Blood of Kings

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

Storyline - Book 1 - By Darkness Hid - Achan is a nobody who has nobody. So when a legendary knight of the past offers him a squireship, he is confused, especially since strays are not allowed to serve in the Kingsguard anymore after the king was murdered and half the land went into darkness. When Achan's training is discovered, Sir Gavin disappears and Achan's life takes another unexpected tern. Things start to become confusing and dangerous. But, when the prince goes to the Counsel to receive the kingship, what will be discovered there will turn everyone's world upside down. Something more is going on here then anyone ever expected. Meanwhile, Vrell, a noble girl, is pretending to be a boy to escape the evil prince who wants to make her his queen, even by force. But when two Kingsguard come to take her to a new master for her rare gift, she has no choice but to go and try to continue to hid the truth. But as she starts learning to use her new skill of Bloodvoicing, she sense a powerful one who seems not to know what is going on and is in trouble. Everyone wants this one's gift but how is Vrell suppose to help him? And how long will she be able to keep her secret? And what will become of Achan as his world take an unexpected turn?

Author - Jill Williamson

Age Group - 15 and up (because it is meant for an older age group and it is quite large, intimidating younger people or just making them think "How am I going to read that?" or they might think they will get bored)

Content - The characters portray good traits. Achan does something to save a friend even though it is something that will not make him happy (sorry for being so vague but anymore detail will make it a big spoiler). Vrell tries to help Achan and protect him from those who would use him. Both are willing to help others. The distinction between good and evil are clear. Achan does wish others ill a few times. Vrell is lying about who she is but wants to do the right thing. The bad guys are creepy (but what do you expect). A few things are hinted at that makes this book more appropriate for teens and older.

Personal Opinion - What a great book. I can't believe I took so long in picking it up and read it but, when I did, I was shocked at how fast I went through it considering its size (10 pages short of 500. One of the longest books I have ever read. That is, outside of textbooks). There were a couple of times I thought it was going to get slow or I wanted to be reading about another character but then I would start reading and, within a paragraph to a page, I was hook on what was going on right there.  It took a little while for the Christian analogy stuff to come into the story but the parallels the author made were great but there are still things to learn because one of the characters knows very little of The Way. The characters themselves were wonderful and you really got interested in them and their situations.The pacing keeps the book moving nicely and is not hard to understand but still has great descriptions and well made back stories. I can't wait to read book two and see what happens to the characters and uncover the mysteries that you were left with in the end. This book deserves the award it won. A book I will highly recommend to my friends (one I will also want to discuss and debate with them on).

Awards - Winner of the 2010 Christy Award (http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/by-darkness-hid-wins-christy-award/)

Links - Learn more about the book series and the author at: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/the-blood-of-kings/ (you can also take a look at some trailers for the books at: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/book-trailers/).

Other books: Book 2 review - http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/2011/10/blood-of-kings-to-darkness-fled.html
                    
Book 3 review - Coming Soon

To read, comment, and rate this, and other, review, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/