I had a hard time collecting my thoughts on Blood, the first book in the new Mercian triology by Kevin “K.J.” Wignall. I re-read it just to get a stronger sense of my reaction. I am biased as I am a big fan of the superbly named (although initialed in this effort) Wignall. I enjoyed this book, and think it will make for an interesting series, but it was hard getting my head around it as it was just so different than his previous works.
Here is what I said about his last book (Who is Conrad Hirst?)
Wignall writes psychological novels that have the action, tension and pace of the thriller or espionage genre but the style and depth or more literary works. His sparse and sharp prose somehow adds to both the thriller and literary aspects. His focus on the world of hit-men and his almost amoral perspective add a dark or icy edge; if I may mix my metaphors.
At first I thought he would be taking this same approach to a vampire story – and that would work, right?
But this young adult novel didn’t have that same feel for me (perhaps because of its audience). The lead character, Will, could easily have been that icy cold exterior with the philosophical interior but instead what struck me was this epic sadness coupled with a deep sense of honor and decency. He is trapped in this tragic way and instead of embracing the power and giving into it he seems determined to just endure.
, and its popularity,