"The Silverblood Promise," narrated by Brenock O'Connor, offers a whirlwind adventure in a realm of mystery and intrigue. O'Connor's narration adeptly brings to life a cast of characters with distinct voices, enhancing the immersive experience. James Logan's tale follows Lukan Gardova, a disgraced noble heir, on a quest to uncover the truth behind his father's untimely demise. The narrative's strength lies in its breakneck pacing, propelling the listener through a series of daring escapades and unexpected twists.

While the world-building is sufficient, some elements remain underexplored, including the magic system. The plot lacks a strong overarching drive, relying instead on a series of interconnected missions reminiscent of a video game questline. However, the convenience of certain plot developments detracts from the tension, with the characters always accidentally find what they need or are usefully saved by just the right person, diminishing the sense of stakes and increasing the eye-rolling factor for me at points.

Despite these shortcomings, the camaraderie among the characters, particularly the endearing found family dynamic, adds depth to the story. Overall, "The Silverblood Promise" offers an entertaining ride for fans of fast-paced adventures, though those seeking deeper narrative complexity may find it lacking.

The Silverblood Promise is a high fantasy book that has an expansive plot and a fantastic setting - I could imagine all of it like a movie in my head.

I particularly liked the characters in this book and loved the dynamics between a lot of them. They were entertaining and I found myself laughing at their interactions. There were characters in this book from all different backgrounds and this was really reflected in their mindset and attitudes towards things. I thought the characters all seemed very believable and realistic.

I was invested in the plot from very early on as it follows Lukan try to discover who murdered his father. The plot expands massively form here as Lukan meets a range of characters in his schemes and becomes wrapped up in a conspiracy.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook for this and thought the narrator did a great job! I will definitely be continuing on with this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Audio for this advanced audio copy.

5 glowing stars!


Thank you Netgalley for the audio ARC of this book.


Trigger warning: I am not good at this, but I think it is worth mentioning that alcoholism is a very present potential trigger in this book.


I can't remember the last time I was so excited by a book that lived up to my expectations and fascinated me so much that I didn't want to put it down. I'm glad that was the case with this book. When I closed the book, I had the feeling that I did not want to leave Saphrona and the characters I had come to love, that I was going to take a break for a few days and not read anything else.


'Well,' Lukan began, 'it all started when I learned my father had been murdered...'


The book follows Lukan, a disgraced nobleman who was expelled from the academy following a duel gone wrong. Lukan is plagued by an conflicting relationship with his father, which was exacerbated first by the death of his mother and later by the role his father played in his expulsion from the academy. After being expelled he left and lived a bit of a vagabond life, drowning his sorrows in gambling and alcohol. His life is about to change when his father's steward tracks him down and informs him that his father has been murdered, leaving him a note written in his dying blood with three words: Lukan. Saphrona. Zandrusa. Saphrona is known to be a city located on an island, while the third word remains unknown: who is or what is Zandrusa?
Driven by guilt and a desire to avenge his father, Lukan decides to investigate and leave for Saphrona. This will catapult him into a series of heists and adventures, alliances and enemies, conspiracies and a first step in realising that there is much more to his father than what Lukan thinks he was.

--Evocative setting and rich worldbuilding--
Allow me to say a few words about the setting, as it was described in such an evocative way that I always felt at Lukan's side as he explored the city. Saphrona is a port city, loosely inspired by the Spanish cities of Seville and Cádiz (source: author), although I noticed a bit of Italian Renaissance atmosphere as well. It is full of merchants and shady characters, reminiscent of both Camorr and Kingslanding. It is described throughout the book in a very evocative and vivid way at different seasons and occasions (e.g. during a ceremony or a market). Even some of the local foods and wines were described. I had the impression that the author knew exactly what he wanted to say so that we could picture in our minds what he wanted us to see. For example, when Lukan arrived in the town, I could imagine the dragon-like skull hanging at the entrance and felt Lukan's wonder (also perfectly captured by Jeff's art). Speaking of the skull, there are references throughout the story to various magical artefacts (e.g. the Phaeron) that hark back to a bygone era before the war destroyed it. I hope that the past of the Old Empire and the magic system will be explored in more depth in the next books.


Characters that will stay with me for a long time
Lukan is a character I've liked from the first page. He's not perfect, but he tries to do the right thing (or, on many occasions, the least painful choice). He is a character who struck me as humanly realistic, empathetic and perceptive. Maybe a little too much at times, especially in the beginning when he was drunk more often, it seemed unrealistic to me that he would be able to stay awake even under the influence of alcohol.
In addition to Lukan, what I loved the most were the relationships between the characters, especially the one with Flea, since it was the most explored one. Flea is an orphan street girl, a skinny eleven year old with a sharp knife and sharper tongue., who is unwilling to stay behind. It had a well-rounded and authentic development arc: from being a relationship of convenience to one of affection and care. Their banter made me laugh out in more than one occasion and felt so genuine!
Below you'll find a couple of snippets.
The whole cast of characters was well represented, although I would have liked some of the supporting characters, such as Ashra and Scrivener, to have been more fully fleshed out. They seemed a bit bland for thieves/smugglers in this book. I hope Ashra will get her development in the next book.

'...Well, there was a girl.'
Flea sighed, rolled her eyes. 'I knew it.'
'You knew what?'
'I knew this was about a girl. There's always a girl.'


'You're too smart for your own good, kid.'
'Yeah, well you're too stupid for yours.'
'That's something we both agree on.'


'Why didn't you wake me earlier?'
'I like you better when you're asleep. Even if you snore like a pig.'
'I do not.'
'Yeah, try telling that to all the dead people that you just woke up.'



--Fast-paced, quest driven murder mystery--
The story is essentially a murder mystery, but it is also quest driven, like in video games. You know when you have to go from A to B and you think you are done? When you get to B, you are told that what you are looking for is in C, but then C has been burnt down (just an example) and you have to go to D, and so on. I personally like this kind of structure, but if you are not into it, it might not work for you. The pace is fast right up to the end, and I was so intrigued to find out more that I didn't feel like I was reading a 600-page tome. The end felt very satisfyingly wrapped up. Of course, there are some loose threads for the sequel, but the main sub-story arc was completed. So, no cliffhanger, yay!
What could have been better developed, and which I hope will be explored in future volumes, is the development of the relationship between Lukan and his father: from an alienated man to a researcher with a certain cultural and moral depth (as far as I could perceive).
All of this was accompanied by a fluid writing style, evocative without being unnecessarily long-winded, and a dry sense of humour that I enjoyed very much. also, the story is beautifully structured, with each chapter corresponding to a given scene.


--Audio: I felt like I was in a tavern with the narrator--
The narrator was fantastic at pacing the story with the right intonations when there were moments of tension and quieter moments. He managed to voice different characters with different accents. At first I thought he only gave accents to women, but I think he gave accents to characters from different parts of the old empire, which I thought was great. It enhanced my reading and listening experience. I will be looking out for other books narrated by Brian O'Connor in the future.

My only "half-serious" complaint is that we need a map! xD As I said, the author has done a great job of characterising the world, including cities other than Saphrona, which largely makes up for the lack of a map, but, you know, I love maps in fantasy. I hope one is in the works.

In conclusion, I enjoyed every bit of this fantasy debut, which I highly recommend to any fantasy reader. Logan is a very skilled writer and I think he is a great new voice in the fantasy genre.

If you liked The Final Empire Mistborn first era, The Lies of Locke Lamora and Theft of Swords, you may also like this one.

4.5 stars

THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE is a high fantasy novel full of madcap schemes and plenty of voice, perfect for fans of Sebastian de Castell.

Lukan gets caught up in a scheme far greater than him out of a simple decision to find out what his father wanted him to know when he was murdered. I enjoyed that the sprawling plot he is caught up in was not related to his father - it was a case of wrong place, wrong time, now save the city, if you can.

It leads to a highly entertaining series of hijinks, schemes, terrible ideas, heists, and very narrow escapes. There are crime lords and corrupt politicians and vastly powerful magical enemies to contend with. The book balances both magic and a lost civilisation alongside grit, tricks, and plain luck.

There were so many fun characters in the book. Flea was my favourite by a country mile. She was adorable and I wanted to protect her, but she's also this street smart kid with a cheeky tongue who needs security, love, and trust. I loved watching her relationship develop with Lukan over the book, and the found family vibes it created. I'm very glad she'll be in the next book.

This is a very voicy book, the main character's personality coming across so clearly in the prose, and Brenock O'Connor does wonderfully at bringing that to life, injecting a sarcastic energy to the part. If you like audiobooks, this is one where it is definitely worth picking up in audio format.

Had to dnf at 40%. It has some cool world building, loved the big worm monster used in execution and the pyramid game that gives you horrific visions you can feel, but I hated the main character. I did not care for his tragic backstory and his only personality is being stupid but also kind of good cards. The fact that he got so far in investigating his father's death so quickly was purely down to sheer dumb luck. It doesn't help that he has to comment of every woman who he finds attractive.

After the mysterious death of his father, Lukan is thrust into a world of intrigue when he is handed a note written in his father's own blood, bearing 3 words: “Lukan, Zafrona, Zandrousa.” Determined to uncover the truth and seek justice, Lukan embarks on a journey to the enigmatic land of Zafrona.

Once a promising student at the University, Lukan Gardova’s reputation is now tarnished, and he has spent years on the move, drowning his sorrows. However, fueled by the need for answers and vengeance, Lukan finds himself with a newfound purpose in avenging his father.

I absolutely loved this book! It's a brilliant piece of fantasy with a richly developed world and wonderfully rounded characters. I particularly loved Flea, cheeky and sharp as a tack. I was gripped the whole time and am eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

Brenock O'Connor's narration was phenomenal and added an extra layer of depth to an already outstanding book. His range of character voices truly brought the story to life.

(CWs: violence, murder, death, blood, xenophobia, brief body horror&gore)

This is a delightfully fun classic fantasy novel, beautifully narrated by Brenock O'Connor and made compulsively readable by the mysteries - big and small - woven throughout.

It's a bit slow to start and probably a bit too long, but it nonetheless had me hooked till the very end; the worldbuilding is fascinating, hinting at much more to come, the plot engaging, decently well-paced and full of fun twists and turns (though Lukan's exceptional luck does ocassionally lean towards glaringly obvious plot armour). Lukan is pretty generic as fantasy protags go, but not offensively so, and Flea - the street urchin turned Lukan's guide/sidekick/friend - is a highlight among the supporting characters, bound to become a reader-favourite. Their dynamic is deeply endearing. I do have some criticisms - kinda sucks that the only fat character in the story is a stereotype, for example - but I definitely want to see where it all goes from here.

Overall, yeah, it doesn't really bring anything new to the genre, but it sure is FUN AS HELL, so [shrugs] I really can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, especially with the great setup at the end of this book 🫶

(Thanks to Quercus Audio and Netgalley for the ARC!)

I've read and enjoyed The Silverblood Promise by James Logan. First, let's address the stunning cover of this book. The illustration is by Jeff Brown and I really recommend checking out his art! I've already ordered the special edition from The Broken Binding.

In this story, we follow Lukan, who gets the message about his estranged father having been murdered. That pushes him to decide if he should continue his life as it is, gambling and drinking, or try to get some answers... And if he had chosen the first option, we wouldn't get this book. 😅

For me, this story was one that really transports you to the setting- you can forget you're reading because you get really immersed in the world. In the beginning, I was pretty irritated by our main character, but as the story progressed, I've started appreciating how his journey was crafted and his growth was nice to follow.

I've liked the worldbuilding and I'm intrigued by its many secrets.

The main thing I'd say about this book is it's very entertaining! It's been compared to The Lies of Locke Lamora and I can say I see the similar vibe in these works. Also, I'd say if you've liked The Tainted Cup, you'll like this book! They both are murder mysteries with an effortless sense of humor despite the dire circumstances, and they both have amazing found family. That is actually my absolutely favorite part of following Lukan's story and what ultimately made the book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me. It's a fun, fast, heartwarming but grim book and I'll definitely continue reading the series!

✨✨✨

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to an e-arc.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 4 stars

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The gothic buildings and earthy colour scheme used in this design are captivating and cleverly capture the epic fantasy genre of the story. I also love the detail of the main character, Lukan, and his unlikely sidekick, Flea, overlooking the buildings.

Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Although I initially struggled to find the formal writing style and third-person narrative engaging, I was soon engrossed in the story due to the strong prose and wit. The world-building was also well-developed and fascinating, with a creative magic system, diverse creatures, and intricate politics.

“Sometimes you owed it to yourself to do what was necessary, not what was easy.”

Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The story starts slow, gradually setting the scene for the mysteries and adventures that unfold. While there were some convenient plot devices, the storyline remained well-paced and built up tension through regular bursts of action and several twists. By the end, most loose ends were resolved, resulting in a satisfying conclusion that neatly set up the next book.

Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite all his bravado, Lukan proved to be a sweet and noble protagonist whose grief and regret made his character somewhat complex and easy to root for. His sarcasm and wit also quickly won me over and made the story more entertaining.

“You can’t escape the past, Lukan. It’s our lifelong companion, always at our side.”

Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The dynamics between Lukan and the savvy street urchin Flea were both amusing and endearing. Flea was just as lovable and easy to root for as Lukan, as she possesses a fiery personality shaped by her backstory. The remaining secondary characters were also well-defined and helped drive the story forward.

Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Brenock O'Connor's narration was fantastic, especially during the witty conversations. His use of vocal effects and character voices also enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

“Don’t be ashamed of your mistakes… Learn from them.”

Overall, 'The Silverblood Promise' surprised me with its entertaining blend of mystery, humour, and lovable characters, all within a fascinating epic world.

I had the pleasure of doing immersion reading on The Silverblood Promise - both the eARC and the voice narration were fantastic.
I will not go through the plot, the blurb does a very good job at that already. I can instead say that the whole cast of characters, the mysteries and the storyline itself has been a pleasure from the first to the last page.

The subtle connections between existing European countries and the regions in Logan’s world helped me immensely in imagining the world even more vividly - the touch of Spain in Saphrona, Italy, middle east and Russia - I could see them all (and hear most of them in the audio version).

Lukan reminded me so much of that good friend that makes bad decisions, but that deep down deserves all of your trust and needs all of your good advice. The book wrapped up this first part of the adventure in a very satisfying way - I really want book two and three out right now, but I am appreciative of how this first installment ended and feels like I will be able to pick up and go as soon as the continuation will be available.

To me, this book was a solid 5 stars.
One of these books where you know already at the 50% mark that it will be a 5 stars, regardless of what happens next.
I was fully immersed in the story, in the atmosphere and in the mystery - in this first volume we just scratched the surface of Lukan’s quest, but also of the lore around the Phaerons… James, if you happen to read this thank you - The Silverblood Promise wasn’t just what I was hoping it would be, but much, much more than that. To anyone else, go and grab a copy - even better if you grab both print and audio. This book and its narration are perfect for immersion reading.

The Silverblood Promise is the debut novel from James Logan and the first book in his upcoming series The Last Legacy.

Simply put the book is a murder mystery within a fantasy setting, and the story follows its protagonist as he seeks to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder. The Silverblood Promise however is not a simple story.

His investigations see him become embroiled in a seedy underworld of political gamesmanship, questionable law enforcement and dishonourable religious figures. This is underpinned by a soft magic system which continues to unfold throughout the story.

Predominately The Silverblood Promise is a character driven tale, and whilst the story is largely told from the protagonist’s view there is a wide ranging cast who bring a variety of fascinating angles to the narrative.

One of the story’s main themes is the “Lone Wolf and Cub” trope. We have a wonderful relationship to experience which blossoms over the course of the book, reminiscent of Gabriel and Dior in Empire of the Vampire.

Geographically the story is largely based in one City, however the author thoroughly explores the depth and breadth of it. For me this makes the place a critical element of the storytelling.

The author paints a picture of his City to the point you can feel the grit and smell the sweat, this is also all reflected beautifully in the accompanying artwork.

Now specifically I was provided with a copy of the audiobook, and I have to admit to never having experienced an audiobook before.

The narration I felt was wonderful, and the range of voices from the artist allowed me easily to move from character to character.

The tone and the delivery of the vocal performance just added another layer to what was already an extremely compelling story.

Following my experience I genuinely feel audiobooks will now become a regular way for me to interact with storytelling.

The Silverblood Promise is an outstanding debut and I sincerely thank Quercus Audio for my audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review. This is an easy five stars and comes very highly recommended.

Lukan Gardova is the black sheep of his family, having dropped out from the academy after a duel went terribly wrong, he has wandered through life gambling, drinking and mourning how he lost his life and direction, however, the murder of his father brings purpose to his life. All he has is a note containing three words written in blood that leads him on an adventure to Saphrona, the fabled city of merchant princes to search out the cause of his father’s death. Saphrona is a multi-cultural city, it’s complexity further deepened by cut-throat politics, magic, monsters, and mysteries that Lukan must solve if he wishes to discover more about his father’s murder. The Silverblood Promise is James Logan’s debut and if you loved the action and adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Six of Crows, then you will delight in this thrilling action packed murder mystery.
First and foremost, the characters in this book are truly it’s backbone and core to engagement with the story, Lukan the protagonist is truly a charming rogue, who finds himself faced with a bewildering challenge as he enters Saphrona. He is mature enough to recognise he needs help and can’t solve this mystery alone but, a little too arrogant to openly admit that which is where Flea comes in. Flea is simply wonderful, she is a cheeky, charming, street rat. She has spent a lot of her life on the streets, having lost her family and has been forced to become a street thief and pick pocket to survive. Yet despite this, there’s something totally charming about her light and sheer delight in life, her reverence and admiration for Lady Midnight, (you’ll find out more about her in the book,) and she brings a joy and quart of cheekiness to the story. Logan brings a real sense of humanity and honesty to the story, Lukan is most definitely not the perfect hero, he makes mistakes and finds himself in tight corners and hot spots that he most definitely needs help escaping. Its enjoyable to see him grow as a character and there is most definitely a sense of found family in this story as the relationship between Lukan and Flea develops.
Beyond the core protagonists of the story, Logan has also created an interesting and strong supporting character cast, each is distinguishable and no matter how small their part, they are memorable, bringing the appropriate sense of fear, suspicion, or humour to the story. Although, I must say that the banter between Logan and Flea is truly a highlight that shines through the whole story, as I said Flea truly brings a quart of cheekiness to the story.
As for the world-building, well I can truly say that Logan has done an outstanding job here, at no time did I feel lectured at or dictated to, I was immediately immersed in this beautiful, haunting, vibrant, bustling city around which all the commerce of the Old Empire circumnavigates. From the markets to the taverns and gambling houses, from the Palace to the prison and the colosseum that house the Bone Pit, I was plunged into the geography of Saphrona and could almost smell the spices, alcohol and teas. Logan’s world-building spills way beyond the simple geography, expanding across religion and justice – The Lady of Seven Shadows, magic – the Phaeron relics and myths and legends of The Faceless, and of course the politics of Saphrona, and the ever-present efforts to prevent bloodshed and war. And this is where the whole sense and feeling of Indiana Jones truly comes in, I definitely felt that shiver down my spine that I felt as a child when the ark was opened when Logan introduced The Gleamers at the Bone Pit, and the myths and legends of the Phaeron, and The Faceless, and the tingle as Lukan and his company discovered magical relics and fumbled to solve the puzzles that they are to work out their secrets.
Beyond the characters and the world building, Logan has also developed an action-packed plot that twists and turns, truly bringing unexpected surprises, devastating failures and new facets of character, world, magic and politics that truly expand and develop the story at a truly break neck pace. I would love to tell you more but, in doing so I would truly spoil what is a fantastic read, and if you are looking for a read that melds murder, mystery, high fantasy, found family tropes and an adventure at Indiana Jones level, then The Silverblood Promise is definitely the book for you! I had a brilliant time reading this book, I gasped, I laughed out loud and I was thoroughly entertained. All I need now is book 2!

Thank you so much Quercus books and Netgalley for the e-arc of the audio book - The Silverblood Promise in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

A fantastic read from start to finish!
Both characters and the world this is set in carry so much charm.
I may not be alone in comparing this to an Indiana Jones film but for good reason.
Such a fun adventure that had a murder mystery wanting me to discover more.

Very much looking forward to Logan’s next entry in this series!

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in audio format in return for an honest review.

When the book started I wasn't sure what to think. It is a whirlwind adventure. The characters are well written and develop through out the story.

The setting seems very blood thirsty but so rich abd detailed. If your looking for an adventure that will keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next this is the book for you.

TLDR: interesting premise, but didn't deliver on the fantasy aspect. Writing isn't great, characters felt flat, and the plot was telegraphed at every chapter.

Thank you to Quercus Audio for providing me with an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for a review.

First, a note on the audiobook: why do you need to give every single woman an accent? I understand the narrator is a man, and might struggle with making women voices, but it's not that hard, just do the same than for men, you won't sound like a woman either way! When all the women have weird accents, even (and especially) the noble ones, you're confusing the politics of the plot - they're not foreigners, they're not uneducated peasants, they're equal to the men to whom you just gave a posh english accent...

Now, for the book itself: this is a debut, and it feels like one.
It's a paint-by-numbers mystery, set in a barely described fantasy world. Every trope comes one after the other: solemn vow (that never comes up again), old civilisation (never described in details), magic (convenient plot device), heists, underground mafia, corrupt clergy, little orphan girl who's so witty and strong (should have died 10 times), band of mismatched underdogs that take on a conspiration, ...
I like tropes as much as my neighbour, but not when they're stitched together so inelegantly, and the author seems to be crossing off a checklist.

I think I could have liked the main character if the author has been writing satire. Lukan is a perfect frat boy, and i would have loved to see him think so highly of himself, only for the author to make fun of his self-importance. But here it falls flat every time: he's supposed to be so smart, yet fails to see the clues served to him on a silver platter. Supposedly a strong fighter, yet gets beaten up at every turn. Disgraced son from a once powerful noble family, yet knows nothing of the world around him, and is intimidated by anyone with an ounce of power.

The plot is very much a mystery set in a fantasy world. I wouldn't have minded that, except the mystery was awful. So many obvious clues, and yet so many interesting things mentioned and never used again. Way too many close calls and thinly-veiled set ups. Perfectly unbelievable ending that never stood a chance. Oh, and you have to get completely drunk before every action scene, so that you can complain of a headache, and then it has no other consequence on your performance. Frat boy, i told you.

The writing was also mediocre. There is a lot of info dumping, and so much telling not showing. Background characters are all shallow caricatures who refuse to tell Lukan anything ever - until 3 paragraphs later where they reveal their entire backstory and everything Lukan needs but didn't ask for.

So many leads were mentioned and never used again. For example (no spoiler), the book begins by a promise Lukan makes, the *Silverblood Promise*, which involves a fancy name, and little ritual, and???? nothing else! The significance of it is never explained, there doesn't seem to be any consequence of not following through (except vaguely his personal honor). I kept waiting for it to show up again, but it didn't. And that repeats for every single vaguely interesting idea the author had.

I would compare this to Play of Shadows by Sebastien De Castell: same kind of main character and setting. And the same problems with regards to world-building, badly wrangled mystery plot and stereotypical characters. Even the audio had the same problems (it might be the same narrator, i didn't check).
So if you liked one, maybe check out the other! Else, i would pass.

Why did i request this? I say The Broken Binding make a wonderful special edition with gorgeous art, but i don't want to pay 40 euros for a dud, no matter how beautiful lol!

This book was at the top of my most anticipated reads this year. It was definitely worth the wait.

This follows Lukan Gardova, a man with many talents, some which may not be legal or ethical. He does what he can to get by. He wasn't always like this. He comes from a prestigious family with money. At least they used to have money. After being booted from the Academy for a duel gone wrong, he pretty much ruined his families reputation and standing.

Now, seven years after leaving home in disgrace he finds out that his father was murdered. No one knows who did it, but there was a note left for Lukan. He swears a Silverblood Promise to find out who killed his father or die trying.

I loved this so much! It's compelling all the way through. The characters are fantastic. Lukan and Flea are my favorites. Most of it takes place in Saphrona, a city full of power struggles and lots of criminals. I also thought the narrator was great. This book is one of the best I've read this year.

This was fantastic!

It was such a good start to the series, full of adventure and excitement, mystery and tense moments! I really loved the relationship between Flea and Lukan, it was so wholesome, and they really grew together! I love a good quest and a conspiracy, and this had both! I can’t wait to continue the series!!

The narrator was PHENOMENAL! He did such a good job and it elevated the book to a 4 star for sure!

I’ve been hearing a lot about this book, both from social media and a friend who got the e-arc. And I must say that an unwarranted comparison kind of influenced my experience with it, I still enjoyed it very much.

First of all, the narrators voice fit the story perfectly and corresponded quite well with the story and I’ll look forward to listening to more books with this narrator.

Onto the story itself, I very much enjoyed my time even though I might have looked at it more critical than I would have otherwise had the comparison not been made. But I enjoyed the adventure itself and the writing style was perfect for an epic fantasy that reminds me of some of my favorites.

I did in fact have a few issues with the plot and more specifically the stakes. Only after I passed the 50% mark did the stakes actually get a bit higher and we actually get reasons besides mhm yes the dads murder he doesn’t even really have a relationship with and was very unclear in his last “will”. There just wasn’t a lot of motive for the main character to insist so much . Like in the scene with the torture game the stakes weren’t high enough in my opinion for him to continue so long or frankly to even start. There wasn’t any assurance at all that anything he did would lead to the answers he sought.

Another issue I had was the villains. They were half awesome with the whole faceless thing but then they seemed rushed in the sense of yes. Villain= bad people and bad people =meanies. They weren’t complex enough for the story. The actions they took were but the reason behind it was pretty pathetic mostly bc they were literally like “Hahaha now we will never be forced to give money to the poor again” which was kind of…eh. The execution was for the rest good though.


And the end. Everyone just accepts the black oval? It would be cool if there was like a myth about it beforehand or it to be something commonly used. Everyone just believing a mysterious alien object speaks the truth and only the truth seems kinda weird to me. But at least they had that one survived dude to cooperate the story.

Overal I had a fun time and the adventure was nice.

Brenock O’Connor really captures the voices of Lukan and Flea well and it is a really enjoyable listen even when sped up. I would listen to future audiobooks by O’Connor and I think his narration really suits the fantasy/big old adventure genre.

Lukan finds himself amid chaos after discovering his father has been murdered and he left a final note for him, written in his own blood, Using the clues from the note he finds himself travelling to unravel the mysteries surrounding his fathers death. He employs an eleven year old street urchin and their relationship was one of the best parts of the story. There is magic, terrifying beasts and creatures, deadly assassins, elusive thieves . and Lukan plotting terribly. 'The plan stank worse than a week old corpse.'

'I suppose evil is at its most powerful when it wears a smile and smells of rosewater.'

This debut was so much fun! I loved every part of it and was hooked with the story from the beginning to the end. It was relentless in action, mystery and sarcasm throughout. I look forward to book two and travelling to Korslakov!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

Ya lo dije en su momento, hay cubiertas que captan tu atención de una manera inmediata y The Silverblood Promise tiene una de esas, obra de Jeff Brown.


La primera novela de James Logan es una fantasía bastante convencional en cuanto a su premisa, con un antihéroe que en contra de lo que le aconsejan sus instintos de supervivencia indaga en la misteriosa herencia que le legó su padre. Lukan Gardova es una personaje muy atractivo, con un pasado oscuro, un presente comprometido y un futuro desolador, con una personalidad arrolladora y muy bien arropado por los personajes secundarios que Logan pone a su servicio. Además la premisa de investigación en torno a la que gira toda la narración consigue mantener el suspense y la intriga durante todas las páginas del libros, que no son pocas. Si además a todo esto añadimos la llamativa narración del audiolibro a cargo de Brenock O’Connor, aunque un tanto cortante, nos encontramos sin duda ante uno de los debuts del año.

La pareja o trío protagonista tiene una química envidiable, con una relación que comienza de la nada pero que a base de pullas y diálogos se va cimentando de una forma muy creíble e incluso entrañable. Por supuesto, el trabajo de construcción de mundo es bastante completo como el cualquier fantasía que se precie, pero cabe destacar que Logan muestra tan solo una parte de lo que ha creado, porque está clarísimo que se ha dejado muchas cosas para la siguientes entregas, que leeré (o me leerán, ¡vivan los audiolibros!) en cuanto me sea posible.

¿He dicho que hay pruebas de fe sobre objetos arqueológicos mágicos? Ese toque a lo Indiana Jones tampoco te creas que le sienta mal a la novela.

The Silverblood Promise tiene recorridos por los bajos fondos y tiene magia, tiene lucha de clases y contrabando, tiene extraños seres con poderes incomprensibles y objetivos incognoscibles, tiene humor y ternura… todo mezclado de una manera que resulta muy agradable disfrutar de su lectura. Yo no dejaría pasar la oportunidad.