Reviews

The Black Song by Anthony Ryan

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grimdark_dad's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lvh's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mschley's review against another edition

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4.0

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of pretty much anything Anthony Ryan reads and I was so excited when I found out this series would be returning to my favorite character of his, Vaelin Al Sorna. He’s just one of those characters who has stuck with me through the years and I’m always up for a new adventure with him at the center. This installment is true to form with action, adventure, and a lot of character building. The characters are complex and have personal struggles and growth as they fight against almost insurmountable odds. There’s immortals, magical gifts, divine beings locked in a battle older than time, a new “god” rising in a sweeping tide and of course Vaelin, smack dab in the middle of it all like always. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and get ready for battle.

sunpeachedtea's review against another edition

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3.0

I found this final book to be more of a slog than a final hurrah. By the time I was 2/3 through, I was ready for it to wrap up already.

leelah's review

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4.0

3,5*

"The blood-song can be dark, Beral Shak Ur, but it can also shine very brightly indeed.”

I had no idea this quote from [b:Blood Song|13569581|Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)|Anthony Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421573407l/13569581._SY75_.jpg|19148922] would fit so well. I remembered it just when the name of second book in this duology was announced and it proved to be strangely prophetic.

Vaelin's Blood Song was such a huge part of his legend and overall journey in the first book, I felt its loss in rest of the series. It was that magical part of mythical persona author was building around him and as much as I understand why he stripped it away from him, I did miss knowing more about how and why of such gifts.
Hence, The Black Song opens up right where we left off, with Vaelin accepting the gift of song from Ahm Lin and running away from Stalhast and Kehlbrand's army of mindless worshippers. But the song is different and darker and tinged with bloodlust, so in a sense it's both a gift and a curse for Vaelin. He is used to blood song being his companion, a helping hand, and edge when you need it the most and his new song is something he has to constantly fight. It makes for an interesting dynamic and somewhat unexpected development of Valein's character and how he approached this fight with Kehlbrand.

This being a different kind of fight, as opposed to first book where he went directly to enemy and defended the city, Vaelin knows what's he dealing with, and with his new song, he also knows what he needs to do. I understand why Ryan chose to do so, but I wished we saw some battles that happened off the page (mostly the attack on Merchant King's palace). Kehlbrand's followers are mindless bunch and they overcome and it makes for a bit boring fight, so I get it. I'd say Vaelin is at most competent here, both strategically and physically, almost like a one-man solution to every problem. Throughout the entire series, it's like he's almost reluctantly this mythical figure, but this novel actually shows why he inspire such descriptions and tales. His change to someone a bit more cunning, especially when it comes to his utter "don't give a fuck" when it comes to queen is a refreshing change.

When it come to other characters, I have to mention only one: Obvar. Just like in previous novel he did with Luralyn, each part of the story is intersected with Obvar's account and it was something I always looked forward to. Obvar's narration is engaging and smart since he is a good observer and quite sincere about himself and his role and it made a perfect addition to the story. I liked Luralyn's account as well, but Obvar was better. Other characters? They fade, they are there to build Vaelin and for some reason it didn't bother me as much here. Plus, I kind of enjoyed the refreshing take on head warrior monk who was not wise and serene, but rather foul-mouthed and didn't suffer a fool.

I was a bit ambivalent when it comes to ending, but only because it was kind of magical and surreal experience for characters.

Spoiler

The Wolf was a rare, but a constant appearance for Vaelin and it always had some kind of symbolic meaning. So this everlasting fight with the Tiger challenge that symbolism when you think back. But I have to admit, fate was never my favourite answer to why something happens in a fantasy novel.

Overall, this is a well thought duology from Ryan. His writing really works for me, since It's always easy for me to getting into his books and gobble them. I hope to see him write more about Vaelin, because he left some space there, but I have to say it's not such a bad place for ending if he chose to.