Book Review: Bloodmaiden

Author: Christine E. Schulze
Title: Bloodmaiden
Publisher: Old Line Publishing
Publish Date: May 12, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions & the author
Book Blurb: Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan... If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

Review: For me, Bloodmaiden wasn't the easiest of reads. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy, but I loved the plot and wanted to try this one out.

Like I said, it wasn't the easiest of reads, but I really enjoyed the story. The secondary characters, like Pan seemed to carry the story which was told in the first person, by Crislin the Quelda. The writing was beautiful and descriptive.

The first chapters dealt with Crislin becoming the next Quelda and all that it entailed, which isn't pleasent. The dragons of Tynan aren't kind, and what happens to the Quelda is far from pretty. I would have liked to have learned what made these dragons turn bad. As you meet the other dragons as they travel to get the Arias, you see that they have very different personalities.

Bloodmaiden is YA but it is definitely a book that transcends age. I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy reading fantasy.

Rating: 3 Stars