Lezersrecensie
Bonds of blood & Silver
Review of:
Bonds of blood and silver
Author:
Sandy Butchers
Source: www.sandybutchers.com
Sandy Butchers was born to Dutch parents as the youngest of two sisters. After having spent most of her childhood in The Netherlands, she developed a hunger for exploration and travel. Within 5 years, she visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, and Portugal, and decided to live in Finland for a little over a year. All this happened after she published her first novel at the age of 14. A small-town, local publisher picked up her story and fell in love with it, enabling Sandy to join the select company of the youngest authors in the country at the time.
After this, the writing never stopped. While she studied at the Art Academy in Rotterdam, she wrote articles for magazines, short fiction in an artist collaboration collective, and started The Cabinet of Curiosities. Here she presented the stories she wrote along with collectibles and small, handmade statuettes. Her debut in the international writer's world was with a 100-word drabble in a Fantasia Divinity anthology.
Today, Sandy works as a freelance artists for clients such as Urano Publishing USA, Crit Harder!, and Authors & Dragons. She regularly takes on commissions, too (really, go and check out the Technomancer collaboration with M.K. Gibson!). Apart from that, if she is not working on artwork for clients, you can find her working on her all-time biggest project: The Singularian Grimoire Anthologies. Don't hesitate to have a look and see what the fuss is all about.
Did you know...
- Sandy loves to write with the lights off?
- She makes her own artwork for her stories?
- Sandy adores Norse mythology?
- She finds naming her characters the most fun part of writing?
- Sandy has over 47 stories published in both national and international anthologies?
Reading method:
Received review copy from Sandy Butchers herself in exchange for my review and participation in blog tour.
Publisher:
Sandy Butchers published the book on her own.
The Dutch edition of this book will be published by Zilverspoor.
Genre:
Fantasy, sci-fi, Gods, grimdark, romance, shapeshifters, war, witches
Cover and blurb:
A cover dark colored and a bit of bronze.. I can see flowers and the edges are decorated with alot of ligns that form into lovely looking art. Behind the silver colored title I see the silhouet of some sort of bird. Under the title to the left I see blood. I find it a fascinating and sinister cover. On the back the same elements.
The blurb is impressive, educative and mysterious. For me enough ingredients to start reading.
Beautiful text:
The last god’s blood holds the power to save—or destroy—the world.
The story:
The Gods are dead. All of them but Skjall. Haunted by dark magic, poor choices, and a lifetime of bad luck, Skjall spends his days hiding from heathens who wish to complete the deicide he survived centuries ago. However, when an ambush reveals his identity, he finds himself thrown into a whirlwind of kill-or-be-killed decisions. Without the vigilance of the gods, a wicked king harvests his people in pursuit of immortality, and a twisted wish to ascend the divine throne. Skjall’s blood is the key to that throne, and he stands powerless with divinity balancing on the brink of extinction.
Desperate to survive, Skjall allies himself with a group of local, shape-shifting warriors and witches. But with the arrival of alchemically enhanced monster-soldiers, he finds himself on the losing end. Skjall must do everything he can to keep his blood from enemy hands, lest they use it to bend him to their will, reshaping the world into a breeding ground for monsters and false gods.
My reading experience:
Every word in this book touched me deeply. The words etched themselves in my brain and body. The writing style is both visual and filmish. If you imagine ancient Gods that collide with mankind then you have an idea of this awesome and breathtaking story. With a cast of characters which you will either admire and love or characters that scare the living hell out of you or give you a bitter taste of disgust in your mouth.
But the changing perspective from the “good” guys and the “bad” guys also makes this an interesting and continuously fascinating read. You get to learn the thoughts and feelings of characters that are willing to fight the darkness to find the healing light. But you also learn to know the dark, horrific, disgusting and heartbreaking thoughts of characters that want to rule the world against all odds. Who don’t care a live is on state or those who perish because of their acts.
The Nordic names and the Nordic mythologie made my heart sing. I loved it. It really contributed to the realm of the story. Also the whispers from the ancient Gods for the mankind and those who learned to listen was fascinating. And the stronger the belief the greater the amount of help. Not an easy way out but with lots of challanging struggles along the road to find a solution to it all. To stop a maniac way of thinking, dismantle the tremendous mass that was made for centuries to be able to stay in control and to rule in the most lethal way possible. But first the cracking of a huge cryptogram like puzzle is needed. And when everything seems to have fallen in place the plot is done extremely powerful.
But when you think that everyone is satisfied there is that cliffhanger that tickles you and makes you long for more to come.
A hug bow and alot of respect for the terrific story that Sandy Butchers kissed to live only by using her own and make the magic happen.
Thank you for letting me be a part in your blogtour. Thank you so much for giving me enough time to read and feel this story in my own speed. I appreciate that so much..
I would love to read and review more of your books. I am a fan now.
My opinion:
I give 5 stars
Detailed and believable characters. I was everywhere they where. You get to learn both perspectives in a detailed and awesome way. Besides horrific and raw scenes there is also room for passion and love. And the development in mental and physical way. Sometimes it reflected with my own life.
Some characters became friends for live others I could strangle myself. That shows the quality of writing is my opinion. The Nordic elements and the mythological elements where terrific. This story touched all my senses. As if I was in an unstoppable rollercoaster ride and not able to stop until the story was over.
All the art on the cover and back and the insight of this book was made by Sandy Butchers herself. A real talent both in writing and in art. Also the detailed map I found wonderful. It made the story even more real for me. Every chapter carries the name of a character and a little hint what to find in the chapter is put below the name.
I hope I explained my opinion good enough in thoughts and feelings. Cos this story took my breath away, amazed me, scared me, touched me, made me cry or laugh.
Hopefully there can be made a movie out of this story. To reach even more people. I hope more readers will read this book and are willing to write an honest review. Because that is what this story deserves an audience and attention.
Because this is high level fantasy. Both grim and dark but also hopeful and a promise to let the light and love rule.
Bonds of blood and silver
Author:
Sandy Butchers
Source: www.sandybutchers.com
Sandy Butchers was born to Dutch parents as the youngest of two sisters. After having spent most of her childhood in The Netherlands, she developed a hunger for exploration and travel. Within 5 years, she visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, and Portugal, and decided to live in Finland for a little over a year. All this happened after she published her first novel at the age of 14. A small-town, local publisher picked up her story and fell in love with it, enabling Sandy to join the select company of the youngest authors in the country at the time.
After this, the writing never stopped. While she studied at the Art Academy in Rotterdam, she wrote articles for magazines, short fiction in an artist collaboration collective, and started The Cabinet of Curiosities. Here she presented the stories she wrote along with collectibles and small, handmade statuettes. Her debut in the international writer's world was with a 100-word drabble in a Fantasia Divinity anthology.
Today, Sandy works as a freelance artists for clients such as Urano Publishing USA, Crit Harder!, and Authors & Dragons. She regularly takes on commissions, too (really, go and check out the Technomancer collaboration with M.K. Gibson!). Apart from that, if she is not working on artwork for clients, you can find her working on her all-time biggest project: The Singularian Grimoire Anthologies. Don't hesitate to have a look and see what the fuss is all about.
Did you know...
- Sandy loves to write with the lights off?
- She makes her own artwork for her stories?
- Sandy adores Norse mythology?
- She finds naming her characters the most fun part of writing?
- Sandy has over 47 stories published in both national and international anthologies?
Reading method:
Received review copy from Sandy Butchers herself in exchange for my review and participation in blog tour.
Publisher:
Sandy Butchers published the book on her own.
The Dutch edition of this book will be published by Zilverspoor.
Genre:
Fantasy, sci-fi, Gods, grimdark, romance, shapeshifters, war, witches
Cover and blurb:
A cover dark colored and a bit of bronze.. I can see flowers and the edges are decorated with alot of ligns that form into lovely looking art. Behind the silver colored title I see the silhouet of some sort of bird. Under the title to the left I see blood. I find it a fascinating and sinister cover. On the back the same elements.
The blurb is impressive, educative and mysterious. For me enough ingredients to start reading.
Beautiful text:
The last god’s blood holds the power to save—or destroy—the world.
The story:
The Gods are dead. All of them but Skjall. Haunted by dark magic, poor choices, and a lifetime of bad luck, Skjall spends his days hiding from heathens who wish to complete the deicide he survived centuries ago. However, when an ambush reveals his identity, he finds himself thrown into a whirlwind of kill-or-be-killed decisions. Without the vigilance of the gods, a wicked king harvests his people in pursuit of immortality, and a twisted wish to ascend the divine throne. Skjall’s blood is the key to that throne, and he stands powerless with divinity balancing on the brink of extinction.
Desperate to survive, Skjall allies himself with a group of local, shape-shifting warriors and witches. But with the arrival of alchemically enhanced monster-soldiers, he finds himself on the losing end. Skjall must do everything he can to keep his blood from enemy hands, lest they use it to bend him to their will, reshaping the world into a breeding ground for monsters and false gods.
My reading experience:
Every word in this book touched me deeply. The words etched themselves in my brain and body. The writing style is both visual and filmish. If you imagine ancient Gods that collide with mankind then you have an idea of this awesome and breathtaking story. With a cast of characters which you will either admire and love or characters that scare the living hell out of you or give you a bitter taste of disgust in your mouth.
But the changing perspective from the “good” guys and the “bad” guys also makes this an interesting and continuously fascinating read. You get to learn the thoughts and feelings of characters that are willing to fight the darkness to find the healing light. But you also learn to know the dark, horrific, disgusting and heartbreaking thoughts of characters that want to rule the world against all odds. Who don’t care a live is on state or those who perish because of their acts.
The Nordic names and the Nordic mythologie made my heart sing. I loved it. It really contributed to the realm of the story. Also the whispers from the ancient Gods for the mankind and those who learned to listen was fascinating. And the stronger the belief the greater the amount of help. Not an easy way out but with lots of challanging struggles along the road to find a solution to it all. To stop a maniac way of thinking, dismantle the tremendous mass that was made for centuries to be able to stay in control and to rule in the most lethal way possible. But first the cracking of a huge cryptogram like puzzle is needed. And when everything seems to have fallen in place the plot is done extremely powerful.
But when you think that everyone is satisfied there is that cliffhanger that tickles you and makes you long for more to come.
A hug bow and alot of respect for the terrific story that Sandy Butchers kissed to live only by using her own and make the magic happen.
Thank you for letting me be a part in your blogtour. Thank you so much for giving me enough time to read and feel this story in my own speed. I appreciate that so much..
I would love to read and review more of your books. I am a fan now.
My opinion:
I give 5 stars
Detailed and believable characters. I was everywhere they where. You get to learn both perspectives in a detailed and awesome way. Besides horrific and raw scenes there is also room for passion and love. And the development in mental and physical way. Sometimes it reflected with my own life.
Some characters became friends for live others I could strangle myself. That shows the quality of writing is my opinion. The Nordic elements and the mythological elements where terrific. This story touched all my senses. As if I was in an unstoppable rollercoaster ride and not able to stop until the story was over.
All the art on the cover and back and the insight of this book was made by Sandy Butchers herself. A real talent both in writing and in art. Also the detailed map I found wonderful. It made the story even more real for me. Every chapter carries the name of a character and a little hint what to find in the chapter is put below the name.
I hope I explained my opinion good enough in thoughts and feelings. Cos this story took my breath away, amazed me, scared me, touched me, made me cry or laugh.
Hopefully there can be made a movie out of this story. To reach even more people. I hope more readers will read this book and are willing to write an honest review. Because that is what this story deserves an audience and attention.
Because this is high level fantasy. Both grim and dark but also hopeful and a promise to let the light and love rule.
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