The Ragged Blade

Century of Sand #1

by Christopher Ruz

As a young mercenary, Richard followed a mysterious Magician on a quest to steal a treasure from a demon and overthrow a king. The two men started their journey as strangers, became lovers along the way, and ended as master and loyal soldier.

Twenty years later, that kingdom is steadily falling into ruin and Richard has realized that time and power have twisted the Magician into more monster than man - children disappear nightly into his dungeons and the only things that leave are terrible creatures crafted in the shadows.

To save his own daughter, Richard flees into the desert wastes where magic boils beneath the sand and monsters walk the dunes in the shape of men. He will return to the burning heart of the desert and restore the demon's treasure, or die in the trying.

What Richard doesn't know is that Ana is the key to the Magician's plans and he and his favorite monster will lay waste to the world to get her back.

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, LGBT, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2012

About the author

Christopher "Ruz" Hayes-Kossmann was born in Hong Kong, raised in Vienna, and is now settled in Melbourne, Australia. Although he graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design, his first love has always been writing.

He's been published by Weaponizer, Labyrinth Inhabitant's Magazine and Birdville Magazine, and has won both the first Ergofiction Search Term Challenge and the first Birdville Impromptu Award.

His first fantasy trilogy, Century of Sand, is releasing Q1 2019 from Parvus Press.

Reviews

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In brief - High quality fantasy and largely unputdownable. I want the next book NOW!! :-)

In full
Richard, who has been a loyal fighter and executioner for years, starts to realise that his master, the Magician, is more evil than people he has been killing on his behalf. After the death of his wife some years ago he gave his baby daughter into the care of the Magician. He rescues her and escapes. They are both in grave danger as Richard has also taken a precious artefact which the Magician treasures. So begins a journey that has the makings of classic fantasy writing. The two of them journey in wild places to avoid the Magician and seek help to defeat him.
The pace from the start of this is very good. He and Ana's journey is fraught with danger. However there are times when Richard is reflective. He is also trying to get Ana to speak - what has the Magician done to her? This allows him to tell a substantial amount of back story in a way that satisfied this reader's curiosity very well. It is always hard to introduce new worlds, beliefs, magic etc in a convincing way. For me it worked here. By the time I was 10% in I had a fair idea of the general setting and was hooked!
The writing is vivid as is the landscapes the book is set in. In the main Richard and Ana travel through desert areas which create their own problems. There were times when I was walking through strange landscape with them. It is fair to say that, as well as writing very well, this author has a dark and powerful imagination. Some of the creatures he invents are vividly scary. Meeting some of these in the settings he creates might make this a book not to read at bedtime for those of a sensitive nature.
I really liked the characters here. Beyond Richard and Ana are others who are well worked. Are they simply passing by or will we see them again. Will those who seem to be enemies at the start still be that later and vice versa? Be prepared for some very interesting people/beings to wander in the pages of this book. Even minor characters are worthwhile.
Religion plays a real part in this world and its stories. In practice the item Richard stole from the Magician belongs to a demon. Richard hopes the demon will help defeat the Magician if this treasure is returned. However what are the demons in this world and who are the gods? Will they talk to anyone? For a fantasy book magic plays quite a small part in this story. The emphasis is more of basic alchemy which Richard is able to use. Be prepared for swords and the like rather than spells maybe.
I found this an enormously satisfying read. It was one of those books which took over Any spare minute or two and the decision was what shall I do - the answer was obvious... I am a fairly selective fantasy reader and can be quite fussy. However this was right up my street. While the style and ideas are not similar this book was in the same league as some from writers such as Hobb and Canavan. I would suggest that a lot of fantasy readers would enjoy this book and hopefully the whole series. I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
https://viewson.org.uk/fantasy/the-ra...

[Jennifer (bunnyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was an assorted bag of fabulous, and some odd, not quite sure how I feel about it stuff. It’s a slow building world that relies on the mc Richard, to tell the story through a combination of flashbacks- partly through sharing stories with his daughter Ana (who is mute for the most part), combined with present day events. Because I had mixed feelings towards Richard- he’s rather odd at times in his abruptness; it took me a good quarter of the book to warm to him and his story.

Richard hopes to return the heart to a Demon, in hopes of passage across the desert to freedom and safety from the Magician (his Master and at one time lover) whom had been holding his daughter in the dungeons, for a purpose that is not clear until practically the end of the book (so I won't spoil).

***
I found the relationship between Richard and Ana a bit strange at first, making it a small stumbling block in the story. He was so touchy/tender towards her which was so weirdly awkward to me, especially because up until her rescue he had never set eyes upon her before or at least since she was born. But this awkwardness did work in some ways to show how much of an adjustment this was for Ricard as well- leaving me not sure where I stand on the whole thing.

I think, I just needed something outside of the we are blood and I loved your mother and your mother loved you, type of bond which seems a somewhat flimsy connection for the tenderness that was displayed- I admit to not being a touchy feely type of person either so that may have held sway, so take this criticism with a grain of salt.

Their weird vibe did improve for me though as the story progressed. As Ana had noticeable growth in affection towards her dad and more initiative in the story it lost some of that awkwardness that I was feeling at the beginning.

The Kabbah was a nice addition, interesting in his views and also gave us the odd small dose of humor to break the darkness.

I would have liked to know more about Richard and The Magician’s working and personal relationship. He held so much influence over Richard I was curious to know when and how Richard began to change his views towards him, and see he wasn’t all that he thought, etc.

***
The world felt unique and imaginative, alive with people, religion, and dangerous creatures. The atmosphere is just thick with apprehension. I liked it a lot. The uneasiness builds as the story unfolds and because Richard is the source of our information and he was so pushed to the edge throughout, it leaves us feeling unsettled while we patiently wait for him to continue his story, wondering how he came to this point. I liked the backstory the best, so the waiting was hard.

I enjoyed the style of the writing. The sometimes-abrupt sentences had some lovely turns of phrase, a few of which, the impact in their placements burned an afterimage in my mind. There was obvious thought put into the prose and occasionally, I would go back and reread the events leading up to certain lines just because they were so effective.
I probably highlighted dozens of scenes, and spent more time than necessary trying to choose a quote to showcase this without spoilers but the beauty of it is not quite the same when you aren’t immersed in the world.

Excerpt from one of the many scenes that I tried to choose from-

“Let the demon rage,” he whispered. “Let the tower fall. Some things aren’t worth the price.” He retreated toward the Needle’s edge. A quick smile. A twist of the head, like he didn’t want to meet Richard’s gaze.

Then, with sudden speed, he descended into the storm and was gone.

Richard couldn’t move. His sword still shook in his hand. When he blinked, he saw Spirin tumbling, blood arcing between his fingers. He saw the Magician’s rueful grin.

The heartbeat of the tower echoed through his feet, into his bones.

It drummed and drummed and drummed.




Other Notes-

-A few times the switch from retelling the story to Ana to the actual being in the now of the story, was so sudden that I’d have to backtrack especially with Richard being the subject of the tale, and weaving the past /present thoughts into the now. It did give it this dream-like quality which added to the uneasy atmosphere.

-Cool as hell imagery, especially at the petrified ship and at the needle looking for acceptance by the God.

A very memorable world and story that has been haunting my head for days. I’m pretty curious to see where this story goes from here.


3.5

Thank you to Netgalley, Parvus Press and the author Christopher Ruz for a copy for review.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to read an advanced copy. The best thing I can say about a book is that in its quietest and smallest moments, it still feels tense and rich and exciting. The Ragged Blade does this impressively, thanks in no small part to the author's gorgeous use of language--sentences that feel carved from marble. It is a quiet father-daughter story of survival set against the weight of a sprawling and epic magical and barren and dystopian medieval world closing in as a backdrop. The characters are believable and feel very real: the weary assassin (the "blade") on the run from the Machiavellian magician king, and the assassin's traumatized daughter--a prodigy of sorts who might be a key to the wider world's power struggles. Its action sequences are feverish and loud and satisfying, and the main character's backstory genuinely makes his present more interesting. For the first book in a series, it still comes to a satisfying conclusion, while opening up the big and problematic world for subsequent novels. Really, really enjoyed this.

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

THE RAGGED BLADE by Christopher Ruz is a dark fantasy novel that covers hundreds of miles of travel across a desert in search of a demon to kill the protagonist's former lover. If that intrigues you then you should probably pick this one up. The central protagonist is an obsessive antihero willing to kill, maim, lie, cheat, and blaspheme in order to protect his traumatized daughter. It's not quite grimdark but the main character's madness makes him darker than your typical protective father.

Richard and his daughter Ana are on the run from the Magician who rules the kingdom they're fleeing. Richard helped the Magician, his lover, take over and is already a former assassin as well as traitor. He betrayed his king, his kingdom, his god, and comrades in order to place the Magician on the throne. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who you ask, Richard was changed by fatherhood. Moved by a love for his daughter and guilt regarding his dead wife (Richard is a rare male bisexual protagonist), Richard kidnaps her and steals a sacred jewel that is the source of the Magician's power.

He then heads across a desert in search of a powerful demon that he believes will help him destroy the Magician. Along the way, he'll leave a trail of destruction and betrayal in his wake because the Magician is hunting him with his horrific magical construct called "The Culling." Richard doesn't care who is caught in the wake, though, because the only thing that matters is the safety of his daughter.

Richard's obsessiveness is both the strength and weakness of the book. He's clearly not playing with a full deck and justifies virtually every decision he makes on the basis of whether it will help him get closer to his goal or protect his daughter. Nothing else matters to him and he's fully willing to abandon entire cities to their destruction if it means success. Flashbacks show that he's already broken virtually every moral code imaginable so he has very little left to lose.

This makes him a nice contrast to the majority of fantasy heroes who are motivated by morality or naked greed. Unfortunately, it also hurts him because Richard is a bit static as a character. He's dedicated himself 100% to his goal and his monomania means that he doesn't really ever change. It also limits his ability to bond with other character since they're pretty much either friends or foes based on how they impact his quest.

I really enjoyed the side characters of the Kabbah and Priest of the Daughter actually. The Kabbah is a warlord who was living an enjoyable life until Richard effectively doomed him along with everyone he loved for simply passing through. The Priest of the Daughter is a scientist turned holy man who may have seen more hell than heaven. Nevertheless, I actually tend to side with him against Richard when the latter tries to project all manner of atrocities onto him.

I think fantasy readers looking for an epic road trip will be pleased by this book. The world that Christopher Ruz weaves around him is an interesting one that grows more expansive with each location they visit. This is the first book in a series and I should warn readers that it ends on a cliffhanger.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Century of Sand opens, we are presented with a chilling scene: a man, clutching the limp body of a young girl, escapes a castle by cover of night. Nothing is said about who he is or where he is going, but through the language of well-chosen details we sense the seriousness of his crime and the precious nature of his cargo. A glance back over his shoulder makes us feel his anxiety; we are in his shoes now, facing the guards ahead with feigned assurance, knowing that any break in our resolve will spell certain disaster.

And that’s just the first two paragraphs.

Century of Sand is nothing less than a triumph of well-crafted storytelling. It succeeds on several levels, boasting elegant prose, entertaining adventure, well-drawn characters and a consummately developed fantasy world.

The story follows a soldier named Richard, who has betrayed his regent, the Magician, and stolen two items of immeasurable value: a magical stone which may or may not contain the secret of eternal life, and his own daughter, a mute girl named Ana who was being raised in the Magician’s “care.” His goal is to return the stone to its place of origination: the Ant Tower, a colossal, demonically possessed termite mound deep in the desolate Meritran desert. Even in the best of times the journey would be impossibly perilous, but Richard has many additional complications to deal with: the Magician’s deadly forces on his tail, his daughter’s mysteriously distant nature, and his own flaws and foibles, some of which were responsible for leading him to such a desperate situation in the first place.

While all the major characters in Century are fleshed out and interesting, the real star of the show is the relationship between Richard and Ana. A major theme of the book is Richard’s failing as a parent, and Ana’s innocence (which works in contrast to the darker aspects of her nature) as a possible redemptive agent. Their relationship is subtle and touching, and develops nicely as the story progresses. I will avoid discussing some of my favorite scenes to prevent spoilers, but suffice to say Ruz does an excellent job communicating some of the horrible paradoxes of love and frustration that come with having a child.

According to Ruz’s website, Century of Sand took four years to write, and it shows. The prose is polished and honed, with barely an extraneous sentence or word to be found in its 400+ pages. If Ruz puts the same amount of shine on the next two books of his proposed trilogy, then readers will be in for a treat, once more of them discover this diamond in the desert wastes.

Rating: Five burnouse-covered demon hearts out of five.

[Rick Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started out slow, but it just kept getting better and more involved the further it went. Slow burn, excellent delivery in the long run. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

One look at the unique art styling of Century of Sand's cover was enough to intrigue me, by the first chapter of prose I was sold entirely.

It has become more commonplace of late for authors to unashamedly wear their influences on their sleeve, and Christopher Ruz is no exception, citing China Mieville and Gene Wolfe in the author's word after his tale is told. For those unfamiliar with either author, that means that you're not going to get a straightforward fantasy plot with a conventional narrative.

Century of sand revolves around the two characters on its cover, and their mission to make it to the ant tower across a vast desert full of peril.

Richard is a veteran soldier who was once in service to a mighty magician, prior to his betraying him in order to liberate his own daughter in addition to a strange stone of unknown properties.

We first see our protagonist escaping the confines of a castle with a young girl in his arms. Right from the start Ruz casts a spell over us with his wordplay, and leaves us concerned for a character we know nothing about as he shepherds the embodiment of innocent frailty away from the clutches of the guards.

Said embodiment is Ana, a young child who is both mute and precocious. The magician has done something to her, and it is uncertain throughout the text what that might be, but it falls upon Richard to be her guardian and slowly coax humanity out of her again.

Richard's quest is to return the stone to the Ant Tower, a huge mound of writhing termites that lies deep in the Meritran desert. What sounds like the build to a heart-warming daddy/daughter fantasy adventure is anything but, as the grim reality of the magician hunting them down and the inevitable obstacles on the way to the Tower present themselves. The desert itself with its harsh conditions becomes an enemy of sorts, and is a constant and pervasive backdrop to every plot twist.

There are no black and whites in Century of Sand, with every character clearly having their own motives and failings. There are no indestructible heroes or paragons of virtue, and even Richard's love for Ana is tempered by the numerous mistakes he makes, errors that draw great sympathy and make him feel more human to the reader.

As the plot develops, so too does the centrepiece of the book: the relationship between Richard and Ana. They make a fine pair. Richard being a broken but determined man who will do anything to spare his daughter further suffering. Ana a mute and similarly broken girl who has seen too much too young and displays wisdom and skill beyond her years.

Given that Ruz's main influences are based in weird fiction and post-apocalyptic literary fantasy, you'd expect a garbled plot and a multitude of dream-like sequences thick with rich prose. Ruz eschews this by incorporating elements of both into the world-building and plotting of his work, but chooses not to hinder the direct and fat-free language with which he describes things.

Century of Sand is about what is left unsaid. There's a brief tale told by Richard for the sake of exposition, but aside from that the gradual unveiling of the world is done with gentle strokes. Little pieces of information are cast the reader's way throughout the text and the book invites you to conjure a world that fits the prose you're immersed in.

Another interesting aspect of the plotting is that there are sequential encounters as the pair cross the desert, featuring the likes of a priest who is more than he seems and a warlord with intriguing intentions. It almost reads like a series of short stories that have been weaved together into a contiguous whole, but the permanence of choices made within these brief bubbles carry throughout the text.

Elements of the origin of divinity are touched upon with frequency enough to inform you of their importance without any clumsy foreshadowing, and I was impressed at the well-developed antagonists that were thrown at the pair.

Without spoiling the work, I would say that the final third is slightly rushed, and the subtle manner with which Ruz coaxes his world out can also lead to a skeletal understand of some aspects of it.

The ending demands a sequel, and fortunately this is the first of a trilogy. While satisfying for the most part, I felt that I had only tasted a sample of the entire tale, and that the pacing of the book meant that it came to a halt too soon. The ending was not jarring as such, but it could have merited further extension that will no doubt come in the form of fallout in the second book.

Christopher Ruz has established an excellent desert-based tale with an intriguing cast, there are twists and turns throughout that made this a swift read. I'll be picking up the next in the series as prose and plotting of this quality merit my recompense.

[Lindsey Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review here

It’s always tricky writing reviews for books that didn’t evoke any strong feelings. The Ragged Blade is a solid novel, but it never got my heart racing and I never felt completely gripped. That being said, it did have some strong elements working for it.

The plot is quite basic: a man is on the run from his ex-lover with his daughter. But said ex-lover is a powerful magician who is hunting them, determined to get them back. But who is the price: Richard, or his daughter, Anna?

The narration is told in two parts: the majority follows Anna and Richard as they flee across wastelands and into hostile environments to escape their pursuer. But interspersed along the way is the past; we get glimpses of the adventure that ultimately leads Richard to this point many years ago: how the magician seduced him, the peril they had to face and hints of the life he’s led in-between.

Richard is a solid protagonist: he will do whatever it takes to protect his daughter – sacrifice who he must, kill who he must, as long as his little girl is safe. He faces up to mistakes he has made in the past and isn’t above admitting when he’s wrong or acting immorally.

The past helps flesh out Richard’s character. You understand how he was taken in by the magician and it offers great character development from the naïve boy he was then compared to the protective father he is now.

But I found it hard to connect with him. There’s no flaw I can put my finger on, I just wasn’t as emotionally invested in these characters as I’d like to be. They’ve all been through a lot and yet I never felt their emotions in the way I wanted to.

As with any book where there is a lot of travelling, it felt slow-paced. There are fights and flights scattered throughout: escaping the magician’s pet monster, uncovering a priest as a liar that break it up, but the characters never feel as if they are in true danger – you know somehow they are going to get out of it.

It was also never clear the difference between magic and chemistry – and which character had the power to do what. It needed more clarity at times to help readers understand the rules of the world.

Without any spoilers, I liked the ending. Considering the power of the magician and the hold he has on Richard’s head and heart; I wasn’t sure how events were going to come to a close. It was a plausible ending, leaving enough questions that I’m considering the second book to see if it gives more answers.

I still have questions. There are still things I want to know that weren’t covered. I’d continue reading but not have my hopes up to be blown away. Sometimes you don’t need a book that makes your heart race, but it did feel something was lacking here and I’m not sure what.

[Nicole Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from its first pages with Richard's charisma and his silent daughter Ana. Although it became clear very quickly that Richard was doing something he shouldn't be, and was shortly thereafter on the run, I found him an incredibly likeable character, for at least the first half of the movie.

When the story went on to give me a story within a story that involved a gay character named Parkin, I couldn't have been more happy. Stories within stories are one of my favourite tropes, and whenever an author manages to find a way of doing it without losing the thread of the overarching storyline, I am over the moon.

Ruz does that and more. Not only are the characters fully fleshed and interesting, but the setting--which is a slightly out of the norm dessert within the fantasy genre--is rich and evocative. I'm a terrible Australian and have never really seen dessert sand, but I swear I could feel it in the back of my throat at various parts of this book.

The whole story is one of Richard trying save his daughter by running away from a power hungry creature only really known as the Magician. As the story goes on, we come to realise how entwined Richard's past has been with this man and how that has fuelled his desire to destroy him not just for his own safety, but also in order to avenge friends and others who have come before.

If the names Ana and Ini were difficult to distinguish before the end, and if the plot was a little bit slow or repetitive around the middle, I found that I could forgive it because the quality of the writing in descriptions and character never dropped from strong and amazing.

In many ways, this book was just a set up for the rest of the series, its focus seeming to be more on atmosphere than plot. If that's the case, I can only imagine how great the rest of it's going to be as they stumble onwards to the alchemist city named the First Empire of Reason.

[Jordan Puckridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of fatherly love and sacrifice that shines brighter than the scorching sun of its fantasy setting.

At the core of The Ragged Blade's story is a question, "How far will a father go to save his daughter?" This question permeates the journey of Richard, the lead character and his daughter as they race to keep ahead of a vengeful ex-lover bent on bringing them back. Their journey takes them into the heart of an unforgiving desert in a world that is often as harsh as the rolling dunes and where the consequences of the characters actions have significant ramifications.

Despite the bleak setting, Ruz manages to inject a lot of heart into the story. The relationship between Richard and his daughter, Ana, evolves throughout the book and explores the nuances and trials of parenthood in a way that highlights the faults we all have and creates a bond with the characters that continues after the final page. The supporting cast of characters are equally compelling and help to flesh out the larger world of The Ragged Blade.

The plot is interspersed with flashbacks that explore Richard's past and allow us to engage with a villain who is for large parts of the story absent from the action. Though frequent, they are nicely framed as stories Richard tells his daughter and are short enough not to wear out their welcome. Ruz does a good job of weaving these flashbacks back into the main plot and they culminate together in a satisfying finale that while good, felt a little rushed in places compared to the more considered pace of the earlier chapters.

By around the halfway point of the story, the hooks are in and I couldn't wait to sit down and continue my journey through the desert. Throughout the book there are hints to a larger, series spanning conflict and I, for one, can't wait for more.

[Munch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

3.5

Warnings: Violence and gore

I have opposing feelings about this book, it is part journey and part flashback of a journey. While I did enjoy it for the writing and characters I thought the plot was a bit slow in places. I liked the relationship between Richard and his daughter. His protectiveness but also not really knowing how to be a father to a small traumatised girl who he hasn't seen since she was a baby was a interesting contrast. The way the flashbacks were handled like he was telling his daughter a story was unique but also meant that it wasn't very detailed regarding certain events such as the interaction between Richard and the Wizard and the development of their relationship. I enjoyed getting to know more about Ana as the story progressed, to see her fierceness near animal instincts but also her compassion made me intrigued to see what is actually going on in her head . My favourite character was actually the Kabbah, he interested me from the start and I hoped that he would become more than a side character. When he came back into the story I found that he added something that was missing to the character interactions and dynamic.

Overall I'll be interested to carry on with the series to maybe fill in some of the gaps in Richard's history and see how Ana develops as a character.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the type of fantasy novel I would normally read. Generally I prefer my fantasy to be set in forests, with plenty of pre-established back-story and characters who are determined to do `good', no matter the cost. Century of Sand is not that kind of fantasy. In some ways it is much, much better.

Like the desert in which it is set, this novel is dark, gritty and dangerous. The history of the characters and the world are slowly revealed in a spectacular way that keeps you wanting more, and while neither Richard nor Ana are traditionally `good' characters, I couldn't help but cheer for them, hoping they would succeed against all odds.

Christopher Ruz does a fantastic job, balancing mystery, horror, history, fantasy and adventure perfectly, and leaving the reader wanting more of the same. At the end of the novel there are many questions left unanswered, and I can only hope that the next two books will answer them as brilliantly as Century of Sand posed them. A great first novel, I'm looking forward to reading more!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Century of Sand is a remarkable journey. I was engrossed from the very start, but as I neared the end I hesitated. Even knowing that this is the first part of a trilogy, I was fearful for the characters. The closer I drew to the end of the book the more often I put it down and stepped away, fearful of what might befall Richard and Ana.

Ruz manages to create characters who are engaging and infuriating. He communicates the length of the journey without ever dragging the us through tedium. He also treats his readers with consideration, resisting the pitfall of trying to explain too much (about the land, the people, their histories and lore) and instead gives us what we need and lets us puzzle over the rest, stretching our own imaginations as we consider the potential of what we don't know.

And what we don't know is key to this story. We don't know why the Magician wants Ana or why she is mute. We don't know what will happen when Richard returns the demon's heart and we don't know how well he has thought any of this through.

[Stephanie Embry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting on this was fantastic. Definitely a nice step away from the ever present pseudo-Celtic fantasy. Richard and Ana were awesome, and the father-daughter dynamic was interesting.

Ruz kinda throws you into the action right away, with pretty much no explanation about what's happening. There's enough to keep the pages turning, but just a little more wouldn't hurt. The back stories start showing up a little later and more is revealed with time, but it was done in a way I found backwards--when I wanted to know more, I was denied, and when I wanted to see action, I got backstory. Maybe that is good in a way. It certainly kept me reading. But it was also a little frustrating.

Ruz isn't a flowery, scenic author. You're getting the story as it comes in a very "this, then this, then this, and now this" fashion. Not really a problem, but it stands out as different from a lot of epic fantasy where we are expected to meander along at times.

Over all, I loved the characters and I think the world is pretty fascinating. I do believe I'll pick up the next one.

[Juliet Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worldbuilding of this epic fantasy novel is excellent -- the landscape, political setup, people, customs, all felt really believable and well-established. The characters and their struggles are also believable.

I found myself wincing at some of Richard's interactions with his daughter Ana, but it felt very believable that he might be struggling with how to be a father and how to accept his daughter as she is, given their circumstances and his history and guilt. It was portrayed very well, as was his devotion to her, and the development of their relationship throughout the book. I liked seeing Ana coming more into her own, and it becoming clear just how strong she is, through the course of the book. Richard's moral greyness and his self-doubt works very well; he's a very compelling character.

I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the sequel!

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkness versus hope, a tension that keeps the pages turning.
Ruz has crafted a heartfelt story about a man with enough regrets to fill several lives, trying to do right by the one person he has left in a world overrun with threats in equal parts mundane and fantastic.

At every step toward what Richard hopes will be safety for himself and his daughter Ana, the environment, the peoples, even a pantheon of demons and gods seems to rise up to slow their escape from the possessive Magician who diverts armies, sends undead hunting dogs, and torments their dreams. It seems he will stop at nothing to get them back. Richard's plan? Make a deal with something much, much worse.

The Ragged Blade is a fresh, new take on the fantasy quest tale that all but turns the pages for you.

I look forward to the rest of the series!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow, but satisfying burn.

Ruz has created an intriguing world replete with supernatural oddities, and then populated this world with fully fleshed, real people; each with their own wants, desires, and fears.

The interspersion of the main character's backstory within the main plot provides readers with a holistic story free from tedious info-dumps, yet, I feel there is more backstory to tell in later books.

I will admit that the narrative was, at times, a little too slowly burning for my tastes, but intrigue kept me coming back to the book. With this said, there was an event about three quarters through the story (no spoilers) that had me rapidly consuming the pages.

Will I get book two? Undecided. But probably, as these characters and this world will burn in my brain and demand answers.

[Darryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a hard book to review because there were certain aspects that I really liked and others I didn't. The storytelling itself was good and kept me interested but there were a few times I felt it really lagged. Richard's character really annoyed me. I can't say I bonded with him. I wish the story would have gone into more details on Richards and the magicians relationship because I felt that was the most interesting part. The violence and gore didn't bother me. I feel like it did a good job setting the mood for the story.

[Michael Pritchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about being chased across an forbidden and unfamiliar landscape. What was most interesting was the stories told within the story. The back story was interspersed throughout the book and I am was reading the main story mostly to uncover the back story.

As this is the start of a trilogy, it leave plenty of questions left unanswered to draw one into the next in the series, but it didn't end on a cliff.

[Jac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. It was fascinating to travel with Richard and his daughter as they navigated a desert landscape riddled with danger and old memories. Nothing is certain and Richard, an ageing warrior steeped in sin, can trust no one as he struggles towards his goal—restoring a demon’s treasure and saving his daughter from the Magician who pursues them. It was brutal, heart-breaking, and vivid, and I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Mia Searles (The Muses Circle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW COMING SOON

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was hard to get into and care about the characters but towards the end, it started to pull me in.

[Jennifer Knechtmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character bothered me. I get he had lots of regret, but he was willing to sacrifice everyone to make himself feel better. I found him and his daughter the least sympathetic characters.

[Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any man who says he has the answers is lying. Any man who does not try again is no father, only a shadow looming over a child. You must know this in your heart, scholar. Know that you know nothing. That it will always be hard, that you will be wrong more times than you are right, and that you must always try again. Then, perhaps, you will be a father, and not just a shadow.

★★★★½

I bought The Ragged Blade a couple of months ago and then proceeded to forget about it and now I feel like the biggest fool for not reading this sooner because HOT DAMN is it good. I may have purchased it solely on a single tweet by the author, Christopher Ruz, in which he describes his brand as "Magic Monster Queers" and summarized this story as "stabby alchemist dudes descend into monstrosity as they fight for custody of their daughter" and so of course I automatically threw my money at him. And let me tell you that it was so worth it!!

The Ragged Blade tells a gripping story of a retired soldier as he flees with his young daughter across a dangerous desert to escape the clutches of his ex-lover/the ruthless ruler of his kingdom. Among many other things it contains (also straight from the author's twitter):

- Mysterious desert demons
- Bi dad angst
- Small, stabby girl
- Clingy, evil magician ex
- Zombie doggo
- Warlord with a heart of gold
- Lovers-to-enemies

The story has an almost episodic feel to it (I can totally imagine this as a tv series) but at the same time never manages to lose the thread that ties together its overarching narrative. I actually had a hard time getting into The Ragged Blade in the beginning, but I'm so glad I persevered because the payoff and the journey were both just *chef kisses* The characters were all hot messes and I loved that about them. I enjoyed reading about Ana's warring natures and trying to get a grasp on the Magician's true character. Xaree who I thought was going to be an antagonist turned out to be such an unexpected but pleasant surprise. Richard is a mercenary of dubious moral standings but clearly loves his daughter despite struggling to act as a father (understandably) and has several moments where we get a glimpse of his humanity. Can we have more complex, messy queer dudes in dark fantasy books please

The setting at first also seems kinda familiar with its medievalish backdrop and "sword and sorcery" feel but the more you dive into it the more you notice all the unique and intriguing bits of lore and worldbuilding that the author has crafted. The atmosphere especially has such a distinct feel to it - very bleak and sombre and haunting. The "demons" especially were so interesting and truly seemed vast and unknowable. Some parts of the story even kind of teetered into horror but it was never gratuitous. The lack of sexual violence inflicted against ANY of the characters was such a breath of fresh air in this kind of dark setting. The closest I can think of for comparison is some combination of The Witcher x Dark Souls/Blasphemous. The imagery of the setting, monsters, and gods was just SO GOOD.

THE BAD NEWS - I am so sad that the publisher for The Ragged Blade unfortunately seems to have closed so if you wanted to pick this up (WHICH YOU SHOULD) there's only some used copies available online for now. I really hope that Christopher Ruz either self-publishes the rest of this series/his other books or another publisher picks up his stories because he seems to write EXACTLY the kind of fantasy that I'm dying to read more of!

— ♩♫♩ ~ Que Las Campanas Me Doblen

[Nathan Dorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

The Ragged Blade is one of only a few fantasy stories that I have truly loved. I’m not normally a fan of second world fantasy - they never feel “real” enough for me, as if the worlds are only lightly sketched, and the characters a little too archetypal - but that was emphatically *not* the case with Christopher Ruz’s first traditionally-published title. I was honestly hooked from the first few pages, and now - a couple of days after finishing - it’s still sitting with me.

I won’t delve into the story too much, as well-plotted and written as it is, but I’ll tell you how it made me feel - enthralled. The characters are complex and multifaceted, and inhabit a world as well-rounded as they are. The complexity isn’t front-loaded, though; it comes out as the tale unfolds, in flashback, story and almost-throwaway line, and for every resolved issue and answered question, the author introduces something even more intriguing. The world of The Ragged Blade is one I desperately want to know more about, from its ancient gods to its current politics.

The plot can feel a little bit... episodic, you could say, but it is a good thing; it’s a road trip, after all, and Ruz drives the protagonist ever onward - through creepy towns, nightmarish wastelands, and endless, trackless desert. For something I earlier labelled “slow burn”, it’s pretty damn fast! The author is as committed to the story as the protagonist is, and he doesn’t waste words. Every time the action slows, it’s to answer (or raise) another lingering question.

Finally, I want to end by returning to where is started - how this book made me feel. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated a character who *isn’t* a Conan or an Aragorn - Richard is a soldier, yes, but he’s going to seed. He’s full of regret for a life spent following an evil man. He’s got a daughter he doesn’t know how to parent, but his genuine tenderness with her melts your heart. He’s bisexual, but he’s not sex-crazed or promiscuous. He’s all shades of grey, in a world of greys, but this is no intentionally-edgy tale. It’s a story that feels *real* to me, and relatable, even if it’s in a world of alchemy and demons. I can not wait to return this world again, and see where Ruz takes us next.

[E M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic low fantasy tale that explores the grey morality of its cast. Richard, the protagonist, is wonderfully fleshed out, with a history as complex and sordid as any living human being. Much of his past is laid bare throughout the book, contrasting against the antagonist—simply known as the Magician—who is shrouded in mystery. Knife-sharp, intelligent, and ruthless, he is just as interesting as Richard, if not more at times, as any scrap of information about him is given sparingly.

This is a slow burn of a novel, and I consider that a positive. It is character-driven, pushed almost entirely by the clash between Richard and the Magician. Plenty of time is given to flesh out the various characters, and by the end it feels like you’ve been along for the journey with these people.

The relationship between Richard and his mentally scarred daughter Ana was one that always kept me turning the pages. If you enjoyed the movie Logan, you’ll probably enjoy The Ragged Blade, too. If you like gritty tales full of violence and tragedy, with a protagonist who is not unquestionably good, this is probably for you, too.

[Ladz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read an eARC from NetGalley

If anyone is familiar with my reading/media tastes, then you know that Berserk is one of my favorite things. And if that tickles your fancy, definitely check this book out.

Richard and his daughter, Ana, are roaming the desert on the run from The Magician, Richard's ex-boyfriend who really wants a demon's heart for reasons. The way Ruz captures the loneliness of the desert is truly outstanding, even though Richard has the company of his daughter and his regrets. The interactions with the other desert travelers lead to some pretty exciting battles and if you like Shelob and surprises, you will be delighted.

I applaud the way the present timeline and the past play together throughout the narrative. The locations tie together really well and it gives context for Richard's journey and why he's so determined. It also does a good job showing the wisdom and hindsight that comes from aging.

Definitely a book for epic fantasy fans who want a few good family feels.

[Lynelle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard escapes a prison and flees through the desert with only his daughter and a head full of stories, pursued by his lover and a monster, searching for a demon.

Memories of loves lost, friends long gone, the people he fought for and feared and followed are constantly on Richard's mind, joined by new and uncertain allies along the way. These relationships form the backbone of the story, allowing themes of family, loss, and betrayal to emerge and develop. The story is told in part by Richard's retelling of his own history, and through the process he begins to reevaluate how much he really knows about his own role in events and his daughter's experiences.

One thing I particularly enjoyed in this book was the choice of setting, and the care given to building a landscape that felt true. The termite mound was a nice touch - I indulged my destructive side as a child by kicking over termite mounds so the termites hold a very visceral memory for me. I'll be shuddering at the thought of being swarmed by termites for days to come - it'll be my penance for childhood destructiveness!

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins after Richard has stolen his daughter back and run away from the Magician. Although the pacing is not necessarily fast, with the focus on traveling, it felt compelling. The main characters are constantly in mortal danger, but there is a good balance struck that gives them enough hope to push forward. The writing itself works well- it’s subtle in places but still makes clear the underlying emotions and tone. The worldbuilding is fine so far, not my favorite. It does its job but doesn’t stand out as much as I hoped. There may be more details planned to be revealed in later books. I do like the small distinction to those who know better between alchemy and definite magic, although I still would like to see more.

I also think that the Magician is a great antagonist. He feels mysterious, relentless, and deeply cruel in an almost inhuman way. He is shown to be very powerful and intelligent, but is obviously not always able to win, as Ana was taken in the first place. Richard’s past relationship with him gives an interesting edge to the conflict and the Magician’s own characterization. If he was to be defeated, I imagine that it would feel extremely difficult but ultimately very deserved, and it becomes easy to root for that.

I have somewhat complicated feelings about Richard, because he’s terrible. To be fair, he knows it. He is at times cruel, impatient, and hypocritical. He often feels superior to anyone outside of his own kingdom, even with his knowledge of its own atrocities. For example, later on there is an imprisoned child, and he thinks, “What kind of people would do this to one of their own children?” while for years everyone just didn’t talk about all the children being experimented on in the Magician’s dungeons. He forgets about slavery- as I’m only introduced through Richard’s eyes there’s a lot I don’t know about how it fits into his world. Through Ana and the Kabbah’s gazes, it seems like Richard has the potential to change for the better, or that he wants to improve as a person.

It’s interesting to see Ana change and begin to become more comfortable with outside life and her father. She is also very mysterious, but she adapts relatively quickly and her speech improves dramatically. She seems very powerful and I’m curious to see to what extent.

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One book in and I can already tell that I'm going to love this entire series. I was drawn in from the first chapter. The author really made these characters come alive, when Richard touches Ana's foot through the bars of his cell I could feel his pain. I'm already looking forward to reading more in this series.