The following review of Blood Ties appeared in the October issue of Aurealis Xpress:

This gentle road novel alternately follows the main characters, Ash and Bramble and other significant characters.

Bramble is one of the despised original folk of the Domains – a Traveller. Forced by a deadly confrontation to run for her life, she takes to the Road. Her travels challenge her sense of self and goodness and lead her along a tortuous road.

In ghost-haunted Turvite, Ash leaves the Road to begin an uncomfortable apprenticeship as a safeguarder – part strongman, part assassin. In Turvite Ash finds motivations are hidden behind layers of deception too thick for his naive ways.

Blood Ties has the feel of Ursula le Guin’s fantasy novels, where Taoist elements pervade the day-to-day lives of characters. The overall effect is of a novel driven by the stories of well-crafted, believable people, who face and react to life’s challenges without first thinking of running their opponent through with a sword. I felt myself drawn to the plight of all the characters, even the ostensibly ‘evil’ one whose desire for revenge warps his being.

If you are weary of sword battles with sorcerers and intrigued by dark motivations, this is a wonderfully satisfying series to read.

Review by Stuart Mayne

No Comments