I’m a huge fan of adult fantasy, and when I read barbarian, and warrior-queen in a blurb I’m hooked. On top of the author being a seasoned author, and someone that has had much success with Steampunk I just had to read this new novel of hers.

A Heart of Blood and Ashes – Milla Vane

A Heart of Blood and Ashes (A Gathering of Dragons #1) by Milla Vane

A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil—until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.
Though forbidden by the alliance council to kill the corrupt king responsible for his parents’ murders, Maddek vows to avenge them, even if it costs him the Parsathean crown. But when he learns it was the king’s daughter who lured his parents to their deaths, the barbarian warrior is determined to make her pay.
Yet the woman Maddek captures is not what he expected. Though the last in a line of legendary warrior-queens, Yvenne is small and weak, and the sharpest weapons she wields are her mind and her tongue. Even more surprising is the marriage she proposes to unite them in their goals and to claim their thrones—because her desire for vengeance against her father burns even hotter than his own…

ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

My thoughts

A Heart of Blood and Ashes – Milla Vane

I read this book in two days and I can see the potential for an amazing series. But it’s not without some issues.

It’s clear that this is not the work of a debut author. The plot was well thought through, and the world had everything that makes fantasy fascinating. From the the different races to territories, from gods to beasts. The descriptions were well done, and it was easy to envision it all. Most importantly I loved the group Maddek and Yvenne were traveling with. The friendships between the individuals characters were heartwarming. And I can see many more future stories set in this world.

I also really enjoyed Maddek and Yvenne’s relationship. Especially when they talked strategy or learned from each other – it was enthralling. And I thought that particular aspect was very well done, it’s seldom to see a couple make such a strong team. Yvenne was such a feisty, determined, smart, cunning and ballsy heroine. I was absolutely enamored with her. And Maddek was the perfect hero for her. Strong, with a kind heard, but smart to heed signs, and follow his gut when needed. His personal growth was tangible, and gave me hope. Both learned from each other, and accepted their short comings in certain areas. I really liked that.

Nevertheless

there were still times I got frustrated with both of them. Also I felt that some issues throughout the book were rinsed and repeated – either in thoughts or rehashed dialogues. The plot, and especially Maddek and Yvenne recycled some issues so often I got tired of it and found myself skipping paragraphs.

And even though I finished this book within two days, and I was invested in the characters and the outcome of the story, I felt the story dragged at times. And it could have benefitted of less thinking and more doing. The action was missing, and the inner monologues could have been cut in half.

Also, despite the fact that I rejoiced how quickly some of their enemies were dispensed with, the truth is that the balance was off. Most of the book, 80% of it, was them traveling across the continent. There was rarely any action. And when the fighting commenced it was done way too quickly.

Nevertheless I really enjoyed their story, and would love to see Maddek and Yvenne have another book, it didn’t feel like their story was done being told.