That’s my first ARC sent by Rob J Hayes and, actually, his first work I’ve ever read. And I will definitely check his other books. What I’ve read is wonderfully and interestingly written. So here it is, my review.
Blood Brothers Beyond is an amazing and exciting road movie about three brothers who accomplish their quest to reach their final destination.
I liked how the characters were introduced, they are very likable though flawed, how they interacted with the world and how the world responded to their actions.
Talking about action. The fighting scenes were really good thought out and directed. I wish descriptions were more colourful and vivid. The pace was kept perfectly. Fighting changing flashbacks changing usual talks were never boring. And those talks, they were diamonds.
What I liked the most in the novella is which topics it raised. The family grief, the wish you could spend more time with your gone relative, good and bad memories, funny and pityful stories, different experiences from different perspectives. Everyone who lost someone close will relive those feelings. That was beautiful.
I liked how mysticism and Japanese myths were weaved into the story canvas. And humor was there, and it was brilliant.
I don’t really like retelling the story and the plot and I won’t be doing that this time as well. I liked the story a lot. Actually, I loved it. Very human, very grounded, very sentimental.
The conclusion is simple: that’s, I think, one of my top-5 reads this year. Unexpected yet very fulfilling story. And yeah, there’s a donkey in it, for real.