Ballad of the Blade by Andrew P Meritt
Blurb:
Ballad of the Blade is a dark, gritty, multi-pov epic, with a dash of horror, and a dollop of gallows humor. It is the debut novel of Andrew P Meritt and the first story of many in A Serenade of Smoke.
Magic is dead.
The Order made sure of that. They gathered it up, and what they couldn’t destroy, they hid. Now, noble houses squabble over the realm, civil unrest smolders in the east, slavery and injustice run rampant, all while mankind hides behind their two-faced gods.
However, the truth is, magic isn’t dead. It’s just been sleeping, and I intend to wake it.
Under the light of a sinister moon:
A promising initiate struggles to conform in an organization that wants to exterminate the very magic running in his blood. A hired assassin fights to stay one step ahead of shadows, betrayals, and past mistakes. A musician in over his head tries desperately to trade debt from one group of killers to another. A slave of blood and sand claws his way toward freedom, one corpse at a time. An irreverent Justiseer struggles with a particularly obstinate severed head. A man wakes with no memory, only to discover a community with problems far greater than his amnesia.
Each of them is forced to question if magic truly is dead and wonder…
Should it be?
Review:
Ballad of the Blade by Andrew P. Meritt is a dark, gritty, and ambitious debut that weaves together multiple points of view, each with their own struggles and secrets. Thomas Kemp, a promising initiate, battles to conform within an organisation that seeks to destroy the very magic running through his veins. Tanya Ringholder, a hired assassin, fights to stay one step ahead of shadows, betrayals and past mistakes. David Trueheart, a musician in over his head, tries desperately to trade one debt from one group of killers to another. Rigel Cross, a slave of blood and sand, claws his way toward freedom one corpse at a time. Meanwhile, Gerard Stockworth, an irreverent Justiseer, struggles with a particularly obstinate severed head and Nathan, a man with no memory, wakes to find himself in a community with problems far greater than his own amnesia. Each of them must face the question of whether magic is truly dead and whether it should be.
I first came across this novel when Andrew reached out to me on Instagram, asking if I’d be interested in giving his book a try and leaving an honest review. I’ll admit, I was initially sceptical. This was my first time diving into a multi-POV, high-stakes fantasy novel, but after chatting with Andrew who was genuinely kind, patient, and never pushy I decided to give it a go. His enthusiasm for the story and respect for readers’ time definitely helped win me over.
The novel opens by carefully laying the groundwork for each perspective and the harsh, unforgiving world they inhabit. The first half is deliberate and steady, introducing the characters and the setting, while the latter half explodes into a fast-paced whirlwind of action, blood, and betrayal. At first, the numerous POVs felt quite separate, almost like reading five different stories but as the book progressed, Andrew began intertwining them in clever and satisfying ways. When certain characters’ paths finally converged, it truly allowed his writing to shine. The dynamics he builds between characters whether through camaraderie or conflict make those interactions feel authentic and engaging.
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the dynamic between Tanya, David, and Rigel. Their chemistry and banter were brilliant, and I loved how they balanced and challenged each other in equal measure. Each brought something unique to the table, and together they formed one of the most memorable groups in the book. Andrew also deserves praise for giving each character a distinct voice; none of them felt like carbon copies. His willingness to lean into the darker elements of the world, from profanity to gore, adds grit and realism that suit the story’s tone perfectly.
Another strength lies in Andrew’s exploration of hierarchy and corruption. The way he portrays the divide between the rich and powerful who can buy their way out of any consequence and the poor and enslaved who are treated as expendable entertainment paints a bleak but compelling picture of the world’s structure. It’s this social undercurrent that gives Ballad of the Blade its depth and makes its setting feel truly lived in.
On the flip side, Gerard Stockworth was the one character who didn’t quite land for me. As a Justiseer, he’s a man who bends the law in pursuit of his bounties and while that role fits neatly into the novel’s themes of greed and corruption, his personality felt somewhat flat compared to the rest. His main motivation money made him feel one-dimensional at times. That said, there are hints of a deeper backstory sprinkled throughout, and I have a feeling there’s more to uncover in the next instalment.
Overall, Ballad of the Blade is a brutal and captivating debut filled with action, twists, blood, and camaraderie. It’s a story where every choice has a price, every alliance is fragile, and every drop of blood spilled serves a purpose. Andrew P. Meritt has crafted a dark world brimming with tension and intrigue, and while it takes a little time to find its footing, once it does, it doesn’t let go. If you enjoy grimdark tales with sharp edges, complex characters, and plenty of heart beneath the grit, Ballad of the Blade is well worth your time.
