Encountering the ancient Order of the Guardians and taking his place a defender against creatures of darkness awakens Griffin to a host of experiences, both human and supernatural—and often unnerving. Between monsters, psychotic enemies, and secretive knights, can Griffin and the rest of the Order hold back evil...or even survive?
Confession Time: I judged this book by its cover. But look at it! Isn't it everything urban fantasy should be! Big city in the background. A full moon. A knight drawing his sword against a muscley red-eyed beast that can only be a werewolf!!! Wait, what? ...Not a werewolf? Hmm, okay. (But it looks like a werewolf!! ...no? *Sigh*. Fine.)
Griffin is just your average guy until one summer Georgia afternoon when the screams start. When a huge, muscle-bulging monstrosity with long black claws and sharp teeth kills his father, and a stranger appears out of nowhere and says things like "Come with me if you want to live."...well, what do you do? Of course, you don't go with that guy!! You need answers! Heroes are awfully persuasive though and soon enough Griffin is sucked into another world that he had no idea existed, one of secret societies and superhuman talents.
A Knight of the Blood has so many great things to recommend it. The (not)werewolves are intimidating and properly monstrous. The horror is splashy and gory. The good guys are doing their bests against uneven odds. The villains are stirring up evil in the best way. Great fight scenes! Swords! And just when you think you know what's going on and have a good grasp on who is clearly good and who is clearly evil, BAM! Now you're confused and having second thoughts and maybe even feeling sorry for that bad guy, dernit!
The humor made this book a joy. With references to various geek culture, really bad puns and some dad jokes, A Knight of the Blood had me laughing all the way through. For example:
Griffin had never considered someone could actually look evil, but this bastard had made a real effort. He checked all the boxes: villian mustache/goatee, disheveled black hair, yellowed teeth and fingernails, and —no shit— a fucking monocle and pocket watch. It was like he had gone on a shopping spree at Villians-R-Us and bought the starter pack. His name was probably Hans.I know my smart alec-y humor isn't for everyone but Griffin and I could be pals, I just know it!
If you are a fan of the Dresden files, Sandman Slim, or heck, even Buffy the Vampire Slayer, give A Knight of the Blood a shot!
