Blood of the Seer {blog tour + book review}

Binge reads - how do we feel about them?  Personally, it depends on the series.  For this one, though, I can't recommend it highly enough.

That's right, my friends, it's time for another blog tour, and this is one I've been very much looking forward to!  I've had my eye on the first book for awhile, even purchasing it last time I had Kindle credit, and with the release of the second book (which is available everywhere now, yay!!), it was finally time to actually read it.  And boy, am I glad I did.  

This might turn into a review of both books... sorry not sorry. xD 

Blood of the Seer (and also, kind of, Oath of the Outcast) 

Author: C.M. Banschbach 

Genre: Fantasy adventure

Content: Lots of violence, some "he cursed" and a few other mild profanities, and one creepy-as-heck cult of evil dudes.

Main Characters: Rhys MacDuffy, Sean MacDuffy

Synopsis (Spoilers for book 1!) : 

A blood curse.
A shadow world.
An indomitable evil.
A forgotten bond.
Banished for a crime he didn’t commit, Rhys MacDuffy risked his life to rescue the little brother he no longer could claim as his own. Sean, the Seer of Clan MacDuffy, returns from his ordeal to war between the Clans and Lord Adam Barkley. Moreover, the Clan Lords refuse to lift the exile on Rhys. No outcast has ever been forgiven.
But the druids who held Sean captive have taken the key to controlling his powers—his blood. Rhys determines to keep his brother safe no matter the cost. Heedless of the war, he leads his rowdy band of Mountain Brigands on a hunt to destroy the druids before they destroy Sean with their dark magic.
The druids force Sean into a shadow world full of demons and danger, where their menacing god Deronis can consume him. Yet Rhys is able to follow Sean into the other world. There they discover an older magic that might be the key to stopping the druids.
The bond of brotherhood between Rhys and Sean runs deep. But is it strong enough to stand against the druid’s blood god?

Add Oath of the Outcast on Goodreads ~ Purchase Oath of the Outcast on Amazon

Add Blood of the Seer on Goodreads ~ Purchase Blood of the Seer on Amazon

What I Thought: 

How do I fangirl enough to get you to read these books but make it a somewhat coherent review? 

Like I said, I've had my eye on these for awhile now, but I really didn't know what I was walking into.  I have this habit of just... not reading the synopsis for books, especially ones I'm excited for.  Like, I'll glance at them to determine whether or not it intrigues me, but by the time I actually read them, I've probably forgotten at least 90% of what the blurb says.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it does make for a wild ride once I'm in.  In the case of these books, I had one expectation: I thought there would be dragons.  Alas, there are no dragons to be found within its pages.  But what I did find was a story so powerful it almost made up for it.  (Do I still think it could have been improved by dragons?  ... probably, but what story can't be, honestly?) 

This is a story of redemption.  A story of brotherhood.  A story of forgiving yourself.  And also a story about stopping a war before it starts, and epic fight scenes, and a lot of other really great stuff that I'm not going to spoil. 

I was invested in Rhys's story from the beginning of book 1, and seeing his arc come to a conclusion here was so perfect that it made me cry.  Which was unexpected, but not unwelcome.  It's part of why I can't recommend a binge-read of these enough.  Since book 2 picks up right where book 1 leaves off (thank goodness), it was nice to read it as a continuous story, and made the ending even sweeter.  The faith content?  Is so good?

The relationships between the leads was everything and I don't know how to stress that enough.  I'm very much a character-driven writer - make me fall in love with your characters and you've probably sold me on the whole book.  And these ones were great.  Relationships I loved: Rhys and his Cairns (the band of outlaws who are loyal to him and each other and no one else), Rhys and Alan (his ex-best friend), Rhys and Sean (I love them so much ;-; ), basically between Rhys and anyone he let into his circle.  I love a big angry man who has a secret soft spot for certain people.  What can I say? 

This is just a good old fashioned adventure story that was everything I didn't know I wanted.  If you're a fan of Tricia Mingerink's Blades of Acktar series, you're going to love these.  They gave me a very similar vibe. 

Honestly at this point I'm sad it's over.  I never want to leave.  Oh well.  I guess I'll just have to re-read them in the not-too-distant future.

Overall Rating: 5 swords out of 5

About the Author: 

C.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.

Connect with Claire: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Thanks again to Uncommon Universes Press and the author for letting me participate in this awesome blog tour!  Mine isn't the only post you should check out - you can find the whole list at this link right here! 

Have you read these books?  Are you planning to now?  Let me know in a comment! 

~ Abigail