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jennireadsmaybe's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Liselle Sambury bends so many genres in Blood Like Magic. It's witchy, dark, urban fantasy with a little bit futuristic sci-fi thrown in. It's definitely the most unique fantasy book I've picked up in a while! The world-building is top tier and the atmosphere is a character in itself. I was in futuristic Canada right along side Voya.
Speaking of Voya, I love her so much! Liselle Sambury takes the chosen one trope and throws it on its head with Voya. From the start, she doesn't want to do what's asked of her. So much of this story is a love letter to proving people wrong. Voya comes into herself so beautifully in this first book, so I can't wait to see what the consequences are!
The romance between Voya and Luc is the perfect addition to the already high stakes. Was nobody going to tell me Luc is a trans boy love interest!! Safe to say, I was very pleasantly surprised when I found out. Their romance is sickeningly sweet in the best way!
Speaking of Voya, I love her so much! Liselle Sambury takes the chosen one trope and throws it on its head with Voya. From the start, she doesn't want to do what's asked of her. So much of this story is a love letter to proving people wrong. Voya comes into herself so beautifully in this first book, so I can't wait to see what the consequences are!
The romance between Voya and Luc is the perfect addition to the already high stakes. Was nobody going to tell me Luc is a trans boy love interest!! Safe to say, I was very pleasantly surprised when I found out. Their romance is sickeningly sweet in the best way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Eating disorder, and Addiction
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Transphobia
teakaybee's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Slavery
Minor: Torture and Gun violence
likeagilmoregirl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Blood Like Magic is a high-stakes urban fantasy/sci-fi that explores themes of generational trauma, sacrifice, racism, and love.
Based in Canada, the story follows a young witch who is about to perform the task that will solidify her magic. However, her entire family is stunned when their ancestor gives her the seemingly impossible task to destroy her first love. Filled with clever twists, dynamic characters, and a refreshingly unique magic system, Blood Like Magic is a must read for any fan of urban fantasy.
The only downside to this book was the pacing. It did take me two attempts to get into this book as I would find myself interested in the story and characters, but was struggling with how slow or fast the story was progressing. I wish the pacing had a bit more stability. I’m hoping this is something I will see improve with the sequel.
This is a powerful book. The characters are diverse and strong, but the storyline delves into difficult topics around racism and generational trauma. Please review content warnings before reading.
Based in Canada, the story follows a young witch who is about to perform the task that will solidify her magic. However, her entire family is stunned when their ancestor gives her the seemingly impossible task to destroy her first love. Filled with clever twists, dynamic characters, and a refreshingly unique magic system, Blood Like Magic is a must read for any fan of urban fantasy.
The only downside to this book was the pacing. It did take me two attempts to get into this book as I would find myself interested in the story and characters, but was struggling with how slow or fast the story was progressing. I wish the pacing had a bit more stability. I’m hoping this is something I will see improve with the sequel.
This is a powerful book. The characters are diverse and strong, but the storyline delves into difficult topics around racism and generational trauma. Please review content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Gun violence, Addiction, Drug abuse, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Eating disorder
There is at least two whipping scenes in this book related to slavery.mostlykenny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
omg, when I first picked up this book I was expecting some cheesy normal romance book because was focused on the potential with Voya and Luc AND THIS BOOK IS WAYYYYY MORE THEN THAT. I fell in love with this book, so much that I ordered the sequel as I was in the midst of reading the first book! CRAZY! Everything is just beautiful. To the world-building, the unique take on witches and the magic system, the story driven narrative, the twists and turns, the characters, the writing. Ms. Sambury you have wowed me. This book not only is family oriented, which I love and talks about how not only romantic love is the only love you can feel and that platonic love exists, but I connected SOOOO much with Voya. Especially her anxiety about choices and decisions and what she wanted to do in the future. I connected with her about her love for her family and also how her community wasn’t as close anymore and I FELT that. I felt that. Off topic but I LOVE the dedication of this book
“To Black girls everywhere: you can be more than a slave or a lesson for someone else. You deserve to be a witch or a dragon tamer. To fall in love with a vampire or lead your friends against a villain. You are more than the best friend or comedic relief. You are a hero.” It inspired me so much to read this and I love this author so much. This book might have just became my favorite book of all time. I love it so much. I can’t wait to read the sequel !! 🩸🕯️❤️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Slavery, Murder, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Death, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Blood
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Racism, Eating disorder, and Addiction
Minor: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Gun violence, and Police brutality
annorabrady's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The magic system is interesting and well designed, though I won't lie and say it was particularly nice to read of some of the uses. Especially in instances where blood mixee on open wounds or when Voya poured the blood into her eyes. The first drew me out of the story with thoughts of bloodborne illnesses and the latter triggering thosd thoughts AND completely grossed me out.
I understand and appreciate the resolution, and the point of the challenge. Though I feel angry about how the story wrapped up because Keis deserved betted.I kept waiting for Voya to realize that self sacrifice was an option, or that revealing the truth to Luc about Justin was also an option. Also, binding Keis to the house with no contract with the outside world was especially cruel and selfish – the opposite of what she claims to be her goal. Hell, bringing down Justin would have succeeded in destroying both Keis and Luc while better appealing to the goal of helping everyone. The ending is why I can't rate this higher. Though it's not bad enough for me to rate this lower.
I do greatly appreciate the representation of various minority groups in this story, as well as the social commentaries on racism, colonialism, slavery, generational trauma, family dynamics, communities, dependencies on technologies, etc at various points in history. It's both timely and timeless.
I understand and appreciate the resolution, and the point of the challenge. Though I feel angry about how the story wrapped up because Keis deserved betted.
I do greatly appreciate the representation of various minority groups in this story, as well as the social commentaries on racism, colonialism, slavery, generational trauma, family dynamics, communities, dependencies on technologies, etc at various points in history. It's both timely and timeless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Police brutality, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, and Medical content
batmayne_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The novel follows 16 yr old Voya, as she goes through trials of becoming a witch in a futuristic canada. I loved the family dynamic of everyone living together and being strongly connected with their ancestors. There is queer representation and a bit of romance. The novel mainly focuses on family and magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Gore, Drug abuse, Death, Addiction, Slavery, and Gun violence
Moderate: Abandonment and Eating disorder
midnightgremlin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Slavery, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Eating disorder and Addiction
Minor: Police brutality and Gun violence
jennyboj's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The blurb made me think the "killing your first love" thing was a tradition, but it's actually a unique task and the family is equally horrified about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
Minor: Eating disorder, Transphobia, Gun violence, Death, Child death, Police brutality, Addiction, Racism, Kidnapping, and Gore
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Addiction, Police brutality, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Transphobia, and Racism