| Title | : | The Blood Knight (Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0345440684 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780345440686 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 495 |
| Publication | : | First published April 1, 2006 |
The legendary Briar King has awakened, spreading madness and destruction. Half-remembered, poorly understood prophecies seem to point to the young princess Anne Dare, rightful heir to the throne of Crotheny, as the world's only hope. Yet Anne is hunted by the minions of the usurper Robert, whose return from the grave has opened a doorway through which sinister sorceries have poured into the world. Though Anne herself is the conduit of fearsome powers beyond her understanding and control, it is time for girl to become woman, princess to become queen. Anne must stop running and instead march at the head of an army to take back her kingdom . . . or die trying.
But a mysterious assassin stalks her, so skilled in the deadly fencing style of dessrata that even Anne's friend and protector Cazio, a master of the form, cannot stand against him, nor can her sworn defender, the young knight Neil MeqVren.
As for Anne's other companions-Aspar White, the royal holter who bears an enchanted arrow capable of felling the Briar King; and Stephen Darige, the monk who blew the horn that woke the Briar King from his slumber-they cannot help her, as their separate paths carry them ever deeper into a deadly maze of myth and magic from which return may be impossible.
Meanwhile, Queen Muriele is a prisoner of the false king. With no allies but a crippled musician, who is himself a prisoner, and a servingwoman who is both more and less than she seems, Muriele will find herself a pawn in Robert's schemes for conquest-and a weapon to be used against her own daughter.
The Blood Knight (Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, #3) Reviews
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A word of advice: do not let too much time pass before reading each next instalment in this tetralogy. This novel opens somewhat in the thick of things, and I had to refer back to both
The Charnel Prince and
The Briar King to catch up on the characters and the back story. This is not a bad thing though. It is, to be honest, a quite seamless transition between novels. As the story progresses, the reader’s memory is jogged more than adequately, so no harm done.
Again, I have to commend Keyes for his action sequences. Really good stuff! Anybody who has read my review of
The Charnel Prince will know that I have a rather high regard for this series, and this instalment certainly didn’t disappoint. It is dark and grim and moody, for the most part, but has some sly offerings of humour as well.
Something interesting was how Keyes actually altered the history of his world this time round, making much of what we learn in the earlier novels moot, as the characters become aware of hidden truths and deceptions. There are also some shocking reveals and twists to keep thing interesting.
The trend of ending almost every chapter on a cliff-hanger is continued here. This makes for some pretty exciting reading. I love the pacing in these books. Keyes doesn’t allow the story to get bogged down. There is intrigue, but Keyes offsets it nicely with suspense and high drama. The creatures of his world also continue to impress. A new one is introduced here, namely the Woorm. The horde of Slinders, introduced in The Charnel Prince, is developed in much more detail here. Really, really creepy.
And then, of course, there is The Kept…
The elements of music and languages are explored, again, and I was impressed, again. This series is a roller coaster ride that I am thoroughly enjoying.
This novel, like its predecessors, drips with atmosphere. I am looking forward to reading the closing chapter in this saga:
The Born Queen. -
The Blood Knight is the third and, so far, best book of the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone quartet. I finally felt fully immersed in this world and felt quite comfortable with the various characters. Also, there was a big improvement with its formatting and the distracting paragraphs with double line spacing… So, I feel like I should rate this book up, but it rather is 4.5 stars. So, still not quite perfect.
I love character-driven stories and this is rather action-driven. On the one side, this makes for a nice pace, on the other hand some conversations feel weird for example a discussion between two lovers about their feelings. Nevertheless, it did not bother me too much. I was too busy with reading and rooting for our POVs. I have to say that Cazio started to become a favourite: his witticism, his bravery, his loyalty. Anne is starting to become a bit scary but her chapters are still very enjoyable. I also look forward to finding out more about Stephen’s destiny. Some spoiler comments
“Here the sceptre passed from the race of demons to the race of woman”
I look forward to the series’ conclusion! -
This is a series I’ve put on hold for a number of years. I haven’t forgotten about it though and was pleased to find that Mr Keyes delivered another enjoyable reading experience upon my return to this universe.
If I thought the tone of the first two novels were dark, book 3 took this to another level. Some of the chapters took our cast to places I thought they might never escape from, especially with Aspar and Leoff.
Regarding the content, The Blood Knight contained much the same elements as the two previous novels. Lots of action and adventure, plenty of magic and far more romance than I was expecting this time round.
Once again, I found the writing to be concise and engaging. The novel itself is relatively small with compact chapters which made the story an easier read than some of the other tomes I have worked through in 2022.
I really like the cast of this series and have very clear images of each character in my imagination. The storylines I enjoyed the most this were Aspar’s and to my surprise Stephen’s. He was my least favourite character in the previous novels, so this was a nice change. I was a little disappointed we didn’t see more of Murielle this time but hopefully this will be rectified in the final novel.
A good solid novel which I’m happy to rate 4 stars. I hope the last volume delivers a satisfying, thrilling conclusion to series. I’m very much looking forward to reading it. For now though I have another fantasy series to start reviewing from Matthew Ward before I finally finish The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone. -
This review is going to be, sad to say, basically a list of what annoyed me. The more I continue into this series the more I find small things that didn't bother me before, but do now. The series actually seems to be slowing down as I read it. The characters don't seem to be doing much until the very end of the book. When I think back on the book, almost nothing stands out to me and I literally can't say what exactly went on. There are some plot elements that are still open from the first book that I want to know more about, but the author is holding them tantalizingly close but still out of reach. He's basically forcing me to read the last book, which I will because I want to know, and I might as well now that I'm this far. Its like I have to wade through all the fluff to get just a small tidbit of what I wanted to know.
Other things that started to get on my nerves were things like the author's obsession with language, which at first was kind of cool, but now it turns into characters talking endlessly about what a particular (made up) word means and how it changed through history. Kind of boring and forced. It's like the author really wants to force his love of language upon the reader.
The title of the book has almost nothing to do with the content and that irked me for some reason I can't explain. There were also a slew of love interests that randomly popped up in this book. All of them, (again a common theme) seemed forced. Characters would cling to each other after only just meeting and it was clear to me that the author wanted me to believe that this was a deep and involved union.
Anyways, not super interesting, though there were a few small parts I liked, but I will read the last book because I fell for the trap and want to know the ending. -
This series is dragging for me. The characters (subplots) keep having to face one challenge after another to make any forward progress and I am not sure what the progression outcome will be. I am not a gamer, but I liken the challenges to segments in video games. Kill the next beast or accomplish this task before the next new one. Of course the characters never perish, but bad things can happen to them. I suppose the ultimate outcome is good over evil, but that is a basic premise of any fantasy.
Any hoo, I already had the fourth and last book on my Kindle, so I am finishing the series. -
9/10
The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is one of those series where the plot is multi-layered and reading the books is like peeling off each layer to find something else beneath. Just as the characters frequently aren’t sure who to trust, the reader is in the same predicament.
Keyes has obviously either studied and practiced fencing and dueling himself or done a great deal of research, for the scenes with Casio and, to a lesser extent, with Neil, are some of the most detailed and feel very authentic. The same is true with the variations and derivations in languages in the scenes with Stephen—a real understanding of languages and how they develop and change over time and distance.
This third book in the series set a high bar and I hope the conclusion can match it. -
This excellent fantasy series ("Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone") is very
reminiscent of George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire - except that
it's actually finished! (There's one more book in the series that I
haven't yet read.) It follows a similar format, structurally, and the
'feel' of the writing is very similar. The story itself, however, is
quite original - at least, more so than many fantasy epics. I mean,
it's still got Dark Forces and Bold Warriors and Beautiful Queens etc,
etc... but we want that, right?
In the third book, The Blood Knight, the composer Leoff finds himself
entangled with the cursed and undead usurper, Robert. His only hope of
escape may be to create a composition of deadly power - music that may
kill anyone who hears it performed. But what cost to his soul will
writing this music take?
Meanwhile, Princess Anne is still on the run - but has begun to accept
the prophecy that she must be Queen, and finds a new maturity and
authority that is necessary to her destiny.
Anne may be the only hope the land has - because foul and deadly
creatures are seemingly multiplying, laying waste to the forest and
the lands. The Holter Aspar, Stephen, and Aspar's young village
sweetheart, Winna, are desperately seeking an answer to a dire problem
that becomes worse every day...
And now, I really rather desperately need to get my hands on a copy of
the fourth (and final) book in the series! -
This is the third book out of four in the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series and I enjoyed it a lot – about as much as I enjoyed the second book. This book felt a little more concentrated on a smaller set of story lines and characters, although that perception may be inaccurate. I think in reality it had close to the same number of characters, but fewer distinct storylines because events have begun merging together more. However, the over-all story seems to be getting progressively more intricate and interesting as it goes on and the world continues to gain more and more depth.
This book explained a lot more about some aspects of the world and its inhabitants. By the end, I felt like I understood the big picture better. However, there are still lingering questions that will hopefully be answered in the fourth and final book. Some interesting events also occurred near the end, and a couple of choices were made that I’m sure will lead to more trouble. I look forward to seeing what happens in the final book, and I hope the ending will bring everything to a satisfying conclusion. -
Took me long enough, my actual reading time has ground to a halt lately. Still love the series, don't see any flaws although I am sure they are there. Better than book two in my opinion.
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More! Must have more!
It has taken three books to figure out who is the good guys and who the bad guys are. It becomes much more clear in this book but I still have a bit on uncertainty. I love how complex this is. And that twist!
When my boyfriend who usually sticks to things like Kafka loves this series, you know it is a good one. Yes, the writing is a bit chopy but the story completely and utterly makes up for it. I believe I have said that before but it bears repeating.
The next one doesn't come out until late March '08. I want it now. Both of us are chomping at the bit. I may actually have to order two copies so we can read it at the same time. -
This is a very good story. Constant action, good villains, clean crisp dialog and even some laughs. The author also creates imaginative poems/songs and quotes fitting the worlds myth. Eager to get to each new book in the series.
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It's a testament to the excellent, unique worldbuilding of this series that even though I could barely remember a thing about the first two books when I opened this one, it only took me a handful of pages to get sucked right back into this complex, darkly fascinating fantasy world and reacquaint myself with its characters. Very excited to see what the final volume has in store.
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Engaging story, with many characters whose stories intertwine, but I still am not sure of exactly where we are headed.
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I have some mixed feelings about this installment of the series. Maybe because my gut is telling me that it should all be wrapped up by now, and yet there is another book to go. More then likely it is the lack of character development, which has been replaced by plot development. Well, I am all about the characters, and this book did not feed my need so to speak. Basically, readers who are more story focused then character focused will find plenty to love here. Character focused readers might be a bit disappointed, but as I said, there is plenty of story to get you through.
Full Review: [url=
http://dragonsheroesandwizards.blogsp..., Heroes and Wizards[/url:] -
This one took me a while to read, mostly due to other distractions and I think my enjoyment of it suffered due to that.
These books are clearly designed to be fast paced page-turner's based on some of the techniques used (e.g. cliff hanger chapter ends). To get most out of it I think the reader needs to reciprocate and keep up a good reading pace so that events flow smoothly towards the all action final 100 pages or so.
I do enjoy the way he mirrors the reality of historical records and tradition - the way that the "real history" and the "know history" have points in common but are vastly divergent. -
An excellent continuation of the series. If you like high fantasy with a dark and political bent (think Martin's Game of Thrones series), then you'll like this one even more, mainly because it's actually finished...
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While Keyes has laid off the killing of major characters in this volume, he adds some nifty plot twists and some pretty strong characterizations. By the novel's end I was eager to read the fourth and last, which is probably the best thing you can say about any series novels.(3.3)
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This book begins to reveal that the line between good and evil can sometimes be blurred.
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Another strong fantasy adventure, following the returning heroes -- by this point fairly scattered across the realm -- as they navigate civil war, political intrigue, and unjust imprisonment amid the prophesied apocalypse still unfolding all around them. It's the bleakest hour yet for this world, but author Greg Keyes never totally succumbs to the 'grimdark' ethos marking much of the modern genre. Even with the villain's cruelty reaching new heights, the forces opposing him gain in might and capability as well, with their moments of triumph rendered all the more exciting for the steep odds against any ultimate victory in the larger scenario.
The narrative also remains interested in exploring the mysteries of the local history and lore that have been built up before now, and there are a few reveals on that front that are particularly satisfying. I don't normally consider Brandon Sanderson a touchstone for this series, but I think this volume resembles his work in the magical systems that have deeper rules than is clear at first glance, with wickedly cool implications that surface fully only some time later. (And there's at least one additional surprise coming in the final novel, from what I can remember.)
A few too many characters fall in love over the course of this book, which makes it harder to invest in any of their romances, but for the most part, it's a thrill ride through and through. The action is excellent and the overall worldbuilding continues to impress, with cultural flourishes that speak to the writer's background in academic anthropology. He's really created an immersive environment for this tale, and I'm eager to revisit the culmination of everything ahead.
[Content warning for torture and rape.]
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I'm about to fall asleep on this one but I have a strong desire to finish the series. The strange religions and the monsters have kind of put me over the edge. So now we have a giant worm (spelled woorm) - this thing is poisoning everything and now we are all looking for a antidote.
Meanwhile, Anne is back home and butting heads with her zombie uncle. And trying to get through the secret passages only women and zombies can find. She also has some freaky powers the she learned in the coven and is now just trying to use.
Not sure if all of this action is connected yet - the Church that is actually evil, the Briar King that may have been killed, and Queen Anne with some crazy powers - but it's a tangled web right now.
It's like - pick a story line/theme/something - because all of this business is very confusing. -
The Blood Knight by Greg Keyes
Keyes seems to delight in killing off characters that I care about. This book was different, he didn’t kill off as many of them. The princess is trying to get home, the evil step-uncle is consolidating his power, the supernatural characters are offering conflicting help. I would not recommend this book as a stand-alone.
After several books you see the characters changing sometimes for the worse. The character who seems to mature the most is the princess. Some of the bad guys appear to get worse. There is not a clear-cut villain, there actually may be conflicting villains.
I enjoyed the story and recommend it, but in the order they were written.
1. The Briar King (2002) 2. The Charnel Prince (2004 -
The twists and turns in this book make me feel all the happier that I've stuck with this tetralogy.
The downside is that the characters seem to be wearing such heavy plot armour that it feels like there's almost no risk of them dying—which wasn't the case in the first books—but Keyes makes up for this lack of tension with more of a focus on solving mysteries.
The legends and histories in this world are what I love about it, and that's where this book shines, making it one of my all-time favourite fantasy novels. I can't wait to read the fourth and final book in the series.
I highly, highly recommend this one. -
Storyline is really good, novel and interesting, but Keyes makes it more complicated than it needs to be by making up words and using a LOT of them. At least have a glossary if that's how you wanna play...
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I would give 4.5 stars if I could. When I started the first book in the series, I wasn't sure I was going to finish it. Now I can't wait to see how this fantastic story finishes. Keyes has created an original fantasy with a vibrant life of its own.
