the blood vier – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 392 pages
Author: Christy R. Harrill
Publisher: Rose Hollow Press
Release Date: September 6th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A puzzling murder.
A crumbling diarchy.
A Blood Vier summoned to quell the ashes of corruption.

Taryn wants nothing to do with the father who abandoned her. She bolts at her first glimpse of freedom, only for a mysterious man to track her down, claiming her father was murdered and she is the key to finding the killer. She strikes a bargain, traveling to the kingdom’s capital where she becomes an unwilling player in a political game against the opposing sovereignties and her father’s suspected killer.

As a Blood Vier, a blood heir come to vie for her father’s position, Taryn is now the prime target of assassination for her interference. She seeks evidence to bring down her deadly opponent, enlisting the help of the cocky prince and a despised healer. But as her father’s secrets begin to slowly unravel, Taryn is caught between duty and freedom, questioning where her allegiances lie and how much she is willing to sacrifice.

Treason haunts the kingdom halls, death stalks close behind, and betrayal is only the opening act. Taryn has spent her life shrouded in secrets and deception, and she’s done playing the pawn.

Thank you Book of Matches Media and Christy R. Harrill for the gifted audiobook.

NOT A BAD START.

Audiobook notes: I loved the male narrator. He did amazing and I thought the female narrator did too. As a stylistic choice I thought the FMC came off angry about everything all the time. Which occasionally bugged me.

This book is definitely high action. Lots of good altercations throughout that kept things moving. You are literally thrown into it at the start, and while jarring I felt like this worked. I ran fast with this book and it was easy to establish the world building and political dynamics.

I loved that this had dual POV. In future books I’m even more curious if those will be added upon. There’s some subtle romances brewing that I enjoyed too. There’s some tender connection moments where I felt the characterization of everyone deepened. The antagonists are the only ones I didn’t love. They felt over created and lacked substance.

I would be up for trying book two, but I would definitely do it as an audiobook again rather than physical read.

Overall audience notes: