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jenna_04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A lot of repetition in the story, it's very slow paced seeing it took 400 pages to get to the actual task being preformed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Addiction, Medical content, and Kidnapping
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
tomnoor's review
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Self harm, and Blood
Minor: Police brutality and Terminal illness
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Body horror, Self harm, Police brutality, Alcohol, Violence, Slavery, Grief, and Racism
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
4.5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) whipping scene in the context of slavery, gun/police violence, eating disorder discussion, blood/gore/violence, death, substance use/addiction, child neglect, menstruation discussions
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury is book one of the Blood Like Magic series. This book was so much more than I expected! Sambury blends urban fantasy magic with science fiction/speculative fiction. We have witches, we have robots, we have trans, bi, gay, and demiromantic rep. There is so much good stuff packed into these pages!
We follow Voya (I'm a sucker for V names) as she comes of age as a witch during her calling. The Thomas witches have been around for generations and each witch goes through a task they have to pass in order to become a full witch and to receive their specific magical gift. Usually the task is as simple as choosing between two things, but the ancestor who gives Voya her task breaks the rules and gives her, what she and her family think, is an impossible task: Find her first love, and destroy them.
Voya struggles throughout the book with making choices. She has a hard time making choices that don't affect anyone and now she has to make a choice that will end with someone dying. This was a great theme for a coming of age novel. Voya has to learn to trust herself, as does her family, to make this choice. It was a little annoying at times to see how indecisive Voya was about everything, but I think that is because I also struggle with making decisions. The curse of overthinking everything to the point that you're too paralyzed to make any decision at all. The main theme here is that not choosing anything is also a choice, and it may not have the outcome we want.
I loved that Sambury discusses different types of love and doesn't put them in a hierarchy with romantic love on top. Platonic love is a big price of this story. We also get some great speculation on what it could look like in the future for it to be safer for BIPOC and trans people while also examining the effects of colonialism, slavery, and racism that weave throughout past and future.
There were so many good messages here about being okay with your body taking up space. People with big hips and butts unite! We also get a very Star Trek like message about not tampering with immortality and science (see ST:TOS Miri and countless other episodes). I also found it hilarious that we got the most Canadian villain ever. He apologized for raising his voice for crying out loud 😂.
If this hasn't convinced you to read this series, idk what will. Now I have to anxiously wait for Blood Like Fate.
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury is book one of the Blood Like Magic series. This book was so much more than I expected! Sambury blends urban fantasy magic with science fiction/speculative fiction. We have witches, we have robots, we have trans, bi, gay, and demiromantic rep. There is so much good stuff packed into these pages!
We follow Voya (I'm a sucker for V names) as she comes of age as a witch during her calling. The Thomas witches have been around for generations and each witch goes through a task they have to pass in order to become a full witch and to receive their specific magical gift. Usually the task is as simple as choosing between two things, but the ancestor who gives Voya her task breaks the rules and gives her, what she and her family think, is an impossible task: Find her first love, and destroy them.
Voya struggles throughout the book with making choices. She has a hard time making choices that don't affect anyone and now she has to make a choice that will end with someone dying. This was a great theme for a coming of age novel. Voya has to learn to trust herself, as does her family, to make this choice. It was a little annoying at times to see how indecisive Voya was about everything, but I think that is because I also struggle with making decisions. The curse of overthinking everything to the point that you're too paralyzed to make any decision at all. The main theme here is that not choosing anything is also a choice, and it may not have the outcome we want.
I loved that Sambury discusses different types of love and doesn't put them in a hierarchy with romantic love on top. Platonic love is a big price of this story. We also get some great speculation on what it could look like in the future for it to be safer for BIPOC and trans people while also examining the effects of colonialism, slavery, and racism that weave throughout past and future.
There were so many good messages here about being okay with your body taking up space. People with big hips and butts unite! We also get a very Star Trek like message about not tampering with immortality and science (see ST:TOS Miri and countless other episodes). I also found it hilarious that we got the most Canadian villain ever. He apologized for raising his voice for crying out loud 😂.
If this hasn't convinced you to read this series, idk what will. Now I have to anxiously wait for Blood Like Fate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Self harm, Eating disorder, and Terminal illness
Minor: Addiction, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Police brutality
kristakp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Gore, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Medical content
nova_quill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think that the main character constantly messing up was refreshing, and I love that cover and colors of the book are very bright and even the title is a little hearted and then open the book up to this dark world that only seems sunshine and rainbows on the outside, just the main theme of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Transphobia, and Violence
cuppa_curiositea's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
What a wonderful debut! I heard Liselle talk about her book on a NaNoWriMo write-in last year, and I immediately went to pre-order it! I'm so glad I did because it was an absolute joy to read! Chonky? Yes! But I was interested in all of the threads that were there, so I didn't mind :) Sometimes they did feel a little diluted under the main plot, though. I did feel like the "Voya can't make decisions!" theme is beat into the dialogue and reflections a bit too hard, and I was a little frustrated but how late Voya actually considers her alternative options (even though Johan VERY EXPLICITLY tells her the other option halfway through the book), but the emotional journey underlining all of that progressed in a very natural way.
I loved how elements of the sci-fi tech and magic were incorporated without over-explaining anything. The world unfolded very naturally, and it was fun to discover little gadgets or spells along the way without disrupting the story to introduce them. Cultural and personal identity is also a prevailing theme that fits in nicely and is explored organically. There are a lot of characters and families to keep track of, but it didn't feel like too much.
I really like the Voya and Luc don't end up together. As I was reaching the end, I was worried that they would make improbably amends, and I really admire the writer and editor for not forcing a happy romance ending! (and for not forcing a happy ending for Keis, though I still feel bad for her) The Lauren arc felt very slow, and there was a point where I just assumed that there wouldn't be a conclusion to it... I kind of wish we had gotten to see Voya and Lauren's friendship and then have her go missing later in the book. I had kind of stopped caring about it by the end.
I loved how elements of the sci-fi tech and magic were incorporated without over-explaining anything. The world unfolded very naturally, and it was fun to discover little gadgets or spells along the way without disrupting the story to introduce them. Cultural and personal identity is also a prevailing theme that fits in nicely and is explored organically. There are a lot of characters and families to keep track of, but it didn't feel like too much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Deadnaming, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Outing, Police brutality, Racism, Self harm, and Torture
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