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The Chaos Cycle #1
Chains of Blood
He thought he was born Rylan Marshall...
...until he found out he wasn't.
Instead, he was born the son of a demon.
Would that mean he was destined to follow in his father's footsteps?
Rylan was attacked, his young son murdered, his baby daughter taken. But his assailant left him with two gifts: the gift of magic...and an oath to darkness. Rylan blamed himself, even though he knew it wasn't his fault.
The life he knew was over.
And war is coming.
A new enemy, stronger and more fearsome than any other, appears out of the night.
Will Rylan use his newfound power to make a stand? Will he learn its use in time to make a difference? Or will his oath to darkness guide him to the enemy?
If you love grimdark fantasy filled with vivid realism, brutal warfare, and raw emotion, this new adventure is just for you.
...until he found out he wasn't.
Instead, he was born the son of a demon.
Would that mean he was destined to follow in his father's footsteps?
Rylan was attacked, his young son murdered, his baby daughter taken. But his assailant left him with two gifts: the gift of magic...and an oath to darkness. Rylan blamed himself, even though he knew it wasn't his fault.
The life he knew was over.
And war is coming.
A new enemy, stronger and more fearsome than any other, appears out of the night.
Will Rylan use his newfound power to make a stand? Will he learn its use in time to make a difference? Or will his oath to darkness guide him to the enemy?
If you love grimdark fantasy filled with vivid realism, brutal warfare, and raw emotion, this new adventure is just for you.
455 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2019
382 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Spencer
22 books716 followersM.L. Spencer is an epic fantasy author. Her debut novel Darkmage won the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award for Fantasy, and her novel Dragon Mage won the 2021 Readers' Favorite Gold Award for Fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 18, 2019
"History is written by the victors, unless it is written by the survivors."
I've always been fond of fantasy that picks up years, decades, or even centuries after the events of a previous book's story. It's why I'm fond of the old Star Wars Legends universe and the current sequel trilogy (even if both had flaws). My favorite "popcorn fantasy" in the Dragonlance novels did an excellent series based around the Heroes of the Lance and their successors up until the events of Dragons of a Summer Flame. Indeed, my love of "what happens next" inspired me to write Wraith Knight and Lucifer's Star (books that are sequels to universes similar to the ones I grew up reading about).
Chains of Blood is the start of a sequel series to the popular indie fantasy series, The Rhenwars Saga. The Rhenwars Saga doesn't have to be read to start this book series but I highly recommend it. It is the story of a ragtag group of heroes who fail to save the world and then their successors who make things so much worse by trying to apply high fantasy logic to a more complex world. I read the entire series as it came out and reviewed each of the books.
The sequel picks up about thirty or so years after the events of the original novels. The world's peoples are at peace-ish and the threat of magic ending is abated. However, poor Rylan Marshall opens with his son being murdered and his daughter kidnapped. He's also forced to swear his soul to the Devil-equivalent right before being given amazing magical powers. Sworn to secrecy, Rylan is soon adopted by the mages of the setting and revealed to be heir to great power. Rylan will do anything to get his daughter back and the discovery of his twisted heritage won't change that.
I enjoyed Rylan's complicated emotional journey over one of the often-overlooked elements of fantasy that one man's hero is often another man's villain. Part of what made Rhenwars Saga so great is that it showed multiple perspectives of your typical fantasy protagonist. Sauron's human allies (and orcs for that matter) would have viewed Gandalf as a religious extremist and terrorist. Aragorn would have been viewed as a foreign national exerting ancient territorial claims as part of an attempt to legitimize his rule. In Rylan's case, he grew up vilifying a character only to find out not only is he related but many people view said character as a hero.
There are other characters that are caught up in the confusion that followed the previous war with no one really writing a single "narrative" about it. Some people believe the forces of evil triumphed and are eager to get some revenge. Others believe it was a wickedly complex thing with no good guys or bad guys. A few think that a bunch of heroes saved the day and everyone should be friends now. The complicated nature of politics mixed with storytelling and how we remember history (even recent history) is a set of themes that resonate with me.
One of the other major characters, Gil Archer, is the son of a "hero" of the previous age. This has led him to having a strong sense of entitlement to his family's legacy as well as a racist loathing of the Muslim-themed Malikari. His teachers want to break him of the habit and broaden his horizons but he sticks to the values that are (mostly) cultural acceptable because they put him in a place of prominence. He's less than happy having to be Rylan's protector and being continually confronted with the fact his father was a complicated person in a bloody morally ambiguous war.
In addition to all these complicated issues, there's a lot of action and sorcery as well solid character development. While this book is best read after the Rhenwars Saga, it's also something you can just pick up and enjoy on its own. There's some Wheel of Time homages throughout the book that I appreciated and the "Chained Mages" seem like they'll follow up on the Seanchan's ideas in a way that I think could be quite good for the series. Having finished this one, I'm already ready to pick up the sequel.
I've always been fond of fantasy that picks up years, decades, or even centuries after the events of a previous book's story. It's why I'm fond of the old Star Wars Legends universe and the current sequel trilogy (even if both had flaws). My favorite "popcorn fantasy" in the Dragonlance novels did an excellent series based around the Heroes of the Lance and their successors up until the events of Dragons of a Summer Flame. Indeed, my love of "what happens next" inspired me to write Wraith Knight and Lucifer's Star (books that are sequels to universes similar to the ones I grew up reading about).
Chains of Blood is the start of a sequel series to the popular indie fantasy series, The Rhenwars Saga. The Rhenwars Saga doesn't have to be read to start this book series but I highly recommend it. It is the story of a ragtag group of heroes who fail to save the world and then their successors who make things so much worse by trying to apply high fantasy logic to a more complex world. I read the entire series as it came out and reviewed each of the books.
The sequel picks up about thirty or so years after the events of the original novels. The world's peoples are at peace-ish and the threat of magic ending is abated. However, poor Rylan Marshall opens with his son being murdered and his daughter kidnapped. He's also forced to swear his soul to the Devil-equivalent right before being given amazing magical powers. Sworn to secrecy, Rylan is soon adopted by the mages of the setting and revealed to be heir to great power. Rylan will do anything to get his daughter back and the discovery of his twisted heritage won't change that.
I enjoyed Rylan's complicated emotional journey over one of the often-overlooked elements of fantasy that one man's hero is often another man's villain. Part of what made Rhenwars Saga so great is that it showed multiple perspectives of your typical fantasy protagonist. Sauron's human allies (and orcs for that matter) would have viewed Gandalf as a religious extremist and terrorist. Aragorn would have been viewed as a foreign national exerting ancient territorial claims as part of an attempt to legitimize his rule. In Rylan's case, he grew up vilifying a character only to find out not only is he related but many people view said character as a hero.
There are other characters that are caught up in the confusion that followed the previous war with no one really writing a single "narrative" about it. Some people believe the forces of evil triumphed and are eager to get some revenge. Others believe it was a wickedly complex thing with no good guys or bad guys. A few think that a bunch of heroes saved the day and everyone should be friends now. The complicated nature of politics mixed with storytelling and how we remember history (even recent history) is a set of themes that resonate with me.
One of the other major characters, Gil Archer, is the son of a "hero" of the previous age. This has led him to having a strong sense of entitlement to his family's legacy as well as a racist loathing of the Muslim-themed Malikari. His teachers want to break him of the habit and broaden his horizons but he sticks to the values that are (mostly) cultural acceptable because they put him in a place of prominence. He's less than happy having to be Rylan's protector and being continually confronted with the fact his father was a complicated person in a bloody morally ambiguous war.
In addition to all these complicated issues, there's a lot of action and sorcery as well solid character development. While this book is best read after the Rhenwars Saga, it's also something you can just pick up and enjoy on its own. There's some Wheel of Time homages throughout the book that I appreciated and the "Chained Mages" seem like they'll follow up on the Seanchan's ideas in a way that I think could be quite good for the series. Having finished this one, I'm already ready to pick up the sequel.
October 11, 2019
A story about the chains that bind us, both physical and emotional.
Chains of Blood is the newest book by ML Spencer and it's set in the same world as her best-selling Rhenwars saga. In fact it's set after the events of that series, but fear not you do not need to have read the Rhenwars to enjoy this one. I know this, because I've only read the first book in that series so far. Yeah, I know, I'm jumping ahead of myself, but I was offered an ARC and I took it! Turned out to be a pretty good decision.
We follow along behind 2 characters. Rylan is the son of the most hated war criminal in the world, even if he doesn't know it. He's coming home after a stint on the front lines, only to find his son murdered and his daughter kidnapped. He then sets out to find his daughter, and discover his power along the way.
Gil is the son of the most revered war hero in the world (we all like a bit of symmetry), and a damned powerful mage in his own right. When an army from hell appears on his city's doorstep, he forced to dig deeper than he ever has before to face down a new threat to everything he knows.
There's some really interesting concepts in this book and the foremost of those is the idea of the chains. I won't give too much away, but there's a whole thing about chaining mages together to make them more powerful. It was very cool. That being said, I would have liked to know a little more about the magic. At times it seems all powerful, and at other times not so much. I occasionally found myself wondering why they couldn't use magic to fix their problems.
I do feel readers will get more out of this book if they've read the previous series, mostly because they'd have pre-existing connections to some of the characters and a deeper knowledge of the history, but it certainly isn't required.
If you like lots of big magic, high stakes, and a dark world full of bloody mayhem... this one is definitely for you.
Chains of Blood is the newest book by ML Spencer and it's set in the same world as her best-selling Rhenwars saga. In fact it's set after the events of that series, but fear not you do not need to have read the Rhenwars to enjoy this one. I know this, because I've only read the first book in that series so far. Yeah, I know, I'm jumping ahead of myself, but I was offered an ARC and I took it! Turned out to be a pretty good decision.
We follow along behind 2 characters. Rylan is the son of the most hated war criminal in the world, even if he doesn't know it. He's coming home after a stint on the front lines, only to find his son murdered and his daughter kidnapped. He then sets out to find his daughter, and discover his power along the way.
Gil is the son of the most revered war hero in the world (we all like a bit of symmetry), and a damned powerful mage in his own right. When an army from hell appears on his city's doorstep, he forced to dig deeper than he ever has before to face down a new threat to everything he knows.
There's some really interesting concepts in this book and the foremost of those is the idea of the chains. I won't give too much away, but there's a whole thing about chaining mages together to make them more powerful. It was very cool. That being said, I would have liked to know a little more about the magic. At times it seems all powerful, and at other times not so much. I occasionally found myself wondering why they couldn't use magic to fix their problems.
I do feel readers will get more out of this book if they've read the previous series, mostly because they'd have pre-existing connections to some of the characters and a deeper knowledge of the history, but it certainly isn't required.
If you like lots of big magic, high stakes, and a dark world full of bloody mayhem... this one is definitely for you.
November 11, 2019
All he had left was a boundless guilt and a terrible power he didn’t understand. He was a prisoner of both, and there was no escaping either.
Chains of Blood is the first installment in ML Spencer’s newest dark epic The Chaos Cycle, and is a tale of cunning demons, broken heroes, and the brutal and catastrophic realities of war. This book also marks my first descent into the war-torn lands of the Rhen and beyond, a battered world that swiftly sunk its claws in and refuses to let go. This story is an account of love, loss, and sacrifice, and the lengths one is willing to go in order to protect what they truly cherish, while haunted by a regretful past, desperately hoping to salvage the future. Within its blood-soaked pages we witness a grisly enslavement of mind, body, and soul under the guise of unity as a foreign force threatens absolute domination. The fight for continued freedom is uncertain, but one that must prevail.
"Desperate men do desperate things."
This story is a beautifully harrowing and emotional journey that really boils down to the deepest of love and respect. It begins with tragedy as a father returns from the war front only to have his children violently torn from him by a mysterious and dangerous foe. The resulting dreadful anguish and ceaseless perseverance in the face of heartbreaking loss is palpable and utterly poignant. While his legacy cultivates both fear and reverence, the promise of aid from those around him continues to drive him forward. However, manipulation and betrayal continue to forge his path, leading to a pilgrimage wrought by nothing but lies and agony, and also the dawn of another war where the flame of hope seems all but extingushed.
As we venture for answers, there is such a profound sense of wonder in the environments Spencer constructs around us. Continents showing signs of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian-inspired cultures, each place we’re delivered to is incredibly unique and awe-inspiring. The sprawling farmlands of the Kingdoms, the soaring verdigris-domed towers of Karikesh, the deafeningly silent avenues of Suheylu Ra – the entirety of the world hides dangerous secrets just waiting to be discovered. The effects of potent and fascinating magic siphoned directly from the heart of the land are evident in settings marred by devastation, but most compelling is the unknown that unravels as you continue to read.
"We alone are in command of our own fate, and no other. Not any man. Not any god. We sit in the seat of our own judgment and mete out the consequences of our decisions upon ourselves."
Another aspect I thoroughly appreciated throughout was the introduction and development of a diverse cast that refuses to adhere to the many stereotypes of those typically portrayed in this genre. Willing and sympathetic mages, patient and remorseful rulers, reluctant and uncertain soldiers – there are plenty of instances that challenge beliefs and limitations, always pushing them to adapt to the dire situations at hand. Observing events unfold through the eyes of two seemingly different characters through alternating chapters, it’s apparent everyone has their own agendas. However, as the story advances, each greatly transforms, keeping readers fully invested as priorities shift and new information comes to light. This evolution is so wonderfully executed, and my personal favorite aspect of the entire story.
Chains of Blood is a perfectly paced, gorgeously conveyed, and unforgiving tale filled with relentless action, mystifying magic, and driven characters resistant to surrender their hold on the frayed strings of hope. While this is set in the same world as Spencer’s best-selling series The Rhenwars Saga, no prior knowledge is needed to fully enjoy this remarkable onset of her new narrative The Chaos Cycle. Completely surpassing my expectations, this book has quickly become one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t wait to see where we’re taken next. I highly recommend.
NOTE: A huge thank you to ML for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chains of Blood is the first installment in ML Spencer’s newest dark epic The Chaos Cycle, and is a tale of cunning demons, broken heroes, and the brutal and catastrophic realities of war. This book also marks my first descent into the war-torn lands of the Rhen and beyond, a battered world that swiftly sunk its claws in and refuses to let go. This story is an account of love, loss, and sacrifice, and the lengths one is willing to go in order to protect what they truly cherish, while haunted by a regretful past, desperately hoping to salvage the future. Within its blood-soaked pages we witness a grisly enslavement of mind, body, and soul under the guise of unity as a foreign force threatens absolute domination. The fight for continued freedom is uncertain, but one that must prevail.
"Desperate men do desperate things."
This story is a beautifully harrowing and emotional journey that really boils down to the deepest of love and respect. It begins with tragedy as a father returns from the war front only to have his children violently torn from him by a mysterious and dangerous foe. The resulting dreadful anguish and ceaseless perseverance in the face of heartbreaking loss is palpable and utterly poignant. While his legacy cultivates both fear and reverence, the promise of aid from those around him continues to drive him forward. However, manipulation and betrayal continue to forge his path, leading to a pilgrimage wrought by nothing but lies and agony, and also the dawn of another war where the flame of hope seems all but extingushed.
As we venture for answers, there is such a profound sense of wonder in the environments Spencer constructs around us. Continents showing signs of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian-inspired cultures, each place we’re delivered to is incredibly unique and awe-inspiring. The sprawling farmlands of the Kingdoms, the soaring verdigris-domed towers of Karikesh, the deafeningly silent avenues of Suheylu Ra – the entirety of the world hides dangerous secrets just waiting to be discovered. The effects of potent and fascinating magic siphoned directly from the heart of the land are evident in settings marred by devastation, but most compelling is the unknown that unravels as you continue to read.
"We alone are in command of our own fate, and no other. Not any man. Not any god. We sit in the seat of our own judgment and mete out the consequences of our decisions upon ourselves."
Another aspect I thoroughly appreciated throughout was the introduction and development of a diverse cast that refuses to adhere to the many stereotypes of those typically portrayed in this genre. Willing and sympathetic mages, patient and remorseful rulers, reluctant and uncertain soldiers – there are plenty of instances that challenge beliefs and limitations, always pushing them to adapt to the dire situations at hand. Observing events unfold through the eyes of two seemingly different characters through alternating chapters, it’s apparent everyone has their own agendas. However, as the story advances, each greatly transforms, keeping readers fully invested as priorities shift and new information comes to light. This evolution is so wonderfully executed, and my personal favorite aspect of the entire story.
Chains of Blood is a perfectly paced, gorgeously conveyed, and unforgiving tale filled with relentless action, mystifying magic, and driven characters resistant to surrender their hold on the frayed strings of hope. While this is set in the same world as Spencer’s best-selling series The Rhenwars Saga, no prior knowledge is needed to fully enjoy this remarkable onset of her new narrative The Chaos Cycle. Completely surpassing my expectations, this book has quickly become one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t wait to see where we’re taken next. I highly recommend.
NOTE: A huge thank you to ML for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2022
ML Spencer has done it again!!! I cannot fathom not loving all of her work! From culture clash to forgotten magics this book SLAPS! Rey land is a tragic character who doesn’t understand why life has all of a sudden turned on him. But when his family is torn apart he is determined to do what it takes no matter how much it hurts him.
The bonds that are forged and shattered and the individuals who are beaten down and enslaved in this story and how they fight back to defend their own is just awesome.
This story is truly a tale about overcoming the odds and dealing with adversity no matter what. The pacing and the characters are all compelling and the themes of slavery, fate , and the sins of the father are so well executed. Spencer can do no wrong in my book.
4.75/5
The bonds that are forged and shattered and the individuals who are beaten down and enslaved in this story and how they fight back to defend their own is just awesome.
This story is truly a tale about overcoming the odds and dealing with adversity no matter what. The pacing and the characters are all compelling and the themes of slavery, fate , and the sins of the father are so well executed. Spencer can do no wrong in my book.
4.75/5
June 26, 2021
I already liked Dark Mage - and this one is a definite step up from there! The characters felt more three dimensional and deep right from the start and I was quickly sucked into the story.
I enjoyed the mix of new characters interwoven with the stories from the first series! You could read this without knowing the the Rhenwar books, but if you read them, you get a lot of flashbacks, in the good way!
The plot was nicely twisting and turning along, and surprised me more often than most books do.
The prose was fluent and solid.
Combined with characters who grew and who I cared for this was a joy to read!
I enjoyed the mix of new characters interwoven with the stories from the first series! You could read this without knowing the the Rhenwar books, but if you read them, you get a lot of flashbacks, in the good way!
The plot was nicely twisting and turning along, and surprised me more often than most books do.
The prose was fluent and solid.
Combined with characters who grew and who I cared for this was a joy to read!
December 23, 2019
A strong tale and a great start to this new series from M.L. Spencer, who has become one of my favorite authors. I think my enjoyment was enhanced by having read the author's previous series, but it's not entirely necessary if you haven't read that and want to start here. In this new series, The Chaos Cycle, we move forward in time to follow a generation after The Rhenwars Saga. I don't want to mention anything that would spoil that series, but there is a welcoming blend of new and familiar characters to root the reader in Spencer's world and facilitate its expanding horizons.
A new war is coming, and those who clashed against each other in the Rhen find themselves becoming allies now. The invading army has inexplicable powers and seemingly unlimited resources. Grown children of sworn enemies must learn to work together and defend their homeland or succumb to this new threat.
Rylan Marshall has an intense inner struggle. When he finds out his real father is someone he always perceived as a horrible traitor, his desire to know who he is and where he came from is at odds with his sense of honor and his understanding of good and evil. While condemning his father for choices he made, Rylan himself is forced into tough choices he's unsure how to justify.
The invading army has a hive mind, and it gives them the ability to compound magical potential among their mages. This makes them horrifically powerful, and hungry to take in more mages. Mages are kidnapped, then mysteriously flipped to battle against their former allies. It's the greatest tool the enemies have and our protagonists struggle through the whole book in search of how to combat this capability. All magic wielders are targeted, which is a terrible threat to the growing order of the Lyceum.
The author expands the world and increases the stakes. Everything is bigger here, the lands, the cities, the size of the armies. The magic is more powerful and the history goes deeper, all with Spencer's signature heart-wrenching heroics.
A new war is coming, and those who clashed against each other in the Rhen find themselves becoming allies now. The invading army has inexplicable powers and seemingly unlimited resources. Grown children of sworn enemies must learn to work together and defend their homeland or succumb to this new threat.
Rylan Marshall has an intense inner struggle. When he finds out his real father is someone he always perceived as a horrible traitor, his desire to know who he is and where he came from is at odds with his sense of honor and his understanding of good and evil. While condemning his father for choices he made, Rylan himself is forced into tough choices he's unsure how to justify.
The invading army has a hive mind, and it gives them the ability to compound magical potential among their mages. This makes them horrifically powerful, and hungry to take in more mages. Mages are kidnapped, then mysteriously flipped to battle against their former allies. It's the greatest tool the enemies have and our protagonists struggle through the whole book in search of how to combat this capability. All magic wielders are targeted, which is a terrible threat to the growing order of the Lyceum.
The author expands the world and increases the stakes. Everything is bigger here, the lands, the cities, the size of the armies. The magic is more powerful and the history goes deeper, all with Spencer's signature heart-wrenching heroics.
October 13, 2019
It’s been twenty years since the Well of Tears was closed and the lands of the Rhen were freed from the spectre of Chaos. A new generation of mages are in training at the rebuilt Lyceum and people are coming to terms with their new world. But now a new enemy is approaching and the sons of past heroes must fight to keep their loved ones safe.
This review is based on a beta copy I received from the author.
Following on from the author’s Rhenwars Saga, Chains of Blood picks up long after the conclusion of that series. At first, detailing some of the changes that have happened in the intervening years, the characters are soon plunged into a new war when the Turan Khar invade, intent on capturing as many of the new mages as they can.
Similar to the preceding series, Chains of Blood has a primarily turnabout chapter setup; alternately following the two main characters. Both are new characters and, at first glance, quite dissimilar. Gil is one of the new generation of mages, powerful and, unfortunately, somewhat arrogant with it. However, as the Turan Khar gain more ground, he is forced to recognize his limitations and comes out the wiser for it. By comparison, Rylan is a simple farmer and former soldier with no knowledge of magic beyond stories of what it had done to his homeland. His growth throughout the book is possibly even greater than Gil’s. Some of the supporting characters carry over from the previous series although, while they are important to the ongoing narrative, the focus is primarily on the new characters.
It isn’t necessary to have read the previous series to understand and enjoy this novel, enough background is given without being overwhelming or distracting for the story. Having said that, those that have will find many little details that have greater impact.
The novel also continues the dark themes common to the author’s work. Two particularly harrowing moments stick out for me. The first is the opening chapter so new readers will soon get a sense of what awaits. The second is later in the novel where Gil confronts a friend who has been captured and ‘turned’ to service of the Turan Khar. Even once freed from their influence, the mage is broken, wanting nothing more than to go back to them and disconsolate about their loss.
Chains of Blood is a marvellous expansion of Spencer’s existing world and one that offers both a continuing pleasure for existing readers and a great starting point for new ones.
5 out of 5 chained mages.
This review is based on a beta copy I received from the author.
Following on from the author’s Rhenwars Saga, Chains of Blood picks up long after the conclusion of that series. At first, detailing some of the changes that have happened in the intervening years, the characters are soon plunged into a new war when the Turan Khar invade, intent on capturing as many of the new mages as they can.
Similar to the preceding series, Chains of Blood has a primarily turnabout chapter setup; alternately following the two main characters. Both are new characters and, at first glance, quite dissimilar. Gil is one of the new generation of mages, powerful and, unfortunately, somewhat arrogant with it. However, as the Turan Khar gain more ground, he is forced to recognize his limitations and comes out the wiser for it. By comparison, Rylan is a simple farmer and former soldier with no knowledge of magic beyond stories of what it had done to his homeland. His growth throughout the book is possibly even greater than Gil’s. Some of the supporting characters carry over from the previous series although, while they are important to the ongoing narrative, the focus is primarily on the new characters.
It isn’t necessary to have read the previous series to understand and enjoy this novel, enough background is given without being overwhelming or distracting for the story. Having said that, those that have will find many little details that have greater impact.
The novel also continues the dark themes common to the author’s work. Two particularly harrowing moments stick out for me. The first is the opening chapter so new readers will soon get a sense of what awaits. The second is later in the novel where Gil confronts a friend who has been captured and ‘turned’ to service of the Turan Khar. Even once freed from their influence, the mage is broken, wanting nothing more than to go back to them and disconsolate about their loss.
Chains of Blood is a marvellous expansion of Spencer’s existing world and one that offers both a continuing pleasure for existing readers and a great starting point for new ones.
5 out of 5 chained mages.
June 10, 2020
★★★ 3 Stars.
While this book wasn't really for me I can understand why folk will and do like it. It is a story of Rylan, a broken man, and his journey to get his daughter back while facing demons, mages and personal trials and tribulations. Unfortunately, I didn't click with this book though still appreciate it for what it is, hence the three stars. Spencer is a fine writer, while her world-building is heavy and massively descriptive (not my cup of tea as I prefer a more moderate level of world-building) she is without doubt a talented writer.
I really enjoyed the start of this book, and was really excited to see it through, the writing was nice and each step grabbed me and wasn't letting go. I was hooked. Then, I'm not sure why, I just lost it. It felt began to feel almost monotone in nature, and epic battle bore no more emotion from me than a mid day conversation over tea and seemingly important events meant very little to me.
I think, in part, this was possibly due to the pacing, the book started off quite fast having already thrown you into the thick of it with Rylan, then plateaued.
I think, for me, the structure was a little off and not one I could really get behind. Which I'm pretty gutted about because it showed such promise, I think the battle around 30 percent happened to early and without much focus on character development, I wasn't able to really get behind the characters or feel the tension and potential loss of this event.
While this book wasn't really for me I can understand why folk will and do like it. It is a story of Rylan, a broken man, and his journey to get his daughter back while facing demons, mages and personal trials and tribulations. Unfortunately, I didn't click with this book though still appreciate it for what it is, hence the three stars. Spencer is a fine writer, while her world-building is heavy and massively descriptive (not my cup of tea as I prefer a more moderate level of world-building) she is without doubt a talented writer.
I really enjoyed the start of this book, and was really excited to see it through, the writing was nice and each step grabbed me and wasn't letting go. I was hooked. Then, I'm not sure why, I just lost it. It felt began to feel almost monotone in nature, and epic battle bore no more emotion from me than a mid day conversation over tea and seemingly important events meant very little to me.
I think, in part, this was possibly due to the pacing, the book started off quite fast having already thrown you into the thick of it with Rylan, then plateaued.
I think, for me, the structure was a little off and not one I could really get behind. Which I'm pretty gutted about because it showed such promise, I think the battle around 30 percent happened to early and without much focus on character development, I wasn't able to really get behind the characters or feel the tension and potential loss of this event.
September 23, 2019
Chains of Blood is the first book in the new dark epic saga full of sword and sorcery, massive battle scenes, treachery and betrayal, courage and perseverance, and a fight of good against evil. Rylan Marshall was just a farmer’s son wanting nothing more than to return home to his family but he is waylaid on his way home by evil and his life seems to be taken out of his hands from thereon. He discovers who he really is, but not what is expected from him nearly till the end of the book. He discovers that those he had thought of as enemies were not evil, and that his father was a hero in their eyes not the demon he had always thought him to be. The characters of Gil and Rylan though heroic are totally human, in the fact that they make mistakes in decisions they take even when they mean well! The world building that went into the description of the village of Suheylu Ra is awesome and it reminded me of the City of Pompei! The Thurun Khar are an amazing concept of people led by one man to belong to a hive mind, scary but intriguing! This book is so full of twists and turns, it kept me completely riveted and involved till the very end. As usual ML Spencer knows how to do this, as she builds the story full of tension up to a great crescendo in the final battle scene which left me breathless. Though this novel may be read as a standalone novel I do recommend that readers read the prior series first as this story continues where the series left off and the series is really worth the read!
November 10, 2019
Another grimdark special from the author - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2019/11/...
November 27, 2019
Fantastic
The characters were wonderful! The story is so intense and interesting I couldn’t put it down! Definitely a must read!
The characters were wonderful! The story is so intense and interesting I couldn’t put it down! Definitely a must read!
February 1, 2024
DNF at 270 pages.
I couldn't care less about the story. The characters were flat. The magic just happens, there's no magic system whatsoever. The characters go from hating each other to death to be best friends. And the two MC are accompanied by two female characters where you can smell the shitty romance brewing.
I couldn't care less about the story. The characters were flat. The magic just happens, there's no magic system whatsoever. The characters go from hating each other to death to be best friends. And the two MC are accompanied by two female characters where you can smell the shitty romance brewing.
August 16, 2020
A sprawling and gripping story filled with action, interesting magic, and difficult choices. I was caught up in Rylan’s arc, and I’m very curious where Spencer will take him in book two.
April 19, 2020
Excellent new addition ML Spencer!
ML Spencer brings a great new storyline with Chains of Blood. If you loved the Rhenwars saga, you'll love this book! Characters we love continue and new characters emerge. I highly recommend it!
ML Spencer brings a great new storyline with Chains of Blood. If you loved the Rhenwars saga, you'll love this book! Characters we love continue and new characters emerge. I highly recommend it!
May 27, 2020
4.5*. An Arc was provided for an honest review.
I keep tormenting myself with this series by never reading it through and jumping between books in the series. The Rhenwars series isn't necessary - but you'll pick far more nods and winks and continuation through the backstory.
Rylan is an interesting character, quite normal until the rabbit warren bites him in the goolies, swallows him up and spits him into hellish misery. The other characters (Archer the younger in particular) are equally thrown out of their death as they approach an epic siege of jerusalemlike proportions from multiple story arcs.
If familiar with Rhenwars you'll see the nod to WOT with the cyclical nature of characters in roles, with the resonance of namesakes and positions and the continuation of some old faces emulating Gandalf in wisdom and the powerlessness of nudging fate and not controlling it without giving too much away.
It is a pacy and well rounded story. Brutal and unforgiving and not one for someone looking for unicorns and fluffy Elves. It is a solid evolution on the earlier series and spreads out across the globe for new enemies, yet clever in keeping the conflict local and focused. Merciless in driving characters beyond torment. That focus pulls in and spits out the characters and centralises the storyarcs.
If I have any gripes it's minor things. Rylan's relationship seems to occur somewhat sudden considering the circumstances - but there's a couple of driving forces behind it and essential for the climax and conclusion. Here's boomtime by the way... and damn nice to see mages being allowed to run around and be glass cannons.
My second is the focus around the siege. There are a couple of lulls that seem to jar with the race to save the city. I'd expect Naia to be doing more at this time, but I appreciate the POV of the main characters would limit citywide events.
I look forward to the audiobook release as it is a damn fine start to a continuing series and M.L. Spencer continues to be implacably consistent with every release and I enjoyed this one more than her other work. Well worth picking up, but she needs to be careful... There is an outfitting scene and while the Robert Jordan comparisons will continue, it is brief and does not take up several pages.
I keep tormenting myself with this series by never reading it through and jumping between books in the series. The Rhenwars series isn't necessary - but you'll pick far more nods and winks and continuation through the backstory.
Rylan is an interesting character, quite normal until the rabbit warren bites him in the goolies, swallows him up and spits him into hellish misery. The other characters (Archer the younger in particular) are equally thrown out of their death as they approach an epic siege of jerusalemlike proportions from multiple story arcs.
If familiar with Rhenwars you'll see the nod to WOT with the cyclical nature of characters in roles, with the resonance of namesakes and positions and the continuation of some old faces emulating Gandalf in wisdom and the powerlessness of nudging fate and not controlling it without giving too much away.
It is a pacy and well rounded story. Brutal and unforgiving and not one for someone looking for unicorns and fluffy Elves. It is a solid evolution on the earlier series and spreads out across the globe for new enemies, yet clever in keeping the conflict local and focused. Merciless in driving characters beyond torment. That focus pulls in and spits out the characters and centralises the storyarcs.
If I have any gripes it's minor things. Rylan's relationship seems to occur somewhat sudden considering the circumstances - but there's a couple of driving forces behind it and essential for the climax and conclusion. Here's boomtime by the way... and damn nice to see mages being allowed to run around and be glass cannons.
My second is the focus around the siege. There are a couple of lulls that seem to jar with the race to save the city. I'd expect Naia to be doing more at this time, but I appreciate the POV of the main characters would limit citywide events.
I look forward to the audiobook release as it is a damn fine start to a continuing series and M.L. Spencer continues to be implacably consistent with every release and I enjoyed this one more than her other work. Well worth picking up, but she needs to be careful... There is an outfitting scene and while the Robert Jordan comparisons will continue, it is brief and does not take up several pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
I got this as a arc e book from the author for my laptop. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It took me longer than normal to read it as some of the chapters are long.
October 11, 2019
I read almost whole book at one go; it's absolutely amazing. Characters are better made than in any other fantasy series nowadays, story is interesting and it's otherwise very well written too.
September 5, 2022
I read ML Spencer’s Dragon Mage shortly after it came out and like many, absolutely loved it. So figured I would enjoy this as well. Plus, I was out of Audible credits and this book is currently free in the Audible Plus catalog, so there’s that. PSA: I’ve heard this series is even better appreciated after reading her critically acclaimed Rhenwars Saga. That said, I really enjoyed this story and I did not do this. But if you’re the kind of reader who prefers to read things ‘in order’, I suggest beginning with the Rhenwars Saga.
Chains of Blood was just the description suggests, filled with “vivid realism, brutal warfare, and raw emotion.” So if you’re looking for a light, feel-good fantasy adventure, maybe skip this one. That’s not to say that this isn’t a well-written, incredible, complex, and engaging story. It’s all of those things. While it’s a tad dark, there are themes of redemption, victory, and growth for our characters. I would place this novel alongside Game of Thrones in terms of overall tone.
Rylan’s story was particularly intriguing. I felt immediately connected to his tragedy, to his loss and felt his determination to rescue his daughter in my core. Talk about a major hook to grab your reader! This is used to great effect throughout the story and helps make believable some of the sacrifices Rylan makes along the way. I mean, what father wouldn’t give everything to free their own child from captivity?
This story has a secondary protagonist, a battle mage, Gil, and frankly, I enjoyed his chapters even more than Ryland’s. His story had a different pace to it which meshed well with Ryland’s own, especially as they weaved in and out of each other’s arcs. I love when POV character stories collide with one another and this was executed with precision. ML Spencer executed the quintessential reluctant hero with Gil Archer’s character.
Lastly, I’ll remark on the magic. First, there’s a lot of it and it’s pretty versatile and awesome. One aspect I thought particularly interesting was the sort of collar connection that created almost a hive-mind within all who wear it. In this case it’s not a collar, it clasps around the wrist, but it still reminded me a little bit of Terry Goodkind’s world in this regard. We also saw the trapped consciousness’ of long-dead wizards, and words of power that can control or kill once repeated. So the magic in this world, while appropriately limited to it’s own rules, has a cadre of uses that make for interesting magical battles and plot conflict.
All in all, ML Spencer wrote a masterful story of loss and triumph set in a unique fantasy world.
Chains of Blood was just the description suggests, filled with “vivid realism, brutal warfare, and raw emotion.” So if you’re looking for a light, feel-good fantasy adventure, maybe skip this one. That’s not to say that this isn’t a well-written, incredible, complex, and engaging story. It’s all of those things. While it’s a tad dark, there are themes of redemption, victory, and growth for our characters. I would place this novel alongside Game of Thrones in terms of overall tone.
Rylan’s story was particularly intriguing. I felt immediately connected to his tragedy, to his loss and felt his determination to rescue his daughter in my core. Talk about a major hook to grab your reader! This is used to great effect throughout the story and helps make believable some of the sacrifices Rylan makes along the way. I mean, what father wouldn’t give everything to free their own child from captivity?
This story has a secondary protagonist, a battle mage, Gil, and frankly, I enjoyed his chapters even more than Ryland’s. His story had a different pace to it which meshed well with Ryland’s own, especially as they weaved in and out of each other’s arcs. I love when POV character stories collide with one another and this was executed with precision. ML Spencer executed the quintessential reluctant hero with Gil Archer’s character.
Lastly, I’ll remark on the magic. First, there’s a lot of it and it’s pretty versatile and awesome. One aspect I thought particularly interesting was the sort of collar connection that created almost a hive-mind within all who wear it. In this case it’s not a collar, it clasps around the wrist, but it still reminded me a little bit of Terry Goodkind’s world in this regard. We also saw the trapped consciousness’ of long-dead wizards, and words of power that can control or kill once repeated. So the magic in this world, while appropriately limited to it’s own rules, has a cadre of uses that make for interesting magical battles and plot conflict.
All in all, ML Spencer wrote a masterful story of loss and triumph set in a unique fantasy world.
August 23, 2020
Not having previously read The Rhenwar Saga that precedes this novel, I was coming into the world entirely blind, but that didn’t impact on my enjoyment of this novel. I suspect I would have picked up a lot of nods to previous events if I had, but even with those references flying straight over my head, I still found this to be an immersive read.
Split between two apparently unrelated perspectives, the novel begins with an atrocity as Rylan comes home to find his son brutally murdered and his daughter kidnapped. But the strange magic forced upon him by one of the attackers brings the mages to Rylans’s door and he discovers that nothing is as he once thought. His views of right and wrong are challenged by the knowledge that his real father was a man he thought as evil. Gil, one of the mages sent to recover Rylan, is powerful in his own right but also has to live with the legacy his heroic father left behind. His upbringing and early experiences have shaped him into a man with harsh, unbending views about a culture he now lives hand in hand with, but when war threatens the foundations of his home, he is forced to forget his prejudices.
I admit, I have now bought the first Rhenwars trilogy and I plan to read that before continuing with this series. I suspect it will fill in a lot of the gaps and give context I thought was missing. Whilst it isn’t required to read and enjoy this novel, I suspect it would be more fulfilling with the full background. Aspects of this felt thinly developed or confusing and I suspect that’s because I hadn’t read the previous series. That said, I enjoyed this. I particularly liked how it played with the different narratives from various sides of the same conflict. One man’s hero is another’s fanatic, and a man reviled in one part of the world can be all but worshipped in another. I also really liked how complex the characters were. All of them are flawed or even broken in one way or another, haunted by their actions, inaction or simply by the legacy left to them by their parents.
All in all, this is a darkly gritty fantasy filled with action and warfare but also with a fully realised cast of deeply complex characters. I do think it would likely be better read after reading the Rhenwar Saga though, as there is an expectation of the reader being aware of some of the background.
Split between two apparently unrelated perspectives, the novel begins with an atrocity as Rylan comes home to find his son brutally murdered and his daughter kidnapped. But the strange magic forced upon him by one of the attackers brings the mages to Rylans’s door and he discovers that nothing is as he once thought. His views of right and wrong are challenged by the knowledge that his real father was a man he thought as evil. Gil, one of the mages sent to recover Rylan, is powerful in his own right but also has to live with the legacy his heroic father left behind. His upbringing and early experiences have shaped him into a man with harsh, unbending views about a culture he now lives hand in hand with, but when war threatens the foundations of his home, he is forced to forget his prejudices.
I admit, I have now bought the first Rhenwars trilogy and I plan to read that before continuing with this series. I suspect it will fill in a lot of the gaps and give context I thought was missing. Whilst it isn’t required to read and enjoy this novel, I suspect it would be more fulfilling with the full background. Aspects of this felt thinly developed or confusing and I suspect that’s because I hadn’t read the previous series. That said, I enjoyed this. I particularly liked how it played with the different narratives from various sides of the same conflict. One man’s hero is another’s fanatic, and a man reviled in one part of the world can be all but worshipped in another. I also really liked how complex the characters were. All of them are flawed or even broken in one way or another, haunted by their actions, inaction or simply by the legacy left to them by their parents.
All in all, this is a darkly gritty fantasy filled with action and warfare but also with a fully realised cast of deeply complex characters. I do think it would likely be better read after reading the Rhenwar Saga though, as there is an expectation of the reader being aware of some of the background.
August 24, 2020
Good story with plenty of twists and well written characters.
January 18, 2020
Chains of Blood: The Chaos Cycle is book one in M.L. Spencer’s fantasy series. This book starts off a bit slow for me, but once I got into it I found myself truly intrigued and eager to learn what was going to happen next. The author weaves a story of danger, magic, mystery, and a quest for power. A man suffers loss when he experiences the loss of not just one child, but two and then goes on to learn of the darkness that shadows his past and legacy. The question arises…will he allow the past of another to define him or will he find the strength to embrace what was and carve his own path in history?
Chains of Blood is the first book that I have read by M.L. Spencer and I ultimately found it to be an interesting story. The author weaves together the history and the present in this book. Piece by piece this story comes together telling how Rylan comes home from the war with the hopes of being reunited with his remaining family and to develop a proper relationship with his children. His world is rocked quickly and everything changes.
The author interchanges the story between Rylan, once a farmer, then a soldier, and now come home to be a father; and Gil, a battle mage tasked with finding Rylan and bringing him to the Citadel where his fate will be decided. Learning about Rylan’s past is what drew me the most into this story. I was eager to learn about who he was and why he was being so sought after by so many. It was strange, but piece by piece things come together.
I will warn that there are some questions that are raised in this book that go unanswered. I’ll admit that I found this a bit frustrating and there are some moments of where it feels like the storyline skips over details that would have helped lead up to certain scenes that happen.
All in all, I truly did enjoy this book. This isn’t a book of where you’ll find a last-minute rescue and lives spared. This is a story that you could see playing out in reality, and I like that aspect of it. This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so it leaves me eager to learn what happens next in the next book to come. So I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy gritty dark fantasy novels then this is a good book to pick up.
Chains of Blood is the first book that I have read by M.L. Spencer and I ultimately found it to be an interesting story. The author weaves together the history and the present in this book. Piece by piece this story comes together telling how Rylan comes home from the war with the hopes of being reunited with his remaining family and to develop a proper relationship with his children. His world is rocked quickly and everything changes.
The author interchanges the story between Rylan, once a farmer, then a soldier, and now come home to be a father; and Gil, a battle mage tasked with finding Rylan and bringing him to the Citadel where his fate will be decided. Learning about Rylan’s past is what drew me the most into this story. I was eager to learn about who he was and why he was being so sought after by so many. It was strange, but piece by piece things come together.
I will warn that there are some questions that are raised in this book that go unanswered. I’ll admit that I found this a bit frustrating and there are some moments of where it feels like the storyline skips over details that would have helped lead up to certain scenes that happen.
All in all, I truly did enjoy this book. This isn’t a book of where you’ll find a last-minute rescue and lives spared. This is a story that you could see playing out in reality, and I like that aspect of it. This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so it leaves me eager to learn what happens next in the next book to come. So I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy gritty dark fantasy novels then this is a good book to pick up.
September 23, 2020
Chains of Blood by ML Spencer is a the first book in a sequel series to her Rhenwars Saga series. It follows the children of two of her main protagonists (so to speak-Spencer does a great job of making her character’s morally ambiguous) Darien Laughlin and Kyle Archer.
It starts out quite ominous and sad with Rylan (son of Darien) returning from his military obligations to find his son has been murdered and his daughter captured. He embarks on a quest to get her back at any and all cost, even to himself.
This book is gritty and dark and well written. Spencer does a fantastic job of description when it comes to her scenes(and that is true of all her books-I have read all 5 books in the Rhenwars series). This book, not unlike her others, focus a great deal around her unique magic system.
If you like well written, original, in depth characters, with an spectacular magic system in a grimdark world, you need to pick this one up( and her Rhenwars Saga as well).
It starts out quite ominous and sad with Rylan (son of Darien) returning from his military obligations to find his son has been murdered and his daughter captured. He embarks on a quest to get her back at any and all cost, even to himself.
This book is gritty and dark and well written. Spencer does a fantastic job of description when it comes to her scenes(and that is true of all her books-I have read all 5 books in the Rhenwars series). This book, not unlike her others, focus a great deal around her unique magic system.
If you like well written, original, in depth characters, with an spectacular magic system in a grimdark world, you need to pick this one up( and her Rhenwars Saga as well).
October 30, 2019
CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Robert Jordan. These are the names that come to my mind when you’re thinking of GREAT fantasy authors. News flash: You can add ML Spencer to that list. From the classic Rhenwars Saga, ML Spencer has brought you a new literary classic. Set in the same world as the aforementioned saga, this work of art will keep you turning the page with eager anticipation.
Among the best fantasy authors of our time, this book is right up there with all the other classics that you love. You might read this and say it’s another nameless review, but you can catch me on A&E‘s hit TV show 60 Days In season five if you need some validation to this review.
Among the best fantasy authors of our time, this book is right up there with all the other classics that you love. You might read this and say it’s another nameless review, but you can catch me on A&E‘s hit TV show 60 Days In season five if you need some validation to this review.
November 14, 2019
I recieved this arc as requested.
I'm not entirely sure what I made of this book to be honest. I've given it 5 stars as the story, the writing and the overall concept is great and I feel that it deserves the 5 stars.
I think I found it a little bit heavy and perhaps not my style I would usually read.
I'll give the next book a go to see if I can get into it as the storyline is definitely intriguing.
I'm not entirely sure what I made of this book to be honest. I've given it 5 stars as the story, the writing and the overall concept is great and I feel that it deserves the 5 stars.
I think I found it a little bit heavy and perhaps not my style I would usually read.
I'll give the next book a go to see if I can get into it as the storyline is definitely intriguing.
March 31, 2022
A roller coaster
This was one of the most difficult books to rate for me and considering it’s size it took me relatively a lot longer than usual to finish. Various times i paused and let it sit for quite some days before continuing.
It wasn’t the worst book that i read and it wasn’t the most satisfying but it was one with the most unpredictable. Until the end you couldn’t predict how the plot would evolve and i don’t mean Game of Thrones unpredictability (translating in the death of most protagonist characters).
There are still various things to be explained, which probably will happen in the next installments without letting the story seem unfinished.
This was one of the most difficult books to rate for me and considering it’s size it took me relatively a lot longer than usual to finish. Various times i paused and let it sit for quite some days before continuing.
It wasn’t the worst book that i read and it wasn’t the most satisfying but it was one with the most unpredictable. Until the end you couldn’t predict how the plot would evolve and i don’t mean Game of Thrones unpredictability (translating in the death of most protagonist characters).
There are still various things to be explained, which probably will happen in the next installments without letting the story seem unfinished.
February 10, 2021
The audible narration was the best part of this book. The story itself tho... too much emotional dribble from reluctant heroes. I found that tedious and annoying. Then there was the endless introspection that further taxed my patience, fueling my dislike for both "heroes".
Suffice it to say, I abused the 30 sec. skip button on the audible app just to see if there was any payoff at the end. And there was none. Just further realization that I would not continue to read the series.
Save yourself the trouble. Skip this one.
Suffice it to say, I abused the 30 sec. skip button on the audible app just to see if there was any payoff at the end. And there was none. Just further realization that I would not continue to read the series.
Save yourself the trouble. Skip this one.
December 12, 2022
An interesting premise, but I'm not sure where the story will go from here.
For the first half of the book, I wanted to punch Rylen every time he opened his mouth. As a parent, I understand. Your only living child was taken by the villains, and you need to get her back. Cool. Could you maybe, I dunno, take a few minutes and think about things? There are people trying to help you. Let them help you.
There's one culture in the book that feels super Japanese to me. I'm undecided if that bothers me or not.
For the first half of the book, I wanted to punch Rylen every time he opened his mouth. As a parent, I understand. Your only living child was taken by the villains, and you need to get her back. Cool. Could you maybe, I dunno, take a few minutes and think about things? There are people trying to help you. Let them help you.
There's one culture in the book that feels super Japanese to me. I'm undecided if that bothers me or not.
September 6, 2023
I wish goodreads would clearly mark books that are sequels or prequels, this way my life would vastly improve. Thoughout this book I had a feeling that something is missing, the world building, the end game, something crucial to my enjoyment. When I got to the end I realised, to my dismay, that it was missing all of that because it was already described in the 5 book series this novel comes after… Shame in me, it’s not the first time this happens, hopefully it will be the last.
I’ll begrudgingly give it 3* because the writing was quite good.
I’ll begrudgingly give it 3* because the writing was quite good.
July 20, 2022
I read this because I loved Dragon Mage.
This is an entertaining story, lots of action. 👍🏻A fast read. I enjoyed it!
My one criticism might be that I wish some aspects of the story be bit slower. I like dwelling in scenes/moments and seeing characters growth over time.
I do wish that I read Spencer's The Rhenwar Saga first. I feel like I could have appreciated these characters a bit more and there was a lot of backstory that I didn't understand.
This is an entertaining story, lots of action. 👍🏻A fast read. I enjoyed it!
My one criticism might be that I wish some aspects of the story be bit slower. I like dwelling in scenes/moments and seeing characters growth over time.
I do wish that I read Spencer's The Rhenwar Saga first. I feel like I could have appreciated these characters a bit more and there was a lot of backstory that I didn't understand.
January 1, 2023
A really good read
The story is at times brutal and compassionate. The bad guys aren’t purely bad, and the good guys do some pretty horrific things. There are plenty of twists. If everything would be made perfect in your life, would you willingly surrender your free will and sense of self? It’s a hard question. I enjoyed the story. I look forward two the second installment.
The story is at times brutal and compassionate. The bad guys aren’t purely bad, and the good guys do some pretty horrific things. There are plenty of twists. If everything would be made perfect in your life, would you willingly surrender your free will and sense of self? It’s a hard question. I enjoyed the story. I look forward two the second installment.
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