Customer Reviews

The Blood Circle

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By TT reviwer Wendi Thrasher [full review on our website]

The city-states of Sefron and Datyl find themselves inexplicably being targeted by assassins, not quite at random, nor with a truly recognizable pattern. No one is completely safe - and no one is above suspicion. The leaders of both cities are worried and have few clues with which to work.
When guardsman Jasper Baronson's lord and his wife are poisoned by a flower girl, he becomes obsessed with finding those responsible. He guards Lord Valon Padrason as the Sunlord begins his own investigation, and aids the Sunlord in his search. Unfortunately, the assassins are dedicated, professional and diligent. Leads are scarce and difficult to obtain. The shocking breakthrough in this case and the reasons behind the murders are horrifying. Will Lord Valon be able to put all the pieces together before the cities' leaders are assassinated next? Will Jasper Baronson be able to avenge his Lord's murder? Will they be able to stop the assassins, or will they merely have to settle for driving them into being more cautious?

A surprisingly good tale! I had trouble putting it down, and found my thoughts coming back to it throughout the day. The conflict presented here is not just one of good and evil, but one of basic morality versus social conditioning. The difficulty of doing the right thing in the face of those who insist otherwise is poignantly presented. Love, loss, frustration and fury are equally well represented here.

Definitely a keeper! This one is going on my "not-to-be-loaned-out" bookshelf, and will be saved for my children when they are a little older. Appropriate for teens on up, and yet will engage adults as well. The dialogue runs along smoothly, descriptions are vivid, and the plot moves along without faltering or stiffening. I am looking forward to more in this series, and will be disappointed if they are not forthcoming soon. I want to know where the Sunlords come from, how the settlers got here in the first place, and where they are going from here.