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Promise of Blood

The Powder Mage Trilogy, Book 1

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Promise of Blood

By: Brian McClellan
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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About this listen

The Age of Kings is dead. And I have killed it.

Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sends corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brings bread to the starving. But it also provokes war in the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics and greedy scrambling for money and power by Tamas' supposed allies: the Church, workers' unions, and mercenary forces. Stretched to his limit, Tamas relies heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be Tamas' estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty will be tested to its limit.

Now, amid the chaos, a whispered rumour is spreading. A rumour about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods returning to walk the Earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing.… But perhaps they should.

©2013 Brian McClellan (P)2013 Hachette Digital Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic Wizardry Magic Users War Royalty
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The author has a fine skill in painting different characters, from the war-like Powder Mages, the devious Privileged, the cerebral Investigator, to the timid Laundress. As the story continues, you see new sides of each of these, all played out in an outstanding adventure tale. The use of magic is secondary to the story line, this is mostly character and action-driven. I really enjoyed the adventures, the plot turns, and I look forward with great anticipation to reading the next in the series.

The narration in this book is amazing. All the different voices, both men and women, are voiced in their own distinct tones and accents. Especially fine are the timid laundress Nyla, and the general's down-to-earth bodyguard Ollem. The quality of narration takes this book from a great tale to an outstanding one!

Great story, stellar narration!

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Where does Promise of Blood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the top 30

What other book might you compare Promise of Blood to, and why?

Its like sharp crossed with magic and mayhem, I cant really compare it as it is it's own niche. In a great way.

Have you listened to any of Christian Rodska’s other performances? How does this one compare?

no not listened to other ones

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes its a completely different spin on things

Any additional comments?

Imagine a typical fantasy realm with magic and inter kingdom warfare, progress to the 18th century teck so there are gun powder weapons. then let all hell brake loose with a coup with the modern taking on the old school magic and sit back and enjoy the show. definitely worth a listen s its a new spin on an old genre and by George it works.

Magic and Mayhem meets Napolionic warfare

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Any additional comments?

Well performed and great writing, all the story lines are interesting and link well in the story arc

looked at this and dismissed it, My mistake

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Whilst listening, the performance from Rodska were superb, especially Tama’s character. Overall the story was a little convoluted and the goal of some of the characters seemed short-lived in experience. But still I’m going to read more as the world building is really intriguing.

Napoleonic magic world of many things.

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Didn't go in for the premiss of the book, it's been done before (Malazan / Black company). couldn't have been more wrong. Far more in-depth writing, well fleshed out characters, a great world with rich interesting lore. The pacing was ace and the magic system which I often end up rolling my eyes makes the whole story more interesting. Gods...horny wizards and imperfect heroes. 7/10

Fan-tastic

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