Drawn Blades (A Fallen Blade Novel Book 5)

Legend says the gods made a key that could only be used once, and only to resurrect a god. There is nothing in the world that Aral Kingslayer wants to do more than stay out of the affairs of gods, dead or otherwise. Yet when a smoky version of Siri Mythkiller appears out of a hearth and places a wedding band of smoke upon his finger, that is what he signs up for. Aral owes Siri both duty and honor. Had she told Aral that she had need of him to do so, he would make war on Heaven itself. She could ask for his life and he would give it without thought.Accompanied by his Shade, Triss, and his apprentice, Faran, Aral travels to the Sylvani Empire. Siri had once been sent by Namara, the goddess of Justice, to send a myth (a.k.a. god) back into his tomb. The knife Namara had given Siri was left buried in the god’s chest, per protocol. But this buried god is known as the Smoldering Flame and the knife is slowly burning away. Soon the god will fully waken and he wants the key. But the worst news for Aral, and the only part he really cares about, is that Siri’s soul is still bound to the knife and the Smoldering Flames is steadily devouring her soul.***** FIVE STARS! Author Kelly McCullough has an eloquent writing style that conveys intense situations and feelings in such a way that they seem REAL. By that, I do not mean that he writes realistically; I mean that I could actually feel Aral’s sense of honor, among other things. Had Aral been a real person, writing up his recent experiences, what I felt as I read this story could not been made any more … well, REAL.Kelly McCullough’s debut novel blew me away. I recall telling my husband that this author was going to hit the big time. I now feel that the author has proved me correct. Mark my words, if there are any Hollywood producers out there with an ounce of taste, one of McCullough’s books or series will appear on television or the big screen one day. When that day comes, I will celebrate. If you think that I over exaggerate, read this series. *****Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews

This is the 2014 entry in his “Fallen Blades” series, and like the earlier ones it’s quite entertaining. In this one Siri, the former First Blade of Namara (and one-time lover of Aral’s) appears to him as a smoky figure who by gestures indicates he should touch his hand to her smoky one—and he ends up with a smoky wedding ring. And from there his ring leads him far to the south to the Sylvani Empire, via the underground haunts of the Darkuth, to serve with Siri one of the Buried Gods from millennia ago. Lots of adventures, and his old mentor Kelos turns up again while his apprentice Faran watches his back. Nothing much gets resolved in any permanent fashion, but at least all the main characters survive.

Lot's of action, intriguing story, good development of characters. I do have one problem though. Aral doesn't want to improve his skills. He has a nemesis, a friend and a so called apprentice who are all more skillful than him, yet he seems to accepts his status as 4th best Blade. At one point in the book (small Spoiler Alert), he says he will never be good in magic. Why so little confidence? His relationship with his apprentice is so frustrating to read because she is a much better fighter than he is even though he trained for years and she did not.The loads of action more than compensates for this small issue I have with Aral. I also wish the books were longer. Looking forward to "Darkened Blade"

Aral's best days might really be behind him now. Not because of events in the life of the character but because I feel like this series has peaked and started on a downhill course.Elven Dwarves, buried gods trying to rise once more and a hard bitten, grim-dark, elite warrior assassin trying to overcome his sad past and his bad habits. Stop me if you (haven't) heard this or something very similar before, as I badly want to know why you've only just now begun reading fantasy novels. While Aral's world still feels fairly unique, the characters and plot devices contrived to take us back once more become gradually less interesting, more contrived and more like typical, done-to-death fantasy with every iteration.Which is a pity. Because there is one heck of an interesting and fairly unique fantasy world here. There are important questions about just how free is too free, at what price the greater good, and whether small acts of righteousness can engender enough complacency to prevent the bigger acts the world really needs. And those questions are posed by one of the more interesting characters featured in these tales, a name I wont reveal here (but seriously, that dude needs his own first person series, like, stat).On the whole, though, Aral's recovering addict shtick has become less heartfelt and more whiny as time goes on. He's now that friend at parties who gets drunk and tries to convince everyone else that he has the most scars and has lived the hardest life, just for bragging rights. Every. Single. Saturday. The plots are more generic and less creative with every iteration, Aral's character development has all but ceased...I will try once more to enjoy this world - especially the first half of the novel, which in this volume is one of the weakest of the series to date - but something has to change before I could recommend other readers buy into this series and feel good about the recommendation.

I really liked this one. It's deliciously complicated in places, and the mission isn't the whole point of the story. Here McCullough gives us much more history of all sorts-- the gods, the First, Namara, The Son of Heaven, Siri, Kelos and his betrayals-- and it really deepens the reader's understanding of the world itself and the events and choices that have led up to the present. Aral is healing, too, and that's a very good thing, even if I still don't understand why he enjoys what he does so much... Fast, fun and informative.

Das Buch beginnt wie eigentlich jedes bisher erschienene der Fallen Blade Reihe. Aral sitzt in der Kneipe und prompt passiert irgendetwas, das die Geschichte mit wenigen Sätzen ins Rollen bringt. Dieses irgendetwas ist in diesem Fall Siri Mythkiller, ehemalige erste Klinge von Namara, die seine Hilfe benötigt.Wieso und weshalb wird erstmal nicht klar, da sie sich nur mit Hilfe von Rauch und mit rudimentären Gesten mit ihm verständigen kann. Aber weil Aral nunmal Aral ist und seine Ergebenheit Namara und dem ehemaligen Orden gegenüber nun schon zich mal durchgekaut und wiederholt wurde macht er sich natürlich sofort auf die Socken.Und schon geht's los. Da wird gegen scheinbar unsterbliche, tigerähnliche Wesen gekämpft, man wird geschrumpft und entdeckt völlig unbekannte Welten. Und Götter dürfen natürlich auch nicht fehlen. Also das ganze Paket.Der Schreibstil ist gewohnt hervorragend, Arals Konversationen mit Triss lesen sich flott und man hat nie das Gefühl, dass sich die Geschichte im "Leerlauf" befindet.Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat war, dass Faran diesmal wieder mit von der Partie ist und mit ihrer bissigen und anti-autoritären Art immer wieder für ein Grinsen seitens des Lesers sorgt. Man muss sie einfach gern haben.Ich muss jedoch sagen, dass ich das Ende ein wenig enttäuschend fand. Ist aber sicherlich eine sehr subjektive Angelegenheit und trübt den Gesamteindruck nicht wirklich. Ich warte jetzt schon sehnsüchtig auf den nächsten Teil.

Ausgezeichnete Buchreihe die ich jedem nur empfehlen kann!!!

Great read enjoyed it from start to finish