Promise of Blood

This is one of my first forays into a hardcore epic fantasy series in a long time, and I am not sorry for it. Promise of Blood is an excellent series that works to show us how cool a world filled with kings, guns, coups, and gods can really be.

One of the major strengths of this book is how the magic system works. Every type of magician has some form of weakness and nothing is overlooked. The Powder mages have the power to control gunpowder and make it explode when they wish. They can ingest it and it heightens their senses. The madges can also be very accurate, even being able to curve and control bullets mid flight. Then there are the sorcerers who can control magic with their hands. Then there are those people who are called the knacked. These people have special abilities, such as noot needing sleep, and they can use it to their advantage. All of these people have what is called a third-eye, which can help them see magic when it is being used. All of them have a weakness and they are all used to provide the right amount of tension.


Tamas is the first main character that we see in this novel. He has the troublesome job of not only tearing down a nation's government, but also building up a new one, all while trying to deal with both external and internal foes. I really enjoyed just how badass Tamas was in this book. He represents the grizzled old veteran who can still kick ass. He introduces us to the world of the powder mages, soldiers who have the ability to use gunpowder as an explosive by just looking at it, and use it to heighten their senses when they ingest it. They can also curve bullets to make impossible shots and are very well trained marksmen. Tamas is the leader of the powder madges. After he staged his coup to overthrow the king, we see him struggle to keep the country of Adro together, all while having to deal with the nation of the Kez wanting to invade and having to deal with a traitor in their midst. He was a good viewpoint for all of the international events. How all of the small events in the other two perspectives managed to come together within the overall plot. The only negative thing I will say about him is that he was a man I wish we got more backstory on.

Adamat is a private investigator who Tamas has investigate two major mysteries in this novel: the possible summoning of a god, and discovering the traitor who is attempting to assassinate Tamas. His viewpoint is used to show the world of Adro, and all of the smaller details of his world. His investigations were a little drawn out, but I like the detail they brought to the world building. I also like how his investigation of the traitor was used to provide more detail and exposition on the other high ranking members of the world of Adro.

Tantiel is Tamas' son and a powder mage to boot. Nicknamed Tantiel Two-Shot for his excellent marksmanship, he is, perhaps, the best powder madge compared to his father. He represents what is happening to the country with regard to the international and super natural issues. He also has a majority of the combat in this book. I also like how his fault is that he is addicted to the gunpowder that he ingests. It can be used to heighten the senses, but if used too much, it can dull the senses permanently. This weakness made him all the more believable as a character.

The writing in this book is very well done. All of the action is done well and I liked how it was described. If I had to point to a negative in this book, it is that, when this story begins, the coup against the king has already begun. This means that when the characters say the king was corrupt, we simply have to take their word for it. I would have liked a few examples of his corruption, as opposed to being told about it. It is for that reason that I give this book a four out of five. Despite my problems with it, I really enjoyed the first book, and I can't wait for the second.