It’s not easy to write a long series. It’s even more difficult to write a long series that stays fresh over the course of nine novels. In Bloodline, Will Wight reveals his skill in crafting action packed stories with plenty of emphasis on his characters, all while ensuring the story, characters, and world remain fresh. When you finish reading this one, the only question in your mind will be how soon you can get the next entry in the series.

By the time a series grows to nine books, there are often books in the series that feel like they drag. That isn’t the case with the Cradle series. Each entry is as action packed as the last. I’ve also found, particularly since Underlord, that Will has focused more and more on the characters. We’ve seen seeds that were planted in the early novels pay off in big ways. That’s definitely the case in Bloodline, where Lindon comes full circle and returns to Sacred Valley. There are lots of reunions and each of them are satisfying with just a hint of unsatisfying, as we empathize with Lindon. Many of the threads in this novel implicitly drive home the old saying, “you can never go home.” Will does all of this while keeping the plot moving quickly and including plenty of his trademark action. Engaging fights and witty, hilarious banter are a staple of the Cradle novels. It isn’t surprising that Will has managed to include those elements. What is surprising is that he does so while giving readers deep character moments and plenty of growth. Added into this, we’ve been learning about the magic and the progression of this world for nine novels and somehow Will continues to offer readers more reveals, more fun elements, and even leaves us with a couple questions at the end. I can’t wait for the next Cradle novel, and not only because of the plot—which continues to be fun and engaging, but because of how these characters are growing. Nearly everything that Wight has done in this novel is impressive. The magic stays fresh and fun, the plot moves along without being entirely predictable, the world continues to grow and expand, and most importantly the characters haven’t stagnated.

I have few, if any, real criticisms of this one. The only things that keep this from being a perfect score for me are minor and all about my preferences for what deserves to be called a 10/10. The prose is what we might call workman’s prose. There is nothing wrong with it. It gets the job done and there are moments where it does more, particularly in dialog, but it isn’t going to be mistaken for poetic. Frankly, it doesn’t need to be. The style of story we’re enjoying in Bloodline doesn’t need flowery prose. There is also a sense in which the novel may hold the horror of the events it depicts at arms’ length. Again, this isn’t a problem, but I think by letting us feel the pain of the events a little more, by letting in just a bit more darkness, there would have been that much more emotional payoff to the novel. Again, it isn’t required. The novel is excellent as it stands, but those small tweaks—for me—would have taken it from wonderful to truly exceptional.

Bloodline is wonderful. It’s another stupendous entry in the Cradle series and, if you haven’t given these books a try yet, you really need to. This latest entry further solidifies the Cradle series’ position as one of my favorite fantasy series ever. Bloodline is among my favorite Cradle novels. Go read it.

9.5/10

4.75/5 stars.

5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing