What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bane Sword Saga #1
The Blood of Outcasts
What if spilling your own blood was the only way to save yourself?
Masako escapes the Lord Council with only her life intact, her clan shattered and master dead in wake of disaster she wrought. It is her cursed blood that cries out, and a godsborne that answers.
By the power in her blood, and a promise made with it, she’s given a second chance. With it, she must unite the outer clans, move past old rivalries and worse, or face annihilation at the hands of a foreign sect of sorcerers, the Taosii Soshists, and their silent invasion.
Only, Masako was executed, she’s meant to be dead. Demonic rumours and a destructive past sow doubt in her campaign before it is begun.
‘Ghost of Tsushima meets Kill Bill in this gorgeous tale of bloody revenge’ – Gourav Mohanty, author of Sons of Darkness
'...cool weapons, samurai fights, monsters, and a little bit of magic' – FanfiAddict
‘A gritty enough story that keeps you on the edge of your seat ... reads like an epic anime fantasy’ – Tellest
Masako escapes the Lord Council with only her life intact, her clan shattered and master dead in wake of disaster she wrought. It is her cursed blood that cries out, and a godsborne that answers.
By the power in her blood, and a promise made with it, she’s given a second chance. With it, she must unite the outer clans, move past old rivalries and worse, or face annihilation at the hands of a foreign sect of sorcerers, the Taosii Soshists, and their silent invasion.
Only, Masako was executed, she’s meant to be dead. Demonic rumours and a destructive past sow doubt in her campaign before it is begun.
‘Ghost of Tsushima meets Kill Bill in this gorgeous tale of bloody revenge’ – Gourav Mohanty, author of Sons of Darkness
'...cool weapons, samurai fights, monsters, and a little bit of magic' – FanfiAddict
‘A gritty enough story that keeps you on the edge of your seat ... reads like an epic anime fantasy’ – Tellest
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2022
10 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Smith
4 books27 followersI’ve been writing for as long I can remember, drawing first and adding stories to them, building worlds and places for my characters to belong in, but that wasn’t enough. As an avid SFF reader, that consumes way more books than I have shelf space for, I thought it was time I turn my hand to being a novelist.
I wrote my first novel a few years ago, which has yet to see the light of day (nor ever will), and found that writing is in my blood, my passion, so I’ve stuck to it. Ever since I’ve been tinkering away with short stories and a few novels that I’m proud of, I've got a few trunked, and one seeking an agent, but I'm very proud of The Blood of Outcasts, it's my love letter to Rurouni Kenshin, the comics I read, and everything SFF.
I’m an English Linguistics and Language graduate working in journal publishing, and this would be my debut; I also review SFF novels for FanFiAddict and my short fiction has appeared in ‘Pride: The Worst Sin of All’ (Black Hare Press, 2020). I've also had work narrated live on air at Pop-up Submissions. Last but not least, I'm soon to be married and am co-owner of a crazy (go figure) spaniel.
I wrote my first novel a few years ago, which has yet to see the light of day (nor ever will), and found that writing is in my blood, my passion, so I’ve stuck to it. Ever since I’ve been tinkering away with short stories and a few novels that I’m proud of, I've got a few trunked, and one seeking an agent, but I'm very proud of The Blood of Outcasts, it's my love letter to Rurouni Kenshin, the comics I read, and everything SFF.
I’m an English Linguistics and Language graduate working in journal publishing, and this would be my debut; I also review SFF novels for FanFiAddict and my short fiction has appeared in ‘Pride: The Worst Sin of All’ (Black Hare Press, 2020). I've also had work narrated live on air at Pop-up Submissions. Last but not least, I'm soon to be married and am co-owner of a crazy (go figure) spaniel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 7, 2023
My complete review of The Blood of Outcasts is published at Grimdark Magazine.
The Blood of Outcasts is the feudal Japanese-inspired grimdark fantasy from D.A. Smith, the first entry in his Bane Sword Saga.
The protagonist of The Blood of Outcasts, Dattori Masako, is grimdark to the core. Although presumed dead by execution, a blood curse has brought her back to wreak vengeance on behalf of her slaughtered clan.
The premise for The Blood of Outcasts evokes a cross between two of my favorite grimdark novels: Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. Like Prince of Thorns, The Blood of Outcasts is told from the point of view of a brutal, take-no-prisoners narrator who is hellbent on revenge. As in The Sword of Kaigen, the fantasy world directly adopts many aspects of Japanese culture.
Notwithstanding the occasional flashback chapter, The Blood of Outcasts is told in the first-person present tense, giving the story a sense of urgency. The flashbacks switch to past tense, except for the final flashback chapter which, confusingly, is written in the present tense.
As in Prince of Thorns, D.A. Smith’s writing incorporates heavy use of short sentences. This may be off-putting for some readers, but I think it is an effective way to convey Masako’s harried mental state, especially during the numerous fight scenes. In this way, D.A. Smith provides one of the most authentic point-of-view experiences that I have read in fantasy.
The combat scenes in The Blood of Outcasts are exceptionally well written, making the reader feel like they are immersed in the middle of the action. The influence of manga is apparent throughout these action scenes. D.A. Smith even describes The Blood of Outcasts as his love letter to the manga series Rurouni Kenshin.
The Blood of Outcasts largely succeeds as a character study of the monomaniacal Masako, who is relentless in her pursuit of revenge as she seeks to restore honor to her clan. But the novel also suffers from Masako’s tunnel vision, which restricts our ability to get to know other characters and to learn about broader aspects of the world.
A major part of what makes Prince of Thorns work is that Jorg’s brutality is balanced by his wickedly dark sense of humor. In contrast, Masako is dead serious throughout The Blood of Outcasts which, as a result, suffers from a sameness of tone that grows a bit tiresome over the novel’s nearly 500 pages.
Overall, D.A. Smith has created a compelling grimdark heroine with Masako, but I was left hungry to learn more about the world outside of her point of view. Still, fans of Japanese-inspired fantasy may find much to enjoy in The Blood of Outcasts.
The Blood of Outcasts is the feudal Japanese-inspired grimdark fantasy from D.A. Smith, the first entry in his Bane Sword Saga.
The protagonist of The Blood of Outcasts, Dattori Masako, is grimdark to the core. Although presumed dead by execution, a blood curse has brought her back to wreak vengeance on behalf of her slaughtered clan.
The premise for The Blood of Outcasts evokes a cross between two of my favorite grimdark novels: Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. Like Prince of Thorns, The Blood of Outcasts is told from the point of view of a brutal, take-no-prisoners narrator who is hellbent on revenge. As in The Sword of Kaigen, the fantasy world directly adopts many aspects of Japanese culture.
Notwithstanding the occasional flashback chapter, The Blood of Outcasts is told in the first-person present tense, giving the story a sense of urgency. The flashbacks switch to past tense, except for the final flashback chapter which, confusingly, is written in the present tense.
As in Prince of Thorns, D.A. Smith’s writing incorporates heavy use of short sentences. This may be off-putting for some readers, but I think it is an effective way to convey Masako’s harried mental state, especially during the numerous fight scenes. In this way, D.A. Smith provides one of the most authentic point-of-view experiences that I have read in fantasy.
The combat scenes in The Blood of Outcasts are exceptionally well written, making the reader feel like they are immersed in the middle of the action. The influence of manga is apparent throughout these action scenes. D.A. Smith even describes The Blood of Outcasts as his love letter to the manga series Rurouni Kenshin.
The Blood of Outcasts largely succeeds as a character study of the monomaniacal Masako, who is relentless in her pursuit of revenge as she seeks to restore honor to her clan. But the novel also suffers from Masako’s tunnel vision, which restricts our ability to get to know other characters and to learn about broader aspects of the world.
A major part of what makes Prince of Thorns work is that Jorg’s brutality is balanced by his wickedly dark sense of humor. In contrast, Masako is dead serious throughout The Blood of Outcasts which, as a result, suffers from a sameness of tone that grows a bit tiresome over the novel’s nearly 500 pages.
Overall, D.A. Smith has created a compelling grimdark heroine with Masako, but I was left hungry to learn more about the world outside of her point of view. Still, fans of Japanese-inspired fantasy may find much to enjoy in The Blood of Outcasts.
August 16, 2022
* I reviewed this title for SPFBO8, you can find my full video review here: https://youtu.be/zDl_h4ubtQ8 *
The Blood of Outcasts is a tale of bloody revenge set in a feudal-Japan inspired world. We have battling clans fuelled on generations of distrust, and one woman trying to bring them together in her quest for vengeance.
This story is told through Masako’s eyes in a first person, present tense narrative, which allows us to learn her thoughts and feelings in the moment. Her clan has been destroyed and her master killed, and she herself has been apparently executed. Rather than dying though, Masako is kept alive by a blood curse and a promise to destroy the Lord Council.
As can often be the case with a first-person narrative, I found there was a bit of an imbalance in the depth of the characters, as naturally we learn so much about Misako, but don’t get into the heads of any other characters. This means that the majority of the characters we meet aren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked them to be.
In terms of Masako, we don’t see too much depth beyond the rage and the pride that drive her forward in this tale. We do see a little bit of history though, with flashbacks detailing the inciting incident of the story, and the moments leading up to it.
In terms of the world, we get quite an interesting one here. Those familiar with Japanese culture will recognise the feel of the world and the terminology used throughout the book. For those less well-versed, like me, there was nothing that left me scratching my head and trying to piece together what it meant, so overall I think it’s quite an accessible bit of worldbuilding.
We see some magic and mystery with oni, sora dragons, Meaters and the blood magic that Masako wields. The Meaters are interesting and the whole concept is one with plenty of potential, although I don’t think it was explored in enough detail for me, possibly because we’re seeing them through Masako’s eyes and she abhors them.
The blood magic, again is quite an interesting take, although I still don’t really know the limits of the magic or the full consequences, let alone the how and the why of it. The immediate consequences though, of how it effects Masako, do give us some of the more intense moments in the book however.
Overall, I like the general concept that we get here. The main character had both highs and lows but was at least a narrator that I could follow, and the world was quite well visualised and has potential as the series progresses.
The main thing that I didn’t get on with though, and that really impacted my overall enjoyment of the book, was the writing itself. I just didn’t gel with the overall style. I found that too many times I was coming across little two- or three-word sentences that just didn’t work for me and made for a very jumpy reading experience.
With the pacing I felt that at times we would barrel from one thing to the next without any proper build-up, and that includes within dialog, where intensity would often seem to change without adequate provocation.
So as a whole, The Blood of Outcasts had some hits and some misses for me, but the misses definitely had a bigger impact on my overall perception of the book. I can be quite picky when the writing isn’t working for me, and fixate on things that might not bother other readers, so if you like Japanese-inspired tales with rōnin and katanas slashing through the pages, definitely consider giving this one a go.
The Blood of Outcasts is a tale of bloody revenge set in a feudal-Japan inspired world. We have battling clans fuelled on generations of distrust, and one woman trying to bring them together in her quest for vengeance.
This story is told through Masako’s eyes in a first person, present tense narrative, which allows us to learn her thoughts and feelings in the moment. Her clan has been destroyed and her master killed, and she herself has been apparently executed. Rather than dying though, Masako is kept alive by a blood curse and a promise to destroy the Lord Council.
As can often be the case with a first-person narrative, I found there was a bit of an imbalance in the depth of the characters, as naturally we learn so much about Misako, but don’t get into the heads of any other characters. This means that the majority of the characters we meet aren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked them to be.
In terms of Masako, we don’t see too much depth beyond the rage and the pride that drive her forward in this tale. We do see a little bit of history though, with flashbacks detailing the inciting incident of the story, and the moments leading up to it.
In terms of the world, we get quite an interesting one here. Those familiar with Japanese culture will recognise the feel of the world and the terminology used throughout the book. For those less well-versed, like me, there was nothing that left me scratching my head and trying to piece together what it meant, so overall I think it’s quite an accessible bit of worldbuilding.
We see some magic and mystery with oni, sora dragons, Meaters and the blood magic that Masako wields. The Meaters are interesting and the whole concept is one with plenty of potential, although I don’t think it was explored in enough detail for me, possibly because we’re seeing them through Masako’s eyes and she abhors them.
The blood magic, again is quite an interesting take, although I still don’t really know the limits of the magic or the full consequences, let alone the how and the why of it. The immediate consequences though, of how it effects Masako, do give us some of the more intense moments in the book however.
Overall, I like the general concept that we get here. The main character had both highs and lows but was at least a narrator that I could follow, and the world was quite well visualised and has potential as the series progresses.
The main thing that I didn’t get on with though, and that really impacted my overall enjoyment of the book, was the writing itself. I just didn’t gel with the overall style. I found that too many times I was coming across little two- or three-word sentences that just didn’t work for me and made for a very jumpy reading experience.
With the pacing I felt that at times we would barrel from one thing to the next without any proper build-up, and that includes within dialog, where intensity would often seem to change without adequate provocation.
So as a whole, The Blood of Outcasts had some hits and some misses for me, but the misses definitely had a bigger impact on my overall perception of the book. I can be quite picky when the writing isn’t working for me, and fixate on things that might not bother other readers, so if you like Japanese-inspired tales with rōnin and katanas slashing through the pages, definitely consider giving this one a go.
December 29, 2022
3.5/5 Stars Rounded to 4 Stars
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Blood of Outcasts is book one in the Bane Sword Saga and a self-published Japanese inspired fantasy. A bloody start to the series and a new author to watch!
Story Overview:
Masako escapes death and is hell bent on revenge against the Lord Council who killed her master and left her clan in pieces. A curse in her blood cries out and a godsborne answers.
Given a second chance Masako must unite the outer clans, move past old rivalries and worse, face annihilation at the hands of a foreign sect of sorcerers and their silent invasion.
Only Masako is meant to be dead.
Review:
If you’re looking for a bloody story filled with great fight scenes, grimdark elements, political scheming, and an unlikable character, all set in a Japanese inspired world, you’ve come to the right place.
The Blood of Outcasts is told in first person, present tense narrative, through the perspective of an unlikable character, Masako. As a result, it was a bit tricky for me to settle into at first. It took me about 40% before I finally felt comfortable with the writing style and storytelling method used by the author.
Eventually, I ended up associating the writing style with Masako’s personality. She’s a hot-tempered warrior of few words, who would rather rely on her sword to do the talking. Valuing honour, loyalty, and justice above all else, she strives for revenge and restoring her clan. As a single minded, angry character, I found Masako to be a refreshing protagonist.
I also appreciated that despite Masako being an unlikable character, she does get some development throughout the book. As unlikeable characters can be tricky for readers, this may not be for everyone. However, I do see promise with Masako’s character and the authors writing.
With a wide side cast, there are many characters, and clans to keep track of. Personally, I used the glossary at the beginning of the book to help with this. I also enjoyed the variety of characters we see and the roles they each played.
Since this is told in Masako’s POV, it was harder to anticipate what would happen with the plot and I loved the mystery that this added to the story.
While the worldbuilding felt familiar to other anime or manga series, I did have trouble keeping up with the magic. I would have liked more exploration of the magic and Meaters as they do play a significant role in the story, and I often found myself struggling to understand how it all worked. That being said, this is something that may come in book 2.
A great tale of revenge with demons, political scheming, a caste system, Samurai, and a bit of magic to top it off.
While this did take me longer to get into, I ended up enjoying the story, action and Masako’s character. As a result, I’m eager to start book 2, Wrath from the Mountains.
Ultimately, this is one of those books that may not be for everyone, but I do think it’s worth picking up and trying for yourself.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Blood of Outcasts is book one in the Bane Sword Saga and a self-published Japanese inspired fantasy. A bloody start to the series and a new author to watch!
Story Overview:
Masako escapes death and is hell bent on revenge against the Lord Council who killed her master and left her clan in pieces. A curse in her blood cries out and a godsborne answers.
Given a second chance Masako must unite the outer clans, move past old rivalries and worse, face annihilation at the hands of a foreign sect of sorcerers and their silent invasion.
Only Masako is meant to be dead.
Review:
If you’re looking for a bloody story filled with great fight scenes, grimdark elements, political scheming, and an unlikable character, all set in a Japanese inspired world, you’ve come to the right place.
The Blood of Outcasts is told in first person, present tense narrative, through the perspective of an unlikable character, Masako. As a result, it was a bit tricky for me to settle into at first. It took me about 40% before I finally felt comfortable with the writing style and storytelling method used by the author.
Eventually, I ended up associating the writing style with Masako’s personality. She’s a hot-tempered warrior of few words, who would rather rely on her sword to do the talking. Valuing honour, loyalty, and justice above all else, she strives for revenge and restoring her clan. As a single minded, angry character, I found Masako to be a refreshing protagonist.
I also appreciated that despite Masako being an unlikable character, she does get some development throughout the book. As unlikeable characters can be tricky for readers, this may not be for everyone. However, I do see promise with Masako’s character and the authors writing.
With a wide side cast, there are many characters, and clans to keep track of. Personally, I used the glossary at the beginning of the book to help with this. I also enjoyed the variety of characters we see and the roles they each played.
Since this is told in Masako’s POV, it was harder to anticipate what would happen with the plot and I loved the mystery that this added to the story.
While the worldbuilding felt familiar to other anime or manga series, I did have trouble keeping up with the magic. I would have liked more exploration of the magic and Meaters as they do play a significant role in the story, and I often found myself struggling to understand how it all worked. That being said, this is something that may come in book 2.
A great tale of revenge with demons, political scheming, a caste system, Samurai, and a bit of magic to top it off.
While this did take me longer to get into, I ended up enjoying the story, action and Masako’s character. As a result, I’m eager to start book 2, Wrath from the Mountains.
Ultimately, this is one of those books that may not be for everyone, but I do think it’s worth picking up and trying for yourself.
May 16, 2022
I’ve known Dan was writing for a while now, watching his updates on Twitter as he posted about meeting various writing milestones and such. It came as a complete surprise, however, when he dropped an entire novel out of nowhere at the beginning of the year! What made it even greater was the premise, a Japanese-inspired tale of revenge and his personal love letter to Rurouni Kenshin! Sold! Though I am lucky to call Dan a friend, the following review is not influenced by that and are my personal thoughts about the book. Spoiler warning, it’s great!
Emerging from the waters, the droplets drip off me and so does the pity, the sadness I feel for myself, because now it is only anger. A wildness that won’t give way until they are all gone.
Masako’s story is on the surface one of vengeance—of righting a wrong committed against herself and her family. And, it is that in spades, but it’s also so much more. I really enjoyed the layers of emotion that was explored throughout the novel. Masako is, ultimately, a good person on a righteous quest. Her entire clan was destroyed and she was left for dead because of the greed of the ruling clan, so most would agree that that is plenty of justification for her to get revenge. The problem is that after Masako was brought low by the Lord Council, she never rose out of the mud. Instead, in her quest for justice she inevitably becomes the very thing she’s out to destroy.
Smith openly states that The Blood of Outcasts is his love letter to the anime Rurouni Kenshin and I can see that this story really wears that on its sleeve. What I found surprising after reading this though, was that he turned the story of Rurouni Kenshin, the wandering samurai forever trying to atone for the mistakes of his past, on its head. Masako is far from Kenshin, further than I am from Japan itself. She’s the antithesis of Kenshin. They each devote the “second” lives they’ve been given to justice, but they differ greatly on how they go about achieving it. Kenshin strives for atonement through peace and Masako through a blood-drenched trail of broken bodies. Masako is often a character that I found difficult to like because of this, but unlikeable doesn’t always mean uninteresting and Masako was everything but! In many ways I would liken her more to Samurai Champloo’s Mugen than Kenshin.
“Have you ever wondered why the gods are gone, but the demons remain?”
I think also it’s important to mention just how refreshing it is to read a character like Masako. Though she is at times a rage monster, she also has moments of extreme vulnerability and doubt. It’s these moments where I really grew to appreciate Masako as a protagonist. Through flashbacks, we see who she was before what lead her to the events of the beginning of the book and it’s hard to say that I wouldn’t make the same choices. She is brash and cocky to a fault, which is then only amplified with the loss of her clan and everyone she loves. She’s broken and she knows it. She’s also older and because of the wounds sustained when she was left for dead, she is no longer as proficient with her katana. Literally everything, her skill with the katana, her Master and only family she had ever known, is stripped from her and she must claw her way toward avenging the dishonor against her clan. Even if I can’t agree with her methods and certainly wish she made better decisions, the fact is that Masako is written as entirely too human, with messy emotions and deep-seated anger and pain. And, I really appreciated seeing a female character given such humanizing character traits because they’re too often shallow, misogynist cardboard cutouts put in place to support male characters. Not so, here. Masako demands attention and I couldn’t have said no if I wanted.
I would, of course, be remiss for not mentioning the worldbuilding in The Blood of Outcasts. Smith has developed a cool, Japanese-inspired world that feels authentic to the kind of world you’d find in Japanese myth and folklore. Basho is feudal land ruled by the Lord Council, with all the wealth controlled by the northern clans. Wealth which, of course, comes from the resource production of the southern clans. It’s an interesting dynamic and I really enjoyed the brief exploration of politics amongst the clans. Magic is present, if not a main focus of the story, and every glimpse into it shows how deeply Smith pulled from Japanese folklore and speaks to his appreciation of it. On that note, I want to take a second to really drive home just how Japanese feeling this world is. With the inclusion of Oni, dragons, and other creatures from Japanese mythology, as well as direct inspiration from history with a world that feels like it could fit in the Edo/Meiji era of Japan, it’s clear that Smith has a deep respect for the culture and history of Japan. All this is to say that it’s not a shallow portrayal of the culture, but neither is this historical fiction, and I think Smith treads the line beautifully and the worldbuilding glows because of it.
I provoke the boil and bubble within my blood. Listen to its coarse words, its hunger. Adding wood to the fire, I try to stoke the flame. To remember the anger.
Masako is a flawed, angry, and desperate person in a dogged pursuit of redemption for her fallen clan. The depths to which she’ll sink to achieve her goal and the questionable methods she uses to get there ultimately make her a compelling, if unlikable character. With twists and turns as sharp as Masako’s katana and a blistering pace that will leave you breathless, The Blood of Outcasts is a must-read for fans of Japanese-inspired fantasy. The tale of the Dattori Clans’ downfall and Masako’s rage-filled quest to restore her Master’s honor will leave its mark on your soul, as it has mine.
Emerging from the waters, the droplets drip off me and so does the pity, the sadness I feel for myself, because now it is only anger. A wildness that won’t give way until they are all gone.
Masako’s story is on the surface one of vengeance—of righting a wrong committed against herself and her family. And, it is that in spades, but it’s also so much more. I really enjoyed the layers of emotion that was explored throughout the novel. Masako is, ultimately, a good person on a righteous quest. Her entire clan was destroyed and she was left for dead because of the greed of the ruling clan, so most would agree that that is plenty of justification for her to get revenge. The problem is that after Masako was brought low by the Lord Council, she never rose out of the mud. Instead, in her quest for justice she inevitably becomes the very thing she’s out to destroy.
Smith openly states that The Blood of Outcasts is his love letter to the anime Rurouni Kenshin and I can see that this story really wears that on its sleeve. What I found surprising after reading this though, was that he turned the story of Rurouni Kenshin, the wandering samurai forever trying to atone for the mistakes of his past, on its head. Masako is far from Kenshin, further than I am from Japan itself. She’s the antithesis of Kenshin. They each devote the “second” lives they’ve been given to justice, but they differ greatly on how they go about achieving it. Kenshin strives for atonement through peace and Masako through a blood-drenched trail of broken bodies. Masako is often a character that I found difficult to like because of this, but unlikeable doesn’t always mean uninteresting and Masako was everything but! In many ways I would liken her more to Samurai Champloo’s Mugen than Kenshin.
“Have you ever wondered why the gods are gone, but the demons remain?”
I think also it’s important to mention just how refreshing it is to read a character like Masako. Though she is at times a rage monster, she also has moments of extreme vulnerability and doubt. It’s these moments where I really grew to appreciate Masako as a protagonist. Through flashbacks, we see who she was before what lead her to the events of the beginning of the book and it’s hard to say that I wouldn’t make the same choices. She is brash and cocky to a fault, which is then only amplified with the loss of her clan and everyone she loves. She’s broken and she knows it. She’s also older and because of the wounds sustained when she was left for dead, she is no longer as proficient with her katana. Literally everything, her skill with the katana, her Master and only family she had ever known, is stripped from her and she must claw her way toward avenging the dishonor against her clan. Even if I can’t agree with her methods and certainly wish she made better decisions, the fact is that Masako is written as entirely too human, with messy emotions and deep-seated anger and pain. And, I really appreciated seeing a female character given such humanizing character traits because they’re too often shallow, misogynist cardboard cutouts put in place to support male characters. Not so, here. Masako demands attention and I couldn’t have said no if I wanted.
I would, of course, be remiss for not mentioning the worldbuilding in The Blood of Outcasts. Smith has developed a cool, Japanese-inspired world that feels authentic to the kind of world you’d find in Japanese myth and folklore. Basho is feudal land ruled by the Lord Council, with all the wealth controlled by the northern clans. Wealth which, of course, comes from the resource production of the southern clans. It’s an interesting dynamic and I really enjoyed the brief exploration of politics amongst the clans. Magic is present, if not a main focus of the story, and every glimpse into it shows how deeply Smith pulled from Japanese folklore and speaks to his appreciation of it. On that note, I want to take a second to really drive home just how Japanese feeling this world is. With the inclusion of Oni, dragons, and other creatures from Japanese mythology, as well as direct inspiration from history with a world that feels like it could fit in the Edo/Meiji era of Japan, it’s clear that Smith has a deep respect for the culture and history of Japan. All this is to say that it’s not a shallow portrayal of the culture, but neither is this historical fiction, and I think Smith treads the line beautifully and the worldbuilding glows because of it.
I provoke the boil and bubble within my blood. Listen to its coarse words, its hunger. Adding wood to the fire, I try to stoke the flame. To remember the anger.
Masako is a flawed, angry, and desperate person in a dogged pursuit of redemption for her fallen clan. The depths to which she’ll sink to achieve her goal and the questionable methods she uses to get there ultimately make her a compelling, if unlikable character. With twists and turns as sharp as Masako’s katana and a blistering pace that will leave you breathless, The Blood of Outcasts is a must-read for fans of Japanese-inspired fantasy. The tale of the Dattori Clans’ downfall and Masako’s rage-filled quest to restore her Master’s honor will leave its mark on your soul, as it has mine.
June 7, 2022
Her clan decimated and she herself left for dead. That is not the end of her story. Her enemies however will soon find it may be the end of theirs. For vengeance is coming. Fantastic samurai inspired fantasy! Lots of brutal action in this one! Great stuff!
March 2, 2022
The Blood of Outcasts is author D.A. Smith’s first published full-length novel and the premier book in The Bane Sword Trilogy. It is a dark and gritty story about the price paid for loyalty and honor – plus there are cool weapons, samurai fights, monsters, and a little bit of magic.
I enjoyed letting the shadows of this book envelope me and drag me into the darkest corners of the world Smith has created. Masako’s journey is extremely emotional and intense, and I like the fact that she is extremely flawed. I disagreed with many of her decisions, but I think that is the entire point of a character like this: when her back is against the wall Masako will do anything to keep her quest moving forward, no matter how brutal. And, brutal it is at times, but I say that in a good way. The battle scenes were interesting, individual fights were fascinating. I like the different weapons and uses for them, plus the occasional appearance of magic and a few monster-type beings.
I can always tell when an author has developed a world really well in their mind. There are little tells, things here and that are almost like inside jokes. Peculiarities of language, quirks of culture, and the smallest details that are not fully fleshed out to the reader. It is easy to see when reading this book that Smith has cultivated every angle to its fullest, and I think there are positive and negative aspects of that. Knowing your world so well contributes favorable to the overall story, giving it a more authentic feel. It can also sometimes make the reader feel left out at certain times when it feels like more explanation is necessary. In my opinion this book would have benefited from more explanation at times without hurting the pacing or optimal length.
Speaking of pacing, I thought it was really on point. The narrative ebbed and flowed well, there mini conflicts that kept my interest while advancing on the main plot. Smith nailed this aspect of the book.
In regards to conflict, one other area of improvement to me is that I think the reader can use more reminders of what the end game of the story is. As a reader, I get deep in when I am reading – I am talking block out the world status. I really look forward to that, especially when the writing is good (which is the case here), and I sometimes need a reiteration of the main conflict and goal of the narrative to keep it fresh in my mind. I found myself having to flip back to previous chapters to remind myself at times, and that tells me that it was talked about often enough.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Blood of Outcasts. There are many good aspects of the book that it is so easy to get lost in, and I think fans of samurai-type stories will appreciate it. Just make sure not to cross Masako so you come out whole on the other side.
I enjoyed letting the shadows of this book envelope me and drag me into the darkest corners of the world Smith has created. Masako’s journey is extremely emotional and intense, and I like the fact that she is extremely flawed. I disagreed with many of her decisions, but I think that is the entire point of a character like this: when her back is against the wall Masako will do anything to keep her quest moving forward, no matter how brutal. And, brutal it is at times, but I say that in a good way. The battle scenes were interesting, individual fights were fascinating. I like the different weapons and uses for them, plus the occasional appearance of magic and a few monster-type beings.
I can always tell when an author has developed a world really well in their mind. There are little tells, things here and that are almost like inside jokes. Peculiarities of language, quirks of culture, and the smallest details that are not fully fleshed out to the reader. It is easy to see when reading this book that Smith has cultivated every angle to its fullest, and I think there are positive and negative aspects of that. Knowing your world so well contributes favorable to the overall story, giving it a more authentic feel. It can also sometimes make the reader feel left out at certain times when it feels like more explanation is necessary. In my opinion this book would have benefited from more explanation at times without hurting the pacing or optimal length.
Speaking of pacing, I thought it was really on point. The narrative ebbed and flowed well, there mini conflicts that kept my interest while advancing on the main plot. Smith nailed this aspect of the book.
In regards to conflict, one other area of improvement to me is that I think the reader can use more reminders of what the end game of the story is. As a reader, I get deep in when I am reading – I am talking block out the world status. I really look forward to that, especially when the writing is good (which is the case here), and I sometimes need a reiteration of the main conflict and goal of the narrative to keep it fresh in my mind. I found myself having to flip back to previous chapters to remind myself at times, and that tells me that it was talked about often enough.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Blood of Outcasts. There are many good aspects of the book that it is so easy to get lost in, and I think fans of samurai-type stories will appreciate it. Just make sure not to cross Masako so you come out whole on the other side.
March 16, 2022
D.A. Smith’s debut novel, The Blood of Outcasts is a bloody, gritty tale of revenge and a cautionary tale of it’s consequences. A little out of my wheelhouse, my experience with samurai stories is limited to Kill Bill and Wu-Tang Clan. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Smith has crafted a world with rich history and vibrant cultures. Throughout the narrative we travel all over the map, meeting different clans and learning their history and customs. One of my favorite things in fantasy is when two opposing ideologies clash and characters are forced to re-examine their core beliefs. That is a major theme in The Blood of Outcasts, and was one of my favorite aspects.
The story is told in first person, from the perspective of Masako, a disgraced warrior determined to redeem her name and clan, as well as avenge her Master’s death. But she also has a secret hidden in her blood that could destroy her completely if it got out. Her drive and attitude often lead to conflict and Masako has a habit of getting in her own way, which can be frustrating but ultimately makes her more real.
The pacing is perfect, flowing from action to drama and back again seamlessly. Every scene felt necessary and gripping, propelling the story forward. The twists keeps you guessing with every betrayal and revelation.
Although heavily inspired by samurai history, you do not need to know about it to enjoy the story. A fast paced, and gripping tale of revenge, The Blood of Outcasts is sure to pull you into bloody grasp and not let go until the final page.
Smith has crafted a world with rich history and vibrant cultures. Throughout the narrative we travel all over the map, meeting different clans and learning their history and customs. One of my favorite things in fantasy is when two opposing ideologies clash and characters are forced to re-examine their core beliefs. That is a major theme in The Blood of Outcasts, and was one of my favorite aspects.
The story is told in first person, from the perspective of Masako, a disgraced warrior determined to redeem her name and clan, as well as avenge her Master’s death. But she also has a secret hidden in her blood that could destroy her completely if it got out. Her drive and attitude often lead to conflict and Masako has a habit of getting in her own way, which can be frustrating but ultimately makes her more real.
The pacing is perfect, flowing from action to drama and back again seamlessly. Every scene felt necessary and gripping, propelling the story forward. The twists keeps you guessing with every betrayal and revelation.
Although heavily inspired by samurai history, you do not need to know about it to enjoy the story. A fast paced, and gripping tale of revenge, The Blood of Outcasts is sure to pull you into bloody grasp and not let go until the final page.
March 20, 2022
I was provided a copy of Blood of the outcasts in exchange for an honest review!
I will start by saying that if you love Ronin, female protag, and revenge stories then this is o e to check out. Madani is an absolute RAGE monster hell bent on revenge for the slight to her house and the killing of her master.
The book has some fantastic references to Japanese lore and great brutal fight scenes.
I think the book shines best when Masako is about to kick in someone’s teeth or when she is fighting with her blood curse.
The Mai. draw back for me is the first person POV narrative. It just didn’t work for me. It’s a style of story telling that doesn’t always land for me as a reader. Also, Masako doesn’t really have any redeeming qualities and is very unlikable. She is more likely to murder a character for nothing than deal with her own failings.
Additional issues I had was the pacing. We go from conversation to screaming and fighting with no real transition period. It lead to the political discussions between the lords having a 0 to 100 mph feel that I don’t think really fit in for the political sections of the book.
Overall I think this book is worth a read for lovers of hot headed protagonist who are out for revenge!
I will start by saying that if you love Ronin, female protag, and revenge stories then this is o e to check out. Madani is an absolute RAGE monster hell bent on revenge for the slight to her house and the killing of her master.
The book has some fantastic references to Japanese lore and great brutal fight scenes.
I think the book shines best when Masako is about to kick in someone’s teeth or when she is fighting with her blood curse.
The Mai. draw back for me is the first person POV narrative. It just didn’t work for me. It’s a style of story telling that doesn’t always land for me as a reader. Also, Masako doesn’t really have any redeeming qualities and is very unlikable. She is more likely to murder a character for nothing than deal with her own failings.
Additional issues I had was the pacing. We go from conversation to screaming and fighting with no real transition period. It lead to the political discussions between the lords having a 0 to 100 mph feel that I don’t think really fit in for the political sections of the book.
Overall I think this book is worth a read for lovers of hot headed protagonist who are out for revenge!
March 16, 2023
CONVINCING YOU TO READ THIS IN 6 WORDS: Asian inspired, Adventure, Fast-paced, Unique Magic system, Flawed & Mysterious characters and complex
The Blood of Outcasts by D.A.Smith is the first book in The Bane Sword Trilogy. (What I am so excited about was if you follow the author on his Twitter, a couple of days ago he said that the series looks into being longer than what he expected. And while it is called a trilogy, I really hope that this turns out to be a bigger series. Now, let's dive into The Blood of Outcasts, shall we?
I won't lie by telling you this is a simple read. Nope. But, I will definitely tell you that this is a complex book. It is complex because despite being the first book, it was fast-paced. And it was a game-changer for me. Almost all the books that I read, tend to have a slow start and so I was not expecting to be sucked into the wilderness right away. But I did. AND I AM SO HYPED.
I said it before it was a complex book and what I really loved is that there is no one reason why it is complex, there are a series of reasons and the whole package makes it a complex deal. Let's start with the World-Building and Magic. I am combining the two of them. Every world, especially in the Fantasy setting have their own specialities. Something unique. What I loved in The Blood of Outcasts is that what I read was something different. I was confused for a long time. I'll admit that. There were scenes after scenes where things kept on happening and I was like But why. But then you slowly start to understand the dynamics. You understand the magic system and it helps you find the answers. What I admire is how much effort has been put into world-building. There are things that you pick up slowly, intrinsic detail that you realise after a while. There is one scene...it's totally without any context. Well, not exactly a scene but the words made me stop. It happened a lot but...
"You hear it don't you? The night's usual chatter is dead. What happens next?"
( A little more on the World-building aspect. It is Asian inspired story. Now, generally while reading Fantasy, these things don't matter to me as such. But the reason I am mentioning this is. Despite, being Asian the names were different for me. I am not sure how to properly pronounce a couple of words but don't let that be the reason to not finish this gem or give a low rating, because you did not know how to connect the names.)
Masako is a complex, flawed, level-headed protagonist that made this book alive. I really admire how every problem or every question has just one answer for her. It is to do whatever possible to restore the lost honour. To restore her Master's honour. There can be people with knives on her throat and her mind would be, I need to leave this place because I have to restore the lost honour. And honestly, I admire her for that vision. For having that one target, one goal in her mind. I get it. Even if her discussions are not always the correct ones or something that I would do, I get why she does that and I honestly admire it.
People often tell me to read more Non-fiction. You will learn something. What do you learn when you read Fantasy? And I would like to show them a few sentences of The Blood of Outcasts.
"When the sword is unfamiliar, when the blade us distant, a thousand more swings you'll know it once more. A thousand more and you'll become it."
Or something like this:
"But, what of those mistakes, those horrors that weren't recorded? How do we learn from them? I ask myself all the time, but you see, history loses something. Those dark, erased truths still live today, and we should do well in searching, studying for them, or they'll crawl out of the annals and rend all we know."
I told you it is pretty darn good. This inevitably takes us to the writing. I loved the writing, there is no doubt about it but it was a bit confusing at times, some things could be explained better. Especially where there were instances at the beginning where the names of animals joined in. It could be eased in? The writing was amazing just a bit confusing at times.! There is one thing that happened to me. I didn't read the blurb before starting the book. And as I was reading the first chapter, till halfway, I was convinced that the protagonist was a man. And when I realised, NOPE. It was amazing. Because damn...we have chapters where you are describing a warrior's...umm...I don't know how to say it but...it was a Female warrior and I didn't recognise it. No sexual remark, no focus on the body, just talks about blood everywhere. You get it, right? Maybe an oversight in my reading but whatever it enjoyed my overall enjoyment in reading.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I FOUND UNIQUE (It isn't a spoiler just explained in detail.)
The concept of the points where heaven and Earth intercept is so cool. And having people guard it so they don't interfere with what men do? Yup, loved the concept.
The lesson with Impatience? Smith, you know you did an amazing job there, didn't you? Especially when the guilt comes crashing with the deaths.
"I rush in, just like when Master died. The farmer tried to teach me patience, and he dies in my impatience."
The Blood of Outcasts by D.A.Smith is the first book in The Bane Sword Trilogy. (What I am so excited about was if you follow the author on his Twitter, a couple of days ago he said that the series looks into being longer than what he expected. And while it is called a trilogy, I really hope that this turns out to be a bigger series. Now, let's dive into The Blood of Outcasts, shall we?
I won't lie by telling you this is a simple read. Nope. But, I will definitely tell you that this is a complex book. It is complex because despite being the first book, it was fast-paced. And it was a game-changer for me. Almost all the books that I read, tend to have a slow start and so I was not expecting to be sucked into the wilderness right away. But I did. AND I AM SO HYPED.
I said it before it was a complex book and what I really loved is that there is no one reason why it is complex, there are a series of reasons and the whole package makes it a complex deal. Let's start with the World-Building and Magic. I am combining the two of them. Every world, especially in the Fantasy setting have their own specialities. Something unique. What I loved in The Blood of Outcasts is that what I read was something different. I was confused for a long time. I'll admit that. There were scenes after scenes where things kept on happening and I was like But why. But then you slowly start to understand the dynamics. You understand the magic system and it helps you find the answers. What I admire is how much effort has been put into world-building. There are things that you pick up slowly, intrinsic detail that you realise after a while. There is one scene...it's totally without any context. Well, not exactly a scene but the words made me stop. It happened a lot but...
"You hear it don't you? The night's usual chatter is dead. What happens next?"
( A little more on the World-building aspect. It is Asian inspired story. Now, generally while reading Fantasy, these things don't matter to me as such. But the reason I am mentioning this is. Despite, being Asian the names were different for me. I am not sure how to properly pronounce a couple of words but don't let that be the reason to not finish this gem or give a low rating, because you did not know how to connect the names.)
Masako is a complex, flawed, level-headed protagonist that made this book alive. I really admire how every problem or every question has just one answer for her. It is to do whatever possible to restore the lost honour. To restore her Master's honour. There can be people with knives on her throat and her mind would be, I need to leave this place because I have to restore the lost honour. And honestly, I admire her for that vision. For having that one target, one goal in her mind. I get it. Even if her discussions are not always the correct ones or something that I would do, I get why she does that and I honestly admire it.
People often tell me to read more Non-fiction. You will learn something. What do you learn when you read Fantasy? And I would like to show them a few sentences of The Blood of Outcasts.
"When the sword is unfamiliar, when the blade us distant, a thousand more swings you'll know it once more. A thousand more and you'll become it."
Or something like this:
"But, what of those mistakes, those horrors that weren't recorded? How do we learn from them? I ask myself all the time, but you see, history loses something. Those dark, erased truths still live today, and we should do well in searching, studying for them, or they'll crawl out of the annals and rend all we know."
I told you it is pretty darn good. This inevitably takes us to the writing. I loved the writing, there is no doubt about it but it was a bit confusing at times, some things could be explained better. Especially where there were instances at the beginning where the names of animals joined in. It could be eased in? The writing was amazing just a bit confusing at times.! There is one thing that happened to me. I didn't read the blurb before starting the book. And as I was reading the first chapter, till halfway, I was convinced that the protagonist was a man. And when I realised, NOPE. It was amazing. Because damn...we have chapters where you are describing a warrior's...umm...I don't know how to say it but...it was a Female warrior and I didn't recognise it. No sexual remark, no focus on the body, just talks about blood everywhere. You get it, right? Maybe an oversight in my reading but whatever it enjoyed my overall enjoyment in reading.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I FOUND UNIQUE (It isn't a spoiler just explained in detail.)
The concept of the points where heaven and Earth intercept is so cool. And having people guard it so they don't interfere with what men do? Yup, loved the concept.
The lesson with Impatience? Smith, you know you did an amazing job there, didn't you? Especially when the guilt comes crashing with the deaths.
"I rush in, just like when Master died. The farmer tried to teach me patience, and he dies in my impatience."
March 30, 2022
Synopsis
The Dattori clan lies in pieces, wrought by the ruling Lord Council. Its master, dead. Its champion, Masako, dead.
Only, Masako isn’t done yet. After a deal with a godsborne, Masako is given life to enact her oath of vengeance against those who killed her and her master. With a promise made in her cursed blood and her spellforged blade, Crowkiller, Masako must rebuild the Dattori and kindle alliances to wage war against the Lord Council and the malignant sorcerers The Taosii.
As her vengeance unfolds, demons, duels, war and death await Masako and her fragile alliances.
Review
If I could sum up a few elements of The Blood of Outcasts in a few words it’d be simple: sepia-ronin-shogun; serogun for short. Fire up some trap bass on your preferred music platform and strap in for a serious Asian-inspired grimdark fest.
If it seems like I’m describing a lot of elements to the book it’s chiefly because there are a lot of elements to this book. Smith openly states the book is a love letter to Rurouni Kenshin but there are heavy influences from other manga and comics to be found. This all serves to give TBoO a certain aura that kept me going with the story.
Bloody Vengeance
The plot follows Masako, who is by the author’s own admission a challenging protagonist. As with all “unlikeable” central characters it’s important to understand the character’s motivations. Smith does well to strike a delicate balance between showing Masako’s impetuous, ruthless nature and her fierce loyalty. The gamble paid off and it gives us a wonderfully complex and imperfect character. I almost want her to fail in her quest just to see what happens!
The narrative switches between Masako’s vengeance and flashbacks of the events presaging her fall. This gives great flavour for the world and magic within it. We’re treated to demons, battles, wise sensei lessons and plenty of flashes of Masako’s katana, Crowkiller.
TBoO’s supporting cast of characters work well with Masako. Kekkei Thousand Hands brings plenty of machinations while Jinto and Cat Food, shamans of Greed, provide moments of light relief and glimpses into the mixes of magic.
What I enjoyed most were the duels. Smith’s combat is as sharp as the katanas he conjures from the text. Every slice of a blade on the page gave me a papercut. I spent a lot of the book thinking I cannot WAIT for Masako v The Fox, who fights using an eight swords technique like a hyper kitsune version of Roronoa Zoro from One Piece (ok, ok, he’s more like Killer B from Naruto) and it didn’t disappoint. Great emphasis is placed on the weaponry in this book and the origin behind Masako’s sidearm is a gruesome but intriguing one. I’m not going to spoil it but this is called The Bane Sword Trilogy …
If there’s one aspect of the book that I found a little difficult it was keeping track of who’s who. There’s a lot of clans and warriors to keep track of, with plots and grudges often in effect, which sent me flicking back a few pages on some occasions. I’d warn anyone against trying to skim-read this book as you need to pay attention to what’s going on.
For honour, our life is forfeit …
There’s a lot to love about TBoO, especially its acronym, but at its heart it’s an ambitious book that pays homage to some seriously great series. The author’s risks have all paid off and it’s left us with an incredibly bloody, gritty, ronin romp that’s well worth checking out.
The Dattori clan lies in pieces, wrought by the ruling Lord Council. Its master, dead. Its champion, Masako, dead.
Only, Masako isn’t done yet. After a deal with a godsborne, Masako is given life to enact her oath of vengeance against those who killed her and her master. With a promise made in her cursed blood and her spellforged blade, Crowkiller, Masako must rebuild the Dattori and kindle alliances to wage war against the Lord Council and the malignant sorcerers The Taosii.
As her vengeance unfolds, demons, duels, war and death await Masako and her fragile alliances.
Review
If I could sum up a few elements of The Blood of Outcasts in a few words it’d be simple: sepia-ronin-shogun; serogun for short. Fire up some trap bass on your preferred music platform and strap in for a serious Asian-inspired grimdark fest.
If it seems like I’m describing a lot of elements to the book it’s chiefly because there are a lot of elements to this book. Smith openly states the book is a love letter to Rurouni Kenshin but there are heavy influences from other manga and comics to be found. This all serves to give TBoO a certain aura that kept me going with the story.
Bloody Vengeance
The plot follows Masako, who is by the author’s own admission a challenging protagonist. As with all “unlikeable” central characters it’s important to understand the character’s motivations. Smith does well to strike a delicate balance between showing Masako’s impetuous, ruthless nature and her fierce loyalty. The gamble paid off and it gives us a wonderfully complex and imperfect character. I almost want her to fail in her quest just to see what happens!
The narrative switches between Masako’s vengeance and flashbacks of the events presaging her fall. This gives great flavour for the world and magic within it. We’re treated to demons, battles, wise sensei lessons and plenty of flashes of Masako’s katana, Crowkiller.
TBoO’s supporting cast of characters work well with Masako. Kekkei Thousand Hands brings plenty of machinations while Jinto and Cat Food, shamans of Greed, provide moments of light relief and glimpses into the mixes of magic.
What I enjoyed most were the duels. Smith’s combat is as sharp as the katanas he conjures from the text. Every slice of a blade on the page gave me a papercut. I spent a lot of the book thinking I cannot WAIT for Masako v The Fox, who fights using an eight swords technique like a hyper kitsune version of Roronoa Zoro from One Piece (ok, ok, he’s more like Killer B from Naruto) and it didn’t disappoint. Great emphasis is placed on the weaponry in this book and the origin behind Masako’s sidearm is a gruesome but intriguing one. I’m not going to spoil it but this is called The Bane Sword Trilogy …
If there’s one aspect of the book that I found a little difficult it was keeping track of who’s who. There’s a lot of clans and warriors to keep track of, with plots and grudges often in effect, which sent me flicking back a few pages on some occasions. I’d warn anyone against trying to skim-read this book as you need to pay attention to what’s going on.
For honour, our life is forfeit …
There’s a lot to love about TBoO, especially its acronym, but at its heart it’s an ambitious book that pays homage to some seriously great series. The author’s risks have all paid off and it’s left us with an incredibly bloody, gritty, ronin romp that’s well worth checking out.
October 6, 2022
DNF
I hate abandoning books halfway, but the protagonist was so unlikeable that I was barely even skimming past pages in the last 5% before quitting.
I picked this one up because the premise looked interesting. I even read the prequel short which I really enjoyed. I was really looking forward to reading this one. I really wanted to like this one. Sadly, it just didn't work for me.
For starters, the story is told in First Person Present Tense. That's already a very tricky thing to work with. Add to that an archaic-sounding voice and you might just be left confused with what is happening. At least that's what happened with me. I constantly found myself rereading paragraphs cause I felt like I missed something important. Later on, I just moved on, skimming through some of the inner monologues cause I just couldn't get myself to care enough.
Now for the character – the protagonist. I kept forgetting her name. There were times I just pictured an angry Samurai Jack while reading because I just didn't connect with her. And that's really unfortunate cause I really liked her in the short story. But here, she's just an angry two-dimensional swordswoman with a singular mindset. Now that's a very interesting character, but the story's told in first person from her perspective, which means the story ends up flat and boring. Another major flaw here is that we don't get anything about her that makes us want to root for her. I'm neither rooting for her, neither do I care if she loses. Hating a character is still having some emotions towards them, which is why villains are so popular. But not caring about a character means there's very little to keep you hanging around.
Lastly, the world-building and plot. Around the 10% mark, I found myself completely lost with where this is going. Mind you, a lot does happen in the first 20% that I actually read. But none of it left any impact on me. If I were to guess, it was the protagonist that was at fault here, because once again I couldn't bring myself to care about the plot. Same goes for the world-building. We learn about all of it through the protagonist's eyes, but the info came in seemingly-garbled dumps. It would've been an interesting puzzle to piece together, but because I didn't care, it ended up just confusing me.
Smith knows what he's doing, because his writing shines brightly in many parts. But the other parts were tedious to read. With better editing, the protagonist could've been more relatable/likebale, the plot could've been tighter, and the writing could've been polished.
I repeat myself when I say I hate abandoning books midway. But I just couldn't find myself to care for this one. I'm only writing this review because it wouldn't be fair to just leave a 2* review without an explanation.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: Some parts of the writing were really good, interesting premise, interesting magic system.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Protagonist, pacing, first-person narrative
I hate abandoning books halfway, but the protagonist was so unlikeable that I was barely even skimming past pages in the last 5% before quitting.
I picked this one up because the premise looked interesting. I even read the prequel short which I really enjoyed. I was really looking forward to reading this one. I really wanted to like this one. Sadly, it just didn't work for me.
For starters, the story is told in First Person Present Tense. That's already a very tricky thing to work with. Add to that an archaic-sounding voice and you might just be left confused with what is happening. At least that's what happened with me. I constantly found myself rereading paragraphs cause I felt like I missed something important. Later on, I just moved on, skimming through some of the inner monologues cause I just couldn't get myself to care enough.
Now for the character – the protagonist. I kept forgetting her name. There were times I just pictured an angry Samurai Jack while reading because I just didn't connect with her. And that's really unfortunate cause I really liked her in the short story. But here, she's just an angry two-dimensional swordswoman with a singular mindset. Now that's a very interesting character, but the story's told in first person from her perspective, which means the story ends up flat and boring. Another major flaw here is that we don't get anything about her that makes us want to root for her. I'm neither rooting for her, neither do I care if she loses. Hating a character is still having some emotions towards them, which is why villains are so popular. But not caring about a character means there's very little to keep you hanging around.
Lastly, the world-building and plot. Around the 10% mark, I found myself completely lost with where this is going. Mind you, a lot does happen in the first 20% that I actually read. But none of it left any impact on me. If I were to guess, it was the protagonist that was at fault here, because once again I couldn't bring myself to care about the plot. Same goes for the world-building. We learn about all of it through the protagonist's eyes, but the info came in seemingly-garbled dumps. It would've been an interesting puzzle to piece together, but because I didn't care, it ended up just confusing me.
Smith knows what he's doing, because his writing shines brightly in many parts. But the other parts were tedious to read. With better editing, the protagonist could've been more relatable/likebale, the plot could've been tighter, and the writing could've been polished.
I repeat myself when I say I hate abandoning books midway. But I just couldn't find myself to care for this one. I'm only writing this review because it wouldn't be fair to just leave a 2* review without an explanation.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: Some parts of the writing were really good, interesting premise, interesting magic system.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Protagonist, pacing, first-person narrative
June 6, 2022
What if Rurouni Kenshin depicted a bloodthirsty samurai looking for vengeance instead of a war-torn veteran seeking peace?
At the core of its being, that is the story the Blood of Outcasts is trying to tell. It’s the quintessential revenge tale. But what makes this story so engaging is the fact that our protagonist herself does very questionable things in her attempts to find the vengeance she seeks. While we sympathize with Masako, some of her decisions are definitely arguable.
There isn't always a method to Masako's madness.
Masako is young, immature and naïve to start this story. So, it's as much a coming of age story as it is a revenge tale. This adds another layer to the story telling and makes it more engaging.
Masako is always growing, ever changing.
She starts of a young child in search of revenge. She didn't trust anyone and all she wanted was to leave a trail of blood in her wake. But Dan incorporates moments of tenderness and vulnerability to allow Masako to grow and have depth.
The land of Basho FEELS like feudal Japan.
The world is well thought of and Dan incorporates Japanese culture in the very fabric of the story. All the different clans and characters have nuances and history. There are political intricacies and a fight for a resources between different clans and parties.
Masako can be a difficult character to follow.
She makes brash decisions, has an unquenchable bloodlust, can be frustratingly immature, and appears to be eternally angry. While that does make it interesting to follow the character, if you are not a fan of protagonists like that, this book may not be for you
Read this book if you like: Rurouni Kenshin, Vinland Saga, Seven Samurai, Sekiro, Ghost of Tsushima
Themes: Revenge, Coming of Age, Feudal Japan, Family, Feudal Japan, Japanese folklore
Overall rating: 7.5/10
If you liked this review, do give me a follow at https://twitter.com/GaimanAndCats where I share my thoughts on books and all things fantasy.
At the core of its being, that is the story the Blood of Outcasts is trying to tell. It’s the quintessential revenge tale. But what makes this story so engaging is the fact that our protagonist herself does very questionable things in her attempts to find the vengeance she seeks. While we sympathize with Masako, some of her decisions are definitely arguable.
There isn't always a method to Masako's madness.
Masako is young, immature and naïve to start this story. So, it's as much a coming of age story as it is a revenge tale. This adds another layer to the story telling and makes it more engaging.
Masako is always growing, ever changing.
She starts of a young child in search of revenge. She didn't trust anyone and all she wanted was to leave a trail of blood in her wake. But Dan incorporates moments of tenderness and vulnerability to allow Masako to grow and have depth.
The land of Basho FEELS like feudal Japan.
The world is well thought of and Dan incorporates Japanese culture in the very fabric of the story. All the different clans and characters have nuances and history. There are political intricacies and a fight for a resources between different clans and parties.
Masako can be a difficult character to follow.
She makes brash decisions, has an unquenchable bloodlust, can be frustratingly immature, and appears to be eternally angry. While that does make it interesting to follow the character, if you are not a fan of protagonists like that, this book may not be for you
Read this book if you like: Rurouni Kenshin, Vinland Saga, Seven Samurai, Sekiro, Ghost of Tsushima
Themes: Revenge, Coming of Age, Feudal Japan, Family, Feudal Japan, Japanese folklore
Overall rating: 7.5/10
If you liked this review, do give me a follow at https://twitter.com/GaimanAndCats where I share my thoughts on books and all things fantasy.
June 10, 2022
I receive a free digital copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was an interesting read for me. It's really rich in history and it's also insipred by Japanese culture, which I absolutely love. The author really took time in the detailing of the events and the general flow of the story, which was paced beautifuly. It constantly switched between the general narrative and the action scenes that were well incorporated. The world was also developed really well, down to every single detail, and it really kept the book rich.
I also loved the characters, specially Masako. She was really well written and also flawed, which was seen in her actions. She is intense and brutal in times and she will do whatever it takes to get to her goals. She's imperfect and intense, and because of that it can get quite emotional to the reader too.
What I didn't like was the fact, that the book is written in first person, but of course that's a personal preference and it doesn't take away anything regarding the quality of the book. I just find books like that harder to follow but I know that it works great for some people. The other thing that bothered me a little bit were the dialogues and some phrases. Sometimes they felt a bit off and I don't know if that was done intentionaly to give characters more personality, or it might need another light editing.
To conclude, despite some minor flaws, it's an interesting, sometimes even brutal read, that can transport you to a new world of an Asian inpired setting, that sometimes felt grimdark. If that's something you love, do pick it up.
This book was an interesting read for me. It's really rich in history and it's also insipred by Japanese culture, which I absolutely love. The author really took time in the detailing of the events and the general flow of the story, which was paced beautifuly. It constantly switched between the general narrative and the action scenes that were well incorporated. The world was also developed really well, down to every single detail, and it really kept the book rich.
I also loved the characters, specially Masako. She was really well written and also flawed, which was seen in her actions. She is intense and brutal in times and she will do whatever it takes to get to her goals. She's imperfect and intense, and because of that it can get quite emotional to the reader too.
What I didn't like was the fact, that the book is written in first person, but of course that's a personal preference and it doesn't take away anything regarding the quality of the book. I just find books like that harder to follow but I know that it works great for some people. The other thing that bothered me a little bit were the dialogues and some phrases. Sometimes they felt a bit off and I don't know if that was done intentionaly to give characters more personality, or it might need another light editing.
To conclude, despite some minor flaws, it's an interesting, sometimes even brutal read, that can transport you to a new world of an Asian inpired setting, that sometimes felt grimdark. If that's something you love, do pick it up.
March 24, 2022
Okay ... but the protagonist is a douche.
March 18, 2023
Ghost of Basho: Swordswoman Dies Once
Blood of Outcasts is a fast-paced and action-packed debut novel of high fantasy. Mixing elements of Japanese culture and grimdark fantasy together, there is potential for this series to achieve greatness. Unfortunately, several issues hold this debut novel from achieving this status in the genre.
A list of pros and cons are provided below:
Pros
* Japanese-like fantasy - From Samurai-like warriors to a landscape (Basho) filled with pieces of Japanese lore (tanuki, kappa, okami, etc.)
* Fast-paced - Story moved at a brisk pace
* Action-packed - Sword fights galore
Cons
* POV - While the first-person perspective does provide suspense, it is a double-edged sword.
This is because readers are left in the mind and thoughts of a mainly unlikeable protagonist.
*Multitude of text errors
1) Abrupt sentence breaks in body text of Ebook version (pgs. 18, 121, 164, 194, 196, 199, 201, 207, 220, 242, 252, 259, 269, 285, 319, 347, 363, 399, 404, 430, 435, 447, 448, 456)
2) Table of Contents is missing Chapter 21
(It is embedded in text. Needs to be formatted, bolded and titled like the rest of the chapters.) (Example: Chapter Twenty-One)
3) Chapter headings need spacing (Ch. 22 to Ch. 36) (Example: Chapter Twenty-Two instead of Chapter TwentyTwo)
Summary
Overall, Blood of Outcasts is a mixed work.
It's unique setting is a refreshing take for the genre. However, this is hurt by a mainly unlikeable protagonist whose moments of deep character development come few and far between the story. In addition, basic editing issues for the ebook may be immersive-breaking for readers.
Blood of Outcasts is a fast-paced and action-packed debut novel of high fantasy. Mixing elements of Japanese culture and grimdark fantasy together, there is potential for this series to achieve greatness. Unfortunately, several issues hold this debut novel from achieving this status in the genre.
A list of pros and cons are provided below:
Pros
* Japanese-like fantasy - From Samurai-like warriors to a landscape (Basho) filled with pieces of Japanese lore (tanuki, kappa, okami, etc.)
* Fast-paced - Story moved at a brisk pace
* Action-packed - Sword fights galore
Cons
* POV - While the first-person perspective does provide suspense, it is a double-edged sword.
This is because readers are left in the mind and thoughts of a mainly unlikeable protagonist.
*Multitude of text errors
1) Abrupt sentence breaks in body text of Ebook version (pgs. 18, 121, 164, 194, 196, 199, 201, 207, 220, 242, 252, 259, 269, 285, 319, 347, 363, 399, 404, 430, 435, 447, 448, 456)
2) Table of Contents is missing Chapter 21
(It is embedded in text. Needs to be formatted, bolded and titled like the rest of the chapters.) (Example: Chapter Twenty-One)
3) Chapter headings need spacing (Ch. 22 to Ch. 36) (Example: Chapter Twenty-Two instead of Chapter TwentyTwo)
Summary
Overall, Blood of Outcasts is a mixed work.
It's unique setting is a refreshing take for the genre. However, this is hurt by a mainly unlikeable protagonist whose moments of deep character development come few and far between the story. In addition, basic editing issues for the ebook may be immersive-breaking for readers.
March 23, 2022
FULL REVIEW COMING SOON ON BLOG
I tried so hard to like this. It has potential and I tried to read as much as I could for a thorough review (I got to 86%) but I just did not have even more mental energy to spend on this book
I tried so hard to like this. It has potential and I tried to read as much as I could for a thorough review (I got to 86%) but I just did not have even more mental energy to spend on this book
December 5, 2022
Not really my cup of tea but interesting read all the same
did-not-finish
August 18, 2023DNF @ 36%, end of part 1.
The book simply was not holding my interest. I have no significant complaints though the writing is at times somewhat needlessly grandiose.
The book simply was not holding my interest. I have no significant complaints though the writing is at times somewhat needlessly grandiose.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews