Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 Reasonable, if cliched September 6, 2008
Christopher M. Hyland (UK)
Last month, I reviewed The Summoner, which although quite full of generic fantasy tropes, and clearly aimed as a stable, core-market book, (though with nicer than usual artwork) was nevertheless fun to read. The Blood King is, essentially, more of the same.
Which is not to say that's a bad thing, but with this sequel, and Tris' return to Margolan to defeat his murdering brother, Jared, and the suitably mad/evil firemage, Foor Arontala, there was the opportunity to do something a bit different. Instead, The Blood King unfolds with a (admittedly fun) inevitability, and everything I expected to happen, particularly towards the end of the book, happened.
While The Blood King, as with it's prequel, doesn't do that much new, it is still a fun read, and Martin improves her characterisation a lot in this book, particularly with regards to the sellsword, Vahanian, as we learn more about his past, and why he's such a cynic. The pacing is a bit slow in the first half, though this is countered by how much we learn about the Summoner's powers, and all the pieces being put in place for the final conflict to stop Jared and Arontala raising the ancient evil, The Obsidian King, to destroy the world. Which, as I've said before, everybody, be they mad bad guys or not, should realise is a bad thing.
One of my favourite scenes in this book was the meeting of the Blood Council -- the vayash moru (vampires, if you remember). While they are basically still your typical vamps, learning a bit more about their history within a fantasy setting was interesting, and book three, Dark Haven, should hopefully build on this. However, the unexpected romance between the good guy, Tris, and the good girl, Kiara, worked better in The Summoner, in my opinion. Then, they realised something was going on, but were too busy preparing for war ... now they're at war, and deciding it's time to announce their feelings. Still, I suppose they were expecting to die...
Overall, The Blood King isn't a bad read. It's not wildly inventive, it ends just as you expect, but it is good fun, and it's a good-fun enough read that I'll be back for more.
 like so many books could of been great. July 14, 2008
J. A. John
this is a frustrating book as it is good and teters on the edge of being great. anoyingly so its a good trye but just not quite there in the vast market of great authers out there. and coupled with a lacklustre and unsatisfying ending. it truly frustrates. its acseptable if you want to just read and kill time but dont expect to laugh out randomly or care about the charecters its just ok.
A decent read but uninspiring June 9, 2008
Midnight (London, UK)
If you liked 'The Summoner' then chances are you'll like this one too as it's pretty much just more of the same. I find Gail Martin's writing style to be mediocre at best and the plotline itself, while entertaining, is rather predictable and leans towards the cliche. That being said I still found it fairly enjoyable and satisfying - the protagonists, while stereotypical and a tad underdeveloped, are likeable enough, and despite the obvious padding the book works up some decent momentum for the final confrontation. Overall I would say that it's a good time-waster if you don't want to have to think too much.
 very satisfying but is it all over? April 12, 2008
The Electric Ghost (UK)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I loved The Summoner and this follow up is just as good. The main characters all get their desserts, sweet or just, depending on whether they are good or evil. And that sums up a good tale, really, the triumph of good over evil - and the villains are truly nasty and unlikeable - through protagonists that seem real or with whom one can identify. Okay, I didnt give it 5 stars because there was just a teeny bit too much syrup in the mix, but then again, if you want hard, read Joe Abercrombie's trilogy. If you liked Wurtz and Feist's Empire trilogy, you'll want to read this. I was puzzled that this was presented as a duology(?), but at 600+ pages per volume, you get your money's worth and the story has enough in it to lead into a longer series if Gail Martin so decides. I look forward to Ms Martin's next book, wherever it leads.
An ok book, not as good as the first one March 13, 2008
T. Robinson (Cambridge, UK)
6 out of 12 found this review helpful
This story lacks the vigour, pace and imagination of the first book in the series. It feels as though the story has been padded out to achieve a deadline and had less enthusiasm from the author than the first book.
I have around 3 chapters to go to finish it and I will do so, however, it is proving necessary to force myself to complete the book. Perhaps the finale will change my view, if it does I'll come back and amend this.
That all aside, it is readable if you have read the first one but I would have preferred to buy this second hand! Sorry Gail, I guess I'll never know if my assessment is correct.
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