The world-building is impressive, with complex cultures and magic systems that draw you in. There's clearly a grand story being set up.
However, the book is quite long, and the pacing suffers as a result. The constant shifts in point of view, often changing with each chapter, become disruptive. It felt like I was constantly starting new storylines, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative.
Despite these issues, the world and the underlying story are compelling. It has a lot of potential. Four stars for the strong world-building and the promise of a larger saga, but the length and the frequent POV changes made it a bit of a slow read.

A fantastic world building fantasy book! This book was a page turner with you very much wanting to know where it goes next. The characters drew you in and I loved the combination of storylines and how well the melded together between Bethany, Zhuanna, Julian and Kendrick. Would definitely recommend and looking forward to the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgally and the publisher for this book.
I enjoyed most of this book. The writing was good and the character work was entertaining enough and had some decent action. I can see how this series actually gets better but this book just didn’t grasp me enough to continue. If I was stranded on an island and this was my only book then I’d be just fine with it but there are too many good books to read.

I will say that whoever was in charge of the book cover editing didn’t do a very good job. There is entirely too many words that is very distracting from the illustration.

I really enjoyed this book. It started a little bit slow but it got better as the story progressed. I liked how the what seemed like 3 different stories/ character povs converge as the story continues.

The concept of Diviners was really cool and I loved how Bethany was able to start as "nothing" and worked so hard to become something so important and difficult to become.

I'm curious how many books will be in this series and can't wait to read the rest of them

Bethany Sylvana is a young seamstress with a dream: she wants to become a Diviner. These highly-esteemed adepts open portals in the fabric of reality, leading charges through ancient portals. Her lack of prestige or education initially appears to work against her, but an unfair disqualification from the test is overturned by someone she hoped never to deal with: her father, the emperor.

As Bethany navigates a grueling education to achieve her dream, war is brewing. Julian, Bethany's half-brother, has had his claim to the throne called into question after a deadly duel. With the eyes of the kingdom of Everlast upon him, Julian must face his own challenges: war against a powerful queen and her equally powerful army. Meanwhile, the family of Julian's wife Samara quietly seeks to orchestrate his downfall to avenge the death of Samara's brother—though Samara herself has other ideas. As the first volume draws to a close, these three very different threads will weave themselves together into a story of fractured family and political intrigue.

I don't often say I can't put a book down because the term feels overused. But in this case, it's true: Blood and Empire is unputdownable. Bethany's journey to becoming a Diviner contains brilliant worldbuilding, hinting at a cosmos greater than even most of this setting's characters can conceive. Even in the face of political machinations, Macbethian schemes, and epic battles, her quest to fulfil her dreams—and to be recognized fairly for her talent—shines bright. It begs to be continued, and fortunately, book 2 isn't far behind.

This book was... fine? I enjoyed my time reading it but it wasn't my favorite.

The story is very well written, Maxswell's writing style is easy to follow and the world building is expansive and feels complete. I never felt overwhelmed with information or like I could't follow along with the story. I also really enjoyed the small suspenseful moments that were written. When we were waiting with Julian to find out if he was going to win the vote, or when Bethany was taking tests and we were waiting to see if she would pass, I had a hard time not skipping ahead to see what the outcome would be and I definitely felt the anxiety that the characters were feeling. But other than those moments, I didn't feel any strong emotional attachment to any of the characters, I feel like all of them were lacking any real depth, their motivations were very surface level and I felt like I barely knew them as characters. There was such potential for a strong sense of found family with Bethany in her diviner school, and I feel like we barely got to know Xander and Carina, but they were presented as these impactful characters and we were supposed to be so strongly impacted by their outcomes.

I also wish Bethany had done more digging into the back story of the diviners and their history, I feel like this is going to come into play more in the second book, but I wish there was more of a setup here. It all felt very low stakes, and like the entire book was leading up to a huge epic reveal or moment, but then that moment just never came. I was also a bit thrown off by the pacing, I felt like the time jumps were a bit disorienting and I wish we had more time with these characters.

Overall I'm not upset that I read this and I never wanted to DNF, I just wish there was more of everything here. Maxwell's writing is so easy to follow and I was never bored with this story, I just wish there was more character development, more action, more political intrigue, more of everything that makes fantasy books so lovable.

Now THIS is an epic fantasy. I was initially drawn to this book because epic fantasy with political intrigue is my favourite sub-genre to read, and based off the blurb, that's what I was in for. I was not disappointed.
This book gave me similar feelings to/reminded me of Throne of Glass, The Bridge Kingdom, Game of Thrones, and even the portal/gateway aspects of Crescent City.

Blood and Empire's main storyline follows Bethany, a seamstress who dreams of one day training to become a diviner. Bethany's story is interwoven with three other POVs that span across a kingdom threatened by a spreading darkness. We also read from the perspectives of a queen, a prince, and a war hero.

The writing style was clear and straightforward, I found that it read very easily. James Maxwell used vivid descriptions that made me feel super immersed in the story, I felt like I could imagine myself right there. I enjoyed the pacing and found that I just couldn't put this book down. It was the first book in a while that kept me up for most of the night to finish it!
Bethany's storyline was my favourite to read, I felt like I had a much deeper understanding of her character and life compared to others. I am also just absolutely obsessed with the concept of diviners! This magic system felt so unique, I was so curious to read about the travel between gateways. I LOVED this aspect. The world is so expansive and I can't wait to get to see more of it.

I'm a fan of multi-POVs in general, but I did struggle slightly with this because I was so invested in Bethany's story and I couldn't really see where the other POVs connected to her story yet. This does get answered at the end of the book, but as I was reading I definitely had less interest in other POVs.
I would've also loved to see a little bit more from Bethany's time at the Diviner school to see how those relationships developed.
Additionally, there is a lot left unanswered by the end of the book. This book did a great job at introducing us to characters, developing their various storylines and creating a solid foundation of world-building to further build upon in later books. However, it did feel like nothing was resolved, so it was a little unsatisfying in the end.
I'm definitely glad the next book is also coming out this year, because I am super invested in this world and kinda feel like I was left hanging. Overall very impressed with my first experience with a James Maxwell novel. I can't wait to read more from him.

A great start to a new fantasy series! I loved the subtle world-building and the multiple POVs. The plot was fast-paced and engaging all the way through. As with every first book, a lot of setup happens in this book, but I highly anticipate book two to be even better. I think a lot of fantasy readers will be very happy to discover Blood & Empire by James Maxwell.

If you're looking for an epic fantasy complete with rather fun world building and plot development than this is the book for you. James does a masterful job on taking the reader through a journey and setting things up for the next book. Be warned it is a journey as this falls into the epic fantasty realm, so be prepared and pack snacks. It is a little slower to start and get the ball rolling.

🗺️ The world building is rather solid and the map presented to the reader is gorgeous. Fingers crossed we see more of these places in book 2!

🌶️ Very very slowburn which may eventually catch fire in the second book.

📚 This book is for you if you enjoy epic fantasties and multiple POV. If you are a romantasy reader, who enjoys characters over world building this book might not qutie hit the spot for you or take you longer to read than what you are used to.

✈️ Overall this is a fast paced book which might not appeal to everyone. This is a great read if you have a ridiculously long bus or train ride ahead of you.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

*I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*

This book had extensive world-building which was great. I love books that build an entire world for me to imagine and this didn't disappoint.

An epic fantasy with political intrigue, told from multiple perspectives.

The story is well written and paced, and this book is definitely setting up a much grander plot for the coming books.

Unfortunately, it didn’t grip me enough as a reader - this is definitely a me thing, as I’m sure many people would enjoy this much more. I didn’t emotionally connect with any of the characters, and I wasn’t really hooked until the 70% mark.

Thank you to James Maxwell and Everlast Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Written in multiple first-person POVs, this first book in a new fantasy series has bitten off a little more than it can chew. The scope was too large so the book ended up feeling like an extended prologue. The writing style was enjoyable though.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Everlast Books and the author for the opportunity to read the Bolood and Empire ARC! This book has brought me so much joy and thrill reading it, since I recently got into dungeons and dragons every chapter submerged me into the story like a campaign. The political side and story building were so unique, I couldn’t put my kindle down until I knew what would happen next.

Even though the book has multiple POVs I don’t feel like it takes away from the charm and development of the story, the resilience of each character kind of pulls you in since the first chapter. I believe that people who loved games like Baldur’s Gate and Dragon Age will definitely love this book and the next ones in this saga. I will be posting a review on my instagram page soon! (@nellaas.books).

📖: Blood and Empire (The Gateway Saga, Book 1)
✍️: James Maxwell
⭐️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•

BIG thank you to @netgalley for giving me early access to this book! AND happy publication day to Blood and Empire! I have been on the hut for different adult fantasy/romance stories and I was thrilled when I saw this on #netgalley!

•

I LOVED the world building in this story and I felt like I could continue to just learn more and more about the empire where our MC comes from. If you love political intrigue this fantasy read is for you. ✔️ throughout this story you hear from multiple POV’s which I truly love. It keeps the story fresh in my opinion. Our MC,Bethany who is an impoverished young women who does not believe she will ever becomes diviner comes to meet a man who is willing to lend her a helping hand and give her the education she so desperately desires. Throughout the story you watch Bethany grow into the diviner she has always wanted to become. All the while you can feel within the empire there is an impending darkness looming.

•

I gave this book 4/5 in the end because as much as I loved all the information and world building which of course had to happen for the future books in this series I feel like it took away from all the other information that could have gone into the story. However I am sure the next installment will have everything and more I was looking for 🤗

So this is what I posted on Goodreads :

After slogging through a string of lackluster reads, Blood and Empire was like a breath of fresh air—honestly, it was exactly what I needed to cleanse my reading palate. This book hit all the right notes, and it felt like a serious upgrade after some of the more painful, uninspired books I’ve been reading lately.

First off, the world-building is absolutely top-notch. Maxwell’s empire is complex, rich with history, and feels like a living, breathing world. I was immediately drawn into the setting, which felt alive rather than just a backdrop for the plot. It’s such a relief to read something that isn’t just thrown together for the sake of a fantasy plot, but something that’s clearly been carefully thought out.

Then there are the characters, who are so much more than just cardboard cutouts. The protagonist is compelling, morally complex, and actually interesting—such a nice change of pace after reading too many one-dimensional heroes. Every character, whether they’re on the "good" or "bad" side, feels real, and it’s impossible not to get invested in their fates.

The action? Well, it’s fantastic. The plot moves at a solid pace, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged, and the magical elements were just the right amount of intrigue without going overboard. Nothing felt too heavy-handed, and the political intrigue kept me hooked—like, really hooked.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say a few twists were a little predictable, and the pacing in the middle slowed down just a tad, but those are small issues compared to the overall thrill of the book.

Honestly, after dealing with some pretty meh books, Blood and Empire felt like a well-timed recovery. It’s complex, well-paced, and utterly enjoyable. If you’ve been struggling with bad reads lately, this is the one that’ll remind you why you love fantasy. I’m looking forward to more from Maxwell!

Also thank you NetGallery and the author for the ARC copy . I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Loved this book and the different points of view shown. Bethany was my favorite character. The description is impeccable!

Thank you Everlast Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have debated a lot on this review, and honestly even finishing the book. I was so excited to receive an ARC copy as the description, genre details, and cover really caught my eye. I loved the initial beginning of this book and through the beginning world build was told in such a beautiful way that was incredibly engaging. Sadly, as I continued to read, my excitement fizzled out. I think the best way to describe it is- it’s interesting but I just wasn’t interested. So much of this book is tell and not show, even to the point of redundancy, where the same information is being given in different POVs and even in the same chapters.

The multiple POVs really confused me for a good while trying to figure out who was who and how they were connected. The lack of initial romance also threw me off since this book is labeled as a new adult romance, but this is a high fantasy with a small romance subplot. I did really enjoy Zuhanas character as a FMC, and I enjoyed Bethany’s but it was hard to connect.

The end of this book, is where things begin to tie together, and start to make sense for book 2. I just feel that so much of this book was glossed over and there was no real depth to be found, which is why it was incredibly hard for me to connect. I am excited to see where book 2 will be taking their journey and their stories. Personally I just don’t think I will be reading book 2.

I’m very aware that my taste in plots and books are very different than others, so please take your time to read other reviews to decide if you want to venture on this journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Everlast Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Blood and Empire by James Maxwell.

I thoroughly recommend that you do not sleep on this book!
I am without a doubt going to read the second in the series.

Power is never granted… it is only seized.

This story is told from the point of view of four characters that I found seamless to follow and deeply add to the depth of the story. The development of the (morally grey) characters and their driving forces as individuals leads to unique character growth.
- Zhuana: who grows from Princess to Queen of Veldria and will do whatever it takes to protect her people.
- Bethany: a seamstress looking to become the respected, and hard heard position of a diviner within the Dymantine Empire.
- Julian: the Crown Prince of the Dymantine Empire with his eyes on the throne.
- Kendrick: a military hero who once served alongside Julian’s father and remains a member of the political court within the Dymantine Empire.

The magic system surrounding the gateways spread throughout the Empire is unique, and interesting leaving the reader hoping for more answers (along with one of the characters) - additionally, the dark forces at play act as a great villain.

This book is released tomorrow I believe!! I give this book 3/5 stars - I think that the potential for this to be a 5 star series is there. However, as the first book of an epic fantasy series, I think it is a bit too short. I'm someone who loves world-building in sci-fi and fantasy to really help me visualize the story as it plays out, and I felt as if there could have been way more of that. However, it was still a quite enjoyable story to read, and it didn't take me very long to get through! I hope that in the next books of the series, the world building and character development are expanded a bit more!

Blood and Empire by James Maxwell is an action-packed, magical adventure that had me hooked from the start! It’s the final book in The Shifting Tides series, and it’s full of epic battles, political intrigue, and just the right amount of romance. The story follows familiar characters as they fight for power, freedom, and survival in a world on the brink of war.

I loved how the book balanced intense action with emotional moments—I was completely invested in the characters and their fates. The worldbuilding is so rich and immersive, and the magic system is unique without being overly complicated. If you’re into fast-paced fantasy with strong characters, high stakes, and a bit of romance, this is definitely a must-read!