roseice's review against another edition
4.0
I wrote this comment, 6% into the book:
So rarely do you find a well written gem in the melting pot of free ebooks out there. This calls for a V - FOR VICTORY. ahem. No, thus far this is great. Yes, I can tell 6% in. That's about 30 pages, but good writing is good reading, and it doesn't take a trained eye to pick it out. Well... maybe a well-read eye, but.
heh. An now that I'm finished I can confidently say By Darkness Hid was a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy story. I still can't believe I got it for free on Kindle. It's enough to persuade me to buy a physical copy just to support the author. (I guess that's how freebies should work, eh?) Anyway, I loved living in this world Jill Williamson created. She certainly knows her stuff, and while reading, I was impressed with her knowledge and the detail of her descriptions! (It helped me study a bit myself!) I thoroughly appreciate an author that can embed detail without being overwhelming or just... bland.
Anyway, the story was great, well structured and well told--it made me care about the two main characters, Achan and Vrell, for all they had to endure in their separate journeys.
So rarely do you find a well written gem in the melting pot of free ebooks out there. This calls for a V - FOR VICTORY. ahem. No, thus far this is great. Yes, I can tell 6% in. That's about 30 pages, but good writing is good reading, and it doesn't take a trained eye to pick it out. Well... maybe a well-read eye, but.
heh. An now that I'm finished I can confidently say By Darkness Hid was a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy story. I still can't believe I got it for free on Kindle. It's enough to persuade me to buy a physical copy just to support the author. (I guess that's how freebies should work, eh?) Anyway, I loved living in this world Jill Williamson created. She certainly knows her stuff, and while reading, I was impressed with her knowledge and the detail of her descriptions! (It helped me study a bit myself!) I thoroughly appreciate an author that can embed detail without being overwhelming or just... bland.
Anyway, the story was great, well structured and well told--it made me care about the two main characters, Achan and Vrell, for all they had to endure in their separate journeys.
ariaslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
The book started so well but part two is where it started going downhill. Some actions, reactions and interactions just didn't make sense. Archan has lived as one of the lower class for his whole life. There's no way he'd be brave enough to talk back to the nobility after some fighting lessons. That kind of conditioning takes time to break out of but I understand it's YA and we need to move the plot fast enough. The fantasy aspect as well did not make sense, especially in the later parts of the book and contradictions are a big no no for me in fantasy.
I also could not take Vrell seriously. Why is this seventeen year old offended that a six year old half-giant girl doesn't want to marry a human? Girl, you're on the run, you have bigger things to be worrying about
I also could not take Vrell seriously. Why is this seventeen year old offended that a six year old half-giant girl doesn't want to marry a human? Girl, you're on the run, you have bigger things to be worrying about
lexand's review against another edition
5.0
Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan's owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince--more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan's head cause him to fear he's going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison--only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.
**
kitkatmichelle's review against another edition
4.0
Jill Williamson has been a HUGE inspiration to me as a writer for a long time now, all thanks to the epicness of the Go Teen Writers blog and the amazingness of the GTW book. I've been meaning to pick up some of her fiction, specifically Blood of Kings, for quite a while now, so I'm excited I finally got around to By Darkness Hid and that it didn't disappoint!
What's to love about this book, you ask? Well...
- A girl of nobility disguises as a peasant boy (or rather, a "stray" boy - the lowest of ranks in this world) and goes into hiding to escape marriage with an awful, nasty Crown Prince.
- A real stray boy enters into a sudden apprenticeship with a Kingsguard knight, and things spiral into craziness after that. (His relatively short apprenticeship was reminiscient of the Ranger's Apprentice, btw. ^_^)
- THE WORLD-BUILDING IS SUPERB. Not that I expected anything less from Jill Williamson, lol. By reading the GTW blog and book, I'd already developed a deep appreciation for her world-building skills!
- Plot twists and swordfighting galore. 'Nuff said.
- The writing style is perfection. The author tossed in so many details at just the right times, while at the same time keeping her style simple and easy to follow at a comfortably quick pace.
- I ADORED THAT ENDING. It was such a perfect tense moment to close the story with. I can't wait to pick up book two!
I took one star off because although the last third or so of the story was great and the climactic plot twists were stunning (I sort of guessed one of them, but not really XD), I feel like the ending portion of the book was executed in such a way that I wasn't quite as engaged as I feel I should have been. Maybe I just read that part at the wrong time or something, in which case it's just me, but... I don't know. *shrug*
Also, I'm trying to be protective of my five-star ratings, and I wouldn't classify By Darkness Hid as a new favorite - even though every aspect was done sooooo well and I very much enjoyed it! So there's that too.
This is EXCELLENT Christian fantasy, guys. I highly recommend it!
What's to love about this book, you ask? Well...
- A girl of nobility disguises as a peasant boy (or rather, a "stray" boy - the lowest of ranks in this world) and goes into hiding to escape marriage with an awful, nasty Crown Prince.
- A real stray boy enters into a sudden apprenticeship with a Kingsguard knight, and things spiral into craziness after that. (His relatively short apprenticeship was reminiscient of the Ranger's Apprentice, btw. ^_^)
- THE WORLD-BUILDING IS SUPERB. Not that I expected anything less from Jill Williamson, lol. By reading the GTW blog and book, I'd already developed a deep appreciation for her world-building skills!
- Plot twists and swordfighting galore. 'Nuff said.
- The writing style is perfection. The author tossed in so many details at just the right times, while at the same time keeping her style simple and easy to follow at a comfortably quick pace.
- I ADORED THAT ENDING. It was such a perfect tense moment to close the story with. I can't wait to pick up book two!
I took one star off because although the last third or so of the story was great and the climactic plot twists were stunning (I sort of guessed one of them, but not really XD), I feel like the ending portion of the book was executed in such a way that I wasn't quite as engaged as I feel I should have been. Maybe I just read that part at the wrong time or something, in which case it's just me, but... I don't know. *shrug*
Also, I'm trying to be protective of my five-star ratings, and I wouldn't classify By Darkness Hid as a new favorite - even though every aspect was done sooooo well and I very much enjoyed it! So there's that too.
This is EXCELLENT Christian fantasy, guys. I highly recommend it!
tiotacoslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
By Darkness Hid was an entertaining read! Fast paced, mysterious, action, adventure, plot twist, and enjoyable characters filled these pages. At first it reminded me of Ranger’s Apprentice, with some other fantasy vibes. But then it turned into its own thing. I loved the medieval aspects, the swords, and conflicts. The bloodvoicing is an interesting concept that makes the story much richer. The characters are great! Developed well and are relatable. The pacing of the book was exceptional and the writing flowed so nicely. I’m ready for book 2!!
faithfulgirl4's review against another edition
4.0
A great 4 star book! Read my full review on my blog My Own Little Corner of the World
meganmcculloughbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Some parts I felt were a little slow, but overall it was fantastic!
daphself's review against another edition
5.0
By Darkness Hid, To Darkness Fled, From Darkness Won: The Blood of Kings by Jill Williamson
Published by Marcher Lord Press- 2009, 2010, 2011
Jill Williamson may sit beside the authors Tad Williams with his Sword of Sorrow series and George R.R. Martin with his Game of Thrones series. She succeeds them with her Blood of Kings trilogy.
Follow the whirlwind journey of Achan, a young man whose status is lower than a slave, who not only discovers that he is the long lost heir to the throne, but also the one anointed by the One True God. Not a believer at first, Achan soon walks in fellowship with Arman.
Gifted with the legacy of bloodvoicing, Achan is the strongest one of all. He is befriended by Sir Gavin. Before long, Achan is thrust into a terrifying war to claim his birthright and destiny.
Knights, Giants, a boy who is really a girl, Duchesses, Dukes, and demons are only a few of the companions and foes. Temptations, daring rescues, torture and cruelty, and thieves bombard Achan and his knights.
This is a story about false idols, love, the One True God, and honor. Superbly written in a fast pace, it will honestly keep you up for hours until you turn the last page. Especially with the twists and turns thrown your way.
Williamson's books break the thin line between young adult and adult fantasy. Entertaining and thought provoking...
Published by Marcher Lord Press- 2009, 2010, 2011
Jill Williamson may sit beside the authors Tad Williams with his Sword of Sorrow series and George R.R. Martin with his Game of Thrones series. She succeeds them with her Blood of Kings trilogy.
Follow the whirlwind journey of Achan, a young man whose status is lower than a slave, who not only discovers that he is the long lost heir to the throne, but also the one anointed by the One True God. Not a believer at first, Achan soon walks in fellowship with Arman.
Gifted with the legacy of bloodvoicing, Achan is the strongest one of all. He is befriended by Sir Gavin. Before long, Achan is thrust into a terrifying war to claim his birthright and destiny.
Knights, Giants, a boy who is really a girl, Duchesses, Dukes, and demons are only a few of the companions and foes. Temptations, daring rescues, torture and cruelty, and thieves bombard Achan and his knights.
This is a story about false idols, love, the One True God, and honor. Superbly written in a fast pace, it will honestly keep you up for hours until you turn the last page. Especially with the twists and turns thrown your way.
Williamson's books break the thin line between young adult and adult fantasy. Entertaining and thought provoking...
bookswithabigail's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0