This is the 2nd Ultimate Blog Tour that is being put on by TheWriteReads and friends on twitter. This time around it will be focusing on the works of author Ben Galley! He currently has four different series that will be showcased throughout this blog tour that is running from June 24th to July 1st. I had chosen to do a chapter exploration of Bloodrush by Ben Galley, in which I have done a deep break down of the first chapter and share my thoughts on my impression and overall opinion. Make sure to check out TheWriteReads during these dates to see others share their reviews, interviews and everything Ben Galley !
Synopsis
“Magick ain’t pretty, it ain’t stars and sparkles. Magick is dirty. It’s rough. Raw. It’s blood and guts and vomit. You hear me?”
When Prime Lord Hark is found in a pool of his own blood on the steps of his halls, Tonmerion Hark finds his world not only turned upside down, but inside out. His father’s last will and testament forces him west across the Iron Ocean, to the very brink of the Endless Land and all civilisation. They call it Wyoming.
This is a story of murder and family.
In the dusty frontier town of Fell Falls, there is no silverware, no servants, no plush velvet nor towering spires. Only dust, danger, and the railway. Tonmerion has only one friend to help him escape the torturous heat and unravel his father’s murder. A faerie named Rhin. A twelve-inch tall outcast of his own kind.
This is a story of blood and magick.
But there are darker things at work in Fell Falls, and not just the railwraiths or the savages. Secrets lurk in Tonmerion’s bloodline. Secrets that will redefine this young Hark.
This is a story of the edge of the world.
Let me preface this with, this book sounds super interesting and I am really intrigued by the concept this book Bloodrush by Ben Galley, a wild west fantasy.
I did a deep exploration of the chapter, breaking down different parts and analyzing my thoughts. So many times when I am at the bookstore, besides the synopsis on the back of the book, I usually skim the first chapter to gauge interest. Being around the book community for so long and love watching booktube sometimes you start to become very swayed towards picking up hyped books, even if it might not be what you are interested in. So chapter explorations are my way of trying to find hidden gems and new favorites.
Also I have quite a thing for first lines in books and really think they can say a lot about a book, especially when reading the first line after finishing a book.
First Line
” There are many places in this world where we humans are not welcome.”
Plot/Story
Paranormal vibes with almost a alternate historical take
The story is being set and letting you into small details to set you up for what is to come in the rest of the book.
There was more I wanted from the first chapter though. At times it felt rushed. It introduced the aspect of fae, but just glazed over it.
About to be traveling from London to the Wild West of America
Characters
Tonmerion– 13 yrs old.
Lives in London
Dad just died.
A little pretentious and talks/acts much older than he actually is
Rhin– Fae
lavender eyes, dragonfly wings, armour
Tonmerion’s friend for the past 4 years (voice of reason)
Writing
Starts with a Prelude-
The Prelude really starts to paint the picture of the scene. Sometimes preludes/prolongs can be absolutely pointless, but I believe this one served its purpose and caught my eye for continuing onto the first chapter.
It has a very story telling vibe that I am digging. I really like that in fantasy as it adds an whimsical and fantastical feeling that you can get lost in.
It gets a little monotonous and heavy with the descriptions. I am all about a good lengthy sentence that add the deliciousness of a robust experience, creating that feeling of being within the story. Speaking to all of your senses letting you see/feel and smell what the characters are at the time. But the problem this some times develops is it drags the story on and over saturates the overall story.
At times I felt like the author was trying to hard adding a ton of big ticket words, especially when the main character is 13.
One thing I had a huge problem with and really bothered me (It probably seems petty and dumb) was that the main characters name is Tonmerion and then all of a sudden with no transition he starts to be referred to as Merion.
Ben Galley is an author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Victoria, Canada. Since publishing his debut The Written in 2010, Ben has released a range of award-winning fantasy novels, including the weird western Bloodrush and the epic standalone The Heart of Stone. He is also the author of the brand new Chasing Graves Trilogy.
9 comments
Love the idea of exploring the first chapter. Great post x