4.5 I devoured half of the book in one sitting although it's about 530 pages, after 40% the cast grows, and the action, plot twists, and conflict too. The main character (Lukan) is fun and a bit naive. He's going to be dropped in the middle of a huge (murderous, magic, supernatural) game of conspiracy and danger that is too much for him to deal with. This will create a lot of side quests and mini adventures where his reactions and quick solutions result in a lot of humorous situations.

This is a murder/mystery and the investigation to solve his father's death takes him to a new city. His sidekick (Flea) is a feisty, smart (sometimes more than he is) ten-year-old girl, this street urchin helps him around the city but becomes one of his most valuable allies. Their relationship is hilarious. I always loved the dynamic of the Main character and the kid companion since Indy and Shorty, or Alan and the Kids in Jurassic Park not to mention Last of Us.

Another high note is the vibe of the world and the story. It's mostly humor and action. When I want to take a break from long slow-burn fantasy books I turn to those that are super entertaining, fast-paced, and not always very complex but enough to remind me of my favorite RPG structures such as Assassin's Creed with secret cults and different villains. But sometimes the humor, rhythm and fast-pacing of the silver blood promise lean more toward cartoonish/comic book types of villains, especially with the choices of their code names. I immediately see a superhero with a suit whenever I hear Ashra's name.
This book made my expectations higher for the next volume. Looking forward to reading the rest.

Love the cover as well.

Thank you, Publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC.

I had an absolute blast reading The Silverblood Promise. It was fun, adventurous and fast-paced.

What I must start with saying, is that Í really enjoyed was James Logan's ability to describe and create scale and the general look and feel of places and cities. It's easy to get immersed and to picture the place in your head.

The constant comparisons between Lukan's first impressions of a location or place and that of Velleras Gellame, the author of a guide to the city of Saphrona. It was a fun way to incorporate lore and history of places without getting too info-dumpy. I loved being in Saphrona, it's a thrilling port city, ruled by a council that is split into two sections: The Oldbloods that inherited their money, and the Newbloods that made their own fortunes. As Velleras Gellame so nicely put it in his guide: Coin is said to be the true god of Saphrona.

One of the strengths of The Silverblood Promise, is it's characters. The story centers around Lukan, a disgraced noble who is haunted by a duel that went wrong. He hears of his father's murder, and therefore sets out on a mission to find the killer, wherever it leads him. Lukan is sharp and witty, but also a man that also runs head-first into situations just to rely on his wittiness to get him out of it. More than once he relies on talking his way out, or to get him things he wants. He mouths off to people constantly and to a point it's almost a character flaw, because this man does not know when to shut up. It makes him very entertaining however.

Lukan, despite being a disgraced noble and spending most night hustling in taverns, still carries a certain way of talking that only nobles do, which is frequently pointed out by Flea, an orphaned girl and his travel companion in Sephrona. It was a fun way to still tie him to his old life. This is also something that makes the dynamics between him and Flea very entertaining. I mean, they meet when Flea tries to rob him.

The story itself keeps you on your toes. It's fast-paced and it feels like the reader is going on a grand adventure. What started out as a simple quest to find a person with answers, turned out to be something so much bigger and I kept on getting surprised by how the whole thing seemed to spiral into something so much bigger the longer the story went on. It kept me guessing.

I am also a sucker for a world where there is a previous civilization lost. The Phaeron and the glimpses we got of them were both frightening and exciting all the same. A powerful civilization that simply disappears? It certainly got me hungry for more.

To conclude, The Silverblood Promise is a thrilling and adventurous first installment in a series, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for the ARC!

TL;DR

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan exceeded all my expectations. This novel features a main character worth rooting for, a city worth exploring, and a plot worth reading. This is a promising debut and wonderful opening to The Last Legacy series. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.

Review: The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

Death always comes too soon. We don’t think about it as a survival mechanism, but it’s out there waiting for all of us. Yet, we delay things because we believe tomorrow will come. Whether optimism or naivete, we put off doing things that are difficult, that are painful. We put off reconciling. Sometimes, we put it off too long and can never reconnect. Lukan Gardova in The Silverblood Promise by James Logan has done exactly that. One day as he’s playing cards in a city far from home, he learns that his father has been murdered. Now, not only is Lukan head of a minor noble house, he’s no longer able to reconcile with his father. But his father left him a mystery to solve. Maybe if Lukan can figure out who murdered his father, he can get some closure.

Lukan Gardova has regrets. Don’t we all? After a night of cards and drinking, Lukan makes his way to his lodgings and finds himself followed. His shadow is from his past; the woman who raised and educated him after his mother’s passing. She tells him that his father has been murdered. Lukan and his father haven’t talked in some time; actually, Lukan avoided his old man ever since the incident that made him leave home. Lukan is now the head of a minor, maybe disgraced, noble house. Who murdered his father and why aren’t clear. But as his father lay bleeding out, the man wrote three words on a scrap of paper in his own blood. Lukan Saphrona Zandrusa. The first two words are obvious; Lukan is his son; and Saphrona is a rich port city. But who or what is the third word? To find out, Lukan must travel to the port city. Hearing about the loss of his father, Lukan feels the door to reconciliation shut. But maybe if he can solve his father’s murder, he can make peace with his old man. So Lukan makes a promise with blood and silver to find his father’s murderer. What he doesn’t know is that Saphrona is filled with dangers and adventures that might take precedence over his promise. In an attempt to uncover his father’s murderer, Lukan finds himself embroiled in political machinations that could destroy a decades old peace. Saphrona, like any merchant city, has a price that Lukan must pay.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan is a third person novel with Lukan as the narrator for the majority of the read. Near the end, other narrators take over a few chapters, and it can be jarring. However, it works. The style is fast-paced without losing the character exploration that I find necessary for a good novel. The worldbuilding is quite good, and I cannot wait to explore the world further. This novel engaged me from the first chapter, and I didn’t want to put it down. It’s 512 pages long, and I read it in 6 days. My wife even commented on how fast I read the book because I couldn’t put it down. In other words, I highly recommend this book.

Lukan Gardova

Lukan is a fascinating character. He’s a mix of self-reflection and zero thought whatsoever. His concern is the people around them. Like any good narrator, he observes closely. We get his regrets on the duel that cost him and his family a fortune. We learn about his regrets with his father. We hear his internal debates about engaging his allies to help him. On the other hand, he runs head first into schemes and relies on his quick wits and luck to save him. As a long term strategy, it seems flawed. Yes, he is protected by plot armor, of course. And honestly I didn’t care because he was so entertaining. Often, he used his quick wit and words as a strategy to get his way. More than once, his mouth got him in trouble, and sometimes it seemed as if he were mouthing off simply for plot reasons. Again, I was okay with it, but YMMV.

We learn at the beginning that Lukan’s father passed. But we don’t see him grieving. In fact, his reflections on not making up with his father are quick. I interpreted that as the mission giving him purpose and taking up so much of his thought processes that he didn’t grieve. In my head, he grieved in his own way on the trip to Saphrona. But the problem with grief is that it shows up at inconvenient times. Seeing a book might remind someone of their lost parent. I hope that in future books we get see Lukan’s grief.

At the same time, this mission he’s undertaking for his father lets him connect to his father in a way that’s new. When we’re kids, we have a hard time seeing our parents as people, as fallible humans doing their best to deal with their own emotions and fears. As adults, we begin to understand that aspect of our parents. If you’re lucky, this happens before a parent’s passing. Lukan isn’t lucky. However, he does get the chance to reflect on the past from his father’s point of view. The immediate emotions of the moment have disappeared, and we can get perspective on what the other side was thinking and/or feeling. This perspective is a way of connecting with a parent as an adult that can deepen a relationship and, in my opinion, is necessary in the process of forgiving that parent. Seeing Lukan begin the process of understanding his father was fantastic. It added a wonderful undertone to an already fantastic novel.

Saphrona and the Larger World

Logan has built an intriguing world. Lukan starts in a tavern close to the Grey Lands where treasure hunters seek out relics from a lost, advanced civilization. And that’s all we get to know about the Grey Lands because we’re soon off to Saphrona. The lost Phaeron civilization weaves its way through the novel, hinting at a world older and more mysterious than the current moment. Legends and travel guides make up the fun that Logan has created, and Saphrona is the jewel of the novel.

In order to accomplish his goal, Lukan travels through the power pathways of the city. What the reader sees is a port city brimming with trade, culture, and danger. From the heights of noble society to the underworld domain of the criminal, Lukan experiences Saphrona in a way no tourist would ever want to. But it really does sing as a city. Commerce from all over the globe takes place in the port city. Lukan encounters people from numerous other countries and citizens of the fair city itself. Make no mistake, the book isn’t a travelogue describing the sights and smells of the city. There’s plenty to Saphrona that we don’t get. Yet, from what we saw, there’s much more to explore. I can’t tell if I want Logan to return to this city or give us another wonderful setting in future books.
Action

The Silverblood Promise is full of action. Full of it. Logan balances this with character growth, with time for reflection. But the one thing that Lukan has no time for is planning. He rushes headlong into an adventure when others might hesitate. This makes for an action filled novel, and the way the action comes about naturally is wonderful. You see, for every success that Lukan has, that success complicates the situation further and requires more action to resolve the situation. It’s clear that Logan plotted this story out, but it feels as if the story grows as we read it. I kept reading because I wondered what sort of trouble Lukan would get into next.

Conclusion

James Logan’s The Silverblood Promise was excellent. It’s a book that I wish I could read again for the first time because it was so engrossing. It sets a high bar for the second novel in the The Last Legacy series, and I have confidence that Logan will easily clear that bar. A likeable protagonist in a captivating background with a mission to reconnect with his murdered father is a recipe for a bestseller. I hope this book becomes one because it deserves it. The Silverblood Promise exceeded all my expectations, and I cannot wait for book two. Highly recommended.

There is so much I love about this story. Some of the main characters (Lukan and Flea) are some of my favorites in my recent reads. There is something refreshing about Lukan’s vulgarity that I do not see in enough fantasy novels. And the way that the friendship between these two grows over is just so satisfying and compelling.

The way James Logan effortlessly weaves backstory and world-building into his plot shows a mastery of storytelling that is not often seen in debut books. I could not put this book down and read it twice before writing this review because I needed more of it.

The thing that really solidified this as an easy contender for favorite read of the year was all of the hints and mentions at the bigger world to come. This whole story is taking place pretty much exclusively in Saphrona, but with his level of world-building, I feel like we already have a glimpse outside of the city.

I could go on and on about how all of the characters, no matter how small of a role, are well-developed too. This one has me very excited for a future of fantasy stories and worlds with James Logan.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so, so much to Tor for my #gifted physical advanced copy of this book and to Tor and NetGalley for an eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Some favorite quotes:
“Volendt can keep his dark mistress. No one has less regard for wealth, power, or birthright than a cat.”

“Perhaps I’ll attack them with my wit.” - Lukan
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” - Ashra

“No one chooses to be a thief; it’s something that’s thrust upon us. We just have to make the best of it.”

In that moment Flea had realized that trust freely given was more valuable than any trinket she’d ever stolen. It was an almost physical presence inside her chest, lending her a degree of confidence and pride that she’d never felt before.

“Men like him are afraid of anything that threatens their view of the world and their sense of where they belong in it.” - Zandrusa

Unfortunately this was a dnf at 20%. I had really really high hopes for this and can see the authors potential but the main character was infuriating. Every single time he had to enact a plan or go talk to someone he would waffle back and forth and nearly chicken out entirely just for the plan to work exactly like he needed it.

I think this could still be a very good book for most people and I think this author will do really well it's just not for me.

5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5) Lukan Gardova is living a carefree life gambling and drinking to his heart’s content. When news of his estranged father’s death arrives, he finds a need for direction in finding his father’s killer. His father left an ominous note as he was dying and Lukan is determined to unravel it’s meaning.

Lukan has a straight path for this journey, but instead the course veers off, like all good paths do, until he is led back to having to rely on himself but also to put trust in others he does not know well. He entrusts few but my favorite had to be Flea. Lukan initially exploits this young girl for her pickpocketing abilities and skill at being invisible. But it turns into much more than that. The bond they create is something neither was looking for but both desperately needed. He didn’t become her father figure, she became his sidekick and it was perfect. I adored their banter and Flea’s quick wit, especially for an 11 year old. She had spunk and a mouth to back it up.

This was exactly the type of fantasy I was needing and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!

AUDIO REVIEW: I adored his voice! Brenock O’Connor sounded like he was the storyteller in a tavern amidst many listeners. It felt that if I didn’t pay attention, I would miss out on this wonderful adventure he was crafting. I could listen to him all day. He truly grabbed my attention immediately with his soft accent and easy flow. I have added another to my favorite narrator’s list!

Thank you to Tor Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies!

Wow! Great, original Grimdark! Will definitely be getting this at our library! Our readers will love this.

This book suffered from too many side quests.

The idea for the story is fun and had so much potential. A young man, disgraced by a single moment of his entire life, finds his father was murdered. A cryptic note, written by his dying father in his own blood, starts a quest to find out why. The "why" is in a box in a vault no one can open except a condemned pirate in an inescapable prison.

I'm going to stop there and just say I'm already not liking this story. People don't do this. If his father had left a will with "Tell my son this when I die", fine, that's fine. If Dad had a letter in his desk with the son's name on it, ok, acceptable. But if something is THAT DAMN IMPORTANT, you don't keep it a secret and hope you don't have a stroke in your sleep. The drama is already annoyingly close to a soap opera.

So we're off to a stupid start, whatever. Next is an excellent scene that shows how well Logan can worldbuild. Our main character has a conversation with a deaf "mute" girl, and she hasn't been introduced. She's just in the mix and we roll with it, the pirate is believable, the threats of violence are scaled right and believable, honestly, just an excellent scene that shows the potential Logan brings to this story.

The book then proceeds to piss in my Cheerios by having our intrepid young swashbuckler run into every side quest like a D&D golden retriever chasing squirrels. I understand you have to set up a plot and then change something to build drama, but this is like a Spinal Tap of bait and switch, everything is cranked to 11.

The book is still well-written, Flea is an excellent character, most of the others are weak but whatever, the story is moving, it's fine, until the end. Logan, no, bad author. Really, the dying wish was for his son to open the box and find something so stupid it hurt my feelings? I'm trying to not spoil anything, but really?!?!

I want to read the sequel just to see how Logan evolves as a writer. And this book has so much potential, I hope he brings the 11 down to a 9 and I bet I love that book.

This is James Logan's debut and what a great way to start! This was chalked full of adventure and mystery, but the places it really shined were the interactions with Flea. I loved her as a character and the attitude she brought. I think the book only got better with the introduction of a third main character and by the end of it, it was non stop action. I even chuckled when things came around full circle within the last few pages and an old character resurfaced.

I'm eager to continue with this series and learn the answers to some secrets uncovered.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Books for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

One of those book you start "just-to-check-how-it-is" and keeps you reading till 3 am as it's just one-more-chapter.
Lucas is not always the sharpest knife but i liked him as I like the fleshed out characters.
The world building is excellent and intriguing, the storytelling kept me hooked. It's fast paced and full of surprises, never drags and I found it highly entertaining.
There's humour, action, intrigue, secrets and mystery: a book according to my heart.
An excellent debut and I can't wait for the next in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

BOOK REVIEW - THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE by James Logan

I just wanted to give a shoutout to NetGalley, TOR Publishing Group and James Logan for providing me with an eARC of The Silverblood Promise in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just say, this book is a real treat for anyone who loves a good fantasy adventure. James Logan's debut novel takes you on a thrilling journey through the city of Saphrona, as our Main Character, Lukan Gardova, tries to solve the mystery behind his father's death.

From the very first page, Logan's writing had me hooked. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns, and Lukan is such a complex and relatable character that you can't help but root for him. His journey is full of danger and deception, but with the help of some unexpected allies, he manages to navigate the treacherous streets of Saphrona.

One of the things I loved most about The Silverblood Promise was the incredible cast of characters. From the street-smart urchin to the mysterious companions who aid Lukan on his quest, each character is so well crafted that you feel like you know them personally. The interactions between Lukan and his allies add a lot of heart and humour to the story, making it a joy to read.

The world-building in this book is also top-notch. Logan has created a rich and immersive universe full of secrets and ancient lore. While the main focus of the story is Lukan's quest for justice, hints of magic and mythology suggest there is much more to be explored in future instalments.

Now, I will say that there were a few moments where the pacing and exposition felt a bit clunky. There were times when the story relied too heavily on dialogue to convey information, which made things drag a bit. Additionally, there were some elements of the plot that felt a bit familiar and could have used more development.

All in all, though, The Silverblood Promise is a fantastic debut that promises great things to come from James Logan. If you're a fan of epic adventures or intricate mysteries, this book is definitely worth checking out!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I absolutely adored this book!  It kinda reminds me of Locke Lamora while completely standing on its own.  Which was funny because of this blurb:

‘A fast-paced carnival of setbacks and skullduggery that reminds me of…me! Charming from the first twist to the last’
—Scott Lynch, bestselling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora

I loved the characters, setting, plot, and ending.  The primary focus of the novel is on Lukan Gardova.  He was estranged from his father because of a duel that ended his academy career.  So Lukan becomes a wandering layabout that makes money as a cardsharp.  Life is changed when he is informed that his father has been murdered and the noble title is his.  Lukan is determined to solve his father's murder.

This takes Lukan to the city of Saphrona where the search for answers gets him in trouble at every turn.  While I enjoyed all aspects of the novel, the best part is the found family.  Let's just say that I adore the street urchin and everything about her.  The other favorite of mine I can't discuss because of spoilers but I am so excited for her in the next book.  I also loved the majority of the side characters too.  The magic in the world is lightly explored in this book but I hope to see more of it and get additional answers.

I think, ultimately, I read this in the perfect mood.  Aye, the tropes are here but scrambled in a way that delighted me.  Absurdity abounds but so does heart and humor.  I cannot wait for the next book!  Arrrr!

I've read and enjoyed The Silverblood Promise by James Logan. First, let's address the stunning cover of this book. The illustration is by Jeff Brown and I really recommend checking out his art! I've already ordered the special edition from The Broken Binding.

In this story, we follow Lukan, who gets the message about his estranged father having been murdered. That pushes him to decide if he should continue his life as it is, gambling and drinking, or try to get some answers... And if he had chosen the first option, we wouldn't get this book. 😅

For me, this story was one that really transports you to the setting- you can forget you're reading because you get really immersed in the world. In the beginning, I was pretty irritated by our main character, but as the story progressed, I've started appreciating how his journey was crafted and his growth was nice to follow.

I've liked the worldbuilding and I'm intrigued by its many secrets.

The main thing I'd say about this book is it's very entertaining! It's been compared to The Lies of Locke Lamora and I can say I see the similar vibe in these works. Also, I'd say if you've liked The Tainted Cup, you'll like this book! They both are murder mysteries with an effortless sense of humor despite the dire circumstances, and they both have amazing found family. That is actually my absolutely favorite part of following Lukan's story and what ultimately made the book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me. It's a fun, fast, heartwarming but grim book and I'll definitely continue reading the series!

✨✨✨

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to an e-arc.

Re-Readability:
Depending on how the sequel goes, I definitely could see myself re-reading this!

Writing:
I did feel that here and there the author used convenient info-dumping-disguised-as-character-dialogue and telling instead of showing a time or two where I noticed it. However, I otherwise had no issues with the writing style, nor the dialogue.

Characters:
Lukan was a really likeable main character to me. He isn't some painfully moralistic duty-bound bore... but he isn't a "likeable douche" type either. He's a really good guy who smarts off a little too much, and doesn't take himself or anything else too seriously usually.

Flea is also great - such a little spitfire and I loved her almost immediate loyalty to Lukan. Someone highborn showing her even an ounce of mercy and grace was so unfamiliar to her, I think, that she couldn't help but want to hang around him.

I wouldn't say that currently any of the characters are new faves, but I just really liked them.

Plot:
I really enjoyed the plot - much adventure! There's smaller adventures/missions within the larger mission and I personally found all of it to be very entertaining. Also, I am a SUCKER for lore, so all of the Phaeron ancient civilization lore and history is VERY INTRIGUING to me. I really hope I have this much fun with the sequel also, because I'm so ready for a fun, entertaining fantasy series with kickass lore that I can get sucked into.

Lukan came across boisterous, greedy sailors... a sneaky spitfire child pickpocket who won't take no for an answer... rulers of an underworld of crime... a smuggler-turned-council-member-of-the-city falsely imprisoned for murder... a group of ruthless mercenaries... a master forger who makes people go through an excruciating mental game of guessing and pain to talk to her... and a master thief who has become legend for her apparent ability to walk through walls.

Themes:
Family. Loyalty. Doing the right thing in the face of extreme consequences. Sacrifice.

3.5 stars for the book. I have also reviewed the audiobook.

Logan’s debut really teetered about the middle for me. A detective novel lies underneath the general fantasy overture, and upon significant reflection, I feel that may be why I struggled through the plot so much. I don’t like detective/mystery novels much. I’m more of an adventure/quest fan. Additionally, the world obviously parallels Renaissance Italy, and while I love fantasy, I’m not keen on the kind of fantasy that too closely resembles our world. There’s no magic to speak of, and the magic that exists weaves into the world negligibly, and its use and incorporation into the plot felt like an afterthought. The bad folks are Roman Catholic coded, which I see too often—I’ve read two fantasies in the past week and too many in the fantasy genre in general with similarly resembled antagonists, and this indicates to me a lack of imagination.

The secret sauce to The Silverblood Promise ultimately lies in its characters, though Lukan Gardova is the most stock main character I’ve read just about all year in a fantasy. Any remarkable trait (such as the ability to slink around in the shadows) given to him at the outset seems to completely vanish by the end of the book when all of his abilities could have had great use. It’s definitely a buddy story, except Lukan has many, and one of them is a child who completely steals the show. Flea really shines—outshines—Lukan in her secondary role. Once these two team up, I found myself craving the interactions between them. The comedic value of the book cannot be undersold here. These two drive the plot and will endear readers for sure. I don’t usually find stories with grown men hanging around little girls sat, but this one didn’t seem to creep me out. Logan handled the relationship well, and Lukan really gave off big brother vibes I felt jealous of. Another character Lukan teams up with really rounds the permacrew out, but I won’t give any more deets because that’s a SPOILER.

Though Lukan and Flea carry a load of narrative weight on their shoulders, I still struggled with much effort to get through the plot. I couldn’t get into the world and found it incredibly lackluster and dull. It was not until I got the audio copy on NetGalley that I was able to finish it. I cannot say enough that this book must be experienced in audio format. I have listened to hundreds if not thousands of hours of audiobooks. Brenock O’Connor hands down delivers one of the most fantastic narrations I’ve ever heard. I can count on one hand the number of narrators who could make a dictionary entrancing. O’Connor is one of them. Just listen to a freebie sample on an audiobook platform and see for yourself.

Overall, 3.5 stars. It was a great, multifaceted and complicated plot, but it didn’t stand out from the rest for me. Had O’Connor not narrated, I may have had a hard time even getting through the audio also. The basic premise of the book lies in a universal-chassis, cookie-cutter plot: parent(s) get murdered, child(ren) seek the murderer, meet people along the way, build a team, find themselves in a deeper plot than bargained for, defeat the bad guys, etc. The storytelling describes quite a bit to the reader, interpreting looks and body language with myriads of adverbs that lead the reader instead of allow self-exploration and discovery. I just didn’t mesh with it. I bought a special edition anyway. Figures. I do plan to read the rest of the series.

My profuse thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

I found this one a delight. I enjoyed the main character and his sidekick. It’s a page turner, you’re never going to need to think to hard about the story, just onto the next bit of action. Lukan is a heart of gold scoundrel who has to find out the cause of his estranged father’s murder with the slimmest of clues to go on. I particularly enjoyed his relationship with Flea. It was fun. And wholesome in a scoundrel sort of way.

An amazing new epic fantasy. I loved falling into this new world and I can't wait for more! Perfect for fans of Riyria and stories that feel like old friends and new discoveries all at once.

It promises action, humor, and yes... silverblood. It's giving Christopher Buehlman vibes.

James Logan is definitely going to be the next big name in fantasy.

The Silver Blood Promise is James Logan's debut - a masterfully crafted epic fantasy full of action, mayhem and magic that is right up your alley, falling somewhere between the Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch and First Law books by Joe Abercrombie. Ed McDonald calls it post-grimdark and he wouldn't be wrong. Because the staples of that grimdark genre which we all love are all in there; the hero with his regretful choices of his past, who is content drowning his life in wine (Parvan Red, anyone?) and gambling his wealth away in decrepit smoky dens, picking fights with shady goons, characters drowning in their own guilt and making illogical choices, back-alley fights and a flighty convoluted dash through a seedy city of merchants, underground criminals and power hungry nobles conspiring against each other.
The story primary centers around the character of Lukan Gardova, a minor nobility, a failed academy student, a very sharp cardplayer and general connoisseur of wine and all things liquor, preferrably the Parvan variety. Now Lukan, who's grown distant from his only living relation, his father, learns that his father has been murdered and the only clue he's left for his estranged son, leads Lukan on a wild goose chase into the fabled city of Sephora - where noble factions are split and conspiring to murder each other over the governing laws, the markets are teeming with unscrupulpous merchants and the streets are controlled by an underground criminal enterprise reporting into a "King".

Lukan gets unwittingly pulled into a high-stakes game once in Sephora, as he tries to get in touch with his father's old friend and realizes that to achieve the 'silver-blood promise' he's made to avenge his father's murder, he would have to get into this game full-fledged. Fortunately for Lukan, he's made some allies; And how this rag-tag alliance stands up to powerful set of enemies consisting of murderers, monsters and mercenaries forms the latter part of this tense narrative.

For those of you who love an immersive fantasy story set in a ruthless city of murderers and monsters with cut-throat action, daring heists and compelling mysteries, Silver Blood Promise is right up their alley. Think Lies of Lock Lamora or Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. James Logan writes up a storm, pitching us headlong into multiple adventures as Lukan travels from places to places, taking the most illogical decisions, his only driving factor the promise he's made to his dead father. His partnership with Flea, the young thief from the marketplace is possibly the brightest aspect of this first book. It's a trope done really well - the older gent forming up with the smart-talking young girl, looking out for her. They both go from strength to strength, forming a partnership and camarederie that is easy to love. Lukan also meets up with Ashra, another 'famous' thief in the circles of Sephora, though this friendship is lesser explored and clearly we are going to see 'more' of this as it develops through the series. Definitely looking forward to that one :)

With the story in Silver Blood Promise a self-contained one, the readers have much to enjoy and advocate in James Logan's debut. A strongly crafted fantasy novel, with mythical monsters, a long forgotten race, daring missions balancing fabulous action with great humor, I look forward to more adventures from Lukan and Flea and their friends, as they head next to this City of Spires in the far north.

This is the first in a series and overall I enjoyed it enough that I just might continue … in a fun, summer leisure sort of way. In fact, this book would be right at home on the rack at the airport convenience store as something to pick up to pass the time and not anything too deep or inspired. In fact, it comes across as a largely mechanical story or a paint-by-the-numbers collections of various tropes that is easy to follow and mostly predictable. That alone is not so bad except for the rather inelegant manner in which they were all stitched together with what might be seen by some as convenient plot armor and poorly disguised deus ex machina ending that doesn’t really with stand even limited scrutiny. However, if read more as pulp fiction, it was more or less satisfying entertainment.

The MC/PPoV is a disgraced young nobleman from a reputable family fallen on hard times who is estranged from his neglectful father. The setup involves Lukan hearing about his father’s murder and him making “The Silverblood Promise” to solve the mystery of who and why by following up on a three (3) word clue written in blood just before he died. I still have no idea what the significant of such a promise is, other than having a fancy name for a solemn vow (with no enforcement outside of personal honor), but it was apparently enough to drag him out of his cups and send him to the city of Saphrona to follow up on the few clues that he has. There he meets up with an 11 year old street urchin/pick-pocket who serves his city guide and highlights his very sarcastic nature … and of course, can’t stay on the sidelines while her benefactor is in danger (arguably making Lukan a problematic father figure). The supporting characters are fairly shallow caricatures amid a back drop various criminal enterprises as Lukan gets pulled into the local political scene to save the only connection he has to his father … and this in turn drives the best part of the story … the world-building … which was interesting but not particularly complex or unique. First up we get a divided city that is home to former enemies now at peace simply out of exhaustion from the constant wars. The three (3) aristocratic estates come from the powerful merchant houses, the inquisition and the church of the Lady of Shadows (where the Shadows are basically the seven death sins which the Lady holds at bay). Of course there is the expected corruption within each that conspires for even greater power with questionable alliances and motivations. There is the expected criminal underworld run by a mafia style organization (trope) known as the Kindred. And there is a limited amount of sorcery that is either based upon the artifacts left by a vanished race/civilization called the Phaeron or by paired spell casters known as gleamers (perhaps the most interesting aspect of the magic system).

The plot careens through a series of set pieces (tropes) such as a bread and circus style execution, another underground pit challenge, a pseudo prison caper, a secret graveyard meeting, a mad king’s court, and … of course … a heist. In fact, everything moves fairly quickly through each stage in with a vaguely forced introduction that is what gives the story its derivative feel … nothing on this wild ride develops naturally or reasonably … and in fact I found parts to be patently ridiculous … such as the apparent need to get blind drunk on the eave of an important operation that would obviously require top form by each of the participants … with being severely hungover not making any difference what so ever other than showing off the frat boy personality of the MC. Not really a good selling point for me.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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