Conqueror's Blood

Gunmetal Gods, Book 2

By: Zamil Akhtar

Narrated by: Peter Noble

The Kingdom of Alanya is home to mystic warriors and mischievous djinns, vulgar poets and vain philosophers, soaring simurghs and scheming shahs.

Little do the people know that a power struggle between an ancient sorceress and an upstart sultana threatens to bathe the sands in bile and bones. A bloody cauldron boils, and primeval gods laugh while they stir it.

As warhorses charge, arrows shower, and cannon shots brighten the night, all must choose a side.

©2021 Zamil Akhtar (P)2021 Podium Audio

Another fantastic tale in the Gunmetal universe!

Mr. Akhtar has managed to refine an already incredible story. I really enjoy his ability to create characters who want something so badly they would do anything to get it. I find myself unsure of whether I agree or disagree with the choices characters make but it’s a rollercoaster the whole way. Can’t wait for the third installment in April 2023!

A poor follow up

I’m conflicted, I absolutely loved the first book and all the characters especially the pacing of the story with the drip feed of world building was nothing like this sequel. This follow up feels like it’s constantly starting and stopping with the world building more like a waterfall in some sections. I like new protagonists but these two aren’t nearly as charming as the past trio. The book could have been 25% shorter and it would have helped. The performer does not do well with women’s voices. Overall a regrettable experience that I hope does not continue into the third book.

Original world

Honestly liked book 1 a bit more - but still a great listen - will get book 3

Good stuff

Slow start but worth it. Great setup for the nest book. 15 word minimum now?

Not Expected & Not Bad

I didn't expect the sequel to have almost an entirely new cast. I got to say, I liked this one a little more than the debut. Zamil sure does know how to write complex characters! The narrator was even better this time.

Slow burn great payoff.

Amazing sequal following up with all the same unique themes. this book manages to combine Arabian Nights, Magic, and a complete lovecraftian under tone in such a unique way. it has a very slow and long build up full of politcal intrigue and characters before it returns to magic, world building, and deep lore so the start can be daunting, but the ending is fantastic. definitely worth it

Same world, new story pretty much

I enjoyed the first book by the end, and left me wanting to continue the story. This wasn't the continuation that I wanted or hoped for. Some names and people may of reappeared briefly, and the overall world setting that was built up stayed more or less, and that overall point of the story stayed the same. Humans dragged into a war of gods. Every other direction that makes a book good changed though.

This is more a book of deception, and hidden figures of a war to come. The action is few and far, the magic has been created new, and also recreated previous character to include the past(book 1) into the reworking.

Coming from the previous book, the story is compleatly different. It's more a new story in the same world as the previous. Although it isn't bad, and most of its negatives come from it being a sequel, and being so different.

Beautiful yet terrifying

One of the best sequels I’ve ever read. A story of betrayal, mystic creatures and amazing twist and turns.

I love how the characters are extremely human

The characters in they are very morally gray and complex. I love it how Magic dozens start out with the beginning but it builds within the book series self.

Different but still excellent follow up.

While the first book followed two male warriors, in there battles in an evolving war. This book follows two women in a kingdom on the brink of war. So it is a different type of story, more intrigue and sorcery, than sword fights and battles. You have to be ready for the difference pace. Still I enjoyed following Zedra and Cyra as much as Keva and Malik.

Most of all, I love the Gunmetal Gods world. it is so different from most European based Fantasy. I am enjoying learning the magic, gods, and people of the world.