Reviews

Of Blood, Bones, and Truth by T.M. Ledvina

fae_princess_in_space's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was a really cool read; an urban/high-fantasy murder mystery set in a world with elves,seraphs, halflings, shifters, demons and more. The world building was very detailed as was the background that has left different races in different levels of society. If you are someone who likes their fantasy political, magical and full of warring factions, this one is absolutely for you! 

This story follows two indentured servants/assassins who end up getting tangled together to try and solve the murders that are occurring around the city. Kellen is a fallen seraph - a humanoid race with angelic wings that they can materialise at will; identical to seraphs, except the fallen are indentured to one of the military factions in the city. He is sent on an assignment to kill a prominent scientist when he meets fellow assassin, elven-born Cassian. Cassian was sold into servitude as a child and carries out crimes on the orders of his contract-holder, a known crime lord. 

The two end up tangled in a conspiracy where medical experiments are being carried out on citizens of the city and their bodies being dumped. Cassian is instructed to kill one of the main leads in the case, and after speaking with Kellen, who has been asked with solving the murders, both agree the best action is to get close to the man and his sister to see what they know. 

This book was twisty and I enjoyed many elements of it. I liked both Cassian and Kellen as well as the supporting cast of characters. As I have said the worldbuilding was really detailed and thorough. This is a REAL slow-burn (the most Cassian and Kellen do is kiss in the last 20% of the book) so I’m really hoping that their relationship develops in the sequel(s). The book ends on a pretty significant cliffhanger which I’m sure will be picked up on in the next book! 

The reason this book loses a star from me is simply because I really didn’t understand Cassian and Kellen’s motivations in parts. Cassian is meant to be this hardened killer who is told to kill one of the side characters… but he doesn’t do it, for no other reason that ‘he wants to see what happens’? And in fact he deliberately goes out of this way to keep the character alive? Also with Kellen, he is instructed to keep the murders on the down-low and yet shares literally everything with a guy he met a few days ago? For two people who have been successful trained killers for years, they sure made some odd decisions!! 

Anyhow, overall it was a great read for anyone who likes detailed magical fantasy! 

redtale's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jennymarie03's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

disturbedtwistedtales's review against another edition

5.0

**ARC Review**


"I'm not sensitive. You're just an ass."
"I know, but that's part of my charm."

Thank you Tia for giving me such an amazing opportunity to read your book before release day!

nerdydreamer107's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Of Blood,  Bones and Truth is a Fantasy thriller and as such, there was always lots of stuff going on. While most of it was exciting, it was still a slow read for me. 
The characters also fell a bit short, probably because there was so much other stuff going on. (This might actually explain the slow read, character-driven books are faster reads for me.) I did like the characters though and was rooting for the two MCs to finally get together. 
The world building was interesting, but I would have liked much more explanations in the story (this is a personal preference,  I am very into world building). The glossary in the beginning helped though. 
The last 10% of the book were just wild and I can't wait to see what the next one brings.

books_before_bed_'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

baya_111's review against another edition

4.0

Found this in my recommendations and I liked it? Nothing super groundbreaking but I liked the characters. 

spellbound_archives's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Despite the battles and tense mystery plot, I found this a cozy book to read. The author does a great job of immersing you in the cityscapes and minds of the protagonists, and there is so much detail. 

I also really enjoyed the influences from Dungeons & Dragons, especially in regards to the magic in the book. So fun to pick up on!!

Tia did a great job with her debut novel, and I’m looking forward to book 2!

faerietrails's review against another edition

2.0

I loved the premise of this story, but Of Blood, Bones, and Truth reads like the novelization of a D&D campaign, and not particularly in a good way. We are given the lore sheet to begin with (which was a little overwhelming at first, especially given much of it was irrelevant to the story) as if we were a player, but unfortunately the reader doesn't get the same agency.

Giving the villain a POV in the story was an intriguing choice, however it negated most of the mystery. The reader is spoonfed answers to questions the characters haven't even asked, and there was exactly one (1) mild twist I hadn't guessed (that wasn't surprising, but I was desperate for something I didn't already know). I was so bored and wanted the characters to catch up to where I was.

Kellan and Cassian are the players and even feel like they're metagaming. Kellan is magically drawn to very specific information that he has no reason to find relevant to his murder investigation. Even when it becomes relevant, there is no evidence on his side to lead him to that conclusion, other than the ~vibes~. At least Cassian's Spidey-sense is explained off via magic.

The Nine Hells are lifted straight from the Forgotten Realms. Yes, they exist in The Divine Comedy, but the layers are the same in name and physical resemblance. This could have been such an easy change to make.

Otherwise, the worldbuilding is decent. I just wish it was more cohesive and had its social issues be more relevant to the plot. For example, Kellan is indentured as a Fallen, but no one really treats him any different. No one even treats him differently as a cop. As far as I know, there aren't any featured human characters and use their plight as off-screen worldbuilding. Given the number of times their oppression is mentioned, you would think it should be relevant to the plot (Yes, human philanthropy is Pontius' gist, but it could have been literally anything. Show us the problem!!).

The romance is fine. They had some cute moments together, but they never really got to know each other outside of deep conversations regarding them both being indentured assassins.

Ending spoilers:

Cassian going super saiyan was a big ol' holy fire ex machina. Our understanding of his magic is that he has more potential than he uses (Leo says as much), but there's a big jump between that and randomly unleashing demon-killing magic. Also wish I didn't know this was a series, because I knew Cassian wasn't going to die. I don't plan on reading the next book, but I hope he's pissed at Kellan for giving him up. Lovers to enemies let's gooooo.

abbysbookspace's review against another edition

5.0

Damnnnnn it I don’t want to wait to find out what happens next