The Blood Guard by Carter Roy Series: The Blood Guard
Published by Two Lions on March 4, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade & Childrens
Pages: 279
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
*This book was provided by the Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.
When thirteen-year-old Ronan Truelove's seemingly ordinary mom snatches him from school, then sets off on a high speed car chase, Ronan is shocked. His quiet, nerdy dad has been kidnapped? And the kidnappers are after him, too? His mom, he quickly learns, is anything but ordinary. In fact, she's a member of an ancient order of knights, the Blood Guard, a sword-wielding secret society sworn to protect the Pure—thirty-six noble souls whose safety is crucial if the world as we know it is to survive. Now all those after-school activities—gymnastics, judo, survival training—she made him take, make sense. For suddenly Ronan is swept up in a sometimes funny, sometimes scary, but always thrilling adventure—dashing from one danger to the next, using his wits to escape the Bend Sinister, a posse of evil doers with strange powers. Falling in with two unlikely companions, Greta, a scrappy, strong-willed girl he's never much liked and Jack, a devil-may-care teenage pickpocket, Ronan is left with only his wits and his mom's last words of advice: Trust no one. That's a lot for an ordinary kid to deal with. But then again, maybe Ronan's not ordinary at all.
Evelyn Ronan Truelove
Ronan to anyone that doesn’t want a lot of sass out of this 12 year old. Always the odd one out, his mother has kept him busy with all sorts of odd ball after school activities. Who has time for friends when you have to pull on spandex and go to gymnastics, or uni-cycling after school everyday? Ronan would like friends, wouldn’t everyone? Maybe his mother just wants to keep her son too busy to get into mischief, or maybe she is grooming him to become a member of the Blood Guard, the secret society she has been a member of all of Ronan’s life. His mom just got infinitely more badass.
A mysterious secret society
Ronan’s mother picks him up unexpectedly from school, looking a little more frazzled then usual as she hurries him into the car. His dad has been kidnapped and his mother belongs to a secret society of protectors. Now that the cat is out of the bag will Ronan and his mother avoid capture long enough to free his father? Sorry – can’t give that one away!
A fast paced adventure that has you flying through the pages
This was a thrill ride to read. The action just doesn’t stop, the characters barely have time to breathe let alone do any truly deep soul searching, which for kids their age is probably a good thing. Even with all the action though the author manages to throw in a bunch of zingy comedy and even some somewhat deep self reflection and good old teenage moodiness! I flew through this book and will definitely be keeping my eyes open for any sequels. I also can’t wait to hand this one over to my twin 12 year old boys. I don’t think they’ll be able to put it down (They read at grade 5 level). A great read without any mushy stuff and with characters that are easy to love, I would even recommend this book to get out of a reading funk. The Blood Guard is something quick paced, action packed and fraught with danger it still manages to be endearingly lighthearted.
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Tina
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Nathan (@reviewbarn)
Middle Grade? I saw the title and thought this blog was finally going to get into some old Warhammer books. Psha, I was so excited.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Mentors
Tina
Sorry to disappoint you 😛 I’ve read most of the old World of Warcraft books. Maybe I will do a throwback post on some of those sometime… although with how much new stuff I get my hands on… it might be a while lol.
Tina recently posted…Review: The Blood Guard by Carter Roy
Joy (Joyousreads)
Not much of an MG reader, but I think it’s definitely perfect for my daughter as well (she’s 12). Great review, Tina.
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 115
Tina
I wouldn’t normally pick up a MG but I did enjoy this one. It would be great to share with your daughter. Wouldn’t take long to zip through it yourself and then you guys have something great to talk about! I love being able to have discussions about books with my little men.
Tina recently posted…Review: The Blood Guard by Carter Roy
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
Great review, Tina! I’m not sure I’ll read this myself, but I’ve got some younger family members that I’m pretty sure would love it.
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: Chasers of the Wind by Alexey Pehov
Tabitha (Pabkins)
These are definitely perfect for folks that have 8-12 year olds they are reading to or with.
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Kirsty-Marie
I wouldn’t say I’m interested in Middle Grade that much, but after reading The Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni in February, which I loved, and was pretty hilarious, I’m up for any. I still have to read Percy Jackson though, adding this one to my list too! 🙂
Kirsty-Marie recently posted…Cover Reveal: The Mission
Karen
I just sent this one to my nieces and nephews. They were super excited to get it.