Scenting Hallowed Blood

Storm Constantine 1996 Buy from Amazon.com

Scenting Hallowed Blood is the second book in the Grigori Trilogy, following on from Stalking Tender Prey. Peveral Othman has been revealed as the reincarnation of Shemyaza, the original rebel who fell from grace thousands of years earlier.

Even though the story flows on well from Stalking Tender Prey, I wasn’t as satisfied by this book. Perhaps because I enjoyed the supernatural aspects of the first book as accenting the story, while in this book the plot is driven by the spiritual aspects, which doesn’t appeal to me as much.

Certainly there is no reason for the writing itself to disappoint. The characters are just as deep and complex, and their interactions are again described beautifully. Their motivations and desires are believable as is their development over the course of the novel.

Shem is particularly impressive, Constantine somehow manages to transform him from an evil opportunist, to a shambling husk, to a god of power, and does it convincingly. While many authors seem to limit the effect of events on their characters to mentioning occasionally that they are hungry or tired, Shemyaza is constantly buffeted and changed by what he’s doing, and by what others are doing to him.

Her skill as an author is amply displayed as she further develops the characters first met in Stalking Tender Prey, and introduces new ones. Their interactions are faught with emotion and politics, yet Constantine manages to arrange the story in such a way that it not only fits together convincingly, but is easy to follow and remember.

This novel explores much more deeply the spiritual aspects of the grigori culture, focussing on the ritual magic and abilities of the characters in a way that Stalking Tender Prey did not.

Everyone wants Shemyaza to take on the responsibilities they see as his, from Daniel, his vizier, to the powerful grigori group the Parzupheim. While they push for him to do what they want, he wants someone else to take on the problems, which leaves him vulnerable to any who offer assistance.

Awards:

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