I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport Narrator: Jeanette Illidge
Series: The Blood Gift Duology #1
Published by Harper Voyager, HarperAudio on April 5, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure
Length: 18 hours 19 minutes
Pages: 480
Format: Hardcover, Audiobook
Source: Publisher, Purchased
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Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology of loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.
It’s all about blood.
The blood spilled between the Republic of Mareen and the armies of the Blood Emperor long ago. The blood gifts of Mareen’s deadliest enemies. The blood that runs through the elite War Houses of Mareen, the rulers of the Tribunal dedicated to keeping the republic alive.
The blood of the former Legatus, Verne Amari, murdered.
For his granddaughter, Ikenna, the only thing steady in her life was the man who had saved Mareen. The man who had trained her in secret, not just in martial skills, but in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her.
Who trained her to keep that a secret.
But now there are too many secrets, and with her grandfather assassinated, Ikenna knows two things: that only someone on the Tribunal could have ordered his death, and that only a Praetorian Guard could have carried out that order.
Bent on revenge as much as discovering the truth, Ikenna pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials—a brutal initiation that only a quarter of the aspirants survive. She subjects herself to the racism directed against her half-Khanaian heritage and the misogyny of a society that cherishes progeny over prodigy, all while hiding a power that—if found out—would subject her to execution…or worse. Ikenna is willing to risk it all because she needs to find out who murdered her grandfather…and then she needs to kill them.
Mareen has been at peace for a long time…
Ikenna joining the Praetorians is about to change all that.
Magic and technology converge in the first part of this stunning debut duology, where loyalty to oneself—and one’s blood—is more important than anything.
This was great! I decided to give this book a try because it sounded like it might be exciting and I was absolutely correct. I liked Ikenna right away and quickly realized just how desperate her situation was. She is really quite alone after the death of her grandfather, and she has a pretty big secret to keep under wraps. I loved that this exciting story kept me guessing right up until the end.
I thought that Ikenna was a great character, and I wanted to see her succeed in making it through the Praetorian Trials and getting to the bottom of what really happened to her grandfather. The story was full of action and often brutal. The Praetorian Trials were no joke and Ikenna seemed to be at a bigger disadvantage than most. As I worked my way through the book, it was interesting to see just who was really on Ikenna’s side.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Jeanette Illidge did a wonderful job with this story. She was able to bring this story to life through her narration. I believe that this was the first time that I have listened to her work and I was impressed. I am certain that her narration added to my enjoyment of the story. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others and I cannot wait to start the second book in this entertaining duology.
I received a review copy of this book from Harper Voyager.
I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Blood Gift by N. E. Davenport Narrator: Jeanette Illidge
Series: The Blood Gift Duology #2
Published by Harper Voyager, HarperAudio on April 18, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure
Length: 18 hours 7 minutes
Pages: 432
Format: Audiobook, Hardcover
Source: Publisher, Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Libro.fm
Legendborn meets Red Rising in this stunning conclusion to N. E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed sci-fantasy duology, elite warrior Ikenna and her rogue cohort must outrun bounty hunters, their former comrades, and a megalomaniacal demi-god, all in the hopes of saving their friends and enemies from the racist and misogynistic oppression that threatens the continents from all sides.
After discovering the depth of betrayal, treachery, and violence perpetrated against her by Mareen’s Tribunal Council and exposing her illegal blood-gift to save her Praetorian squad, Ikenna becomes a fugitive with a colossal bounty on her head.
Yet, somehow, that’s the least of her worries.
Her grandfather’s longtime allies refuse to offer help, and the Blood Emperor’s Warlord is tracking her. She’s also struggling to control the enormous power she was granted by the Goddess of Blood Rites…and come to terms with the promises she made to get such power.
Amidst all of this, the Blood Emperor wages a full-scale invasion against Mareen and leaves a trail of decimated cities, war crimes, and untold death in his wake. As the horrors increase, Ikenna and her team realize they must assassinate the Blood Emperor and quickly end the war. But the price to do so is steep and has planet-shattering consequences.
The price to do nothing, though, is annihilation.
War has erupted. Alliances are fracturing. And Ikenna is torn between her loyalties, her desires for revenge, and the power threatening to consume her. With the world aflame, only one thing is certain: blood will be spilled.
I liked this book. Not quite as much as I liked the first book in the duology but it was still an enjoyable read. The trials are over and Ikenna’s big secret is out. Of course, their problems aren’t over since there is a bounty on her head along with all of the members of her squad. They have an even bigger obstacle to deal with this time around, namely the Blood Emperor.
There was a lot going on in this book. Probably a little too much. I felt like Ikenna and the rest of the squad didn’t get a chance to catch their breath for most of the story, with the exception of a spicy scene towards the beginning of the book. The book was really exciting with plenty of action, and I really liked getting to see Ikenna embrace her abilities.
Jeanette Illidge did a wonderful job with his narration of this installment. I loved the voices that she used for Ikenna, Reed, and the rest of the characters, which really helped to bring the story to life. I found her voice to be very pleasant and had no problems listening to this book for hours at a time. I would recommend this instalment to others. I thought that it was entertaining overall with characters that were very likable. I hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Harper Voyager.
Interesting duology. I love the concept of the world.
Oh good, glad to see your review for these. I was curious after seeing them in one of your Sunday posts for books you received.
I might enjoy these even though they are long.
This duology sounds like fun…even if the second book isn’t quite as good as the first.
Both of them sound pretty good. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Interesting stories. Sounds good. Thanks for your review of these books.
I love the sound of this duology. Even though the second book wasn’t as great as the first, it still sounds like a worthwhile read. I am adding these books to my wish list. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
This looks interesting and has a lot of positive elements but I don’t think this is a series for me. But then I loved Fourth Wing so maybe I should give this a try! I do love a good audio. Great review!