“Look at your mistakes long enough to learn from them, then put them behind you.”

I finished listening to The Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks last week but just now got around to reviewing it. It was a 3.75 stars for me, which I rounded up to a 4 on goodreads.

Honestly, there’s not much to say about this one. Altogether pleasant storytelling and while we learned quite a few new things, I feel like the plot was a bit stagnant. Don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoy being immersed in this world. I just don’t feel like much was accomplished in this installment.

That being said, I don’t have much BAD to say about it. Kip is fully coming into his own and though he’s always going to have that shred of modesty and self-deprecation, he’s harnessing his power and fully taking on his leadership role. His marriage might not have been his initial choice, but in true Kip fashion, he’s making the best of it. Heck, by the end, he’s starting to thrive in it. No lingering in a wallowing state for him. I think it’s good that Kip has realized that he has an incredible woman in front of him and that his bond with Teia was something that would probably never have came fully to fruition.

“To realize in an instant that you aren’t going to have the life you’d hoped for, but not waste a moment complaining, instead acting instantly to save what good you can? That’s more guts than I’d have had.“

Gavin Guile is still as low as we have ever seen him and we start to learn some important and revealing things about him. He is looking at himself in the mirror and for the first time, really disliking what he sees. He’s always had an undercurrent of distaste for himself but with these revelations, he’s disgusted with himself. Yet, to the rest of the world, he’s still a god. He is the reason so many people keep fighting.

“With no small amount of swagger, Gavin Greyling said, “I remember Gavin fucking Guile, who won the False Prism’s War, who outwitted the Thorn Conspirators and ended the Red Cliff Uprising. Gavin Guile, who brought low pirate kings and bandit lords, who ended the Blood Wars with wits and one deadly wave of his hand, who brought justice to the Seven Satrapies. Gavin Guile, who hunted wights and criminals, who built Brightwater Wall in less than a week, who aborted the birth of gods, destroyed at least two bane, and killed a god full fledged at Ruic Head. Gavin Guile, who faced a sea demon and lived, saving all the people of Garriston and the Blackguard, too. Gavin Guile, who sank Pash vecchio’s great ship Gargantua with a rat. Gavin Guile, who armed us for war and gave the Blackguard the seas entire with our sea chariots and hull wreckers. Gavin Guile, heart of our heart, our Promachos, the one who goes before us in war, who came and conquered and will come again.”

That moment gave me chills and brought a tear to my eye. I love the goodness in Gavin Greyling and I don’t think Gavin Guile even realizes the positive effect he’s had on people. I think he knows people idolize him but he doesn’t know that he makes people want to be GOOD and strive for better. Brent Weeks definitely knows how to pull a heartstring here and there.

I don’t have much more to say about this story, but I can say that I hope it sets us up for a great finale. I’m ready to see the conclusion of this all!