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The Ties That Bind #2
The Colour of Vengeance
This is the 2017 self-published re-release of The Colour of Vengeance by Rob J. Hayes.
Beaten, battered and damned near broken with a bounty on his head so large he's tempted to turn himself in, the Black Thorn finds himself on trial for the crime of being him. Despite the impending probability of death he has but one thought on his mind; taking revenge against the Arbiter who took his eye.
In order to carry out his vengeance Thorn must first escape Sarth and recruit a new crew, each one with their own designs on revenge.
Beaten, battered and damned near broken with a bounty on his head so large he's tempted to turn himself in, the Black Thorn finds himself on trial for the crime of being him. Despite the impending probability of death he has but one thought on his mind; taking revenge against the Arbiter who took his eye.
In order to carry out his vengeance Thorn must first escape Sarth and recruit a new crew, each one with their own designs on revenge.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2013
164 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
About the author
Rob J. Hayes
45 books1,913 followersWinner of Mark Lawrence's 3rd Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO) with Where Loyalties Lie
Rob J. Hayes has been a student, a banker, a marine research assistant, a chef, and a keyboard monkey more times than he cares to count. But eventually his love of fantasy and reading drew him to the life of a writer. He’s the author of the Amazon Best Selling The Heresy Within, the SPFBO-winning piratical swashbuckler Where Loyalties Lie, and the critically acclaimed Never Die.
Rob J. Hayes has been a student, a banker, a marine research assistant, a chef, and a keyboard monkey more times than he cares to count. But eventually his love of fantasy and reading drew him to the life of a writer. He’s the author of the Amazon Best Selling The Heresy Within, the SPFBO-winning piratical swashbuckler Where Loyalties Lie, and the critically acclaimed Never Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 12, 2020
💀 DNF at 41%.
This book is not revoltingly bad, it’s just that:
① It bored the fish out of me.
So yawn and stuff.
② I couldn’t care less about any of the characters.
It turns out that my favorite characters from The Heresy Within (among which the potentially yummy Thanquil Darkheart) are not in this instalment (it seems they’re the MCs for book 3, I hate my life and stuff). So who are we stuck with here? The most unlikable, distasteful, unfriendly, disagreeable characters in the cast. Yay. I have nothing against Slightly Unbalanced Protagonists with Deliciously Fished Up Morals (SUPwDFUM™) as a rule—there are quite a few of them currently
You got that right. Whatever “that” is.
There are two secondary characters I would have liked to learn more about, and who might have enticed me to continue reading, but they weren’t scrumptiously titillating enough (I mean, I can’t even remember who they were and what they were called, which should tell you something and stuff), so I didn’t. Ha.
③ Henry.
Yes, our resident damsel in little distress has a man’s name. Which I wouldn’t mind if she was a teensy little bit NOT obnoxious. But she is, so I do. What I mind even more (and ever so slightly pisses me off) is that her having a man’s name is part of a pathetic ploy to make her a badass by giving her the attributes of masculinity. Masculinized name + masculanized body + masculanized behavior = wheee, we have a female badass in man’s clothing!
Newsflash, authors everywhere! Making your female character look and act like the vilest of men (complete with OTT homicidal maniac attitude, most distastefully offensive speech and boorish-aggressive as fish manners) won’t magically turn her into a badass! No it won’t! It will just turn her into a vulgarly crude, murderous bitch with psychopathic tendencies! And will not endear her to your readers! No it won’t! Now you better sit down, authors everywhere, because what follows is probably going to shock the shrimp out of you: it is actually possible to create strong, empowered female characters who are super feminine, sexy as fish, hot as hell, and yet manage to kick ass. I kid you not. Really, I don’t. Just ask Lady. Or Caitlin. Pretty sure they’d love to explain it to you. And if you’re lucky, they might even a) sever a few of your limbs, b) rip your throat out or c) sever a few of your limbs and rip your throat out. Just to make sure you get the point and stuff. They’re wonderfully helpful like that.
④ The Wilds lingo of Doom and Oblivion.
“Anders had grown up around people speaking the Wilds' drawl. He'd lived around it for somewhere close to all of his life and, if need be, he could speak it himself, not that he ever would by choice. Sometimes, however, it grated on him and the constant use of double negatives made his teeth hurt.”Sometimes? Only sometimes? Bloody shrimping hell, Anders, I have no idea how you survived this long hearing these stinking people talk! I barely made it to the 41% mark of this book alive! Okay, I get that having dialogues reflect the local dialect/accent/language peculiarities/whatever can add a certain
➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): this book has a 4.08-star average rating. Oops, looks like everyone but me read it
· Book 1: The Heresy Within ★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
Because yawn + bleh + meh =
>➽ Full review to come and stuff.
May 10, 2021
Full review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
CLASSIFICATION: The Ties that Bind is a dark fantasy trilogy with terrific characterization and a twisted plot-line that is very reminiscent of the works by Joe Abercrombie, David Dalglish and Scott Lynch.
ANALYSIS: This book has been re-released by the author after he got his rights back from Ragnarok Publications and readers can read more about that in this interview and over on the author's site. I'm reposting my review with a few edits and to espouse the brand, new cover and re-release of the entire trilogy. A warning though before I begin my review, the start of the book is spoiler-ish for the climax of The Heresy Within so if you haven’t read it or don’t mind a minor spoiler, then read on. .
After finishing The Heresy Within, I couldn’t wait to see what happens next and immediately bought the second book and began reading. To my delight I read the blurb and saw that it focussed on the Black Thorn who along with Jezzet was my favorite character so far. At the ending of The Heresy Within, we are presented with an ending that is shocking to say the least and so with The Color Of Vengeance, we begin with Betrim Thorn who has been imprisoned after his failed attack on the Arbiter Kessick. Awakening in a dank corner he recalls his failed fight and the vital organ he lost. He manages to find his way out his most recent impediment and goes back to the wilds wherein he knows what to expect.
With the Black Thorn’s escape, the inquisition decides to send a new type of person to track him down and deliver their verdict. Jacob Lee is the person chosen for the task and he’s a Templar with a penchant for dancing and seeing through lies. However his dancing is the type that leaves broken bones, & dead bodies in his wake. Pern Suzku is a Haarin, warriors who take contracts to guard people who can afford their services. Among the Haarin, he is considered to be one of the best if not the best one. His newest client however might be one to force Pern to reconsider what it means to be a Haarin. Lastly all these characters are heading towards Solantis wherein most of them will meet up with some of their past and a reckoning for the future.
There are a few other characters from the preceding volume who make their appearances as well but I’m hoping that the readers RAFO about them. But to put it mildly, The Colour of Vengeance simply blows away The Heresy Within and is safe to say the better book of the two. Once again the main reason is the characterization and as with the last book, it’s the POV characters that make it such fun to read. Beginning with the Black Thorn, Suzku, Jacob, Henry and the non-POV characters, mostly everyone is a two-faced killer and even harder to judge.
The author marvels in creating a volatile situation in the city of Solantis and to add to that are all these hot-headed killers and deadly warriors that are headed towards a violent finish. While this does seem a bit generic in the sense that cool characters come together and fight, what differentiates this book from the riff-raff is that the author creates a fantastic storyline wherein every new chapter adds to the tension and keeps the plot simmering all the way to its action-packed climax.
I can't stress how terrific these characters are but think of all the bad-ass, grey characters we know from ASOIAF, the First Law trilogy, the works of David Gemmell and David Dalglish, simply put we get similar bad-ass rogues here and they will absolutely keep you riveted. Secondly the dialogue and action sequences are top-notch, with the variety of characters that fill in the pages, dialogue becomes crucial and the author doesn’t disappoint with his gems from time to time. The action is also considerably amped up and for those who can’t get enough of it; this book should very well fulfill all your cravings.
Also this book introduces a bit more of the secondary characters including a certain pirate who becomes a monumental figure in the overall happenings as well gives a clue about the overall world and therefore expands the story from its simple trapping of being a revenge saga. I loved how the author takes minor characters from his previous books and makes them standout ones. Cases in point are Anders, Henry and Drake Morass, the author deftly showcases what might be truly happening but then again readers must be wary that all is definitely not what it seems to be.
Negative points about this book are almost next to none for me. However one big point for many could be the absence of two of the main POVs from its predecessor. However because this volume focusses on newer characters who shine brightly if not more. Perhaps the reappearance of all the characters from the previous book can be thought of more than simply coincidental as the story makes it out to be. The author could have smoothened this bit of the story but the way it all happens I didn’t mind it. I didn’t have any other complaints about this book and it’s safe to say that this is a dark fascinating gem of a sequel.
CONCLUSION: The Color Of Vengeance is not simply a revenge saga, no more than The Lies of Locke Lamora is simply a story of thieves. It’s much more than that and possibly the best fantasy book I've read in 2013 (when it was first released). Don’t take my word for it and start reading this series to see why I think Rob J. Hayes is the next fantastic Brit addition to the field of dark, gritty fantasy and another Indie gem after Anthony Ryan to arrive from the British shores.
CLASSIFICATION: The Ties that Bind is a dark fantasy trilogy with terrific characterization and a twisted plot-line that is very reminiscent of the works by Joe Abercrombie, David Dalglish and Scott Lynch.
ANALYSIS: This book has been re-released by the author after he got his rights back from Ragnarok Publications and readers can read more about that in this interview and over on the author's site. I'm reposting my review with a few edits and to espouse the brand, new cover and re-release of the entire trilogy. A warning though before I begin my review, the start of the book is spoiler-ish for the climax of The Heresy Within so if you haven’t read it or don’t mind a minor spoiler, then read on. .
After finishing The Heresy Within, I couldn’t wait to see what happens next and immediately bought the second book and began reading. To my delight I read the blurb and saw that it focussed on the Black Thorn who along with Jezzet was my favorite character so far. At the ending of The Heresy Within, we are presented with an ending that is shocking to say the least and so with The Color Of Vengeance, we begin with Betrim Thorn who has been imprisoned after his failed attack on the Arbiter Kessick. Awakening in a dank corner he recalls his failed fight and the vital organ he lost. He manages to find his way out his most recent impediment and goes back to the wilds wherein he knows what to expect.
With the Black Thorn’s escape, the inquisition decides to send a new type of person to track him down and deliver their verdict. Jacob Lee is the person chosen for the task and he’s a Templar with a penchant for dancing and seeing through lies. However his dancing is the type that leaves broken bones, & dead bodies in his wake. Pern Suzku is a Haarin, warriors who take contracts to guard people who can afford their services. Among the Haarin, he is considered to be one of the best if not the best one. His newest client however might be one to force Pern to reconsider what it means to be a Haarin. Lastly all these characters are heading towards Solantis wherein most of them will meet up with some of their past and a reckoning for the future.
There are a few other characters from the preceding volume who make their appearances as well but I’m hoping that the readers RAFO about them. But to put it mildly, The Colour of Vengeance simply blows away The Heresy Within and is safe to say the better book of the two. Once again the main reason is the characterization and as with the last book, it’s the POV characters that make it such fun to read. Beginning with the Black Thorn, Suzku, Jacob, Henry and the non-POV characters, mostly everyone is a two-faced killer and even harder to judge.
The author marvels in creating a volatile situation in the city of Solantis and to add to that are all these hot-headed killers and deadly warriors that are headed towards a violent finish. While this does seem a bit generic in the sense that cool characters come together and fight, what differentiates this book from the riff-raff is that the author creates a fantastic storyline wherein every new chapter adds to the tension and keeps the plot simmering all the way to its action-packed climax.
I can't stress how terrific these characters are but think of all the bad-ass, grey characters we know from ASOIAF, the First Law trilogy, the works of David Gemmell and David Dalglish, simply put we get similar bad-ass rogues here and they will absolutely keep you riveted. Secondly the dialogue and action sequences are top-notch, with the variety of characters that fill in the pages, dialogue becomes crucial and the author doesn’t disappoint with his gems from time to time. The action is also considerably amped up and for those who can’t get enough of it; this book should very well fulfill all your cravings.
Also this book introduces a bit more of the secondary characters including a certain pirate who becomes a monumental figure in the overall happenings as well gives a clue about the overall world and therefore expands the story from its simple trapping of being a revenge saga. I loved how the author takes minor characters from his previous books and makes them standout ones. Cases in point are Anders, Henry and Drake Morass, the author deftly showcases what might be truly happening but then again readers must be wary that all is definitely not what it seems to be.
Negative points about this book are almost next to none for me. However one big point for many could be the absence of two of the main POVs from its predecessor. However because this volume focusses on newer characters who shine brightly if not more. Perhaps the reappearance of all the characters from the previous book can be thought of more than simply coincidental as the story makes it out to be. The author could have smoothened this bit of the story but the way it all happens I didn’t mind it. I didn’t have any other complaints about this book and it’s safe to say that this is a dark fascinating gem of a sequel.
CONCLUSION: The Color Of Vengeance is not simply a revenge saga, no more than The Lies of Locke Lamora is simply a story of thieves. It’s much more than that and possibly the best fantasy book I've read in 2013 (when it was first released). Don’t take my word for it and start reading this series to see why I think Rob J. Hayes is the next fantastic Brit addition to the field of dark, gritty fantasy and another Indie gem after Anthony Ryan to arrive from the British shores.
December 20, 2017
I'm a little late to the Rob Hayes bandwagon, but I'm all on board.
December 4, 2023
4.5 stars
The Colour of Vengeance was not the sequel I was expecting, but it turned out to be exactly the sequel I wanted. Full of bloody violence, brutal betrayals, and merciless vengeance, this blood-soaked tale is an absolute thrillride from start to finish.
Hayes shows his notoriously bold and ballsy storytelling skills in this second instalment by completely shifting the character focus. Only one of the three main protagonists of book 1 makes a return, and the rest are all new perspectives. And you know what’s so brilliant? You will instantly fall in love with the new characters and won’t even miss the old characters that are absent here.
This story is mainly focused on The Black Thorn and his crew, with all the messy inner politics and complicated interpersonal relationships that come with it. They have been royally fucked over, and now it’s time for vengeance. The tension is just sky-high, and all the tentative alliances and brutal back stabbings and betrayals had me on the edge of my seat.
This entire cast of characters is just so vibrant and alive, and I have become way more invested in all of these unhinged characters than I could ever have anticipated. None of them are extremely likeable and they all have a bit of a broken moral compass, but most of them have just enough redeeming qualities that I just can’t help but root for them. And because both the dialogue and each character’s distinct inner monologue are so sharp and full of dark humour, these characters are just so effortlessly funny and entertaining to follow.
Though, there’s one particularly treacherous bag of dicks who I just wanted to strangle… if you know, you know. Hayes is so extremely good at writing complex villains who you will love to hate, and there were multiple times where I wanted to throw my book across the room. If you like characters that pull strong emotional reactions out of you, for better or worse, then look no further.
Another thing I adored was how the world expanded in this story, both in terms of breadth and depth. We visit new intriguing places, learn more about the dangerous magic, get a better understanding of the Inquisition, and encounter some odd and horrific creatures/beings along the way. And while this is primarily a character-driven narrative, there are plenty of cinematic action scenes that will keep your heart rate spiking to unhealthy levels.
Needless to say, The Colour of Vengeance was a banger of a sequel! And you better bet I jumped straight into book 3, because this series is just dangerously and unacceptably addictive. I’d highly recommend The Ties that Bind series to anyone who is looking for a darkly entertaining and delightfully twisted series to fill their black hole of a soul.
The Colour of Vengeance was not the sequel I was expecting, but it turned out to be exactly the sequel I wanted. Full of bloody violence, brutal betrayals, and merciless vengeance, this blood-soaked tale is an absolute thrillride from start to finish.
Hayes shows his notoriously bold and ballsy storytelling skills in this second instalment by completely shifting the character focus. Only one of the three main protagonists of book 1 makes a return, and the rest are all new perspectives. And you know what’s so brilliant? You will instantly fall in love with the new characters and won’t even miss the old characters that are absent here.
This story is mainly focused on The Black Thorn and his crew, with all the messy inner politics and complicated interpersonal relationships that come with it. They have been royally fucked over, and now it’s time for vengeance. The tension is just sky-high, and all the tentative alliances and brutal back stabbings and betrayals had me on the edge of my seat.
This entire cast of characters is just so vibrant and alive, and I have become way more invested in all of these unhinged characters than I could ever have anticipated. None of them are extremely likeable and they all have a bit of a broken moral compass, but most of them have just enough redeeming qualities that I just can’t help but root for them. And because both the dialogue and each character’s distinct inner monologue are so sharp and full of dark humour, these characters are just so effortlessly funny and entertaining to follow.
Though, there’s one particularly treacherous bag of dicks who I just wanted to strangle… if you know, you know. Hayes is so extremely good at writing complex villains who you will love to hate, and there were multiple times where I wanted to throw my book across the room. If you like characters that pull strong emotional reactions out of you, for better or worse, then look no further.
Another thing I adored was how the world expanded in this story, both in terms of breadth and depth. We visit new intriguing places, learn more about the dangerous magic, get a better understanding of the Inquisition, and encounter some odd and horrific creatures/beings along the way. And while this is primarily a character-driven narrative, there are plenty of cinematic action scenes that will keep your heart rate spiking to unhealthy levels.
Needless to say, The Colour of Vengeance was a banger of a sequel! And you better bet I jumped straight into book 3, because this series is just dangerously and unacceptably addictive. I’d highly recommend The Ties that Bind series to anyone who is looking for a darkly entertaining and delightfully twisted series to fill their black hole of a soul.
March 26, 2019
3.5 Stars
The Colour of Vengeance was an entertaining sequel to The Heresy Within, shifting focus to a different character and showing us more of the world the author has created.
At the end of the first book, the Black Thorn is presumed dead. Turns out he’s still alive, though just barely. Kept alive for unknown reasons by the Inquisition, Thorn manages to escape. Once free, there is only one thing on his mind: vengeance.
The first departure from book one is that Thanquil and Jezzet are both absent, which I’ll admit made me a bit disappointed as they are both very entertaining characters. Also, to be frank I wasn’t sure whether the Black Thorn was capable of carrying a story on his own. Thankfully, I was proven wrong and Thorn ended up as a more interesting character than I gave him credit for.
His search for vengeance takes him across the Wilds, bringing him into contact with a variety of characters, some old and some new. There are a few characters who get their own POV chapters, but this is ultimately Thorn’s story.
Everything that made the first book good was back for another go round. Despite a relatively slow start, I was entertaining from beginning to end. The story really picked up around the halfway mark, and from there on out I finished the book in more or less one sitting. It’s a credit to the author’s storytelling ability that even though the first half felt a bit directionless, he was able to keep me wanting to read more.
Characterization was again excellent, though there was one twist at the end that seemed a bit too convenient. My only real complaints were a slow start and the same crudity shown in the first book, though it seemed at least marginally less pervasive in this book.
Rounding this one up to 4 stars as I think it improved on the first book.
The Colour of Vengeance was an entertaining sequel to The Heresy Within, shifting focus to a different character and showing us more of the world the author has created.
At the end of the first book, the Black Thorn is presumed dead. Turns out he’s still alive, though just barely. Kept alive for unknown reasons by the Inquisition, Thorn manages to escape. Once free, there is only one thing on his mind: vengeance.
The first departure from book one is that Thanquil and Jezzet are both absent, which I’ll admit made me a bit disappointed as they are both very entertaining characters. Also, to be frank I wasn’t sure whether the Black Thorn was capable of carrying a story on his own. Thankfully, I was proven wrong and Thorn ended up as a more interesting character than I gave him credit for.
His search for vengeance takes him across the Wilds, bringing him into contact with a variety of characters, some old and some new. There are a few characters who get their own POV chapters, but this is ultimately Thorn’s story.
Everything that made the first book good was back for another go round. Despite a relatively slow start, I was entertaining from beginning to end. The story really picked up around the halfway mark, and from there on out I finished the book in more or less one sitting. It’s a credit to the author’s storytelling ability that even though the first half felt a bit directionless, he was able to keep me wanting to read more.
Characterization was again excellent, though there was one twist at the end that seemed a bit too convenient. My only real complaints were a slow start and the same crudity shown in the first book, though it seemed at least marginally less pervasive in this book.
Rounding this one up to 4 stars as I think it improved on the first book.
September 28, 2018
The Colour of Vengeance was another bloody tale in Rob J. Hayes The Ties that Bind trilogy. The main focus of this book is vengeance just like the title describes it. Instead of three revolving story lines like book one, this volume only follows the escapades of our most infamous killer in the Wilds, Betrim (Black Thorn), and his path to revenge. The events in The Colour of Vengence take place a few months after the first book, and Rob wastes no time getting the action and story hurtling forward. The pacing of these stories is one of the things I love about Rob's writing. It's very easy for me to stay engaged in a story when it is constantly moving forward.
The story is driven, not only by the plot of revenge, but a mash up cast of old and new characters. I won't mention any of the familiar characters for sake of spoilers, but the new additions were interesting in their own ways. Some added humor, while others were mysterious, but they were all quite intriguing.
Anders Brekovich - Eldest son of Lord Niles Brekovich. A blooded family that is akin to royalty in The Wilds. He is a drunk who was disinherited by his father. Now he runs with the Black Thorn's crew.
Pern Suzku - A Haarin warrior. This tribe of warriors are taught to fight when they start to walk. They can be bought as bodyguards, and must remain completely loyal to their employer until the contract is over, or they are dead.
Jacob Lee - A soldier for the Inquisition known as a Templar. He is extremely powerful which is only outdone by his extreme insanity.
I'm not sure what my expectations were for this book before I started, but it did catch me by surprise once I figured out the direction Rob was taking book 2. At about the 30% mark I was scratching my head thinking . Now, I at the point of writing this review I am almost done with book 3, so I can see what his reasons were. It's definitely a move that pays off in the end, as everything begins to come together in the final book.
I only had a few minor issues with this book, and they are of course just my opinion. I would have liked a little more background on Pern and Jacob. A was really interested in their characters and would love to learn more about their past. One of the events near the end of the book didn't go as I expected, and I would like to have seen these two characters battle it out, but alas, it was not to be. Also, there were a couple of instances were a little more details of the situation would have helped my ever aging mind. Again, these are just my opinions, so you can treat them with as much skepticism as you like.
The Colour of Vengeance was a good edition to The Ties that Bind series. Rob's talent for pacing and great characterization really makes these books a treat to read. Like I said above, I am almost done with book 3, but this series won't be my last journey into the First Earth Saga. I already have City of Kings and The Bound Folio downloaded on my kindle. I urge all my fellow grimdark fantasy fans out there to give Rob J. Hayes' books a try. They will provide you with all the filth, gore, and nasty characters this genre is known for, and we have all come to enjoy.
3.5 stars ***
The story is driven, not only by the plot of revenge, but a mash up cast of old and new characters. I won't mention any of the familiar characters for sake of spoilers, but the new additions were interesting in their own ways. Some added humor, while others were mysterious, but they were all quite intriguing.
Anders Brekovich - Eldest son of Lord Niles Brekovich. A blooded family that is akin to royalty in The Wilds. He is a drunk who was disinherited by his father. Now he runs with the Black Thorn's crew.
Pern Suzku - A Haarin warrior. This tribe of warriors are taught to fight when they start to walk. They can be bought as bodyguards, and must remain completely loyal to their employer until the contract is over, or they are dead.
Jacob Lee - A soldier for the Inquisition known as a Templar. He is extremely powerful which is only outdone by his extreme insanity.
I'm not sure what my expectations were for this book before I started, but it did catch me by surprise once I figured out the direction Rob was taking book 2. At about the 30% mark I was scratching my head thinking . Now, I at the point of writing this review I am almost done with book 3, so I can see what his reasons were. It's definitely a move that pays off in the end, as everything begins to come together in the final book.
I only had a few minor issues with this book, and they are of course just my opinion. I would have liked a little more background on Pern and Jacob. A was really interested in their characters and would love to learn more about their past. One of the events near the end of the book didn't go as I expected, and I would like to have seen these two characters battle it out, but alas, it was not to be. Also, there were a couple of instances were a little more details of the situation would have helped my ever aging mind. Again, these are just my opinions, so you can treat them with as much skepticism as you like.
The Colour of Vengeance was a good edition to The Ties that Bind series. Rob's talent for pacing and great characterization really makes these books a treat to read. Like I said above, I am almost done with book 3, but this series won't be my last journey into the First Earth Saga. I already have City of Kings and The Bound Folio downloaded on my kindle. I urge all my fellow grimdark fantasy fans out there to give Rob J. Hayes' books a try. They will provide you with all the filth, gore, and nasty characters this genre is known for, and we have all come to enjoy.
3.5 stars ***
February 19, 2018
The Color of Vengeance is the sequel to the 2014 novel, The Heresy Within which I quite enjoyed. The premise of the series, called The Ties That Bind, is a group of brutal antiheroes live in a Hyborian Age-esque world where the only law is "don't get killed." The setting is gritty, raw, and filled with both sex as well as violence. In short, it's a delightful setting for those who like their Sword and Sorcery with serious edge to it.
Like me.
The book picks up where the previous book left off with Betrim a.k.a the Blackthorn having been captured by the Sarth Inquisition. Betrim was one of the three major characters of the previous book and, by far, the most deserving of the title villain. A brutal bandit and killer, his only redeeming feature was a surprising loyalty to his friends. This book drops the previous book's other two heroes, Jezzet Vel'urn and Thanquil Darkheart, to focus exclusively on Betrim. I was leery about this change since, sometimes funny moments aside, Betrim is a really scummy person.
Betrim has paid, at least in part, for his crimes and it's hard not to feel at least a little sorry for him. He's missing a few fingers and his eye as well as having been imprisoned in deplorable conditions for the better part of a year. Worse, at least from the Blackthorn's perspective, he's been lead to believe Jezzet and Thanquil were killed by the Inquisition. Betrim thus swears revenge on the Inquisitor he failed to kill and ends up joining with the survivors of his old crew to take him out. Along the way, he finds new associates as well as discovers his old partner Swift has gone on to become a terrifying new power in the Wilds.
A warning for those individuals with delicate sensibilities, The Ties That Bind series is pretty hardcore in its depiction of what awful people live there. It's rarely graphic in its sex or violence but what's implied shows that this is a world where life is worthless and people are abused horrifically for the slightest gain. Rob J. Hayes has a gift for, in a few paragraphs, making you feel the staggering amount of injustice which is everywhere.
A minor character, for example, Lady Emin D'roan is a heroine of another story who has been made a slave by Lord Niles Brekovich and with just a few short words, we get the full implications of what she's enduring. Yet, this is just one of the many horrific things which goes on around the environment that lets you know this planet is a ****hole and should probably sink into the ground. In a very real sense, the author depends on the reader being willing to stick with them through all this darkness not because he's going to make the world better with his characters but they can't make it worse.
This isn't a book for everyone.
Yet, it's a testament to the author's writing ability I still wanted to continue through the seedy, vile, and fascinating underbelly of his setting. The city of Chade is an wretched hive of scum and villainy which the citizens of Mos Eisley would go out of their way to avoid but you get a sense as to how this world came about. Monsters like Swift, who I wanted to see die more than the villains of the previous ten books I've read, have qualities which show there might have been a human being inside there once. There's also hope, even for people like the Blackthorn and his crew, that the characters might be able to crawl their way out of the moral pit they've dug for themselves.
It's just the entire world is against them.
If I had to choose a word for the setting, it is evocative. You believe you're in this Conan meets Deadwood-like Purgatory with everyone willing to do anything to survive. It's probably the last fantasy world I'd like to live in aside from perhaps the Nine Hells of Dungeons and Dragons but it is place which is fun to visit. The action is good, the characters leap off the page, and the black humor is often hilarious. I also give credit to the world-building that, without ever bogging things down, you understand how everything runs and who is what in relationship to each other.
Because I'm not a huge fan of the Blackthorn character, I was inclined to give this book a 9 out of 10 but that's unfair to the writing. So I'm going to give this book a 10 out of 10 with the warning it contains violence, swearing, sexual violence as backstory, gross misogyny from villains, torture, and general all bad attitude from everyone. If your preferred sort of fantasy is good guys and bad guys run screaming. This is black hat on black hat, with one hat being slightly darker than the other. Everyone else? Keep your hands on your purse and sword because this is one hell of a story.
10/10
Like me.
The book picks up where the previous book left off with Betrim a.k.a the Blackthorn having been captured by the Sarth Inquisition. Betrim was one of the three major characters of the previous book and, by far, the most deserving of the title villain. A brutal bandit and killer, his only redeeming feature was a surprising loyalty to his friends. This book drops the previous book's other two heroes, Jezzet Vel'urn and Thanquil Darkheart, to focus exclusively on Betrim. I was leery about this change since, sometimes funny moments aside, Betrim is a really scummy person.
Betrim has paid, at least in part, for his crimes and it's hard not to feel at least a little sorry for him. He's missing a few fingers and his eye as well as having been imprisoned in deplorable conditions for the better part of a year. Worse, at least from the Blackthorn's perspective, he's been lead to believe Jezzet and Thanquil were killed by the Inquisition. Betrim thus swears revenge on the Inquisitor he failed to kill and ends up joining with the survivors of his old crew to take him out. Along the way, he finds new associates as well as discovers his old partner Swift has gone on to become a terrifying new power in the Wilds.
A warning for those individuals with delicate sensibilities, The Ties That Bind series is pretty hardcore in its depiction of what awful people live there. It's rarely graphic in its sex or violence but what's implied shows that this is a world where life is worthless and people are abused horrifically for the slightest gain. Rob J. Hayes has a gift for, in a few paragraphs, making you feel the staggering amount of injustice which is everywhere.
A minor character, for example, Lady Emin D'roan is a heroine of another story who has been made a slave by Lord Niles Brekovich and with just a few short words, we get the full implications of what she's enduring. Yet, this is just one of the many horrific things which goes on around the environment that lets you know this planet is a ****hole and should probably sink into the ground. In a very real sense, the author depends on the reader being willing to stick with them through all this darkness not because he's going to make the world better with his characters but they can't make it worse.
This isn't a book for everyone.
Yet, it's a testament to the author's writing ability I still wanted to continue through the seedy, vile, and fascinating underbelly of his setting. The city of Chade is an wretched hive of scum and villainy which the citizens of Mos Eisley would go out of their way to avoid but you get a sense as to how this world came about. Monsters like Swift, who I wanted to see die more than the villains of the previous ten books I've read, have qualities which show there might have been a human being inside there once. There's also hope, even for people like the Blackthorn and his crew, that the characters might be able to crawl their way out of the moral pit they've dug for themselves.
It's just the entire world is against them.
If I had to choose a word for the setting, it is evocative. You believe you're in this Conan meets Deadwood-like Purgatory with everyone willing to do anything to survive. It's probably the last fantasy world I'd like to live in aside from perhaps the Nine Hells of Dungeons and Dragons but it is place which is fun to visit. The action is good, the characters leap off the page, and the black humor is often hilarious. I also give credit to the world-building that, without ever bogging things down, you understand how everything runs and who is what in relationship to each other.
Because I'm not a huge fan of the Blackthorn character, I was inclined to give this book a 9 out of 10 but that's unfair to the writing. So I'm going to give this book a 10 out of 10 with the warning it contains violence, swearing, sexual violence as backstory, gross misogyny from villains, torture, and general all bad attitude from everyone. If your preferred sort of fantasy is good guys and bad guys run screaming. This is black hat on black hat, with one hat being slightly darker than the other. Everyone else? Keep your hands on your purse and sword because this is one hell of a story.
10/10
September 2, 2022
In this sequel to The Heresy Within, we follow the story of one of the three protagonists from book one – Betrim aka The Black Thorn. The nastiest of the previous book’s main characters, it’s no surprise to find this book is as pitch black in tone as the previous one, with violence and unpleasantness from beginning to end.
Betrim, on the trail of the Arbiter he failed to kill, reunites with the survivors of his old gang from book one, plus some new characters. We therefore get a full lean into a Tarantino-esque plot and characters, complete with a psychotic magical killer. Let’s just say it’s saying something when The Black Thorn becomes the hero of the story.
With dry humour, action and uncomplicated but fascinating worldbuilding, this is pure entertainment. Recommended for those who like antihero/adult reads.
Betrim, on the trail of the Arbiter he failed to kill, reunites with the survivors of his old gang from book one, plus some new characters. We therefore get a full lean into a Tarantino-esque plot and characters, complete with a psychotic magical killer. Let’s just say it’s saying something when The Black Thorn becomes the hero of the story.
With dry humour, action and uncomplicated but fascinating worldbuilding, this is pure entertainment. Recommended for those who like antihero/adult reads.
July 7, 2013
The Heresy Within, the first book of the Ties That Bind trilogy was one of the best debut novels in the dark fantasy genre that I have read in the last couple of years and I felt it certainly deserved 5 stars. The Colour of Vengeance is even better, both the plot and the introduction of new POV characters make this a fantastic follow up novel full of treachery, violence and some laugh out loud moments.
Thanquil Darkheart, the Arbiter and the blademaster Jezzet Vel'urn are absent from The Colour of Vengeance as they sail off to the Dragon Empire, both believing the Black Thorn was killed in his failed attack on Arbiter Kessick.
The Black Thorn however is nigh on impossible to kill and it is the Inquisition that have saved him, imprisoned and awaiting execution but a little thing like that doesn't stop the Black Thorn and he kills just a single arbiter in his escape but has it all been just a touch to easy. The Black Thorn is now missing an eye amongst other appendages and revenge against Kessick is his first goal after escape from Sarth and he finds himself bound for Solantis, where old friends crawl out of the woodwork at an alarming rate
The first new POV character is Suzku Pern, trained by the Haarin as a warrior bodyguard, his contract is bought and for 10 years he must serve, only a man of incredible wealth could afford a Haarin bodyguard and if he fails in his duty he is expected to take his life but his new client will force him to look closely at his honourable values.
The second new POV character is Jacob Lee, sent by the Inquisition to pass justice on the Black Thorn, Jacob is a powerful man with a love of dancing, a Templar who makes your average Arbiter look like a wet towel and he has been caged for 10 years but now its time for the hunter to be set free.
Anders is a blooded, a member of the ruling families of the Wilds and his occupation is professional drunk, he takes his occupation very seriously to the point of knowing his twelve levels of alcohol intoxication and what he is capable of doing at each level. Anders joins the Black Thorns crew and some of the interaction between them is hilarious, BT as Anders calls him is somewhat lacking in intelligence, stealth and a number of other key elements needed for discretion, adhering him wonderfully to Anders fine diction and love of the bottle. Anders is a cracking addition to the list of characters and I enjoyed his role almost as much as the outstanding Betrim Thorn.
I won't say to much of the plot as it would spoil the ending of the first novel but I highly recommend this series its dark, violent, really funny in parts, has some top draw characters and an excellent story filled with treachery and revenge. Rob J Hayes has a bright future and I rate this up there with the best of my favourite authors. Its good to discover a talented self-published author and this series is available on kindle for under £6, you can't go wrong.
Thanquil Darkheart, the Arbiter and the blademaster Jezzet Vel'urn are absent from The Colour of Vengeance as they sail off to the Dragon Empire, both believing the Black Thorn was killed in his failed attack on Arbiter Kessick.
The Black Thorn however is nigh on impossible to kill and it is the Inquisition that have saved him, imprisoned and awaiting execution but a little thing like that doesn't stop the Black Thorn and he kills just a single arbiter in his escape but has it all been just a touch to easy. The Black Thorn is now missing an eye amongst other appendages and revenge against Kessick is his first goal after escape from Sarth and he finds himself bound for Solantis, where old friends crawl out of the woodwork at an alarming rate
The first new POV character is Suzku Pern, trained by the Haarin as a warrior bodyguard, his contract is bought and for 10 years he must serve, only a man of incredible wealth could afford a Haarin bodyguard and if he fails in his duty he is expected to take his life but his new client will force him to look closely at his honourable values.
The second new POV character is Jacob Lee, sent by the Inquisition to pass justice on the Black Thorn, Jacob is a powerful man with a love of dancing, a Templar who makes your average Arbiter look like a wet towel and he has been caged for 10 years but now its time for the hunter to be set free.
Anders is a blooded, a member of the ruling families of the Wilds and his occupation is professional drunk, he takes his occupation very seriously to the point of knowing his twelve levels of alcohol intoxication and what he is capable of doing at each level. Anders joins the Black Thorns crew and some of the interaction between them is hilarious, BT as Anders calls him is somewhat lacking in intelligence, stealth and a number of other key elements needed for discretion, adhering him wonderfully to Anders fine diction and love of the bottle. Anders is a cracking addition to the list of characters and I enjoyed his role almost as much as the outstanding Betrim Thorn.
I won't say to much of the plot as it would spoil the ending of the first novel but I highly recommend this series its dark, violent, really funny in parts, has some top draw characters and an excellent story filled with treachery and revenge. Rob J Hayes has a bright future and I rate this up there with the best of my favourite authors. Its good to discover a talented self-published author and this series is available on kindle for under £6, you can't go wrong.
March 5, 2024
At this point I'm finally starting to run short on available Rob J. Hayes books to read. I had a chance to continue The Ties That Bind series with book two The Colour of Vengeance recently. I opted for the audiobook narrated by Jaret Ross. I mentioned in my review of book one that the first one which I didn't realize was Hayes's debut didn't initially feel like his usual works I enjoy. This one gave the RJH vibes right from the beginning.
Even though we may have a considerably new cast of characters in book two, this was an exciting story to watch unfold.
The pacing of the Colour of Vengeance was on the faster side of things. As already mentioned, I felt right at home with this story as it felt very much like what I've come to expect from Hayes at this point. There are a lot of characters and events taking place with this one so, buckle up and hold tight! This isn't non-stop action if that is what you're looking for. But I never felt like the ebb and flow of things ever really turned into a slog. It was simply details that seemed to matter. There isn't much worse in reads for me than unnecessary amounts of detail that don't seem to add much to the story or characters.
The world building is solid once again. Hayes certainly paints us a grim world where these characters and the story reside. If you're looking for a read that is going to provide you with good vibes, hope and some beautifully describes fields of flowers, this isn't the place to be. If you want that gritty world where characters are simply doing their best just to survive, this is the picture the author is painting here. We still have a solid mix of regional locations, cultures and some magic provided for us to enjoy with this read, and I'm here for it!
The character development is probably the strongest part of this read. As mentioned we have a lot of characters both on the protagonist and antagonist side. A couple of my favorite parts of this book and the fine line between these two perspectives. The Black Thorn himself is ever the reluctant hero and he is constantly reminding everyone he isn't putting together a new crew. Even assumed antagonists aren't always what they appear in book two. There are several solid arcs to enjoy seeing unfold for character growth. All I can say is pay attention and keep an open mind to fully enjoy this read.
I continue to find my reading of Rob J. Hayes very enjoyable at this point. He's become an author that I will watch for releases regardless of genre he is writing. I still have a few more published books to chip away at but I am starting to run low. The good news is, I did back his Kickstarter for The God Eater Saga which will kick off 3 additional fantasy trilogies which is very exciting!
Even though we may have a considerably new cast of characters in book two, this was an exciting story to watch unfold.
The pacing of the Colour of Vengeance was on the faster side of things. As already mentioned, I felt right at home with this story as it felt very much like what I've come to expect from Hayes at this point. There are a lot of characters and events taking place with this one so, buckle up and hold tight! This isn't non-stop action if that is what you're looking for. But I never felt like the ebb and flow of things ever really turned into a slog. It was simply details that seemed to matter. There isn't much worse in reads for me than unnecessary amounts of detail that don't seem to add much to the story or characters.
The world building is solid once again. Hayes certainly paints us a grim world where these characters and the story reside. If you're looking for a read that is going to provide you with good vibes, hope and some beautifully describes fields of flowers, this isn't the place to be. If you want that gritty world where characters are simply doing their best just to survive, this is the picture the author is painting here. We still have a solid mix of regional locations, cultures and some magic provided for us to enjoy with this read, and I'm here for it!
The character development is probably the strongest part of this read. As mentioned we have a lot of characters both on the protagonist and antagonist side. A couple of my favorite parts of this book and the fine line between these two perspectives. The Black Thorn himself is ever the reluctant hero and he is constantly reminding everyone he isn't putting together a new crew. Even assumed antagonists aren't always what they appear in book two. There are several solid arcs to enjoy seeing unfold for character growth. All I can say is pay attention and keep an open mind to fully enjoy this read.
I continue to find my reading of Rob J. Hayes very enjoyable at this point. He's become an author that I will watch for releases regardless of genre he is writing. I still have a few more published books to chip away at but I am starting to run low. The good news is, I did back his Kickstarter for The God Eater Saga which will kick off 3 additional fantasy trilogies which is very exciting!
January 17, 2016
Fantastic sequel to the Heresy Within. At first I was a bit leery because Thanquil and Jezzet, the main heroes in the first book, are noticeably absent. Instead, this book focuses primarily of the least likable hero, the Black Thorn.
After a horrible maiming, Betrim escapes his captors and returns to the Wilds to avenge himself and his friends that he believes dead. Along the way he hooks back up with some of his old crew from the first book as well as a drunken nobleman named Anders, who is seriously enjoyable. Meanwhile, a frighteningly badass Arbiter has been dispatched to kill the Black Thorn.
However, even with the loss of my two favorite heroes from Book 1, The Color of Vengeance ended up being even better than the first. We meet many new and interesting characters as well as expand on old ones.
I look forward to Book 3.
After a horrible maiming, Betrim escapes his captors and returns to the Wilds to avenge himself and his friends that he believes dead. Along the way he hooks back up with some of his old crew from the first book as well as a drunken nobleman named Anders, who is seriously enjoyable. Meanwhile, a frighteningly badass Arbiter has been dispatched to kill the Black Thorn.
However, even with the loss of my two favorite heroes from Book 1, The Color of Vengeance ended up being even better than the first. We meet many new and interesting characters as well as expand on old ones.
I look forward to Book 3.
May 1, 2025
The Colour of Vengeance by Rob J. Hayes is even better than the first book!
While I could still do with a bit less fucking, brothels, rape, and the like, it all fits the characters and the gritty tone of the story, so it doesn’t bother me too much.
I love the cast, whether I'm actually rooting for them or feeling like a sports fan feverishly awaiting a goal, only in this case, the goal is a dagger in someone’s heart.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it constantly defies expectations. I adored being taken on a journey where I never knew what path we’d follow next.
Is the villain actually doing some good? Who seems decent enough, but is actually the worst? How does Hayes make me care deeply for ruthless killers, yet still hope they fail?
Some scenes genuinely hurt to read, while others had me snorting with laughter. From empathizing with victims to feeling a dark glee at brutal vengeance, this book delivers the full emotional spectrum.
While I could still do with a bit less fucking, brothels, rape, and the like, it all fits the characters and the gritty tone of the story, so it doesn’t bother me too much.
I love the cast, whether I'm actually rooting for them or feeling like a sports fan feverishly awaiting a goal, only in this case, the goal is a dagger in someone’s heart.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it constantly defies expectations. I adored being taken on a journey where I never knew what path we’d follow next.
Is the villain actually doing some good? Who seems decent enough, but is actually the worst? How does Hayes make me care deeply for ruthless killers, yet still hope they fail?
Some scenes genuinely hurt to read, while others had me snorting with laughter. From empathizing with victims to feeling a dark glee at brutal vengeance, this book delivers the full emotional spectrum.
April 26, 2018
A fun tale of adventuring with some of the reprobates from 'The Heresy Within. Pirates appeared so that made me happy and more backstory revealed about our favourite characters.
December 13, 2015
Again Mr. Hayes comes in with a great second offering in this series. The adventure continues with The Black Thorn and gang as they seek vengeance against Swift even as the sharp shooter has come into his own with the death of his father and is more powerful and treacherous than ever. Especially with his new bodyguard! I can't really get into specifics without giving away spoilers but I rather liked the interaction of the characters a little more in TCOV than I did in the first book. Can't really put my finger on why but I guess we're seeing the Black Thorn grow into a type of leader and this certainly changes his world view as well as the way everyone else looks at him, which is pretty interesting.
This book is easily 4 stars. But I had to consider how much above 4 I wanted to give. While TCOV isn't a perfect book it has some gritty parts filled with vengeance and brutal fighting. A lot of good chuckles too. Ultimately, it came down to how much this piece entertained me, and with the introduction of a few new and amazing characters - Jacob, Anders, and Pern - the deal was sealed. I was thoroughly entertained and highly recommend this series.
So, I'll say a 4.5 and go for the roundup of 5.
This book is easily 4 stars. But I had to consider how much above 4 I wanted to give. While TCOV isn't a perfect book it has some gritty parts filled with vengeance and brutal fighting. A lot of good chuckles too. Ultimately, it came down to how much this piece entertained me, and with the introduction of a few new and amazing characters - Jacob, Anders, and Pern - the deal was sealed. I was thoroughly entertained and highly recommend this series.
So, I'll say a 4.5 and go for the roundup of 5.
December 7, 2022
This stuff is pure fucking gold!
September 8, 2016
German Review on GosuReviews
Finally I came around to read the second book in this trilogy, I put it off for far too long.
I think I never read such a second book in a series. Instead of developing the plot for all three main characters of the first book, Ron Hayes goes on to just tell what happened to the Black Thorn. As to what happened to Thanquil Darkheart and Jezzet Vel'urn we are left completely in the dark.
At first I had my doubts to whether this would work, but I quickly was convinced otherwise. The Black Thorn and his companions in this book are such fun and dark characters, just like I enjoyed them in the first book.
Choosing this path of cause somewhat narrows the scope of the overall plot, it is not as epically world-spanning as I thought it would get, but this works just fine. I'm interested to see how Hayes will weave all the plot strands together in the third book. This is definitely one of the best series that came out 2013 and I urge everyone who likes dark fantasy to give it a shot, especially because it's an indy publication!
Finally I came around to read the second book in this trilogy, I put it off for far too long.
I think I never read such a second book in a series. Instead of developing the plot for all three main characters of the first book, Ron Hayes goes on to just tell what happened to the Black Thorn. As to what happened to Thanquil Darkheart and Jezzet Vel'urn we are left completely in the dark.
At first I had my doubts to whether this would work, but I quickly was convinced otherwise. The Black Thorn and his companions in this book are such fun and dark characters, just like I enjoyed them in the first book.
Choosing this path of cause somewhat narrows the scope of the overall plot, it is not as epically world-spanning as I thought it would get, but this works just fine. I'm interested to see how Hayes will weave all the plot strands together in the third book. This is definitely one of the best series that came out 2013 and I urge everyone who likes dark fantasy to give it a shot, especially because it's an indy publication!
June 2, 2015
better then the first one !
January 29, 2019
Enjoyable second book.
Another enjoyable book from mr hendon, dark and bloody, these books remind me very much of joe abercrombies, or luke sculls writing both are authors who i very much enjoy. the one thing i would like to see would be the addition of a map. Will be starting book three shortly, i have one historical novel to read first. Highly recommended.
Another enjoyable book from mr hendon, dark and bloody, these books remind me very much of joe abercrombies, or luke sculls writing both are authors who i very much enjoy. the one thing i would like to see would be the addition of a map. Will be starting book three shortly, i have one historical novel to read first. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2025
brutale come il primo, oscuro, imprevedibile.. continuano le avventure di alcuni personaggi del primo libro, portando avanti trame di vendetta che prendono il via dagli eventi successi nel primo libro, anche se volendo può essere letto in modo autonomo.. per quanto ben scritto e divertente, la trama qua è un po' meno presente e meno interessante.. ma i personaggi e le loro disavventure sono sempre al massimo del grimdark..
May 13, 2015
What a remarkable improvement over the previous book. This one is well deserving the 5-star. As usual, I generally stray away from writing about the premise of the story, as that's readily available in the book description, and I also provide SPOILER-FREE reviews.
THE GOOD
At first I wasn't sold on the idea of having Betrim as the only returning character, leaving Thanquil and Jezzet away, but now I wish all 3 books are only about him. Here he takes center stage, and he's forming a new crew, all for the sake of vengeance. The twists and turns provided in his journey to fulfil this dark endeavor is filled with surprises. At one point I couldn't believe I used to like a character that I now detested. The entire book was a pleasure to read, and Anders was also always fun to read.
The prose has improved in leaps and bounds, and I think Mr. Hayes has gotten much more comfortable in the penman's role. There weren't any/many points that took me out of suspension of disbelief due to cliche/bad writing, which made for a pleasant reading experience.
THE EH
This isn't a knock against the story, but more for the editor/publisher. There were many instances of misspellings, and those definitely yanked me out of the story. For some reason, I was also much more aware of the more modern lingo being used in the story, which I felt was less conspicuous in the first book (though it's probably just my imagination). I'm generally not a fan of it, not that I need the characters to speak in "thous" and "thees", but it'd be nice if they didn't speak like people in today's world. Lastly, seeing common idioms being used is a major pet peeve, and there was one point where a character said "Pot. Kettle. Black." which annoyed me to no end.
THE BAD
I can't really think of anything so bad that would warrant it being mentioned in this section. I suppose the fact that it had to eventually end kinda sucks, but I immediately bought book 3, and I'm around 20% into it already.
OVERALL
If you made it past the first book, why the hell wouldn't you read this one? It's a far superior book, and a hell of a lot more fun. The prose is better, the characters are better, the story is better, the pacing is better, holy fuck, just about everything is better. Just read it.
TL;DR
Is good. You read. Okay?
THE GOOD
At first I wasn't sold on the idea of having Betrim as the only returning character, leaving Thanquil and Jezzet away, but now I wish all 3 books are only about him. Here he takes center stage, and he's forming a new crew, all for the sake of vengeance. The twists and turns provided in his journey to fulfil this dark endeavor is filled with surprises. At one point I couldn't believe I used to like a character that I now detested. The entire book was a pleasure to read, and Anders was also always fun to read.
The prose has improved in leaps and bounds, and I think Mr. Hayes has gotten much more comfortable in the penman's role. There weren't any/many points that took me out of suspension of disbelief due to cliche/bad writing, which made for a pleasant reading experience.
THE EH
This isn't a knock against the story, but more for the editor/publisher. There were many instances of misspellings, and those definitely yanked me out of the story. For some reason, I was also much more aware of the more modern lingo being used in the story, which I felt was less conspicuous in the first book (though it's probably just my imagination). I'm generally not a fan of it, not that I need the characters to speak in "thous" and "thees", but it'd be nice if they didn't speak like people in today's world. Lastly, seeing common idioms being used is a major pet peeve, and there was one point where a character said "Pot. Kettle. Black." which annoyed me to no end.
THE BAD
I can't really think of anything so bad that would warrant it being mentioned in this section. I suppose the fact that it had to eventually end kinda sucks, but I immediately bought book 3, and I'm around 20% into it already.
OVERALL
If you made it past the first book, why the hell wouldn't you read this one? It's a far superior book, and a hell of a lot more fun. The prose is better, the characters are better, the story is better, the pacing is better, holy fuck, just about everything is better. Just read it.
TL;DR
Is good. You read. Okay?
September 16, 2015
The Color of Vengeance continues the saga of the Heresy Within shortly after those events unfold. Thanquil and Jezzet are absent from this story which focuses on the Black Thorn and some of the other members of the old crew.
There are some new characters thrown into the mix. Anders is the most complete of these. He's got several secrets and it is clear as the story progresses that we won't see them all. Next is Pern Suzku, the body guard extraordinaire who struggles with his assignment. How can he uphold the honor of his clan while working for a man he despises? Finally there is Bruce Lee, well known icon of many old martial arts films, a man who can face 20 or more opponents and come away without a scratch. Only his name in this book is Jacob Lee and he is the character with whom I have the most difficulty.
Without getting all spoilery, I don't see a purpose for his story line. All he does is kill a bunch of folks. In fact he leaves precisely one person unharmed form the large number of people with whom he interacts. He added nothing to the plot that I could see.
Like the previous volume, there were some typos, the most jarring of which is on page 192 where the man who was being tortured
However, despite the things that I didn't enjoy, the story itself is fun to read. I liked seeing the “whatever happened to so-and-so” appearances through out the book and the references to the events of the first book that showed these things did not happen in a vacuum.
This book is a quick reading, anti-heroic(?) fantasy that will still please fans of Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence.
There are some new characters thrown into the mix. Anders is the most complete of these. He's got several secrets and it is clear as the story progresses that we won't see them all. Next is Pern Suzku, the body guard extraordinaire who struggles with his assignment. How can he uphold the honor of his clan while working for a man he despises? Finally there is Bruce Lee, well known icon of many old martial arts films, a man who can face 20 or more opponents and come away without a scratch. Only his name in this book is Jacob Lee and he is the character with whom I have the most difficulty.
Without getting all spoilery, I don't see a purpose for his story line. All he does is kill a bunch of folks. In fact he leaves precisely one person unharmed form the large number of people with whom he interacts. He added nothing to the plot that I could see.
Like the previous volume, there were some typos, the most jarring of which is on page 192 where the man who was being tortured
“said not a word apart from the curses he threw around the room at anyone and everyone, even Pern, who had hose nothing and wanted nothing to do with the entire situation.”I presume the author meant “done” rather than hose. The over 100 uses of “truth was” or “truth be told” get tiring after the first fifty or so, and I found the archaic use of span as a tense of spin to be out of place in the book.
However, despite the things that I didn't enjoy, the story itself is fun to read. I liked seeing the “whatever happened to so-and-so” appearances through out the book and the references to the events of the first book that showed these things did not happen in a vacuum.
This book is a quick reading, anti-heroic(?) fantasy that will still please fans of Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence.
July 16, 2013
Wouldn't you know it, but The Colour of Vengeance - the second volume, the dreaded middle child – is at least as good as the first one? I was quite impressed by Rob J. Hayes's first novel in "The Ties That Bind"-Trilogy, The Heresy Within, and initially shocked to learn that , but having finished this one (and about to start the The Price of Faith once I finish Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash), I think it was the right choice and proves he's an even bigger talent than I initially thought because he's pulled it off with ease.
Anyone who likes Patrick Rothfuss or Scott Lynch and particularly Joe Abercrombie will enjoy this one. Highly recommended!
Anyone who likes Patrick Rothfuss or Scott Lynch and particularly Joe Abercrombie will enjoy this one. Highly recommended!
March 14, 2024
The Colour of Vengeance (book 2) in The Ties That Bind series by Rob Hayes
We pick up with Betrim (Black Thorn) failing to kill Kessick the arbiter. He’s been imprisoned, hurting, missing an eye, but still finds a means to escape and from there are our adventures continue.
We meet up with some of his old crew who we thought were dead like Henry, Swift, and Bones. Some still partial to him, some not. We also get to meet some new characters like Anders (I love this guy for some reason) Six Cities Ben, and Pern the Haarin (an amazing sword master who might even rival Jezzet- who unfortunately we don’t get to see in this installment). We also see a minor character in the first book, Captain Morass, take on a bigger role. And Betrim has a new foe from the Inquisition; The Templar- Jacob Lee.
Even without Jez and Thanquil Darkheart this book surpasses the first. It’s as gritty and dark. It has exciting scenes, that keep you on the edge of your seat, with amazing fights that make you wonder whether or not our heroes? adventurers? scoundrels? are going to survive.
Hayes does a great job drawing you into his stories with great character development and plot lines that keep you engaged. I enjoyed The Heresy Within but I love this second book even more. If you read the first book in the series you need to read this one for sure.
We pick up with Betrim (Black Thorn) failing to kill Kessick the arbiter. He’s been imprisoned, hurting, missing an eye, but still finds a means to escape and from there are our adventures continue.
We meet up with some of his old crew who we thought were dead like Henry, Swift, and Bones. Some still partial to him, some not. We also get to meet some new characters like Anders (I love this guy for some reason) Six Cities Ben, and Pern the Haarin (an amazing sword master who might even rival Jezzet- who unfortunately we don’t get to see in this installment). We also see a minor character in the first book, Captain Morass, take on a bigger role. And Betrim has a new foe from the Inquisition; The Templar- Jacob Lee.
Even without Jez and Thanquil Darkheart this book surpasses the first. It’s as gritty and dark. It has exciting scenes, that keep you on the edge of your seat, with amazing fights that make you wonder whether or not our heroes? adventurers? scoundrels? are going to survive.
Hayes does a great job drawing you into his stories with great character development and plot lines that keep you engaged. I enjoyed The Heresy Within but I love this second book even more. If you read the first book in the series you need to read this one for sure.
March 22, 2024
To say that this book suffers from a middle book syndrome would be an understatement.
I loved the first book and I was really curious where the trilogy is going to go, but Rob J. Hayes decided to do something that completely killed my exitement. This book is just a side quest, not really relevant for the main plot, main mystery, not even featuring the main character.
And even though the main character on this book is fine.. I did not really care about anything since I found out we are not moving forward with the story.
I already peaked into book 3 and yeah, we are back on track there, with the main character. Therefore, I just do not think this book had to exist, especially since it is very short, it could have been combined with book 3 or something.
I am sure there are reasons why RJH did it, but I will be really surprised if you'll ever hear me say: "Yeah, that was worth it."
In the end, it was not horrible, but that decision just annoyed me and I did not care from start to finish. Let's hope the book 3 is on the level of the first one.
Very cool/hatetable antagonist though!
I loved the first book and I was really curious where the trilogy is going to go, but Rob J. Hayes decided to do something that completely killed my exitement. This book is just a side quest, not really relevant for the main plot, main mystery, not even featuring the main character.
And even though the main character on this book is fine.. I did not really care about anything since I found out we are not moving forward with the story.
I already peaked into book 3 and yeah, we are back on track there, with the main character. Therefore, I just do not think this book had to exist, especially since it is very short, it could have been combined with book 3 or something.
I am sure there are reasons why RJH did it, but I will be really surprised if you'll ever hear me say: "Yeah, that was worth it."
In the end, it was not horrible, but that decision just annoyed me and I did not care from start to finish. Let's hope the book 3 is on the level of the first one.
Very cool/hatetable antagonist though!
July 8, 2013
This was truly a rollercoaster ride for me! It was nice to see Anders introduced, albeit from his small part in the first; it was also a plus to find a previous murder tied up. The addition of parts was just right, I always felt that too many characters makes it hard to follow.
The two characters I wanted to know more about from the first book were added into this one. I felt the start was a little slow and The Black Thorn just seemed to get lucky on every front. As always it was interesting and shocking to see betrayal play a big part, granted theives never have much honour.
I felt I missed the Blademaster and the Arbiter more and more as the book went on but the story still gripped me and kept me wanting more.
I think this was a perfect sequal to the first and the withdrawal of my favourite character made me wanting more, worth the 5 stars and would recommend this to any fantasy lover.
The two characters I wanted to know more about from the first book were added into this one. I felt the start was a little slow and The Black Thorn just seemed to get lucky on every front. As always it was interesting and shocking to see betrayal play a big part, granted theives never have much honour.
I felt I missed the Blademaster and the Arbiter more and more as the book went on but the story still gripped me and kept me wanting more.
I think this was a perfect sequal to the first and the withdrawal of my favourite character made me wanting more, worth the 5 stars and would recommend this to any fantasy lover.
July 5, 2015
Rob Hayes amps up the pace and violence factor in this worthy sequel to The Heresy Within. The book focuses on Black Thorn but is populated by a host of other violent killers and a general escalation of the stakes on the unstable political front. Betrayals, deceptions and double crosses is just another day here as characters do anything to survive. A whole raft of new intriguing characters are added to the mix as some of the older characters are now given a chance to shine here. The pace is electric and there is hardly a dull moment. As with the previous book, Hayes' characters and world resemble Abercrombie's world so much that you wouldnt be surprised that Logan Nine-Fingers burst into a melee somewhere.
On the flip side, 2 of the 3 lead characters go completely missing which is a shame but hopefully we will see them in the 3rd book
On the flip side, 2 of the 3 lead characters go completely missing which is a shame but hopefully we will see them in the 3rd book
January 26, 2015
The second volume of the Ties that Bind trilogy is just as good, if not better, than The Heresy Within.
We lose Thanquil and Jezzet, but follow the POVs of the Black Thorn (Betrim), Anders, a Blooded drunk he meets up with in Solantis, Jacob Lee, an insane Arbiter who's been set after the Black Thorn and Suzku, a Haarin bodyguard contracted to Betrim's old crew-mate, Swift. Again, Mr. Hayes skillfully weaves the stories of these individuals into a cohesive and intriguing whole. Betrim's becoming the Boss of his own crew, much to his discomfort. There are betrayals around every corner, as well as surprises.
Another great story. Can't wait for the third one to come out from Ragnarok Press in May.... (May? I have to wait that long?!?)
We lose Thanquil and Jezzet, but follow the POVs of the Black Thorn (Betrim), Anders, a Blooded drunk he meets up with in Solantis, Jacob Lee, an insane Arbiter who's been set after the Black Thorn and Suzku, a Haarin bodyguard contracted to Betrim's old crew-mate, Swift. Again, Mr. Hayes skillfully weaves the stories of these individuals into a cohesive and intriguing whole. Betrim's becoming the Boss of his own crew, much to his discomfort. There are betrayals around every corner, as well as surprises.
Another great story. Can't wait for the third one to come out from Ragnarok Press in May.... (May? I have to wait that long?!?)
March 6, 2014
I must say that this book was so much better than the first one!! I thought that the new character was hilarious! I thought he was so funny! I don't know why some people found him annoying, however I found them hysterical! I cannot wait to read the last one! I almost don't want to read it because I never want it to end! This book is definitely right up to par with Mr. Joe Amber Crombie this one definitely have some left out loud moments!! I find myself cracking up during some parts of the story! Absolutely loved it I definitely recommend this book for those of you were looking for fast-paced, dirty, and a gritty action!! LOL just so much fun. Going to read the third one right now!
December 9, 2017
That didn't go like I thought it would. I greatly enjoyed the first book of this trilogy and was looking forward to picking it up again, but only one of the three main characters from the first book appear in this one?
That was a bit of a shock to me, but it didn't harm my enjoyment of the book at all.
A very solid story with a good variety of characters both new and old. The Black Thorn is central (being one third of the original main characters), but Henry, Swift, and others from the first story do appear along with some new ones. There are some dark moments, great action, and a solid story. A top notch grimdark story.
That was a bit of a shock to me, but it didn't harm my enjoyment of the book at all.
A very solid story with a good variety of characters both new and old. The Black Thorn is central (being one third of the original main characters), but Henry, Swift, and others from the first story do appear along with some new ones. There are some dark moments, great action, and a solid story. A top notch grimdark story.
August 3, 2016
Well, I'm sad it is finished, but glad there's another book to read, but sad because then, it will be the last...
The characters are great, the story is great. I mean, there's violence and death at each corner but it's not traumatizing (I know how weird and contradicting this must sound). Truly, the author did a great great job.
Yes. Great is just the word.
I highly recommend.
The characters are great, the story is great. I mean, there's violence and death at each corner but it's not traumatizing (I know how weird and contradicting this must sound). Truly, the author did a great great job.
Yes. Great is just the word.
I highly recommend.
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