Really enjoyed this read. I loved the beginning and the end! For a short part in the middle, I did lose a little of interest, but the ending really made up for it.
Really enjoyed the gladiator vibes!
Thanks for this arc!

I was not expecting the rush of emotions and the roller coaster this book took me on.
I'll admit I was expecting a lot of fighting to the death and crazy trials due to the gladiator references, but what I wasn't expecting was the amount of emotional depth, character development, world building, found family, and utter villainy that Bloodguard brought.
Leith is a gladiator by choice trying to earn a better life for his family by completing enough trials to become a Bloodguard (the top tier of gladiators who are given noble titles and riches). He has a moral compass even though he knows he must do what he needs to survive and support his family.
Maeve is a princess trying to find the right person to marry in order to gain her crown and become the queen that her people desperately need after the death of her grandmother years ago. She sees something in Leith and chooses to sponsor him.
The story moved from there with so many twists and turns it was difficult to put down because I needed to know what would happen next. I loved that Leith found a home with Maeve and her extended family even though he wasn't finished and was still fighting to become a Bloodguard. Giselle is one of my favorite characters and I would love to know more about her and her story (hopefully in one of the next books from this series).
I won't get into all of the twists and turns, but will say that the villain in this book is one of the most awful I have read in a long time. Truly unredeemable in my eyes.
By the time Bloodguard came to a close, I had laughed, cried, held my breath, basically experienced all the emotions. The ending was absolutely brilliant and one of the best last sentences I have read in a book! Can't wait to read more from this world.

A big shout out and thank you to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!

The single most daunting fear any reader experiences is when they begin to sense themselves stumble, spiral and fall into a slump. There can be many reasons a reader experiences a slump and at the same time no reason at all. It’s an extremely unpredictable occurrence that can be ridiculously complex to navigate out of, for reasons unknown to date.

My favourite books are those that can miraculously catch and keep your interest despite the slump. I’m proud (and extremely relieved) to share that Bloodguard is one of those books. It takes a lot for a book to be a slump-killer, from immersive storytelling, heart-moving characters, brutal pacing to a tightly knit plot; and Bloodguard has all of those.

Dual perspective story-telling has become an extremely popular style of writing and while it has never been my favourite, I’m starting to see and appreciate the many merits to it. I enjoy understanding the purpose of the choices an author makes in their book—be it a scene placement, writing style or character death— and the more coherent the reason for these choices, the better my experience. Throughout her book, Robson has made many such choices that eventually layer to form an impressive tapestry that validates the presence and importance of every single detail that is featured in it. Alternating perspectives between the main characters is one such detail that provides great meaning to the readers, helping us connect to them, perceive the stark differences in their lives, understand their flaws and root for their beliefs. I was immediately enamoured by both the MCs in Bloodguard from the moment their voices were revealed.

The world-building in Bloodguard, in my opinion happens on every page and is hidden within every moment. Robson has truly used every tool in her skill set to create a cumulatively comprehensive structure to explain the rules of her world, the lives of its people, the politics and state of the Kingdom and then she has expertly tied them all together in a way that connects all the dots and lights up your reader mind in shock and awe. Every reader, including me, enjoys a well plotted story with foreshadowing, emotions and plot twists and every page of Bloodguard is evidence that Robson has created and executed exactly that.

The pace of Bloodguard was extremely even. I found myself making surprising headway, despite my slump, until about 70% of the book. Once we cross the 70% mark, the book flies. The stakes propel to monumental heights, the story starts to come together in a way you do not expect, there are tears, betrayal and drama and an overwhelming sense of helplessness that overtakes you as you wonder how Robson is going to possibly be able to resolve these plot knots. However, there’s not a moment to think, to pause or to suspect as Robson ties your eyes, hands and heart to her words and submerges you in the experience so exhilarating, painful and beautiful that you wonder—despite being an avid reader—how words on a paper can render an experience as vivid as this was.

The true heart of Bloodguard lies rooted in its characters. Yes, the perspective only alternatives between the two MCs, but there are so many wonderful secondary and tertiary characters that are such an important part of this book. Outside of the fact that well written secondary and tertiary characters add a lot of personality to any story and reinforce the readers’ understanding of the world, it makes so much sense to have them in a book focused on three different aspects of the world—a flourishing Kingdom, its determined Princess and a Gladiator from a small village. Robson has clearly taken all this into account as she plunges us deep into the lives of the common people, the Nobles, the voiceless and the loud. I enjoyed the politics, emotions and presence of all these characters and was genuinely surprised with how well the author had fleshed out all the characters, even while ensuring they were more than just plot devices. While found family might not be one of the tropes that this book describes itself to have, I would personally add that to it. The sense of togetherness that comes from some of the scenes is so profound and I hold those moments close to my heart.

The plot in Bloodguard has a great way of distracting you from its true intentions. It holds your hand, walks you to the garden, shows you the flowers and it’s thorns and you watch mesmerised until you see a flash of light and look up and find the shooting star that was the actual event you were meant to witness. Then, when the shooting star casts its light over the whole story, revealing it for what it really is, you are left reeling. You won’t see it coming and the thing is you don’t have to. Cecy Robson has done all the heavy lifting, so that the reader can sit back and enjoy.

The final, but most crucial part of Bloodguard that drenches every single one of its pages is the writing. Robson had my heart from the very start with her words and while Bloodguard is not without its faults, the writing and narration of the story is done with so much of emotion, it truly felt like the author has poured herself into the pages of her romantasy. Robson’s style was gripping, heart wrenching, hopeful and powerful and carried Bloodguard all the way through. Even the animals in the book stir our sentiments and ignite our spirits and if that’s not good writing, what else is it?

However, I will also agree that there are some aspects of Bloodguard that are less developed than the rest. The romance, as sweet and lovely as it is, has more of an enemies to lovers set-up and not the actual trope, as there’s somewhat of an insta-connection that develops swiftly over the course of the book. There was also one or two other aspects that had a great effect towards the end because of the writing but was not built as well and come as a surprise both in a way that it was meant to and in a way it was not.

But there’s just something about Bloodguard that makes you look past all this and see the soul of the book; which is that it’s an entertaining, immersive, emotional tale of two unlikely people meeting and their worlds colliding in an explosion of colour, pain, healing and change.

Bloodguard was a solid 4.5 stars read for me. I absolutely cannot wait for you to dive into this emotional adventure! Please check content warnings before reading this book, there are themes in it that can be triggering for some.

A very enjoyable read! I only wished to have better pacing with the plot and their relationship. I also maybe just wanted it to be longer to learn more. Would definitely read more from this author!

What a ride! I started reading this book not knowing much about the story and I'm so glad I did.

If you love a romantasy with world building that is easy to follow with paranormal and magical elements along with characters that are complex, layered and full of mystery, then go read this.

What would you do if the succession of your kingdom depended on who you married? Would you risk everythying for something greater?

The power of love, friendship, faith, and the will to survive will battle betrayal, secrets, and a twist you never expected..

What a refreshing slow burn that is captivating, unique, and full of everything you expect in a romantasy! This was the first book I've read by Cecy Robson and I can't wait to dive into her backlist.

Bloodguard
by Cecy Robson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOW. The first thing I have to say is that Cecy, you are a mastermind! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next! The secrets, banter, romance, and unique storyline made this a top read of 2024!

Bloodguard follows Leith, a gladiator in Arrow trying to win the coveted title of Bloodguard. Bloodguards get elevated to noble status and have wealth and power. Leith wants to win it all for his family. Leith unintentionally gets entangled with Maeve, an overthrown princess and healer. She agrees to help him win and heal him if he will marry her once he attains Bloodguard status so that she can reclaim the throne as queen. You’ll have to read to find out what happens next!

Leith was pure perfection. He was a hero that I just loved. I actually studied Classics in college and I spent a majority of my time studying Roman gladiators. I felt like Cecy nailed the descriptions while weaving in a beautiful fantasy.

I loved how devoted both Leith and Maeve were to their families. Maeve was an absolute sweetheart to those she loved but she knew how to be fiery at times.

There were so many times in this book where I was shocked and all the secrets were unveiled at just the right time! You definitely need to grab this book!

I remember reading the blurb for this one and thinking, hum, gladiators, this could be interesting, and oh, was it interesting.

There were parts of this book I loved and parts that fascinated me, others just baffled me but it worked (sharks and eels iykyk) and I loved it.

Maeve is one of those characters that makes me giggle one moment and say oh dear lord the next and it's amazing.

Leith, besides being this intense gladiator, is a character who cares about his family and his friends and about righting wrongs in a world that is full of them.

Together, they're electric and unstoppable; reading this story is one twist after another, filled with so much depth and world-building that I felt like I was there at times.

I may just need to add books with Gladiators to my list of favorite genres after reading this book.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this e-book; I have voluntarily read and reviewed it, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bloodguard by Cecy Robson was to use a word from the cover Bloody Unforgettable. So much excitement and chaos and twists galore. This book had many MOUTH DROPPING HEART POUNDING SCENES. And that last scene was so brilliant it was so vivid and beautiful and wife did i read lol.

Leith has come to Arrow to be a gladiator. While almost all gladiators will die, if he is able to win every challenge, he will become a Bloodguard and be able to save his family. When Leith is offered help from Maeve, an elven princess, the offer is too good to pass up, but he must agree to marry her once he becomes a Bloodguard. The future of Arrow is in peril following the assassination of the Queen and Maeve needs to marry to take the throne.

If you enjoyed Gladiator, House of Dragon and the Witcher, then you will probably love this book! The world building and political intrigue were fascinating, and I was so consumed by this book. This book is heartbreaking and brutal, but it is also so entertaining. I recommend this book if you are looking for a new high fantasy series and I am so excited for the next book.

What to expect:
♥️ High Fantasy
♥️ Gladiators
♥️ Magical Creatures
♥️ Political Intrigue
♥️ Romance Subplot

Thank you to Cecy Robson, Red Tower Books and Entangled Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, wow! What an amazing book, the further you go the better it gets! I am officially a fan.

I was pulled into this story and the characters of two worlds; the Kingdom of Arrow and the gladiator arena. The story begins with Leith of Grey being brought to fight in the gladiator arena. That alone got me hooked! The way the author described the ride, Leith's feelings and inner thoughts,... so gripping! When the fight begun, I was already a gonner!

In the aftermath we get to meet Maeve, an Elven princess, who's also a healer. Her wish is to take back her throne and liberate the people of Arrow. After taking care of the gladiator, she comes up with a perfect plan. All she needs is for the gladiator to survive, which is almost impossible in this brutal, uncaring and unforgiving world they find themselves in.

Their moments together were everything! I even cracked a laugh.

Bloodguard rocked my world! I'm such a fan of 'fighting to survive and showing them the middle finger'. This was perfection!

Gladiator fights, magical creatures, political schemes, and a semi-slow burn romance, what more could you ask for? Bloodguard is dual POV, but is mostly told from the MMC's POV which was a nice change in the Romantasy genre.

Leith, our MMC, has been fighting in the arena for years, with only a few more battles to win before he’s crowned Bloodguard, a title that would grant him his freedom and a chance to save his family. Maeve, our FMC, is an elven princess who desperately needs to get married before her fast-approaching birthday so she can secure her throne and take back the crown from her ruthless uncle and free her father, who’s been imprisoned by his brother.

Maeve chooses Leith as her future husband as the ultimate f**k you to her uncle. Maeve and Leith's partnership is full of high-stakes drama, with the perfect amount of tension. The world building, especially around the gladiator arena, is fantastic, and I loved the addition of other paranormal creatures within the world. This book gave me the same vibes as Jay Kristoff's Nevernight Chronicles, especially Godsgrave (Book 2). The writing is easy to follow and doesn't take itself too seriously, which added a layer of fun that I really appreciated when it came to the more gruesome arena scenes.

If you’re looking for an action-packed read with a romance subplot, then this one definitely needs to be on your TBR!

Rated 4.5 Stars

Bloodguard was brutal, action packed and gory. There was gore galore but man did I love this book. It was reminiscent of Gladiator in ways but it's very much a story all its own. It kept me rooted to my seat and fully invested from the get. I was all in with these characters and their story. I loved their resilience and will to keep fighting despite insurmountable odds. I loved watching them overcome. Their journey wasn't easy but well worth it. I can't wait to see what's next. This was truly an enjoyable story, emotional at times, sad yet beautiful. I highly recommend.

CECY WROTE THIS??? IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!! I knew this book is my most anticipated romantasy book of the year!! The characters are so refreshing and the plot pretty well made like a movie! The huge twist got me to continue for the next sequel! 4.5 stars!

Bloodguard is exactly what you’re looking for if you want a brutal gladiator arena, multiple types of paranormal characters, revenge and rage.

The story primarily follows Leith, who entered into the area hoping to gain his freedom and become a Bloodguard. He’s also doing it for his family including his sick sister. Leith trusts no one… and for good reason.. And yet you start to see him slowly letting people in. It’s really hard tell what anyone’s motivations are.

The arena is brutal and will have you holding your breath. Nothing is off the table when it comes to what the gladiators will encounter there.

This book is an absolute rollercoaster that you, like me, won’t be able to put down.

Thank you SO much to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own opinions.

I wanted so badly to love this. Perhaps in another headspace Ill be able to finish this but I got to 51% and I just...stopped and didnt pick it back up for a few weeks. Its just so slow and the royal drama was confusing to me. Maeve is a princess who definitely cares for her people and she must wed before a certain birthday to gain the throne. There's a lot of hands that are trying to prevent this. She's physically marred so finding a betrothed was difficult for her. Arriving to the gladiator games her betrothed has a scuffle with Leith our mmc and ends up a bit worse for wear. Maeve then decides she needs to marry Leith but for Leith to become a noble he has to reach the rank of Bloodguard. So begins their somewhat precarious relationship. I was expecting a more slow burn but unfortunately we jumped right into a lust fueled roller coaster and it just didnt do it for me. Leith was my favorite, he was a realist, everything he did he did for his family and he cared deeply for others. He was overly blunt and just how I imagine a dude's brain would function. I wanted less political info dumping and more intrigue and slower burn. I had a hard time keeping track of who the bad guys were but thats on me for being confused about who was in power and how they were related. The whole thing was just a miss for me. This will, however, make a lot of readers happy I suspect.

Gladiators versus magical beasts and beings…. Hell yeah!!! So much action. Would absolutely recommend To others.

Thanks so much to Red Tower Books for the ARC!

Friends. Red Tower totally kills in in the publishing industry with spectacular sprayed edges, enticing stories, and hilarious reels... and we all know FOURTH WING was the perfect first child and GOAT of romantasy publishing in the last year... but wheeeew BLOODGUARD is gonna get some GOOD attention!

This book is action-packed. Like unputdownable, constant "OMG! Wow! What?!" We have Leith, a gladiator volunteering to win money to save his dying sister and support his family, and Maeve, an elven royal in line to become Queen. Despite their differences, Maeve offers Leith a blood pact to marry if he can win the coveted title of Bloodguard as a gladiator, giving him freedom and position within the Kingdom of Arrow.

This book is such a good epic romantasy. I was totally engaged with the gladiator fights, romance storyline, found family, betrayal, kindgom politics, and magic system. It's written so that even though it's packed with detail, it's easy to follow and understand. There are some plot twists (that may make you want to throw the book against a wall), great revenge, and a good setup for a series. I absolutely adored this one and just had so much fun reading!

This book was everything I wanted to be and more. It is beautifully brutally masterful and so damn good. And if you need one line to make you pickup this book it’s this
“Make them bleed. Make them pay”

I want more live this book it’s my favorite book of the year