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Promise of Blood cover art

Promise of Blood

Written by: Brian McClellan
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Publisher's Summary

"Just plain awesome" (Brandon Sanderson)

Civil unrest cripples the citizens of Adro in the aftermath of the revolution that obliterated the monarchy. Now, Field Marshal Tamas and his lieutenants must confront the true cost of freedom in book one of the Powder Mage Trilogy.

It's a bloody business overthrowing a king...Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces. It's up to a few...Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.

But when gods are involved...Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should....

Winner of the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut Fantasy.

©2013 Brian McClellan (P)2013 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

2013, RT Best SciFi & Fantasy Novel, Nominated

2014, David Gemmell Morningstar Award, Best Debut Novel, Winner

"Promise of Blood is a hugely promising debut. Guns, swords, and magic together? What more could you want? How about tense action, memorable characters, rising stakes, and cool, cool magic? Not only the finest flintlock fantasy I've read, but also the most fun. Brian McClellan is the real thing."—New York Times bestseller Brent Weeks

"This book is just plain awesome. I found myself enjoying every moment of it. Innovative magic, quick-paced plot, interesting world. I had a blast."—New York Times bestselling author, Brandon Sanderson"

"The world of the privileged sorcerers and the strange abilities of the powder mages who can manipulate gunpowder are just as well drawn in this captivating universe."—RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars)

What listeners say about Promise of Blood

Average Customer Ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprising find

I didnt know what to expect getting into this and man was I blown away. can't wait to dive into the rest of the series

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Jumpy story, unorganized flow

Events were presented like you were given a postcard to a place you were just at, and the picture is nothing like what you experienced. That happened? I was just there, so why didn’t I see any of this? Erratic story, and the performer is just trying to keep up. Don’t waste your credit.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

It’s a good book. There are not many gunpowder fantasy books so it’s good that ther are good ones

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent Performance

Rodska masterfully portrays various characters and narrates.

The story is scrumptious fantasy.

5 starz

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping. Bloody. Beautiful.

The concept of gun magic, while intriguing, wasn’t really drawing me in so, I left it on my list for years. I kept finding other novels to fill my time. But now, Now i have experienced this wondrous first entry and I am so very pleased i finally got to this incredible book. It promises blood and it delivers. It produced a handful of fascinating magic systems i am excited to learn more about. The ending is extremely promising and I can’t wait to read more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

I got quickly sucked in by the characters, plot, and world, and by the TOP TIER performance by Christian Rodska.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding fantasy!

The original magic systems, story, characters, and world are all top level. As a fan of the Cosmere, Song of Ice and Fire, the Wheel of Time, and the like this series holds a lot of promise. I look forward to finishing the trilogy. Also, Rodska's narration is top class, easy to listen to and his distinctive voices make dialogue easy to follow.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great listen 🎶

Little slow in the beginning just because it dives in and I found the story slightly confusing but once I figured out the basics, I didn't stop listening until it was done

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazingly awesome!

I loved it, it’s that simple, the characters are easy to get attached to, the concept of snorting powder is interesting, and most importantly the conflict is compelling!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Has so much potential but is lacking in many areas

This story has so much potential. The story is pretty good but has some things I'd wish they tighten up. It was hard to follow the story at times as the changes in scenes and characters is very abrupt. There are many excellent characters in this book and I wish they all were explored in greater detail and had more scenes. lastly I wish that the magical system was more defined. It felt like everyone could do anything and were all powerful and everyone had exceptions to the "laws" of the magical system.

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