tricky to get right and doesn't always suit the story but was done so well here. Seeing from the more evil characters to was terrifyingly brilliant and chilling.
I loved the good characters and found the evil ones disturbing which was perfect. I loved the plot and how it progressed. I couldn't quite anticipate the end but I loved the ending and overall it was a very pleasurable book to read. It will never be my favorite, because it's not my usual, but I really appreciated the story and loved that I was wonderfully surprised by liking it.
January 15, 2018
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Oh my word this book is clever!
There is no likeable character on which the reader can pin their empathy or even understanding, yet we are drawn in anyway, inexorably, by the desire to see the unlikeable characters stumble and fall. In the opposite of my usual preference of cheering a hero to victory, I found myself breathlessly willing the villains to failure!
And their failure seems unlikely in such a bleak, horrific set up. The villain has all the power, there is no clear opposition, and what there is is weak and ineffective. Everything seems hopeless, to the point that I was reading in existential dread for the people of this world.
Ther is particular horror here in almost every aspect of the ‘Blood King’ characterisation: the slow, creeping insanity; the blood (oh, the blood!); the theft of innocence; the greedy slurping of that which belongs to others, purely to selfishly add to the power, opulence and longevity of oneself. The character is abhorrent, with no redeeming qualities at all. Be prepared to be disturbed by the morality presented as ‘the norm’ here, as well as disgusted by the extremes to which the most venal character pushes that morality.
There is a subversion here though, masterfully constructed, that presents this as a fully ‘grimdark’ story, but then shows that people, and authors, can suddenly surprise us when we least expect it.
This book can easily stand alone as a single tale, as the immediate arc is resolved within the narrative, but having read it, I will certainly be seeking out more in this world, searching for the tiny flashes of light that may signal hope for the future of Walkland. Plus, the Soul Span / Proxy set up has so much potential for so many different and fascinating tales, as do the dragons: I am excited to see where the author goes with it all!
Everything was ready for the Transfer when Mavel arrived. She performed it in the poor family’s house, with no complications. The critically ill mother began to recover quickly, a sign of the baby’s strength. And the poor family that had sacrificed a baby was no longer destitute. Everybody was happier.
– Keith Ward, The Blood King
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
Oh my word this book is clever!
There is no likeable character on which the reader can pin their empathy or even understanding, yet we are drawn in anyway, inexorably, by the desire to see the unlikeable characters stumble and fall. In the opposite of my usual preference of cheering a hero to victory, I found myself breathlessly willing the villains to failure!
And their failure seems unlikely in such a bleak, horrific set up. The villain has all the power, there is no clear opposition, and what there is is weak and ineffective. Everything seems hopeless, to the point that I was reading in existential dread for the people of this world.
Ther is particular horror here in almost every aspect of the ‘Blood King’ characterisation: the slow, creeping insanity; the blood (oh, the blood!); the theft of innocence; the greedy slurping of that which belongs to others, purely to selfishly add to the power, opulence and longevity of oneself. The character is abhorrent, with no redeeming qualities at all. Be prepared to be disturbed by the morality presented as ‘the norm’ here, as well as disgusted by the extremes to which the most venal character pushes that morality.
There is a subversion here though, masterfully constructed, that presents this as a fully ‘grimdark’ story, but then shows that people, and authors, can suddenly surprise us when we least expect it.
This book can easily stand alone as a single tale, as the immediate arc is resolved within the narrative, but having read it, I will certainly be seeking out more in this world, searching for the tiny flashes of light that may signal hope for the future of Walkland. Plus, the Soul Span / Proxy set up has so much potential for so many different and fascinating tales, as do the dragons: I am excited to see where the author goes with it all!
Everything was ready for the Transfer when Mavel arrived. She performed it in the poor family’s house, with no complications. The critically ill mother began to recover quickly, a sign of the baby’s strength. And the poor family that had sacrificed a baby was no longer destitute. Everybody was happier.
– Keith Ward, The Blood King
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews