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  • Blood Song

  • Raven's Shadow, Book 1
  • Written by: Anthony Ryan
  • Narrated by: Steven Brand
  • Length: 23 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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Blood Song

Written by: Anthony Ryan
Narrated by: Steven Brand
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Publisher's Summary

From "a new master storyteller" comes the beginning of an epic fantasy saga of blood, honor, and destiny....

The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm. Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of 10 when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a Warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.

Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the unified realm. Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright and dropped at the doorstep of the Sixth Order like a foundling knows no bounds. He cherishes the memory of his mother, and what he will come to learn of her at the Order will confound him. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the realm, but the world.

©2013 Anthony Ryan (P)2013 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

“Ryan is a new fantasy author destined to make his mark on the genre. His debut novel, Blood Song, certainly has it all: great coming-of-age tale, compelling character and a fast-paced plot. If his first book is any indication of things to come, then all fantasy readers should rejoice.” (Michael J. Sullivan, author of the Riyria Revelations series) 

“Fans of broadscale epic fantasy along the lines of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels should find this debut much to their liking.” (Library Journal)

“Ryan hits all the high notes of epic fantasy - a gritty setting, ancient magics, ruthless intrigue, divided loyalties and bloody action.... [A] promising debut." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Blood Song

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Among the best books I have ever read.

If I had read the summary alone and not read the reviews from previous listeners I may have passed on this book.

The summary makes it sound like the book is about a "Gemmel-esque" invincible blood spilling warrior. A sort of stereotypical fantasy hero. This is not the case and there is far more to the character of Vaelin than his prowess in battle and far more to this book than epic battles and heroic feats.

This book is not a stereotypical fantasy novel and the writing is brilliant, at times blurring the lines between fiction writing and prose, without becoming a dream-like ethereal account of events in the way of Gene Wolfe, instead it remains grounded and refined.

I am looking forward to the next books and more from this author.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

This was a phenomenal story and the voice acting was fantastic. I was absolutely riveted and so invested in the characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very good

I loved this book! Perfectly written from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing story

I've listened to this book several times over and love it more each time. I wish the narrator would differentiate the characters more than he does but he's very solid.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

worst narrator ever

the narrator sounds like a captive kept in a cave and forced to read physics books out loud to get food. I never knew someone could be so monotone and sound so depressing. 4 people having a conversation and they all sound the same and you have no idea who is saying what. I tried as hard as possible to like the book as it is popular amongst readers but listening to it should would be considered torture for terrorists.

I bought the entire series on sale so I hope I can return them all

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

pretty good. enjoying it thoroughly.

I would ignore the reviews discouraging this audiobooks narration. his voice is perfectly fine. and nothing takes from it. I almost chose not to get this audiobook due to it. the story is quite good. I am enjoying it slightly more than the name of the wind in certain aspects.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Narrator ruined the whole thing. skip this book

Narrator has no inflection in his voice at all. The only emotion his voice emanates is intense and slightly pissed off. Additionally, every voice in the book sounds the same. Doesn't matter if it's a sad kid, a happy old man, or a feminine woman, they will sound like an angry tough guy. This makes it hard to read a characters personality, and differentiate them in conversations. At least when you read the book you can think up their own unique voice in your head, but this book forces you to listen to them as the same guy voice. skip this one and save the credit

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Good!

Really enjoyed this story and the presentation was impeccable. Definitely something unique and different.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • jml
  • 2021-08-29

Good narration

I've read blood song in the past and this did rendition not disappoint at all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hands down one of the best books in the genre

Blood Song is really a masterpiece an excellent story, exceptionally well written and well narrated.

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