I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bard's Blade by Brian D. Anderson Series: The Sorcerer's Song #1
Published by Tor Books on January 28 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 432
Format: Finished paperback
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A deceptively “gentle” epic fantasy tale with bite, The Bard’s Blade is surprisingly addictive and perfectly paced. This series starter is a must read for fans of well developed fantasies.
Wow this was fun! If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to start and you want to jump on at the beginning of the series, then I highly recommend trying Brian D. Anderson’s The Sorcerer’s Song. The Bard’s Blade is the first book in the series, and I’m happy to see that book two, A Chorus of Fire, is right around the corner with an August 2020 release date. This book was so addicting, and Anderson really knows how to put a hook in his readers, because once I started reading, it was very hard to stop.
The story begins in the idyllic town of Vylari, a town that years ago cut itself off from the rest of the world–a world ravaged by war and dark magic–with a magical barrier that hides Vylari and is near impossible to breach. Instead of going down the dark path of other societies, Vylari’s residents live peaceful, simple lives, sheltered from outside influences. Everyone knows that to step beyond the barrier warning in the forest means you’ll be leaving Vylari for good, because no one who has left has ever come back.
Lem and Mariyah are engaged to be married. Mariyah works in her family’s vineyard and Lem is a celebrated musician, performing at public functions and giving music lessons to the children of Vylari. Life is good, until one day, Lem’s Uncle Shemi tells him that—despite the impossibility of crossing the barrier into Vylari—a stranger has come to town. The stranger bears a letter with cryptic information, which states that “a child with enormous talent” must venture out of Vylari in order to prevent the impending doom that is headed its way. Lem assumes that he’s the “child,” since he is the most talented musician in the land, after all, and he makes a rash decision to cross the border into the unknown land of Lamoria in order to save his loved ones—without saying goodbye.
But when Mariyah finds Lem’s hastily written letter, she grabs Shemi and they head to the forest, hoping to stop Lem before he leaves. Unfortunately, they’re too late, and before they realize what they’ve done, Mariyah and Shemi have crossed over as well. With no way to get home, they set out to find Lem in this strange new land, not realizing what trials and challenges await them.
I loved the way the story starts out in a sort of happy bubble and then turns very dark once the characters leave. Vylari is completely separated from all the horrible things that are going on outside of it. Kids grow up hearing stories about the evils of Lamoria and happily live simple lives free of hunger, war or political and religious control. This sets a sort of fairy tale tone that changes as soon as our three main characters find themselves on the outside. This contrast was one of the things I loved best about The Bard’s Blade and what gave the story so much forward momentum. Because it doesn’t take long for Lem, Mariyah and Shemi to get into Big Trouble. Things in Lamoria are even worse than the stories tell, and our characters have to adapt quickly if they want to survive.
I also thought the character growth was marvelously done. Granted, our characters start out at the very end of the spectrum, so it doesn’t take much to shock them into realizing that life on the outside is cruel and deadly. Lem finds work in a tavern and is able to play his instrument for room and board while he tries to figure out his next move, but he soon discovers that not everyone is kind and honest. Mariyah and Shemi fare even worse, though, when they are arrested for being heretics—people who don’t follow the beliefs of the god Kylor. Through no fault of their own, they say the wrong things to strangers and find themselves in a heap of trouble. Anderson brilliantly maneuvers them through many a trial and they grow and change in completely believable ways. Lem’s journey in particular was devastatingly heartbreaking, as he learns that no one can be trusted, although his was also the most interesting journey to follow.
Anderson’s writing style reminded me of vintage fantasy, a deceptively simple style that is easy to read and immediately draws you into the story, but don’t let that simplicity fool you. This is a surprisingly complex tale that did not at all go where I was expecting it to go. Anderson’s characters are faced with all sorts of tricky moral dilemmas and must make—in some cases—terrible choices. What made this such a hopeful story is that most of the characters are steadfast in their beliefs and feelings for each other. Mariyah and Lem—even though they are separated for most of the book—never lose sight of their love and devotion to each other. It was a refreshing idea in a genre that’s overcrowded with grimdark stories.
If I have any reservations at all, it would be that the world building is a little on the light side. The characters see all sorts of marvelous sights as they’re moving through Lamoria—including some mysterious black towers that stretch far into the sky but are never fully explained—but we only get to see these things in passing. I wanted to know what the “watchtowers” were used for and who built them, and I do hope Anderson gives us more information in the next book. There is also a complex religious and political system built around Kylor that appears to be much more than meets the eye, as well as a magic system that is really only hinted at in this book. Finally, there’s a wonderful map in the beginning of the book that shows a vast world with places we didn’t get to explore in this book. I have high hopes that we’ll visit those places eventually!
But honestly, this book’s greatest strength lies in the characters and their interactions with each other. I can forgive some light world building if the characters do their job, and I’m happy to say they succeeded with flying colors. Anderson winds up his story with several shocking twists and revelations and sets things up perfectly for the next book, leaving the reader satisfied and craving more at the same time. Highly recommended!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
This was such a great review! I think this would be one of my next reading and I have such great expectations! I can’t wait to start it!
I hope you love it!
Fantastic review! You’ve convinced me to read it 🙂
Thanks Nadine!
Fab review! I’m surprised, though, that it’s an adult novel and not a YA book.
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…R.I.P. Daddy
It’s marketed as adult, but it does have a YA vibe and I could see teens/young adults loving it.
Damn, this sounds good.Definitely gonna keep my eye out for this one, Tammy. Great review! 😀
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Beast by Katee Robert
Thanks Stephanie!
Love it! Cannot wait for Book 2 to see what is in store for Len and Mariyah!
I agree! They are certainly going to be in for some more harrowing adventures:-)
I love your description as a gentle fantasy with bite. That’s perfect!
Thanks Paul:-)
Addicting stories and a short waiting time between books sound like the perfect combination for us compulsive readers!
And some other authors we will not name 😀 should take inspiration from this!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Maddalena@SpaceandSorcery recently posted…Short Story: GALACTIC NORTH (from Galactic North), by Alastair Reynolds
Yes, I do love how quickly book two is going to come out!
This does sound like a fun new fantasy series. 🙂
Lark recently posted…Need another laugh?
It was a lot of fun:-)
Love the review! And I’m very much looking forward to this book and series. I somtimes feel a craving for a certain type of book, which most often is old school fantasy like the stories that first drew me into the genre. It’s not often that current books satisfy that craving, so I’m left with the urge to reread old series I’ve enjoyed. But I get the impression this book might be what I’ve been looking for. And if not, it still sounds like a great read!
I think you’d enjoy this, Todd, if you love old school fantasy. It definitely has that vibe!
I’m so looking forward to reading this one. I hope I get to it this year. I love stories like that – that start out in relative innocence/safety before crazy shit start to happen and the characters have to go on a quest/adventure.
It’s definitely a formula that’s been done before, but it worked so well in this book.
Wow, the characterization sounds phenomenal, Tammy. Love the stars and your thoughts.
Thanks Jennifer, the characters were so good:-)
I agree completely – great review.
The only issues I had were I would have liked to see more of a struggle from Lem in terms of his change in role – and he became adept a little too quickly for my liking. But, this is such a ‘gentle’, as you say, style and it was refreshing indeed.
The opening kind of reminded me of the Lotr -in that it’s a deceptively lovely start but trouble is brewing.
Lynn 😀
Lynn Williams recently posted…Friday Face Off : “Ack, Ack, Ack, we come in peace”
Yes, you’re right. Lem gave in WAY too easily to the dark side, lol.
I wasn’t really expecting this to be a dark story but it sounds like it might be? I hope some things are revealed about the prophecy. I had the vague prophecy/chosen one trope. Otherwise it sounds like a fun read!
There are some dark elements but overall it has a “hopeful” feel to it. It is the start of a trilogy so not everything is revealed in this book…
So good! I liked how the character interactions carried the story and pacing too, it was just so enjoyable! I found the story easy to get into as well, usually epic fantasy is much more exhausting mentally 😀
I think I would like epic fantasy more if it were all like this book, lol.
Oh gosh, this sounds absolutely fun and indeed addictive! Love that you called it “gentle”, I can totally imagine why! Great review, Tammy. I definitely need a copy of this one! 😀
Lashaan Balasingam recently posted…My Monthly Wrap-Up | January 2020
It’s just such an easy book to fall into. I hate to say I didn’t have to think too hard, because that makes it sound simple (and it’s not), but that’s sort of how I felt reading it:-)
I love how you describe the author’s writing style. This series is new to me but you have me very curious about it.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Weekly Recap #140: Week of 1/26 – 2/1
Looking for a new fantasy? No. Never. They always seem to find me. Adding this one to my TBR anyway? Yes, of course. xD You’ve convinced me. This sounds like an awesome read! Thanks for the review.
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The more I hear about this one the more I think it might be my type of book. Great review!
I’ve heard tons of good things about this book!
Where can I buy a ticket to Vylari? I think Anderson’s story sounds really fun!
Great review. The Bard’s Blade sounds like highly enjoyable epic fantasy. I’d bet it’d be a good audiobook with the right narrator.
This sounds really interesting! It just might have to go into my TBR list!