Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund

Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund is the first book in the Dragons of Tara series. Silas Bershad, also known as the Flawless Bershad, is a legendary dragon killer. He was sentenced to be a dragon killer after committing horrendous crimes. It is a form of exile and a form of execution, for dragon killers are seldom long-lived. Bershad, however, has been hunting dragons for 14 years killing more than 60 of them.

Bershad longs for a death it seems likely will never come due to his unusual healing properties. When he is summoned to an audience with the King who sentenced him to his exile, he is offered a chance to end his sentence. Bershad is disinclined to do the king any favors but agrees to the plan at the behest of the King's daughter and Bershad's former lover, Ashlyn. In order to be free Bershad need only cross dangerous, dragon-infested territories into a foreign country, rescue the King’s other daughter and kill an emperor.

The story is told from multiple points of view including Bershad, Ashlyn, an assassin and a young alchemist. Naslund creates a fascinating world. The country of Almira is simple, unsophisticated and superstitious. The country of Balaria is far more technologically advanced and eager to tap into Almira's natural resources; namely, it's dragon population and the valuable dragon oil that literally fuels its society.

Naslund not only writes wonderful battle scenes, but he has created an intricate and interconnected world. The connection of the dragons to the natural world and the battle between those who would understand them and those who would destroy them is as much a part of the story as the plot to rescue the King's daughter. Bershad's own unique healing properties and the mystery behind them add another layer of complexity to the story.

The battle scenes are exciting and brutal. The interconnected plotlines and the link between the dragons and nature add complexity to the story in this highly entertaining fantasy debut.

Steven Brand does justice to a complicated hero and a fascinating world with his narration. His vocalization effortlessly moves between the gritty Bershad, the conniving assassin and the thoughtful Ashlyn. He does a great job with the pacing, particularly during the battle scenes.

This is an excellent start to a new fantasy series and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the publisher.

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