Review: By Blood, By Salt by J.L. Odom

Blurb:

Azetla has served the Maurowan Army for thirteen years. There are seven left to pay. A pariah and a debt soldier, he is a commander with no rank, a soldier without citizenship, and wears a sword that it is unlawful for him to either own or use. He has learned to hold his tongue or risk losing everything.

When Azetla’s battalion is sent into the desert to catch a Sahr devil—one of the famously brutal inhabitants of the region—his tenuous position is threatened. He discovers that there is far more to this mission than catching a fiend. For the Emperor of Maurow, it is a way to prove that he fears nothing, not even devils. For the Emperor’s brother, it is a stepping-stone to rebellion. For Azetla it could be deadly either way, as he is cornered into choosing a side in the coming coup.

But the devil that Azetla finds in the desert is not what anyone expects or wants. As the conspiracy against the Emperor becomes entangled with the simmering ambitions of the desert tribes, Azetla must decide if he’s willing to strike a bargain with a devil in order to survive.

Naturally, she is not to be trusted. But then again, neither is he.

Review:

“The words were spoken. Now it was up to the One who heard”

I was immediately taken by the world-building and eloquent prose of J.L. Odom in By Blood, By Salt, the first installment of the Land of Exile series. As a character-driven book, the multi points-of-view give the reader all the insight we need to weave a unique tapestry. As a fantasy, I will say it’s loosely such, and reads more like a historical/military fiction with fantastical/mythological elements. 

Characters: 9/10

Writing Style: 17/18

Inspired by the Middle East, the military career of the author shines through in her writing. The desert landscape is rich with culture from the inhabitants that we meet along the way, all while working out the political games being played behind the scenes. 

Atmosphere:13/14

The Maurowan army has been sent out to the desert on a mission to capture a Sahr devil, and the desert hands out more than anyone was bargaining for. Especially Azetla. As an outsider, Azetla relied on the acceptance of his fellows in order to survive, but when the commander who favors him is killed, Azetla’s safety is compromised. Is the key to salvation might just be in the desert and the devil he came for? 

Intrigue: 13/14

Odom is a great story-teller, bringing this story to life on the pages. While it does have a slightly slower pace, the plot makes up for it.

Plot: 9/10

Logic: 13/14

Overall, I’m sad this one is over, and will be keeping an eye out for future installments in this series!

DEFINITELY RECOMMEND

Excitement: 8/10

Conclusion

CAWPILE Score: 78/90