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Dragon Heart #3
Blood Will
He made a deal with a dragon, getting its heart in return. He fought monsters to defeat the monster in himself. He won the war, razing one of the most powerful sects to the ground, and received the highest military rank possible.
Now his path leads him to the very heart of the country — to the capital — to receive his title and well-deserved honors. Or is that just an excuse?
At the end of his difficult journey, Hadjar will meet two people: his sister — his only remaining immediate family and the person he loves most in the world; and his uncle — his mortal enemy, the man who killed his parents.
Now his path leads him to the very heart of the country — to the capital — to receive his title and well-deserved honors. Or is that just an excuse?
At the end of his difficult journey, Hadjar will meet two people: his sister — his only remaining immediate family and the person he loves most in the world; and his uncle — his mortal enemy, the man who killed his parents.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2019
888 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 21, 2025
Not Serra and Nero!!!!
What are you doing to me, Klevanski?!?
What are you doing to me, Klevanski?!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2020
Epic. Absolutely epic
The last chapters were glorious. They made me happy, made me cry my heart out and filled with joy. One journey ends here and the next one starts. Don't miss this series of you're reading this. Bravo Kirill, Bravo!
The last chapters were glorious. They made me happy, made me cry my heart out and filled with joy. One journey ends here and the next one starts. Don't miss this series of you're reading this. Bravo Kirill, Bravo!
July 13, 2024
Kas gan varētu mēroties labsajūtas un prieka pieredzē kā dzimšanas diena esot mazam princim troņmantiniekam, sagaidīt visvisādus viesus no tuvas un tālas apkārtnes, priecāties kopā ar vecākiem un jaunāko māsu (vēl zīdainis), kā arī tēva Havera brāli Primusu. Tomēr gan karalistes Laidasas un tās iedzīvotāju, gan paša galvenā varoņa Hadžara dzīve sagriežas kājām gaisā uz neatgriešanos, kad Primuss īsteno apvērsumu un gāž brāli no troņa ar visām no tā izrietošajām sekām.
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
September 4, 2020
This was my favorite of the three so far. I think finally getting away from the big battles and military setting added a lot to the story.
I really enjoyed Elaine, her character was thought out and had believable reactions and dialogue, unlike most other female characters in this story so far.
The ending seemed a bit rushed but it wasn’t too bad, everything made sense. I thought I would be a bit more bummed towards some of the casualties but barely blinked as I kept on reading. I will miss them but will enjoy the story either way.
It’s also interesting the new “drive” the MC has, it’s a bit... much, but we’ll see where it goes and how well it’s portrayed.
Looking forward to the next book!
I really enjoyed Elaine, her character was thought out and had believable reactions and dialogue, unlike most other female characters in this story so far.
The ending seemed a bit rushed but it wasn’t too bad, everything made sense. I thought I would be a bit more bummed towards some of the casualties but barely blinked as I kept on reading. I will miss them but will enjoy the story either way.
It’s also interesting the new “drive” the MC has, it’s a bit... much, but we’ll see where it goes and how well it’s portrayed.
Looking forward to the next book!
May 20, 2020
Liked the book but hated the authors choice at the end
The author enjoys inflicting pain on his readers. Every book a love one dies. It’s not fun reading a Greek tragedy and it wasn’t fun reading this pseudo Greek tragedy. The book was good but not fun.
My only other criticism is that there are a few plot arcs that don’t go anywhere. The patriarchs ring #1.
Neuronet is pointless. At times I wonder if you can call this a cultivation novel because the protagonist rarely does it.
Second guessing if I want to continue.
The author enjoys inflicting pain on his readers. Every book a love one dies. It’s not fun reading a Greek tragedy and it wasn’t fun reading this pseudo Greek tragedy. The book was good but not fun.
My only other criticism is that there are a few plot arcs that don’t go anywhere. The patriarchs ring #1.
Neuronet is pointless. At times I wonder if you can call this a cultivation novel because the protagonist rarely does it.
Second guessing if I want to continue.
February 19, 2022
Good story as always. This is not a series for the faint of heart. I highly recommend it
September 2, 2021
Best book in series so far
This was by far better than the first two books, and I enjoyed it. I almost stopped reading after the second book but I'm glad I didn't.
The MC is a little bit emo in this book, but the story had some really good twists I didn't see coming that were well done.
My only other critique is I wish the author didn't overuse the whole " and he wasn't certain but he thought he saw a dragon in the attack" bit. It's not a bad line but when you use it every other time you describe the MC's attacks it gets really old and ruins it.
If the series continues to be as good as book three I'll be very happy.
This was by far better than the first two books, and I enjoyed it. I almost stopped reading after the second book but I'm glad I didn't.
The MC is a little bit emo in this book, but the story had some really good twists I didn't see coming that were well done.
My only other critique is I wish the author didn't overuse the whole " and he wasn't certain but he thought he saw a dragon in the attack" bit. It's not a bad line but when you use it every other time you describe the MC's attacks it gets really old and ruins it.
If the series continues to be as good as book three I'll be very happy.
November 27, 2020
MC finds himself watching rape and doing nothing about it. . . because "these people don't help themselves" but he saves children because "they can't choose yet". Hey, if the MC is really this kind of twisted then fine, but most people this extreme are idiots. I mean he didn't want to help even though he is literally a general and can just tell the guards, yes, the guards, to stop raping?
So he doesn't want to help people who is not helping themselves but he takes it to the extreme where he can't literally just say "Hi, I'm general Traves, you know, would you mind stopping raping that girl?"
The thing is, this doesn't even make sense. The character is just not like this, even in later books he just doesn't act this way. Watching someone getting beaten, probably, but raped when he literally could just speak? It's out of character and feels like the author just wanted to provide an extreme situation to cause drama, un-earned drama but there you go.
So he doesn't want to help people who is not helping themselves but he takes it to the extreme where he can't literally just say "Hi, I'm general Traves, you know, would you mind stopping raping that girl?"
The thing is, this doesn't even make sense. The character is just not like this, even in later books he just doesn't act this way. Watching someone getting beaten, probably, but raped when he literally could just speak? It's out of character and feels like the author just wanted to provide an extreme situation to cause drama, un-earned drama but there you go.
June 29, 2020
I cried
This was a very good and emotional book. Many books never finish explaining everything and give a good ending, but this one explained everything and ended well. Now there is a new story that I'm looking forward to and a new goal. I can wait till all the books are written and translated so that I can read them. I highly recommend this series and the authors other series both are extremely good.
This was a very good and emotional book. Many books never finish explaining everything and give a good ending, but this one explained everything and ended well. Now there is a new story that I'm looking forward to and a new goal. I can wait till all the books are written and translated so that I can read them. I highly recommend this series and the authors other series both are extremely good.
November 13, 2019
Better than the last one, the character development was more believable this time around and things didn't happen just because. The ending was a bit of a let-down while still being entertaining, as I think the author took some shortcuts to finish the arc in 3 books.
A roundup from 3.5
A roundup from 3.5
May 28, 2020
As good as book one, but with a twisty plotline.
I found a tear in my eye when the old Sword Master realized his prince had returned.
I found a tear in my eye when the old Sword Master realized his prince had returned.
October 15, 2022
The first arc ends with a bit of a splat.
This series is a great kindle unlimited read, and seems to be something decent to have in your e-book library. I’ve been listening to on audbile but think that I might save the series for when I have time off away from the truck to read through it. It is remains appropriate for older young adults and above and keeps in line with progression and cultivation genres with a dash of litrpg, but less so in book three. There is also some iseki elements as background info.
I been burning through book via aubile while buying them for kindle as well. As a Truck Driver a good story makes the time fly by and this series has been entertaining and a bit heart wrenching at times so far. While it is enjoyable there has been so far a lot of Deus ex Machina, particular in this book. The story started off okay and had some fun moments along with a bland minor antagonist designed to be blood bait to show off the power of the main character. There is also unexplained coincidence with character crossing each other paths and other characters beind revealed to have secret identities.
While this first arc of the series had been entertaining it does show more and more of the chapter by chapter release flaws in this third book. Where the first two books seemed to have a good beginning middle and end, the third book doesn’t. The ending chapters were rushed, a lot of random Deus ex machina moments appear like a fire sale. The strangest thing is the main character has kept his secert the entire time but reveals it to --Deus ex machina-- off page. The action scenes get sloppy as does the scene set up.
I have enjoyed listening to series and still might continue on with it despite my complaints. It is frustrating because I can see why the seires was popular online but I can also see the cheap write tricks to pull on the heart strings or to clear the path for future chapters of the series there.
This series is a great kindle unlimited read, and seems to be something decent to have in your e-book library. I’ve been listening to on audbile but think that I might save the series for when I have time off away from the truck to read through it. It is remains appropriate for older young adults and above and keeps in line with progression and cultivation genres with a dash of litrpg, but less so in book three. There is also some iseki elements as background info.
I been burning through book via aubile while buying them for kindle as well. As a Truck Driver a good story makes the time fly by and this series has been entertaining and a bit heart wrenching at times so far. While it is enjoyable there has been so far a lot of Deus ex Machina, particular in this book. The story started off okay and had some fun moments along with a bland minor antagonist designed to be blood bait to show off the power of the main character. There is also unexplained coincidence with character crossing each other paths and other characters beind revealed to have secret identities.
While this first arc of the series had been entertaining it does show more and more of the chapter by chapter release flaws in this third book. Where the first two books seemed to have a good beginning middle and end, the third book doesn’t. The ending chapters were rushed, a lot of random Deus ex machina moments appear like a fire sale. The strangest thing is the main character has kept his secert the entire time but reveals it to --Deus ex machina-- off page. The action scenes get sloppy as does the scene set up.
I have enjoyed listening to series and still might continue on with it despite my complaints. It is frustrating because I can see why the seires was popular online but I can also see the cheap write tricks to pull on the heart strings or to clear the path for future chapters of the series there.
July 22, 2020
If you're reading this review then you've likely read the previous work and know what you're getting. This one is more of the same... some 5 star components and some 1 star components, resulting in an average-but-enjoyable 3 stars.
First off, and most importantly, I still have fun reading this series, and will continue to read novels as long as nothing changes. I particularly enjoy some of the unexpected events near the ending. I also appreciated that female character portraits have improved somewhat in this installment—though there are fewer female characters overall.
A lot of the 1 star components boil down to lazy and trope-y storytelling. This doesn't mean the writing or translation is bad—it's fine. It's more the decisions about how to get the story to the place it's going that can be annoying. Thing like our MC not caring about the common man because he's tired, not realizing that he's interacting with his sister when it is obvious, the soap opera-style family relationship stuff that shows up, random loss of powers with mushy reasons, prophecies that are fulfilled in unsatisfying ways, etc. I think a lot of this is a consequence of the author's push to publish works quickly, which is both wonderful and limiting.
I find the move away from the LitRPG/cultivation foundation to be a bit disappointing. Technique and personal development isn't really an important topic in this novel. The action is abundant but oddly lackluster given that our MC can just do whatever he wants whenever he needs to. I prefer systems that are more rigid. Battle sequences also have more metaphysical mumbo jumbo than previously.
First off, and most importantly, I still have fun reading this series, and will continue to read novels as long as nothing changes. I particularly enjoy some of the unexpected events near the ending. I also appreciated that female character portraits have improved somewhat in this installment—though there are fewer female characters overall.
A lot of the 1 star components boil down to lazy and trope-y storytelling. This doesn't mean the writing or translation is bad—it's fine. It's more the decisions about how to get the story to the place it's going that can be annoying. Thing like our MC not caring about the common man because he's tired, not realizing that he's interacting with his sister when it is obvious, the soap opera-style family relationship stuff that shows up, random loss of powers with mushy reasons, prophecies that are fulfilled in unsatisfying ways, etc. I think a lot of this is a consequence of the author's push to publish works quickly, which is both wonderful and limiting.
I find the move away from the LitRPG/cultivation foundation to be a bit disappointing. Technique and personal development isn't really an important topic in this novel. The action is abundant but oddly lackluster given that our MC can just do whatever he wants whenever he needs to. I prefer systems that are more rigid. Battle sequences also have more metaphysical mumbo jumbo than previously.
March 30, 2023
Blood Will, the third book in the Dragon Heart series that Kirill Klevanski is writing, is a bit of an odd one. Thankfully, most of the things I was worried about did not happen. While the book did a few things well, it did a few things far less well. The plot spends far too much time doing nothing only to rush like mad to the finish. The usurper is portrayed too much like an arrogant and cruel character to earn his somewhat redemptive finish, and I found the main character to be infuriating at times. He eventually backs down, only for it to be too late. In a way, though this book is still apparently an early on in the series, it brings to a close the first narrative arc. The fairy plotline was a little too weird. It felt like a cheap way to excuse how things turned out the way they did. The rebel army plotline also didn't really go anywhere, since it was still the Moon Army and the Balians. Some fan favorites also died too, and there's probably going to be a trite storyline about how he'll be reluctant to make friends again and get too close to people. Especially when the main character no longer seems to care too much about right and wrong, and becoming a substantially morally dark character - even if he tried to wrap up his coup in a nice, neat little bow.
So the book good, but frustrating.
So the book good, but frustrating.
September 15, 2020
I was looking forward to reading more in this series and was happy to see storytel pick up the 3rd and 4th as audio books. (Tantor you rock!)
I was not disappointed picking up this book. The flow was very much like a light novel and as with it tells a good coming of age story. I must confess though I got a little tired of the 'Dragon sleeping in the eye' 'Dragon waking up' and 'Dragon shadow or image in the attack' .
Unlike the first two books, some of the plot points were pretty predictable. The world tree was interesting point.
Given all this I still ended up binge listening to it. I am sorely disappointed of discovering it late or I might have binge read it at Royal Road.
I feel the author will develop and mature as a writer as time progresses. The dialogues with the world tree was something I enjoyed and sets up a larger universe.
Overall if you are new to fantasy and are looking for something that is introductory dark you can start with this series, though the level of grim-dark is much lesser in this third book.
Looking forward to the rest of the series and how the writing matures.
I was not disappointed picking up this book. The flow was very much like a light novel and as with it tells a good coming of age story. I must confess though I got a little tired of the 'Dragon sleeping in the eye' 'Dragon waking up' and 'Dragon shadow or image in the attack' .
Unlike the first two books, some of the plot points were pretty predictable. The world tree was interesting point.
Given all this I still ended up binge listening to it. I am sorely disappointed of discovering it late or I might have binge read it at Royal Road.
I feel the author will develop and mature as a writer as time progresses. The dialogues with the world tree was something I enjoyed and sets up a larger universe.
Overall if you are new to fantasy and are looking for something that is introductory dark you can start with this series, though the level of grim-dark is much lesser in this third book.
Looking forward to the rest of the series and how the writing matures.
September 7, 2024
I'm sorry to say that I'm done with this series. There are multiple things stacking up to make me stop before it's done:
The data dumping style of writing continues. So much is just explained with the narrator just telling you, not showing you, from people's personal histories to the society's rules to the world around them.
Again and again, he solves the problem the hero faces by just having him be fiercely stubborn. He isn't clever and there's no foreshadowed tool or ability that resurfaces later in a fun way. It's getting old.
The main character isn't becoming a better person. He's bitter and cold hearted. He helps you if you help him, but if you don't, he feels fine letting others get abused by those in power. He's arrogant and rude. And I just don't like him. That's a big problem if I'm going to spend 20 books with him (that's the length of this series).
So...I'm out.
The data dumping style of writing continues. So much is just explained with the narrator just telling you, not showing you, from people's personal histories to the society's rules to the world around them.
Again and again, he solves the problem the hero faces by just having him be fiercely stubborn. He isn't clever and there's no foreshadowed tool or ability that resurfaces later in a fun way. It's getting old.
The main character isn't becoming a better person. He's bitter and cold hearted. He helps you if you help him, but if you don't, he feels fine letting others get abused by those in power. He's arrogant and rude. And I just don't like him. That's a big problem if I'm going to spend 20 books with him (that's the length of this series).
So...I'm out.
December 22, 2021
I promised myself not to touch this series after book two... But the same person who told me to stay away was trying to convince me to continue the series for nearly a year. Well he finally got me, I picked it back up.
Nothing much happened in this book compared to the first two books. My friend did tell me to skip this book, but I don't do that if I intend to read a series.
I wonder if this is an editing overlook? The protagonist always has the cat in his clothes, yet it isn't damaged when he gets cut up in a fight?
I hope book four is all my friend says it is. It wasn't a good read when the protagonist was handicapped all book.
3/5 Stars
Nothing much happened in this book compared to the first two books. My friend did tell me to skip this book, but I don't do that if I intend to read a series.
I wonder if this is an editing overlook? The protagonist always has the cat in his clothes, yet it isn't damaged when he gets cut up in a fight?
I hope book four is all my friend says it is. It wasn't a good read when the protagonist was handicapped all book.
3/5 Stars
November 4, 2023
Excellent read, completes the three-part series. (which is only the beginning).
Book 3 was enjoyable and closes out the first section of the series which was a trilogy. The main character reaches in milestone and it was well worth the wait. I find it hard not to read these books back to back as their fun, engaging, thrilling, and just plain interesting characters that you want to know what happens next. I look forward to book four and may read the whole series straight through. Great read and if the first three books or any indication, I think there's only good things to come!
Book 3 was enjoyable and closes out the first section of the series which was a trilogy. The main character reaches in milestone and it was well worth the wait. I find it hard not to read these books back to back as their fun, engaging, thrilling, and just plain interesting characters that you want to know what happens next. I look forward to book four and may read the whole series straight through. Great read and if the first three books or any indication, I think there's only good things to come!
April 23, 2021
I will simply copypaste my review for the books I've read of this series because the review applies to them all.
A wonderful dark fantasy following a dark heroic journey to greatness. A journey reminding me of mythological tales, like those of the Greek.
This is not your typical "Power-up go brrrr" kinda story because the MC gains and loses everything while on his path. I cried several times reading this series.
A wonderful dark fantasy following a dark heroic journey to greatness. A journey reminding me of mythological tales, like those of the Greek.
This is not your typical "Power-up go brrrr" kinda story because the MC gains and loses everything while on his path. I cried several times reading this series.
October 30, 2024
It's the best of the 3 I've read so far. The first book only felt good to me during the last 1/3rd, the first book during the portion where Nero was poisoned. Rest of those booms were dull, repetitive and kind of dragged. But this book gripped me from start till the end. I felt every death in this book. My only nitpicks were getting POV of a character right when they were about to die, though it didn't repeat i the last parts of this book.
January 4, 2020
Always keeps me interested.
As same as the previous chapters/books, a few misspellings and again spelt the main characters name wrong once in this book. Aside from these practitioners/cultivaters smoking, another good story. A nice twist at the end and sad as well, but as the author says several times, it's a tough world and death is a part of life.
As same as the previous chapters/books, a few misspellings and again spelt the main characters name wrong once in this book. Aside from these practitioners/cultivaters smoking, another good story. A nice twist at the end and sad as well, but as the author says several times, it's a tough world and death is a part of life.
January 30, 2020
Truly Epic!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you're looking at this then you have read the previous books already. I can tell you it manages to get even better. If you haven't read the series yet, then get to it. You're missing out if you don't. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you're looking at this then you have read the previous books already. I can tell you it manages to get even better. If you haven't read the series yet, then get to it. You're missing out if you don't. I'm looking forward to the next book!
August 4, 2020
filler
The book size is big But most of it is just fillers, as the writer describes the same thing almost in every page twice or more than that example 1: the beast in the eyes or the dragon silhouette or the will in the eyes And the progress of the main character is slow the main character is still in the same level he was at since book 1 and we are in book 3.
The book size is big But most of it is just fillers, as the writer describes the same thing almost in every page twice or more than that example 1: the beast in the eyes or the dragon silhouette or the will in the eyes And the progress of the main character is slow the main character is still in the same level he was at since book 1 and we are in book 3.
February 22, 2021
Still good
Good story. Good translation. Good narration. Look forward for the continuing journey. Will friends be reunited and how will this happen. Although books are a available to be read free, I bought them for rereading as there is so much in each story and I read it to fast.
Good story. Good translation. Good narration. Look forward for the continuing journey. Will friends be reunited and how will this happen. Although books are a available to be read free, I bought them for rereading as there is so much in each story and I read it to fast.
June 13, 2021
Too epic for my taste, already
I liked the books. While not revolutionary for the magic-framework, the story was quite nice. The character have already reached a level of a god, when comparing to a common man. The descriptions, fights and story are already very epic, too epic for my taste, and I will therefore stop at the third book.
I liked the books. While not revolutionary for the magic-framework, the story was quite nice. The character have already reached a level of a god, when comparing to a common man. The descriptions, fights and story are already very epic, too epic for my taste, and I will therefore stop at the third book.
February 4, 2022
I hate prophecies
They can be cryptic or they can be like duh! Same reason im not a fan of Tolkiens “Ringwraiths cannot be killed by a man” but a woman can. How bout dwarves, elves, hobbits? They are not technically “man” or spiders? Scorpions? Snakes? How bout stepping on a rusty nail?
Well see what happens next i guess.
They can be cryptic or they can be like duh! Same reason im not a fan of Tolkiens “Ringwraiths cannot be killed by a man” but a woman can. How bout dwarves, elves, hobbits? They are not technically “man” or spiders? Scorpions? Snakes? How bout stepping on a rusty nail?
Well see what happens next i guess.
January 23, 2025
Blood Will takes Hadjar’s journey to new heights, blending intense action, emotional depth, and powerful revelations. With gripping battles and masterful world-building, this installment keeps the Dragon Heart series as captivating as ever. A must-read for fans of epic progression fantasy!
August 8, 2025
After the droll affair of the previous book, this one is a welcome uptick and the best of the series so far. Klevanski shows an ability to string together story events that each have compelling tension on their own while progressing towards the over-arching goals.
Some conclusions feel a bit darker/more cynical than really benefit the story, but it's minor gripes.
Some conclusions feel a bit darker/more cynical than really benefit the story, but it's minor gripes.
December 26, 2019
Much better!
I enjoyed reading this edition. I'm looking forward to reading book 4. I thought that some parts of the story could be removed but when it happened, I was saddened.
I enjoyed reading this edition. I'm looking forward to reading book 4. I thought that some parts of the story could be removed but when it happened, I was saddened.
December 20, 2020
Great storytelling
The buildup and resolution in this book from the previous ones in the series is great. Knowing that the author has planned 20 books for the series, I plan to be on board for the whole ride with Hadjar.
The buildup and resolution in this book from the previous ones in the series is great. Knowing that the author has planned 20 books for the series, I plan to be on board for the whole ride with Hadjar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews