I seem to disagree with some other reviews here - I would argue this book does, in fact, have middle book syndrome. There is a clear arc of where we are going, but this book on its own doesn't have much of one. That all being said, the world and characters are great, so I wanted to know more. I am hoping the third book brings back the same excitement as the original for me!

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A sequel I've been looing forward to! Book 2 to it’s predecessor The Judas Blossom, a historical fantasy series with a prominent magical plotline in this midst of a Mongolian empire setting. I have read The Judas Blossom and it was rich, entertaining. Written very well and this sequel just continues that while developing more of the world. It is really fun to see a historical series that isn’t just focused on Greeks and Romans.

This is a sequel to Judas Blossom and I would definitely suggest that you read that first otherwise you maybe a little lost at the start.

I loved Judas Blossom and I was so looking forward to reading the 2nd installment. However I felt The Blood Dimmed Tide just diverted off course. So much promise of an epic series but I felt the characters weren't as well developed.

There is a lot of war and bloodshed in this book which detracted from the story.

Great ending though.

I would like to thank netgalley for this arc!

As a fan of the first book, I was excited to see where the second one led, but unfortunately, it lost me a little. The stakes have been set and arranged for a very exciting book 3, but it took quite a bit of finangling to get there.

The cast here is very extensive and distinct and I still find myself enraptured by all of their fates, but the throughline of the plot felt a little more discordant than the last book. If anything, it's the characters settling into their new roles, and discovering they're not cut out for them like they thought they were. It's very dynamic to read about, but it lacks a unifying propulsion. Some scenes stitched into each other a little jaggedly, and it's part of the reason this book took me so long to get through. I'm still invested enough to tune into book three, and I hope it regains its momentum.

Thanks to Angry Robot Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

4.5/5

Terrific, just terrific!! This is how you do the middle book of a trilogy. Take the characters we have become attached to and throw them into perilous situations that push them to the limits and then throw a few curveballs in the mix and let it all shake out. I loved the pacing of the story, as you feel you are always moving forward, finding out new information and the momentum carries right on to the end, and I couldn't put the book down! The struggles and realities faced by Temujin and Kokochin really force them into some heartbreaking decisions and consequences of those choices, while Kaivon continues to walk a knifes edge with Hulagu Khan. Stephen takes the complex world of the Mongol Empire and makes it easy to follow the shifting political landscape and how such a powerful empire begins to unravel. I love the fantasy aspect of the story and the powers of the Kozan and I am so looking forward to how all of this is going to be resolved in the final book.

Historical fiction at its best. Having read the Judas Blossom last year, I was really excited for this, and I was not disappointed.

Civil war has broken out within the Mongol empire. Hulagu Khan, leader of the Ilkhanate was locked in battle with Berke Khan. Just like Hulagu, he was the grandson of Genghis Kahn but was a muslim convert. After Hulagu's brutal (to put it mildly) sacking of Baghdad, Berke wanted retribution, so allied himself with the Mamluks. Caught between expanding his territory and the war with the Golden Horde, Hulagu needs people he can trust more than ever, but those people are becoming few and far between.

Meanwhile, those already intent on destroying the whole empire are busy scheming and building additional allies with those who have had the misfortune to be in the path of Hulagu's devastating ambition. The members of the House of Grace, Kokochin and Kaivon are all working hard towards their goal, but when it comes down to it, knowing who to trust will again be their downfall.

This is an exceptional piece of work. No one can write about this period of time and not being faced with the challenge of dealing with the brutality, but yet again, this is dealt with respectfully but actually puts the main focus on those trying to bring about change. I absolutely loved this book. This is an emotional rollercoaster from the very beginning. I highly recommended this.

Stephen Aryan’s The Blood Dimmed Tide is an exceptional sequel that lives up to the promise of its predecessor and then some. This historical fantasy novel is a standout example of how to balance rich storytelling with accessibility, making it a truly enjoyable read.

Aryan has skillfully avoided the trap of bogging down the narrative with excessive historical detail. Instead, he keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace while maintaining a vivid, immersive world. The result is a story that’s both engaging and easy to follow, even for readers who might not be as familiar with the historical context.

One of the book’s strengths is its seamless handling of multiple points of view. Each perspective is distinct and compelling, contributing to a rich, multifaceted narrative. It’s a testament to Aryan’s skill as a writer that all the POVs are equally engaging, ensuring that no character’s journey feels less significant than another’s.

Additionally, the inclusion of a recap at the beginning is a thoughtful touch that enhances the reading experience. It’s a feature that should be a standard in every series, as it allows readers to quickly reacquaint themselves with the storyline and dive straight into the new adventures without missing a beat.

After refreshing my memory by reading book one, I dived right into book two and I happy to say that this book is just as good as The Judas Blossom.

The stakes are definitely higher this time for all the characters and some of them come out of this story better than others. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s personal stories over the course of the novel.

I’ve never been let down by a Stephen Aryan novel and this one is no exception. The plot is gripping and I didn’t want to put it down because I just wanted to know what happened next. All of the characters intrigued me and it was interesting to see how they developed over the course of the novel. I will admit that I had hoped that Layla would die at the beginning of the novel to further Kokochin’s story but Aryan’s plan for her by the end was actually better. Kokochin is definitely in her villain era in this book, and Layla’s response to it was excellent. Hopefully, it leads to her redemption arc in book three. Or she dies horribly, I’m up for either scenario at this point.

The Blood Dimmed Tide was an exciting and well-plotted novel. It gripped me from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see how this story ends. I have stated in the past that I find historical fantasy novels very hard to get into, but this series is definitely an example of how to get it right.

Also, the cover is just as beautiful as the first one. I love a beautiful cover.

The story continues immediately after the events of the first book. All the characters are interesting and I loved that every chapter focuses on a different character’s POV which gives more dimension out of the story telling. The story is definitely getting a lot more interesting with a few twists along the end. Definitely a favourite of mine and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Fantastic next entry in this series. Aryan is a very talented writer and I continue to enjoy the exploration of each characters' arc. Great book!

Book Review 📚
5/5 ⭐

Where to begin. I had the pleasure of reading The Judas Blossom (book 1) and absoleutly fell in love with it. To then be asked to read The Blood Dimmed Tide (book 2), I frantically jumped at the chance.

The Blood Dimmed Tide is a beautiful and captivating fantasy that seamlessly blends the rich world building, elaborate plotlines and deeply developed characters. This series is a testament to Aryan’s ability as a storyteller, delivering an experience that grips you from the very first page, all the way to the last.

Aryan excels in creating a setting that feels expansive yet intimate, filled with detailed histories, diverse cultures and vivid landscapes. The world building seamlessly winds into the narrative which provides a backdrop that enhances the story without ever feeling overwhelmed. Another skill Aryan possesses as a writer.

The characters are beautifully developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. Aryan has the ability to create relatable and complex characters as you find yourself deeply invested in their journeys. The interactions that take place between the characters are authentic and compelling which adds emotional depth to the storyline.

The plot itself is phenomenal. There is a perfect balance of action, intrigue and character development. The twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and the stakes give such a high that its impossible to put the book down! One of the best features of this book is the exploration of themes (power and loyalty) which add layers of meaning to the story.

With an unbelievably rich world building, compelling characters, thoughtful themes and intricate plot The Blood Dimmed Tide delivers a truly immersive and unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishing company for allowing to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

The Mongolian Empire was the second largest empire after the British Empire. It was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206 by uniting Mongol tribes and began to conquer most of the Eurasian continent. Their existence is interesting because the Mongols also assimilated and exchanged technology, culture and religion between the East, West and Middle East until the 14th century. Although this book takes several events in the Mongolian invasion of Persia and Iraq as background history, that is not the main focus. We will follow the POV of Hulagu Khan (Genghis Khan's grandson and Kublai Khan's brother) as he tried to expand his territory in the Middle East and Europe. Unfortunately his efforts are hindered by the other 4 POVs who are actively trying to destroy his achievements, from within his own household. The traitors.

Each POVs developed personal hatred for the Mongolian invasion (everyone hate colonialism isn't?). For example, Temujin, Hulagu's youngest son, is struggling to find his identity after failing to achieve success the father's target of success. Blue-eyed princess Kokochin, Hulagu's newest concubine who was the last of her tribe to be sentenced to death. Kaivan, the last former Persian general who had given up hope of fighting for independence. And the mysterious POV of the murderous sisterhood

This is my first read experience with the author. The storytelling style is straight forward. In many action/war scenes it still feels like a written report rather than showing detail and atmosphere that can make the reader participate in each events. Each main event is described concisely in just a few paragraphs. Apart from the background of the MCs, I felt the PoVs was too much, less fleshed out and unfocused. Actually at this book, many new players were added into the mixed.

The plots were thicker at here and stakes are rising with every new challenge. The additional soft magic element makes curious and excite to find out where this sequel story will go. The author doing fine job to gave us alternative historical events with brilliant fresh fantasy element.

Thank you Netgalley and Angry Robot Publisher for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting release date : 9 July 2024

The story continues immediately after the events of the first book. All the characters are interesting and I loved that every chapter focuses on a different character’s POV which gives more dimension out of the story telling. The story is definitely getting a lot more interesting with a few twists along the end. Definitely a favourite of mine and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

BOOK REVIEW: The Blood Dimmed Tide by Stephen Aryan

A huge thank you to @angryrobotbooks for providing me with a E-ARC through @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the sequel to Stephen’s incredible first book ‘The Judas Blossom’ which was praised to the high heavens by the lads over at @the_brothers_gwynne.

The Nightingale and the Falcon series is an imaginative and ambitious epic fantasy reimagining of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia in which we follow four characters through the heart of war.

Stephen has somehow managed to perfectly balance the fantasy element wonderfully with the historical element in that one doesn’t overpower the other. His research is so impressive and captivating that I’ve began researching into this historical event myself.

Battle scenes are hit and a miss for me but, much like book one, I found myself gripped and practically begging for more, those descriptions were just *chefs kiss*.

There are quite a few POV characters and with each chapter the perspective tends to be different which can seem rather off putting to some people but it was handled with grace. Each POV serves a purpose and I truly admire the ability to make me want to revisit every character.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

A historical fiction about cardinals and caliphs who were ruling .
I am a big fan of historical fiction but it was a good one.

Stephen Aryan’s writing, to me, is something like a bag of chips. It’s straightforward, tasty without being spicy or over complicated, and it’s really easy to just keep going, but the weight of it doesn’t really sit in your stomach until the bag is finished.

The fantasy elements in this sequel are stronger, as Temujin learns more about his mysterious fellow Kozan and the powers and influence that wield. Kokochin is similarly on a dangerous quest, destabilising the Ilkhanate on behalf of the House of Grace, whilst Kaivon is playing a perilous and treacherous game at the heart of military power.

This is a really solid historical fantasy - well paced, and probably focused more on action and drama than in depth character study, but the individuals also come across really clearly. A very enjoyable read.

The second installment of The nightingale and the falcon trilogy was even better than the firstbook, and i am impressed.

On the first book we follow the Mongol expansion wars led by Hulagu Khan, and how his hunger for power leads to such destruction that calls the attention of powerful magic entities, the Kozan.
Now , in book 2, Hulagu armies are struggling, and his ruthlessness is becoming a liability among allies. His opponents are getting stronger, and the Kozan, an ancient force of magic, are meddling on both sides of history. Hulagu son, Temujin, is now a Kozan, but is he going to help further his father ambitions or curb them? Are the rebels ready to help the lesser evil of the two, when the time comes?

I gotta say I like this book even more than the fisrt one. In this new installment, we can see the stakes are getting higher at each turn, and some of the caracters are just showing their true colors. I enjoyed seeing some of the old protagonists back on track, and how some secondary ones suddenly shifted sides, leaving all much more interesting. The political intrigue and the war preparation, which was a plus for me on the first book, are still here, and going strong. The fantasy elements are still minimal, but well placed, and i got used to it after the first book.
The final scene was unexpected but set the tone for what comes next on the final book, and i am looking forward to it !

I was very much anticipating this book after having read the first one, so I was incredibly excited to get to it, and am so pleased it was just as good as the first!

What impresses me first and foremost about this series, is the amount of research and dedication Stephen Aryan puts into his work. The amount of detail we’re given in regards to the culture, the history, this time period is astounding and so rich.
Again, we had many perspectives but I didn’t find myself favoring one over any others and was equally invested in all, which is hard to achieve I feel.
The new characters really added to the complexity of the situation, especially politically. There’s so much tension and risk throughout, it was incredibly gripping.
There’s also a massive surprise at the end that I think was really shocking and enjoyable.

The Blood Dimmed Tide was just as much of a masterpiece as The Judas Blossom and I can’t wait to see where the third book goes!

Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot, and the author for this ARC.

You need to read the first book first. You will be lost otherwise.

Focusing on the conflict between Mongolia and Persia, for world domination purposes. Unfortunately there are many insider threats making success difficult and encouraging civil war. Hard to win when your fighting internally. A house decided will fall.

Loved the historic accuracy. You can follow events with historical timelines. Gives a personal perspective to the whole thing.