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 Silverblood Promise by James Logan Series: The Last Legacy #1
Published by Tor Books on May 7 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 528
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
The nitty-gritty: A thrilling adventure with unforgettable characters, The Silverblood Promise is a must read for anyone who appreciates a good story.
The Silverblood Promise was a delightful surprise! This is an excellent, polished debut that doesn’t feel like a debut at all. James Logan has a wonderful future ahead of him, if this book is anything to go by. It has everything I love: great pacing, fascinating world building, humor, and best of all, wonderful characters. I’m not a big series reader, because I often get bored and lose motivation to keep going after the first book, but this is one series I cannot wait to continue.
Lukan Gardova is a man running from his past. After an unfortunate incident involving a duel, he’s been trying to make a living playing cards—something he’s very good at, it turns out. But one night, as he’s walking home after winning a nice sum of silver, he’s approached by an old friend who has some grim news. His father was found murdered, and next to his body was a short note scrawled in blood: “Lukan Saphrona Zandrusa.” Lukan has no idea what it means, but it’s obviously meant for him, and so he decides to follow the clues, not only to discover what his father was trying to tell him, but to also uncover the identity of his father’s murderer.
Logan’s brilliant plotting has Lukan following a trail of clues (and dead ends) and meeting characters along the way who both help and hinder his progress. Because of this dynamic pacing, the story never felt stale or repetitive. I’m usually daunted by 500 plus page books, but I read The Silverblood Promise fairly quickly. The author also sets up several mysteries that drive the story: the mystery of Lukan’s father’s murder, the dueling incident that changed Lukan’s life, and of course, the meaning of the message that his father left at the crime scene. All these mysteries are drawn out until nearly the end of the story, which is another reason I couldn’t stop reading: I needed to know the answers!
The world-building is rich and complex, and Logan did a great job at conveying the information organically. From the impenetrable Ebon Hand, the prison that Lukan must break into in order to gather more information, to a magical ring that can open portals, to a race of monsters thought to be only a fairytale, but who turn out to be real, each detail is inserted into the story in just the right way, creating a world full of danger, political unrest, and nefarious plots.
And although the stakes are high, Lukan is fallible and very human, a man who makes mistakes and only gets lucky because he has friends watching his back. He sort of reminded me of Indiana Jones or Han Solo at times, a man reluctantly thrust into an adventure, who is in over his head but also realizes he has to succeed, or people he loves will die. (Obviously a younger Harrison Ford would be the perfect actor to play Lukan in the movie!) I loved his snarky humor and his selfless personality, he’s such a vibrant character. But the author doesn’t stop with just one good character. All of them are nicely developed and given emotional backstories that made them come to life. My very favorite character in The Silverblood Promise was Flea, an eleven-year-old pickpocket who tries to steal from Lukan and winds up helping him instead. Lukan and Flea are one of my favorite duos ever, and you can take away all the world building and adventure from this story and still have something special because of these two characters. Flea embodies the word “scrappy.” She’s a street urchin who’s learned the hard way how to survive, and what starts out as a business relationship—Lukan agrees to pay her for sneaking around and gathering information—turns into a reluctant but emotional friendship.
I also loved Lady Jelassi, a tough-as-nails prisoner who had ties to Lukan’s father, and Lady Midnight, a larger-than-life thief who plays a big part in Lukan’s journey. Truly, all of the characters were so well written, even the villains, and I have to admit I’m missing them a bit since I finished reading the book.
The ending was tense and exciting, as Logan ties up all of his loose ends—although he does leave one mystery unsolved that sets up the sequel perfectly. To say I can’t wait for the next book is an understatement! Highly recommended for readers who are looking for a thoroughly entertaining and satisfying adventure.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
This is the second review for this that I’ve read this morning and it’s definitely going on my TBR. I overlooked it somehow originally but it seems to have been a mistake. The numerous mysteries sound fascinating and it’s high praise indeed to sag that this contains one of your favourite duos ever. Hopefully the wait for the sequel won’t be too long.
I hope not! I don’t see the sequel listed on Goodreads yet, but hopefully it won’t be too long a wait:-)
A fantasy mystery always sounds good to me, but multiple mysteries?! Count me in.
I watched the older Indiana Jones films not that long ago so with that and your comment that’s probably how I’ll end up picturing the main character.
Glad you enjoyed this so much. Great review 😀
Pages and Tead recently posted…Book Review: Murder on the Lamplight Express (The Lamplight Murder Mysteries #2) by Morgan Stang
Thank you! I know for sure the author is a Star Wars fan, because there was a Star Wars quote that jumped out at me:-)
This was not on my radar at all, but I’m intrigued! I’m hesitant to invest in yet another series… but I’ll keep any eye out for this one (and maybe hold off until closer to a release date for the next book).
It takes a really good first book in a series to hook me, I’m so glad I read this:-)
So far I’ve read only very positive reviews for this book, and it’s placed high on my “want to read” list: your review just turned it into a “buy it soonest” title 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS, by Stephen Graham Jones
I think you’ll love it:-)
Sounds fun indeed!
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Book review: Clara Reads Proust
I was a ton of fun:-)
That sounds epic and “real” with him making mistakes but his friends having his back! Great review Tammy!
Thanks Sophie!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Stormi recently posted…Week in Review #82
I really did:-)
Exactly, I loved this so much! I really want the next book now!
Oh, I am so happy to see you loved this. I am really looking forward to reading this one!
I know you’ll love it too:-)
This is certainly on my list and I’m now very much looking forward to trying it one day. I love when I’m drawn by a cover and the story ends up just as good if not better.
I think you’ll love it!
oh excellent review. I’d like to read this one. I get what you are saying about series which is why I started the Read-along so I could read the series all together. Or re-read one I read the 10 books a year apart.
Thanks Anne! This would be a good series to binge, although who knows how long you’ll have to wait before all the books are out…
This sounds very interesting!
It was, so much fun:-)
I’ve been working my way through this one much more slowly than I anticipated-I think because I’ve been subconsciously savoring it, haha ! I’m so glad to see you enjoyed it so much as well, it’s the exact type of fantasy I’ve been looking for lately. I’m really happy to hear the ending is solid and can’t wait to get there. Fantastic review!
Ooh it’s definitely one to savor. I had a blast with it! I can’t wait to hear what you think:-)
Looking forward to getting back to this one. Happy to know it’s so good. It keeps getting high praises.
I’m very curious to hear what you think:-)
So happy you loved this – it’s so good.
Lynn 😀