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The Obsidian Path #2
She Dreams in Blood
Drawn by the shards of his obsidian heart, Khraen follows the path south. The islands, largely ignored by the Wizard’s Guild, have become a refuge for the unwanted of the world. Necromancers and sorcerers rule warring tribes haunted by the ghosts of savage and primal gods.
With each fragment Khraen discovers more of the man he was.
There was an Empire.
There was a god.
And she dreamed in blood.
With each fragment Khraen discovers more of the man he was.
There was an Empire.
There was a god.
And she dreamed in blood.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2021
137 people are currently reading
1136 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Fletcher
51 books1,324 followersMichael R. Fletcher is a science fiction and fantasy author, a grilled cheese aficionado, and a whiskey-swilling reprobate. He spends his days choreographing his forklift musical (titled "Get Forked"), and using caffeine as a substitute for sanity. Any suggestions that he is actually Dyrk Ashton in disguise are all lies.
Blog (kinda): http://michaelrfletcher.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFlet...
Twitter: @FletcherMR
Instagram: fletcher_michael_r
Blog (kinda): http://michaelrfletcher.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFlet...
Twitter: @FletcherMR
Instagram: fletcher_michael_r
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 31, 2024
Also posted on littafi.com
Khraen aka The Demon Emperor heads south after his travails in the first installment; the pull of the various shards of obsidian an ever increasing crescendo of need within his heart.
This is also a story about a man who fears his destiny and is always asking, are we the sum of our memories or are we something more, something capable of possessing free will, which in turn made me think about a slim volume by Sam Harris titled Free Will; a very thoughtful read.
The sequel offers epic battle scenes and a more thorough explanation of various magics involved as he continues to remember his past life from shards (of his Obsidian heart) of the emperor that devours entire realities for his god ... "for she dreams in blood" and has replaced his vision with twin rubies capable of tearing open the multiple realities wherein demons and gods from hell can be summoned.
A truly fantastic continuation along The Obsidian Path.
2022 Read
Khraen aka The Demon Emperor heads south after his travails in the first installment; the pull of the various shards of obsidian an ever increasing crescendo of need within his heart.
This is also a story about a man who fears his destiny and is always asking, are we the sum of our memories or are we something more, something capable of possessing free will, which in turn made me think about a slim volume by Sam Harris titled Free Will; a very thoughtful read.
The sequel offers epic battle scenes and a more thorough explanation of various magics involved as he continues to remember his past life from shards (of his Obsidian heart) of the emperor that devours entire realities for his god ... "for she dreams in blood" and has replaced his vision with twin rubies capable of tearing open the multiple realities wherein demons and gods from hell can be summoned.
A truly fantastic continuation along The Obsidian Path.
2022 Read
August 28, 2022
At the 90% mark our MC opens up a can of whoopass. At the 90% mark of book 2, our first can of whoopass. That wait was totally uncool.
This book, as the first one, comes in two alternating parts: quality adventure filled with blood, demons and brain-eating parasites; and boring, sniveling and pathetic whining about being a better person than his past self, doing what needs doing but without hurting anyone, defeating the forces of evil without being evil, and making the world a better place but let's not rub anyone the wrong way while we do it.
This is not what I came here for.
I expected our MC to eventually embrace his evil but very kickass nature and get to the business of demonologist-ing out with his bad self. But to make me wait until the end of the second book was just cruel.
This should have been one novel instead of three. But, alas, I will read the next one because: Fletcher.
This book, as the first one, comes in two alternating parts: quality adventure filled with blood, demons and brain-eating parasites; and boring, sniveling and pathetic whining about being a better person than his past self, doing what needs doing but without hurting anyone, defeating the forces of evil without being evil, and making the world a better place but let's not rub anyone the wrong way while we do it.
This is not what I came here for.
I expected our MC to eventually embrace his evil but very kickass nature and get to the business of demonologist-ing out with his bad self. But to make me wait until the end of the second book was just cruel.
This should have been one novel instead of three. But, alas, I will read the next one because: Fletcher.
March 15, 2021
I was not prepared for how insanely Lovercraftian this next book in The Obsidian Path was going to be. It's bloody, it's trippy, it's violent, and it's everything that you expect from a Michael R. Fletcher book and then some. Khraen continues his journey to slowly rebuild the pieces of his former life and discover the truth of who he was before. He knows bits and pieces but the essential memories are still scattered in different locations where he must travel to find each shard that will complete the puzzle. The trouble is he doesn't necessarily know exactly where some of them are and the ones that he does are hidden in the worst possible places guarded by demonic and monstrous beasts straight out of an acid-induced nightmare.
I guess it should be expected though as any book that centers around necromancy isn't exactly going to be a comfort-read fantasy story. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be somewhat of a different read from its predecessor, Black Stone Heart. The continuation of this story is akin to a descent into madness and intense self-reflection, whereas in the former Khraen didn't know exactly who he was and was coming to grips with his missing identity as a blank slate. SHE DREAMS IN BLOOD sees him building back his memory slowly and as a result we get a lot more insight into the person he may have been through his gradual discovery. We also get to experience more of how Khraen feels about it all.
I still marvel at how Fletcher came up with such a brilliant concept with this series. The idea of someone being resurrected but having no inkling of their former self may not necessarily be new, but Fletcher delivers it in such a way that it does feel that way. The different shards that must be collected to recover full memory is so interesting and it really sets up one hell of a final book in my opinion. The fact that Khraen also struggles with the possibility that he may not exactly have been the best person is so brilliant and it creates a tension that makes the reader hang on every word.
I think the best compliment I can give this book is that I had some really effed up dreams during the time that I was reading it. That's how much it stayed with me. Just be prepared to meet some of the creepiest necromantic creations you will ever come across. If anyone has ever read The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson, that's the feeling that I got when I read some of the chapters in SHE DREAMS IN BLOOD.
In the end I came away stupefied at how Michael R. Fletcher continues to push the envelope with the stuff that he writes. He seems to manage to surprise me every time with the edgy concepts that make his books so entertaining to read and never the standard fantasy read. When you read one of his books you always know that things are going to happen that you've never read in a book before. The dark magic is always supremely dark and the world-building is top-notch in every sense.
I was blown away at where Fletcher took this story and I can't wait to see what he drums up for the next installment. The answers are taking shape and this series should just get even better from here. If you aren't checking out Michael R. Fletcher's books, you are missing one of the most innovative dark fantasy writers out there. Be prepared to be wowed, shocked, appalled, thrilled, and mesmerized by his stuff. But one thing you will never be is bored. Another winner of a book for me and I am eagerly looking forward to the next one. This is shaping up to be one electrifying conclusion and I am so delighted to be along for the ride.
I guess it should be expected though as any book that centers around necromancy isn't exactly going to be a comfort-read fantasy story. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be somewhat of a different read from its predecessor, Black Stone Heart. The continuation of this story is akin to a descent into madness and intense self-reflection, whereas in the former Khraen didn't know exactly who he was and was coming to grips with his missing identity as a blank slate. SHE DREAMS IN BLOOD sees him building back his memory slowly and as a result we get a lot more insight into the person he may have been through his gradual discovery. We also get to experience more of how Khraen feels about it all.
I still marvel at how Fletcher came up with such a brilliant concept with this series. The idea of someone being resurrected but having no inkling of their former self may not necessarily be new, but Fletcher delivers it in such a way that it does feel that way. The different shards that must be collected to recover full memory is so interesting and it really sets up one hell of a final book in my opinion. The fact that Khraen also struggles with the possibility that he may not exactly have been the best person is so brilliant and it creates a tension that makes the reader hang on every word.
I think the best compliment I can give this book is that I had some really effed up dreams during the time that I was reading it. That's how much it stayed with me. Just be prepared to meet some of the creepiest necromantic creations you will ever come across. If anyone has ever read The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson, that's the feeling that I got when I read some of the chapters in SHE DREAMS IN BLOOD.
In the end I came away stupefied at how Michael R. Fletcher continues to push the envelope with the stuff that he writes. He seems to manage to surprise me every time with the edgy concepts that make his books so entertaining to read and never the standard fantasy read. When you read one of his books you always know that things are going to happen that you've never read in a book before. The dark magic is always supremely dark and the world-building is top-notch in every sense.
I was blown away at where Fletcher took this story and I can't wait to see what he drums up for the next installment. The answers are taking shape and this series should just get even better from here. If you aren't checking out Michael R. Fletcher's books, you are missing one of the most innovative dark fantasy writers out there. Be prepared to be wowed, shocked, appalled, thrilled, and mesmerized by his stuff. But one thing you will never be is bored. Another winner of a book for me and I am eagerly looking forward to the next one. This is shaping up to be one electrifying conclusion and I am so delighted to be along for the ride.
March 16, 2021
As the title suggests, She Dreams in Blood is a lighthearted and uplifting novel about the power of friendship, rainbows, and unicorns.
Got you, right?
“War is the natural state of all things. Wars between ant colonies. Wars between men. Wars between nations. Wars between realities.”
If you loved Black Stone Heart, She Dreams in Blood will give you more thrills and twists. It’s an amped-up trip into madness fueled by Fletcher’s dark imagination. Khraen tries to make sense of the world and his place in it while hunting for shards of his obsidian heart. His search leads him to the islands that became a refuge for the unwanted of the world. Necromancers and sorcerers rule warring tribes haunted by the ghosts of savage and primal gods.
She Dreams in Blood is in equal parts nauseating and fascinating. Khraen’s narration and inner monologues kept me invested in the story. He asks a lot of questions, like why does he possess a jagged heart of cold obsidian or is he human at all. He doesn’t fully understand his relationship with Henka, but love is in the air guys. Only, you know, Henka is a perfectionist, and she needs fresh blood and body parts to sustain her body and improve any imperfections.
"Would I offer some pathetic argument that Henka was a predator, blameless like one of the great hunting cats? My love needed blood and flesh to maintain herself but butchering scores to achieve perfection was gluttonous. With blood to maintain herself, a single body should last years, decades even. She was never happy, never satisfied. I’d become so accustomed to the way she slowly changed over days and weeks, eyes a little larger, a little darker, skin a little smoother, I’d long stopped noticing."
Fletcher spends plenty of time on such inner monologues while simultaneously showing readers how Khraen is on a way to becoming the monster he doesn't want to be. Sensitive readers will find a lot of problematic content here (violence, physical destruction of the body, and the pain accompanying it). Fans of dark stories, on the other hand, will be thrilled with full-blown balls-to-the-wall action with horror elements. And gorehounds will get their gore here, as well.
In a way, She Dreams in Blood is slower than Black Stone Heart. Khraen's brooding gets repetitious but never ceases to entertain. We learn more about his past but less than I would love to. I can't say more about the plot but it feels narrower, less adventurous, and more brutal than in the first book. I admit there were moments that felt like too much for me.
The final plot progression made the experience worthwhile and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Fans of dark fantasy will find plenty to enjoy here. It’s bloody, it’s nasty, and hard to put down.
Got you, right?
“War is the natural state of all things. Wars between ant colonies. Wars between men. Wars between nations. Wars between realities.”
If you loved Black Stone Heart, She Dreams in Blood will give you more thrills and twists. It’s an amped-up trip into madness fueled by Fletcher’s dark imagination. Khraen tries to make sense of the world and his place in it while hunting for shards of his obsidian heart. His search leads him to the islands that became a refuge for the unwanted of the world. Necromancers and sorcerers rule warring tribes haunted by the ghosts of savage and primal gods.
She Dreams in Blood is in equal parts nauseating and fascinating. Khraen’s narration and inner monologues kept me invested in the story. He asks a lot of questions, like why does he possess a jagged heart of cold obsidian or is he human at all. He doesn’t fully understand his relationship with Henka, but love is in the air guys. Only, you know, Henka is a perfectionist, and she needs fresh blood and body parts to sustain her body and improve any imperfections.
"Would I offer some pathetic argument that Henka was a predator, blameless like one of the great hunting cats? My love needed blood and flesh to maintain herself but butchering scores to achieve perfection was gluttonous. With blood to maintain herself, a single body should last years, decades even. She was never happy, never satisfied. I’d become so accustomed to the way she slowly changed over days and weeks, eyes a little larger, a little darker, skin a little smoother, I’d long stopped noticing."
Fletcher spends plenty of time on such inner monologues while simultaneously showing readers how Khraen is on a way to becoming the monster he doesn't want to be. Sensitive readers will find a lot of problematic content here (violence, physical destruction of the body, and the pain accompanying it). Fans of dark stories, on the other hand, will be thrilled with full-blown balls-to-the-wall action with horror elements. And gorehounds will get their gore here, as well.
In a way, She Dreams in Blood is slower than Black Stone Heart. Khraen's brooding gets repetitious but never ceases to entertain. We learn more about his past but less than I would love to. I can't say more about the plot but it feels narrower, less adventurous, and more brutal than in the first book. I admit there were moments that felt like too much for me.
The final plot progression made the experience worthwhile and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Fans of dark fantasy will find plenty to enjoy here. It’s bloody, it’s nasty, and hard to put down.
May 19, 2024
“Cuore di Ossidiana” di Michael R. Fletcher, primo libro della trilogia “The Obsidian Path”, è stato uno dei migliori romanzi letti nel 2023. Per questo motivo non vedevo l’ora di leggere il seguito, “Lei Sogna nel Sangue”. Ahimè ne sono rimasto molto deluso, ma andiamo con ordine.
Partiamo dai lati positivi. Lo stile di scrittura, pur non essendo eccelso, garantisce scorrevolezza alla trama. Seguire il protagonista, Khraen, nell’esplorazione del mondo, della sua lore e del suo passato è coinvolgente e mantiene vivo l’interesse. Interessante è anche il sistema magico che si muove tra magia, stregoneria, necromanzia, demonologia ed elementalismo. Il worldbuilding funziona ed è frutto di un’ottima inventiva da parte dell’autore. A mio modestissimo parere, però, questi punti di forza non sono sfruttati a dovere e riempiono poco spazio rispetto alle criticità.
Passiamo, ora, ai lati negativi. “Lei Sogna nel Sangue” presenta una trama meno dinamica e più incentrata sull’approfondimento del protagonista, il che non sarebbe assolutamente un male, anzi è un fattore che apprezzo. Il Khraen che ritroviamo in questo capitolo è tormentato da dubbi, dubbi esistenziali, dubbi sentimentali, dubbi morali. Dubbi che rimangono gli stessi, ripetuti all’infinito, che diventano ridondanti e pesanti. Questo, secondo me, fa tutt’altro che dare caratterizzazione psicologica ed emotiva al personaggio. Il risultato è uno sviluppo statico, non tridimensionale e inverosimile. Ho notato anche una certa incoerenza di fondo in Khraen, da un lato pensa e agisce con maturità, basandosi su valori apparentemente saldi e inattaccabili, dall’altro fa l’esatto opposto.
Un altro elemento che non ho apprezzato è la frequente presenza di dialoghi e pensieri che vanno a sessualizzare il ruolo e la figura della donna. Infine, la trama è sì scorrevole, ma anche scontata e dai colpi di scena prevedibili, condita da qualche deus ex machina che non ho digerito.
Questo è il mio umile e soprattutto personale parere in merito al libro. Se vi è piaciuto sono contentissimo per voi, non c’è niente di più bello che la diversità di opinione. Se vi interessa leggerlo, leggetelo senza remore.
Partiamo dai lati positivi. Lo stile di scrittura, pur non essendo eccelso, garantisce scorrevolezza alla trama. Seguire il protagonista, Khraen, nell’esplorazione del mondo, della sua lore e del suo passato è coinvolgente e mantiene vivo l’interesse. Interessante è anche il sistema magico che si muove tra magia, stregoneria, necromanzia, demonologia ed elementalismo. Il worldbuilding funziona ed è frutto di un’ottima inventiva da parte dell’autore. A mio modestissimo parere, però, questi punti di forza non sono sfruttati a dovere e riempiono poco spazio rispetto alle criticità.
Passiamo, ora, ai lati negativi. “Lei Sogna nel Sangue” presenta una trama meno dinamica e più incentrata sull’approfondimento del protagonista, il che non sarebbe assolutamente un male, anzi è un fattore che apprezzo. Il Khraen che ritroviamo in questo capitolo è tormentato da dubbi, dubbi esistenziali, dubbi sentimentali, dubbi morali. Dubbi che rimangono gli stessi, ripetuti all’infinito, che diventano ridondanti e pesanti. Questo, secondo me, fa tutt’altro che dare caratterizzazione psicologica ed emotiva al personaggio. Il risultato è uno sviluppo statico, non tridimensionale e inverosimile. Ho notato anche una certa incoerenza di fondo in Khraen, da un lato pensa e agisce con maturità, basandosi su valori apparentemente saldi e inattaccabili, dall’altro fa l’esatto opposto.
Un altro elemento che non ho apprezzato è la frequente presenza di dialoghi e pensieri che vanno a sessualizzare il ruolo e la figura della donna. Infine, la trama è sì scorrevole, ma anche scontata e dai colpi di scena prevedibili, condita da qualche deus ex machina che non ho digerito.
Questo è il mio umile e soprattutto personale parere in merito al libro. Se vi è piaciuto sono contentissimo per voi, non c’è niente di più bello che la diversità di opinione. Se vi interessa leggerlo, leggetelo senza remore.
February 16, 2021
She Dreams in Blood is exactly what you expect in a Fletcher sequel: bigger, darker and more insane than your little mind can fathom. Fletcher is here to make necromancy sexy again... and again... and again. The relationship between Khraen and Bren reminds me of Deadpool and Dopinder; utterly nonsensical and drop-dead hilarious. The world in which these characters find themselves continues to blow my mind, and the more Khraen learns about who he truly is, the more pitch black the story becomes. Gods, demons, necromancers and human-beasties collide in this bloodbath of a novel.
I bestow the title of Emperor Grimdark to Michael R. Fletcher. Change my mind.
I bestow the title of Emperor Grimdark to Michael R. Fletcher. Change my mind.
February 24, 2023
3.5
“She is rage and she is death. She is the nightmare. She is the devourer of worlds, the mother of damnation. She gave birth to the lie, consumed the last truth”.
Segunda parte de The Obsidian Path y la verdad siento que esta lectura no ha sido lo que me esperaba.
“-It will seem that all the world is against you.
+It isn’t?”
Por un lado, me han gustado la aparición de los nuevos personajes y el “desarrollo” por así decirlo de los ya existentes quitando una serie de comentarios un poco fuera de lugar sobre todo al género femenino pero bueno. El argumento, también me ha parecido súper interesante, sobre todo en ciertas escenas moralmente cuestionables. Sin embargo, por otro lado, siento que la historia se me ha quedado corta para lo que pudiera haber sido, además que me ha faltado profundidad.
+“I don’t want to be the villain.
-The concept is meaningless. Everyone does what they think they must. Such labels are applied by others, those who don’t know the whole truth”.
En conclusión, puedo decir que no estoy tan disgustada como me gustaría porque me lo he pasado bien leyéndolo, pero no soy capaz de ponerle más puntuación por lo que he comentado grosso modo en esta reseña, ahora, solo me queda el ultimo y solo espero que no me defraude.
“How simple life would be, if everyone defined the greater good the same way”.
“She is rage and she is death. She is the nightmare. She is the devourer of worlds, the mother of damnation. She gave birth to the lie, consumed the last truth”.
Segunda parte de The Obsidian Path y la verdad siento que esta lectura no ha sido lo que me esperaba.
“-It will seem that all the world is against you.
+It isn’t?”
Por un lado, me han gustado la aparición de los nuevos personajes y el “desarrollo” por así decirlo de los ya existentes quitando una serie de comentarios un poco fuera de lugar sobre todo al género femenino pero bueno. El argumento, también me ha parecido súper interesante, sobre todo en ciertas escenas moralmente cuestionables. Sin embargo, por otro lado, siento que la historia se me ha quedado corta para lo que pudiera haber sido, además que me ha faltado profundidad.
+“I don’t want to be the villain.
-The concept is meaningless. Everyone does what they think they must. Such labels are applied by others, those who don’t know the whole truth”.
En conclusión, puedo decir que no estoy tan disgustada como me gustaría porque me lo he pasado bien leyéndolo, pero no soy capaz de ponerle más puntuación por lo que he comentado grosso modo en esta reseña, ahora, solo me queda el ultimo y solo espero que no me defraude.
“How simple life would be, if everyone defined the greater good the same way”.
April 8, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/04...
I’ve edited… I don’t even know how many of Fletcher’s books I’ve edited by now. I think I’m on six? Maybe seven? I haven’t looked. Anyway, the point is, I edit for this guy. I edit a lot for this guy. I’m a bit invested in his career. You should know that before you continue reading.
The thing is, I’m pretty invested in Fletcher’s career regardless. The reason being, I don’t often come across an author who is this incredibly talented, and I always want talented authors to not only succeed, but thrive. Fletcher has this way with telling a story that just works for me. It’s like he wraps his fist around my heart and squeezes, squeezes, squeezes, and oh, it hurts, but it’s the kind of pain I love. He pushes me to understand just how far a person can push a story, and just how well unexpected elements can work together to create something completely new, and intensely captivating.
Fletcher isn’t really an author you want to read if you want comfortable. His books are anything but comfortable. Case and point, She Dreams in Blood. This is the second book in his The Obsidian Path series. You do need to read Black Stone Heart before you read this book. You won’t understand any of it if you don’t, and that would be a real shame because this book is really worth your time. Also, if you haven’t read Black Stone Heart yet, you need to. Do yourself a favor and just read it. You’ll be glad you did.
Honestly, I edit so many books and read so many more these days, it’s really hard to surprise me. I have a sort of gut sense about where a story will go, and the twists along the way, and 90% of the time, as I read/edit, I find my gut is right. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the book I’m editing/reading, but I am much harder to surprise these days.
She Dreams in Blood had me pretty shocked the entire time I was editing it. Reader, I was not prepared for this Lovecraftian horror-fantasy, nor was I prepared for the various twists along the way. The character I went into this book not trusting was the one I went out of it feeling extremely sorry for. The one I liked ended up being a repugnant skinbag. My entire worldview was flipped on its head. I mean that literally. In the space of one (*checks notes*) 358 page book, everything I thought I knew was wrong and I was left with an ending that had me messaging Fletcher with “OH MY GOD.”
Anyway, Fletcher is a great man with a fantastic sense of story but She Dreams in Blood took everything I thought I knew and mixed it up a bit, then threw in some Lovecraft for flavor and right when I thought stuff was settling I realized that absolutely nothing is what I thought it was, neither world nor people. This book just changed the game big time.
I don’t know what to expect next, and for someone who reads and edits as much as I do, that’s really the best compliment I can give any author. I genuinely do not have a clue. Fletcher’s next book in this series will drop next year, I’m guessing, and as I write this, I cannot even hazard a guess as to what will be in it. I genuinely don’t know.
Do you know the last time I’ve been able to say that? A long, long time. And oh, what a gift it is.
Black Stone Heart was good. As you can see from its SPFBO ratings, it’s really, really good and it is getting the praise it deserves.
She Dreams in Blood takes all the good parts of Black Stone Heart, and builds on them by orders of magnitude. I honestly was wondering if Fletcher could top his previous book, but he did. This one is incredible. Unpredictable. Horrifying, and, more than that, human. These struggles, changes, the journey to understand both oneself and one’s past, is so incredibly human. And maybe that’s why this book works so well. It’s somehow manages to stay true to its fantasy nature with larger than life characters and gods, magic, and mystery while the people at the heart of this tale are so shockingly, painfully human despite their larger-than-life natures.
This series is all about hearts. It is fitting that She Dreams in Blood never loses sight of what makes a heart beat.
Fletcher is a master craftsman. It is honestly the highlight of my editing career to work with him, to see his books unfold, and to see how well received they are. He has taught me a whole lot about writing. More than that, his books are, in my estimation, some of the best fantasy out there. She Dreams in Blood is a magnificent edition to this author’s portfolio.
I cannot wait for all of you to read it.
5/5 stars
P.S. I had this hunch for a while now that Fletcher has been leaving Easter eggs in his books about his entire body of work as a whole. I finally confronted him about it when I was editing this one. He confirmed my suspicions, said not many people are picking up on it (I think we both decided this is pretty awesome), and I just think that’s delightful. So I guess what I’m saying here is, look for Easter eggs and have your mind blown the way mine was. I think my direct quote once I figured it all out was, “Wait. WAIT. I just read this, didn’t I? I didn’t make this up?! This is SO COOL.”
I’m telling you people, this man is a mad scientist. He works on numerous levels. Not only is he an incredible wordsmith, but he tells stories no one else would dare to tell, and he masters them. Plus, there’s all this beneath the surface stuff too that adds layers and depth to everything. I don’t know what Fletcher’s brain must be like, but it’s got to be labyrinthian and incredible. I mean… just wow.
I’ve edited… I don’t even know how many of Fletcher’s books I’ve edited by now. I think I’m on six? Maybe seven? I haven’t looked. Anyway, the point is, I edit for this guy. I edit a lot for this guy. I’m a bit invested in his career. You should know that before you continue reading.
The thing is, I’m pretty invested in Fletcher’s career regardless. The reason being, I don’t often come across an author who is this incredibly talented, and I always want talented authors to not only succeed, but thrive. Fletcher has this way with telling a story that just works for me. It’s like he wraps his fist around my heart and squeezes, squeezes, squeezes, and oh, it hurts, but it’s the kind of pain I love. He pushes me to understand just how far a person can push a story, and just how well unexpected elements can work together to create something completely new, and intensely captivating.
Fletcher isn’t really an author you want to read if you want comfortable. His books are anything but comfortable. Case and point, She Dreams in Blood. This is the second book in his The Obsidian Path series. You do need to read Black Stone Heart before you read this book. You won’t understand any of it if you don’t, and that would be a real shame because this book is really worth your time. Also, if you haven’t read Black Stone Heart yet, you need to. Do yourself a favor and just read it. You’ll be glad you did.
Honestly, I edit so many books and read so many more these days, it’s really hard to surprise me. I have a sort of gut sense about where a story will go, and the twists along the way, and 90% of the time, as I read/edit, I find my gut is right. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the book I’m editing/reading, but I am much harder to surprise these days.
She Dreams in Blood had me pretty shocked the entire time I was editing it. Reader, I was not prepared for this Lovecraftian horror-fantasy, nor was I prepared for the various twists along the way. The character I went into this book not trusting was the one I went out of it feeling extremely sorry for. The one I liked ended up being a repugnant skinbag. My entire worldview was flipped on its head. I mean that literally. In the space of one (*checks notes*) 358 page book, everything I thought I knew was wrong and I was left with an ending that had me messaging Fletcher with “OH MY GOD.”
Anyway, Fletcher is a great man with a fantastic sense of story but She Dreams in Blood took everything I thought I knew and mixed it up a bit, then threw in some Lovecraft for flavor and right when I thought stuff was settling I realized that absolutely nothing is what I thought it was, neither world nor people. This book just changed the game big time.
I don’t know what to expect next, and for someone who reads and edits as much as I do, that’s really the best compliment I can give any author. I genuinely do not have a clue. Fletcher’s next book in this series will drop next year, I’m guessing, and as I write this, I cannot even hazard a guess as to what will be in it. I genuinely don’t know.
Do you know the last time I’ve been able to say that? A long, long time. And oh, what a gift it is.
Black Stone Heart was good. As you can see from its SPFBO ratings, it’s really, really good and it is getting the praise it deserves.
She Dreams in Blood takes all the good parts of Black Stone Heart, and builds on them by orders of magnitude. I honestly was wondering if Fletcher could top his previous book, but he did. This one is incredible. Unpredictable. Horrifying, and, more than that, human. These struggles, changes, the journey to understand both oneself and one’s past, is so incredibly human. And maybe that’s why this book works so well. It’s somehow manages to stay true to its fantasy nature with larger than life characters and gods, magic, and mystery while the people at the heart of this tale are so shockingly, painfully human despite their larger-than-life natures.
This series is all about hearts. It is fitting that She Dreams in Blood never loses sight of what makes a heart beat.
Fletcher is a master craftsman. It is honestly the highlight of my editing career to work with him, to see his books unfold, and to see how well received they are. He has taught me a whole lot about writing. More than that, his books are, in my estimation, some of the best fantasy out there. She Dreams in Blood is a magnificent edition to this author’s portfolio.
I cannot wait for all of you to read it.
5/5 stars
P.S. I had this hunch for a while now that Fletcher has been leaving Easter eggs in his books about his entire body of work as a whole. I finally confronted him about it when I was editing this one. He confirmed my suspicions, said not many people are picking up on it (I think we both decided this is pretty awesome), and I just think that’s delightful. So I guess what I’m saying here is, look for Easter eggs and have your mind blown the way mine was. I think my direct quote once I figured it all out was, “Wait. WAIT. I just read this, didn’t I? I didn’t make this up?! This is SO COOL.”
I’m telling you people, this man is a mad scientist. He works on numerous levels. Not only is he an incredible wordsmith, but he tells stories no one else would dare to tell, and he masters them. Plus, there’s all this beneath the surface stuff too that adds layers and depth to everything. I don’t know what Fletcher’s brain must be like, but it’s got to be labyrinthian and incredible. I mean… just wow.
June 1, 2021
I beta read She Dreams in Blood, but this review will focus on the published work.
She Dreams in Blood is a brutal story of self-preservation. While Black Stone Heart started Khraen’s journey in discovering his past, the second book in The Obsidian Path is his descent into mind-shattering chaos.
The fragmented pieces of his heart call Khraen south, through sea and jungle. But the tropics are no paradise. Horrors lurk deep within decaying pyramids. Unnatural creatures and monstrosities patrol through lush forests. To find the next shard, Khraen travels through the birthplace of raw magics and ancient deities.
His Goddess is waiting for him. And she dreams in blood.
The Obsidian Path is Michael Fletcher’s most ambitious storyline. Magic is not limited to one craft. This world has demonology, sorcery, shamanism, and the very power of the Gods. Its worldbuilding is expansive. We not only explore one world; we breach into other dimensions.
The real obsidian path is not physical. It is a harrowing spiritual journey. As the Demon Emperor, Khraen wielded terrible power. He committed atrocities beyond understanding. He saved the world. As Khraen learns more about his past, the distinction between whom he must become blurs. Will Khraen fulfill his destiny as a better man or become the ruler he most fears? Does he have a choice?
There is one person who truly sways him, Henka. She Dreams in Blood is the greatest love story ever written…just kidding. Still, the dynamic between Henka and Khraen demanded all my attention. Their demented loyalty to each other is engrossing. I normally detest romance in books. I prefer bloodshed and violence, which evidently, Michael Fletcher made both an important aspect in their relationship.
One of my favorite highlights is the new character in She Dreams in Blood. His addition brought comic relief and a fresh sense of humanity against how vile things become. This character’s simple integrity is a stark contrast to everyone else. His genuine nature could save Khraen. I had to know if Khraen will corrupt him completely.
She Dreams in Blood is an intoxicating and vibrant adventure that is unapologetically grimdark. This is a series where I would drop everything to read what happens next.
She Dreams in Blood is a brutal story of self-preservation. While Black Stone Heart started Khraen’s journey in discovering his past, the second book in The Obsidian Path is his descent into mind-shattering chaos.
The fragmented pieces of his heart call Khraen south, through sea and jungle. But the tropics are no paradise. Horrors lurk deep within decaying pyramids. Unnatural creatures and monstrosities patrol through lush forests. To find the next shard, Khraen travels through the birthplace of raw magics and ancient deities.
His Goddess is waiting for him. And she dreams in blood.
The Obsidian Path is Michael Fletcher’s most ambitious storyline. Magic is not limited to one craft. This world has demonology, sorcery, shamanism, and the very power of the Gods. Its worldbuilding is expansive. We not only explore one world; we breach into other dimensions.
The real obsidian path is not physical. It is a harrowing spiritual journey. As the Demon Emperor, Khraen wielded terrible power. He committed atrocities beyond understanding. He saved the world. As Khraen learns more about his past, the distinction between whom he must become blurs. Will Khraen fulfill his destiny as a better man or become the ruler he most fears? Does he have a choice?
There is one person who truly sways him, Henka. She Dreams in Blood is the greatest love story ever written…just kidding. Still, the dynamic between Henka and Khraen demanded all my attention. Their demented loyalty to each other is engrossing. I normally detest romance in books. I prefer bloodshed and violence, which evidently, Michael Fletcher made both an important aspect in their relationship.
One of my favorite highlights is the new character in She Dreams in Blood. His addition brought comic relief and a fresh sense of humanity against how vile things become. This character’s simple integrity is a stark contrast to everyone else. His genuine nature could save Khraen. I had to know if Khraen will corrupt him completely.
She Dreams in Blood is an intoxicating and vibrant adventure that is unapologetically grimdark. This is a series where I would drop everything to read what happens next.
October 15, 2023
I was harsh on the first book, but it stuck with me and I'm glad I gave this series another shot. It was still largely much of the same schtick but it didn't irk me the same way. The protagonist still constantly cycles his thoughts about wanting to be a better person while proving himself repeatedly unable to do so, but isn't that true of us all? Like the first book, I didn't enjoy the constant short sentences that made up the first person POV narration, but the second half of the book moved beyond this. Was there an unintentional shift in the writing style part way through? I don't know, but between the style and the content I am now on board to take up the final book.
The realities of necromancy come to a head in this volume, with physically and emotionally grotesque consequences. New allies and old enemies appear, welcome additions to the small cast. Everyone is keeping secrets, and there are many possible directions the story can take from here. It's a true grimdark series, with harsh morality, tyranny, and death around every corner. It's enough to make you root for the demonologist.
The realities of necromancy come to a head in this volume, with physically and emotionally grotesque consequences. New allies and old enemies appear, welcome additions to the small cast. Everyone is keeping secrets, and there are many possible directions the story can take from here. It's a true grimdark series, with harsh morality, tyranny, and death around every corner. It's enough to make you root for the demonologist.
January 23, 2022
I do love this series! Beware it is grimdark of its strongest kind. There's violence, gore, madness, murder, necromancy, demons, and cascades of blood. This one is not for the faint of heart.
The struggle between striving for good, while actually being on a path that leads straight to becoming the big dark evil in the world grows ever harder. Decisions and morals get muddied down with every choice on the way.
I simply love the philosophical background in this series. Is it right to sacrifice the few for the many? How many are too many? How far will I go to save myself? My love? The world? Or even more than that? Am I evil if I kill people to save more? And if I just turn a blind eye here, does that mean my whole soul is rotten? Who knows...
There's new foes and old acquaintances, new friends and age old enemies. The stakes get ever higher with each bit of memory that gets restored.
It's a disturbing, dark and thoughtful read. And it's utterly addictive.
The struggle between striving for good, while actually being on a path that leads straight to becoming the big dark evil in the world grows ever harder. Decisions and morals get muddied down with every choice on the way.
I simply love the philosophical background in this series. Is it right to sacrifice the few for the many? How many are too many? How far will I go to save myself? My love? The world? Or even more than that? Am I evil if I kill people to save more? And if I just turn a blind eye here, does that mean my whole soul is rotten? Who knows...
There's new foes and old acquaintances, new friends and age old enemies. The stakes get ever higher with each bit of memory that gets restored.
It's a disturbing, dark and thoughtful read. And it's utterly addictive.
August 10, 2024
Fletcher continues to impress in the second installment of the Obsidian Path. Our protagonist Khraen continues his quest to find all the various pieces of his stone heart (following the 'path' as per the title). She Dreams... also further fleshes out the creative world Khraen travels, filled with all kinds of strangeness. Khraen, a demonologist, existed for 10,000 years at the helm of his empire, the so-called Demon Lord, until something happened and he awoke 3000 years later, a shadow of his former self.
While demonologists 'bind' various demons (not from hell per se, but other realities, of which there are many) to objects (demon swords, but also teleportation rings, etc.), Khraen's 'wife', the 'Queen of the Dead', works her magic as a necromancer, ripping the heart from those she controls/enslaves to her will. She needs a steady 'diet' of blood to keep herself from rotting and stay 'warm' for her man. Wizards meditate to obtain their power, stored until used, while elementalist, something like wizards, study for years for their power. We also have sorcerers, who use their life force for their power, and shamans who rely upon their dead ancestors. Fletcher basically populates this world with just about every type of magic in fantasy land!
The heart of the story, however, revolves around Khraen as he struggles with his fate (or is it his fate?). While a well used fantasy trope, Fletcher spins it nicely. Khraen wants to be a just leader, bringing civilization once again to the world, but the cost of civilization remains high, as the foundation for it resides in human souls sacrificed to maintain it. Fletcher here probes the ancient question of cost/benefit-- are a few sacrifices that bring peace and prosperity to many worth it? What is the difference between justification and 'apology' after the fact? Khraen's wife must kill on a regular basis; indeed, their travels leave a swath of dead in their wake. Fletcher may beat on these questions a bit too much here, but still.
Regarding the actual story, Fletcher here provides a series of adventures that would make Burroughs proud, taking Khraen and his wife first to sea to find more pieces of his heart, then shipwrecked, stranded and facing an island of the dead. While this may be a placeholder, the 'reveals' and such make it worthy. 4 dark stars.
While demonologists 'bind' various demons (not from hell per se, but other realities, of which there are many) to objects (demon swords, but also teleportation rings, etc.), Khraen's 'wife', the 'Queen of the Dead', works her magic as a necromancer, ripping the heart from those she controls/enslaves to her will. She needs a steady 'diet' of blood to keep herself from rotting and stay 'warm' for her man. Wizards meditate to obtain their power, stored until used, while elementalist, something like wizards, study for years for their power. We also have sorcerers, who use their life force for their power, and shamans who rely upon their dead ancestors. Fletcher basically populates this world with just about every type of magic in fantasy land!
The heart of the story, however, revolves around Khraen as he struggles with his fate (or is it his fate?). While a well used fantasy trope, Fletcher spins it nicely. Khraen wants to be a just leader, bringing civilization once again to the world, but the cost of civilization remains high, as the foundation for it resides in human souls sacrificed to maintain it. Fletcher here probes the ancient question of cost/benefit-- are a few sacrifices that bring peace and prosperity to many worth it? What is the difference between justification and 'apology' after the fact? Khraen's wife must kill on a regular basis; indeed, their travels leave a swath of dead in their wake. Fletcher may beat on these questions a bit too much here, but still.
Regarding the actual story, Fletcher here provides a series of adventures that would make Burroughs proud, taking Khraen and his wife first to sea to find more pieces of his heart, then shipwrecked, stranded and facing an island of the dead. While this may be a placeholder, the 'reveals' and such make it worthy. 4 dark stars.
August 18, 2025
Secondo tentativo di lettura, secondo fallimento.
Ho resistito fino alle battute conclusive, almeno per farmi un'idea completa, ma quanto scritto lo scorso anno per le prime 300 pagine si è riconfermato: un romanzo che vive delle continue, noiose e a un certo punto insopportabili elucubrazioni mentali del protagonista, che ripete le stesse cose per tre pagine, poi si prende a schiaffi perché "No! Devo cambiare, non sarò più così malvagio!" e via di altri ragionamenti sul contrario di ciò che ha appena detto.
E ancora. E ancora. Basta.
Poteva essere lungo meno della metà e non avremmo perso niente. La storia avanza, ma poco, e quel poco non è neanche da buttare (al netto dell'utilizzo più o meno ridondante del Deus Ex Machina come forma di progresso narrativo), soprattutto per uno stile diretto e piacevole, che scorre molto bene, ma per me non è sufficiente.
Quindi basta, a malincuore pongo fine al mio viaggio con Khraen e conserverò un bel ricordo del primo libro.
Ho resistito fino alle battute conclusive, almeno per farmi un'idea completa, ma quanto scritto lo scorso anno per le prime 300 pagine si è riconfermato: un romanzo che vive delle continue, noiose e a un certo punto insopportabili elucubrazioni mentali del protagonista, che ripete le stesse cose per tre pagine, poi si prende a schiaffi perché "No! Devo cambiare, non sarò più così malvagio!" e via di altri ragionamenti sul contrario di ciò che ha appena detto.
E ancora. E ancora. Basta.
Poteva essere lungo meno della metà e non avremmo perso niente. La storia avanza, ma poco, e quel poco non è neanche da buttare (al netto dell'utilizzo più o meno ridondante del Deus Ex Machina come forma di progresso narrativo), soprattutto per uno stile diretto e piacevole, che scorre molto bene, ma per me non è sufficiente.
Quindi basta, a malincuore pongo fine al mio viaggio con Khraen e conserverò un bel ricordo del primo libro.
May 23, 2021
No second book letdown here. In fact, this volume of Michael Fletcher’s fantasy series is a tad bit better than the opening one, revealing even more of our mysterious protagonist’s past while still leaving so much left unknown.
June 13, 2022
Rating: 2.4/5
Review: “OH THE HUMANITY!!! WHY, WHY, WHY DO I HAVE TO SLAY ALL THESE POOR SOULS??”. Yes indeed you may ask why our anti-hero, Krayon, while being wholly aware of his actions/failings, continues to harvest souls so he can portal around the realms with ease? Becwaz himz wuvs Wenka and he will paint the city in blood if any harm…yada, yada, yada.
See our hero-ish is conflicted. How do we know this? Well, because every page beats you over the fucking head with it. And while overtly conflicted, Krayon will ignore his own awareness of pending events and choose the dumbest route so we can all be mired in his shjt choices.
Krayon sux in so many ways that it has become a fascinating slow motion train wreck. Wenka gets a new hot bod every page or so, so there is that and Krayon will always default to her over common sense even while KNOWING HE IS DOING IT. Really, this guy is a total dumbfuk.
World building and the magic saves the day for this series while the characters are dumber than a unarmed pygmy posse chasing a pride of lions. The story line, while cogent, suffers from character stupidity.
I am headed on to the next for a good laugh.
Review: “OH THE HUMANITY!!! WHY, WHY, WHY DO I HAVE TO SLAY ALL THESE POOR SOULS??”. Yes indeed you may ask why our anti-hero, Krayon, while being wholly aware of his actions/failings, continues to harvest souls so he can portal around the realms with ease? Becwaz himz wuvs Wenka and he will paint the city in blood if any harm…yada, yada, yada.
See our hero-ish is conflicted. How do we know this? Well, because every page beats you over the fucking head with it. And while overtly conflicted, Krayon will ignore his own awareness of pending events and choose the dumbest route so we can all be mired in his shjt choices.
Krayon sux in so many ways that it has become a fascinating slow motion train wreck. Wenka gets a new hot bod every page or so, so there is that and Krayon will always default to her over common sense even while KNOWING HE IS DOING IT. Really, this guy is a total dumbfuk.
World building and the magic saves the day for this series while the characters are dumber than a unarmed pygmy posse chasing a pride of lions. The story line, while cogent, suffers from character stupidity.
I am headed on to the next for a good laugh.
March 28, 2021
This is the sequel from Michael R Fletcher and I certainly enjoyed continuing the journey of the man with the obsidian heart and his crazy demonic past. This story picks up straight after the ending of the first one, with Khraen and Henka on their journey to try and discover more pieces of the heart, more memories, and to battle against the flashbacks and activities the Khraen got caught up in many years ago.
This instalment is mostly focused internally with Khraen monologuing and asking questions of himself and his morals. The more that he uncovers the most shocking these become.
The introspection is vital to developing Khraen and how he's going to work on facing some hard truths. He's learned a lot, but he struggles with the reconciliation of his actions and the ways of the world. He also has a fair few moments of discovering more about himself, and has to constantly question and confront his past.
Henka as a character is quite a tricky one to really enjoy or like as her existence depends on the murder of many. She's a lover for Khraen, but she's by no means under his thrall and in fact it seems like she knows more about everything than he does and I had a hard time trusting her. We'll see how the story unfolds on her plot as the series goes on.
The actual plot of this one felt a little bit less focused than book one as so much of it is introspection. I think in terms of action and adventure I wished we saw a little more of the wider world as much of the story felt focused in on one or two destinations.
Overall, I still very much enjoyed this, and although it's not for the faint of heart (as it's bloody, gore-filled, and pretty fill of horror-adjacent moments) I think it continues to develop the character of Khraen (I loved the backstory reveals most of all) and his quest for knowledge and eventually redemption or power, we're yet to see for sure... 3.5*s
This instalment is mostly focused internally with Khraen monologuing and asking questions of himself and his morals. The more that he uncovers the most shocking these become.
The introspection is vital to developing Khraen and how he's going to work on facing some hard truths. He's learned a lot, but he struggles with the reconciliation of his actions and the ways of the world. He also has a fair few moments of discovering more about himself, and has to constantly question and confront his past.
Henka as a character is quite a tricky one to really enjoy or like as her existence depends on the murder of many. She's a lover for Khraen, but she's by no means under his thrall and in fact it seems like she knows more about everything than he does and I had a hard time trusting her. We'll see how the story unfolds on her plot as the series goes on.
The actual plot of this one felt a little bit less focused than book one as so much of it is introspection. I think in terms of action and adventure I wished we saw a little more of the wider world as much of the story felt focused in on one or two destinations.
Overall, I still very much enjoyed this, and although it's not for the faint of heart (as it's bloody, gore-filled, and pretty fill of horror-adjacent moments) I think it continues to develop the character of Khraen (I loved the backstory reveals most of all) and his quest for knowledge and eventually redemption or power, we're yet to see for sure... 3.5*s
April 22, 2021
4.5⭐️
A fascinating continuation to The Obsidian Path series. I love Fletcher’s dark fantasy writing and She Dreams in Blood is dark and thought provoking.
Living in Khraen’s head is disturbing but I couldn’t put this book down. There are plenty of holy shit moments, but also plenty of humor, even if it is that dark sort of funny. Compared to the first book, I liked and understood Henka a lot more. She’s a great character. Khraen’s journey to find shards of his heart is a triumph of the philosophical and illustrates how every seemingly evil action can be justified somehow.
Another great Felix Ortiz cover and wonderful editing by Sarah Chorn.
A fascinating continuation to The Obsidian Path series. I love Fletcher’s dark fantasy writing and She Dreams in Blood is dark and thought provoking.
Living in Khraen’s head is disturbing but I couldn’t put this book down. There are plenty of holy shit moments, but also plenty of humor, even if it is that dark sort of funny. Compared to the first book, I liked and understood Henka a lot more. She’s a great character. Khraen’s journey to find shards of his heart is a triumph of the philosophical and illustrates how every seemingly evil action can be justified somehow.
Another great Felix Ortiz cover and wonderful editing by Sarah Chorn.
May 4, 2021
Khraen's story continues as he journeys to find the remaining pieces of his obsidian heart.
He finds more pieces, learns more, however he still has major gaps with each opponent being a little stronger than the last.
Not alone in his quest, he discovers the hold love and friendship can have on a man, as he struggles not to become the man he increasingly understands that he must have been; a battle he may lose.
Love the story, the weird creatures, action and settings; makes the imagination go wild, but still can't figure out my feelings about Khraen, as his story continues. He is what he is, and that's not always likable, but never dull. Looking forward to book 3.
He finds more pieces, learns more, however he still has major gaps with each opponent being a little stronger than the last.
Not alone in his quest, he discovers the hold love and friendship can have on a man, as he struggles not to become the man he increasingly understands that he must have been; a battle he may lose.
Love the story, the weird creatures, action and settings; makes the imagination go wild, but still can't figure out my feelings about Khraen, as his story continues. He is what he is, and that's not always likable, but never dull. Looking forward to book 3.
May 7, 2021
Review now live at Grimdark Magazine
She Dreams in Blood is the sequel to the excellent Black Stone Heart , book one of The Obsidian Path . The first novel is a finalist in the 2021 Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO), and with good reason as it’s an excellent book.
The sequel continues the first-person narrative of Khraen, once and (future?) Demonist Emperor. He has a few more shards of his obsidian heart and the memories that come with each piece, but still searches for the remaining pieces. He’s becoming more powerful with each shard, but also increasingly frustrated as his memories are just shy of completion.
“If my soul-devouring empire was all that stood between humanity and utter destruction, I wasn’t the villain. Maybe I wasn’t the hero, but stories of dashing heroes doing noble deeds are horseshit.”
At the heart of Kraen’s partially restored memories are two women. The first is his necromancer soul-mate who travels with him, harvesting the bodies of dead women to keep her “fresh” and appealing to Khraen. He battles with he moral issues of her taking the lives of innocent women to sustain herself versus his near obsessive need to have Henska at his side. He rationalizes that she’s no more than a predator who needs to kill to survive, much as an animal might do.
“These were the terrible decisions a truly good man could never make.”
The second woman isn’t a mortal (or undead) woman at all but an ancient goddess. Khraen is slowly become aware of this being, known only to him through his reawakening memories as She Dreams in Blood. Khraen is slowly starting to realize that there are forces beyond his own awareness that are responsible for how his destiny has turned out.
“Was a flawed soul better than none at all?”
She Dreams in Blood is a fascinating study in the internal struggle between right and wrong, as Khraen tries to balance his desire to do good things in the world with his need for reclaiming his lost power, along with enacting vengeance on those who’d betrayed him. The more he learns about his past, the more Khraen starts to realize that his still missing memories of Henska are crucial. How much has she manipulated the path of his life to get to this point, and how influential is she over the future? He knows that she loves him and she does everything she does for him, but at what cost?
“There was something terrifying about someone willing to do anything they thought was in your best interest.”
We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer to discovering the missing pieces in Khraen’s memory, and how he will reconcile those with what he wants to do going forward. Will he find a balance between the villain that the world portrays him and the moral man he feels he should be? Or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes of his previous centuries as emperor?
She Dreams in Blood is the sequel to the excellent Black Stone Heart , book one of The Obsidian Path . The first novel is a finalist in the 2021 Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO), and with good reason as it’s an excellent book.
The sequel continues the first-person narrative of Khraen, once and (future?) Demonist Emperor. He has a few more shards of his obsidian heart and the memories that come with each piece, but still searches for the remaining pieces. He’s becoming more powerful with each shard, but also increasingly frustrated as his memories are just shy of completion.
“If my soul-devouring empire was all that stood between humanity and utter destruction, I wasn’t the villain. Maybe I wasn’t the hero, but stories of dashing heroes doing noble deeds are horseshit.”
At the heart of Kraen’s partially restored memories are two women. The first is his necromancer soul-mate who travels with him, harvesting the bodies of dead women to keep her “fresh” and appealing to Khraen. He battles with he moral issues of her taking the lives of innocent women to sustain herself versus his near obsessive need to have Henska at his side. He rationalizes that she’s no more than a predator who needs to kill to survive, much as an animal might do.
“These were the terrible decisions a truly good man could never make.”
The second woman isn’t a mortal (or undead) woman at all but an ancient goddess. Khraen is slowly become aware of this being, known only to him through his reawakening memories as She Dreams in Blood. Khraen is slowly starting to realize that there are forces beyond his own awareness that are responsible for how his destiny has turned out.
“Was a flawed soul better than none at all?”
She Dreams in Blood is a fascinating study in the internal struggle between right and wrong, as Khraen tries to balance his desire to do good things in the world with his need for reclaiming his lost power, along with enacting vengeance on those who’d betrayed him. The more he learns about his past, the more Khraen starts to realize that his still missing memories of Henska are crucial. How much has she manipulated the path of his life to get to this point, and how influential is she over the future? He knows that she loves him and she does everything she does for him, but at what cost?
“There was something terrifying about someone willing to do anything they thought was in your best interest.”
We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer to discovering the missing pieces in Khraen’s memory, and how he will reconcile those with what he wants to do going forward. Will he find a balance between the villain that the world portrays him and the moral man he feels he should be? Or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes of his previous centuries as emperor?
May 18, 2022
The Obsidian Path is on the path (heh) to becoming my favorite trilogy ever. I’m stoked beyond belief for the next book and I will certainly be rereading the first two before then. Between the ending to this book and the ending to Swarm and Steel, I must say that the sky is not the limit to Fletcher’s imagination.. he just continues to take his stories to such impossible heights. When I realized what I was reading in the last few pages of this book I had to laugh out loud at the brilliant absurdity of it all.
Everything I said in my previous review holds up, I just love everything about this book. But I just need to make a brief comment about how the protagonist captivated me so much here.
The situation he finds himself in, and the decisions he makes are reprehensible, without a doubt. And that may make him feel too distant from the reader. But at the root of it all, he possesses an inner conflict that is all too human. As the reader you get to see exactly how he gets to where he is, and it’s a wild ride. Fantasy allows for extreme dramatizations of real life experiences, but the core idea or theme is still something we can understand.
“My promises were shit. Even those spoken only to myself. I was a liar”.
The way the protagonist constantly tries to justify his decisions, and the way he succeeds in doing so, is frightening! And yet, it doesn’t feel so unfamiliar. I love Fletcher’s books for deepening my love for dark fantasy, as his plots and worldbuilding are so disgusting, entertaining, and unique. Even so, he delivers at creating compelling characters. I could not ask for more in a story.
Everything I said in my previous review holds up, I just love everything about this book. But I just need to make a brief comment about how the protagonist captivated me so much here.
The situation he finds himself in, and the decisions he makes are reprehensible, without a doubt. And that may make him feel too distant from the reader. But at the root of it all, he possesses an inner conflict that is all too human. As the reader you get to see exactly how he gets to where he is, and it’s a wild ride. Fantasy allows for extreme dramatizations of real life experiences, but the core idea or theme is still something we can understand.
“My promises were shit. Even those spoken only to myself. I was a liar”.
The way the protagonist constantly tries to justify his decisions, and the way he succeeds in doing so, is frightening! And yet, it doesn’t feel so unfamiliar. I love Fletcher’s books for deepening my love for dark fantasy, as his plots and worldbuilding are so disgusting, entertaining, and unique. Even so, he delivers at creating compelling characters. I could not ask for more in a story.
March 24, 2021
Truly excellent follow-up. Fletcher gets better with every book....and he writes a lot!
August 10, 2021
This book almost went into the DNF pile so many times. I did put it aside for a long time and then pick it back up. I really struggle with how repetitive the main character's inner monologue is. The book feels like it lurches from very interesting impossible situations (that truly are the only things that kept me going - wow, how will he ever get himself out of this one?) to him obsessing over how evil he will have to be and how will his wife betray him. That's it in a nutshell - over and over et nauseum. Not going to see how it ends up - I am all done.
August 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
The endings of these books really save this series
The endings of these books really save this series
March 6, 2021
You can watch a semi-animated review at my Youtube channel
Introduction
'She Dreams in Blood' is the sequel to the brilliant 'Black Stone Heart' and is the second book in the 'Obsidian Path' series.
Khraen's main objective is to collect and assimilate the shards of his obsidian heart from his other-selves. At the same time, he is trying to figure out the truth behind his rule, his wife 'Henka', and who he ought to be. The story is set in the Southern Islands, a land that consists of small fiefdoms and, far more savage than the North.
Characters
In addition to the established characters like Khraen, Henka & Nhil, 'She Dreams in Blood' introduces a few more complex characters.
The stand-out is 'Bren', a sailor on the ship that Khraen & Henka take towards the end of 'Black Stone Heart'. Bren is like a counter-weight to Henka, with Khraen using him as a moral compass. Bren is not an innocent who always chooses the right thing - instead, his advice is pragmatic and human, something Khraen realizes he lacks. Bren's presence shows Khraen's growing mistrust of his history as well as Nhil & Henka.
Nhil continues to be my favourite supporting character, though. While being an active sounding board for Khraen, his snark is entertaining and mysterious at the same time. Questions remain as to his exact relationship with Khraen and what his ultimate plan is. Henka's motives are also suspect, but her character is not as interesting as the others, given that she seldom has doubts about her actions.
Khraen continues to be amongst the best characters I have ever read. He is not a hero, and the more he is pushed, the more his actions make him a villain than an anti-hero. His inner monologues ( and sometimes external dialogues) are as compelling to read here as in 'Black Stone Heart'. We can see his desire to be a better person, but circumstances and actions make him behave more like the Demon Emperor that he was.
Khraen wrestles with existential questions this time too. What if the only way to save the world is to become a reviled person like who he was before? Is it worth sacrificing a few to save the world? I like that these kinds of philosophical questions are an intrinsic part of the plot since they make character development so much more nuanced, and they help provoke the reader into thinking.
Pacing, Writing, World-building & Other Things
I will use 'Black Stone Heart' as the benchmark since that book is almost perfect, in my opinion. There are many things that I love about 'Black Stone Heart'. The express pacing, the brilliant writing, the characters and the moral dilemmas.
'She Dreams in Blood' has all these strengths and is a worthy successor to 'Black Stone Heart'. The writing is as strong as ever with 'punch' dialogues and how Michael Fletcher draws the reader into the story. The pacing is a bit more sedate. I suppose this is because while in the first book, Khraen was starting from zero, in this one, he is consolidating his plans. 'She Dreams in Blood' has a faster pacing than most other books in this genre.
As far as world-building is concerned, we get to see more of the Southern Islands. Most of the story takes place on an island that is a bit evocative of Dr Moreau. The rest of the story is on a larger island that is the unofficial hub of the archipelago. I found the latter setting more interesting in terms of world-building.
But when it comes to the climax and ending, it edges out 'Black Stone Heart'. The climactic scenes are way better in terms of both action and Khraen's deeds & decisions. The intriguing ending leaves the reader in suspense, and I will be eagerly looking forward to what happens next.
Conclusion
If you like the grimdark genre or are looking for morally ambiguous characters, you should not miss this series. 'Black Stone Heart' is fantastic, and 'She Dreams in Blood' takes it to 11.
Introduction
'She Dreams in Blood' is the sequel to the brilliant 'Black Stone Heart' and is the second book in the 'Obsidian Path' series.
Khraen's main objective is to collect and assimilate the shards of his obsidian heart from his other-selves. At the same time, he is trying to figure out the truth behind his rule, his wife 'Henka', and who he ought to be. The story is set in the Southern Islands, a land that consists of small fiefdoms and, far more savage than the North.
Characters
In addition to the established characters like Khraen, Henka & Nhil, 'She Dreams in Blood' introduces a few more complex characters.
The stand-out is 'Bren', a sailor on the ship that Khraen & Henka take towards the end of 'Black Stone Heart'. Bren is like a counter-weight to Henka, with Khraen using him as a moral compass. Bren is not an innocent who always chooses the right thing - instead, his advice is pragmatic and human, something Khraen realizes he lacks. Bren's presence shows Khraen's growing mistrust of his history as well as Nhil & Henka.
Nhil continues to be my favourite supporting character, though. While being an active sounding board for Khraen, his snark is entertaining and mysterious at the same time. Questions remain as to his exact relationship with Khraen and what his ultimate plan is. Henka's motives are also suspect, but her character is not as interesting as the others, given that she seldom has doubts about her actions.
Khraen continues to be amongst the best characters I have ever read. He is not a hero, and the more he is pushed, the more his actions make him a villain than an anti-hero. His inner monologues ( and sometimes external dialogues) are as compelling to read here as in 'Black Stone Heart'. We can see his desire to be a better person, but circumstances and actions make him behave more like the Demon Emperor that he was.
Khraen wrestles with existential questions this time too. What if the only way to save the world is to become a reviled person like who he was before? Is it worth sacrificing a few to save the world? I like that these kinds of philosophical questions are an intrinsic part of the plot since they make character development so much more nuanced, and they help provoke the reader into thinking.
Pacing, Writing, World-building & Other Things
I will use 'Black Stone Heart' as the benchmark since that book is almost perfect, in my opinion. There are many things that I love about 'Black Stone Heart'. The express pacing, the brilliant writing, the characters and the moral dilemmas.
'She Dreams in Blood' has all these strengths and is a worthy successor to 'Black Stone Heart'. The writing is as strong as ever with 'punch' dialogues and how Michael Fletcher draws the reader into the story. The pacing is a bit more sedate. I suppose this is because while in the first book, Khraen was starting from zero, in this one, he is consolidating his plans. 'She Dreams in Blood' has a faster pacing than most other books in this genre.
As far as world-building is concerned, we get to see more of the Southern Islands. Most of the story takes place on an island that is a bit evocative of Dr Moreau. The rest of the story is on a larger island that is the unofficial hub of the archipelago. I found the latter setting more interesting in terms of world-building.
But when it comes to the climax and ending, it edges out 'Black Stone Heart'. The climactic scenes are way better in terms of both action and Khraen's deeds & decisions. The intriguing ending leaves the reader in suspense, and I will be eagerly looking forward to what happens next.
Conclusion
If you like the grimdark genre or are looking for morally ambiguous characters, you should not miss this series. 'Black Stone Heart' is fantastic, and 'She Dreams in Blood' takes it to 11.
February 20, 2022
This one start where the first left off. So if you haven't read Black Stone Heart, do that and comeback.
When I started to read this one, I was a little disappointed with the fact that Khraen was not immediately hacking Henka into little pieces but then I understood that the fun would have been short lived.
I really enjoyed the way the plot allowed us to see more of the world and other cultures, and the surprises
we had with the other characters that were incorporated.
The magic-systems were more developed as Khraen was remembering more of himself, the mage's magic and necromancy.
The world building and descriptions were fantastic. we expand a lot in the world and we get to explore new regions. The atmosphere and the terrain dramatically change when we are brought to the isles in the south.
The people even though similar, in their looks to Khraen, weren't more accepting than the people of the north.
Their prejudices follow Khraen wherever he goes, which is frustrating to say the least.
As I said in my revew of the first one, I don't like Khraen's relationship with Henka at all. It's so messed up and I don't understand his supposed love. I think that Shallan would have been better for him.
Still his desteny is unavoidable and en though he is always asking himself what's right to do and what he wants and deciding, his path is dark and I'm here for it.
All his doubts and impulses and desires and passion makes Khraen more human even though not a very good to others one. His sacrifices were not his own but the world's and the blood and souls of others and in the end the tyrant is him, destroying to build again in his image. The return of the Emperor.
We have in this books glipses of Khraen's Goddess which were fantastic but probably terraifying for some.
The progression of the story is fantastic and it goes accordingly with what book one ended up with. In every way in this book the stackes goes up and at the end the stakes goes all the way up and I cannot wait to An end of Sorrow.
When I started to read this one, I was a little disappointed with the fact that Khraen was not immediately hacking Henka into little pieces but then I understood that the fun would have been short lived.
I really enjoyed the way the plot allowed us to see more of the world and other cultures, and the surprises
we had with the other characters that were incorporated.
The magic-systems were more developed as Khraen was remembering more of himself, the mage's magic and necromancy.
The world building and descriptions were fantastic. we expand a lot in the world and we get to explore new regions. The atmosphere and the terrain dramatically change when we are brought to the isles in the south.
The people even though similar, in their looks to Khraen, weren't more accepting than the people of the north.
Their prejudices follow Khraen wherever he goes, which is frustrating to say the least.
As I said in my revew of the first one, I don't like Khraen's relationship with Henka at all. It's so messed up and I don't understand his supposed love. I think that Shallan would have been better for him.
Still his desteny is unavoidable and en though he is always asking himself what's right to do and what he wants and deciding, his path is dark and I'm here for it.
All his doubts and impulses and desires and passion makes Khraen more human even though not a very good to others one. His sacrifices were not his own but the world's and the blood and souls of others and in the end the tyrant is him, destroying to build again in his image. The return of the Emperor.
We have in this books glipses of Khraen's Goddess which were fantastic but probably terraifying for some.
The progression of the story is fantastic and it goes accordingly with what book one ended up with. In every way in this book the stackes goes up and at the end the stakes goes all the way up and I cannot wait to An end of Sorrow.
April 18, 2024
Non è facile recensire il secondo volume di una serie, questo perché qualsiasi cosa io possa commentare in merito alla trama e ai personaggi sarebbe uno spoiler del primo romanzo. Non a caso è la prima volta che lo faccio e mi sono anche chiesto se valesse la pena recensire un romanzo potendone trattegiare solo delle vaghe impressioni generali. D'altro canto a noi non piace digitare sviolinate in cui si dice tutto e nulla elogiando l'opera senza davvero sforzarsi di commentarla.
Alla fine ho deciso di fare la recensione e di inserire una sezione spoiler, così che possa dare elementi a chi non ha letto il libro e magari spingere alla riflessione e al dialogo chi l'ha già fruito.
Anche in "Lei sogna nel sangue" Khraen è alla ricerca dei pezzi del suo cuore di ossidiana, che dovrebbero consentirgli di recuperare la memoria e l'identità. Continua ad essere in bilico tra passato e presente, tra ciò che era e ciò che vorrebbe essere. La tensione che dominava il primo libro, ovvero il conflitto tra la vecchia personalità di Khraen e quella formatosi con l'avventura nel presente, resta indietro e lascia spazio al processo di conoscenza del passato del protagonista; chi egli fosse, quanto fosse malvagio, se perseguiva il bene facendo il male oppure fosse solo un'anima macchiata. Ho trovato questo aspetto problematico, perché tale dilemma viene ripetuto quasi in ogni pagina per 415 pagine, quasi sempre dalla stessa prospettiva e con le stesse conseguenze, cioè nessuna, almeno fino alla fine del libro. A volte questo pensiero ricorrente diventava talmente invasivo da alterare il realismo stesso della narrazione.
Un esempio: è appena successo un evento abbastanza negativo, il protagonista si trova da solo, i suoi amici scomparsi, il luogo in cui erano appare devastato dalla lotta. Ci si aspetterebbe che Khraen corra subito in strada, cerchi indizi, insomma, si attivi. Invece parte - di nuovo - un monologo interiore che si conclude con il suo esclamare ad alta voce: "Sono malvagio?" Oltre ad essere l'ennesima riproposizione dello stesso dilemma, immagino quest'uomo preoccupato e angosciato in mezzo alle macerie, privato della sua amata e dei suoi amici, che impalato parla a sé stesso chiedendosi se sia malvagio o meno. Risoluzioni del genere mi staccano forzatamente dall'immedesimazione e il libro, purtroppo, è pieno di casi simili.
Questo romanzo, come il suo predecessore, è ricco di ritmo e si lascia leggere comunque con una certa rapidità. Questo perché accadono un sacco di cose epiche, fantasy, immaginifiche, e tutto ciò che manca spesso al fantasy contemporaneo. Anche il nuovo personaggio che viene introdotto nel romanzo, marinaio, guerriero e narratore, è molto interessante, sia lui, sia il rapporto che sviluppa con Khraen. Ho apprezzato molto tutta la parte del libro sull'isola, sembrava quasi un'ambientazione alla Conan il barbaro, molto Sword and Sorcery, perturbante e pericolosa. Da questi punti di vista, "Lei sogna nel sangue" è davvero una boccata d'aria fresca, il problema è che a mio parere manca di coerenza interna in diversi punti del libro.
Adesso farò degli spoiler, quindi se non l'avete letto e vi interessa farlo, non leggete.
SPOILER:
Circa a metà libro Khraen sta per essere sacrificato su uno Ziqqurat, lui e il suo amico sono feriti e inermi. Henka è, a questo punto, solo un mezzo busto decomposto. Prima che il pugnale cali sul nostro imperatore demone, ecco arrivare Tien (la ricordate? La maga - ladra sorella di Shalayn, che Khraen uccide alla fine del primo libro) che ora è una necromante non morta. Salva Khraen e assoggetta anche le necromanti che servivano il suo nemico. Di tutto questo risvolto l'unico preambolo - anticipazione era una ipotesi di Khraen in uno dei suoi tanti monologhi interiori "e se fosse tutto un piano di Henka?". Affinché la narrazione sia coinvolgente e coerente, a mio parere, bisogna costruirla una svolta così importante nel corso del libro. Bisogna dare degli indizi, indicare una sorta di preparazione, così che sia anche più soddisfacente per il lettore una volta che accade. Il classico, "ah vedi perché è successo questo e quello". Invece no, arriva totalmente dal nulla per salvare il protagonista. Questa è una delle prime lezioni che uno scrittore impara quando inizia a documentarsi sulla tecnica. Vale anche per il gdr. "Non mettere nella merda il tuo protagonista se non sai come salvarlo."
Un meccanismo più o meno simile accade verso la fine del libro, quando Khraen si ritrova sulla galea dei maghi, circondato. La sua spada ha un demone all'interno, il cui potere è far putrefare la carne quando la tocca, giusto? Ok. In quel momento però, senza nessun preavviso, Khraen fa volare la spada, decapita i maghi e gli torna in mano. Sinceramente sono rimasto di sasso. Anche qui si fa spuntare una risoluzione quando la trama ne ha bisogno, senza tenere conto della coerenza del processo e della costruzione di questi poteri.
Ancora, essere l'imperatore demone è una prospettiva terribile, tranne quando diventa un super potere. Ad esempio quando Khraen vincola un demone di 3000 anni, potentissimo, semplicemente desiderandolo e senza nessun prezzo da pagare. Secondo me non basta scrivere l'ennesima volta che "La sua sanità mentale era compromessa" "la sua sanità mentale stiracchiata", riprendendo formule Lovecraftiane, non descrivendo però ciò che realmente accade e soprattutto come.
Gli esempi sarebbero di più, ma credo di aver reso l'idea riguardo a quello che proprio non ho apprezzato del romanzo.
FINE SPOILER
Più che il secondo volume di una saga, mi è sembrato quasi uno spin off. A conti fatti Khraen trova solo un altro frammento di cuore in tutto il romanzo e la rivelazione finale (che ricorda grazie a questo unico frammento) francamente l'avevo capita a circa metà del primo libro, quindi non mi ha stupito.
Io ho grandissimo rispetto per Michael e per il suo lavoro e proprio per questo, specie in un clima in cui le recensioni negative vengono magicamente fatte sparire da amazon con contorno di prese in giro sui gruppetti degli interessati, ritengo sia fondamentale esprimere opinioni sincere. Non perché la mia sia la verità, ma perché è il mio pensiero e in quanto tale ha diritto di esistere, specie in merito ad un romanzo che sta facendo molto parlare la community del fantasy italiano. Se non ci si critica, non si migliora e, a furia di scrivere recensioni positive ed elogianti che dicono tutto e niente, la scena rimarrà mozza, arenata, legata alle solite logiche settarie.
Detto ciò, sicuramente leggerò l'ultimo volume della serie, voglio vedere come va a finire.
Cavat Lapidem.
Alla fine ho deciso di fare la recensione e di inserire una sezione spoiler, così che possa dare elementi a chi non ha letto il libro e magari spingere alla riflessione e al dialogo chi l'ha già fruito.
Anche in "Lei sogna nel sangue" Khraen è alla ricerca dei pezzi del suo cuore di ossidiana, che dovrebbero consentirgli di recuperare la memoria e l'identità. Continua ad essere in bilico tra passato e presente, tra ciò che era e ciò che vorrebbe essere. La tensione che dominava il primo libro, ovvero il conflitto tra la vecchia personalità di Khraen e quella formatosi con l'avventura nel presente, resta indietro e lascia spazio al processo di conoscenza del passato del protagonista; chi egli fosse, quanto fosse malvagio, se perseguiva il bene facendo il male oppure fosse solo un'anima macchiata. Ho trovato questo aspetto problematico, perché tale dilemma viene ripetuto quasi in ogni pagina per 415 pagine, quasi sempre dalla stessa prospettiva e con le stesse conseguenze, cioè nessuna, almeno fino alla fine del libro. A volte questo pensiero ricorrente diventava talmente invasivo da alterare il realismo stesso della narrazione.
Un esempio: è appena successo un evento abbastanza negativo, il protagonista si trova da solo, i suoi amici scomparsi, il luogo in cui erano appare devastato dalla lotta. Ci si aspetterebbe che Khraen corra subito in strada, cerchi indizi, insomma, si attivi. Invece parte - di nuovo - un monologo interiore che si conclude con il suo esclamare ad alta voce: "Sono malvagio?" Oltre ad essere l'ennesima riproposizione dello stesso dilemma, immagino quest'uomo preoccupato e angosciato in mezzo alle macerie, privato della sua amata e dei suoi amici, che impalato parla a sé stesso chiedendosi se sia malvagio o meno. Risoluzioni del genere mi staccano forzatamente dall'immedesimazione e il libro, purtroppo, è pieno di casi simili.
Questo romanzo, come il suo predecessore, è ricco di ritmo e si lascia leggere comunque con una certa rapidità. Questo perché accadono un sacco di cose epiche, fantasy, immaginifiche, e tutto ciò che manca spesso al fantasy contemporaneo. Anche il nuovo personaggio che viene introdotto nel romanzo, marinaio, guerriero e narratore, è molto interessante, sia lui, sia il rapporto che sviluppa con Khraen. Ho apprezzato molto tutta la parte del libro sull'isola, sembrava quasi un'ambientazione alla Conan il barbaro, molto Sword and Sorcery, perturbante e pericolosa. Da questi punti di vista, "Lei sogna nel sangue" è davvero una boccata d'aria fresca, il problema è che a mio parere manca di coerenza interna in diversi punti del libro.
Adesso farò degli spoiler, quindi se non l'avete letto e vi interessa farlo, non leggete.
SPOILER:
Circa a metà libro Khraen sta per essere sacrificato su uno Ziqqurat, lui e il suo amico sono feriti e inermi. Henka è, a questo punto, solo un mezzo busto decomposto. Prima che il pugnale cali sul nostro imperatore demone, ecco arrivare Tien (la ricordate? La maga - ladra sorella di Shalayn, che Khraen uccide alla fine del primo libro) che ora è una necromante non morta. Salva Khraen e assoggetta anche le necromanti che servivano il suo nemico. Di tutto questo risvolto l'unico preambolo - anticipazione era una ipotesi di Khraen in uno dei suoi tanti monologhi interiori "e se fosse tutto un piano di Henka?". Affinché la narrazione sia coinvolgente e coerente, a mio parere, bisogna costruirla una svolta così importante nel corso del libro. Bisogna dare degli indizi, indicare una sorta di preparazione, così che sia anche più soddisfacente per il lettore una volta che accade. Il classico, "ah vedi perché è successo questo e quello". Invece no, arriva totalmente dal nulla per salvare il protagonista. Questa è una delle prime lezioni che uno scrittore impara quando inizia a documentarsi sulla tecnica. Vale anche per il gdr. "Non mettere nella merda il tuo protagonista se non sai come salvarlo."
Un meccanismo più o meno simile accade verso la fine del libro, quando Khraen si ritrova sulla galea dei maghi, circondato. La sua spada ha un demone all'interno, il cui potere è far putrefare la carne quando la tocca, giusto? Ok. In quel momento però, senza nessun preavviso, Khraen fa volare la spada, decapita i maghi e gli torna in mano. Sinceramente sono rimasto di sasso. Anche qui si fa spuntare una risoluzione quando la trama ne ha bisogno, senza tenere conto della coerenza del processo e della costruzione di questi poteri.
Ancora, essere l'imperatore demone è una prospettiva terribile, tranne quando diventa un super potere. Ad esempio quando Khraen vincola un demone di 3000 anni, potentissimo, semplicemente desiderandolo e senza nessun prezzo da pagare. Secondo me non basta scrivere l'ennesima volta che "La sua sanità mentale era compromessa" "la sua sanità mentale stiracchiata", riprendendo formule Lovecraftiane, non descrivendo però ciò che realmente accade e soprattutto come.
Gli esempi sarebbero di più, ma credo di aver reso l'idea riguardo a quello che proprio non ho apprezzato del romanzo.
FINE SPOILER
Più che il secondo volume di una saga, mi è sembrato quasi uno spin off. A conti fatti Khraen trova solo un altro frammento di cuore in tutto il romanzo e la rivelazione finale (che ricorda grazie a questo unico frammento) francamente l'avevo capita a circa metà del primo libro, quindi non mi ha stupito.
Io ho grandissimo rispetto per Michael e per il suo lavoro e proprio per questo, specie in un clima in cui le recensioni negative vengono magicamente fatte sparire da amazon con contorno di prese in giro sui gruppetti degli interessati, ritengo sia fondamentale esprimere opinioni sincere. Non perché la mia sia la verità, ma perché è il mio pensiero e in quanto tale ha diritto di esistere, specie in merito ad un romanzo che sta facendo molto parlare la community del fantasy italiano. Se non ci si critica, non si migliora e, a furia di scrivere recensioni positive ed elogianti che dicono tutto e niente, la scena rimarrà mozza, arenata, legata alle solite logiche settarie.
Detto ciò, sicuramente leggerò l'ultimo volume della serie, voglio vedere come va a finire.
Cavat Lapidem.
September 28, 2021
Non-Spoiler video review: https://youtu.be/aZkqEIWn0Ck
She Dreams in Blood is the second book in The Obsidian Path series. I reviewed Black Stone Heart on my channel earlier this year. The fast-paced, dark exploration on memory in Black Stone Heart offered a promising, fresh start to a modern grimdark fantasy series. She Dreams in Blood continued Kraen's story and quest to unveil his memories and the mystery of his previous identity.
She Dreams in Blood begins with Kraen accepting his forgotten marriage to Henka, a necromancer, while momentarily longing for his former partner, Shalayn. While on their journey, Kraen teleports to encounter Nhil, a figure who claims to have been Kraen's servant. While this is somewhat a traveling adventure, it is even more so a psychological journey as Kraen is continuously questioning his purpose, moral integrity, and trust in others.
The magic is further developed in this book with blood magic, soul binding, demons, shamanic magic, parasitic creatures, and, of course, necromancy. The book is very dark with many graphic depictions and grotesque creatures. While content is dark and disturbing at times, a certain amount of humor is sprinkled in at unexpected moments, and the prose is very accessible.
While the book deals with fundamental moral questions and concepts–do the ends justify the means? What is evil? Reason vs. justification, the relationship between responsibility and purpose, defining moments–many of these concepts were explicit in the dialogue or in Kraen's inner thoughts rather than presented as layered subtext.
Kraen is very dualistic in thinking he is either "good" or "evil" and rarely allows himself to consider space for moral ambiguity or conflicting motivations. There were times I found his thoughts repetitive and questioned his actions and judgements trusting certain individuals. I was also hoping to have more exploration on the order of memory affecting identity construction, which was hinted at in Black Stone Heart, but not quite the focus I had hoped for in She Dreams in Blood. There might be more to come with that concept in future books.
What I found most interesting was an implication of parasitic relationships between mortals and gods or supernatural beings. I was also very pleasantly surprised with the end. It completely shocked me and left me very curious and excited to continue the series.
She Dreams in Blood is the second book in The Obsidian Path series. I reviewed Black Stone Heart on my channel earlier this year. The fast-paced, dark exploration on memory in Black Stone Heart offered a promising, fresh start to a modern grimdark fantasy series. She Dreams in Blood continued Kraen's story and quest to unveil his memories and the mystery of his previous identity.
She Dreams in Blood begins with Kraen accepting his forgotten marriage to Henka, a necromancer, while momentarily longing for his former partner, Shalayn. While on their journey, Kraen teleports to encounter Nhil, a figure who claims to have been Kraen's servant. While this is somewhat a traveling adventure, it is even more so a psychological journey as Kraen is continuously questioning his purpose, moral integrity, and trust in others.
The magic is further developed in this book with blood magic, soul binding, demons, shamanic magic, parasitic creatures, and, of course, necromancy. The book is very dark with many graphic depictions and grotesque creatures. While content is dark and disturbing at times, a certain amount of humor is sprinkled in at unexpected moments, and the prose is very accessible.
While the book deals with fundamental moral questions and concepts–do the ends justify the means? What is evil? Reason vs. justification, the relationship between responsibility and purpose, defining moments–many of these concepts were explicit in the dialogue or in Kraen's inner thoughts rather than presented as layered subtext.
Kraen is very dualistic in thinking he is either "good" or "evil" and rarely allows himself to consider space for moral ambiguity or conflicting motivations. There were times I found his thoughts repetitive and questioned his actions and judgements trusting certain individuals. I was also hoping to have more exploration on the order of memory affecting identity construction, which was hinted at in Black Stone Heart, but not quite the focus I had hoped for in She Dreams in Blood. There might be more to come with that concept in future books.
What I found most interesting was an implication of parasitic relationships between mortals and gods or supernatural beings. I was also very pleasantly surprised with the end. It completely shocked me and left me very curious and excited to continue the series.
March 19, 2022
She Dreams in Blood reveal Khraen's true self for all to see- a deluded self-loving, self-validating motherfucker.
The main character is as fucked up as you'd ever expect your most hated book antagonist to be. Only this time, he's not an antagonist.
He's the main character
After leaving his ethereal, and spiritual stronghold, he continues his quest, freshly renewed and fortified.
The remaining obsidian pieces of his heart are littered across the continent, inhibited in the bodies of similarity evil-hearted proxies.
Our hero finds himself in a tenuous position, precariously teetering over a moral edge. He leans more towards evil, than good, and we spend several pages examining his character, motivations, and choices.
On, and on the main character goes in this deep inquisition into the very quality of his soil, as newer discoveries and knowledge surface.
I found much of the big reveals as surprising as they were grim. I'll have to digress here to not give away unfortunate spoilers
The plot is gripping and intense, with few interludes save for a few flashbacks. The writing style is easy enough, without overt flowery expressions to distract from what is a thoroughly engaging flow.
This is not a happy book. It's prime bloodletting and gore come to feast with twisted characters that you want to root for.
There's reason to believe that this series is set in the same universe as one of the author's other series (permit me to notice this for the first time).
Allow me to subsequently dive headfirst into the book 3's ARC, An End To Sorrow, graciously provided by the author, who's stock is fast rising in the GrimDark subgenre.
The main character is as fucked up as you'd ever expect your most hated book antagonist to be. Only this time, he's not an antagonist.
He's the main character
After leaving his ethereal, and spiritual stronghold, he continues his quest, freshly renewed and fortified.
The remaining obsidian pieces of his heart are littered across the continent, inhibited in the bodies of similarity evil-hearted proxies.
Our hero finds himself in a tenuous position, precariously teetering over a moral edge. He leans more towards evil, than good, and we spend several pages examining his character, motivations, and choices.
On, and on the main character goes in this deep inquisition into the very quality of his soil, as newer discoveries and knowledge surface.
I found much of the big reveals as surprising as they were grim. I'll have to digress here to not give away unfortunate spoilers
The plot is gripping and intense, with few interludes save for a few flashbacks. The writing style is easy enough, without overt flowery expressions to distract from what is a thoroughly engaging flow.
This is not a happy book. It's prime bloodletting and gore come to feast with twisted characters that you want to root for.
There's reason to believe that this series is set in the same universe as one of the author's other series (permit me to notice this for the first time).
Allow me to subsequently dive headfirst into the book 3's ARC, An End To Sorrow, graciously provided by the author, who's stock is fast rising in the GrimDark subgenre.
April 21, 2021
No spoiler opinion- 5/5 Great book. Enjoyed it even more than Black Stone Heart. The new characters added are great, and Fletcher only improves upon the ones we know. The ending is crazy and I spent a while considering how it changed my views on the characters, after a whole book being reasonably set in my ways. Just as gruesome and horrificly despicable as the first book, although I found this a more enjoyable read than BST overall- most likely helped a lot by the side characters and the fact that a certain character I disliked gets some more flak in this.
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