Silver and Blood
Available At:
About
Most of the human population of Morstan lives in walled cities, though very few people know the real reason those walls were built. Stories tell of strange creatures like elves, vampires and shape-shifters, but to most people, these are only stories. Zania Corthinn, an ordinary girl from the city of Ocrisia, is about to find out the truth behind those stories -- and a few things about herself as well. “You’ll see many more things you never believed in, before you’ve been with us very long.”
Praise for this book
This is the first in a whole series about Zania Corthinn, and is set in the same 'verse as Time of the Wolf and Cherish the Fire, although not at the same time period. (Apparently, if I remember right it is set many centuries after those two books, despite the tech and society being much more primitive, which is intriguing. Maybe later books in the series will clear it up). It is as much a bildungsroman as a fantasy adventure, telling the story of Zania's development from (fairly) innocent tavern maid to ... well, let's just say her life gets a whole lot more interesting as she finds out who she really is and what she can really do. Like all Trina Talma's books it is a pacey page-turner with never a dull moment, and as ever some solid world-building. There is a vampire in it, but rest assured that a) he doesn't sparkle and b) he doesn't take over the story.
Excellent start to the series, which I am looking forward to reading more of; this book stuck in my mind for some while afterward!
Just finished "Silver and Blood" last night and am hungry for more! I've found myself a new fantasy author to follow. Kudos to Trina Talma!
Silver and Blood (the first book in a new series) introduces us to the character of Zania Corthinn as she begins her journey of self-discovery. It has an imaginative and good storyline that takes us thru the process of Zania's growth as a person, her education of who she is, and who her friends really are. Although the villain, Vongarom, is not as strongly developed as I would have liked and the fight scenes are missing the usual descriptive and teeth-rattling combat, it is well-written, and has enough suspense and surprise to keep me turning the pages to see what happens next. The introduction of the elf, Kahri, as Zania's partner in the forester band that eventually becomes her home is compelling. Kahri is an intriguing character, and one that I hope to see developed in the next book. I like a book in a series that can stand on its own, and yet leave open the possibility of more to come. I look forward to the release of the next book in the series, and give Silver and Blood four stars.
For many years, the fantasy genre has been overpopulated with Tolkien-clones and similar imitations, and only rarely does a truly original voice raise itself above their clamor. Trina L. Talma has one such voice. Her characters are believable, her plot surprising and her world-setting original and refreshing. If only more fantasy novels were as well-written and readable. As a new author, I look forward to her confidence growing in future books.
Inspired. Well written, brilliant storyline. I love the characters and am astonished at the world the author has created. A good book just in itself, but the sequels are just as worth reading, especially the last in the series, though a few of them are a bit short.
At first I thought, "Oh no. Not another vampire story!" But I was pleasantly surprised. The vampire element didn't consume the entire story. The author's writing is really quite engaging, so at times it was hard to put down. I will be looking for more by this author!