(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I was reasonably sure, from the blurb of this book, that this would be a book I’d enjoy reading… but I was somewhat surprised by how much I enjoyed it by the end. It had a lot of my favourite elements in a book, especially since I’ve been really interested in the Ancient World.
I really liked the main character in this book. I wasn’t sure I would at first, but I quickly grew to like him, especially given the relationships he formed with a lot of the other characters. (I love the whole bromance thing). I also really liked his relationship with his father, despite the fact it was strained for a lot of the book.
I felt that the characters in this book were really well-written and well-rounded. I particularly liked Justinius and his relationship with Alex. I would have liked to meet a few more individuals in the legion, but those I did meet, I liked… well, with at least one exception.
There was an interesting contrast in the two types of shifting. I found it interesting how the freedom contrasted so sharply with the bloodlust forced on them with the full moon.
I did really feel like I was back in Ancient Rome while I was reading this book. It was a much harsher time and I felt that came across really well through this book.
The camaraderie came across really well in this book and there was a lot I liked about it. Since I like it when a strong person humbles themselves for the sake of people they care about, there was a particular scene towards the end that I absolutely loved. And I could really believe in Alex’s loyalty and care about his men.
I would have liked a bit more detail about the history of some of the other characters, but what I did learn made me really like them. I found myself feeling really sorry for Brarn, too.
All in all, I really liked this book. It was light on the romance and heavy on the friendships between the characters. Although I noticed some errors in this book, they weren’t enough to detract from my enjoyment. I would definitely read a sequel to this book.
Ink of Blood 