The Sorcerers' Plague

I loved the Winds of the Forelands series so I had to give this series a shot. So far this does not have the action or twists of Winds but the characters are so well developed and I feel as if the story ended in book one just as the plot is about to boil. I'm guessing that we are in for some surprises in The Horseman's Gambit and I am really looking forward to the release of book two. I would rate this at 4.25 stars out of 5.

A continuation of the Weaver War series, I found the book to quite readable and enjoyable. David B. has the ability to tell a good story that your mind has no trouble at all creating the world in which you enter. You can trust your main characters to have a consistent set of values and behave accordingly. I mainly read to be entertained and this book was entertaining.

"The Sorcerers' Plague" begins the "Blood of the Southlands" saga after the "Winds of the Forelands" five-part series. Other than Grinsa and Cresenne, all new characters give a solid beginning to a tale including two new cultures involving both the Eandi and Qirsi races. The character development and environmental description are well-written including the introduction of a menacing plot against a Qirsi culture. A creatively clever plague begins attacking the Y'Qatt, a Qirsi society that does not believe in using magic at any time. Conversely, the Mettai are an Eandi race using blood magic, crafting powerful magic by mixing their blood with earth. Besh and Lici sufficiently illustrate the Mettai abilities but the Y'Qatt's do not receive much development outside of the vicious plague contact. At this point in the series do not expect any significant political maneuvering but building the series foundation. Lord Tavis Curgh from the original series is mentioned in passing. The list of characters at the end should better reflect the characters and their standing. I recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre. Thank you.

This first installment of the "Blood of the Southlands" trilogy takes Grinsa and his new family from the "Winds of The Forelands" series and plugs them into a new adventure in a new continent, with different tensions, different customs, and different peoples than they have ever encountered. Although Grinsa and family act as a bridge to the previous series, the real meat of this novel involves a people known as the Mettai, who wield "Blood Magic" which is entirely new to this series. Both the (occasionally petty) hero and the (occasionally sympathetic) villain in this book are from among the Mettai, a group shunned by both the stout, long-lived Eandi, and the more physically frail, magic-wielding Qirsi. They are also both elderly, an uncommon twist for main characters in the "Sword-and-Sorcery" world. Even though the author makes sure to develop multiple motivations and complex relationships with his characters, as he has in his previous work, this book seems to cruise along at a brisker pace than the "Forelands", never leaving the reader feeling "bogged down" with detail about the character's environment or attributes. It seems that with this book, Coe has learned to do more with less, freeing the reader's mind to race along with the story as it unfolds. Having read this book after "Winds of the Forelands", I can't say how well this novel would hold up as the beginning of a standalone trilogy. Readers of Coe's previous "quintrogy" will have a deeper understanding of the novelty of the Southlands, and a greater sympathy for Grinsa as he becomes embroiled in yet another unwanted adventure. But, from experience, I can say that if you enjoyed the preceding series, you are sure to love this new book.

The Sorcerers' Plague: Book One of Blood of the Southlands is a great new novel that continues the wonderful storytelling that David Coe started in the Winds of the Forelands series. Continuing with great characterization, wonderful plot and a new intriguing world Mr. Coe sets his bar one higher and may have written his best book yet in my opinion. Grinsa, Cresenne and their daughter, Bryntelle, characters from the first series arrive looking for a new home in the Southlands trying to understand this strange land and even stranger customs and prejudices even from others of their own race. Lici, an old Mettai woman plagued by a past of death and tragedy, seeks revenge on the ones she feels responsible for her loss. Besh, a villager from the same village that Lici has lived for many years, looking into the mystery that is Lici, Besh discovers some interesting facts about her past and goes out try try to stop her and find answers before its too late. Old characters and new, Mr Coe gives them depth and personality in his writing. With a fresh new story and series that will make his fans wanting more. I can not wait until the second book in this series comes out. I highly recommend this book to any fantasy reader.