Lion's Blood and Blonde Roots are very different. I agree with annwfyn's reading that Blonde Roots is essentially a satire; Lion's Blood is more of a true alt-hist, and reads like one of those historical epics that follows a family *shifts into miniseries voiceover mode* across continents! across generations!

The voiceover mode isn't mocking it, btw -- I liked it and its sequel quite well. It's very readable, very engaging. (And it'd make a good miniseries!)