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A Time of Falcons and Roses #1
Legacy of the Vermillion Blade
Talon Cour-Vermane is not only the sole inheritor of his House’s lands, titles, and political power, but also of the pact his family has forged with darkness through countless generations. From birth, Talon’s father tethered his son’s life to the family’s bloodline and his own ambitions of power, but everything changes when a new blacksmith and his young apprentice, Richen, join the staff at the Cour-Vermane estate. With their fateful meeting, Talon’s life changes course forever, derailing the meticulously laid out existence planned for him. From his family’s estates and the countryside of Eleryon to the extents of the Xallian Empire and the dwarven kingdom of Lymehold, Talon discovers the different aspects of love, true family, and himself as he battles his cursed blood and the shackles to darkness his father bound him with.
“I wanted to craft an epic fantasy story featuring the incredible diversity of love and relationships that span the asexual spectrum in my LGBTQIA+ inclusive world. The new continent of Rhymera acts as the backdrop for Talon’s story, and I’ve filled it with a rich tapestry of living characters and unique locations that followers have come to expect from my storytelling.”
— Jay Tallsquall
An accessible tale of high fantasy adventure for all of those who have yearned for love and felt the heartbreak of its loss, Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is for the hopeful broken-hearted and the broken hopeful-hearted in us all.
“I wanted to craft an epic fantasy story featuring the incredible diversity of love and relationships that span the asexual spectrum in my LGBTQIA+ inclusive world. The new continent of Rhymera acts as the backdrop for Talon’s story, and I’ve filled it with a rich tapestry of living characters and unique locations that followers have come to expect from my storytelling.”
— Jay Tallsquall
An accessible tale of high fantasy adventure for all of those who have yearned for love and felt the heartbreak of its loss, Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is for the hopeful broken-hearted and the broken hopeful-hearted in us all.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2022
About the author
Jay Tallsquall
3 books12 followersJay Tallsquall (he/him) has always been a storyteller. Whether it be ghost stories by bonfires, building theatrical props and sets, costuming as superheroes, or running massive TTRPG campaigns, telling a tale has always been at the center of Tallsquall's life. Set against his fantastical worlds with deep lore, he crafts intimate personal stories focusing on relationships and how they mold people and the world around them.
Tallsquall is proudly a homoaesthetic asexual but, as many older ace folks, did not have an identity to match his experience until later in life. He quietly and privately lived his truth until realizing how important it was to bring visibility to the ace community. All his stories are LGBTQIA+ inclusive but try to highlight parts of the asexual experience.
You can find Jay Tallsquall via most social media as Tallsquall
Tallsquall is proudly a homoaesthetic asexual but, as many older ace folks, did not have an identity to match his experience until later in life. He quietly and privately lived his truth until realizing how important it was to bring visibility to the ace community. All his stories are LGBTQIA+ inclusive but try to highlight parts of the asexual experience.
You can find Jay Tallsquall via most social media as Tallsquall
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 17, 2023
Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is a book that intrigued me with its premise of a character-driven high fantasy tale with authentic ace representation and delightful queer-normative world building. And as someone who is questioning their sexuality and leaning towards the ace spectrum, this story meant more to me than I can say.
Talon’s journey of self-discovery was equally tragic and beautiful to witness. The message of “it is never too late to embrace your true authentic self” really hit home and made this story so emotionally impactful. I really appreciated how Talon is allowed to be vulnerable, flawed and messy in his relationships, because that made him such a sympathetic and relatable character.
Sometimes I did struggle a bit with the huge time jumps, as this story spans multiple decades, but it did allow for some beautiful and natural character development.
I also really appreciated the in-depth flashbacks, because I think that is where most of my favourite complex interpersonal relationships are fleshed out. The character dynamics are so compelling and emotional, and I really appreciated that the author didn't shy away from portraying both love in all its devastating beauty. The platonic, romantic and familial bonds in this story are written in a painfully realistic way and really tugged on my heartstrings in all the best ways.
The fantasy elements are a bit weak in comparison to Talon’s moving personal journey, but they did provide a comforting backdrop for this emotional character study. I really liked getting lost in this classic yet refreshingly queer-normative fantasy world, and I loved how all the beautiful landscapes just came to life before my eyes. The prose is quite accessible yet also has a more lyrical/descriptive flair, which is exactly why the world and characters feel so vibrant and alive.
I am so glad that this story exists and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants their fantasy to be character-driven, diverse and full of emotional turmoil. This was a journey I won’t soon forget, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
Talon’s journey of self-discovery was equally tragic and beautiful to witness. The message of “it is never too late to embrace your true authentic self” really hit home and made this story so emotionally impactful. I really appreciated how Talon is allowed to be vulnerable, flawed and messy in his relationships, because that made him such a sympathetic and relatable character.
Sometimes I did struggle a bit with the huge time jumps, as this story spans multiple decades, but it did allow for some beautiful and natural character development.
I also really appreciated the in-depth flashbacks, because I think that is where most of my favourite complex interpersonal relationships are fleshed out. The character dynamics are so compelling and emotional, and I really appreciated that the author didn't shy away from portraying both love in all its devastating beauty. The platonic, romantic and familial bonds in this story are written in a painfully realistic way and really tugged on my heartstrings in all the best ways.
The fantasy elements are a bit weak in comparison to Talon’s moving personal journey, but they did provide a comforting backdrop for this emotional character study. I really liked getting lost in this classic yet refreshingly queer-normative fantasy world, and I loved how all the beautiful landscapes just came to life before my eyes. The prose is quite accessible yet also has a more lyrical/descriptive flair, which is exactly why the world and characters feel so vibrant and alive.
I am so glad that this story exists and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants their fantasy to be character-driven, diverse and full of emotional turmoil. This was a journey I won’t soon forget, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
November 4, 2023
The Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is very much its own book, bringing something new and engaging to the fantasy library. There were aspects of the writing, on a technical level, that reminded me of Hobb and stylistically the prose should please those who grew up on epic and high fantasy classics from the 80s and 90s. There's a lot that's related to the reader through narration, giving the story a sense of epic scale and historicity, as though you're watching an ancient hero's legend unfold.
One of the aspects of LotV that stuck out most to me about the novel is that it almost has the feeling of a bildungsroman about it, but in a fantasy setting. Occasionally there was an almost pastoral quality to its description of the intriguing and varied settings that our protagonist, Talon, visits throughout the book, reminding me of nineteenth-century German classics and even Turgenev.*
The book follows Talon, an aristocrat and heir to a corrupt court. Worse than the hate he feels for his father, however, is the fact that he's tormented by intrusive thoughts whispered to him through the titular vermillion blade. As we see Talon grow from childhood to adolescence, he learns to control the spirit of the blade more fully and develops a wonderfully drawn romance with the castle's blacksmith's son. The relationship is also a fantastically done ACE (asexual) romance, and the deftness with which Tallsquall writes on these themes is impressive.
Without spoilers, this relationship becomes the catalyst for Talon's actions throughout the novel. The book is by no means a category Romance or romantasy, and yet the deep feelings of love and admiration that Talon feels for his partner easily compel the reader to root for Talon as he progresses.
Speaking of progress--I'm actually not at all familiar with progression fantasy, but based on my (very limited) understanding, there are shades of that here. LotVB lingers on Talon's personal development, including Talon's physical fitness as he trains first as an adolescent and later as an adult. Those interested in that genre might really enjoy these aspects of the book, as will readers who have an interest in body sculpture and fitness in general. The fight scenes--especially one climactic battle toward the end--are detailed and very well done.
Where LotVB shone most for me was through its side characters. I had too many favourites to name, but Naz was a standout and I loved Osmun.
As the novel barrelled toward its conclusion--which was bursting with tension and had me on the edge of my seat--I couldn't stop listening. There's a point at which it becomes truly unputdownable.
A well-written and unique fantasy that I recommend to both fans of classic fantasy and those searching for something fresh. I feel like it will appeal to both types of readers.
* Though Russian, Turgenev was deeply influenced by German pastorals.
One of the aspects of LotV that stuck out most to me about the novel is that it almost has the feeling of a bildungsroman about it, but in a fantasy setting. Occasionally there was an almost pastoral quality to its description of the intriguing and varied settings that our protagonist, Talon, visits throughout the book, reminding me of nineteenth-century German classics and even Turgenev.*
The book follows Talon, an aristocrat and heir to a corrupt court. Worse than the hate he feels for his father, however, is the fact that he's tormented by intrusive thoughts whispered to him through the titular vermillion blade. As we see Talon grow from childhood to adolescence, he learns to control the spirit of the blade more fully and develops a wonderfully drawn romance with the castle's blacksmith's son. The relationship is also a fantastically done ACE (asexual) romance, and the deftness with which Tallsquall writes on these themes is impressive.
Without spoilers, this relationship becomes the catalyst for Talon's actions throughout the novel. The book is by no means a category Romance or romantasy, and yet the deep feelings of love and admiration that Talon feels for his partner easily compel the reader to root for Talon as he progresses.
Speaking of progress--I'm actually not at all familiar with progression fantasy, but based on my (very limited) understanding, there are shades of that here. LotVB lingers on Talon's personal development, including Talon's physical fitness as he trains first as an adolescent and later as an adult. Those interested in that genre might really enjoy these aspects of the book, as will readers who have an interest in body sculpture and fitness in general. The fight scenes--especially one climactic battle toward the end--are detailed and very well done.
Where LotVB shone most for me was through its side characters. I had too many favourites to name, but Naz was a standout and I loved Osmun.
As the novel barrelled toward its conclusion--which was bursting with tension and had me on the edge of my seat--I couldn't stop listening. There's a point at which it becomes truly unputdownable.
A well-written and unique fantasy that I recommend to both fans of classic fantasy and those searching for something fresh. I feel like it will appeal to both types of readers.
* Though Russian, Turgenev was deeply influenced by German pastorals.
September 10, 2023
A huge thank you to the author for providing a copy of Legacy of the Vermillion Blade in exchange for an honest review.
It is hard to put into words just how much I got out of this book. Tallsquall takes the reader on a journey, of love through the eyes of Talon. Heir to the to his fathers all consuming dark powers.
It starts slowly, a young friendship blossoming into something more in a queer normative world. The two young lads toy with the idea of intimacy beautifully as they grow up together. After part one the book focuses more on Talon and his internal battles as he grows older and finds beauty in his every day settings while never forgetting those who made him who he was.
This book was such a celebration of love in its various forms, it was so much more than experiencing what the word love means through an asexual lens although it does that remarkably well. I found that it really encouraged me to think about how I love in my own world, familial, romantic and even casual encounters with this strong emotion that I have felt when friends for the road have come and gone.
It also had a very real message to anyone who picks this story up. It is never to late, to find your truth, and start your life as your authentic self.
Beautifully written and wonderfully thought provoking.
It is hard to put into words just how much I got out of this book. Tallsquall takes the reader on a journey, of love through the eyes of Talon. Heir to the to his fathers all consuming dark powers.
It starts slowly, a young friendship blossoming into something more in a queer normative world. The two young lads toy with the idea of intimacy beautifully as they grow up together. After part one the book focuses more on Talon and his internal battles as he grows older and finds beauty in his every day settings while never forgetting those who made him who he was.
This book was such a celebration of love in its various forms, it was so much more than experiencing what the word love means through an asexual lens although it does that remarkably well. I found that it really encouraged me to think about how I love in my own world, familial, romantic and even casual encounters with this strong emotion that I have felt when friends for the road have come and gone.
It also had a very real message to anyone who picks this story up. It is never to late, to find your truth, and start your life as your authentic self.
Beautifully written and wonderfully thought provoking.
June 3, 2023
This is an interesting tale. It's imaginative, blending medieval with modern day/contemporary, and the prose is beautiful.
I love the aceness of the MC and I am happy to see this representation.
The start is so dark! I love that. I expected it to to return to that dark but it never quite did. This is inching into grimdark but is lighter, or a hint of noblebright.
There are so many unanswered questions. Is his mother really his mother? What did his father do?
I love the internal landscape that Talon has, how he can use that to figure out his youthful mistakes.
It breaks up the environment being just in Talon's home.
"Time and distance become a strange viscous liquid in the desert, sometimes moving as slow as glass and others with the speed of oncoming lava."
I love this prose!
Talon/Thorn is an interesting and at times unlikeable character. I feel he goes through torments and so much emotional turmoil but we don't live it as much as I would like
Osman is far more real. In fact the male relationships in this are perfect, beautiful. We need more of this.
I would have liked a more cohesive ending to this: it feels like the link to the next book is a little forced.
I love the aceness of the MC and I am happy to see this representation.
The start is so dark! I love that. I expected it to to return to that dark but it never quite did. This is inching into grimdark but is lighter, or a hint of noblebright.
There are so many unanswered questions. Is his mother really his mother? What did his father do?
I love the internal landscape that Talon has, how he can use that to figure out his youthful mistakes.
It breaks up the environment being just in Talon's home.
"Time and distance become a strange viscous liquid in the desert, sometimes moving as slow as glass and others with the speed of oncoming lava."
I love this prose!
Talon/Thorn is an interesting and at times unlikeable character. I feel he goes through torments and so much emotional turmoil but we don't live it as much as I would like
Osman is far more real. In fact the male relationships in this are perfect, beautiful. We need more of this.
I would have liked a more cohesive ending to this: it feels like the link to the next book is a little forced.
March 10, 2025
DNF at 58%
I really tried to stick through it but I was just so bored. There was almost no plot up to this point and the few scraps we did get weren't super interesting. Characters and their relationships are shown, not told, and incredibly shallow so I'm not invested in them either. Overall this just felt like an incredibly bare-bones book even though things kept happening. They just didn't matter. It felt a bit like watching an anime that was only filler episodes.
Talon and Richen could be in the dictionary next to 'Insta Love', they literally look at each other once when they are teens and have a soulmate-type bond from that point on. They have one fight that lasts three days and shortly after that Richen is taken away and getting him back is Talon's main objective... not that he really tries to find him very much. He's too busy being a folk hero and a street artist for orphanage children. Talon is also just a little too good at everything he sets his mind to and everything just kind of falls into his lap with minimal work or effort. So there are no relationships to get invested in and no plot to look forward to.
In Chapter 2-3 we also have 3-4 mentions of how neither Talon nor Richen want 'anything about their relationship to change'. Which is fine. Once. I can comprehend the concept of asexuality without getting it explained 4 times in less than 20 pages.
The plot is weak, relationships are watery, and Talon is one step away from being a Mary Sue and doesn't care about finding his Soulmate very much. Can't recommend.
I really tried to stick through it but I was just so bored. There was almost no plot up to this point and the few scraps we did get weren't super interesting. Characters and their relationships are shown, not told, and incredibly shallow so I'm not invested in them either. Overall this just felt like an incredibly bare-bones book even though things kept happening. They just didn't matter. It felt a bit like watching an anime that was only filler episodes.
Talon and Richen could be in the dictionary next to 'Insta Love', they literally look at each other once when they are teens and have a soulmate-type bond from that point on. They have one fight that lasts three days and shortly after that Richen is taken away and getting him back is Talon's main objective... not that he really tries to find him very much. He's too busy being a folk hero and a street artist for orphanage children. Talon is also just a little too good at everything he sets his mind to and everything just kind of falls into his lap with minimal work or effort. So there are no relationships to get invested in and no plot to look forward to.
In Chapter 2-3 we also have 3-4 mentions of how neither Talon nor Richen want 'anything about their relationship to change'. Which is fine. Once. I can comprehend the concept of asexuality without getting it explained 4 times in less than 20 pages.
The plot is weak, relationships are watery, and Talon is one step away from being a Mary Sue and doesn't care about finding his Soulmate very much. Can't recommend.
June 14, 2023
Solid Debut
LOTVB is a solid piece of work, a sprawling fantasy that feels very personal, more of a character study than an adventure.
The overall plot was one of my favourite parts, though some threads either and don't really get a chance to bloom. We follow Talon, born under a curse, as he navigates a troubled life. It has an episodic feeling to it, as Talon changes with the seasons of his life.
It spans a long time frame and makes liberal use of time skips. It is the people that Talon meets, and from whom he grows, that the story puts at its centre.
It's a lovely thematic touch, to have Talon (literally) be so many different people through his long life.
That said, the narrative style and voice, with the big time jumps, creates a large distance between me and Talon. I like to get comfy right beside the character.
This is a debut, granted - and a damn sight better than my debut, so hats off.
I can see the author has some polishing to do, but in a peculiar inversion of the norm, it is the big picture elements that really shine. The plot, the character and the theme are all great, and I'm looking forward to the author developing their voice and style more.
If you don't mind narrative distance/long paragraphs, and want a solid character driven fantasy, I would recommend LOTVB
Keep this author on your radar, I predict them going places.
LOTVB is a solid piece of work, a sprawling fantasy that feels very personal, more of a character study than an adventure.
The overall plot was one of my favourite parts, though some threads either and don't really get a chance to bloom. We follow Talon, born under a curse, as he navigates a troubled life. It has an episodic feeling to it, as Talon changes with the seasons of his life.
It spans a long time frame and makes liberal use of time skips. It is the people that Talon meets, and from whom he grows, that the story puts at its centre.
It's a lovely thematic touch, to have Talon (literally) be so many different people through his long life.
That said, the narrative style and voice, with the big time jumps, creates a large distance between me and Talon. I like to get comfy right beside the character.
This is a debut, granted - and a damn sight better than my debut, so hats off.
I can see the author has some polishing to do, but in a peculiar inversion of the norm, it is the big picture elements that really shine. The plot, the character and the theme are all great, and I'm looking forward to the author developing their voice and style more.
If you don't mind narrative distance/long paragraphs, and want a solid character driven fantasy, I would recommend LOTVB
Keep this author on your radar, I predict them going places.
May 25, 2023
Heart-rending story of love, companionship, regret, and turning a new leaf while ever hopeful.
November 10, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was beautiful. The queer norm society is something that I am constantly looking for in fantasy books, and this was done so well. The ace representation was so well done. It felt so natural and not forced, and in a classic style of fantasy, which is usually lacking in diversity, this was such a breath of fresh air.
This story does feel like a debut, but don't let that stop you from picking it up. The story is easy to follow and I think that there's such a market for "accessible fantasy". Personally, I hate it when I feel too stupid for a book, and this one, while it didn't hold your hand, it didn't have an overly complex plot or a ton of characters that you got confused.
I'll definitely be picking up the sequel, because the action of the book really ramped up at the end of this book, and I'm excited to see how it continues.
The audiobook for this is on Spotify as a podcast. It was released a chapter at a time, which is such a unique way to do it. The narrator is fantastic and really adds to the depth of the story!
This was beautiful. The queer norm society is something that I am constantly looking for in fantasy books, and this was done so well. The ace representation was so well done. It felt so natural and not forced, and in a classic style of fantasy, which is usually lacking in diversity, this was such a breath of fresh air.
This story does feel like a debut, but don't let that stop you from picking it up. The story is easy to follow and I think that there's such a market for "accessible fantasy". Personally, I hate it when I feel too stupid for a book, and this one, while it didn't hold your hand, it didn't have an overly complex plot or a ton of characters that you got confused.
I'll definitely be picking up the sequel, because the action of the book really ramped up at the end of this book, and I'm excited to see how it continues.
The audiobook for this is on Spotify as a podcast. It was released a chapter at a time, which is such a unique way to do it. The narrator is fantastic and really adds to the depth of the story!
June 15, 2023
I read this book because my boyfriend suggested it to me since his gaming friend wrote it. I enjoyed it and it was right up my alley with the types of books I read. I feel like I would’ve enjoyed this book more if it was split into two as sometimes there was just too much detail happening that I found myself needing to take a break. But overall a very good book and I look forward to reading the next!
March 1, 2025
Book Twelve of 2025: long, winding read. I picked it up because of the asexual relationship, which is a primary motivating force in the book, but didn't actually get too much page time.
This is a good self published novel, but is quite meandering. I liked how it covered about fifty years of Talon's life, and so featured many different friendships.
This is a good self published novel, but is quite meandering. I liked how it covered about fifty years of Talon's life, and so featured many different friendships.
Want to Read
March 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A boy born to a wealthy family is tied to a mysterious dark entity from birth. He has always heard a voice in his head telling him to do things he knows he shouldn’t. He only listens to it sometimes…
This has a very steady and intriguing opening. The storytelling and pleasantly un-rushed prose reminds me something of a Victorian novel.
The focus of this opening is not on action (well, more on that in a sec) but on character, and the wonderful, tantalizing mystery of this voice in our young MCs head. Not to mention the dark doings of his secretive father.
The names are excellent and the sparse details hint at a vibrant and expanding world. I’m very eager to know where this story will go and what inciting incident will spin everything into action.
I said this doesn’t start with action, but that isn’t quite true. The prologue (which is really section 1 of chapter 1) starts immediately with a clandestine birth in a hidden ritual chamber. It's short, but effective.
That’s action, and boy does it create a lot of promise as a reader. Tallsquall does a wonderful job of telling the reader JUST enough to leave them wanting more. Now we sit and wait for the other shoe to drop.
I will say if the prologue had invested some more time to create a scene with the conflict that it almost off-handedly introduces in its final paragraph, it would have pulled me in even more.
Some things can be too obscure. But, that aside, this is a very intriguing and unique beginning. I like it’s sensibilities and am eager to see what the characters sound like in dialogue.
I’m also interested to see how Tallsquall explores what he calls “a fantasy story of love and loss through the lense of asexuality.” I’m in.
A boy born to a wealthy family is tied to a mysterious dark entity from birth. He has always heard a voice in his head telling him to do things he knows he shouldn’t. He only listens to it sometimes…
This has a very steady and intriguing opening. The storytelling and pleasantly un-rushed prose reminds me something of a Victorian novel.
The focus of this opening is not on action (well, more on that in a sec) but on character, and the wonderful, tantalizing mystery of this voice in our young MCs head. Not to mention the dark doings of his secretive father.
The names are excellent and the sparse details hint at a vibrant and expanding world. I’m very eager to know where this story will go and what inciting incident will spin everything into action.
I said this doesn’t start with action, but that isn’t quite true. The prologue (which is really section 1 of chapter 1) starts immediately with a clandestine birth in a hidden ritual chamber. It's short, but effective.
That’s action, and boy does it create a lot of promise as a reader. Tallsquall does a wonderful job of telling the reader JUST enough to leave them wanting more. Now we sit and wait for the other shoe to drop.
I will say if the prologue had invested some more time to create a scene with the conflict that it almost off-handedly introduces in its final paragraph, it would have pulled me in even more.
Some things can be too obscure. But, that aside, this is a very intriguing and unique beginning. I like it’s sensibilities and am eager to see what the characters sound like in dialogue.
I’m also interested to see how Tallsquall explores what he calls “a fantasy story of love and loss through the lense of asexuality.” I’m in.
October 20, 2022
The debut novel from Jay Tallsquall does not read like a debut novel. The character development, growth, and layered story is on par with those who have several publications under their belt. It is a beautiful story of love in all its forms, while still managing to hit the high stakes beats of a fantasy adventure.
While I would normally grimace to know that the majority of formative interactions in this novel are of the masculine variety, with very few truly impactful female characters, it actually works well here. This is a masterpiece of non-toxic masculinity, openly displaying the bonds of romance, brotherhood, mentorship - in both directions - and fatherly support.
Jay does not shy away from showing the men’s emotions in the matters at hand, either. Nor does he fall into the stereotypical display of aggression and violence that is so common in modern fantasy media when a man gets upset. Instead, there are tears, elation, tenderness, kindness, determination, and well-handled anger.
As to the story (without spoilers), it is a wonderful journey through the growth and life of Talon - through his trials, his hardships, facing loss, reveling in victories, and pulling himself up from the lowest moments. The world, too, is a beautiful patchwork of familiar fantasy races and tropes, with a few surprises tossed in to mix it all up.
I would highly recommend reading this book, and will be eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series.
While I would normally grimace to know that the majority of formative interactions in this novel are of the masculine variety, with very few truly impactful female characters, it actually works well here. This is a masterpiece of non-toxic masculinity, openly displaying the bonds of romance, brotherhood, mentorship - in both directions - and fatherly support.
Jay does not shy away from showing the men’s emotions in the matters at hand, either. Nor does he fall into the stereotypical display of aggression and violence that is so common in modern fantasy media when a man gets upset. Instead, there are tears, elation, tenderness, kindness, determination, and well-handled anger.
As to the story (without spoilers), it is a wonderful journey through the growth and life of Talon - through his trials, his hardships, facing loss, reveling in victories, and pulling himself up from the lowest moments. The world, too, is a beautiful patchwork of familiar fantasy races and tropes, with a few surprises tossed in to mix it all up.
I would highly recommend reading this book, and will be eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series.
June 16, 2023
Full disclosure, I was given a copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I was pulled into this by that absolutely stunning cover (how could you not be?) but had no idea what I was in for. This was an interesting, and at times thrilling, ride and is certainly worth picking up as there is a lot to enjoy here. I found the asexual representation here particularly interesting here, as it’s something that certainly becomes a discussion at a couple of points in the story, but never feels token. In fact, the way it’s handled is by we the readers discovering that alongside the protagonist, so you really get such a great insight into the headspace of someone discovering that about themselves.
But rep aside, this was an intriguing story that read like very classic fantasy, with a modern flavour, and many lines really delivered on that tough balancing act. For me this is a 3.5 and I was really torn by which end of the scale I’d have to tip here, but although there’s a lot of great lines here that paint a wonderful picture, there’s just a few moments here and there where it feels a little overwritten in a way that slightly slowed the pace in a way that contrasted against its otherwise page-turning nature. That coupled with a slightly unfulfilling ending, just tipped the scales.
But fans of classic fantasy will have plenty to love here that makes it well worth the read, and I’m certainly coming back for the sequel!
I was pulled into this by that absolutely stunning cover (how could you not be?) but had no idea what I was in for. This was an interesting, and at times thrilling, ride and is certainly worth picking up as there is a lot to enjoy here. I found the asexual representation here particularly interesting here, as it’s something that certainly becomes a discussion at a couple of points in the story, but never feels token. In fact, the way it’s handled is by we the readers discovering that alongside the protagonist, so you really get such a great insight into the headspace of someone discovering that about themselves.
But rep aside, this was an intriguing story that read like very classic fantasy, with a modern flavour, and many lines really delivered on that tough balancing act. For me this is a 3.5 and I was really torn by which end of the scale I’d have to tip here, but although there’s a lot of great lines here that paint a wonderful picture, there’s just a few moments here and there where it feels a little overwritten in a way that slightly slowed the pace in a way that contrasted against its otherwise page-turning nature. That coupled with a slightly unfulfilling ending, just tipped the scales.
But fans of classic fantasy will have plenty to love here that makes it well worth the read, and I’m certainly coming back for the sequel!
August 23, 2024
Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is a fantasy that swept me away with its wonderful storytelling and charismatic characters. From a darkly thrilling prologue that sent literal shivers up my spine to moments of beautiful love and friendship or chapters that made my heart break this book will definitely take you on an emotional rollercoaster. I loved the fact that the author created a book centred on an asexual relationship and explored it in a way that highlighted how full and complex it could be. This is largely explored through the use of dual timelines which really allowed the reader to see the steady building from friendship to something more. There is also a strong focus on father- son relationships, biological or otherwise, and again these are sensitively explored over the course of the book. The world building is exceptional, yes there are elves and dwarves but there are also new and fascinating races and creatures all coexisting in a wonderfully queer normative world. I was completely absorbed by the story being told, a very dark version of the chosen one trope in some ways, and it is rare to find such a well balanced blend of storytelling and character development but somehow the author managed it perfectly. The growth of Talon, the central character, as he faces the many challenges sent his way meant that I found myself rooting for him even when all seemed lost. The last few chapters of the book really ramped up the drama and tension and had me immediately reaching for book two as I needed to know what was going to happen next!
December 28, 2024
This novel tells a story across the years of a man's life. Talon comes from a family with a curse. When he is in his teens he meets a boy that comes as an apprentice to one of servants in his home and falls in love. Though circumstances, with the curse being involved, they get separated, and he spends years searching his beloved.
He meets a young "brother" of the spirit, finds out more about the family issue and ends up rethinking some of his childhood and teenaged assumptions about his father and his mother, more his mother. He tries unsuccessfully to save his city and home and goes on a long travel, ending up living with elves and drawfs in a city in a cave. After many adventures and a lot of learning he comes back home.
They say you can't come home, and that is true because he comes back a different man that when he left. He gets another ally and there is a major stand off and things improve.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys m-m romance with lots of family dysfunction. It helps that the story resonates with me as I know what it is to need to create my own chosen family in many ways and find my own way. It is what I would call an expic story.
He meets a young "brother" of the spirit, finds out more about the family issue and ends up rethinking some of his childhood and teenaged assumptions about his father and his mother, more his mother. He tries unsuccessfully to save his city and home and goes on a long travel, ending up living with elves and drawfs in a city in a cave. After many adventures and a lot of learning he comes back home.
They say you can't come home, and that is true because he comes back a different man that when he left. He gets another ally and there is a major stand off and things improve.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys m-m romance with lots of family dysfunction. It helps that the story resonates with me as I know what it is to need to create my own chosen family in many ways and find my own way. It is what I would call an expic story.
May 14, 2023
This story on the surface is about someone running from their destiny. Underneath this is a story about the complex relationships we have we family (the one we are born with and the one we find) with characters who are well written and have depth to them. I thought the world building was handled well, with information about it delivered at a reasonable pace throughout the book. Overall a great debut novel and i will be looking forward to reading the next in the series.
May 26, 2023
THIS BOOK!
The intrigue of Legacy of the Vermillion Blade starts from page 1, not even chapter 1, the prologue! If you want a book that immediately sucks you in and latches onto you then this is the book for you! The opening was brilliant, I had so many questions I needed answering.
Excellently written in a very fast paced way that makes the pages magically turn by themselves, it’s a real joy to follow Talon’s childhood and see the immediate “uniqueness” of him. Whilst subtle and deliberately childlike at the start, the dark chilling undertones start from the beginning and do not let up!
The development of Talon from boy to man was one of my favourite transitions. I was so invested to immediately see who he had become and was still being. The growth throughout in this book has a wonderful display of dark and light character evolution.
The asexuality representation is sublime. So incredibly refreshing and important to see!
I was enthralled throughout it all. I also loved the world, one place we spent time in I wish I could visit myself. What an unknown gem of a book!
The intrigue of Legacy of the Vermillion Blade starts from page 1, not even chapter 1, the prologue! If you want a book that immediately sucks you in and latches onto you then this is the book for you! The opening was brilliant, I had so many questions I needed answering.
Excellently written in a very fast paced way that makes the pages magically turn by themselves, it’s a real joy to follow Talon’s childhood and see the immediate “uniqueness” of him. Whilst subtle and deliberately childlike at the start, the dark chilling undertones start from the beginning and do not let up!
The development of Talon from boy to man was one of my favourite transitions. I was so invested to immediately see who he had become and was still being. The growth throughout in this book has a wonderful display of dark and light character evolution.
The asexuality representation is sublime. So incredibly refreshing and important to see!
I was enthralled throughout it all. I also loved the world, one place we spent time in I wish I could visit myself. What an unknown gem of a book!
June 28, 2024
This book was a gift from one of my best friends, and I could not put it down. I'm recovering from COVID so I plan on giving it a better review later but, this was amazing for both its storytelling and its representation of Ace and queer love and expression.
June 3, 2024
Hey folks! I hope you enjoy my book! It was a labor of love to try and share a personal account of asexuality through a high fantasy narrative.
February 4, 2025
3.5. Wowie, ace people! :)
December 28, 2022
3.75 pieces of 🍰
Talon finds love and family outside of his home in this story of an unwanted destiny and how it can screw with your life. I was left with questions about his father, but overall, this is a well crafted story with interesting characters and plot worth reading.
There were a few missteps, but nothing a good edit couldn't solve (i.e. the plural of the thief is thieves, not thiefs). I'll definitely be rereading this book and looking for the next one to come.
Talon finds love and family outside of his home in this story of an unwanted destiny and how it can screw with your life. I was left with questions about his father, but overall, this is a well crafted story with interesting characters and plot worth reading.
There were a few missteps, but nothing a good edit couldn't solve (i.e. the plural of the thief is thieves, not thiefs). I'll definitely be rereading this book and looking for the next one to come.
December 23, 2024
The Vermillion Blade is an epic love story about a boy who spends his life searching for his lost love.
Talon Vermane-Coer is born with an evil inside of him, a dark legacy from a father who only sees his son as a weapon for his ambitions. The only reprieve from the dark voice in his head is his budding relationship with the smith’s apprentice. But when they are separated, he spends the rest of his life searching for his lost love while struggling to overthrow the dark chains that his family has placed on him. The Vermillion-Blade is an epic love story that explores the breaking of generational curses and the power of love, in all its forms.
What I Liked:
I really enjoyed the main character, Talon Vermane-Coer, and his determination to deny the designs made on him by his family. I enjoyed how complex this character is as we follow him on his journey of self-discovery through different life stages. The story truly shines as an exploration of love, and the different types of love you meet as you journey through life. I especially appreciated the representation of an ace main character, and all of the varied depictions of male relationships that were presented throughout the novel.
What I Didn’t Like:
Ultimately, however, this book wasn’t for me. The pacing of it is really slow, and this is more for fans who enjoy slice-of-life stories that take its’ time exploring the life story of a character. I really struggled through it, honestly, and wished for more urgency and a faster pace, as there are a lot of flashbacks and time jumps. I do think that readers who enjoy slower-paced books that unfold like an autobiography might enjoy this a lot more.
In addition, while half of the story was resolved with the ending, I wished that the other half had been resolved as well. Talon’s reunion with Richen was the main motivation getting me through the pages, and I was disappointed when that did not occur. There were plot conveniences that I found unrealistic where I found it difficult to stretch my suspension of disbelief, especially in regard to the unasked questions between Talon and Osman. Finally, I’m not sure that the prose was a best fit for me, as it did a lot of telling of the narrative and there was quite of bit of narrative distance from the reader.
Overall, I love the idea of the story, and I appreciate what it was going for, but as someone who prefers more faster-paced fiction, it’s hard to say I enjoyed it. I do think this is perfect for fans who enjoy stories that explore the life of a central character, and of epic love stories that span multiple books and lifetimes.
Indie Rating: 5 stars
Personal Rating: 3 stars
Talon Vermane-Coer is born with an evil inside of him, a dark legacy from a father who only sees his son as a weapon for his ambitions. The only reprieve from the dark voice in his head is his budding relationship with the smith’s apprentice. But when they are separated, he spends the rest of his life searching for his lost love while struggling to overthrow the dark chains that his family has placed on him. The Vermillion-Blade is an epic love story that explores the breaking of generational curses and the power of love, in all its forms.
What I Liked:
I really enjoyed the main character, Talon Vermane-Coer, and his determination to deny the designs made on him by his family. I enjoyed how complex this character is as we follow him on his journey of self-discovery through different life stages. The story truly shines as an exploration of love, and the different types of love you meet as you journey through life. I especially appreciated the representation of an ace main character, and all of the varied depictions of male relationships that were presented throughout the novel.
What I Didn’t Like:
Ultimately, however, this book wasn’t for me. The pacing of it is really slow, and this is more for fans who enjoy slice-of-life stories that take its’ time exploring the life story of a character. I really struggled through it, honestly, and wished for more urgency and a faster pace, as there are a lot of flashbacks and time jumps. I do think that readers who enjoy slower-paced books that unfold like an autobiography might enjoy this a lot more.
In addition, while half of the story was resolved with the ending, I wished that the other half had been resolved as well. Talon’s reunion with Richen was the main motivation getting me through the pages, and I was disappointed when that did not occur. There were plot conveniences that I found unrealistic where I found it difficult to stretch my suspension of disbelief, especially in regard to the unasked questions between Talon and Osman. Finally, I’m not sure that the prose was a best fit for me, as it did a lot of telling of the narrative and there was quite of bit of narrative distance from the reader.
Overall, I love the idea of the story, and I appreciate what it was going for, but as someone who prefers more faster-paced fiction, it’s hard to say I enjoyed it. I do think this is perfect for fans who enjoy stories that explore the life of a central character, and of epic love stories that span multiple books and lifetimes.
Indie Rating: 5 stars
Personal Rating: 3 stars
October 1, 2023
I think that this is a very solid debut fantasy story.
There were a few issues in the writing that I had, but overall very well written and you can tell Tallsquall knows what he is doing with a pen (or computer these days).
I really felt like I knew Talon pretty well as a character. I grew to love him in the story as we are following him for decades. However, because this is a short novel that spans a significant time frame, I had no time to connect to anyone else. There is a saying of "telling and not showing", which people refer to quite often. This book had no choice but to do this because time was passing so fast. Instead of getting to see friendships and side characters blossom, we are introduced to the characters, some time passes, and now we are told they are the best of friends. I like to get to know my relationships, which was not able to occur with this format, which left me disconnected to any of the side characters and relationships.
The overarching plot revolved around Talon finding his lost love, Richen, who was taken away by a different race of people for reasons. I think not enough time was used to build up the subplots in the story, which was what really came to head at the end of the book. It left me not as invested as I wanted.
If you are a plot driven reader, I think this is the book for you. Plenty to love here. I would have loved more world building and side character development, which was what made this book overall a 3 star from me.
There is a lot of potential in this novel, and despite some of the issues I had with it, I never wanted to DNF this. I always wanted to continue on to see what happened, which is the sign of good writing. I absolutely will be continuing on with the series when the next installment comes out!
Also, great asexual representation if that is something you are looking for!
There were a few issues in the writing that I had, but overall very well written and you can tell Tallsquall knows what he is doing with a pen (or computer these days).
I really felt like I knew Talon pretty well as a character. I grew to love him in the story as we are following him for decades. However, because this is a short novel that spans a significant time frame, I had no time to connect to anyone else. There is a saying of "telling and not showing", which people refer to quite often. This book had no choice but to do this because time was passing so fast. Instead of getting to see friendships and side characters blossom, we are introduced to the characters, some time passes, and now we are told they are the best of friends. I like to get to know my relationships, which was not able to occur with this format, which left me disconnected to any of the side characters and relationships.
The overarching plot revolved around Talon finding his lost love, Richen, who was taken away by a different race of people for reasons. I think not enough time was used to build up the subplots in the story, which was what really came to head at the end of the book. It left me not as invested as I wanted.
If you are a plot driven reader, I think this is the book for you. Plenty to love here. I would have loved more world building and side character development, which was what made this book overall a 3 star from me.
There is a lot of potential in this novel, and despite some of the issues I had with it, I never wanted to DNF this. I always wanted to continue on to see what happened, which is the sign of good writing. I absolutely will be continuing on with the series when the next installment comes out!
Also, great asexual representation if that is something you are looking for!
December 26, 2023
Dnf @37.
This book sounded right up my alley. Ace rep, queer fantasy.
Throughout reading this I kept trying to figure out what was bugging me. It's like someone telling me a story instead of me reading a characters point of view of their story.
I got to chapter 14 hoping the world would be more fleshed out also (all these other races mentioned, God's, demons, elves, dragonborn. Where do they come from? Do they have special abilities/qualities? Magic and potions are mentioned. How does magic work? Etc.) and that the writing style would change.
This book sounded right up my alley. Ace rep, queer fantasy.
Throughout reading this I kept trying to figure out what was bugging me. It's like someone telling me a story instead of me reading a characters point of view of their story.
I got to chapter 14 hoping the world would be more fleshed out also (all these other races mentioned, God's, demons, elves, dragonborn. Where do they come from? Do they have special abilities/qualities? Magic and potions are mentioned. How does magic work? Etc.) and that the writing style would change.
August 12, 2023
What a fantastic first novel! A sprawling fantasy world that is captivating and engrossing. It’s empowering and inclusive - a refreshing and meaningful change to the tired tropes found in most genre works. It’s is filled with positivity and a hopefulness that I found to be very meaningful. If you love fantasy stories with rich characters and plenty of excitement, do yourself a favor and read this NOW.
November 18, 2024
I don't know what to do with this review because I enjoyed the book a lot but it also left me quiete puzzled when it came to some aspects of it. I loved how it used the 3rd person POV and felt a bit like a legend of sorts in the style of prose. But I kinda struggled with the characters and how they were written.
July 10, 2024
I got Legacy of the Vermillion Blade as a gift, but I also acquired it on Audible... and ATE that book up so very quickly, that at the very end, I screamed in agony that I needed to wait for my order of the Promise of the Betrayer's Dagger to be delivered... Guess who's diving in to PotBD today?
October 24, 2023
damn it, I wanted to love this book.
Review soon to come on my blog.
Review soon to come on my blog.
September 4, 2024
3,5*
I will continue, but I was quite bored towards the end.
I will continue, but I was quite bored towards the end.
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