Book Review: Blood of Vengeance

for a fabulous read!

'Live to fight another day.'


NOTE: This novel can can be downloaded for FREE here
Bookfunnel download link provided by the author


'He walked the crimson-stained sands around the circular ring and looked past the twenty-foot stone walls that surrounded him and raised his bloody hands to the crowd.'
Meet Killer, the Beast of Vendragon.
A slave, whose blade is forced by the hand of his master, the Prince of Vendragon.

Collared, beaten, chained like a dog and forced to kill for entertainment, Killer is the Prince's bloodthirsty champion. Or so it may seem. Because the man under the spiked great helm covering his face and keeping his identity a secret, may not be quite the Beast he is supposed to represent.
Killien had been stolen from the streets and condemned to battle as a gladiator, despite the fact that he was a born mage. Or perhaps because of it, since his training involved the use of magic in the arena too, and provided just the touch of advantage Killer needed to best the impossible challenges his ruthless master set. Now Killien is both: Killer in the arena and Bait on the training grounds.

He had endured a tormented life, full of pain, suffering and abuse, for the sake of his family whom the prince has been threatening to hurt. But there's only so much a man can take and Killien soon finds himself faced with a challenge he has no hope of defeating. Not only because he must take part in the first gladiatorial magic battle in history, but also because he may not have anything left to even try.

Fast paced and full of action, Blood of Vengeance is one of those tales that will grab you from the very first page and keep you reading. Savage battles both in the pits and the arena are delightfully gory and fabulously described. The characters are beautifully fleshed out and the setting seems plucked straight from a badass gladiator movie. Vividly described and downright real-seeming. But the highlight of the story for me were the emotions. Because this author effortlessly and flawlessly describes them. The insight into Killian's mind, as well as the coping mechanism of men condemned to a nightmarish existence of slavery and pain.

From the truth behind the entertaining gladiator fights:

'Being in the arena, it's an unquenchable thrill. A drug that feeds on blood, rage chaos, and the brutal death of others. It gives them something to look forward to, a way to escape their pathetic miserable lives.'

to a gladiator's bottled up feelings while faced with yet another injustice:

'Killian kept his head down. His expression revealed nothing of the fury that churned inside him, bubbling and frothing like a cauldron about to boil over.'

From coping mechanisms:

'the pain served as a distraction, a way to subdue the rage that darkened his thoughts.'

to the despair of a man at the end of his line:

'How could one man endure as much torment as Killien's short life had brought him? .... How much longer must I live this nightmare.'

From the exhaustion in that particular moment when you don't even know if you want to even keep trying anymore:
'I don't think I have anything left.
Try. You have to try.'

To that hard determination brought by despair:

'You can lie down if you want. I'm going to my grave kicking and screaming.'

Feeling and emotion leap from the pages.

Blood, death, magic and steel, a badass MC to absolutely root for and a gripping fast-paced tale that is guaranteed to make you feel. Angel Haze delivers on all counts. And I am eagerly waiting for the sequel.


Check out this book and more of Angel Haze over at http://www.angelhaze.com/