My favourite books are those that can miraculously catch and keep your interest despite the slump. I’m proud (and extremely relieved) to share that Bloodguard is one of those books. It takes a lot for a book to be a slump-killer, from immersive storytelling, heart-moving characters, brutal pacing to a tightly knit plot; and Bloodguard has all of those.

Dual perspective story-telling has become an extremely popular style of writing and while it has never been my favourite, I’m starting to see and appreciate the  many merits to it. I enjoy understanding the purpose of the choices an author makes in their book—be it a scene placement, writing style or character death— and the more coherent the reason for these choices, the better my experience. Throughout her book, Cecy Robson has made many such choices that eventually layer to form an impressive tapestry that validates the presence and importance of every single detail that is featured in it. Alternating perspectives between the main characters is one such detail that provides great meaning to the readers, helping us connect to them, perceive the stark differences in their lives, understand their flaws and root for their beliefs. I was immediately enamoured by both the MCs in Bloodguard from the moment their voices were revealed.

The worldbuilding in Bloodguard, in my opinion happens on every page and is hidden within every moment. Robson has truly used every tool in her skill set to create a cumulatively comprehensive structure to explain the rules of her world, the lives of its people, the politics and state of the Kingdom and then she has expertly tied them all together in a way that connects all the dots and lights up your reader mind in shock and awe. Every reader, including me, enjoys a well plotted story with foreshadowing, emotions and plot twists and every page of Bloodguard is evidence that Robson has created and executed exactly that.

The pace of Bloodguard was extremely even. I found myself making surprising headway, despite my slump, until about 70% of the book. Once we cross the 70% mark, the book flies. The stakes propel to monumental heights, the story starts to come together in a way you do not expect, there are tears, betrayal and drama and an overwhelming sense of helplessness that overtakes you as you wonder how Robson is going to possibly be able to resolve these plot knots. However, there’s not a moment to think, to pause or to suspect as Robson ties your eyes, hands and heart to her words and submerges you in the experience so exhilarating, painful and beautiful that you wonder—despite being an avid reader—how words on a paper can render an experience as vivid as this was.

The true heart of Bloodguard lies rooted in its characters. Yes, the perspective only alternatives between the two MCs, but there are so many wonderful secondary and tertiary characters that are such an important part of this book. Outside of the fact that well written secondary and tertiary characters add a lot of personality to any story and reinforce the readers’ understanding of the world, it makes so much sense to have them in a book focused on three different aspects of the world—a flourishing Kingdom, its determined Princess and a Gladiator from a small village. Robson has clearly taken all this into account as she plunges us deep into the lives of the common people, the Nobles, the voiceless and the loud. I enjoyed the politics, emotions and presence of all these characters and was genuinely surprised with how well the author had fleshed out all the characters, even while ensuring they were more than just plot devices. While found family might not be one of the tropes that this book describes itself to have, I would personally add that to it. The sense of togetherness that comes from some of the scenes is so profound and I hold those moments close to my heart.

The plot in Bloodguard has a great way of distracting you from its true intentions. It holds your hand, walks you to the garden, shows you the flowers and it’s thorns and you watch mesmerised until you see a flash of light and look up and find the shooting star that was the actual event you were meant to witness. Then, when the shooting star casts its light over the whole story, revealing it for what it really is, you are left reeling. You won’t see it coming and the thing is you don’t have to. Robson has done all the heavy lifting, so that the reader can sit back and enjoy.

The final, but most crucial part of Bloodguard that drenches every single one of its pages is the writing. Robson had my heart from the very start with her words and while Bloodguard is not without its faults, the writing and narration of the story is done with so much of emotion, it truly felt like the author has poured herself into the pages of her romantasy. Robson’s style was gripping, heart wrenching, hopeful and powerful and carried Bloodguard all the way through. Even the animals in the book stir our sentiments and ignite our spirits and if that’s not good writing, what else is it?

However, I will also agree that there are some aspects of Bloodguard that are less developed than the rest. The romance, as sweet and lovely as it is, has more of an enemies to lovers set-up and not the actual trope, as there’s somewhat of an insta-connection that develops swiftly over the course of the book. There was also one or two other aspects that had a great effect towards the end because of the writing but was not built as well and come as a surprise both in a way that it was meant to and in a way it was not.

But there’s just something about Bloodguard that makes you look past all this and see the soul of the book; which is that it’s an entertaining, immersive, emotional tale of two unlikely people meeting and their worlds colliding in an explosion of colour, pain, healing and change. 

Bloodguard was a solid 9 out of 10 read for me. I absolutely cannot wait for you to dive into this emotional adventure! Please check content warnings before reading this book, there are themes in it that can be triggering for some.

Bloodguard is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Bloodguard? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

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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Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Cecy Robson’s Bloodguard, which is out October 22nd 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…

Chapter 4
Maeve

I can’t believe this.

My leather slippers slap against the cool marble hallway that leads out of the arena with every furious step I take away from that horrible place and over to an alcove in the tunnel. This is the first time I’ve been to the coliseum in years, and I only came today for the formality of announcing the wedding banns. It was supposed to be easy—show up, allow the royal courts to see me and my betrothed together, say a few words to honor my grandmother’s memory, and leave.

Preferably with our damn heads still attached.

Filip, bless his heart, couldn’t even manage that.

Did I want to marry an egotistical, entitled oaf who had no qualms about telling me to “keep my neck covered”? No.

But I’m the daughter of “the Queen Killer.” In the wake of my father’s purported crimes, I’ve become a political pariah. While Filip wasn’t the brightest torch in the cave, he was the only marriageable person from one of the five noble houses who was willing to overlook my father’s imprisonment and my scars—and, more importantly, he wasn’t afraid of Soro.

So, I’d made a bargain.

“Leave ruling the kingdom to me, and I’ll leave the whoring to you,” I’d said. And Filip—again, bless his heart—was fine with it.

We were days from marrying.

I should have focused on that when I was in the arena. The future. My imprisoned father. My brokenhearted second father. Instead, my mind—and eyes—had wandered to that gladiator. Menace cloaked him as though the arena had taken everything from him but his pride. And his rage.

He’s young. No more than four or five years my senior—which means he likely volunteered for the arena at twenty-two, the minimum age of eligibility. It makes sense, given how embittered he seemed.

I could have kicked myself when Soro and Filip caught me gawking. Filip was already overly sensitive about our engagement—especially with Soro waiting in the wings, eager to marry me himself. So off Filip went into the arena…and off went his head across the sand.

My stomach twists as I pace and wait. I demanded to speak to High Lord Vitor, but my demands aren’t always met, princess or not.

The crowd’s excitement builds loud enough to echo against the stone walls.

“Where are you going, Maeve?” a singsong voice asks from behind me, then laughs.

I mask my expression as I turn.

Aisling, a heartless mage I’ve known since childhood, with lavender hair and eyes but no kind soul to match, must have followed me out of the arena.

Aisling huffs. “You really should take more care with your attire,” she says, waving an irritated hand. She saunters closer, like a red weaver spider ready to pluck a juicy beetle from her web. “A hat and veil could be particularly fashionable, and maybe you could actually pull it off.”

My grip on my cloak loosens. This is not the moment to try me.

Aisling, of course, does. “Honestly, Maeve, this is your first time in the arena in ages. Come—join Soro and me back in the stands, place a few bets, try talking to our peers.”

I couldn’t care less if that court of jesters ever speaks to me again. But to say “Soro and me”? Is she mad? Claiming Soro is like claiming a tiger. Yes, he’ll allow a stroke or two, but he will ultimately feast on your insides.

“I won’t support these games, Aisling. When I’m queen, by the phoenix, I’ll put an end to these horrors.”

“When you’re queen?” Aisling laughs. “You’ll never be queen without another noble for a fiancé.” The way she eases forward is more like a slither. “Maybe you should have thought of that before lusting after that young gladiator for all to see.” Her brows slash downward. “You know, the one who turned your last chance at the throne into an embarrassing memory?”

“Was Filip my last chance?” I ask and tap my chin, pretending to ponder marrying someone else. Aisling’s arrogance dwindles as she realizes Soro is my last chance. But that’s a chance I’m not willing to take. Yet. Not that Aisling needs to know. “No, I don’t think he was.”

Cheers echo from the arena floor, followed by a roar, and my head whips toward the sound fast enough to flutter my hair. Was that a…dragon?

Aisling’s smile returns, pulling my gaze back to hers. This sadist is excited that the match has begun and likely giddy with the thought of what those poor fighters are about to endure. She can’t wait to get back, and I can’t wait to leave.

But as I turn, she reaches out to grab my hand, the elemental magic she’s known for crackling against her skin. I jerk free of her hold. “Come on, Maeve. Let’s see what that handsome fighter can do…before he can’t, of course,” she says.

My stomach sinks like a boulder as I edge farther away. “What makes you think he won’t win?” Seeing how easily he took down a swordsman like Filip, there can’t be many his equal.

But she knows something—and the glint in her eyes says she’s dying to tell me.

“Just spill it, Aisling,” I say. I want to scream and shout—at her, at the world—but it’s been drilled into me from childhood: decorum, decorum, decorum. One day, I’m just going to decide to fuck decorum and say and do whatever I want. But probably not today. “Please,” I add sweetly.

Aisling plays with a curl in her hair, her conceit as evident as the sparks of lavender magic coloring her eggshell skin. “Well…” She draws the word out, likely knowing each second she delays telling me is making my stomach knot tighter and tighter. Dread is a living, breathing thing pooling in my stomach now, and I’m fantasizing about reaching out and shaking her when she finally continues, “High Lord Vitor is adamant that that gladiator, and the one standing beside him, can’t be allowed to live past today.”

 Excerpted from Bloodguard by Cecy Robson. Reprinted with permission from Red Tower Books, an imprint of Entangled Publishing. All rights reserved.

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“Red Tower Books is dedicated to delivering standout fantasy and sci-fi romance from some of the most talented writers of today,” says Molly Majumder, editorial director for Red Tower. “I’m excited to combine my love and knowledge of the genre with Entangled’s creative marketing strategies to bring these incredible stories to a wide audience of readers.”

Along with Molly Majumder, the 100% women-owned publishing company’s new imprint will be led by publishing veterans – CEO and publisher Liz Pelletier, VP of Operations Stacy Cantor Abrams, and VP of Marketing Meredith Johnson.

The imprint’s first release, scheduled for May 2, 2023, is the highly anticipated Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, an epic fantasy set at a brutal and elite war college for dragon riders, which boasts an announced first print run of 350,000. In a series of heated preempts and auctions, Fourth Wing has already sold into more than a dozen countries. Yarros says, “I’m delighted and honored to be published by Red Tower Books and to be a part of such a dynamic community of writers. I can’t wait for readers to visit the magical world in Fourth Wing and delve into the works of the other immensely talented authors on the list.”

Currently, there are seven titles slated for 2023, each with an exclusive first print run of hardcovers with special effects such as sprayed or stenciled edges, foil, or embossing. These limited-edition books will be a signature of the imprint sure to become collectibles on every reader’s shelf.

The subsequent releases will publish beginning in July 2023, with Starbringer from #1 New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff (Crave series) and Nina Croft (Breakout), The Wren in the Holly Library by USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde (The Wright series), Bloodguard by international award-winning author Cecy Robson (Weird Girls series), and The Last One by New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall (These Toxic Things).

Tracy Wolff, whose title Starbringer is a snarky LGBTQ+ sci-fi in the vein of Firefly meets the Breakfast Club and has an impressive announced first printing of 500,000, says about the line, “Red Tower is a powerful new force in fantasy romance, and I am thrilled to have my first sci-fi romance, Starbringer, as part of their incredible launch.”

Books will be distributed globally by Macmillan in New York, and their VP of Client Services, Liz Tzetzo, adds, “Macmillan is excited to partner with Entangled on their new imprint Red Tower Books. With Entangled’s strong track record for breakout successes and highly innovative marketing, we know that Red Tower will be a huge success.”

For more information, please visit www.entangledpublishing.com and follow @redtowerbooks on Instagram!

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