Friday, March 28, 2025

Review: Bloodguard

 


Title: Bloodguard 

Series: Old Erth 

Author: Cecy Robson 

Release Date: October 2024



One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise…


Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie.


Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose.


He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity.


All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day.


Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom.


But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap.


Nor will his ultimate revenge…


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Leith of Grey came to Arrow, volunteering to become a gladiator, fighting in the vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments in the hopes of earning enough gold to help save his dying sister. But they took everything from him instead - his hope, freedom, humanity. 

Until he met Meave - who is an elven royal & everything he despises. Everything he should be hate until she offers him something he needs the most. A chance at winning the title Bloodguard & his freedom. 


So, I picked up this book solely bc of the title, cover & sprayed pages. As with most books, I knew nothing about it before going in. And being in a reading slump for weeks, and picking up and putting down multiple books, I didn't have high hopes for it at first. But it pleasantly surprised me. It has action, marriage of convenience, mythical creatures, political intrigue and touch her & 💀 vibes. 

I loved how grumpy Lieth was & the back & forth between Lieth & Maeve in the beginning. I enjoyed the gladiator battles Lieth had to face as well, along with the world in which they are in & the creatures within it. 

But some of the scene transitions were a bit clunky, along with some of the intimate scenes between the characters as well. They were both a little lacking in the communication department as well (I mean, I get him not trusting her in the beginning. But there was other instances too). 

Overall, while this wasn't a favorite of mine, I did enjoy it and it helped pull me out of my reading slump. 

If a gladiator romance sounds intriguing then I recommend picking up this book. 

3.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

2🌶️ out of 5 🌶️.


Trigger Warnings: 

- blood/gore 

- injury detail 

- violence 

- murder/death 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR 


Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author who has published with Penguin, Random House, and Entangled Publishing.


As an immigrant of El Salvador with proud Nahua Pipil indigenous heritage, Cecy has worked as a registered nurse for twenty-three years and is honored to have received multiple accolades for her writing. In her free time, Cecy creates magical worlds, heart-stopping romance, and young adult adventure. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and are featured in CHAPTERS Interactive Story app., as well as HOOKED where Cecy writes as Rosalina San Tiago.


You can find Cecy laughing, crying, and cheering on her characters as she pens her next story.


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