---

““What does anybody truly want in life? There is only one currency worth trading in. Control. Power. The farmers try to tame the earth, bend it to their will. The nobility bend the peasants, and in turn are bent to the will of the princes. All bow before the Nameless, and even they wrestle against the Deep Kings. And for what? So that they can tell the peasants how to wall their fields and grow their beans? We all desire to control the world around us. I am little different from your master.“”

What is the Book about?

Ryhalt Galharrow is captain of the Blackwing. They do the dirty work in the fight against demonic beings: bounty hunts, murders, intimidation, torture. Ryhalt didn’t choose this life, rather his bad luck drove him into these miserable living conditions. And he is good at what he does, even if he sometimes mourns his honour, which he has sacrificed to pragmatism. Then he meets his childhood love again and he knows that he wants to be a better person for her. But fate – and the gods – have other plans …

---

Rating
Plot ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★★☆
World Building ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★☆

Favourite Character
Ezabeth

My thoughts while reading it

There are many ambitious fantasy debuts, but rarely do they work as well as Ed McDonald’s Blackwing. It becomes clear very quickly that you’re holding something special here, as the story begins directly in what’s known as the Misery, a magic-infested area full of dangerous creatures. The world of Ryhalt is dark and brutal – true to the rule: eat or be eaten.

Here we find one of the most original world buildings I’ve ever read! Major appreciation to the author’s creativity. Here, epic fantasy meets horror and western. In the Misery, I feel like I’m in a vast but simultaneously empty steppe, where no one who values their life would willingly go. Permeated with ominous magic and creepy creatures, it feels like a horror western. And just when you think you might find refuge in the protected cities, think again, because evil awaits there too. This world is vast, filled with magic that only lightly reveals itself, making the atmosphere even more mysterious. Alongside the Deep Kings, who seek to conquer the world, there are the Nameless, powerful wizards completely inscrutable – and Lightspinsters like Ezabeth, who weave energy for their spells from the light of the moons. The complexity and paths of the characters in this world can be compared a bit to the world of “The Witcher” – but it’s much dirtier. Not only is the magic-ravaged “Misery” plagued by eerie and dangerous creatures, but followers of the Kings also roam the cities. The creatures, especially, captivated me here, and I hope we get to see more of them! I mean, wives who grow fatter the more men they gather around them? Bloody ravens that come to life from the tattoo on one’s body? It can hardly get creepier and more disgusting, which only adds to the original atmosphere of the book.

If you’re looking for a polished typical fantasy hero here, you’re in the wrong place! Above all, Galharrow is not a real hero, certainly not a breathtaking talent, which is very refreshing. He’s a good fighter, and the members of his mercenary band are important to him, but he’s also a heavy drinker and not infallible. His past, in which he fell out of favour with his family, still weighs on him, and committing himself to a life in the dirt as a Blackwing doesn’t make it any better. It’s precisely this aspect that makes the book even more exciting because until the end, you can only catch glimpses of his past. Who is this mysterious man? Hopefully, we’ll find out in the next book. Galharrow is a truly emotional character, even though he tries to hide it behind his superficial strength, which makes him even more of an anti-hero, something I love so much! Galharrow is the perfect main protagonist for me! Paired with his resulting black humor and drinking prowess, his companion Nenn can clearly keep up – she has lost much, including her nose, but she never gives up and isn’t afraid to give her friend a piece of her mind. Then there’s Tnota, essentially the group’s guide, who doesn’t fight but always knows the way. I would have liked to learn more about his crew, as his companions seem to be very interesting characters, but unfortunately, the development here wasn’t quite perfect. Finally, there’s the sorceress Ezabeth. Women like Ezabeth are my favourites. She’s so intelligent that it’s almost a flaw, and what’s better than intelligent women who really know their stuff. She often seems very crazy with her theories and her passion for science, which sometimes reminded me of Auri from The Name of the Wind, even though she’s actually quite different. Like Galharrow, she appears to be a strong personality, but beneath the surface, she’s also delicate and fragile. The two of them together make the perfect main characters for me, and I wish there were more like them. Ed McDonald, you really know how to write outstanding characters! Respect!

And not only do the surprises from Galharrow’s past reappear here, but also throughout the entire plot. Initially, the plot seems to focus rather narrowly on Galharrow and his crew, but it gradually becomes larger and more epic. At first, you don’t know where the book is headed, and so the book keeps expanding. Through the great interplay between Galharrow and Ezabeth, secrets are slowly revealed, and this suspenseful narrative style doesn’t allow you to put the book down. Just when you think you know what Nall’s Engine, a weapon with inhuman power, is all about, you find yourself questioning your own thoughts on the next page. And I can say that the ending had a fascinating plot twist that I didn’t expect! And it leaves some questions unanswered about what will happen next. So be sure to read the second book after finishing this one.

Ed McDonald’s world in “Blackwing” is dark, dirty, and brutal – not for the faint of heart. But if you enjoy grotesque, creepy stories set in an original world with a Western vibe, populated by such human characters, then this series should be a must-read for you!

Reading Recommendation? ✓
Favourite? ✓