Good to learn more about these characters and the world. Slightly
predictable at points but worth the read. Looking forward to the next one!

Warning: this review contains spoilers for book 1 of the All the Dark Souls series - don’t read this review before reading that book. Although that’s rich coming from me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this e-ARC of All the Blood Spilt by AM Dunnewin. I picked up this book without realising it’s the second book in a series that I haven’t read the first of… but I famously did this with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban so I’m not put off. This is 3⭐️ from me.

It starts off with action, as well as enough of a review of the first book that I could keep up. Joss is an executioner, she saved a lost prince from wrongful execution, and has a thing for a guy who turned out to be an assassin who was prepared to kill her to get the Prince. Now she’s on the run, desperately trying to find Prince Callan with her faithful assistant Henrik by her side.

Firstly, I wish I’d seen how Joss and Aric’s relationship developed in the first book, because I really love how it’s portrayed here. Aric is all about Joss and the way he follows behind, quietly supporting and defending her without her even knowing he’s there is bizarrely sweet. And there’s something really attractive about a man who finds a strong, capable, scary woman sexy! Although in the later parts of the book it does feel a bit like it becomes manufactured angst to keep them apart.

Again maybe I’m missing things from Book 1, but I liked Henrik, and wish we’d seen more of him and his character development. The familial relationship with Joss is more stated than illustrated in this book, but what we see of him is lovely. I would have liked to see more development of him, especially with the happenings that surround him.

Callan is really intriguing - this is no fairytale or conversely villain prince character, and he's got some major issues and some major drama surrounding him. I admit I still struggle to understand why he just goes along with Joss and Henrik joining him, his motivations there are not portrayed well, but I'm definitely intrigued to see where his storyline is going in book 3. I just wish we'd seen more character development.

Also, this book was just pretty short. It's a one-sitting read, which is fine (and to some people that's a draw), but to me it felt like not enough happened and this book didn't really have it's own story in it's own right - it indicates a bit of middle book syndrome or filler episode writing. And since character development is the big thing for me in novels, the short length and focus on action meant character development suffered, and that's just not my cup of tea.

Overall I enjoyed it, not helped by missing out the first book. I did enjoy the fact it was fast-paced and that definitely kept me interested. I wouldn't go seeking the next one, but I'd read it if I came across it. This series is for you if you liked The Furyck Saga by AE Rayne.

After saving Prince Callan, Joss and Henrik are on the run, determined to get him back to his own kingdom and outrun those from their home town hellbent on punishing them for not completing their job. Aric, the assassin, is hot on their tail, forced to kill the Prince by the ones known as 'The Mask', he uses his skills of hiding in plain sight, to tail and neutralise others sent to capture Joss and Henrik. However, with his heart pining for Joss, he's facing the biggest dilemma of his life, fighting demons within and outside himself, as they battle for priority.

Joss is distraught, not only is her heart shattered after letting Aric in, after all the loss and pain she's endured, but now she's also on the run, and being hunted down for saving an innocent man. Saving Prince Callan has condemned her and Henrik to a life on the road, with the constant, overpowering fear of being attacked or captured, and still trying to grapple with her feelings towards Aric, as she battles with her want to still see the best in him despite all his actions, she's understandably overwhelmed with feelings. I really did love seeing a darker side to her in this sequel, especially after witnessing Henrik, her best friend and brother, in pain. Her loyalty is unmatched and ferocious in such a quiet yet powerful way.

Henrik is his usual lovely, witty and charming self, he adds some real warmth and humour to such dark and dreary situations. However, he also suffers a great deal in this one, and it was utterly heart-breaking and agonising to see him in such pain and anguish, he deserves the entire world, and I'm ready to fight anyone who dares hurt him.



This man is an angel, and he deserves to be loved and appreciated for all he is.

Prince Callan is very closed off, his walls are high which is understandable after all he's endured, being held captive and almost beheaded. He longs to be back home, although he has a harsh and somewhat cold demeanour and exterior to him, he's a survivor, and he has a warm heart underneath the surface. It was really beautiful to see him slowly coming out of his shell, accepting help and showing a more vulnerable side.

I really loved seeing Aric's point of view, and seeing a greater depth to his characters as he slowly tails the three. He's stealthy, and so skilful, cool under pressure and very handy with a bow, an absolute bad-ass warrior. He's also trying to grapple with his feelings for Joss, which hold an undeniably powerful pull on him, determined to kill the prince and get out from under the thumb of 'The Mask' and be free again. It was really intriguing to see his thought process and how incredibly clever and cunning he is.

This story is so Gothically dark and gritty, vividly crafted in a way that really transports you through the pages. Full of nail-biting and thrilling fighting scenes and escapades that will have you absolutely entranced. It's a richly built world, with such quiet power that it draws you in from the first few pages, and you're immediately enraptured back into this world. The characters feel so tangible and they face such poignant and agonising situations, it's an emotional journey that is just so beautifully written. I can't tell you how excited I am for the next book in the series.

After reading book one I was very excited to read this and it did not disappoint. It takes place right where book one left off. If you are into Fantasy with a strong female lead and an epic journey this is a great read for you. Cannot wait for book 3 to finally be released!

Picking up right where book 1 left off, this was such a great sequel! From start to finish, this book is on the go and I was here for it ALL. Making their way through towns to get back to the castle is one big cat and mouse chase! I wasn't expecting that kiss then yeet right off the ledge. I liked getting to see more of what’s happening at the castle. While Joss, Henrik, & Callan face threats from all sides (The Masked, Bounty hunters, another executioner, and Aric), they get to know each other and their pasts on a different level and you feel their stances change. The sibling bond between Joss and Henrik is just amazing, they have both been through so much and stuck by each other’s side throughout it all. Oh my heart broke for Henrik with Elona did, what a cow! I adore Joss, she is such a fierce, compassionate badass! Thankfully Aric came on board to help Callan or I was going to truly kick him. After that ending with the horrible Davien, I need to know what happens next!!!

I absolutely LOVED the first book. I could not wait to see what else was in store for this installment! But I was a little disappointed. Writing a book mainly about a group that’s traveling is tough, but it can still be engaging. This second book seemed almost like filler between the first and second books. I was expecting banter between the characters and this is the time to REALLY dive into their personalities. We still only know Callan on the surface level and that makes me extremely wary of him. We see glimpses of him here and there and one scenario of banter when Joss rides her horse into the tavern but that’s about it.
I do still have high hopes for the last book (which I already started of course).
Thanks as always to NetGalley and Dark Hour Press LLC. It has been an honor to be a part of this publishing journey at every book in this trilogy!

Obsessed! 100% obsessed with this!
This author is new to me but one I will forever want to read. Instant auto buy.

Thank you NetGalley and A. M. Dunnewin for giving me a copy of this book.

All the blood spilt is the second book in the trilogy. It picks up from where the first one let off.

I loved how everyone got to know each others past, how perceptive they all are. I devoured this book. I want to see what will happen next.

This book is just as good as book 1. Has a good pacing so it was really easy to get absorbed into the story even without rereading book 1, All the Dark Souls. This book picks up right where All the Dark Souls ended and is definitely a little more action packed than book 1. Joss is still a badass with her ax and I stand by her for not taking anyone's shit for being the only female executioner.

Callan got on my nerves for most of this book, I get it you're a prince and you been through some shit but damn these people trying to help you. Anyways, Aric is growing on me slowly. Waiting for book 3 now to see how this all plays out. Henrick can't catch a break. I do like his relationship with Aric now such a cute sibling thing. Overall a good book.

4⭐️- The second book in the All The Dark Souls trilogy did not disappoint and I am looking forward to the final book. Assassins, enemy to lovers, princes on the run…what more could you ask for!

So entertaining I enjoyed this very very much and I can’t wait for the next instalment
Many many thanks to netgalley for the arc I absolutely loved this

I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it was a sequel. My bad! So I had to get the first one and read before I could leave a review. This book is okay, interesting but I’m not sure that I found it memorable as I would have liked.

Nearly two hundred pages of characters thinking rather than interacting with each other.

I was hoping that this installment would be stronger than the first, but it didn't give me anything new. These characters are on this journey together where I am privy to every single one of their internal monologues, but I still feel like I don't have a grasp of what the plot is because the end goal or end battle is never expressly stated. I feel like we are just floating through the story with just random conflicts being thrown at us.

The romance between Joss and Aric is starting to give me the ick and it takes a lot of something to turn me off. I was hoping that there would be more development of their relationship in this book through more actual interactions, but there really isn't. The first book just felt like puppy love, with each of them feeling connection with the first person who was nice to them, but they barely interacted in that book. It felt like they only said like five sentences to each other and the rest was just in their heads.

It is the same in this book. Aric literally kissed her and pushed her into a river that we were explicitly told people die in all the time and she is barely even conflicted about his motivations. She doesn't make him grovel or feel any linger mistrust of him. Joss just accepts him back with a goofy grin and starry eyes. It bugs the hell out of me.

This book relies heavily on internal character dialogue rather than character interactions which makes me feel really disconnected from the story. There is never a big reveal or secrets kept because we are in all of the character's heads all the time. If it was told in multiple points of view in different chapters it would be easier to connect because you would be able to keep track of who knows what or who is hiding something, but instead its all jumbled and confusing.

I don't think I will be continuing this series. I'm not invested in the story because the characters don't feel invested in their story. I can't anticipate the ending if I'm not sure what the end goal was in the first place. This story structure just isn't for me.

All the Blood Spilt is book 2 in the All the Dark Souls Trilogy by A. M. Dunnewin.
ATBS is a wonderful and dark gothic fantasy with delightfully rich world-building.
And intriguing and very entertaining characters.
I’ve already bought book one All the Dark Souls so I really hope they put book three on NetGalley because I enjoyed reading this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Dark Hour Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

This series still has a lot of pacing issues in my opinion. And while it was very short it was a drag to get through. The writing improved from the first book, but I can't bring myself to care for the characters or action.
Disclaimer: I've received an ARC through Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.

4.0/5.0

Absolutely loved the first book, absolutely loved this follow-up. Things pick up straight where they were left off in book 1 following Joss and Henrick as they try and chase down the runaway prince whilst avoiding her assassin love interest.

After saving the lost prince from his execution, Joss Brevyn is on the run. With a price on their heads, the deathsman and her assistant, Henrik, have only one way to clear their find Callan Ronen and get him home to Aselian

Excellent sequel. I look forward to more in the series.

Okay so I didn’t realise this was the second book in a series so I went and bought the first before reading this.
This was incredible. The world building was great and the whole premise of this book was amazing!

This book have everything you would expect and more! It has some famous tropes like: Royalty, escaping prince, betrayal, assassins etc. all which are some of my favorite tropes. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an unpredictable adventure!!