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The Stagsblood Trilogy #2
The Stagsblood King
The people of Feigh finally enjoy security and prosperity, but a new darkness threatens in The Stagsblood King, the second book of the dark gay fantasy Stagsblood Trilogy.
Tel has begun to heal his kingdom in the six years since the civil war. His grief-stricken heart is another matter. He has committed all his love and energy to his country and Ofya, his adopted daughter. For the first time in centuries, the world is free of war. To celebrate this triumph, Tel and his Omelan friend, Turo, conceive of the Peace Games. All nations are invited to send their strongest and fastest to Feigh for a festival of friendly athletic competition.
But a mysterious self-proclaimed king rises on the border of Feigh and Sheruck. He believes Tel plays a critical role in an ancient prophecy and will stop at nothing to see the foretelling through. Blindsided by the new monarch’s aggression, Tel finds himself in an impossible position.
Stripped of his magic and facing an unstoppable enemy with powerful secrets, Tel must rely on the strengths of Caip, Dar, Bin, and Ofya to save Feigh. And he must rely on the strengths of Turo to save himself.
Tel has begun to heal his kingdom in the six years since the civil war. His grief-stricken heart is another matter. He has committed all his love and energy to his country and Ofya, his adopted daughter. For the first time in centuries, the world is free of war. To celebrate this triumph, Tel and his Omelan friend, Turo, conceive of the Peace Games. All nations are invited to send their strongest and fastest to Feigh for a festival of friendly athletic competition.
But a mysterious self-proclaimed king rises on the border of Feigh and Sheruck. He believes Tel plays a critical role in an ancient prophecy and will stop at nothing to see the foretelling through. Blindsided by the new monarch’s aggression, Tel finds himself in an impossible position.
Stripped of his magic and facing an unstoppable enemy with powerful secrets, Tel must rely on the strengths of Caip, Dar, Bin, and Ofya to save Feigh. And he must rely on the strengths of Turo to save himself.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2021
About the author
Gideon E. Wood
3 books24 followersGideon E. Wood writes gay fantasy fiction. He has been in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction since 2011. Second chances and transformation are at the heart of his work. Gideon lives in New England with his cat but thinks it’s important you know he isn’t a cat person.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 12, 2021
I've rarely seen such great character development in a fantasy series, let alone a self-published one. Tel has changed a lot by the end of this book, but it's a very gradual and natural change and doesn't feel forced at all.
I also love the world, especially the spiritual aspects of it. We've seen the Stag six times since the beginning of the first book, and yet every time he appears, he still inspires awe and not a small amount of trepidation.
All in all, this is a great sequel, and I can't wait for the third book.
I also love the world, especially the spiritual aspects of it. We've seen the Stag six times since the beginning of the first book, and yet every time he appears, he still inspires awe and not a small amount of trepidation.
All in all, this is a great sequel, and I can't wait for the third book.
November 12, 2021
A fantastic follow-up to "The Stagsblood Prince."
This book is an incredible sequel to "The Stagsblood Prince." For one, it continues the story of Tel, King of Feigh, and the challenges he faces accepting and wielding the power he bears and the choices he makes. In many ways, Tel's journey in this book is like the journey many of us take in middle-age when we need to decide whether to step into our power or shrink from ourselves in fear. The center of your life is a strange landscape to traverse and this book, with its mythos and magic, its brilliant world-building, and beautiful characters, creates a lovely stage to explore that journey.
It's a different book from "The Stagsblood Prince," as it should be, and that alone is a triumph. When it comes to sequels, it is easy for authors to fall into the trap of creating the same book. They fall prey to the "if it worked once, why not twice." Don't get me wrong. Sometimes formula works; predictable storytelling has its place. It's comforting to know what to expect. But when a book is taking me on a journey with a character, through the course of the character's life, especially one as beautifully well-rounded as Tel, I want to feel like I don't know what's coming next. As stressful as that is, I want to see a character struggle and grow.
And that's what Gideon E. Wood gives us in "The Stagblood King." Tel grows. He's imperfect and achingly real and so very loveable, even though I spent a fair amount of time wanting to beat him over the head with a large stick. But isn't it always that way with the characters we love?
The writing is lyrical without being cloying, poetic without pretension, and engaging. The plot moved fast and pulled me along with it, making it nearly impossible to put down. Each character is so full of humanity. Even the detestable ones have something recognizable in them, which makes them all the more awful. And the ones I loved and fretted for are ones I won't forget.
It's powerful, fun, beautiful writing.
And the main character is unapologetically queer. Tel is a king and a father. A warrior, lover, and friend. He's a man who is capable of extreme violence and rage as well as tenderness and love. He's all of the things I love in a hero, including his brokenness and his grief. A whole person, and that is the crux of what I look for in LGBTQIA+ representation.
I want to see the resilience and humanity in queer characters. I want to watch them love and triumph, grieve and survive, sacrifice and be selfish. "The Stagsblood King" is steeped in LGTBQIA+ representation, including a tremendous nonbinary character with whom I fell in love.
It's a great book. Well worth your money and time. And I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy when it's released.
Be well, be wonderful, and above all, be you.
Anne
This book is an incredible sequel to "The Stagsblood Prince." For one, it continues the story of Tel, King of Feigh, and the challenges he faces accepting and wielding the power he bears and the choices he makes. In many ways, Tel's journey in this book is like the journey many of us take in middle-age when we need to decide whether to step into our power or shrink from ourselves in fear. The center of your life is a strange landscape to traverse and this book, with its mythos and magic, its brilliant world-building, and beautiful characters, creates a lovely stage to explore that journey.
It's a different book from "The Stagsblood Prince," as it should be, and that alone is a triumph. When it comes to sequels, it is easy for authors to fall into the trap of creating the same book. They fall prey to the "if it worked once, why not twice." Don't get me wrong. Sometimes formula works; predictable storytelling has its place. It's comforting to know what to expect. But when a book is taking me on a journey with a character, through the course of the character's life, especially one as beautifully well-rounded as Tel, I want to feel like I don't know what's coming next. As stressful as that is, I want to see a character struggle and grow.
And that's what Gideon E. Wood gives us in "The Stagblood King." Tel grows. He's imperfect and achingly real and so very loveable, even though I spent a fair amount of time wanting to beat him over the head with a large stick. But isn't it always that way with the characters we love?
The writing is lyrical without being cloying, poetic without pretension, and engaging. The plot moved fast and pulled me along with it, making it nearly impossible to put down. Each character is so full of humanity. Even the detestable ones have something recognizable in them, which makes them all the more awful. And the ones I loved and fretted for are ones I won't forget.
It's powerful, fun, beautiful writing.
And the main character is unapologetically queer. Tel is a king and a father. A warrior, lover, and friend. He's a man who is capable of extreme violence and rage as well as tenderness and love. He's all of the things I love in a hero, including his brokenness and his grief. A whole person, and that is the crux of what I look for in LGBTQIA+ representation.
I want to see the resilience and humanity in queer characters. I want to watch them love and triumph, grieve and survive, sacrifice and be selfish. "The Stagsblood King" is steeped in LGTBQIA+ representation, including a tremendous nonbinary character with whom I fell in love.
It's a great book. Well worth your money and time. And I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy when it's released.
Be well, be wonderful, and above all, be you.
Anne
December 12, 2021
I loved the first book in this series, The Stagsblood Prince, and this is a more than worthy continuation of Tel's journey, despite having a significantly different feel.
Maybe that's because of the time jump. We join this story five years after the end of the previous book, and everyone's a little older and wiser. The losses they've suffered are still real, but no longer fresh. There's a love story at the center of this novel, and it's rich and satisfying, but it's not the giddy rush of young love. The men involved are more cautious--arguably to a fault--despite their deep friendship and undeniable attraction. It's a really smart adjustment on Wood's part. King Tel spent most of the previous novel and this more circumspect approach feels like a natural progression for someone who's carrying all that weight. It certainly lets us revisit a complicated, flawed, and charismatic protagonist, while also feeling the passing seasons.
But while the story focuses on Tel and his companions and their journeys, there's also a whole lot of plot churning. With about 15% of the book to go, I had no idea how Wood was going to tie up all his loose ends, or even if he was going to. (I thought surely, with so many balls in the air, that books 2 and 3 of the series must form some grand narrative, tied together more closely than the first book.)
That was not the case. Not at all. Not only did Wood wrap the story in grand fashion--and put one of my favorite characters through the wringer, he also set things up in a way that made me really eager (even more eager, I should say) for the final installment. He didn't leave us hanging from a cliff, per se, but we do have an excellent view of the storm clouds brewing on the horizon.
Finally, I want to shout out Wood's skill with villains. There were a couple of baddies in the first book who frustrated me immensely. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but at the same time, I couldn't look away from them. There's a character like that in this novel, too. Not the primary antagonist--they have an energy all their own. But one of the mini-bosses is infuriating in a really enjoyable way.
All in all, a fantastic book.
Maybe that's because of the time jump. We join this story five years after the end of the previous book, and everyone's a little older and wiser. The losses they've suffered are still real, but no longer fresh. There's a love story at the center of this novel, and it's rich and satisfying, but it's not the giddy rush of young love. The men involved are more cautious--arguably to a fault--despite their deep friendship and undeniable attraction. It's a really smart adjustment on Wood's part. King Tel spent most of the previous novel and this more circumspect approach feels like a natural progression for someone who's carrying all that weight. It certainly lets us revisit a complicated, flawed, and charismatic protagonist, while also feeling the passing seasons.
But while the story focuses on Tel and his companions and their journeys, there's also a whole lot of plot churning. With about 15% of the book to go, I had no idea how Wood was going to tie up all his loose ends, or even if he was going to. (I thought surely, with so many balls in the air, that books 2 and 3 of the series must form some grand narrative, tied together more closely than the first book.)
That was not the case. Not at all. Not only did Wood wrap the story in grand fashion--and put one of my favorite characters through the wringer, he also set things up in a way that made me really eager (even more eager, I should say) for the final installment. He didn't leave us hanging from a cliff, per se, but we do have an excellent view of the storm clouds brewing on the horizon.
Finally, I want to shout out Wood's skill with villains. There were a couple of baddies in the first book who frustrated me immensely. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but at the same time, I couldn't look away from them. There's a character like that in this novel, too. Not the primary antagonist--they have an energy all their own. But one of the mini-bosses is infuriating in a really enjoyable way.
All in all, a fantastic book.
October 5, 2021
Book hangover! I adored Tel in TSP, but after reading TSK, I have even more empathy, appreciation, and gratitude for his character. Overcoming so much in TSP, he's gotten stronger, smarter, and bolder. He's also more swoon-worthy and soft around the edges.
Mr. Wood has taken the reader on a phenomenal journey, this time with more twists and turns than imagined, right up to the very end. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put this book down. I cannot wait to read what Tel has in store next!
Mr. Wood has taken the reader on a phenomenal journey, this time with more twists and turns than imagined, right up to the very end. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put this book down. I cannot wait to read what Tel has in store next!
February 27, 2022
Slow to start
I am abandoning this book and series after only finishing 29% of book 2. It has been less than a year since I read the first book and I was on page 3 of this book before I was able to remember who the characters were and why they were important. Then a few pages later I began to remember the political situation of the story and world. I put the book down and felt no desire to 'know what happens next'. Maybe if I would push through it might get better but I will not waste my time now.
I am abandoning this book and series after only finishing 29% of book 2. It has been less than a year since I read the first book and I was on page 3 of this book before I was able to remember who the characters were and why they were important. Then a few pages later I began to remember the political situation of the story and world. I put the book down and felt no desire to 'know what happens next'. Maybe if I would push through it might get better but I will not waste my time now.
Read
April 11, 2022Shouldn't have waited so long
Preordered the book as soon as I'd finished the first but didn't start it until last week. That was a mistake! This one didn't make me cry
Like the first, but it was just as good, possibly better. Can't wait for the next one!
Preordered the book as soon as I'd finished the first but didn't start it until last week. That was a mistake! This one didn't make me cry
Like the first, but it was just as good, possibly better. Can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews