J.A. Ironside's Reviews > Blood of the Delphi

EVERYONE DROP WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THIS IS FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME ON KINDLE AND YOU CAN GET THE FIRST BOOK FOR JUST 99c/ 99p!


I'm incredibly wary of sequels. I mean, I know how hard a sequel is to write, but so many authors, especially SFF authors, rush out a second book or, worse, tag on a second book to a successful debut, that just isn't well thought out. As a reader you're left with characters that don't develop and a plot that can seem nonsensical or pointless. Middle book syndrome - we've all seen it.

This is NOT that book.

'The Sons of Thestian' gave us a view of a different kind of epic fantasy and 'Blood of the Delphi' builds on that. Starting (rather bravely) almost thirteen years after the end of book one, this book takes you straight in at the deep end, showing us what kind of life Rufus has been forced to live since. Old favourite characters return - and some not so favourite ones too. New characters move to centre stage. And all of them are great characters, with depth and motive and three dimensions, whether you like them or not. While both Rufus and Fae have changed and grown a lot since book one, perhaps the most distinctive change is in Arlen Zachary, who to be honest I wasn't all that worried about in the first book but now I am in swivets of anxiety about him while I wait for book three. It was good to see more of his backstory but be warned, Vaughan will make you care about him (and all the other characters) and then calmly and coolly rip your still beating heart out of your chest. Approach this book with caution - there will be tears.

The plot combines several viewpoints and consequently several different strands. Sometimes I find that when a fantasy author does this, I want to rush through segments to get to the character viewpoint I am interested in again. (Sorry George R.R. Martin...) This is never the case with Blood of the Delphi, wherever the author takes you is where the action is happening, be it the quiet and disturbing plains of Rufus' inner landscape or La Kalciar under full attack. The subplots, of which there are many, seem at times to depart from the story but they are never a distraction from the main plot and in the end, all serve to support the end game as Vaughan emerges victorious, all threads held firmly in hand. There are gods up to no good behind a layer of political intrigue and wrangling on the mortal realm, while in communities and families and between individuals, there are other, smaller scale but no less important struggles for power and influence.

The pace is good. The dialogue is even more natural and there is a real sense of place. Magmell is almost an unacknowledged extra character. In my humble opinion, the author has really found her voice with this book. I am not happy about certain events but only because she is hurting characters I love - so job well done really. Book three had better no be too far off...

Highly recommend for all fantasy fans and those who enjoyed 'The Sons of Thestian'.

Altogether this is a multifaceted, accomplished and brilliant SFF novel.