Khraen continues his journey into his past… He woke up in book one with no idea of his past and little to go on besides the pull of the pieces of his heart. And with each piece of obsidian he finds memories start flowing back. Khraen has a few safe places he can go, but the power of his heart is too much to ignore and he sets off with the compass pointing South… across the ocean and towards islands that hold dark secrets and wild abominations.
It takes a little while for Khraen and Henka to get on the road, but once they set sail you’ll meet several new characters… with Fletcher’s imagination reaching new heights. The crew will travel to a place that will test their resolve and push them beyond the rational, the sane, and the natural. Cobbled together from pieces of animal and human alike, the defenders of the isles are an attack on all the senses. Will Khraen be able to find their masters, his heart, and his past?
The second book in The Obsidian Path series launches Khraen’s on the southern part of his seasch, but also adds some elements that weren’t as prevalent in the first novel. There’s a very interesting flow to She Dreams in Blood as it jumps between gory action, glimpses of humanity, and Khraen’s introspection.
Yes, Fletcher will test your limits of gore and horror with all sorts being from the pits. Franken-gorillas, and bloody dismemberment… Be ready!
But, there’s also times when new ‘guide’ Bren is able to share his story and connect with Khraen and Henka… Fletcher gives a couple chapters over to Bren to let him tell a bit of his story. I liked this device which easily added good depth to his character.
Khraen’s introspection is the part of the novel that slowed me down… He discusses his desires, his connection to Henka, and his filtered past. Unfortunately, this became repetitive and I lost the plot a couple times in the midst of it.
She Dreams in Blood moves forward many of the viseral themes Fletcher introduced in book one, but uses some characterization that I felt inhibited other parts of the storytelling.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author for a copy for review.
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