The Judas Blossom: Book I of The Nightingale and the Falcon (Nightingale and the Falcon, 1)

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The story is told from several perspectives from the highest members of the Khans to Persians looking to undermine the Empire. Most of the characters are interesting to follow and Aryan has placed them in situations of influence so you know their actions will have an impact. The book also has some visceral action set pieces, from large scale battles to one-on-one skirmishes. Aryan’s violent encounters stand up with the best that either the historic or fantasy genres have to offer. Pacing is relatively slow, as a big part of the book is used to build solid foundations to create a big story over them. Despite this, I would say that it is a really interesting book to read, as even when building said bases, there is plenty of action and intrigue (especially during the research made by Temujin, and The Twelve inclusion). Kaivon, the Persian rebel who despises the Mongols for the massacre of his people, thirsts for revenge. However, he knows alone he cannot destroy the empire. When given the opportunity to train under the tutelage of Hulagu, Kaivon must put aside his feelings and risk his life for a chance to destroy the empire that aims to conquer the world.

Kaivon, a Persian rebel who despises the Mongols for the massacre of his people, thirsts for revenge. However, he knows alone he cannot destroy the empire. When given the opportunity to serve Hulagu, Kaivon must put aside his feelings and risk his life for a chance to destroy from within an empire that aims to conquer the world. Family and war collide in this thrilling and bloody reimagining of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia. The Judas Blossom is a tale of family bonds and rivalries, assassins and long-forgotten magic. Bloody and epic, Stephen Aryan has depicted the brutal Mongol Empire by weaving history and fantasy together. A must read!" - Shauna Lawless Reduced to the position of one of Hulagu's many wives, the Blue Princess Kokochin is the last of her tribe. Alone and forgotten in a foreign land, Kokochin is unwilling to spend her days seeking out trivial pursuits. Seeking purpose, she finds herself wandering down a path that grants her more power than a wife of the ruler may be allowed.

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That’s really difficult to answer. The most fun, or the most interesting character, is the one I’m working on right now for book 3. I have to find a way to relate and connect to all of them. I have to care about all of them as well so that I can make them feel as real as possible for the reader. That way, even if the audience doesn’t like a character, hopefully, they can understand their motives.

Engaging and exhilarating, with a fantastical cast, balanced pacing, and an exciting plot, The Judas Blossom is filled with lots of characters to connect with, history to uncover, magic to behold and drama to unfold. I’d recommend this to fans of Ken Liu, David Hair and anyone who wants diversity of cultures in their fantasy.” Romance, friendship, violence, and supernatural powers permeate the tale, making this a great option for fantasy fans and new listeners alike. The real-world historical context of Aryan’s novel adds depth and will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment in this planned trilogy.” I was once again completely hooked and enjoying my new form of escapism in between the madness of home-schooling two young children with a toddler in tow. Reading not only became my means of escape but also the only thing keeping me sane during these testing times.

The Judas Blossom blends political intrigue and historical fantasy, with an emphasis on politics and family drama rather than magic. It’s set during the turbulent time of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia.

By the time I had finished the first book, Mageborn, I was (to my Husband’s delight) completely hooked. It is honestly the first time in my life that I have not been able to put a book down. Growing up believing I truly had no imagination whatsoever, fantasy as a genre just was not something that had ever appealed to me. But boy was this all about to change! It’s very different because it’s set in 13th-century Persia, and this is my first time writing historical fantasy. Also, I’ve done big bombastic magic before [see the 6 Mage books], and The Judas Blossom is not that. There is something other, something fantastical, but it is only one facet of the story. It will not take over and become the whole of the story, as that would make it pure fantasy and not historical fantasy. No matter how much I change, I still want to make the story adhere to history, up to a certain point at least. So, you won’t suddenly see dragons in this series. An imaginative and sprawling epic fantasy reimagining of the Mongol Empire's invasion of Persia, following the lives and treacherous journeys of four key figures in the heart of war. Historical fantasy fans will be delighted by The Judas Blossom and the sweeping scope of its narrative that will transport them to a breathtaking world of danger, intrigue, and magic. Seamlessly weaving together intricate world-building, vibrant characters and resonant themes of courage, love, and sacrifice, this novel will leave you mesmerized.” Kokochin the newest Hulagu wife, finds her love and passion in the street of Iran, she must make a decision about what is going to do with her life and where her loyalty lies.

Advice on buying a Judas tree

Like did you know that during Mongol raids, the overall climate change in the world stopped for a while? The reason? They killed so many people that caused a reduction in the CO2 emission into atmosphere. A diamond in the fantasy rough. The Judas Blossom is entirely focused on creating an intricate historical world for us to explore and discover for ourselves. I couldn’t put it down.” 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! She’s not alone in her goals; the defeated Persian general, Kaivon, joins Hulagu to gain insider knowledge and destroy the empire and its cruel ruler. Their arcs thrive on the tension and inner conflict between keeping appearances and taming hate towards oppressors.