Blood Sworn

When I reviewed the first book, Ashlords, I mentioned that the worldbuilding wasn't as tight as I wished it were. Turns out the lack of explanation I needed (something with the blood sacrifices to the gods) is basically the main theme of the sequel. I'll forgive Reintgen, then :)

What I love about YA fantasy is that you get your epic war battles, but all the political intrigue etc. is kept at minimum as to focus on these young protagonists as they grow into their future selfs. What I don't like is how the ending always fall a little flat because it's not as nuanced, and perhaps a little too rose-tinted (...for me). Alas, you can't have one without the other. There's a time for everything, yeah?

Reintgen has a straight-to-the-point writing which is coloured with beautiful prose. I really love that, and for that alone, I may have to dive into some of his other writing.

I finished this last night, and I'm still struck by the mastermind trick he pulled on me with the choice of Pippa's POV (2nd POV). As to not give spoilers let me just say I fell for the goddamn trick. I'm really excited about that, actually. It means Reintgen did a splendid job.

I won't be surprised if I find myself rereading this duology someday.