godblind

RELEASED OUT NOW! 486 pages | Hardback/ebook

Author anna stephens

Publisher Harper Voyager There are some

bloodthirsty scenes in Godblind. One particularly gruesome chapter describes a human sacrifice. Involving nails and a mallet, it will leave male readers wincing. Welcome to a brutal grimdark fantasy with splashes of murder mystery, romance and horror stirred in.

There are at least ten viewpoint characters. And with scenes of torture, attempted rape and political manoeuvring, comparisons with Game Of Thrones are inevitable. Indeed, it feels like Anna Stephens is a fan of Red Priestess Melisandre. In her debut novel, worshippers of the Red Gods have been exiled from peaceful Rilpor. They’re growing in strength among the mountain passes, emboldened by their sick rituals and supported by lowland sympathisers. As they plot their return, the kingdom’s defence falls to an escaped slave, an unwilling seer and the few remaining loyal garrisons. It’s not clear who is trustworthy – and every killing weakens the barrier holding back evil forces.

It’s a well-paced book, with short chapters that frequently end on a cliffhanger. And amid the gore there’s a charming romance between the lead characters. The story ends without resolution, as we crescendo to an almighty battle where the Red Gods seem victorious… a set-up for book two. But it’s such a delicious, journey that you won’t mind: this has all the signs of being a sensational series.