The Bard's Blade

The Sorcerer's Song #1

by Brian D. Anderson

The start of a new fantasy adventure from Brian D. Anderson, bestselling author of The Godling Chronicles and Dragonvein series.

Mariyah enjoys a simple life in Vylari, a land magically sealed off from the outside world, where fear and hatred are all but unknown. There she's a renowned wine maker and her betrothed, Lem, is a musician of rare talent. Their destiny has never been in question. Whatever life brings, they will face it together.

But destiny has a way of choosing its own path, and when a stranger crosses the wards into Vylari for the first time in centuries, the two are faced with a terrible prophecy. For beyond the borders, an ancient evil is returning, its age-old prison shattered.

The two must leave their home behind, and in doing so will face sorcerers and thieves, con-men and assassins, treachery and greed. How far down this path will they have to go to stop the rising darkness and save their home? And how much of themselves will they have to give up along the way?

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fiction, Adult, Romance, Audiobook

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

Known as one of the O.G. independent authors of the 2010-2012 indie explosion, Brian D. Anderson gained massive popularity right out of the gate with his debut series, The Godling Chronicles. His follow-up series, Dragonvein, was just as popular, Book One becoming a Top Five Finalist on Audible.com for Fantasy Book of the Year in 2015 – becoming the very first independent to reach the finals. But Anderson was far from finished.
After co-authoring Akiri with Steven Savile (Warhammer, Pathfinder, Dr. Who, and Sherlock Holmes) Anderson became the first independent author in history to secure a six-figure audio only deal for his highly anticipated two-book sequel of The Godling Chronicles.
Anderson continued with his indie career with The Vale series. But even after twenty novels, he felt there was more to accomplish. So he secured a three-book deal with Tor Books for The Sorcerer’s Song series.
When not writing, Brian D. Anderson divides his time enjoying his friends and family at home in the sleepy little southern town of Fairhope, Alabama, and riding atop his Harley Davidson, dubbed The Mighty Puck, traveling the country from convention to convention, meeting fans and signing books.

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author and publisher—Tor Books—in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Simply exquisite, gripping, and tension-packed; The Bard’s Blade by Brian D. Anderson is an enthralling start to a series.

I’ll be honest and say that it wasn’t the premise of the book that got my attention; it was Felix Ortiz’s gorgeous cover artwork that grabbed me, and I’m truly grateful for it because the quality of the content in this book lived up to the exterior. I’m both blessed—because I get to read this early—and cursed—because I have to wait even longer for the next book—enough that the author and publisher sent me an early copy to review. Thank you and congratulations, Tor Books, you have found a winner here; consider giving The Bard’s Blade the same scale of promotion and advertisement you did for The Ruin of Kings.

“Never allow the wickedness of others to dictate who you are.”

The Bard’s Blade is the first book in The Sorcerer’s Song series by Brian Anderson. We follow the perspective of two main characters: Mariyah and Lem. Mariyah is a wine maker that loves her simple and casual life in Vylari, a land magically sealed with an impenetrable barrier from the outside world. Mariyah is betrothed to Lem, a super talented musician (bard) and they’re enamored with each other, believing that whatever comes their way, they’ll get through it if they face it together. A dangerous truth from Lamoria—the world outside Vylari—somehow managed to came through and it ended up changing their lives; dire circumstances force them to live in Lamoria and it’s a vastly different world compared to Vylari in almost every possible way. In a way, The Bard’s Blade sits in the middle of the classic—destiny, rumors of ancient evil resurfacing—and modern fantasy genres; it’s certainly comfortable and familiar territory that somehow also felt refreshing to read for me. Among many aspects, the factor that made reading this book so damn entertaining and engrossing were the incredible characterizations given to the characters in both main and supporting roles.

“Those in power in this age have fought and killed over nothing more important than to whom they offer their prayers.”

The narrative in The Bard’s Blade is told in multi third-person limited narration. Anderson spectacularly nailed each character’s voice from each respective character’s first appearance, and these voices plus their characterizations gradually developed and grew on me. The characterizations were so utterly well-written that even without their name being mentioned in the text, I would still have known whose perspective I was reading. More than anything else, I have always loved reading character-driven books; once the vital characterizations clicked for me, every other aspect of a story became a backdrop for the characters to shine against and that’s what I’m looking for in my reading criteria. That’s exactly what happened in The Bard’s Blade. Both Lem and Mariyah are such kind-hearted and inherently good characters that are living in a harsh world, and my empathy for them was magnificently lit. Also, the side characters, especially Farley and Lady Camdon, help bring colors and various intrigues to the main characters’ journeys and struggles.

“If I can imagine a fate worse than death it would be to live alone. People need one another as much as they need food and drink.”

The Bard’s Blade doesn’t have many descriptive battle scenes, but this doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in breathtaking sequences; the last few chapters, especially, were very intense even though there weren’t any battle scenes in it. Compared to Vylari, Lamoria is a much dangerous environment that’s heavily ridden with fanaticism and different cultures that the main characters have never encountered before. The torrent of pain that the characters endured and the tenacity they had to accumulate to survive their misfortune made the scenes in the book emotionally palpable. I also found Anderson’s prose to be incredibly engaging and accessible, but it was his descriptions of music that elevated the writing from great to being noteworthy—pun fully intended, I have no shame.

“It was partially the reason he loved music: the way it connected with people, creating joy, sorrow, mirth, and every other emotion the heart could possibly hold. When he played, he was the shepherd and the people, his flock.”

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now. As of this moment, I’ve read more or less three hundred fantasy books, and it’s insane how few musician main characters are in the genre. This isn’t an exaggeration; excluding The Bard’s Blade, the only fantasy series I’ve read that has bard or musicians as the main character were The Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss, The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett, and Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames. That’s it. The Bard’s Blade included, that makes it four series! Only FOUR! Music is such an integral part of many people’s lives and I truly believe that there’s still tons of unexplored potential for it to gleam in fantasy. Anderson’s portrayal of music in The Bard’s Blade was executed wonderfully, serving as a balance to tone down the severity and violence that the characters suffered; its role as a moment of respite felt like finding yourself in a bonfire or a save point after hours of difficult dungeon raiding in a video game.

“Toil without intent holds no virtue. Do not waste your labors on frivolous pursuits. Time ill spent cannot be recovered.”

To counter the aforementioned quote, reading this book was time wisely spent: the tranquil moments transitioned to heart-pounding events seamlessly; the superb characterizations made the empathetic main characters linger in my mind after I closed the last page of the book; the pacing was imbued with an ebb and flow tempo that made me beg for an encore when the final note had played. The alluring song that Anderson orchestrated with his words enchanted me, and I absolutely loved every second of reading The Bard’s Blade. There’s still half a year before this book is officially released, make the smart decision by pre-ordering it so you can read this riveting book as soon as it's released.

Official release date: 28th January 2020

You can pre-order the book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository (Free shipping)

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions

[James Tivendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy of The Bard's Blade in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Brian D. Anderson and TOR for the opportunity.

Vylari is hospitable and picturesque although it is a quite mundane environment where we are introduced to the two point of view characters that we follow throughout the narrative. Lem is an extremely talented musician, arguably the greatest in Vylari despite his relatively young age, and he plays a balisar. Anytime he plays he takes audiences through a whole plethora of emotions with his exquisite musicianship and will always be the reason that town squares are filled to the brim everywhere he frequents. The second main character is Mariyah, Lem's betrothed and the daughter of a winemaker. She's strong-willed, extremely good with numbers and her's and Lem's relationship seems perfect. Lem travels as a musician so they aren't together that often but when they are with each other they fall back to place together comfortably and in perfect harmony.

All seems pleasant. That is until one evening a stranger crosses the barrier. The barrier is constructed by magical powers that are beyond the capabilities and understanding of anyone currently alive. It was constructed to keep the fabled magic, evils, and monsters from the land of Lamoria away. The stranger prophecises that an envisioned shadowy character could lead the whole world, and all that Lem holds dear, to utter annihilation. After being advised of the part he must play to withstand and confront the predicted and foretold destruction, Lem crosses the barrier alone with very little other than a few coins and his trusty musical instrument to try and save those he cares about.

The majority of the story takes place in the mysterious Lomaria. As it transpires Lem and Mariyah both cross the barrier but not together. They both have intriguing, unpredictable and very different escapades in this world that they know nothing about. They are both extremely likable characters. It was never going to be as simple as the good guys get what they want and get married though. Many of the ensemble members are schemers, betrayers, brutes, and at the same time extremely religious. I'd hate to know what would happen to people who didn't know/understand/follow their religion! (I'm joking, I know and the punishments aren't nice.) If we add the religious sect with the monarchy, assassin orders, an obsure magic cult and touring theatre groups... There is a lot going on for our young heroes this side of the barrier. It's going to be difficult enough for them to survive a single day. Let alone save the world from some shadowy being who's looking to escape from his prison and wreck havoc.

Anderson's prose flows effortlessly and the world-building is of picture-perfect top quality. To learn more about the history, religions, and laws of Lamoria, we are introduced to them as the characters are for the first time which accentuates the affinity we feel for the main players. In addition to the main characters, the narrative is littered with colourful and well-crafted individuals throughout. Personal favourites were the psychotic pub-owner Zara, mysterious troupe-leader Farley, and good ol' hundred plus year old uncle Shemi. The latter is one of the only people either Lem or Mariyah truly trust.

The Bard's Blade is an engrossing and stimulating modern fantasy epic that features magic, music, assassinations and betrayal every step of the way. It's the first step in what I predict will be an incredibly impressive fantasy trilogy. This narrative seemed to be a successful mix of some of the finest elements of James Islington's The Shadow of What Was Lost, Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind, and Anderson's own The Vale: Behind the Vale. Like the majority of The Bard's Blade, the ending is unpredictable and it truly pulls at the heartstrings. (No music pun intended.) I read the last couple of scenes numerous times as I thought they were outstanding. This tale works expertly as a standalone which is always good news when potential readers are considering their next big fantasy undertaking. That being said, it sets up more than enough intrigue and drama of what could occur next in Lem and Mariyah's stories. I'll definitely be picking up the next entry as soon as it's available. The Bard's Blade has everything fans of epic fantasy will be looking for on their next big adventure. Highly recommended.

[Holly Hearts Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One day, you'll start to understand that life comes in many hues, and that not all canvases are painted with the same brush."

This is a sweeping fantasy with a beautiful message on the unbridled joy of reclaiming a love you thought was lost forever. It's about a world divided and an ancient enemy is about to rise. This book had absolutely wonderful world building and fantastical elements. Some of the greatest elements was the magic and mystery of it all. It is heavily focused on religion, what is known as the Kylor in this world that affects many in good ways and bad ways which we see throughout the story. We also have a very prominent romantic plot line that I wasn't expecting. This is an incredibly light read. A perfect read for people not used to the fantasy genre. It almost reads like a YA in fact so if you're looking for something quick, easy and addictive. I highly recommend! I will be talking in much more detail about this book in a video!
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks

[Spencer Orey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book really comfortable. It's one of those recent fantasy books that doesn't necessarily do anything overtly new, but it does everything well. At its best, it reminded me of all the things I love about fantasy. Sometimes it even felt like I was reading a classic fantasy book from the 90s, except better done overall.

The two point of view characters are young and likable. They're in love and often trying to find each other, even as their lives grow more complicated and less innocent. That pure love made for a great driving force for the story.

On top of that, there are all the classic genre points that you might expect (a rising threat of an evil wizard, a super-talented bard, a theater troupe, an evil church that seems oddly Christian, scheming nobles, assassins-for-hire). There are also some popular recent genre trends present (like secretly magical women, cultural disconnects between places, and uneven systems of control and power that bring different regions into tension) that helped expand the book's scope.

Which is all to say, I always knew what to expect without it ever feeling boring, plus a few clever little twists too. it was perfect for right now.

I think one of the big things that fantasy is doing lately is to call out to identity politics, and I would have liked if this book had at least tried to add a little diversity. Every character seemed to be white and straight. That said, the women here all felt like real characters to me. This may feel like a 90s fantasy book from time to time, but it definitely isn't overtly sexist like the 90s. That's a big improvement.

So, really good overall.

The ending felt a bit quick, so I hope that means a sequel is coming soon.

[Eon Windrunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and TOR books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Magical and mesmerizing; The Bard’s Blade is a note-perfect start to this promising new series.

I knew nothing about this book going into it, apart from the fact that a very good friend of mine loved it, and that it featured music as an inherent part of the story. Now, the music part is what first piqued my interest. Musicians? Few and far in between when it comes to them as protagonists in fantasy novels! I profess the only example I can currently think of, (although I am sure there are more) is one of my most beloved books, The Name of the Wind. Music and fantasy are not often paired it seems. And yet, music permeates every level of our existence. It is a direct line to our emotions and as old as time itself. Why then is it so scarce in fantasy? For the life of me, I have no idea, but Brian D. Anderson has once again made a very strong case for more musical fantasy and hopefully, there will be much more of these in our future.

Life is good for Lem. He is an exceptionally talented musician, drawing huge crowds when and wherever he plays, his sublime skills always in high demand. He is betrothed to the love of his life, Mariyah, a winemaker who produces some of the finest wines in the region, and his home is a beautiful, utopia-like place called Vylari. This perfect picture is shattered though when something unthinkable happens. For the first time in centuries, someone has managed to cross the magical barrier that protects Vylari from the outside world, and this dying stranger has brought grim tidings of an ancient evil that is awakening.

What we feared for so long has come to pass. He is coming. Soon doom will be upon us all.

This stranger also warns that Lem has special gifts that will draw this malignant being to him like a beacon and that the protective barrier will be no obstacle. Shocked at this turn of events and the possibilities that the warning carries, Lem can think of only one way to protect his love, Mariyah, and everyone else in Vylari; removing himself from the threat he poses to their existence, he crosses the barrier into the alien land of Lamoria, leaving behind everything and everyone he knows without hope of return.

Of course, things don’t work out exactly as planned, and why would we want them to as that would rob the story of excitement! Mariyah finds out that Lem left and she crosses the barrier herself in order to follow him. Fate has other plans though and forces them onto different paths as she searches for him while he keeps on the move to stay ahead of the ancient evil he was warned about. To reveal more detail though, will spoil some of the fun.

The story thus gives us two different pov’s from start to finish, which was a lovely change-up from the usual five or more pov’s that is so prevalent nowadays in fantasy. It made for a quick, delightful read, with the easily accessible writing style providing perfect pacing, and every chapter getting better and better, making this one of the most enjoyable books I have had the pleasure of reading this year. Both of the main characters arcs felt very realistic, with Lem and Mariyah written as distinct voices that evolved fittingly with the narrative, and both easily evoked empathy, making them a joy to root for. I can only say that I am exceedingly eager to see how far they will go along their respective paths, as very interesting times are ahead.

“Beware those who choose the shadows as their home.”
Book of Kylor, Chapter Three, Verse Fifty-Nine.

The Bard’s Blade delivers modern fantasy at its finest. While it has definite vibes of classical, chosen-one fantasy, (which, come on, though overused is popular for a reason) Brian D. Anderson has suffused the tale with his own fresh take on this well-loved staple, successfully composing an enthralling first entry in The Sorcerer’s Song series. The second book is named A Chorus of Fire, and it has emphatically claimed it’s place as one of my most anticipated reads of 2020.

[Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

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“My mother once told me that music isn’t about how well you play. It’s about how it makes you feel when you play it.”

★ I have been asked by some of my friends lately, what is a good place to start adult fantasy? and I think this novel is a good starting point for anyone trying to expand their reading horizons.

★ I am a big fan of prophecies and once I knew this had a prophecy as a major part of the plot, I knew I had to read it. The writing was very simple and there is something enchanting when it comes to this simplicity. Most adult fantasy are huge and dense and complicated but this was the total opposite of that but still with the same level of enjoyment. The descriptions were well done and there were religious snippets that I liked.

★ The book is told from 2 POV, Lem and Mariyah and they were both intriguing to read about. There romance was equally cute and clean! The choice of multiple POVs kind of helped checking different parts of the world and I think it was a wise choice. The characters were well fleshed and I think it is a character-driven book so there was so much focus on making them real. Bard’s are usually looked down upon in the fantasy genre, they are the comic relief of shows and books so it was refreshing to have a book with a bard as a MC.

“Beauty can be as deceptive as the cleverest lie. Do not be fooled by a bright smile and friendly eyes. It is the deeds of a person that will give away their heart.”

★ I expected more plot, what we had was not bad at all but the cover and synopsis made me think it is a plot-driven story but it is not. The beginning focuses on the settings and then it becomes kind of a contemporary story in fantasy settings but I liked the twist at the end and did not see it coming, I also loved how religion was a big part of the plot because I think authors should not shy away from involving it in their stories. There are not much epic fights and action happening in the book but despite that, it was so addicting and I finished it in 2 days. I did not feel that it took much time to read it either.

★ Summary: The Bard’s Blade is a character-driven story with very simple but good writing. The book was addicting and the story is a light one. The book can use some more plot and action which I expect to have in the rest of the series. Recommend for those getting into the genre!

“Do not fear the darkness. I am the light that guides you. Do not fear the unknown. Nothing can harm you so long as your faith in me holds true.”

You can get more books from Book Depository

[Haïfa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the publisher, Tor books, for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and the quotes included may change in the released copy.


The Bard's Blade was a winning bet! This is the 2nd book I started on a whim last year based solely on a recommendation from Petrik and it worked superbly. Gripping and moving, the first installment of Brian D. Anderson's newest series made me ridiculously ecstatic and sat proudly at my top 3 reads of 2019.

To give some context first, something vital has been missing in most of my reads in the last couple of years. You know, that magical and indelible emotional connection to the world or the characters or the story the author’s trying to tell (or better still, to all three). Failing to get that spark from new books, I took refuge in rereads to try and experience it once again (to give you an idea, half of my reads were rereads in 2018 and 2019). But it's never the same again, is it? That first sense of awe from this new world that sucked you in. The nascent kinship and investment you felt toward a new fictional character. The upcoming events that made you sacrifice sleep.

The Bard's Blade was such a book for me! It knocked me off my feet, punched me in the feels and made me experience that connection again!

The story started in a very simple and a tad old school fashion. We were introduced to Mariyah, a smart and hardworking winegrower's daughter and her betrothed Lem, an out-of-this-world musician. Both enjoyed a quiet and serene life in Vylari, a peaceful land protected from the terrible outside world by a magical barrier. No one entered Vylari and no one left it, because if they did, they could never find their way home again. Or so most Vylarians thought... until a stranger came with an ominous message.

"There were no strangers in Vylari, only people he had yet to meet."

I won't say more about the plot. All I knew going in is that the book featured a musician and that music was beautifully described. That’s it. And that was a good thing too, because the Bard’s Blade surprised me at every turn and concluded in a most tense, powerful, emotional manner. Don’t expect huge battles or epic displays of powers though folks. The story wasn't particularly fast paced or action-packed or heavy on magic either. The writing wasn't lush or fanciful and the storytelling was pretty simple and linear (except for a fast forward somewhere after the halfway mark). And yet, I was hooked since the early pages. There was a strong and genuine sense of anticipation that kept me focused and invested and left me impatient whenever duty called. I won't say if or when that anticipation will be fulfilled for obvious sadistic reasons. And to –hopefully- keep you guys rooted in the pages like I was.

Knowledge is like the first step down a long road. All you can see is the ground at your feet. What lies ahead is shrouded in darkness until you find the courage to walk on.

Something I truly enjoyed was the way Anderson treated the much trodden trope of the Chosen One prophecy. He took it, dusted it, gave it a nice and refreshing makeover and let it lurk in the background while the characters sorted themselves out and embarked on their respective journeys.

And what journeys those have been! Dangers and fate kept ambushing them at every step, every decision. Anderson didn't shy from forcing them into dire situations and that made me realize how fast and deep I came to love them and fear for them (a fortunate occurrence, since The Bard’s Blade is an essentially character-driven story). Heck, I was anxious beyond reason every time Lem performed in public! I'd have been content to read about Lem and Mariyah and Shemi (Lem’s uncle) having a long peaceful life and a happily ever after in Vylari, protected from Lamoria’s greed and cruelty and zealous religion; that tells you how much I cared for them. But that wouldn't tell a good story, now, would it?

“Words are powerful,” Lady Camdon continued. “There is no denying that. The wise and the strong use them both to heal and to cause great harm. Their meaning and their intent can be mightier than the keenest blade or the straightest arrow.”

If you haven’t guessed already, Anderson's characterization was truly phenomenal to me! His main characters developed in a spectacular way since they were first introduced. Ordeals kept battering them. The people they met changed them. The truths and lessons they learned challenged their beliefs and their limits. And somehow, their retained an earnestness and sincerity that made them very special and very endearing.

”Evil is not defeated by good, Mariyah. Evil is defeated by the strength and conviction of those who refuse to break. "

The Bard’s Blade gave me an amazing reading experience and every single page enchanted me! With its simple prose, engrossing plot, growing worldbuilding, engaging characters and clever mix of modern and old school storytelling, it elicited all kinds of emotions in me. I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, A Chorus of Fire (expected publication august 4th) after the intense (and full of possibilities) conclusion Anderson gave us.

You can find this and more of my reviews at Novel Notions.

To be published: January, 28th, 2020

[Nicholas Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bard's Blade was great. The story begins simply enough--a sleepy village, a dark threat from the world beyond--and then grows into something compelling and complex. The characters were excellent, and while I lamented the end of each chapter because the POV was about to switch, I relished diving back in to the other half of the story. Looking forward to seeing where these once-innocent protagonists go from here...

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Fate often provides what we need, even when we are denied the things we want.”

When three of your co-bloggers insist that you’ll love a book, you have to read it. Especially when those friends know your reading life incredibly well and understand your love for music, both in literature and reality. And while I didn’t fall as head-over-heels for the story as they did, they were right; I very much enjoyed it. The Bard’s Blade is a compelling introduction to a world that’s lovely at first glance but is teeming with dark forces and hypocritical religion and unforeseen magic below its surface.

“Never allow the wickedness of others to dictate who you are.”

There two main protagonists in Anderson’s story: Lem, an immensely talented and renowned musician who finds himself fleeing his homeland to protect everyone he loves; and Mariyah, the daughter of a wine maker who loves Lem too much keep herself from following him. The secondary character with the biggest role is Shemi, Lem’s elderly uncle who would do anything to protect his nephew and the woman Lem loves. But the world is far larger than either Lem or Mariyah could have guessed, and finding each other begins to seem wildly improbable. Both of these characters find themselves in crazy situations where they are no longer in control of their own fate. All they can do is keep moving forward in the hope if being reunited someday.

“Evil is not defeated by good… Evil is defeated by the strength and conviction of those who refuse to break.”

This was a compulsively readable book. I wanted to know what happened next, and and I wanted to know more about the strange new world Lem and Mariyah found themselves in. However, there was something about the prose and character development that struck me as overly simplistic, which resulted in my caring about the characters on a cerebral level because I wanted to see how the plot lines tied together, not because Lem and Mariyah felt tangible to me and evoked much of an emotional response. I admit that such opinions are incredibly subjective, and didn’t prove to be the case at all for Petrik, Haïfa, and Eon when they read this book. It’s quite possible that my views of the writing were the result of picking up the right book at the wrong time, as I just recently finished reading The Secret History, which delivered stunning prose and characters so tangibly real that I expected them to show up drunk on my doorstep. That being said, there was a twist to the whole prophecy element of this book that I really appreciated, and I can’t wait to see where said twist leads.

“The deadliest blow is not dealt with a cry of fury but with a smile and a song.”

I love the worlds Anderson created in The Bard’s Blade. And yes, I mean worlds, because Lem and Mariyah’s home, Vylari, is magically separated from the world they find themselves in, Lamoria. The Kylorian faith, and the Arch Bishop and the Hedran that enforced its laws, reminded me very much of Judaism in the time of Jesus. (Hedran? Sanhedrin?) Because of this, I was greatly reminded of multiple Christian fantasy series I’ve read in the past, though Anderson took the tale somewhere completely different in the end. He did a great job of showing religious zeal taken too far, demonstrating the hypocrisy and fear that become prevalent when a belief system becomes the law of the land. I’m very interested to learn more about the religion and magic of Lamoria in the upcoming sequel, A Chorus of Fire. I also loved the musical element of the story; my only complaint is that it didn’t play a bigger role or enjoy as much time in the spotlight as I would have liked.

“Evil absent repentance is beyond redemption.”

The Bard’s Blade is a strong first installment into what I hope will be a captivating trilogy. Anderson did a great job with his world building, and I’m excited to see what kind of character development Lem and Mariyah undergo in the next installment. I also really appreciate how clean this book was; I could give this to my fourteen-year-old nephew with a clear conscience. That’s not to say there was no tension but, like Brandon Sanderson and Rachel Aaron, Anderson understands how to convey tension without dwelling on gory details or throwing in a ton of profanity. If you’re looking for a fantasy that is clean and romantic and fairly bright and addictively readable, pick up The Bard’s Blade. You’re in for a treat.

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

[Petros Triantafyllou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not allowed to share a review yet, but let's just say it's cracking!

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is impossible to stay clean when dwelling among swine."

SWEET SPIRITS OF THE ANCESTORS, this was gloriously addictive!

The Sorcerer's Song is a new epic fantasy series by Brian D. Anderson. It begins with The Bard's Blade, a sweeping tale that is incredibly engrossing. Anderson spins an imaginative web through well-known tropes, balancing familiarity with refreshing originality.

The Bard's Blade is told through two main characters, Lem and Mariyah. Lem is an immensely talented musician and is in love with Mariyah, the daughter of a winemaker. They are set to marry and carry on living a quiet life in Vylari, which is protected from the outside world, sealed in by magic. That is, until a stranger arrives, crossing a barrier which has been in place for centuries, long before any of the current residents were born. With him he brings a dark message of a prophecy foretold. One that could mean the end of the world.

Lem learns of his vital role in all of this, making the tough decision to leave for Lamoria so that he may protect Vylari and everyone he knows and loves. Especially Mariyah.

Mariyah finds out that Lem has left and embarks on a journey, along with Lem's 110-year-old uncle Shemi, outside of the barrier.

Unfortunately, things aren't ever that simple. Though separated, the three from Vylari end up in Lamoria, also known as the "ass end of nowhere." Lamoria is rife with greed, religious fundamentalism and bigotry. It's a cruel, strange world. Pragmatic decisions are made, such as Lem finding work as a musician in the local pub for room and board; as well as rash choices that include less-than-ideal jobs to help pay off debts that are owed. But those risks are fueled by love and such sacrifices must be made.

"Because the world is cruel. It cares nothing about how someone feels.."

Assassins and magic and adventure and music and love. Not to mention the delightfully nostalgic cover art by the always brilliant Felix Ortiz! I fucking loved this! It was exactly what I needed. As the story started to find it's rhythm, I couldn't help but feel giddy. It was almost as though I had butterflies in my stomach whenever I was reading. Anderson just writes so damn well, every sentence is a treat!

There's something about an epic fantasy quest. I almost feel this sense of revitalization. Oof. There truly is value in simplicity. And yet.. The Bard's Blade is more than a simple heroic fantasy novel. Each scene is cinematic and bursting with color, even without constant battle sequences or twists and turns. It was a blast! I couldn't help but fall in love with the story, especially as a music lover. Having a bard as a the protagonist is such a nice change. There aren't enough musical influences in fantasy! Give me bards and music scenes all bloody day! 

The Bard's Blade is an expertly crafted symphony. Lyrical, tender and achingly romantic.

The second act cannot come soon enough!

(Endless thanks to Tor Books for sending me a finished copy!)

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Bard's Blade by Brian D. Anderson is a fun, fantasy tale!

This book didn't hit me like I had hoped. I've been diving into more fantasy lately since I'm slowly beginning to enjoy the genre (as a whole) more. This book seemed like the perfect fit and sounded like a fun ride. Unfortunately, the book didn't grab my attention all that well and it didn't interest me. The pace also didn't grab me, so I'm a little disappointed! This book has glowing reviews and I can tell why! It is well written and it has a cool story. I'm sad it just didn't grab me as a reader - but I am sure many other readers will love it!

The characters are a little odd. The already established relationships made me not enjoy their story as much. I wanted to see these characters fall in love, even if it was just a chapter worth of the back story. Then the characters just... drove me insane? Lem was annoying to me on all fronts. I didn't want to read his parts of the chapters at all. He didn't seem all that bright and made me want to throw the book against the wall or shred it.

I also felt like the plot and story jumped around a bit and didn't seem coherent (but I am also not a big fantasy reader so maybe that's a trope I'm just not used to?). The high fantasy style was also odd since it didn't necessarily feel like the genre it was going for. From the marketing and synopsis I thought this was going to be a fun Game of Thrones, Throne of Glass or other fantasy ride - but it felt more like a middle grade or YA novel fantasy that couldn't quite decide on what it wanted to me. I give this book the benefit of the doubt because it has such a cool premise and I did like Brian's writing style.

Overall, this book felt like a massive D&D campaign that fantasy lovers will enjoy. It's just not a book for me!

One out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Traveling Cloak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:

Lem and Mirayah are citizens of Vylari, a land that has been closed off from the rest of the world by a magic barrier through which, according to legend, no one who passes can ever return. They live a peaceful life: Lem is a musician, and Mirayah helps run her family’s vineyard. They are in love and plan to marry… if they can get her parents’ approval.

There has always been a mystery surrounding Lem. His mother left Vylari years ago, and, when she returned, not only did she find it again – she came back pregnant. No one knows how she did it or who the father is. Lem’s mother died when he was young, leaving him in the care of his uncle Shemi, and the mystery of how she was able to leave and return successfully has never been solved.

One day, Lem receives news: a stranger has passed through the barrier with a message about his mother. After speaking to the stranger, Lem sees a vision of destruction. The stranger tells him an evil sorcerer was behind the slaughter, and that the he is coming to Vylari. Lem decides the only way to save his home is to leave, knowing he may never return. He leaves a note for Mirayah explaining what happened. Mirayah and Shemi then decide they are going after Lem to try to bring him home.

Once they leave Vylari, the outside world is different than expected, and each of them is forced into situations that force them to do unspeakable things to survive. Even though they get separated, none of them gives up on the chance to reunite. In order to do so, they will each have to make difficult decisions. The question is, how far will they go to be together again?

Review

In The Bard’s Blade Brian D. Anderson sets the scene really well – Mirayah handling business at the vineyard, Lem getting ready for a show, each thinking about the other and scheming way to get the other alone. We learn that Mirayah’s parents are not happy with her wanting to marry a musician, because they do not think it a stable professions, even though Lem does well enough at his shows. The opening scenes of the novel are really important because it sets up the rest of the story for what is to come. And the reader is given reasons to care about the characters. The author does a great job with this.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The biggest catch is that it plays out like a fantasy-adventure game from NES. As I follow the characters on their journey, it got a little nostalgic – like I was following Link in The Legend of Zelda as he wandered around, talked to people, opened chests looking for better armor, and walked into towns to find food, shelter and information. Even more specifically, the set up of the world reminds me of the way an adventure video game would start. The characters begin in one place, living their lives when suddenly they are prompted to leave the comfort of their home (usually due to some evil force) and go out into the wider world. Lem leaving Vyalria is just Link wandering around Hyrule – an open-world exploration where anything goes. This was the most intriguing aspect of the story to me.

As the book goes on, it loses this aspect and focuses on two storylines: Lem’s and Mariyah’s. Neither story goes the way I anticipated at all, and, not having read much about the plot before picking up the book, I was surprised at each character’s plight. They evolve in unexpected (and mostly delightful) ways as they work to get back to each other. Much of this growth is due to the nature of Lamoria, the world outside of Vyalria. Having enjoyed a peaceful life in their magic bubble, Lem and Mariyah learn that Lomaria is a much-crueler, hard-nosed place than they thought it would be, and it forces them to make decisions they might not otherwise. I enjoyed the dichotomy this presents, the yin and yang, two sides of the coin.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the ending. I think the author took the road less traveled and made a difficult choice for the characters. I honestly did not see it coming, and there is nothing more pleasing to me than a shocking ending. Hold on to your hats.

The one issue had with the book came in the middle when there is a little bit of a time jump. I would have rather a summary have been written on this, a few chapters describing the events and how they affected the characters. To at least get a glimpse of their evolution during this time would have added another dimension to the story that I think readers would really appreciate. This is only a minor flaw, though, in an otherwise wonderful read.

The Bard’s Blade is a great book. It is expertly written, with shades of fantasy-adventure video games, awesome characters that grow and change in unexpected ways, magic, and plenty of surprises along the way. I very highly recommend this book for all fantasy readers, and especially those who are into adventure fantasy.

[LordTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 8.5/10

Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of The Bard’s Blade (The Sorcerer’s Song #1) in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.

The Bard’s Blade is an immersive, emotionally charged novel full of music, magic, thievery, and betrayal. What it lacks in grandiose battles and hack-n-slashery, it makes up for in engrossing storytelling. This is the perfect novel for those who are continuing to wallow in their six (6) year Kingkiller Chronicle puddle of sorrow; or maybe you read the Witcher books/saw the Netflix series and want more Dandelion. Pick your poison.

What I enjoyed most about Anderson’s newest/upcoming release was how easy it was to become completely engaged with the main characters early on. From the beginning, you are automatically thrown into the land of Vylari and introduced to Mariyah, who becomes one of the two (2) main storylines. Her betrothed, Lem, comes into the picture just a short time later and the story-line progresses rather swiftly from that point on. What is never truly lost is their love and passion for one another, though their distance puts a massive strain on both. There are also several minor characters that play fairly major roles, but I’ll let you come across them in your read-through. I’m also a sucker for chapter intros that include snippets from religious texts. I just find it so fascinating when an author goes out of their way to include a little extra something something to their work.

What I could’ve used more of was a slower pace in the beginning and more insight into the “skills” our protagonists come to learn over the course of the year in which the novel takes place. I felt like there were some things that could’ve been explained/expanded upon that would’ve added more to the story and given the reader a little more insight into the characters’ development, though in no way does the lack of these things detract from your enjoyment. I also felt that there was a bit of repetition happening throughout the mid-point of the story and with some of the character interactions, but I digress.

All in all, while The Bard’s Blade has fairly simplistic prose and a story-line that isn’t too weighty in terms of digestion, it was just so dang hard to put down. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever read a 400+ page book so quickly. Doesn’t that tell you something?

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/01/28/...

It’s always good to get back to the basics, and this, I think, was the key to the huge appeal behind The Bard’s Blade, which I enjoyed immensely. Author Brian D. Anderson reminds us all that an epic fantasy novel isn’t required to be filled with sweeping battles, an indecipherable morass of politics and magical systems, or enough characters to fill a small village in order to be a hit with readers. Sometimes simple is best, even though finding that sweet spot between originality and conventionality can be tricky. However, I think Anderson manages to strike the right balance.

In this opening volume of a series called The Sorcerer’s Song, our story first begins in a sheltered little realm called Vylari which is magically protected by a barrier hiding it from Lamoria, the dangerous world beyond. Vylari is also home to Mariyah, the daughter of a wine merchant, as well as her betrothed, a talented musician named Lem. Like any young couple, they are planning for their future, even with its countless obstacles. Mariyah, with a good head for business, knows she will need to stay and help her family, but neither does she want Lem to have to give up his traveling and music, knowing how much it means to him. Young and in love though, the two of them are confident they can overcome any and all challenges, as long as they are together. Life was simple, happy and good.

However, all that calm is shattered one evening, as Lem receives an urgent summons from his uncle Shemi to come home. Upon returning to the house, Lem finds a strange visitor waiting, bearing an ominous message prophesizing the return of an ancient evil. The stranger also claims to have come from Lamoria, which shouldn’t be possible, as no one should be able to breach the magical wards—except, as Shemi reluctantly admits, it’s actually happened once before. Lem’s mother had purportedly passed over and come back, bearing him in her womb. Rocked by these revelations, Lem is driven by the need to know the truth of his origins as well as to fulfill his quest on this new path destiny has set for him. To stop a rising darkness and protect those he loves, he will need to leave Vylari—and, as much as it breaks his heart, Mariyah.

What Lem didn’t count on though, is his beloved’s strength and daring. Frightened for him, and also furious that he had left without even saying a last goodbye, Mariyah decides to follow Lem into Lamoria, despite Shemi’s fervent objections that his nephew would want her safe in Vylari. But ultimately, both of them end up crossing the barrier, on what will be a long and harrowing journey to find and help Lem.

What follows is a rollicking adventure, told on two fronts. One thread follows Lem as he attempts make a life in Lamoria, navigating its strange and alien customs in order to secure himself a source of income and a place to stay. The people he encounters are nothing like the kind, hospital folk of Vylari; instead, many of them are cutthroat, scheming, and openly aggressive towards newcomers. In spite of this, Lem manages to find work as a musician, gradually making a name for himself. Meanwhile, Mariyah and Shemi are dealing with troubles of their own. Their kind and trusting natures, shaped by a lifetime of living in friendly Vylari, have now become their greatest weakness, making them vulnerable and naïve to the realities of Lamoria. In this storyline, Mariyah learns the hard way how seriously the people of this world take their religion, landing in hot water when she and Shemi are arrested for being heretics, for there is no tolerance even for outsiders unfamiliar with the ways. By the time Lem discovers that they had followed him to Lamoria, it may already be too late.

I’m very tempted to call the tone and style of The Bard’s Blade traditional, and yet, that’s also not quite accurate. Sure, there are certain themes of the novel that fit my expectations of a conventional fantasy quite comfortably, like a well-worn cozy sweater. Take the guileless young hero, for example, setting off on an epic quest to stop the evil bad guy from destroying the world. However, try to look beyond that, and you might see that the story actually offers a lot more. You have Lem and Mariyah, a courageous young couple who are more than they seem. Indeed, while their devotion to each other drives much of the narrative—especially in the second half, where both are coerced into their respective new vocations—this is not going to be your typical “love will conquer all” story. Plenty of exciting developments and surprising twists await you, and Anderson does a fantastic job with his storytelling, maintaining a high level of intrigue while providing great fun.

I’m also impressed at how streamlined everything feels. Tightly plotted with none of the bloat, The Bard’s Blade was a novel I breezed through effortlessly, as the story kept up an energetic and driving pace. Though the world-building was on the lighter side, I appreciated the fact that we were constantly moving forward, unhindered by bulky exposition or extraneous detail bogging things down. In this way, it was easy to become completely drawn in and addicted to the narrative.

All told, if you’re in the mood for an invigorating adventure, I can’t recommend The Bard’s Blade enough. For pure and perfect escapism, it doesn’t get any better than this, especially if you’re looking for a modern fantasy told in an old-school flowing style to whisk you away. High recommended, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Kemery Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Normally I don't put my full review on Goodreads, but with this book I'm making an exception because I enjoyed it so much. The original review can be found here: medium.com/hooked-on-books/book-revie...

What's the story about: The Bard's Blade is another pretty standard fantasy tale, but with cliché-breaking ideas. Instead of a farm boy in a peaceful setting, we find two young people fighting for love and going on a quest to save those closest to them. This is literally a magic-induced land of tranquil living, but all is not well and a quest ensues. It's refreshing and renewed and the journey is full of peril, drama, and moral choices of lasting effect.

The very first thing I noticed about this story was how quickly the plot got going even though the initial setting was only developed a little. I really liked this. I love it when a plot gets incited early on even when there is much world-building to do and information to reveal. It feels more natural and got me hooked by the end of chapter one. The next thing I noticed was something that other people have mentioned, that it reads very easy and comfortable. There are a lot of authors who are good at this style of writing, but it's just as important to instill intrigue and suspense equally with comfy writing; luckily, Anderson balances both well from the beginning. With the plot going as early as chapter two, Anderson makes sure to get the reader invested early into the characters you'll meet along the journey and truly, I liked them very quickly. There were only three real characters by the time the journey begins, but I was invested in their arcs completely.

The next area of note is how specifically and intentionally the way the author's writing stuck out to me. Anderson's words read simply, but everything seemed like it was purposeful and intentional in its place: from the descriptions to the dialogue, to the scenes and world building, it all seemed to flow and fit together in a tapestry that makes you forget you're reading and just ride along with the story. It was a treat to experience when many author's just write settings or descriptions because they have to. You can really take in the energy of the world when you read each scene and situation. It was splendid and comfortable in the best of ways. It had been awhile since I've truly felt swept up in a story, and this book did just that.

Lastly, the moral dilemmas. I'm not sure the last time I read a book that posed so many situations where characters must choose from an assortment of bad choices when it comes to decision-making. The author crafts these situations wholly naturally and organically within the story that makes every situation as dire (emotionally) as possible that intrigue is never lost and there is a constant pull on what's to come. This was incredible and entertaining to no end because it caused me as the reader to think and wonder and struggle alongside the characters equally. I think the greatest tool an author can employ is crafting a narrative that allows the readers to ponder and consider what's going on long after they're finished; and The Bard's Blade does this elegantly and skillfully.

The Bard's Blade is an unexpected delight of a book. It honestly took me by complete surprise and I loved it for that. In some ways, it's "classic fantasy," but with a completely modern and intuitive storytelling dynamic that makes it fresh and approachable for any reader, not just fantasy genre aficionados. It has utterly endearing characters to root for, a plot that is simple, yet engaging, moral dilemmas that are realistic and raw, and it's written with poise and ease that makes it much better than just another comfort read. Anderson has written a stupendous tale of loss, regret, love, and doing whatever it takes. Highly recommend this tale!

[Rob Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this one (which already marks it as different because I don't get many of those!) in return for an honest review.

Let's get this out of the way real quick. One of the main characters is called Lem and he's a musician and at no point does anyone call him Lemmy... That's it! 1 star. ;-)

OK, on to the real review.

The Bard's Blade reads a little bit like a portal fantasy, I guess. It follows two young lovers (Lem and Maryiah) who are thrust out of their small world and into a much larger, much more dangerous world. It is all actually the same world... but magic barriers and all that jazz.

It gets into the plot pretty earlier on and doesn't mess around. Nor does the author hold back with giving his characters a kicking or two. With a magical land, a dark lord, and a chosen one, it has many of the trappings of a classic fantasy... But it has enough of the modern about it to distinguish itself.

It's well written and has a few nice twists, some obvious and others not. It also has some very nice musical scenes which we don't get a lot of in fantasy at the moment.

But I had a fairly major gripe and it's that it felt rushed in places. We skip over periods of time and are told Lem or Maryiah have learned new skills, but it would have been nice to see them actually learning and struggling with these new skills. And in Lem's case it would have been good to know how he learned the skills. It really seemed like he should have had a mentor.

The Bard's Blade is a heartwarming tale about young love struggling to overcome the pressures of separation in a harsh world, set against the backdrop of a classic-ish fantasy. I'm giving it 3.5 and doing the ol' rounding up to 4. It seems like shit will really kick off in book 2 and I look forward to reading it.

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty straight forward fantasy tale. Nothing revolutionary, but still very enjoyable. Great and likable characters, sometimes even both. It kept occurring to me, especially towards the end, that many of the issues could've been resolved if the characters would just communicate better with each other. Slightly frustrating. I had thought that music would play a bigger role in the story, and perhaps it will in future books.

4.25/5 stars.



Edit: Still as good upon re-reading it.

[Maja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gonna be honest here, I skimread big chunks of this... 2-2,5 stars.

Not really sure why so many LOVE this book. Like it, fine. But it wasn't that great. Mostly it just stumbled through. Lots of stuff lacked the development needed to be believable and realistic, ex Lem being an assassin.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The nitty-gritty: A deceptively “gentle” epic fantasy tale with bite, The Bard’s Blade is surprisingly addictive and perfectly paced. This series starter is a must read for fans of well developed fantasies.

Wow this was fun! If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to start and you want to jump on at the beginning of the series, then I highly recommend trying Brian D. Anderson’s The Sorcerer’s Song . The Bard’s Blade is the first book in the series, and I’m happy to see that book two, A Chorus of Fire , is right around the corner with an August 2020 release date. This book was so addicting, and Anderson really knows how to put a hook in his readers, because once I started reading, it was very hard to stop.

The story begins in the idyllic town of Vylari, a town that years ago cut itself off from the rest of the world--a world ravaged by war and dark magic--with a magical barrier that hides Vylari and is near impossible to breach. Instead of going down the dark path of other societies, Vylari’s residents live peaceful, simple lives, sheltered from outside influences. Everyone knows that to step beyond the barrier warning in the forest means you’ll be leaving Vylari for good, because no one who has left has ever come back.

Lem and Mariyah are engaged to be married. Mariyah works in her family’s vineyard and Lem is a celebrated musician, performing at public functions and giving music lessons to the children of Vylari. Life is good, until one day, Lem’s Uncle Shemi tells him that—despite the impossibility of crossing the barrier into Vylari—a stranger has come to town. The stranger bears a letter with cryptic information, which states that “a child with enormous talent” must venture out of Vylari in order to prevent the impending doom that is headed its way. Lem assumes that he’s the “child,” since he is the most talented musician in the land, after all, and he makes a rash decision to cross the border into the unknown land of Lamoria in order to save his loved ones—without saying goodbye.

But when Mariyah finds Lem’s hastily written letter, she grabs Shemi and they head to the forest, hoping to stop Lem before he leaves. Unfortunately, they’re too late, and before they realize what they’ve done, Mariyah and Shemi have crossed over as well. With no way to get home, they set out to find Lem in this strange new land, not realizing what trials and challenges await them.

I loved the way the story starts out in a sort of happy bubble and then turns very dark once the characters leave. Vylari is completely separated from all the horrible things that are going on outside of it. Kids grow up hearing stories about the evils of Lamoria and happily live simple lives free of hunger, war or political and religious control. This sets a sort of fairy tale tone that changes as soon as our three main characters find themselves on the outside. This contrast was one of the things I loved best about The Bard’s Blade and what gave the story so much forward momentum. Because it doesn’t take long for Lem, Mariyah and Shemi to get into Big Trouble. Things in Lamoria are even worse than the stories tell, and our characters have to adapt quickly if they want to survive.

I also thought the character growth was marvelously done. Granted, our characters start out at the very end of the spectrum, so it doesn’t take much to shock them into realizing that life on the outside is cruel and deadly. Lem finds work in a tavern and is able to play his instrument for room and board while he tries to figure out his next move, but he soon discovers that not everyone is kind and honest. Mariyah and Shemi fare even worse, though, when they are arrested for being heretics—people who don’t follow the beliefs of the god Kylor. Through no fault of their own, they say the wrong things to strangers and find themselves in a heap of trouble. Anderson brilliantly maneuvers them through many a trial and they grow and change in completely believable ways. Lem’s journey in particular was devastatingly heartbreaking, as he learns that no one can be trusted, although his was also the most interesting journey to follow.

Anderson’s writing style reminded me of vintage fantasy, a deceptively simple style that is easy to read and immediately draws you into the story, but don’t let that simplicity fool you. This is a surprisingly complex tale that did not at all go where I was expecting it to go. Anderson’s characters are faced with all sorts of tricky moral dilemmas and must make—in some cases—terrible choices. What made this such a hopeful story is that most of the characters are steadfast in their beliefs and feelings for each other. Mariyah and Lem—even though they are separated for most of the book—never lose sight of their love and devotion to each other. It was a refreshing idea in a genre that’s overcrowded with grimdark stories.

If I have any reservations at all, it would be that the world building is a little on the light side. The characters see all sorts of marvelous sights as they’re moving through Lamoria—including some mysterious black towers that stretch far into the sky but are never fully explained—but we only get to see these things in passing. I wanted to know what the “watchtowers” were used for and who built them, and I do hope Anderson gives us more information in the next book. There is also a complex religious and political system built around Kylor that appears to be much more than meets the eye, as well as a magic system that is really only hinted at in this book. Finally, there's a wonderful map in the beginning of the book that shows a vast world with places we didn’t get to explore in this book. I have high hopes that we’ll visit those places eventually!

But honestly, this book’s greatest strength lies in the characters and their interactions with each other. I can forgive some light world building if the characters do their job, and I’m happy to say they succeeded with flying colors. Anderson winds up his story with several shocking twists and revelations and sets things up perfectly for the next book, leaving the reader satisfied and craving more at the same time. Highly recommended!

Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy

[Smaug the Unmerciful Editor · Rating 2 out of 5]

*ahem*

Well, well, and well. So many 5-star reviews on this book! Sorry to disappoint, but this is a 2-star for me. The cover looked VERY nice, I must admit, but it doesn't really have much hold on the actual book.

The biggest issue for me was the characters, who then infected the story. Lem is an idiot and weakling, to put it plainly, and Mariyah is the typical tough-girl who has no other personality besides righteous anger. Shemi wasn't too bad, but Farley is inconsistent.

Lem, for instance, is beaten by the mafia and then treats the leader like an angry child, nobly refuses to kill a thug, and constantly gets rescued by people who hardly know him. Also, Farley rescues uncle Shemi, totally destroying the need for a heist and spending gross amounts of money in the process, despite his apparent stinginess and mercenary attitude. He does say he's going to make Lem work off his debt, but it's not really apparent. And then Lem becomes an assassin, trying to work off his girlfriend's (Mariyah's) slave debt because apparently he heard she was being kept by a noble, and his first kill is a total accident. Also, someone gave him a magic knife for no reason. This is what I presume the titular Bard's Blade is, even though it doesn't really play a pivotal role. He becomes an assassin for no clear purpose (why not just get a normal job to get cash?) and has this magical weapon that he didn't earn (and he didn't earn his character arc, either---his magic knife gets rid of the need to gruesomely stab people---it kills with a single touch---which I would have liked, since it showed that killing is hard to stomach but Lem is gonna do it anyway! And he keeps some of his morals throughout his stint as a killer, which I think is unrealistic. If you're willing to kill, are the rest of your ethics going to stay intact?). He then is told to assassinate the High Cleric, whose laws have never caused anything but pain and misery for pretty much everybody, and he's all like "Oh, man, I can't do it! I feel so bad!" So he squeals and gets him and Farley captured by the law. At this point, Lem feels a strong hatred for Farley that wasn't even hinted at before (???), since he used to trust Farley with all his heart. Then, while Lem's in the cell, the High Cleric Himself comes in and---wouldn't you know it---wants to use Lem's skills. Lem, obviously, accepts, and heads on his way feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and sure that the Cleric isn't such a bad guy after all. Uh, EXCUSE ME? Isn't he the man who wrote the law that heretics should be slaughtered? And now Lem is getting all chummy in righteous anger? Or maybe he was just misunderstood all along, and it's the mean ol' Archbishop's fault (why is it always the priests?)? Then Lem, a free man but working as the Cleric's personal assassin, becomes a minstrel as cover (he excelled in music in the first place, so that's ok) and performs at the house where his girlfriend is at. They reunite with what I have to admit is an entirely justified extended kiss. Happy ending! PSYCHE!

In short, Lem's actions and whatever was done to and for him seemed contrived and there only to further the plot, not because that was what the character would do. Like a bad video game---constantly getting favors and gear from strangers.

On to Mariyah. After following Lem out of the Happiest Place on Earth due to a prophecy saying that someone associated with Lem's mom in the Chosen One (brought by a dying stranger -_-) and accompanied by Uncle Shemi, she then is captured by the Church, goes through an unfair trial based on a lie (which was admitted by the religious judge---which is terrible. Religious people in general think they're doing the right thing---that's why they're religious!---except this judge lady cackles evilly, admitting that the charges are a lie, and basically acts evil. Unrealistic.), and is sent to the slave ships to be a servant to someone across the Big Lake. At this point, I was wondering how the heck Mariyah's and Lem's stories would get back on track (the goal of getting to the Magical Guild to save the world from Belkar McBigBad, who doesn't really play a role that deserves a spot on the cover---he's like a weakly written---but attractive---Voldemort: someone without a body and who everyone is scared of. And discolored skin.). Lem, not so much. Mariyah, yes, fortunately. Anyway, turns out that Mariyah's not going to be a slave, but instead was bought by the Lady of the house because she needed a new assistant. And turns out that Mariyah has magical powers! SHE'S the child of prophecy! Woopity . . . doo. . . . It would have been nice to have some hints before now, wouldn't it? Like Kaladin, from Way of Kings, whose spheres mysterious keep going out, and he survives things that would kill a normal man---turns out he's got healing factor, powered by Stormlight, which is in the spheres! This, my friends, is a good example of hidden magical powers. The powers in Bard's Blade is not. After multiple apparently useless balls (yes, it turned into a Victorian fantasy *dry heaves*) she is then visited by Belkar (McBigBad) in hopes of being turned to the Dark Side (coincidentally, Belkar has an army of zombies---there's your sign), which she deftly refuses. At this point, Lem jumps into her room and they smooch, and then this happens:

LEM: My darling, my queen, let us escape into the night, into a new life!

MARYIAH: *knowing that she is the child of prophecy and must destroy Belkar* Uh---OK! Yeah, sure! *laughs nervously* Lemme just---get something. Meet me at the uh, gate!

L: Of course! Anything for you, my love! *jumps out window*

M: *at gate with LEM* Lem, I can't come with you.

L: Wait---wha?

M: It's true! I can't. You must leave . . . please, just leave, Lem. I'm not even going to tell you my reasons, as it would derail this entire contrived conflict.

L: Oh, betrayal! Oh, a tempest of emotions! Woe! Anger! Hunger! Upset stomach!

M: I'm sorry, Lem! *blasts him beyond the magical barrier*

L: I swear---revenge? Reunion? Something! I love you, yet I hate you! I don't even know why, but there it is!

M: *looks on sadly*

Mariyah refuses to go with Lem, because she's the Chosen One and must train, and yet DOES NOT OFFER A VALID EXPLANATION THAT ANYONE ELSE WOULD! She had, like---ten minutes! How hard would it be for them to sit down and have a quick chat? How hard would it be for Lem to just STAY WITH HER? This is yet another example of what the entire book suffered . . .

CONTRIVED ACTIONS TO MAKE UP FOR A NONSENSICAL PLOT.

That was the biggest problem. Lem and Mariyah are rescued by strangers over and over, have things done for them that they don't deserve, and change in a way where it did not make sense. If the character is going to change (which they should), then you have to make it inevitable---not on a whim! Things came out of Knowhere without explanation, and you can't even look back and say "Oh, yeah, I see how that logically progressed."

It was like Harry Potter movie 5.

And did I mention how this book DRAGGED at some points, with no apparent purpose or goal?! Lem and Mariyah totally forget their point of being outside of their Happy Village: Lem to get to the Magic Guild, Mariyah to find Lem. But no! No purposes for me today, thank you!

And this, my friends, concludes my review. Mr. Brian D. Anderson is what Brandon Sanderson would call a Cook. Cooks and Chefs. A Cook looks at the bestselling novels and says, "OK, the books everyone likes has slavery, racial tension, blood/gore etc., so I think I'll put them in my book!" A Chef looks at the bestselling novels and says, "OK, the books everyone likes has slavery, racial tension, blood/gore etc., so WHAT do these elements accomplish, WHAT does it make the reader feel, WHY do they like it so much, and HOW can I put elements in my books that readers would find satisfying?" The Cook includes them simply because they are there, without thought to what the elements do in the bestselling books, while the Chef analyzes and studies so they can achieve the same reader happiness.

Brian had the right ingredients, for sure and for certain---but he didn't let the cake bake long enough. So the result is an undercooked mess.

"But Smaug," you might ask, "after all that stupid raving and screaming, WHY THE FISH did you rate it 2 stars?!" Well, I am a man who appreciates cleanliness and lack of explicit content and trigger warnings in a book, and felt that Brain D. Anderson (which sounds, coincidentally, like a warped Brandon Sanderson) deserves credit for making a fantasy without having to resort to explicit garbage.

There's enough story garbage to get upset at as it is.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariyah enjoys a simple life in Vylari, a land magically sealed off from the outside world, where fear and hatred are all but unknown. She helps her family make wine and spends time with her betrothed, Lem, a musician of rare talent. Their destiny has never been in question. Whatever life brings, they will face it together.

But destiny has a way of choosing its own path, and when a stranger crosses the wards into Vylari for the first time in centuries, the two are faced with a terrible prophecy. Beyond the borders, an ancient evil is returning, its age-old prison shattered. Not even the Thaumas, keepers of knowledge and wielders of magic from the outside world, know how to defeat it.

This is a slow moving fantasy, but don't let the slow moving part put you off. It kept my interest from start to finish. I'm always excited to find a new fantasy series that isn't too dark. I'm not into grimdark and that does seem to be the trend nowadays, so I was very pleased that this one was in the traditional vein of fantasy.

I immediately liked both of the main characters. They were easy to like and ended up getting into some sticky situations that caused some nail biting on my part. There were a couple of times I was practically yelling at Lem to not do something. The poor guy just went from one bad situation to another. What I liked most was that the characters went from naive and sheltered to experiencing a lot of awful things that changed their world view drastically. You could see that wide eyed wonder change to wariness of the world. It was sad, but of course necessary for the plot.

Another thing I really loved about this book is that it included a Bard. I've said before that there aren't enough books that include Bards, and that's what drew me to this book in the first place. The author did a really good job of describing Lem's musical ability. It was easy to imagine what the music sounded like as Lem played his beloved balisari. I would definitely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor books for providing me with a copy of this book.

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader

[Yuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 This book got me hyped for the next.
I really enjoyed it, from the plot to the worldbuilding to the characterizations.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

The wards surrounding a magical world are breaking down, and a couple have to go to the other earth to fix things.

Not bad, if a bit abecedarian.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable book that I've heard almost no one talk about. The characters, world building, magic, and mysteries are the heart of this book and they are all really well done. We learn a lot about the world through the fish-out-of-water type scenarios our main povs are in so it never feels info dumpy. I think where the book lacks is in the action and excitement area. I don't need a lot of that in a fantasy book for it to be good, but there is quite a dearth of it here. In fact the book doesn't really even have much of a climax. That being said, I'm still super interested in the story of this world and our two characters. Also, both this book and the sequel are under 500 pages and have an accessible writing style so they are nice to fit in between bigger and denser books. I will certainly be reading A Chorus of Fire.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can also read my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....

Review: 5 Stars

This is the kind of fantasy novel that I spend ages searching for. I picked up a review copy of this book on a whim and I had no idea that I was going to wind up loving it so much. Right away I knew that I loved the writing and the characters found a place in my heart. This quest fantasy was character driven, yet it never lost my attention. Brian D Anderson’s writing is truly incredible and I’m thrilled to find out that he has written other books, but even more excited that this will be a series. I need the next installment as soon as possible because I am left reeling from the ending.

The characters were done so well and they grew so much throughout the novel. Lem grew fearless and determined and Mariyah grew confident and strong. I loved following each of their journeys and found myself so attached to these characters. Lem and Mariyah were both willing to go to any length for the other and they even tested their own limits doing so. The Bard’s Blade was an emotional ride, I found myself wanting to shake Lem quite often and I was so angry at each injustice that either of them faced. These characters will not leave me anytime soon and I am so grateful that I just so happened to stumble across a book that has quickly become a favorite.

The plot was character driven but was also completely engrossing. The world was built so well and the political system was full of injustices. Lem and Mariyah’s journeys took them all across this world that they had stumbled into and everything possible seemed to go wrong. It was not a predictable story, just when I thought things were finally going to work out the story would take another turn. I had a hard time setting it down, not because it was full of action, but because I loved every moment of this book. There was the classic fight of good versus evil, religious zealots, a group of traveling musicians and even assassins, The Bard’s Blade was everything I could have wanted it to be and so much more.

I can not recommend this book enough. I am already anxious to get my hands on more of Brian D. Anderson’s books because I know good writing when I read it and he is an author that knows how to tell a good story. While this is Brian D. Anderson’s first debut in traditional publishing he has many self published books which I am dying to check out. This book has found a place in my heart and I am eager for the sequel already. The Bard’s Blade was a captivating start to a magical new series.

[Aristotle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Minor League Baseball

Fifty pages in and i could see that this was written for young adults. Very young.
I didn't expect epic fantasy that's 'Game of Thrones' Major League Baseball.
It's still baseball it still should be fun even Single A. This wasn't, too many errors and strikeouts.
The writing and plot are straightforward which isn't a bad thing but this was an overly simplistic plot with very simple basic storytelling.
The author has written over a dozen books and this should have been much better.
A first time author i would give a pass.
After two hundred pages little happened. Weak dialogue and an even weaker plot.
Written for 7th graders ok but written by a 7th grader? Not ok. Skip it.

I received this through goodreads giveaway.
Goodreads should put this in the YA category and lets us know before we try to win it.
One early review said 'Simply exquisite, gripping, and tension-packed' Bwaaaahahaha!
When i look at a books reviews i always sort by newest first. The older reviewers are shills not to be trusted.

[Derek · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish.

In the first place, the cover blurb is a fabrication. Mariyah is "a renowned winemaker". No, she's not, she's a winery administrator. There's no "must" in her leaving her home behind, she just chases after her fiance, who arguably has to leave. Half way into the book, there's still no evidence that she can defend herself, let alone be "the Blade".

When Lem sets off for the border of Vylari, a country that has been magically separated from the rest of the world for centuries, and a border that has only been crossed three times since that separation, he follows a trail!

Terrible writing, and too slow to get to the point.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

I have been so conflicted with writing this review! On the one hand, I think this is a strong debut offering with a cozy, epic feel and interesting characters that takes me back to the fantasy stories I grew up with. On the other hand, the final 100 pages or so felt really underdeveloped and the book ends at an odd place. Suffice to say, I had mixed feelings and wish this first book spent a little more time in edits. However, it's the start of a series and I would definitely read on. I think this author has loads of potential and I look forward to seeing more from him. With that said, lets dive into the book!

The Bard's Blade is a traditional epic fantasy story featuring an unlikely hero and heroine thrust into a new world where they must make difficult choices. Mariyah and Lem are from a peaceful town behind a magical barrier intended to keep out evil and magic. Mariyah is the daughter of a winemaker and Lem, a talented bard, is the love of her life. But everything changes when a stranger appears from the behind the barrier and Lem feels compelled to journey beyond, seek out his destiny, and perhaps save the world from a great evil. Except that Mariyah follows him out and they become separated in this strange new world where both are forced into perilous situations that will test their sense of morality.

Here you will find religious fanatics, assassins, con-men (and women), political intrigue, and complicated characters. For the most part, I really enjoyed the book and was sucked into following Mariyah and Lem on their journeys. However, as I mentioned above, the final part of the book really felt underdeveloped to me. The pacing suddenly speeds up and a lot happens with little explanation. I also felt like we needed to see more character development given the choices they have at that point made and the things they have been through. We see a lot of what they DO, but not what that MEANS for who they are, how they interact with the world, and what their relationship to other people will be. I wanted more from that. And the ending felt like it came in a weird place. It's a cliffhanger of sorts, but one that felt unfinished, needing maybe an additional scene from Lem's perspective or something.

That said, I do think fantasy lovers should check this out and I have high hopes for future books in the series! I did receive an advance copy of this book for review and so it is possible that the finished product will include some changes. All opinions are my own.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this is a goodreads giveaway. It’s a great start to a new series.not sure if I will continue or not but I’m content to have read this book