Blood and Blade took me on a journey with Beobrand from Wessex to Din Eidin. He was meant to fetch the future wife of Oswald of Northumbria, but problems along the way diverted his journey to other places.
I took a little cool down period after reading Book 2. The way I left Book 2 still hurts but I also prefer to read book series back to back. By the third book, I realised that having a reading journal is extremely helpful to keep up with the storyline.
I realise my “book review” looks more like a summary of my reading because the posts I make about the book reviews include the notes from my reading journal. I’m trying a new format now and promise to utilise drop-down spoilers whenever necessary.
Contents
Overview
The book Blood and Blade was set in 635, two years after Beobrand arrived at Bebbanburg and became the famous Halfhand. Adjusting to his new life as a thegn with a land and people to manage, not to mention a new baby boy to raise, Beobrand was miles away from his status when he first came to Northumbria. He’s currently faced with a domestic dispute with a neighbour, the Mac Nathairs, who seemed to find ways to cause trouble.
My heart raced as I read about the unfortunate fate of one of my beloved characters at the hands of the Mac Nathairs. However, a glimmer of hope emerged when Father Aidan (later Bishop Aidan of Lindisfarne) and his entourage, on their way to Bebbanburg, arrived at Ubbanford. The monks, with their early version of medical treatment, managed to save the victims. In gratitude, Beobrand offered to escort Father Aidan to Bebbanburg, a gesture that would change the course of his journey.
When they arrived in Bebbanburg, King Oswald sent Beobrand on a mission southwards to the Kingdom of Wessex. A royal marriage was planned between King Oswald and the daughter of Cynegils of Wessex, Cyneburg. Beobrand was ordered to escort the future queen back to Northumbria, and he was given an entourage to accompany him on the journey.
Problems
Problems arose when a messenger came to Beobrand and told him about a potential problem brewing back in Northumbria. The messenger also relayed the news that Lady Fiona and her son, Talorcan, had been abducted from the castle and that Oswiu was currently in pursuit of retrieving the mother and son.
The news led to the decision to transport Cyneburg, the new Northumbrian queen, by land escorted by Beobrand, Acennan, and accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting, one of whom was Eadgyth, Acennan’s love interest. It wasn’t long before another abduction happened: Cyneburg and Eadgyth were gone from their lodge, taken by an unknown party who wounded Lady Osberga (Eadgyth’s aunt) and killed a member of Beobrand’s gesith.
This new problem was unlike the ones Beobrand faced before. This time, Beobrand must act accordingly to prove how just and merciful he could be as he discovered the truth behind the abduction. I must say, the solution Beobrand chose truly surprised me. But I admit that it’s probably the best temporary solution he could come up with, considering the situation they were in. The group travelled towards Edinburgh and made a pitstop at Ubbanford, where they found out the Torran mac Nathair had been wreaking havoc again. Here lies another problem.
Torran’s current victim is Bassus, who was shot by a poisonous arrow and suffered from the elf shot. Luckily, Bishop Aidan was there doing his weekly sermon to the Christians of Ubbanford. He was glad to offer his help in caring for Bassus. Considering how important Bassus is to him, Beobrand promised the Bishop that he would allow the building of a church in Ubbanford if the Bishop could heal Bassus from the gruesome fever. However, he also stressed to the Bishop that he was not planning to convert to Christianity but tolerated any Ubbanford residents who wanted to convert.
Every time a new problem arose, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and muttered, “Not again…” I thought this guy was unlucky as problems seemed to be attracted to him everywhere he went. But that’s what makes a good book, no? At this point, I think any problem arising in Beobrand’s life requires to be handled case by case. Moreover, some problems can stem from another. Reading through Blood and Blade, I feel there are too many loose ends for Beobrand. There’s Torran, Nelda the Witch, and Wybert. I quite agree with Acennan that the cunning Nelda should be dispatched immediately so she could no longer pose more problems for them.
Characters
Several side characters played their part in shaping this book. Some of them were fictional, and some were actual historical figures. Of course, we got Cyneburg (Kyneburg/Kyneburga), the Wessex princess about to marry Oswald of Northumbria. She was the daughter of Cynegils, also a real documented Wessex king, who ruled from 611 to 642.
Eadgyth’s character was assigned as the lady-in-waiting for Cyneburg and caught the attention of Acennan. That being said, Eadgyth’s character obviously will stay for a while. Wulfgar, the brother of Eadgyth, appeared first in Blood and Blade. Reading through his part of the story, I feel there will be more of him in the following books. I’d love it if he would join Beobrand someday.
King Oswald, though… I have no knowledge of how historians interpret him as a reigning king of Northumbria. Still, I feel he was appropriately portrayed as a king in this series. I still can’t decide if I like him or not. I know from history that he played a significant role in developing Northumbria as a kingdom.
A new character was introduced in the last part of Book 2 named Reaghan. Her status was officially a thrall in Beobrand’s household when he took over Ubbanford. In Blood and Blade, Reaghan’s role is elevated to Beobrand’s new lady, to the dismay of the people of Ubbanford, because she is still considered a thrall. Reaghan got her voice heard as she narrated several chapters in Blood and Blade, emphasising the psychological turmoil she has of being a thrall but also as the lover of the Lord of Ubbanford.
I can still breathe easily because some of my favourite characters from Beobrand’s army remained safe and sound. Bassus is still my favourite character. It was such good news that he finally joined Beobrand’s army, presenting a flip in destiny because Bassus was the one who trained Beobrand to become a warrior.
Verdict
Blood and Blade was so fast-paced. The journey to and from Wessex was exceptionally tiring and undulating with one problem after another. It was fun and adventurous, and I definitely want to continue with Book 4 in the series.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the journey from Wessex to Bebbanburg. It was filled with pebbles of trouble, but as I said, Beobrand did what he should and could, considering the situation they were in. I sense that Beobrand finally started to learn how to be a thegn, who has to be involved in the political turmoil of the day while also trying to stay true to himself and what he wanted in life.
Blood and Blade didn’t make me cry like The Cross and the Curse. I find this book rather heart-warming, although a little bit fast-paced. I feel like running and jumping from Wessex to Eoforwic to Din Eidin in a matter of minutes, even though it took them several weeks to complete the journey. A few chapters towards the end focused on the siege of Edinburgh. The real event happened in 638 and not in 635, as portrayed in the book. Matthew Harffy mentioned that he had to shift the timeline a few years forward to align with the storyline he planned for Beobrand.
Some of the problems arising in the middle chapters were solved or kinda sorta solved. I mentioned about the loose ends Beobrand has to take care of, and I long for the day when these loose ends are finally cut. Particularly, I would like to read about Nelda’s demise very soon, if possible. I’m glad that Blood and Blade did not present any cliffhanger, at least from my point of view. Reaghan narrated the last chapter, revealing some updates from Ubbanford while Beobrand was out of the area. I thought it was a nice touch to cement her position in the story and the life of Beobrand.
Blood and Blade was so fast-paced. The journey to and from Wessex was exceptionally tiring and undulating with one problem after another. When I thought it had ended, the chapter about the siege of Edinburgh came, which was equally exhausting as if I were there in the battle. I might have taken several short breaths here and there as I was turning the pages. But it was fun and adventurous. I definitely want to continue with Book 4 in the series, which will be my next book review.
Have you read this book? Do you like it? Connect with me and share your thoughts about it.
