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  • Blood Song

  • Book 1 of Raven's Shadow
  • By: Anthony Ryan
  • Narrated by: Steven Brand
  • Length: 23 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (620 ratings)

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Blood Song

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

We have fought battles that left more than a hundred corpses on the ground and not a word of it has ever been set down. The Order fights, but often it fights in shadow, without glory or reward. We have no banners.

Vaelin Al Sorna is the Sixth Order's newest recruit. Under their brutal training regime, he learns how to forge a blade, survive the wilds, and kill a man quickly and quietly - all in the name of protecting the Realm and the Faith. Now his skills will be put to the test.

War is coming. Vaelin must draw upon the very essence of his strength and cunning if he is to survive the coming conflict. Yet as the world teeters on the edge of chaos, Vaelin will learn that the truth can cut deeper than any sword.
©2013 Anthony Ryan (P)2013 Penguin Audio
Action & Adventure Epic Emotionally Gripping
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Critic Reviews

"A new master storyteller has hit the scene" (Michael J. Sullivan)
"Blood Song is a tremendous debut... fast-paced, action-packed and character-driven" ( Fantasy Book Critic)
"A top contender for most impressive debut of the year... Blood Song is a powerful epic that, while ending with a sense of closure, hints at more to come" ( SFF World)
"An utterly engrossing high-fantasy epic from a major new talent that explores themes of war, faith, and loyalty amidst incredible action scenes and artfully developed characters" ( Buzzfeed)
"A mix of The Name of the Wind and The Left Hand of God... I cannot recommend this book enough." ( bestfantasybooks.com)
"Blood Song delighted me again and again" ( Fantasy Faction)
"This is epic fantasy at its best with action, rivalries, espionage, the promise of future revelations and ever-present twists" ( Bookbag)
"An instant sensation . . . an excellent start to this series" ( Read Dream Relax)
"Smartly-written coming-of-age story... Compelling" ( SFX)
"I still love - and want - that feeling of completely absorbing escapism that good fantasy can supply - and Blood Song brings it in force" ( Pornokitsch)
"Ryan hits all the high notes of epic fantasy-a gritty setting, ancient magics, ruthless intrigue, divided loyalties, and bloody action" ( Publishers Weekly)
"Well wrought characters, a fascinating world, and crackling prose... Not to be missed" ( Kingofthenerds.com)
"Blood Song is unique... The next Epic Fantasy book everybody should read" ( Blotted Pages)
"An immensely satisfying and immersive experience" ( Dark Matter)
"One of the next master storytellers" ( Fantasty Book Review)

What listeners say about Blood Song

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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Audible.com.au reviews

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Profile Image for James

Better than I could have hoped!

Excellently written, Masterfully narrated. This was a story that drew me in and I couldn't get enough. I got less sleep because of this audio title! The characters were rich and multidimensional, the story was fluid and beautifully constructed. I can't wait to move on to the next one!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Michelle

A warriors tale of brotherhood and the blood song

A husky narration of a boy entering a brotherhood of warriors who protect the realm. With his hidden dark gift of blood song, he is swept along in life, hunted by others. Becoming the Warrior of the realm and order he weaves a life story of murder.killing.and assassination and hidden faiths that unravel to show the dark gifts within others as his blood song evolves.
very intriguing and a great story told.
will get the next book .
A must read .would make a great movie.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Adam Sutherton

Gripping Character. Listened while I read!

The previous review said it is better than GoT but this isn’t about threading many story lines together to a climatic end but rather a symphony of character and beliefs developed with a story unfolding.
Narrator is Scottish to which I love all English, Scottish, Welsh & Irish narrators so I am bias to that thus the 5/5 for narration. Story is a 4.5 but the iphone struggles to allow this this the 4/5 noted above.
I also tried something new here by reading along whilst listening to the narrator - made it truly absorbing!

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Profile Image for Daniel

Solid military fantasy

Pretty good overall, had some dialogue issues with the narrator not giving enough differentiation between characters at times.

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Profile Image for mike

A pretty engaging tale, well told!

while it borrows a little from the tropes of fantasy, this is an engaging novel of a grim world. I didn't know whether to cheer for the characters or not, but wanted to hear their tale anyway. I can't wait for the next one. The voice actor is excellent, particularly for the masculine storyline presented.

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1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for ivica

Amazing unique masterpiece

Blood Song is simply breathtaking unique ride into the world of Anthony Ryan..Once you start you can't stop. Intelligent narrative beckons and "What happens next " grip you so tightly its hard to let go. I love everything about it. Its definitely in my top 10. Give it a chance, you won't regret it.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

fantasy well written

in a nutshell, raven's shadow book 1 blood song is excellent! it's times worlds, people's and magics take you in and you'll find it hard to escape! I highly recommend this book!

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Profile Image for Michael Cummins

A classic

Loved it - beautifully written and well narrated. The sequel has a hard act to follow.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

An excellent start!

I read this book IRL so to speak. And I loved it. So when I purchased the audible version I was very happily not disappointed. The story drew me in almost immediately, and you're encouraged to really root for the main character. If you like fantasy with a good hit of sword fighting written by someone who actually seems to know what he's talking about - I'd say give this book a go!

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Gripping

Presented similarly to The Name Of The Wind, I found this book had grasped my attention a few minutes it.

The characters are gripping, the acting intense and often. I look forward to the next

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