Book Review: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Bloodguard by Cecy Robson

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of Old Erth

Publisher: Red Tower Books (October 8, 2024)

Length: 448 pages

Author Information: Website

Here I am, diving once more into the fantasy romance genre, but I was particularly excited about this book because of its themes. It seems all things gladiatorial are having a moment right now (thanks Gladiator 2), and Bloodguard by Cecy Robson promised a refreshing departure from the usual romantasies filled with dragons or cozy bookshops. In that respect, it totally delivered. That said, it was also not without its flaws. While the story was captivating with its frequent and explosive bursts of action, it was equally frustrating to watch it struggle with balancing the romantic and fantasy elements.

In the wealthy kingdom of Arrow, on a world called Old Erth, gladiatorial combat serves as entertainment for the masses, but also a stark reflection of social divides. Leith is a young human who fights voluntarily in the pits to earn money to send to his impoverished family. On the other side of the class spectrum, Maeve is an elven princess and healer whose succession to the throne is currently in jeopardy while her father is in prison for allegedly killing her grandmother, the former queen. Believing that he is innocent, Maeve has been dedicating all her time and efforts into setting him free, but her uncle, acting as regent, still insists that she get married before she comes of age in order to secure her position.

Currently, the most likely suitor is Soro, an ambitious commander in the Arrow army. However, Maeve has other plans. After witnessing one of Leith’s matches, she ostensibly approaches him to heal his wounds, but in fact she has a proposition. If Leith wins enough battles, he could earn the title of Bloodguard, making him an honorary noble and eligible for her to marry. As her husband, he will not only have his freedom but will also become king with the power to help his family and provide the much-needed care for his ailing sister. In return, Maeve will secure autonomy as queen, with which she promises to end the cruel bloodsport of gladiatorial combat once and for all.

The book alternates between Leith and Maeve’s perspectives, effectively highlighting the difference between their worlds. Here’s what worked: Leith’s chapters exceled in depicting the brutality and adrenaline of the arena, highlighting the visceral stakes of his fights. Maeve, on the other hand, comes off as an atypical royal. Both a medicine woman and a descendant of warriors, her character portrays both gentleness and strength.

The opening of Bloodguard was also particularly gripping. Of course, kicking things off with a couple of intense battle scenes didn’t hurt. These called to mind the violent drama of Gladiator, which may seem a a bit derivative—but hey, it works. Readers are immediately hooked by the tension and emotions.

But here’s what needed work: mainly, the romance. Seems like every book is marketing slow-burn relationships these days, but all we keep getting is instalove! Story-wise, it’s on the thinner side as well. Simplistic, the plot gives the novel a more young adult vibe despite being part of Red Tower Books’ new adult imprint. Emotional scenes lack weight and intensity, which I think is what contributed to the feeling of instalove, but with this issue being so common now, it’s likely a feature not a bug. I’ll give Bloodguard this—it knows exactly what it wants to be, which is a straightforward romance with a touch of fantasy, and it’s upfront about not going out of the way to build things up.

Not surprisingly then, there is little room for world-building. We’re introduced to this fantasy realm populated by various fictional races and creatures, but everything feels like window dressing because of how underdeveloped the setting feels. Details are sparse or inconsistent, leaving readers to fill in the gaps themselves. A thought did occur to me that, if you’re going to throw in high fantasy staples like elves, dwarves, etc. without providing more detail, a historical fantasy setting probably would have worked just as well or better.

Final thoughts? Some will call Bloodguard a promising start. The story has heart but is having a little trouble finding its footing. It has its moments, from riveting arena scenes to a couple shocking plot twists, but these wins are dampened by surface level world-building and relationship development. Still, at the end of the day, for readers who prioritize a romance arc and are willing to overlook a more simplistic setting and storyline, I think the novel may still hold great appeal.