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Legends of the Bruhai #1
The Blood Stones
His name is not worthy.
A traitor is executed, his name ripped away from history. Now the kingdom stands on the brink of a succession war that could bring the country to its knees. Forces stalk the darkness, moving pawns into place in a deadly game.
Gehrin and his brothers were not meant to witness the execution, but now they find themselves trapped in the center of a political quagmire. When Gehrin faces the loss of everything he knows, will he also lose himself?
To the south, tribal warlords clash in an endless cycle of violence. Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain, kills for the honor of her people. An alliance with a foreign queen offers the power to unite the tribes, but at what cost?
Someday, history will remember them as legends.
A traitor is executed, his name ripped away from history. Now the kingdom stands on the brink of a succession war that could bring the country to its knees. Forces stalk the darkness, moving pawns into place in a deadly game.
Gehrin and his brothers were not meant to witness the execution, but now they find themselves trapped in the center of a political quagmire. When Gehrin faces the loss of everything he knows, will he also lose himself?
To the south, tribal warlords clash in an endless cycle of violence. Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain, kills for the honor of her people. An alliance with a foreign queen offers the power to unite the tribes, but at what cost?
Someday, history will remember them as legends.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2023
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January 20, 2024
My complete review of The Blood Stones is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Tori Tecken pours a lifetime’s love of fantasy into The Blood Stones, the masterfully written first volume of her new dark epic fantasy series, Legends of the Bruhai.
The novel opens with Gehrin, a young boy who, against his father’s wishes, witnesses the execution of a man sentenced to death for murder of the prince. The condemned man is officially nameless, a traitor meant to be forgotten in the annals of history. However, the piercing gaze of the dying man leaves an undying impression on Gehrin.
Upon returning home, Gehrin is chastised by his father, a government counselor:
“A traitor must leave the earth nameless, forgotten. Yet now you will remember him.”
His dreams are haunted by the specter of the dying man, and Gehrin is abducted under the cover of night, taken to a mysterious school of boys who seem to have lost their identities. Gehrin struggles to maintain his own identity in an environment that wishes to wash it away.
I was particularly touched by Tori Tecken’s descriptions of young Gehrin, who feels small and wants to disappear in the face of such an imposing evil, but who also recognizes that he must make himself big to face the challenges ahead:
“In the darkness of the little box bumping along some unknown road, Gehrin had never felt more like a small boy. Tears squeezed out of his eyes and dripped down his cheeks. He impatiently tried to sweep them away, but his bound hands bumped against his still tender face, and he winced. He choked back a sob, the fear and the slow torture of the lurching movements driving him further away from his determination to stay strong.”
Meanwhile, in the neighboring tribal lands, we are introduced to the second lead protagonist, Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain who lives in a seemingly unending cycle of violence, killing to bring honor to her people. Syndri’s plotline is full of intense action and political manipulation that seems destined to intersect with Gehrin’s story. The latter half of The Blood Stones is full of action, and Tori Tecken has writing action scenes down to an artform.
The Blood Stones is brilliantly plotted across both storylines, with perfect pacing and several unexpected twists that I did not see coming. Tori Tecken introduces elements of worldbuilding in a very natural fashion without any awkward info dumps that sometimes mar epic fantasy. She succeeds in building a complex world without ever making the reader feel overwhelmed or confused.
The Blood Stones is light on magical elements with a primary emphasis on character development. Beyond Gehrin and Syndri, I also enjoyed the cast of secondary characters, especially Gehrin’s older brother, Xario, who is a more archetypal hero figure but still struggles to meet the expectations set on him:
“But being almost a man was the same as still being mostly a child.”
Tori Tecken writes like a seasoned veteran in epic fantasy, hooking me from the first page. Her writing is compulsively readable and polished to perfection. Tecken has a knack for writing the perfect ending to each chapter, making it virtually impossible to set the book down. In a delightful nod to classic epic fantasy, Tecken also gets bonus points for the mouthwatering descriptions of food:
“The tangy lemon scent wafted between them. Gehrin inhaled a deep whiff of the kiji before biting into the soft, chewy rice cake. Mint and jasmine swirled together on his tongue, familiar and comforting.”
I hope someday there will be a companion cookbook.
Tecken also excels in her realistic depictions of friendship among the young cast of characters against the backdrop of a very dark world. In this regard, The Blood Stones reminds me of Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor trilogy, especially its first volume, Red Sister. Tecken also invokes a Lawrencian level of eloquence and accessibility in her approach to storytelling.
As in Tecken’s recently published young adult fantasy, Phased, The Blood Stones excels in its portrayal of mental health struggles, especially related to issues of identity. The Blood Stones also explores themes of memory in a land of forgetting.
The Blood Stones is epic fantasy par excellence, Tori Tecken’s love letter to the genre and a tour de force of worldbuilding and character development that will capture your imagination from the first page and keep you guessing till the very end.
Tori Tecken pours a lifetime’s love of fantasy into The Blood Stones, the masterfully written first volume of her new dark epic fantasy series, Legends of the Bruhai.
The novel opens with Gehrin, a young boy who, against his father’s wishes, witnesses the execution of a man sentenced to death for murder of the prince. The condemned man is officially nameless, a traitor meant to be forgotten in the annals of history. However, the piercing gaze of the dying man leaves an undying impression on Gehrin.
Upon returning home, Gehrin is chastised by his father, a government counselor:
“A traitor must leave the earth nameless, forgotten. Yet now you will remember him.”
His dreams are haunted by the specter of the dying man, and Gehrin is abducted under the cover of night, taken to a mysterious school of boys who seem to have lost their identities. Gehrin struggles to maintain his own identity in an environment that wishes to wash it away.
I was particularly touched by Tori Tecken’s descriptions of young Gehrin, who feels small and wants to disappear in the face of such an imposing evil, but who also recognizes that he must make himself big to face the challenges ahead:
“In the darkness of the little box bumping along some unknown road, Gehrin had never felt more like a small boy. Tears squeezed out of his eyes and dripped down his cheeks. He impatiently tried to sweep them away, but his bound hands bumped against his still tender face, and he winced. He choked back a sob, the fear and the slow torture of the lurching movements driving him further away from his determination to stay strong.”
Meanwhile, in the neighboring tribal lands, we are introduced to the second lead protagonist, Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain who lives in a seemingly unending cycle of violence, killing to bring honor to her people. Syndri’s plotline is full of intense action and political manipulation that seems destined to intersect with Gehrin’s story. The latter half of The Blood Stones is full of action, and Tori Tecken has writing action scenes down to an artform.
The Blood Stones is brilliantly plotted across both storylines, with perfect pacing and several unexpected twists that I did not see coming. Tori Tecken introduces elements of worldbuilding in a very natural fashion without any awkward info dumps that sometimes mar epic fantasy. She succeeds in building a complex world without ever making the reader feel overwhelmed or confused.
The Blood Stones is light on magical elements with a primary emphasis on character development. Beyond Gehrin and Syndri, I also enjoyed the cast of secondary characters, especially Gehrin’s older brother, Xario, who is a more archetypal hero figure but still struggles to meet the expectations set on him:
“But being almost a man was the same as still being mostly a child.”
Tori Tecken writes like a seasoned veteran in epic fantasy, hooking me from the first page. Her writing is compulsively readable and polished to perfection. Tecken has a knack for writing the perfect ending to each chapter, making it virtually impossible to set the book down. In a delightful nod to classic epic fantasy, Tecken also gets bonus points for the mouthwatering descriptions of food:
“The tangy lemon scent wafted between them. Gehrin inhaled a deep whiff of the kiji before biting into the soft, chewy rice cake. Mint and jasmine swirled together on his tongue, familiar and comforting.”
I hope someday there will be a companion cookbook.
Tecken also excels in her realistic depictions of friendship among the young cast of characters against the backdrop of a very dark world. In this regard, The Blood Stones reminds me of Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor trilogy, especially its first volume, Red Sister. Tecken also invokes a Lawrencian level of eloquence and accessibility in her approach to storytelling.
As in Tecken’s recently published young adult fantasy, Phased, The Blood Stones excels in its portrayal of mental health struggles, especially related to issues of identity. The Blood Stones also explores themes of memory in a land of forgetting.
The Blood Stones is epic fantasy par excellence, Tori Tecken’s love letter to the genre and a tour de force of worldbuilding and character development that will capture your imagination from the first page and keep you guessing till the very end.
November 28, 2023
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog
The Blood Stones is Tecken’s first foray into the epic fantasy genre, and she did not come to play. This is a deliciously dark blend of coming of age, political, and military fantasy, with some mystical rune magic, mystifying prophecy, and a good dose of sweet emotional turmoil sprinkled in. Welcome to the Legends of the Bruhai, welcome to Dry’llar.
Right from the gripping first chapter, Tecken sets the tone and establishes an immersive atmosphere that will keep you in a chokehold from start to finish. The story starts out feeling rather familiar and intimate, lulling you into a false sense of security before absolutely blowing the world open and ripping your heart out with each new devastating twist and turn.
We follow a plethora of intriguing characters, all of whom quickly find themselves entangled in all the intricate webs of dangerous political schemes. There were characters I wanted to strangle, others I wanted to give a good shake and smack over the head (looking at you, Gehrin), and yet others that I just wanted to give a long warm hug to (Nin and Xario, you are loved).
Themes of morality, propaganda, and gaslighting are explored with such care and nuance, and I was morbidly fascinated by how certain characters justified their reprehensible actions in their own minds. If you like to follow characters that leave you feeling conflicted and doubting not only their but also your own sense of morality, then you are in for a real treat here.
Now, the structure of this story is somewhat bold, in the sense that there is a three-year time jump between each of the three parts. I’ll have to admit that it felt a bit jarring at first and created some emotional distance for me, but in hindsight I now find myself appreciating and admiring how well Tecken pulled it off.
Because we get to follow these characters over a relatively large span of years during some of the most formative periods of their lives, the character development is simply astounding. Whether it’s satisfying character growth or devastating character corruption, all their arcs felt believable and painfully realistic.
“Sometimes it was easier to let your mind go quiet, to let the sound of voices, the cold air, and the ache of the bruises overpower the feelings within.”
The brutally honest and raw exploration of all the complex interpersonal relationships also kept me glued to the page. Be it the touching sibling bonds, heartfelt friendships, gut wrenching parent/child relationships, or heartwarming found family dynamics; they all just tugged on my heartstrings in all the best (and most painful) ways. The only instance where the relationship building left me a bit wanting was in Gehrin’s POV, as I initially didn’t really feel the sense of brotherhood between the Bruhai. That said, I did get more invested as the core group started to be established in part 3, and some scenes at the end definitely hit me in the feels.
The world building is also simply breathtaking, not only in terms of its breadth, but even more so in terms of its astounding depth. There’s so much richness and nuance to the different cultures of this world, some of which we get to explore in all their glory and others that are just tantalisingly hinted at.
I especially loved discovering the tribal culture of the Maleki people through Syndri’s eyes, which was such a refreshing contrast to all the other POVs wrapped up in the political drama in the kingdom of Katesh.
Though what I maybe loved most is that there’s just a certain air of intrigue permeating every aspect of the world and story. Not only were the Asian influences in the setting just so mystical and alluring, but all the hints of the old rune magic starting to stir again had me completely entranced. Superstitious beliefs, prophecy, and ancient lore play a big role in these characters’ lives, which gave the story an unpredictable quality that I absolutely adored.
Tecken just brings this intriguing world and compelling characters to life through her absolutely stunning prose, which has a lyrical edge to it that will reach right into your soul. And even though most of the dialogue felt a bit too stiff/formal for my personal liking, that little quibble was more than made up for by all the poignant lines that just cut like a knife and demanded to be reread and highlighted.
“They were trapped by each other, spinning in a strong current toward a terrible end.”
After reading Phased, I already knew that Tecken was a gifted storyteller, but truly outdid herself and stepped up her game in every way imaginable with The Blood Stones.
Even though this almost feels like an extended prologue to the series, considering the large amount of set-up and relatively little pay-off, I was still fully captivated by this tale from start to finish. And now that all the pieces have been put into place, I am desperate to see how things are going to escalate and converge.
In tone, vibe and themes, I think this story is perfect for fans of The Sword of Kaigen, The Long Price Quartet, The Last War and Obsidian: Awakening.
The Blood Stones is an unflinching tale of endurance, brotherhood, fate, love, humanity, sacrifice, grief, and revenge that will leave you hungering for more in the best way possible. Highly recommend!
*Disclaimer: I consider Tori a friend and was lucky enough to receive an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review and rating of this book in any way, all opinions are my own.
The Blood Stones is Tecken’s first foray into the epic fantasy genre, and she did not come to play. This is a deliciously dark blend of coming of age, political, and military fantasy, with some mystical rune magic, mystifying prophecy, and a good dose of sweet emotional turmoil sprinkled in. Welcome to the Legends of the Bruhai, welcome to Dry’llar.
Right from the gripping first chapter, Tecken sets the tone and establishes an immersive atmosphere that will keep you in a chokehold from start to finish. The story starts out feeling rather familiar and intimate, lulling you into a false sense of security before absolutely blowing the world open and ripping your heart out with each new devastating twist and turn.
We follow a plethora of intriguing characters, all of whom quickly find themselves entangled in all the intricate webs of dangerous political schemes. There were characters I wanted to strangle, others I wanted to give a good shake and smack over the head (looking at you, Gehrin), and yet others that I just wanted to give a long warm hug to (Nin and Xario, you are loved).
Themes of morality, propaganda, and gaslighting are explored with such care and nuance, and I was morbidly fascinated by how certain characters justified their reprehensible actions in their own minds. If you like to follow characters that leave you feeling conflicted and doubting not only their but also your own sense of morality, then you are in for a real treat here.
Now, the structure of this story is somewhat bold, in the sense that there is a three-year time jump between each of the three parts. I’ll have to admit that it felt a bit jarring at first and created some emotional distance for me, but in hindsight I now find myself appreciating and admiring how well Tecken pulled it off.
Because we get to follow these characters over a relatively large span of years during some of the most formative periods of their lives, the character development is simply astounding. Whether it’s satisfying character growth or devastating character corruption, all their arcs felt believable and painfully realistic.
“Sometimes it was easier to let your mind go quiet, to let the sound of voices, the cold air, and the ache of the bruises overpower the feelings within.”
The brutally honest and raw exploration of all the complex interpersonal relationships also kept me glued to the page. Be it the touching sibling bonds, heartfelt friendships, gut wrenching parent/child relationships, or heartwarming found family dynamics; they all just tugged on my heartstrings in all the best (and most painful) ways. The only instance where the relationship building left me a bit wanting was in Gehrin’s POV, as I initially didn’t really feel the sense of brotherhood between the Bruhai. That said, I did get more invested as the core group started to be established in part 3, and some scenes at the end definitely hit me in the feels.
The world building is also simply breathtaking, not only in terms of its breadth, but even more so in terms of its astounding depth. There’s so much richness and nuance to the different cultures of this world, some of which we get to explore in all their glory and others that are just tantalisingly hinted at.
I especially loved discovering the tribal culture of the Maleki people through Syndri’s eyes, which was such a refreshing contrast to all the other POVs wrapped up in the political drama in the kingdom of Katesh.
Though what I maybe loved most is that there’s just a certain air of intrigue permeating every aspect of the world and story. Not only were the Asian influences in the setting just so mystical and alluring, but all the hints of the old rune magic starting to stir again had me completely entranced. Superstitious beliefs, prophecy, and ancient lore play a big role in these characters’ lives, which gave the story an unpredictable quality that I absolutely adored.
Tecken just brings this intriguing world and compelling characters to life through her absolutely stunning prose, which has a lyrical edge to it that will reach right into your soul. And even though most of the dialogue felt a bit too stiff/formal for my personal liking, that little quibble was more than made up for by all the poignant lines that just cut like a knife and demanded to be reread and highlighted.
“They were trapped by each other, spinning in a strong current toward a terrible end.”
After reading Phased, I already knew that Tecken was a gifted storyteller, but truly outdid herself and stepped up her game in every way imaginable with The Blood Stones.
Even though this almost feels like an extended prologue to the series, considering the large amount of set-up and relatively little pay-off, I was still fully captivated by this tale from start to finish. And now that all the pieces have been put into place, I am desperate to see how things are going to escalate and converge.
In tone, vibe and themes, I think this story is perfect for fans of The Sword of Kaigen, The Long Price Quartet, The Last War and Obsidian: Awakening.
The Blood Stones is an unflinching tale of endurance, brotherhood, fate, love, humanity, sacrifice, grief, and revenge that will leave you hungering for more in the best way possible. Highly recommend!
*Disclaimer: I consider Tori a friend and was lucky enough to receive an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review and rating of this book in any way, all opinions are my own.
March 9, 2024
Man Tori knows how to world build!! I really enjoyed my time with this.
A lil disclaimer that Tori had sent me an arc of this. But that of course does not change any of my thoughts on this story.
In this we're following a few povs. The main one I would say is gehrin. The third son to the kings most trusted councillor who has been kidnapped and is being force to train to become something different. I found him a really interesting character to read as I couldn't really ever predict how he'd react or the decisions he'd come to but they always felt right for his situations. I also enjoyed that in his povs we slowly built a found family/brotherhood. This defs was slow to me but by end I was invested in this group.
We also follow gehrins brother xxario. Who's chapters shoneeeee brighter then the rest. Xxario has my heart and soul. I'm rooting for him and I really wish we had seen more of his character in this first book.
The other big character we follow is syndris who is honestly the reason this book didn't get five stars from me. Her chapters felt so isolated and disconnected from the rest of the story. I struggled being invested, and kept wondering why I needed to care about her. I wanted to be with the others instead.
This could come down to personal preference. I prefer my stories to be rotating povs. Which each pov getting a balanced amount. And I do think not getting this lessened my enjoyment a little.
This is a slow burn story. Clearly build up. But toris prose and her world building were pure perfection. I felt like the politics of this world felt very real. And other then syndri I was VERY invested in the characters and their development.
I'm stoked to see where this story goes from here. This book is clearly set up to a grander plot. And that has me itching for the next book asap.
A lil disclaimer that Tori had sent me an arc of this. But that of course does not change any of my thoughts on this story.
In this we're following a few povs. The main one I would say is gehrin. The third son to the kings most trusted councillor who has been kidnapped and is being force to train to become something different. I found him a really interesting character to read as I couldn't really ever predict how he'd react or the decisions he'd come to but they always felt right for his situations. I also enjoyed that in his povs we slowly built a found family/brotherhood. This defs was slow to me but by end I was invested in this group.
We also follow gehrins brother xxario. Who's chapters shoneeeee brighter then the rest. Xxario has my heart and soul. I'm rooting for him and I really wish we had seen more of his character in this first book.
The other big character we follow is syndris who is honestly the reason this book didn't get five stars from me. Her chapters felt so isolated and disconnected from the rest of the story. I struggled being invested, and kept wondering why I needed to care about her. I wanted to be with the others instead.
This could come down to personal preference. I prefer my stories to be rotating povs. Which each pov getting a balanced amount. And I do think not getting this lessened my enjoyment a little.
This is a slow burn story. Clearly build up. But toris prose and her world building were pure perfection. I felt like the politics of this world felt very real. And other then syndri I was VERY invested in the characters and their development.
I'm stoked to see where this story goes from here. This book is clearly set up to a grander plot. And that has me itching for the next book asap.
December 30, 2023
I absolutely loved this!
This was such a good read. The intriguing plot, gripping characters, very cool world building, and excellent pacing made this book a breeze to read. Tori has an excellent ability to inform the reader and “catch them up” without every feeling clunky or info-dumpy, and this smooth writing makes it so easy for the reader to become fully immersed and comfy with the world building and fast pace.
I was attached to every POV and was always bummed when each chapter ended haha 😂 It was very evident to me while reading this book that it was written by an author with great passion for the story she created, and great care was taken when crafting this novel. I was able to listen to the audiobook, and Andrew D. Meredith’s delivery is excellent. This is such great book one and I’m already ready for the next one haha 😆
This was such a good read. The intriguing plot, gripping characters, very cool world building, and excellent pacing made this book a breeze to read. Tori has an excellent ability to inform the reader and “catch them up” without every feeling clunky or info-dumpy, and this smooth writing makes it so easy for the reader to become fully immersed and comfy with the world building and fast pace.
I was attached to every POV and was always bummed when each chapter ended haha 😂 It was very evident to me while reading this book that it was written by an author with great passion for the story she created, and great care was taken when crafting this novel. I was able to listen to the audiobook, and Andrew D. Meredith’s delivery is excellent. This is such great book one and I’m already ready for the next one haha 😆
June 9, 2024
Watch my interview with Tori on my YouTube Channel @thedrownedkingdomsaga7847 for thoughts on her work!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlpr...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlpr...
November 25, 2023
Note: I read an Advanced Reader's E-pub copy of this book prior to its release date
Tori's debut into epic dark fantasy with The Blood Stones is a solid start to what is shaping to be a fantastic new series.
Like her young adult novel Phased, Tori excels with character-driven story-telling. Her skills in creating not only blood-related family dynamics but also found family showcases her passion for this favored trope in the fantasy genre and continues to keep this fresh.
We follow several POV characters primarily a young boy by the name of Gehrin, and the daughter of a chieftain named Sundri both of whom introduce us to this well-crafted world. Tori doesn't stop with character development with these two. Her secondary characters such as Xario - Gehrin's older brother, Nin, Jaakar, Hallix, and Master Lohi including several more are just as fleshed out and equally complex and so compelling to follow.
The Blood Stones showcases a world layered with history, intriguing politics, with ancient lore, and magic. From the tribal culture of the lands of the Maleki, to the turmoil in Katesh, Tori utilizes bits of real-world influences but makes them entirely her own and you can't pinpoint these to any one real-life culture. This is well presented throughout the book by our characters and not through any form of over-exposition.
Tori continues to delve into themes she is a master of writing: family, grief, and mental illness which makes the characters you follow all the more lifelike and engaging.
The Blood Stones is written with purposefully structured prose that balances the beautifully detailed - but allows the reader's imagination to fill the rest.
When you are finished, you will be eager to see what Tori Tecken has in store for the next entry to this series.
Highly Recommended
Tori's debut into epic dark fantasy with The Blood Stones is a solid start to what is shaping to be a fantastic new series.
Like her young adult novel Phased, Tori excels with character-driven story-telling. Her skills in creating not only blood-related family dynamics but also found family showcases her passion for this favored trope in the fantasy genre and continues to keep this fresh.
We follow several POV characters primarily a young boy by the name of Gehrin, and the daughter of a chieftain named Sundri both of whom introduce us to this well-crafted world. Tori doesn't stop with character development with these two. Her secondary characters such as Xario - Gehrin's older brother, Nin, Jaakar, Hallix, and Master Lohi including several more are just as fleshed out and equally complex and so compelling to follow.
The Blood Stones showcases a world layered with history, intriguing politics, with ancient lore, and magic. From the tribal culture of the lands of the Maleki, to the turmoil in Katesh, Tori utilizes bits of real-world influences but makes them entirely her own and you can't pinpoint these to any one real-life culture. This is well presented throughout the book by our characters and not through any form of over-exposition.
Tori continues to delve into themes she is a master of writing: family, grief, and mental illness which makes the characters you follow all the more lifelike and engaging.
The Blood Stones is written with purposefully structured prose that balances the beautifully detailed - but allows the reader's imagination to fill the rest.
When you are finished, you will be eager to see what Tori Tecken has in store for the next entry to this series.
Highly Recommended
November 28, 2023
I read this as a Beta reader and loved it. Planning an early 2024 reread to see what’s changed. This has the potential to be a five star read. It has been amazing to see Tori’s growth as an author.
Tori Tecken is a powerhouse in the Fantasy genre
Tori Tecken is a powerhouse in the Fantasy genre
Read
January 24, 2024If epic fantasy spans the moment of a momentous change, this book is a tight prologue, setting the stage with precision for the promise of an emerging quake that will fissure the cultures three characters know.
It follows two brothers, from a highly placed political family close to the throne, when the King's heir is murdered. The familiar dynamics of family, and two siblings with divergent destinies, taking arms, and another brother and sister, whose paths will emerge in books to come. Readers who enjoy elite training of warriors, beginning from boyhood through coming of age, with brutal edges, privation, and hard choices binding them will take to this book as familiar territory.
Bloodstones casts a wider net: following two twins from a tribal culture, and dedicated to the path of the warrior, where tragedy will bring an upheaval to a way of life established in tradition.
The tapestry of the focal characters will paint a shifting pattern of alliances gaining ominous overtones and foreshadowing, with remnants of past history threading the weave that foreshadow events yet to come. Add an emergent magic that throws taproots into a dark influence coming awake, and you have a book building toward the greater events yet to come in forthcoming installments.
Tori Tecken is strong on family ties, both what brings blood siblings together, and what binds found family to as deep a loyalty, and also the chafing between close held points of view and belief that make those relationships ineffably human.
The mix of character voices, cultures, and shifting political alliances poisoned by venal ambitions shape a tale that is told in close third person, competently done. Start this with the expectation the resounding finale will build in subsequent volumes, as the characters introduced here come into their own.
It follows two brothers, from a highly placed political family close to the throne, when the King's heir is murdered. The familiar dynamics of family, and two siblings with divergent destinies, taking arms, and another brother and sister, whose paths will emerge in books to come. Readers who enjoy elite training of warriors, beginning from boyhood through coming of age, with brutal edges, privation, and hard choices binding them will take to this book as familiar territory.
Bloodstones casts a wider net: following two twins from a tribal culture, and dedicated to the path of the warrior, where tragedy will bring an upheaval to a way of life established in tradition.
The tapestry of the focal characters will paint a shifting pattern of alliances gaining ominous overtones and foreshadowing, with remnants of past history threading the weave that foreshadow events yet to come. Add an emergent magic that throws taproots into a dark influence coming awake, and you have a book building toward the greater events yet to come in forthcoming installments.
Tori Tecken is strong on family ties, both what brings blood siblings together, and what binds found family to as deep a loyalty, and also the chafing between close held points of view and belief that make those relationships ineffably human.
The mix of character voices, cultures, and shifting political alliances poisoned by venal ambitions shape a tale that is told in close third person, competently done. Start this with the expectation the resounding finale will build in subsequent volumes, as the characters introduced here come into their own.
November 18, 2023
This is a fantastic start to what is shaping up to be an intriguing and compelling series. The politics, the character development, and the pacing are all very well-executed. Tori is a very talented writer and I’m so excited to see how the next book progresses.
Full review to come on my channel.
Full review to come on my channel.
December 28, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
The Blood Stones is the first book on the epic fantasy saga Legends of the Bruhai, an ambitious and solid proposal written by Tori Tecken. A novel that is a love chant to the genre, providing the foundations for what seems to be a complex story that will spawn for several books.
A novel that is really character driven, which can be divided itself into two storylines that share across some themes as the identity problems and the struggles to become part of a group; while seemingly unrelated, towards the end we will get a glimpse of what we can expect from forthcoming books.
The first of our characters will be Gehrin, a young boy who, against his father's wishes, decides to assist as witness to the execution of the man who murdered the prince; a crime that is punished with death and becoming a nameless, forgotten and erased from history. This act will leave a big impression on Gehrin, appearing in his dreams; but after not much time with this trauma, he's kidnapped and brought to a mysterious place, where they aim to wash away the identity of the boys trapped there, and carve into them a new one.
In parallel, we are introduced to the second main character, Syndri, daughter of a tribal chieftain, immersed in an unending cycle of violence between them. When a terrible act is committed, Syndri is stripped of her name and position; recovering it will become part of her own. A storyline that is much more political and action focused than Gehrin's one, slowly preparing us for the conflict that seems to come.
A plot that is seasoned with the addition of several secondary characters that add depth and complexity to it, such as Xaros, older brother of Gehrin, who has made a career out of military, and who wishes to be outside of the political game his family is in. While they don't have as much as importance as the lead ones, they help balance the story and introducing us to the multiple details of a world where Tecken has poured her soul.
We can't finish the review without giving a mention to how Tecken's delivers an excellent prose, rich in descriptions and that helps us to get a stunning image of the places included in this book. It's not a book heavy in fantasy elements, but changes it for adding more into character development and exploration of trauma.
The Blood Stones is an excellent first instalment of what seems to be an epic series; Tecken has proven her skill as author, putting the foundations for a second book that can't come soon enough.
The Blood Stones is the first book on the epic fantasy saga Legends of the Bruhai, an ambitious and solid proposal written by Tori Tecken. A novel that is a love chant to the genre, providing the foundations for what seems to be a complex story that will spawn for several books.
A novel that is really character driven, which can be divided itself into two storylines that share across some themes as the identity problems and the struggles to become part of a group; while seemingly unrelated, towards the end we will get a glimpse of what we can expect from forthcoming books.
The first of our characters will be Gehrin, a young boy who, against his father's wishes, decides to assist as witness to the execution of the man who murdered the prince; a crime that is punished with death and becoming a nameless, forgotten and erased from history. This act will leave a big impression on Gehrin, appearing in his dreams; but after not much time with this trauma, he's kidnapped and brought to a mysterious place, where they aim to wash away the identity of the boys trapped there, and carve into them a new one.
In parallel, we are introduced to the second main character, Syndri, daughter of a tribal chieftain, immersed in an unending cycle of violence between them. When a terrible act is committed, Syndri is stripped of her name and position; recovering it will become part of her own. A storyline that is much more political and action focused than Gehrin's one, slowly preparing us for the conflict that seems to come.
A plot that is seasoned with the addition of several secondary characters that add depth and complexity to it, such as Xaros, older brother of Gehrin, who has made a career out of military, and who wishes to be outside of the political game his family is in. While they don't have as much as importance as the lead ones, they help balance the story and introducing us to the multiple details of a world where Tecken has poured her soul.
We can't finish the review without giving a mention to how Tecken's delivers an excellent prose, rich in descriptions and that helps us to get a stunning image of the places included in this book. It's not a book heavy in fantasy elements, but changes it for adding more into character development and exploration of trauma.
The Blood Stones is an excellent first instalment of what seems to be an epic series; Tecken has proven her skill as author, putting the foundations for a second book that can't come soon enough.
September 8, 2024
Phenomenal world building and character construction aren't even half the story. The writing is beautiful and immersive. The story telling is deep and vivid. I loved it and it's going to be a long wait until the second installment.
I highly recommend this if you like epic fantasy coming of age stories set in a non-western culture.
I highly recommend this if you like epic fantasy coming of age stories set in a non-western culture.
November 12, 2023
Buckle up... this one is not for the faint of heart!
Tecken unleashes a brand-new world with rich culture, intriguing political schemes, old magic being rekindled, and a whole cast of dynamic characters. Some characters you just want to hug them, because dang they need it. Others you love to hate.
The depth of culture is easily one of the most defining features of this book, particularly with the Garhis tribe. I found myself getting lost in the descriptions, and loving the tribe's unity.
The political turmoil is engaging, but not overwhelming. Which I find extremely refreshing. There are quite a few details that get your mind turning with questions, and the big reveal at the end is quite satisfying.
Characters, characters, characters... This is Tecken's strength, so I expected to be elated, disappointed, and distraught about the path of every one of them. The broad range of characters depicted with such believability is nothing short of amazing. It is truly from one extreme to the other that I want to hold these characters in my hand and protect them from the world to wanting to disembowel some of them with a spoon.
Tecken's writing style is binge-worthy. Once you get going, don't expect to stop until the end. The number of one-liners that I want to print out and hang above my desk, for real.
Worth a read if you've got a weekend to binge a book, or if you don't... pick it up anyways.
Tecken unleashes a brand-new world with rich culture, intriguing political schemes, old magic being rekindled, and a whole cast of dynamic characters. Some characters you just want to hug them, because dang they need it. Others you love to hate.
The depth of culture is easily one of the most defining features of this book, particularly with the Garhis tribe. I found myself getting lost in the descriptions, and loving the tribe's unity.
The political turmoil is engaging, but not overwhelming. Which I find extremely refreshing. There are quite a few details that get your mind turning with questions, and the big reveal at the end is quite satisfying.
Characters, characters, characters... This is Tecken's strength, so I expected to be elated, disappointed, and distraught about the path of every one of them. The broad range of characters depicted with such believability is nothing short of amazing. It is truly from one extreme to the other that I want to hold these characters in my hand and protect them from the world to wanting to disembowel some of them with a spoon.
Tecken's writing style is binge-worthy. Once you get going, don't expect to stop until the end. The number of one-liners that I want to print out and hang above my desk, for real.
Worth a read if you've got a weekend to binge a book, or if you don't... pick it up anyways.
July 30, 2024
One of the most well thought out and intentional books I’ve ever read.
Each sentence has a purpose, each chapter draws you in and each part of this book felt like I had personally lived it.
Top notch world building, characters that keep you at a distance till they tear at your soul and literary punches that landed every time.
This is dark epic fantasy at its finest and you don’t want to miss out on it.
Each sentence has a purpose, each chapter draws you in and each part of this book felt like I had personally lived it.
Top notch world building, characters that keep you at a distance till they tear at your soul and literary punches that landed every time.
This is dark epic fantasy at its finest and you don’t want to miss out on it.
February 17, 2024
A well-written, dark military fantasy with vivid, immersive world building
The Blood Stones is a well-written, dark military fantasy that provides an intriguing introduction to the series with extensive world-building, a complex political landscape revealed through multiple POV’s and a satisfying twist at the end of a carefully constructed, slow-burning plot.
Tecken’s depiction of her world is intricate and vivid, but it’s also one of the smoothest I’ve ever read. Forget info-dumps. You as a reader are not told information about this realm, you’re immersed in it. It’s a tremendous skill to pull off this well, definitely easier said than done, so I can only applaud the author for this achievement.
Another expertise Tecken excels at is writing fights, which is handy, given the nature of the story, (and childhood me who spent way too much time playing Tekken with friends would say that I should have surely seen that coming 😉 )
One of the core themes of the book is the question of identity, with three characters losing at least part of who they are during this first instalment. One by memory loss following an injury, another by force as their name and title are stripped from them in way of their punishment and a third by it being taken away from them to be replaced by a new life.
Gehrin’s training actually initially reminded me of Arya’s from A Song Of Ice And Fire. At least in the sense that they are both required to give up their past, their families and friends, even their names so they can be shaped into fighters who dedicate themselves exclusively to their organisation and serve as they were trained.
Another well-executed trope in The Blood Stones is found family, which is shown through the many struggles the students face during their harsh warrior training. Their relationships are gradually forged into iron-clad bonds, creating a powerful group of elite guards for the new king, whose identity is the main mystery of the plot and which is only revealed at the end.
Other strong themes, such as loyalty, duty and exploration of trauma were handled with skill through a handful of deeply emotional scenes.
During my time on this story, I alternated between reading the Kindle version and listening to the audiobook. Andrew D. Meredith’s narration was absolutely fantastic, leaving me very impressed by his professional performance and various creative solutions.
The Blood Stones is a well-written, dark military fantasy that provides an intriguing introduction to the series with extensive world-building, a complex political landscape revealed through multiple POV’s and a satisfying twist at the end of a carefully constructed, slow-burning plot.
Tecken’s depiction of her world is intricate and vivid, but it’s also one of the smoothest I’ve ever read. Forget info-dumps. You as a reader are not told information about this realm, you’re immersed in it. It’s a tremendous skill to pull off this well, definitely easier said than done, so I can only applaud the author for this achievement.
Another expertise Tecken excels at is writing fights, which is handy, given the nature of the story, (and childhood me who spent way too much time playing Tekken with friends would say that I should have surely seen that coming 😉 )
One of the core themes of the book is the question of identity, with three characters losing at least part of who they are during this first instalment. One by memory loss following an injury, another by force as their name and title are stripped from them in way of their punishment and a third by it being taken away from them to be replaced by a new life.
Gehrin’s training actually initially reminded me of Arya’s from A Song Of Ice And Fire. At least in the sense that they are both required to give up their past, their families and friends, even their names so they can be shaped into fighters who dedicate themselves exclusively to their organisation and serve as they were trained.
Another well-executed trope in The Blood Stones is found family, which is shown through the many struggles the students face during their harsh warrior training. Their relationships are gradually forged into iron-clad bonds, creating a powerful group of elite guards for the new king, whose identity is the main mystery of the plot and which is only revealed at the end.
Other strong themes, such as loyalty, duty and exploration of trauma were handled with skill through a handful of deeply emotional scenes.
During my time on this story, I alternated between reading the Kindle version and listening to the audiobook. Andrew D. Meredith’s narration was absolutely fantastic, leaving me very impressed by his professional performance and various creative solutions.
October 21, 2023
Disclaimer: I was asked to beta-read this book before it was released. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
4.5/5 Stars
An epic fantasy with roots in the classics, The Bloodstones feels like a fresh and very intentionally written take on some familiar tropes. Every page felt purposeful and worked to create space for intimate character moments in the midst of a world on the brink of war. Beautifully paced, this story satiated my desire for both action and deeply emotional scenes. I think Tecken’s biggest strengths in this novel are writing emotions that seep off the page and exhibiting themes that give the story a voice beyond the words written here. The prose is fantastic and I took note of several lines throughout the story that really packed a punch. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to any fantasy fan.
Spoilers:
4.5/5 Stars
An epic fantasy with roots in the classics, The Bloodstones feels like a fresh and very intentionally written take on some familiar tropes. Every page felt purposeful and worked to create space for intimate character moments in the midst of a world on the brink of war. Beautifully paced, this story satiated my desire for both action and deeply emotional scenes. I think Tecken’s biggest strengths in this novel are writing emotions that seep off the page and exhibiting themes that give the story a voice beyond the words written here. The prose is fantastic and I took note of several lines throughout the story that really packed a punch. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to any fantasy fan.
Spoilers:
November 27, 2023
4.75 stars rounded to 5.
Over the last year, I've become far more intentional about what books I rate as pure 5 star reads for me. In most prior years, this book would've easily received that pure 5 star rather than the 4.75 here. But it was, for me, much closer to 5 than 4, so thus the 5 star goodreads rating.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of this book, so this review is being posted a day prior to it's actual release date. In no way are my thoughts here indicative of being chosen to receive an early copy.
The Blood Stones rides a line for the majority of the book between magical and non-magical fantasy for about the first 70-75% of the book. It is 100% a character-first driven first novel of a trilogy. It's clear the magical elements will be more at the forefront of books 2 and 3. In The Blood Stones, we follow three (or maybe 2.5) main POVs, with only 2 of those characters having any interaction at all in this first book. I'm being very careful to only reveal in this review what I think a potential reader may want to know prior to buying the book and not my thoughts on the events of the book itself. I'll leave that for your own discovery. As I mentioned, the characters drive this story. It can be a little confusing at times knowing which character is which, due to a naming system that will become evident upon reading, but it's manageable. The important thing here is that we care about the characters. There is enough backstory and development of the characters and the world they live in that we feel invested in their outcomes. There are enough political machinations to keep tension and plenty of expectation subversions (which I appreciate greatly) to avoid feeling generic. Personally, I would have liked the book to be about 50 pages longer, with the extra pages given to the Syndri character backstory as we get with Gehrin. Those pages may come later, and if not, there is ample room for that kind of story in a prequel novella if the author so chooses.
I highly recommend The Blood Stones to fiction readers who enjoy character-first experiences and don't insist on a hard magic system on every page. The world building is suitable to call the book epic fantasy, while still remaining accessible for people who don't want to remember 1000 similar names and places.
The Blood Stones is also a good option for readers who are new to fantasy but enjoy fantastical elements in their media. It is an adult book / series in the sense that it's a violent world, so be aware it is likely not intended for young readers. It's a brilliant first book in epic, adult fantasy with characters I'm looking forward to following in the coming books.
Over the last year, I've become far more intentional about what books I rate as pure 5 star reads for me. In most prior years, this book would've easily received that pure 5 star rather than the 4.75 here. But it was, for me, much closer to 5 than 4, so thus the 5 star goodreads rating.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of this book, so this review is being posted a day prior to it's actual release date. In no way are my thoughts here indicative of being chosen to receive an early copy.
The Blood Stones rides a line for the majority of the book between magical and non-magical fantasy for about the first 70-75% of the book. It is 100% a character-first driven first novel of a trilogy. It's clear the magical elements will be more at the forefront of books 2 and 3. In The Blood Stones, we follow three (or maybe 2.5) main POVs, with only 2 of those characters having any interaction at all in this first book. I'm being very careful to only reveal in this review what I think a potential reader may want to know prior to buying the book and not my thoughts on the events of the book itself. I'll leave that for your own discovery. As I mentioned, the characters drive this story. It can be a little confusing at times knowing which character is which, due to a naming system that will become evident upon reading, but it's manageable. The important thing here is that we care about the characters. There is enough backstory and development of the characters and the world they live in that we feel invested in their outcomes. There are enough political machinations to keep tension and plenty of expectation subversions (which I appreciate greatly) to avoid feeling generic. Personally, I would have liked the book to be about 50 pages longer, with the extra pages given to the Syndri character backstory as we get with Gehrin. Those pages may come later, and if not, there is ample room for that kind of story in a prequel novella if the author so chooses.
I highly recommend The Blood Stones to fiction readers who enjoy character-first experiences and don't insist on a hard magic system on every page. The world building is suitable to call the book epic fantasy, while still remaining accessible for people who don't want to remember 1000 similar names and places.
The Blood Stones is also a good option for readers who are new to fantasy but enjoy fantastical elements in their media. It is an adult book / series in the sense that it's a violent world, so be aware it is likely not intended for young readers. It's a brilliant first book in epic, adult fantasy with characters I'm looking forward to following in the coming books.
January 21, 2024
Wow! What a read! Review to come.
March 18, 2024
I had a lot of fun with this one. I think the world was really interesting, and I loved seeing the politics play out. The writing was compelling, and I loved the lore on names. There was one POV that I didn't love as much, and the pacing between the POVs was a bit off for me. Either way, I'm excited to continue to book 2!
See my full thoughts: https://youtu.be/aMLzcw_LKR0
See my full thoughts: https://youtu.be/aMLzcw_LKR0
February 15, 2024
The Blood Stones is a broad and deep epic fantasy, capturing a world that feels lived in and real, populated with characters, cultures, and lifestyles that feel entirely natural within it. The side characters, in particular, often were more relatable to me than the POV characters, which made the world that much more vivid to me.
Themes of identity, loyalty, and family abound in this book, from multiple different angles and toward different ends. However, this is very much a prologue-book, so the only payoff you'll often have is moment-to-moment, seeing the pieces being set in place to be used in future volumes.
But at the end of the day, what we have here is a solid introduction to a world that I for one am looking forward to exploring as the series progresses.
(I was given an e-ARC by the author, but my thoughts are my own, and they are in this review.)
Themes of identity, loyalty, and family abound in this book, from multiple different angles and toward different ends. However, this is very much a prologue-book, so the only payoff you'll often have is moment-to-moment, seeing the pieces being set in place to be used in future volumes.
But at the end of the day, what we have here is a solid introduction to a world that I for one am looking forward to exploring as the series progresses.
(I was given an e-ARC by the author, but my thoughts are my own, and they are in this review.)
May 7, 2024
I read (and liked) Phased, Tori's most recent published work before this, but these books are not very much alike in genre or theme or even writing quality (I feel the pace and structure in this book were much better).
The Blood Stones is a full-on epic fantasy. This book is very clearly the first book in a series, and it reads that way - things happen, but no storylines are really concluded. There's a satisfying ending, inasmuch as the first book in an epic series can be satisfying, but you definitely won't feel satiated when it's over.
The setting is quite low magic with heavy inspiration from Japanese and Mongolian historical settings. We have action, politics, a little magic, and a setup for ninjas vs. horse warrior clashes that is very promising.
I found one of the POVs fairly unsympathetic (not unrealistic or super tropey, just a person I didn't care for), which slowed bits of the book, but the pacing was overall very quick, so we didn't linger too long in places I didn't enjoy.
All the characters managed to be memorable, relatable, and mostly enjoyable.
The action scenes were solid and the food descriptions were on point.
It's an opening book - in the long term, whether we look on this as a classic or not will depend on how the rest of the series goes. But this was enough to make me really eager to read the rest of the series!
The Blood Stones is a full-on epic fantasy. This book is very clearly the first book in a series, and it reads that way - things happen, but no storylines are really concluded. There's a satisfying ending, inasmuch as the first book in an epic series can be satisfying, but you definitely won't feel satiated when it's over.
The setting is quite low magic with heavy inspiration from Japanese and Mongolian historical settings. We have action, politics, a little magic, and a setup for ninjas vs. horse warrior clashes that is very promising.
I found one of the POVs fairly unsympathetic (not unrealistic or super tropey, just a person I didn't care for), which slowed bits of the book, but the pacing was overall very quick, so we didn't linger too long in places I didn't enjoy.
All the characters managed to be memorable, relatable, and mostly enjoyable.
The action scenes were solid and the food descriptions were on point.
It's an opening book - in the long term, whether we look on this as a classic or not will depend on how the rest of the series goes. But this was enough to make me really eager to read the rest of the series!
January 18, 2024
What an excellent start to an epic fantasy series!! Tecken does an amazing job of providing compelling characters and a beautifully intricate world full of culture and intrigue. This 1st book was a bit of a slow burn as we are introduced to our main characters, the setting and overall story lines. I believe the pacing lagged a bit, but only because Tori is meticulous in providing the reader with context and vision. At no point in this story was I confused or lost, and this is accredited to the author's beautifully descriptive writing style. The intensity and emotion are packed into every scene, and you can't help but root for these characters. This story can get a bit dark with heavy adult themes that a few may be put off by....though I wasn't at all. The internal struggles that our characters face really drive the reader to connect with each and every character. Though these internal conflicts were well realized, it was the external or overall conflict that I think needed to be fleshed out a bit more. The empire appeared to be in turmoil, but I just couldn't figure out why? .....but I've been known to miss things in stories, so it's totally possible I did. The ending of this book was absolutely perfect, with a twist I didn't see coming. Ugh!! It was so good!! The last half of this book was EXTREMELY hard to put down, and I suggest everyone get on the Bruhai train immediately cause I think this next book is going to be a banger once these story lines converge and the magic is unleashed!!
Read
December 10, 2023RTC at BWG
July 27, 2024
4.5/5
After watching a BUNCH of Tori Talks videos, I had high expectations of this book, and it did not disappoint. Tori knows how to write, and more importantly, how to tell a powerful and intimate story.
Right off the bat, I was impressed by Tori's prose. The words flow smoothly and help pull you into the story. There are moments of wonderful imagery and some great metaphors/similies that add so much colour without distracting from the story.
I was also really impressed with Tori's worldbuilding. Not once was there an unwarranted info dump. Tori added a lot of small details, focusing on things that directly impact the character's lives such as the food they eat, the things they learn at school, how they treat their horses, and these little details added up to make a really vivid, lived-in world. The overall vibes were different for the two plotlines, with Katesh feeling somewhat inspired by a feudal Japanese/Korean setting, and Malek inspired by a Mongolian one.
The plot and character arcs of this story are deeply intertwined, which is just how I like it.
We start with Gehrin, a young noble from the kingdom of Katesh. Gehrin witnesses a man executed, his name struck from history, and it has a profound impact on him. From there, we move to Malek, where we follow Syndri, a hot-headed warrior of the Garhis tribe.
Tori puts these two through the ringer. I felt instantly attached to Gehrin, an earnest young boy who is forced into a journey he had no say in. But it really was Syndri's plotline that made this book for me. It was powerful, vivid, often bleak, and full of action.
One of my favourite things about Tori's writing is her exploration of familial bonds. Both found and natural are explored wonderfully in both plotlines. There are several really heart touching and relatable moments that come about from this, and I think those moments are the keystones that hold this story together.
I respect Tori too much to not be honest. While I loved the entirety of Syndri's plotline and felt very attached to every character and relationship there, I can't quite say the same for Gehrin's. I feel we could have used a bit more time getting to know Gehrin's found family and developing those bonds between the Bruhai warriors. Doing so would have made some of the brutal scenes towards the end hit that much harder.
Having said that, I loved how tightly plotted this book was. Tori did not waste any words.
The Blood Stones is an excellent entry from an author well on her way to mastery. Everything from prose, worldbuilding, plotting, and character arcs come together really well. There are twists I did not expect, and we are left with some rather ominous vibes for the sequel. Big things are coming and I am very excited!
As an aside, I did this on audio, and Andrew Meredith must be commended for his performance. This one is an awesome audiobook and I definitely recommend that format!
After watching a BUNCH of Tori Talks videos, I had high expectations of this book, and it did not disappoint. Tori knows how to write, and more importantly, how to tell a powerful and intimate story.
Right off the bat, I was impressed by Tori's prose. The words flow smoothly and help pull you into the story. There are moments of wonderful imagery and some great metaphors/similies that add so much colour without distracting from the story.
I was also really impressed with Tori's worldbuilding. Not once was there an unwarranted info dump. Tori added a lot of small details, focusing on things that directly impact the character's lives such as the food they eat, the things they learn at school, how they treat their horses, and these little details added up to make a really vivid, lived-in world. The overall vibes were different for the two plotlines, with Katesh feeling somewhat inspired by a feudal Japanese/Korean setting, and Malek inspired by a Mongolian one.
The plot and character arcs of this story are deeply intertwined, which is just how I like it.
We start with Gehrin, a young noble from the kingdom of Katesh. Gehrin witnesses a man executed, his name struck from history, and it has a profound impact on him. From there, we move to Malek, where we follow Syndri, a hot-headed warrior of the Garhis tribe.
Tori puts these two through the ringer. I felt instantly attached to Gehrin, an earnest young boy who is forced into a journey he had no say in. But it really was Syndri's plotline that made this book for me. It was powerful, vivid, often bleak, and full of action.
One of my favourite things about Tori's writing is her exploration of familial bonds. Both found and natural are explored wonderfully in both plotlines. There are several really heart touching and relatable moments that come about from this, and I think those moments are the keystones that hold this story together.
I respect Tori too much to not be honest. While I loved the entirety of Syndri's plotline and felt very attached to every character and relationship there, I can't quite say the same for Gehrin's. I feel we could have used a bit more time getting to know Gehrin's found family and developing those bonds between the Bruhai warriors. Doing so would have made some of the brutal scenes towards the end hit that much harder.
Having said that, I loved how tightly plotted this book was. Tori did not waste any words.
The Blood Stones is an excellent entry from an author well on her way to mastery. Everything from prose, worldbuilding, plotting, and character arcs come together really well. There are twists I did not expect, and we are left with some rather ominous vibes for the sequel. Big things are coming and I am very excited!
As an aside, I did this on audio, and Andrew Meredith must be commended for his performance. This one is an awesome audiobook and I definitely recommend that format!
May 23, 2024
There is a deep world here that is concentrated on human potential and power. The strength of this novel is in the setup for the next one - many strong characters are in strong places, and their strength will begin to clash. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
January 25, 2024
This is my second novel by the author Tori Tecken, having previously read her novel Phased, and I knew that if she could make me care so much about a teenage werewolf story then her epic fantasy debut would blow me away, and I was not disappointed. The Blood Stones is a gripping kickoff to the Legends of the Bruhai series, which promises to become an all-time favorite of mine, and I’m sure many other readers as well.
There is other way to start this review other than talking about the characters. Tecken writes characters like a seasoned professional, controlling the reader’s emotions until they have no choice but to feel how she wants them to. There are characters to hate, to love, and everything in between. Our main cast of characters have been sucked into a web of political intrigue and you can’t help but get stuck in with them. There is a motley crew of young protagonists forced together near the beginning of the novel, and watching them grow closer together over the course of the novel despite their differences was a joy to experience. I can’t wait to see what this crew gets up to in the next book. In my opinion, character work is the author’s greatest strength, and the shining star of this novel.
That isn’t to say the rest of the book is shabby, far from it. As a worldbuilding nerd, I marveled in the vast world the author has constructed for this series. It is generally easy to see when the author has put in the work to develop the world before writing the book, and it is clear that Tecken has done exactly that. The Blood Stones focuses on 2 storylines, each in a vastly different culture. One in a more traditional, Asian inspired civilization, the other a nomadic tribe of warrior people. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these, seeing the differences between them and all the details the author put into each. The magic of the novel was also very interesting. It seems to be a mix of hard and soft magic systems, runes are important to the magic but there isn’t much explanation beyond that so far. Throughout the novel there are small bits of other cultures and a broader world introduced, and I’m sure we will learn more about the magic, so I am very excited to explore this world further as the series progresses.
The book is separated into 3 parts, with a gap of several years between each part. This is a bold choice that doesn’t always work for me, but it was absolutely the right choice in The Blood Stones. Gehrin, who could be considered the main protagonist of the book, is quite young when the book starts, and has a lot of training to do before the end. While we certainly get to witness parts of his training, the time jumps allow us to get an overview into what otherwise could have become a tedious process. The time jumps allow the pacing of the book to flow very smoothly, not particularly fast but not slow and dragging either. I was completely invested the whole read, and never wanted to put it down.
The only note I have for the book is not a criticism but something for some readers to be aware of going in. This novel is very focused on the characters, so the plot can move rather slowly, especially for certain POVs. Character-driven readers should be fully satisfied but more plot-driven readers should know what to expect when they start the book. I consider myself more plot-driven than character, and I still loved the book so I don’t think it should scare anyone away, but I make the note so you can have the right expectations going in.
Tori Tecken has crafted a majestic world full of beautiful and moving characters with her first entry in this new series, and I couldn’t be happier that I read it. The Blood Stones made my top 10 novels of 2023 and I stick by that. Having read and loved both of her released novels, Tecken has established herself as a must-read author for me, and I highly recommend her writing to all fantasy readers.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
There is other way to start this review other than talking about the characters. Tecken writes characters like a seasoned professional, controlling the reader’s emotions until they have no choice but to feel how she wants them to. There are characters to hate, to love, and everything in between. Our main cast of characters have been sucked into a web of political intrigue and you can’t help but get stuck in with them. There is a motley crew of young protagonists forced together near the beginning of the novel, and watching them grow closer together over the course of the novel despite their differences was a joy to experience. I can’t wait to see what this crew gets up to in the next book. In my opinion, character work is the author’s greatest strength, and the shining star of this novel.
That isn’t to say the rest of the book is shabby, far from it. As a worldbuilding nerd, I marveled in the vast world the author has constructed for this series. It is generally easy to see when the author has put in the work to develop the world before writing the book, and it is clear that Tecken has done exactly that. The Blood Stones focuses on 2 storylines, each in a vastly different culture. One in a more traditional, Asian inspired civilization, the other a nomadic tribe of warrior people. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these, seeing the differences between them and all the details the author put into each. The magic of the novel was also very interesting. It seems to be a mix of hard and soft magic systems, runes are important to the magic but there isn’t much explanation beyond that so far. Throughout the novel there are small bits of other cultures and a broader world introduced, and I’m sure we will learn more about the magic, so I am very excited to explore this world further as the series progresses.
The book is separated into 3 parts, with a gap of several years between each part. This is a bold choice that doesn’t always work for me, but it was absolutely the right choice in The Blood Stones. Gehrin, who could be considered the main protagonist of the book, is quite young when the book starts, and has a lot of training to do before the end. While we certainly get to witness parts of his training, the time jumps allow us to get an overview into what otherwise could have become a tedious process. The time jumps allow the pacing of the book to flow very smoothly, not particularly fast but not slow and dragging either. I was completely invested the whole read, and never wanted to put it down.
The only note I have for the book is not a criticism but something for some readers to be aware of going in. This novel is very focused on the characters, so the plot can move rather slowly, especially for certain POVs. Character-driven readers should be fully satisfied but more plot-driven readers should know what to expect when they start the book. I consider myself more plot-driven than character, and I still loved the book so I don’t think it should scare anyone away, but I make the note so you can have the right expectations going in.
Tori Tecken has crafted a majestic world full of beautiful and moving characters with her first entry in this new series, and I couldn’t be happier that I read it. The Blood Stones made my top 10 novels of 2023 and I stick by that. Having read and loved both of her released novels, Tecken has established herself as a must-read author for me, and I highly recommend her writing to all fantasy readers.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
July 14, 2024
My rating 4.7
The fantasy book "The Blood Stones (Legends of the Bruhai #1)" by Tori Tecken is very well-written, the characters are very well developed and the setting is very well elaborated. All in all, I liked the story, although even though it is a fantasy book, there is very little magic, I am convinced that it will burst with magic in the sequels because strong foundations were laid in the first book of the series. I would place the book in an epic political-intrigue-military fantasy, so you can expect political intrigues and several battles that are very well described in the book. The magic in the book is just hinted at, but in my opinion, it can take on enormous connotations.
The story begins with the execution of the murderer who killed the only royal prince. Nin and his Xario his brothers follow his execution even though they are forbidden to do so as the sons of the royal governor. At the same time, their children's world will scatter overnight like a house of cards and take them to places beyond their expectations. But will it be for them what they expected because the world they live in is not idyllic and not everyone gets what they want? In the north, among the Maleki tribes, we simultaneously meet the pride of Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain (my favorite character in the book). Her tribal world is constantly at war, but Syndri doesn't know that this world is about to go up in flames. Syndra will need much more than her courage and pride to survive future events, for the wastelands have no mercy for the weak.
If you are a fan of fantasy books, then you will like this book because every detail in the book is well worked out and thought out. I look forward to the sequel.
The fantasy book "The Blood Stones (Legends of the Bruhai #1)" by Tori Tecken is very well-written, the characters are very well developed and the setting is very well elaborated. All in all, I liked the story, although even though it is a fantasy book, there is very little magic, I am convinced that it will burst with magic in the sequels because strong foundations were laid in the first book of the series. I would place the book in an epic political-intrigue-military fantasy, so you can expect political intrigues and several battles that are very well described in the book. The magic in the book is just hinted at, but in my opinion, it can take on enormous connotations.
The story begins with the execution of the murderer who killed the only royal prince. Nin and his Xario his brothers follow his execution even though they are forbidden to do so as the sons of the royal governor. At the same time, their children's world will scatter overnight like a house of cards and take them to places beyond their expectations. But will it be for them what they expected because the world they live in is not idyllic and not everyone gets what they want? In the north, among the Maleki tribes, we simultaneously meet the pride of Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain (my favorite character in the book). Her tribal world is constantly at war, but Syndri doesn't know that this world is about to go up in flames. Syndra will need much more than her courage and pride to survive future events, for the wastelands have no mercy for the weak.
If you are a fan of fantasy books, then you will like this book because every detail in the book is well worked out and thought out. I look forward to the sequel.
November 27, 2023
Note: I received an arc for this book and read it before the publication date.
This was an easy five stars for me. All of the components of a great fantasy novel were present.
Worldbuilding = Excellent. We're not hit with info dumps, we find out things about the world organically through conversations and events. There was enough there to hold my interest in the world and keep me wanting more as we move through the series.
Characters = Excellent. We get multiple POV's in this story, and I was captivated by each of the story lines. The viewpoints are unique, and you can hear the distinction between the character's voices very clearly. I was drawn in to each of them and caring about what happened early in the story.
Plot/Themes/Action/Drama = Excellent. I don't want to spoil anything in this review. I'll just say I was hit with all the feels in this. I had a hard time putting it down.
Finally, I want to touch on the prose. The dialogue is excellent and moved along at a great pace. But what I was blown away with were some of the individual lines. I don't often highlight lines of text when I read, but there were several lines in this book that I highlighted. I debated putting a couple of examples in this review, but in the end opted to keep this spoiler free. You'll have to pick it up to see what I'm referring to. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
This was an easy five stars for me. All of the components of a great fantasy novel were present.
Worldbuilding = Excellent. We're not hit with info dumps, we find out things about the world organically through conversations and events. There was enough there to hold my interest in the world and keep me wanting more as we move through the series.
Characters = Excellent. We get multiple POV's in this story, and I was captivated by each of the story lines. The viewpoints are unique, and you can hear the distinction between the character's voices very clearly. I was drawn in to each of them and caring about what happened early in the story.
Plot/Themes/Action/Drama = Excellent. I don't want to spoil anything in this review. I'll just say I was hit with all the feels in this. I had a hard time putting it down.
Finally, I want to touch on the prose. The dialogue is excellent and moved along at a great pace. But what I was blown away with were some of the individual lines. I don't often highlight lines of text when I read, but there were several lines in this book that I highlighted. I debated putting a couple of examples in this review, but in the end opted to keep this spoiler free. You'll have to pick it up to see what I'm referring to. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
November 28, 2023
Note: I received an e-ARC of this book before the publishing date.
"I wish there was more" is a phrase that pops up in many a book review. It could either mean that a book has failed to deliver a satisfactory story, leaving the reader scratching their head, wishing for a more complete experience. Or, like in the case of this very book, it could mean that a story has fired on all cylinders of satisfaction, leaving the reader (me) with a need for more.
Please.
Just a few pages more...
The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken is the story of three individuals who are forcibly shaped (successfully or not) by outside forces. Take Gehrin, the son of a counselor to the king, who is taken from his noble home and thrust into a world of pain and hurt in order to turn him into a loyal soldier in service of the king. He is trained, beaten, forced to kill, and given a new name: Liv. By the time we reach the final beat of the book, the hardened and loyal-to-a-fault Liv has very little in common with the naive and sensitive Gehrin we were introduced to at the start. And yet, slivers of his former self surface in unexpected ways: a quiet bonding moment with a close friend, sipping wine in the lonely hours of the morning.
Syndri, on the other hand, is the daughter of the chiefs of a warrior tribe. She is hardheaded, strong, and with a bit of a violent streak. After a grave mistake involving a neighboring tribe, she inadvertently causes the slaughter of most of her people, including her parents. Unlike Gehrin, whose conflict is about who he is presently in relation to who he once was, Syndri doubles down on her errors. She has no room for walking down memory lane, as she allows herself to be shaped by her thorny revenge--a revenge that is ultimately unsatisfactory. But, instead of allowing herself to mourn and pondering why enacting this revenge did not fulfill her, Syndri continues down this dark path, her shape bound only by an unquenched thirst for violence.
Of the three character, Xario comes to us nearly fully formed. Throughout his life, Xario has been groomed by his father to ultimately take the throne--something that Xario has never wanted and has never learned to want. Instead, he wishes to lead the Legion (a royal army), going so far as making official appearances in full armor, something his father finds detestable or, at worst, insulting. Though he can't refuse outright, Xario resists the shape his father attempts to mold him into at each step, a choice that catapults the reader into one of the most satisfactory final chapters I've read in a long while.
A boy forced by others to become a weapon, a young woman forcing herself to find inner peace through violence, and a young man refusing to be shaped by others.
And a reader (me) with an (as of yet) unquenched need for more.
The Blood Stones is a fantastic start to a series and the prelude to an epic saga--a harbinger of even greater things to come. I cannot wait to see what shape this story will take in the future. I wouldn't miss it if I were you.
"I wish there was more" is a phrase that pops up in many a book review. It could either mean that a book has failed to deliver a satisfactory story, leaving the reader scratching their head, wishing for a more complete experience. Or, like in the case of this very book, it could mean that a story has fired on all cylinders of satisfaction, leaving the reader (me) with a need for more.
Please.
Just a few pages more...
The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken is the story of three individuals who are forcibly shaped (successfully or not) by outside forces. Take Gehrin, the son of a counselor to the king, who is taken from his noble home and thrust into a world of pain and hurt in order to turn him into a loyal soldier in service of the king. He is trained, beaten, forced to kill, and given a new name: Liv. By the time we reach the final beat of the book, the hardened and loyal-to-a-fault Liv has very little in common with the naive and sensitive Gehrin we were introduced to at the start. And yet, slivers of his former self surface in unexpected ways: a quiet bonding moment with a close friend, sipping wine in the lonely hours of the morning.
Syndri, on the other hand, is the daughter of the chiefs of a warrior tribe. She is hardheaded, strong, and with a bit of a violent streak. After a grave mistake involving a neighboring tribe, she inadvertently causes the slaughter of most of her people, including her parents. Unlike Gehrin, whose conflict is about who he is presently in relation to who he once was, Syndri doubles down on her errors. She has no room for walking down memory lane, as she allows herself to be shaped by her thorny revenge--a revenge that is ultimately unsatisfactory. But, instead of allowing herself to mourn and pondering why enacting this revenge did not fulfill her, Syndri continues down this dark path, her shape bound only by an unquenched thirst for violence.
Of the three character, Xario comes to us nearly fully formed. Throughout his life, Xario has been groomed by his father to ultimately take the throne--something that Xario has never wanted and has never learned to want. Instead, he wishes to lead the Legion (a royal army), going so far as making official appearances in full armor, something his father finds detestable or, at worst, insulting. Though he can't refuse outright, Xario resists the shape his father attempts to mold him into at each step, a choice that catapults the reader into one of the most satisfactory final chapters I've read in a long while.
A boy forced by others to become a weapon, a young woman forcing herself to find inner peace through violence, and a young man refusing to be shaped by others.
And a reader (me) with an (as of yet) unquenched need for more.
The Blood Stones is a fantastic start to a series and the prelude to an epic saga--a harbinger of even greater things to come. I cannot wait to see what shape this story will take in the future. I wouldn't miss it if I were you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2024
For lovers of Ender’s Game and Lord of the Flies, but looking for the Asian flair of Avatar. Although it is a very low magic world for a fantasy, the level of political intrigue will keep your mind spinning. Each character POV has so much to offer I never had one I enjoyed more than the next. Well, perhaps Syndri—I absolutely loved the warrior horse tribe! The Blood Stones is a fantastic beginning to what is sure to be an epic series!
Warning: children in danger, murdered, murdering. I honestly skimmed those parts and didn’t feel like I missed anything crucial as everything is referenced back to in a very light manner. I can promise nothing bad happens without a purpose!
Warning: children in danger, murdered, murdering. I honestly skimmed those parts and didn’t feel like I missed anything crucial as everything is referenced back to in a very light manner. I can promise nothing bad happens without a purpose!
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