William Gwynne's Reviews > The Judas Blossom

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I would like to begin by saying thank you to Angry Robot and Stephen Aryan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is why I read! A historical fantasy work at the very top of it’s game, and it should be on top of everyone’s reading pile. Characters that feel fresh and authentic, a plot that explores the fate of the Mongol Empire with all of the breathtaking action and twists that you love to see in modern fantasy. An early contender for book of the year.

So, The Judas Blossom is nearly out! I read this fantastic book a few months ago, but now I can talk about it and rave about the quality as much as possible! Fantasy and historical fiction are two of my favourite genres, so naturally it is not a surprise that I get excited when I see a historical fantasy work coming out soon. So, I went into The Judas Blossom with high hopes, and safe to say that it delivered!

I am a character driven reader, so I will talk about them first. We follow a few different POV's throughout this story, usually with snappy chapters that makes sure we are always familiar with the cast, and also meaning that the settings stay fresh as we regularly jump to different locations. I love that we follow characters who hold positions of great power, such as Hulagu, one of the most powerful individuals of the Mongol Empire, and a relation to Genghis Khan himself, to Kokochin, who has had everyone they've ever loved killed by the Mongols, and has now been made to marry with no say in the matter.

These characters each have such drive that feel unique, and often do not directly relate to the main "quest" or plot of this story. I love how this makes them feel authentic, so that when events transpire that drag them into the main story, you feel the consequence and ramifications.

Stephen Aryan in my opinion hits a great balance with historical detail. He gives you enough to feel immersed and interested in the period, but does not go to far as to make you feel overwhelmed. This, accompanied by the David Gemmell-esque stripped back prose, allows The Judas Blossom to feel efficient and natural, so that you can properly engage yourself with the story. As Allen over on The Library of Allenxandria said, Aryan does what a good historical writer should do. He made me want to learn more about the period after I closed the final pages.

This is an epic historical fantasy that makes us privy to large sieges, the campaigns of an empire, and the political machinations of possibly the most powerful army in the world in 1260. With compelling characters, fluid prose and an incredibly interesting story with twists and turns, Stephen Aryan has crafted one of my favourite reads of 2023.

5/5 STARS