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Blade and Bone #1
Blade and Bone
Sanaron is a city of fog and violence; a place where even the past can disappear.
Kanar Reims, an ex-soldier known as the Blackheart, hides a dangerous secret. Exiled from the Realmsguard, he wants nothing to do with the kind of magic that destroyed his life.
That is until his team of mercenaries is offered a job they can’t refuse.
He’ll need the help of others working in the city: An assassin who uses the bones of her enemies in her art. An archer with strange skills. And a stranded sailor whose loyalties are unknown.
Impossible wealth awaits if they succeed, but far more is at stake if they fail, for a deadly magic will be unleashed upon the world.
Kanar Reims, an ex-soldier known as the Blackheart, hides a dangerous secret. Exiled from the Realmsguard, he wants nothing to do with the kind of magic that destroyed his life.
That is until his team of mercenaries is offered a job they can’t refuse.
He’ll need the help of others working in the city: An assassin who uses the bones of her enemies in her art. An archer with strange skills. And a stranded sailor whose loyalties are unknown.
Impossible wealth awaits if they succeed, but far more is at stake if they fail, for a deadly magic will be unleashed upon the world.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2022
590 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 2, 2023
While a little slow at first, at least for me it was, I really got into this. The characters were fleshed out ok but my favorite is definitely Jal, a young archer with a sweet personality. He’s the most likable out of all of them in my opinion. Kanar, Lily and Honaaz of course brought a lot to the story and we get to learn a bit more about them. We learn more of Lily than any of them so I hope that changes in the next book.
October 6, 2023
I enjoyed the characters of this book, but I felt the story was very rushed with not much explained through out. The author created multiple magic systems with no explanation of how they work or really what they do. I didn’t hate the book by any means. I just was looking forward to finishing it so I could move on to another author. The chances of me continuing the series are slim to none. Just my opinion and my personnel preference. If the book sounds good to you though then give is a look.
October 29, 2023
A fun new fantasy with some great characters
A very enjoyable read. A tale of four mercenaries for hire who take on a job that might just get them all killed. Their adventure (or commission) is concluded so there is no cliffhanger ending, which is satisfying. However, the story is just beginning and I just know our heroes are going to get mired ever deeper into trouble in book two following the events of Blade and Bone.
The book is well-written and told in the third person with each chapter being from the perspective of one of our four heroes. The story is a bit of a fog of war in that Kanar, our mercenary leader, takes on a job he cannot turn down but the why and what exactly it means and what it is all about is not clear to the reader, a mystery not just to us but to the other members of Kanar’s band, who all have their own secrets. Secrets that are tantalisingly revealed the deeper into the narrative you get.
The pace and the storytelling are great but what carried the story for me were the characters. The four mercenaries, Kanar, Lily, Jal and Honaaz are well-fleshed out, unique and they are fun to read and that is what I found most enjoyable. Jal in particular was contradictory and mysterious and I have my ideas of what exactly he may be but I will have to read book 2 to see if I am right.
The fight scenes and violence were a little too peripheral for my liking. These I found a bit sanitised and in some cases, the descriptive narrative seemed unlikely e.g. Honaaz head butting the back of the head of someone he was fighting which was clever considering they were facing each other, or Lily gathering her prizes mid-battle which I found unrealistic. There was plenty of opportunity for Holmberg to paint a bloody canvas with some of this action but it was glossed over (what I call disneyfied) and maybe for good reason because it means the book is suitable for young adults. There is no swearing either which affirms this.
Overall a great read if you are looking for a new author to try. The storytelling is great, the characters fun and interesting and you will have a favourite. Even Honaaz who, although a bit ambiguous, grew on me the deeper into the story we got. Read the sample, chapter 1 jumps you right into the action and gives a real flavour of what is to come.
A very enjoyable read. A tale of four mercenaries for hire who take on a job that might just get them all killed. Their adventure (or commission) is concluded so there is no cliffhanger ending, which is satisfying. However, the story is just beginning and I just know our heroes are going to get mired ever deeper into trouble in book two following the events of Blade and Bone.
The book is well-written and told in the third person with each chapter being from the perspective of one of our four heroes. The story is a bit of a fog of war in that Kanar, our mercenary leader, takes on a job he cannot turn down but the why and what exactly it means and what it is all about is not clear to the reader, a mystery not just to us but to the other members of Kanar’s band, who all have their own secrets. Secrets that are tantalisingly revealed the deeper into the narrative you get.
The pace and the storytelling are great but what carried the story for me were the characters. The four mercenaries, Kanar, Lily, Jal and Honaaz are well-fleshed out, unique and they are fun to read and that is what I found most enjoyable. Jal in particular was contradictory and mysterious and I have my ideas of what exactly he may be but I will have to read book 2 to see if I am right.
The fight scenes and violence were a little too peripheral for my liking. These I found a bit sanitised and in some cases, the descriptive narrative seemed unlikely e.g. Honaaz head butting the back of the head of someone he was fighting which was clever considering they were facing each other, or Lily gathering her prizes mid-battle which I found unrealistic. There was plenty of opportunity for Holmberg to paint a bloody canvas with some of this action but it was glossed over (what I call disneyfied) and maybe for good reason because it means the book is suitable for young adults. There is no swearing either which affirms this.
Overall a great read if you are looking for a new author to try. The storytelling is great, the characters fun and interesting and you will have a favourite. Even Honaaz who, although a bit ambiguous, grew on me the deeper into the story we got. Read the sample, chapter 1 jumps you right into the action and gives a real flavour of what is to come.
January 11, 2023
Nice!
Good story and characters. It was a little hard to follow at times. The author kind of let the reader figure things out for them selves at times. So if you don't like a little mystery, or your extremely bad at understanding back alley, politics and intrigue , then it might be a bit hard to follow for you.
Although, there was a few times there, it seemed like an explanation had been skipped in order to move the story along faster. It was weird. It's like, a character would explain something with one sentence, And then not explain everything else. Then a little bit later they would mention the conversation as if the person had explained everything and I would think wait, They didn't explain all of that in the conversation.
Good story and characters. It was a little hard to follow at times. The author kind of let the reader figure things out for them selves at times. So if you don't like a little mystery, or your extremely bad at understanding back alley, politics and intrigue , then it might be a bit hard to follow for you.
Although, there was a few times there, it seemed like an explanation had been skipped in order to move the story along faster. It was weird. It's like, a character would explain something with one sentence, And then not explain everything else. Then a little bit later they would mention the conversation as if the person had explained everything and I would think wait, They didn't explain all of that in the conversation.
January 16, 2023
Hot mess that could have been better.
Enjoyed the action, but the story was broken like the author wrote sections and then tried to put it together. It took forever for the main characters to be fleshed out and then the middle of the book was just repeated introspection on each character over and over again only to give a non-exciting anti-climatic finish that honestly I was just glad the book was over. The author has done better and can do better than this, but it's going to be hard to want to go to the next book in this series.
Enjoyed the action, but the story was broken like the author wrote sections and then tried to put it together. It took forever for the main characters to be fleshed out and then the middle of the book was just repeated introspection on each character over and over again only to give a non-exciting anti-climatic finish that honestly I was just glad the book was over. The author has done better and can do better than this, but it's going to be hard to want to go to the next book in this series.
August 5, 2023
Better than expected!
I’ve read a lot of the authors books, and I have to say the storytelling in the first book of this series kept me engaged, and surprised at times. The editing was much better than a few before as well.
The characters are well thought out, and it felt as I was getting to know them right alongside the other characters. I really like the story so far and can’t wait to dig into the next book in the series.
I’ve read a lot of the authors books, and I have to say the storytelling in the first book of this series kept me engaged, and surprised at times. The editing was much better than a few before as well.
The characters are well thought out, and it felt as I was getting to know them right alongside the other characters. I really like the story so far and can’t wait to dig into the next book in the series.
March 28, 2024
I just adore these types of HRs!
You know the ones.
The MC is the black sheep because of something he did in the past, but he/she is a great person in reality (or not that great, but you end up falling in love with them by the end). Then they gather a band of misfits for whatever reason and they all end up saving the day.
Love this premise!
And this is really well written, I like this author.
I'm very curious how it'll all turn out.
You know the ones.
The MC is the black sheep because of something he did in the past, but he/she is a great person in reality (or not that great, but you end up falling in love with them by the end). Then they gather a band of misfits for whatever reason and they all end up saving the day.
Love this premise!
And this is really well written, I like this author.
I'm very curious how it'll all turn out.
November 18, 2022
intriguing read
The premise is strong , with some very cool ideas, like using finger bones to create magic. The introspection of the characters is a bit overdone and sometimes repetitive. I get the purpose, but at bit less to make room for more interaction - and action - would land well.
The premise is strong , with some very cool ideas, like using finger bones to create magic. The introspection of the characters is a bit overdone and sometimes repetitive. I get the purpose, but at bit less to make room for more interaction - and action - would land well.
January 26, 2023
I’m not sure what to say. I could not get into the story. It seemed like a lot of back ground information and never got to the theme. I sort of have to ask what were you thinking in writing this story? It is the first of D.K.s book I haven’t cared for. I felt lost.
March 20, 2023
I finished DK Holmberg's Blade and Bone tonight. I must say it was really good but man the last 15 percent was super well written. If you want a classical fantasy story with an adventuring party this is the series for you. I am definitely looking forward to reading book 2! 4.5/5 stars!
December 25, 2023
Another thoroughly enjoyable read, wish I'd known Finn Jagger was going to make an appearance, I would have read more of the Executioners series but I had already planned on finishing those. I will definitely continue with City of Fog and Ruin.
March 15, 2024
Excellent start to a new series
Many possibilities for this new world with multiple magic systeks. I enjoyed the main characters and there remain mysteries about all at the end of the book.
Many possibilities for this new world with multiple magic systeks. I enjoyed the main characters and there remain mysteries about all at the end of the book.
November 2, 2022
Another great read
Yet another original and fun read from this author. Always a go to if mine even in looking for a new read!
Yet another original and fun read from this author. Always a go to if mine even in looking for a new read!
Read
September 21, 2023Too many unanswered questions to rate higher than a three star. Felt like author was setting up series rather than telling one story that leads to another.
January 1, 2024
Good book
I wish the book wasn't written from so many points of view. It was hard to follow along through the book.
I wish the book wasn't written from so many points of view. It was hard to follow along through the book.
January 10, 2024
gripping from start to finish
As an avid reader of the genre. I was pleased with the flow of this boom and the character development. Looking forward to continue the series.
As an avid reader of the genre. I was pleased with the flow of this boom and the character development. Looking forward to continue the series.
February 9, 2024
A good start to a series
This was a good start to a series. The characters have depth and the reader can empathize with them. The plot shows promise and leads up to future books.
This was a good start to a series. The characters have depth and the reader can empathize with them. The plot shows promise and leads up to future books.
February 19, 2024
Great Fantasy.
This book pulls you in from the very first page and does not let up. It is a great read but be warned it is hard to put down.
This book pulls you in from the very first page and does not let up. It is a great read but be warned it is hard to put down.
Read
April 22, 2024Dnf.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews