THE BLOODPRINT

With her clipped British accent, Jenny Bryce is an enchanting guide to Khan's fantastical world in which magic, religion, politics, and oppression blend into a complex whole. The Talisman, a patriarchal society bent on subjugating knowledge and women, led by the One-Eyed Preacher, casts a shadow over the land. Those resisting this movement include the Companions of Hera, women who wield the magical words of the Claim. Skilled warriors Arian and Sinnia are well versed in the Claim. Now the pair, aided by Arian's lover and a former slave, face their toughest challenge. Bryce does an admirable job of vocally creating distinctive characters in this jam-packed volume, the first in a planned quartet. She successfully leads listeners through many regions and the tribes that inhabit them in this fascinating production. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2017]