An epic fantasy of family, the struggle for power, and self-discovery in this page-turner.


I don't even know where to start with this one. I knew that we followed Lukan, who is a "disgraced heir to an ancient noble house." After his father is murdered he heads to Saphrona, a fabled city in search of answers. But once Lunka gets to the city the storyline goes in a completely different direction than what I thought it was going to. There were parts of this story that I loved and others that felt off in a way. I do have to say that I always wanted to read and wasn't bored. 
Lukan and the other characters go through so much. There is a character and a plotline that I don't want to talk about as one it's a main part of this story and two it was a part of the story that surprised me when reading. 
I liked learning about the world and hoping to learn more about it. This book is 528 pages long but I read it so fast, it didn't feel long, or over-packaged. It was easy to sit down and get lost in. 
The writing style is definitely my favorite part. I will be reading more from this author if it's book two or a completely different book, I'm hooked on the writing style. This book does have some heavy topics like death, adults and more so please look up the content warnings if needed. 

A gorgeous fantasy that will pull at your heartstrings, and make you root for a character whose whole world is turned upside down.

ames Logan starts a tale of a loveable rogue who’s been making a living as a gambler. Lukan Gardova came from a prominent family with a promising future until he kills a high-placed aristocrat in a duel.Then the manager of his father’s estate informs him of his father’s murder with only three clues written in blood; his name, the city Saphrona, and the name of a woman he discovers is on death row having been framed for murder. So he makes The Silverblood Promise (hard from Tor) With the help of a pickpocket, a thief and a forger, he slowly unravels a horrible plot. There’s dark magic afoot. Admittedly it is mostly luck that lets him survive the worst the city can throw at him. While this starts a series, the tale is essentially complete, yielding Lukan a clue that sends him to another city. A very promising start.

A fantastic start to a new fantasy world. A murder mystery esque tale in an epic fantasy world. This story narrowly avoids being considered a grimdark story and provides more light than that genre usually does. This will be a fun familiar type read that makes it easy for all fantasy readers to pick up and enjoy. This will definitely be one that will recommend to my friends and family.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one while reaching the 40% mark. There is a lot of repetition and so many conversations between the characters, a lot of info dumping, the plot is explained all the time and the interior voice of the main character is starting to sound annoying.

But in the end, my biggest issue with the book is that it’s boring. I need some action, some fantasy vibes, more world building. Maybe I’ll give it another chance when book 2 is out, but who knows.

I’ll rate it 2 stars because it was just “meh” for me so far.

It's not often that I get 70% into a book and DNF it, but again, very usual for books that are compared to THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA to be nothing groundbreaking. THE SILVERBOUND PROMISE walked that fine rope between having a distinct character voice, decent editing, a sidekick I consider the main character of the story, and just boring me in the last half.
This book also contains a grouse I have with your cookie cutter Eurocentric medieval fantasy template: the character voice becomes a bit of a stuck record on some point. I get it, Lukan, I get how you feel! Don't repeat yourself, I'm not that dim maybe?
James Logan's debut seems a popular one, but the story just didn't take off for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers at TOR for providing this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Lukan Gardova is a card-shark with a troubled past, an expelled student wrongfully accused of murder with broken family dynamics.
Lukan goes through life without purpose, until learning of his father’s murder from an old friend. A new purpose is then found - discover the murderer and exact vengeance.

The writing style drew me in at first, but I discovered a few things that were off putting from enjoying the rest of this book:

-A huge assortment of people, facts, places, and fantasy elements. One thing that makes a fantasy book fall flat is when world-building overshadows character development and the reader’s ability to follow along with the plot and their place in the world. Too many different variables and names were brought up every single chapter, overshadowing the main goal, discovering Lukan’s father’s murderer, with surviving this tricky task or revealing this sketchy villainous group.

-The idea of the pit with the gigantic, monstrous worm creature was underwhelming; the accused should have a chance to fight against it or dodge, it was boring without much action.

-Can tell this was a fantasy written by a man. There are unnecessary moments about male parts that pulled me out being immersed in the story and just made me feel “ew.”

What I did enjoy:

-The pyramid game. This concept was interesting and something I haven’t come across before. Unfortunately it was only a brief shining portion of a muddled, wearisome overarching story.

-The magic/sorcery system. Requiring partners (one to bring magic through the veil and the other to wield) was quite interesting and I would’ve liked to see a lot more of this concept. Again this was buried beneath everything dry and tiresome.


This is the first book of a series, but I will not be reading any further. The first book needs to draw the reader in and set the stage for what’s to come - this was a miss.

4.75/5 stars.

The Silverblood Promise is one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. With a comparison title like The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch, how could it not be?

The plot was fast paced and balanced the right amount of luck vs planning to pull off a stunt that could've gone wrong in many ways. Lukan is an interesting main character and found an unlikely duo in an eleven year old street urchin named Flea, which later became a trio with the addition of Ashra. The world-building felt very Venetian-inspired. and was a great backdrop for the story unfolding. There was good setup for book two at the end to bring me back in. There is also a bigger narrative at play and Lukan will have to follow in his late fathers footsteps to unravel the mystery of a civilization long gone.

I ended up really enjoying reading this book. Despite how the premise sounds, never really truly got all that grimdark. I think the setting and the world could've, and might still, get there.

I loved this book! A great mix of epic and political fantasy with a murder mystery. Our main character, Lukan, is endearing despite his mild alcoholism and his relationship with Flea is perfect. They make a great team, even if it's reluctantly at first on his part. I don't quite understand the magic of this world very well, but neither do our characters so it didn't bother me at all. In fact, the world and characters feel fully developed without too many info dumps bogging down the pacing. In fact, the pacing is great with all the twists and turns in the story! I highly recommend if you like traditional fantasy!

I can’t properly describe how exciting I find it discover the debut novel of a fresh new voice in fantasy. Right from the start The Silverblood Promise by James Logan throws you into a story of intrigue and adventer, all wrapped in the compelling narrative of Lukan Gardova’s turbulent life. As debut novels go I find this one to be most exellent as it delivers a complex world filled with deceipt, danger, and depth which is an impresive feat for any author, let alone a new one. I made the mistake I always seem to do when I started this book by waiting to read a few chapters before bed so that I could get a feel for it, only to end up till 6am finishing the damned book. Who needs sleep when you have to know whats going to happen next?

One of the things that really impressed me with The Silverblood Promise is how good the worldbuilding is. James Logan does an exellent job really bringing the setting to life and painting a vivid picture of Saphrona as a bustling hub of trade and intrigue. The city with its richly detailed environments andd people almost feels like another character in the story. While the protagonist Lukan Gardova is portrayed with depth and realism, making his struggles and emotions over the course of the book relatable. Each of the supporting charater seem just as well-crafted, each with distinct personalities that help enrich the story. With such fantastic world and great characters its no wonder I was sucked into the story so completely.

All in all, I think I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed The Silverblood Promis from beggining to end. The engaging and fast-pced plot as well as all of its well-developed characters made it almost impossible to put down and thats an obvious sign of a great book. The only downside to reading this book is the fact that since James Logan is a new author I have no other books of his to read and probably have to wait at least another year for the sequel to the Silverblood Promise. Though one thing I am going to do soon is get the book as an audiobook so I can experience its story again in a new medium.

I would highly recommend The Silverblood Promise to ayone who enjoys fantasy novels that blend intrgue, rich setting, as well as dynamic and believable characters.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this advanced copy.

Let's straight to the point, our main character, Lukan Gardova is annoying AF. He is a drunkard, a stone head!!, And always cutting everyone when they're talking. But, not only that, his new companion, a street urchin, who is also annoying. She's always doing everything she likes. Well, she's still kid, so I understand that. But, Lukan.... God, he is so annoying from start to finish. And I don't really see his development in this book.

The only thing I love about this book is the creature and the myth.

Let's see how this book turns out in the next volume.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Came for the cover, stayed for the vibes.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan is a fantasy novel set in a city of traders and thieves, and monsters and murderers. Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and—thanks to a duel that ended badly—the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away. When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father's death. His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow. For in Saphrona, everything has a price—and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

This is your classic run of the mill epic fantasy, with a spunky main character. This book gave me plenty of Lies of Locke Lamora vibes, and I was all here for it.

If any novel can make the case that a cliché is just a poorly executed trope, it’s James Logan’s debut novel The Silverblood Promise, the first in his THE LAST LEGACY series. Rakish, roguish noble? Check. Ancient civilization done in by some sort of cataclysm? Check. Scrappy, sassy street rat? Check. Mysterious, legendary thief? Mysterious, notorious criminal underground? Mysterious ancient artifacts? Unctuous, corrupt, greedy merchant-princes? Check, check, check, check. Heck, we’ve even got dying last words scrawled in one’s own blood (mysterious words, of course).

Are these cliches? Tropes? Two sides of the same coin. And in this case, the coin is always coming up, um, damn it, there goes the metaphor. Let’s say you called heads each time. Then in this case, the coin is always coming up heads. Because out of this blend of familiar ingredients, plus one part murder mystery, one part heist novel, and one part quest adventure, Logan has crafted a highly enjoyable stew of fantasy. One I thoroughly enjoyed and happily read straight through in a single setting.

The book opens by introducing us to that rakish young noble, Lukan Gardova, at one time seven or so years ago heir to a prominent aristocratic family (though one in decline), a student at the Academy, and a lover of card play and good wine. Thanks to a duel gone horribly wrong though, he’s now estranged from his father, far from home, and expelled from Academy (the gambling and drinking remain in full force). Relatively quickly though, he learns his father was murdered and that his last act were those mysterious words scrawled in blood. That message, and the desire to learn who killed his father, takes him to the grand city of Saphrona, where everything and anything can be bought or sold. A city not too far removed from a bitter war, a city across the water from the Southern Empire, a city ruled by merchant princes at the top and the Kindred — the criminal underground with its “Twice-Crowned King” — at the bottom. There he eventually teams up with Flea, the aforementioned street rat; Ashra, the aforementioned thief, famous for being able to walk through walls; The Scrivener, a master forger with a sharp tongue and very definite ideas of how things should be done; and a merchant prince currently in prison for murder. As he works with them to solve the mystery of his father’s death, he becomes ever more entangled in the politics of the city and a conspiracy meant to overthrow the current rule and spark a new war, leading to the deaths of thousands.

The worldbuilding here is well executed and intriguing. Saphrona is a wonderful city creation, reminding me a bit of Constantinople before it was Istanbul (go ask the Turks). But while nearly all the action takes place in the city, we get little snippets of information to flesh out a vastly larger world, little teasers that make me eager to see more of these places (and clearly we will based on this book’s ending). While the grounded worldbuilding is well done, my favorite part is the more abstract idea of the Phaeron, the legendary race of magical (or possibly highly technological) beings that were wiped out in some catastrophe but who have left behind a number of strange artifacts. Lukan’s father, in fact, was, in Lukan’s words, “obsessed” with the Phaeron and their artifacts, to the detriment of a relationship with his son, particularly after Lukan’s mother died when he was young. We see several of the artifacts in action in the course of the novel and what I love about them is the sense that they are beyond human ken. Maybe it’s how the Phaeron worked, maybe it’s just the rarity of the artifacts, but there’s no sense of systemized magic; they’re just, weird. I’m sure we’ll learn more about both the Phaeron and their artifacts, but here I ate up the truly mysterious nature of them, the befuddlement and sense of wonder that comes from something we just can’t fathom.

The artifacts are not the only source of magic in the story. Humans can perform magic under particular rules and conditions: paired Gleamers maintaining physical contact (emotional bonding helps as well) can draw and work power from the Gloaming (some sort of extra dimension) to do sorcery, with one Gleamer pulling it from the Gloaming and the other shaping it to their will. And finally there are The Faceless, powerful creatures thought to be the stuff of children’s stories and myth but who turn out to be frighteningly real. Their story, the little bit we see here, is absolutely fascinating.

The plot as mentioned is a mix of formats. The murder mystery of course is one, though that takes a step back and remains behind the scenes for most of the novel for all it drives events. The heist is rolled in the quest aspect, which is really a serial quest. Lukan has to talk to somebody to find some information about his father, that person is in prison, to get her out Lukan has to find someone else and gain something else, and so on, with little mini-quests accumulating one atop the other. It all moves at a fast pace with a number of twists and turns and shifting alliances thanks to the accretion of different quests.

But the real highlights of the novel are the characterization and the voice. Lukan at first is a bit off-putting: annoying, impatient, constantly interrupting people (he gets called on this throughout the book), harsh toward his father. But he has a good heart and as he forms close relationships with other characters, learns his father was much more than the cold, Phaeron-obsessed man he saw him as, and most importantly becomes willing to take great risks to help complete strangers, people of a city he has zero connection to, it becomes impossible not to warm up to him (save for one issue I’ll go into later). Ashra is vividly drawn, allowing her to transcend the stock character she so easily could have become. The Scrivener has only a few scenes, but honestly steals those scenes with her sternly threatening-yet-somehow-humorous manner. Even the minor characters, such as an old drunken general, a doctor to the merchant-princes, and a former-pirate-turned-legitimate (mostly)-sea captain, comes fully alive in their brief pages, and I was more than a little pleased to see we’ll be spending more time with at least one of them in the sequel.

The star of the cast though, is Flea. As with Ashra, she could have been your stock urchin rate, and she has all the backstory and mannerisms and voicing of one. But she is so vibrantly portrayed, so clearly her own inimitable self, that she even more than Ashra transcends the stereotype. She steals every scene she is in, and one gets the feeling Logan himself realizes that as the book goes on. I swear I would read an entire second book that just retold the plot of this one from Flea’s point of view. She’s a wonderful creation, and I can’t wait to spend more time with her.

As for the voice, Flea is one, but only one, of the many vectors for the humor throughout. The Silverblood Promise is simply put a funny book. It’s not a comedy, not at all. Nor is it a wearying quip-a-moment style that gets exhausting. But hardly a page or two goes by where at least one line won’t raise a smile, or a chuckle, or a laugh-out-loud moment. That humor combined with the characters makes it, as I said early on, just a fun book to read.

That’s not to say it’s not without it’s flaws. The biggest one is that flaw of Lukan’s I mentioned earlier. Sometimes, and I don’t know how else to put this, he’s just so painfully dumb. Now, we all do dumb things, but this trait was pretty relentless throughout, and it didn’t seem to matter what other people told him (sometimes repeatedly) or what previous events might have/should have showed him. It did grate a bit each time we entered one of those scenes, though thankfully not for long. The other issue was a minor one at most, and that was a sudden shift from the third-person point of view into other POV’s toward the end. I get structurally and narratively why Logan chose to do this, but it still jarred when it happened. Though it was quickly passed over.

The novel ends with Lukan (and some others) heading out on track of another clue to his father’s murder. In that respect, and with regard to a background plot about the Faceless and the Phaeron, the book clearly needs a sequel. But the main arcs of this novel — what Lukan needs to learn in the city and the conspiracy plot — all come to a resolution. So one could, in theory, end here and be quite satisfied. But really, why wouldn’t you want to learn more about the murder, about the Faceless and the Phaeron? And more importantly, why wouldn’t you want to spend more time with Flea? Strongly recommended.

When Lukan's estranged father is found murdered with a note on his pocket, he goes on a quest for answers--only to uncover a conspiracy that could shake the city.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan delivers a fun high fantasy filled with wit and deception.

I found Lukan really fun as a protagonist. He’s a disgraced academy dropout who uses more brains than brawn to solve his problems. He’s got a smart mouth that lands him in hot water at times, and to top it all off, he’s got unresolved daddy issues to work on. What’s not to love?

However, one of the things that intrigued me most about this story was the Phaeron. They’re a cool, high-tech arcanepunk civilization who mysteriously fell and left behind magical artifacts. I’m getting subtle hints of psychological cosmic horror from them, so I’m really curious to find out more about them as the series progresses.

Overall, this book is an entertaining romp and really hits the spot if you're in the mood for a rogue-like adventure fantasy.

This book has been compared to The Lies of Locke Lamora and I have to say after reading this book I think that's a bit misleading. Lamora was much more of a heist fantasy story than this one but where I will draw a slight parallel is in the dark and sinister locations that the characters move through as we journey along in the world that James Logan has so deftly created. The dripping dingy catacombs and mausoleums that are the backdrop of one particularly memorable scene definitely hearkened back to the feel and setting of Scott Lynch's classic debut. But that's where the similarities end as this is a wonderful tale of mystery and magic all its own.

Speaking of magic, that aspect really stood out to me as there are a number of extremely cool displays of dark sorcery in THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE, including the ability to create portals that allow for quick and safe travel. But these portals are also quite dangerous because it takes a while to be able to regenerate another one afterward, making it imperative to pick and choose wisely the times that you use them and the places you decide to be transported. Travel to the wrong place at the wrong time and you could just find yourself stuck in a very sticky situation without the ability to escape again quickly. I found myself really caught up in how the awesome magic of this story worked and honestly it was one of my favorite elements.

This is a fantasy that also has a big central mystery at its core, mainly trying to find out what exactly happened to the MC Lukan's father and the reasons why. These are the best types of sff books in my opinion because not only are you treated to amazing worldbuilding and magic that is the staple of any good fantasy, but the characters here have a daunting mission - one that is fraught with peril and suspense throughout. This kept me completely engaged the entire time even when the pacing slowed a bit.

I'm happy to say though that those moments where the action lulls somewhat are few and far between. I tore through the chapters in this book at lightning speed and that is mainly because the action is pretty hot and heavy most of the time. Another reason is the fact that the characters are each fascinating in their own way. Logan keeps you curious as to their backstories and motivations. In addition there are a couple of dastardly villains who I absolutely despised and they had me constantly fearing for the safety of Lukan and his friends.

Ultimately my high expectations were more than met in this impressive debut by James Logan. My only complaint is that I hope I don't have to wait too long for the sequel because this book ends on such a thrilling and tantalizing note that I really need to know what happens next. By all accounts this is a book that should delight most fantasy readers, especially those who enjoy perplexing mysteries, magic of the highest order, a world that holds many secrets and is muti-layered, and characters who stay with you long after you put down the book. You are definitely going to want to preorder THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE and I suspect it will be hugely successful once an even larger audience gets an opportunity to read it. Frankly I am flabbergasted that this is James Logan's first full-length novel because he writes like a seasoned pro.

We’re gonna chat about this epic fantasy debut novel right here. James Logan did the damn thing. The Silverblood Promise is based around our FMC Lukan who came from a once prestigious family that has seen some rough times. He might’ve become something “worthy” if he hadn’t been kicked out of the academy for a VERY big accidental mistake. This incident lead to his father and Lukan becoming estranged. Right off the bat we are told his father has been murdered under suspicious circumstances and a very interesting clue was left behind. This clue kickstarts this whole journey as we try to uncover the who’s and whys of this situation. James Logan states he grew up on fighting fantasy game books and that is so evident in his writing. I felt like I was reading a script for a video game. I literally felt like I was on a journey, trying to find NPCs to give me my next quest (in the best way). Vibes? The Mummy (not so much the Egyptian aspect but the hunt for artifacts from a different civilization, Uncharted, Pacing? Good. Characters? Loveable. Plot? Held my attention for majority of the time. I LOVED the dialogue between the characters. I’m a sucker for sarcasm what can I say? Flea? LOVE her, protect her at all costs. This book has a good ending and a great setup for the rest of the series to come. If you’re looking for a romantasy this isn’t it. If you’re looking for an epic adventure with trials and tribulations and a bit of found family? Pick this.

James Logan debuts with an impressive fantasy that not only sidesteps common fantasy tropes but also avoids many of the mistakes you find in writers establishing themselves in the fantasy genre. The excellent worldbuilding these books need is here, but it never clumsily takes center stage. Instead, the story rightfully gives the characters room to drive the action forward and give readers the time they need to fall in love with fast-talking, not always possessing the chops to back it up Lukan and his truly adorable sidekick Flea, who acts as both guide to the city of Saphrona and as a check to our naive hero, My only complaints are that everything wrapped up a little too neatly and that in a book with such strong character work that Lukan would sometimes make such stupid mistakes that I would be thrown out of the world.

A very promising start to an epic fantasy series! Libraries should be sure to keep a spot on their shelves for this book, and be ready to save a spot for the next entry in the series.

This book was overall a fun read. While it was not perfect by any means, I did have a great time reading it and found myself wanting to get home to decompress with these characters and their story. In this epic fantasy debut novel, we follow Lukan who is estranged from his family after k*lling a classmate and being kicked out of a prestigious academy. Early into the story, he learns of his father’s death and makes a vow to find out the circumstances behind the murder – and the culprit.

Lukan is an… interesting main character. He is not particularly likeable and he talks too much (even the characters in the book continuously express their annoyance with him). I can’t say that his behaviour (and bro-ey jokes) got better as the story progressed (i.e. character growth), but reading from his POV was definitely – something. I will say, however, that the author does a great job of writing dialogue between Lukan and the side characters. Some of these side characters ended up being my favorites, but I am neither here nor there where Lukan is concerned.

My biggest qualm with this book is that it is an adult fantasy novel, there is a very serious mystery subplot, but everything just falls into place for Lukan during his quest. For me, the stakes felt nonexistent and there was very little tension throughout the story. The progression of the plot was very formulaic. Something would happen, the main character would go off on another leg of his mission, and then he would happen to be in the opportune place at just the right time to overhear dialogue from side characters that gave him the information he needed to solve whatever issue needed solving. This happens throughout the entire book and really dulled my reading experience. Lukan did not propel the plot forward in any way, rather the side characters were the ones who kept the story going. Lukan felt like a very passive character in his own story, and that took this book from being a possible 4-star read to 3 stars for me.

Nevertheless, I was very intrigued by the world building and the cliffhanger and I do think there is potential here, so I will be continuing on with the series.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me both a physical finished copy and an e-arc (via Netgalley) of this title!

Rating of 4.75.

Promising new author James Logan presents an epic fantasy debut in the form of The Silverblood Promise, the first entry in his planned The Last Legacy series, and one of my most anticipated books of 2024.

Lukan Gardova, the disgraced heir of a noble family, is a man who has lost everything following a duel that ended tragically. Forced to drop out of his prestigious academy and abandoned by his family, Lukan travels the wild edges of the world, gambling, drinking, and seeking what adventure he can. Despite his malaise and despair, Lukan is still shaken when he is informed that his estranged father has been murdered by mysterious assassins.

Armed with fresh purpose and a determination to find out who was responsible for his father’s death, Lukan follows the only clue he has, a note his dying father wrote in his own blood. The names it contains lead him to Saphrona, an old and prosperous city ruled by merchant princes where everything can be bought. Filled with rogues, scoundrels, thieves, and miscreants, Saphrona seems an unlikely place to find his reclusive, academic father’s killers.

Engaging in an exhaustive search throughout Saphrona, Lukan discovers that the answers he seeks lie with one of the city’s merchant princes. Unfortunately, they have been condemned to death for the murder of another merchant prince, and if Lukan wants the information they have, he will first have to prove their innocence. Working with an unlikely group of criminal acquaintances, Lukan follows the few clues surrounding the merchant prince’s unusual murder. But the further he digs, the more danger he finds himself in. There is a deadly conspiracy at work in Saphrona, one that seeks to undermine everything the city stands for. Forced to contend with desperate nobles, deadly criminals, and dangerous forces beyond his comprehension, Lukan fights to keep his promise and find the truth behind his father’s murder.

Wow, now this was an awesome debut from Logan and one that I was really glad I got the chance to read. The Silverblood Promise has been on my radar for a while, and Logan did not disappoint with its excellent and exciting story, which is loaded with action, intrigue, cool fantasy elements and some great characters. Entertaining and fast-paced, The Silverblood Promise was an absolute joy to read, and I had an amazing time getting through it.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/05/12/the-silverblood-promise-by-james-logan/

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As a huge fan of the Lies of Locke Lamora, I was really excited when I saw people making these comparisons. While I do think the comparison is apt, this story definitely holds its own. I loved the characters, they were all so compelling and interesting--they each had so many layers and they felt really real. I also thought that, for epic fantasy, the world-building was really accessible. The world and the magic, the setting and the characters, were all so cohesive and really fascinating. I loved this and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Wow! What a fantastic epic fantasy! If this is James Logan's debut novel, then sign me up for everything that he writes in the future!

In this book you are following Lukan, who makes a Silverblood Promise, that takes him on a journey to a far away city to complete his quest and satisfy his promise.

This book has everything I look for in a fantasy novel. It has an epic adventure, pirates, shady taverns, odd executions where a prisoner could survive, gambling dens, found family, clever characters, and of course, the writing is fantastic!