HBO reignited the dragon flame of fantasy once again, but you'll find no dragons here. This is the age of gunpowder. While you're waiting for the next season of House of the Dragon or GRRM to finish Winds of Winter, read Promise of Blood, written by Brian McClellan.
French Revolution + magic = Powder Mage
GRRM + Sanderson = Brian McClellan.
If magic existed during the French revolution, it might feel something like the Powder Mage series. When guns or muskets intrude upon my sword-slashing epic fantasy, I'm usually turned away, but not here. This series has everything I look for in epic fantasy -- awesome magic, political intrigue, rich worldbuilding, and characters you actually care about. It is must-read for all fantasy enthusiasts.
Let's dive into why Promise of Blood deserves a spot on your bookshelf.
Intrigue
Promise of Blood is set in a world where a revolutionary war hero stages a coup against a corrupt monarchy, disrupting the delicate balance of power. The narrative twists and turns through political turmoil, magical conflicts, and personal vendettas, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Awesome Magic System
McClellan's magic system is incredible. If you twinge at the idea of magic being explained to you, let me assure you that there is plenty of wonder and mystery left. To avoid spoilers, I'll keep it simple. The Knacked have a single unique superhuman or magical ability, like having perfect memory, not needing to sleep, or being a human lie detector. The Privileged are elite sorcerers who tap into magic with specialized gloves to produce powerful, destructive magic. The Powder Mages ingest gunpowder to fuel superhuman abilities, heighten their senses and endurance, or manipulate the explosive force of gunpowder. If anyone can kill a Privileged, it's a Powder Mage. There is so much more to the magic system than this, but I'll let you experience that on your own.
Complex Characters
The characters ultimately drive the series, whether its the enigmatic Field Marshal Tamas, the frontier hero and deadshot Taniel, the insightful spy/detective Adamat, or the powerful powder mage Vlora Flint, every character is multifaceted, flawed, and utterly human. Their diverse motivations and relationships make you care deeply about their fates as they navigate the murky waters of politics and war.
Action
McClellan finds a great balance between description and action, immersing you in the action. In fact, several action scenes are still vivid in my memory years later.
I hope this convinced you grab a copy today. If this gunpowder + magic awesomeness is your jam, you won't stop with the Powder Mage Trilogy. You'll want to devour the novellas and the sequel series, Gods of Blood and Power. But first, start with Promise of Blood and get ready for an epic reading experience!
See the book trailer (and more) HERE.
Damn. I think I'm going to have to read this again.
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