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tc_booksandmore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Slavery
megandherbook's review
emotional
inspiring
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
3.75
Review to come
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Murder, Abandonment, Eating disorder, and Racism
Minor: Torture, Police brutality, Addiction, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Slavery
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
legalplanner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Futuristic witchcraft and gene sequencing? Sign me up.
When we meet Voya in the beginning of the novel it's a bit tough to wrap your head around just exactly how far in the future it is, what exactly is the same and what isn't, and just how the magic is working here. I found that the first 6-7 chapters were really the "world building" chapters that had all of the information you needed to know about the Thomas family.
Voya's magic only will arrive after her calling, a task she must complete successfully to obtain her magic. Her task is to fall in love and kill them. How is she supposed to do that when she's never been in love? When she is placed in a genetic matchmaking program she is partnered with Luc her perfect match. Yet he's horrible and she's not sure how she can make him fall in love with her.
This was the perfect tail of old magic, story telling from generation to generation, and how technology can be scary. I thoroughly enjoyed how enthralling this story was toward the end. You kept turning pages because you wanted to know what was going to happen to Voya and Luc. Voya could be frustrating at times because I wanted her to have a bit more of a spine, but she's a sixteen year old girl who has never not had her family's support.
It was interesting to see how the Genetics played such a major roll in this novel, but how even though it was a major aspect many of the modifications wasn't treated like a big deal. I loved the inclusivity of this novel. More than that I loved that the inclusivity was just normal. I loved that Alex and Luc being Transgender didn't matter. That Keisha being demisexual or a lesbian was just who they were. I liked the mentions to the racial inequalities that should have been changed but are still present. These presentations of people as people without it being a major red flag to their worth was awesome.
The only reason I didn't give this the 5 stars it may have deserved was the loose ends at the end. Sure we got the nice neat bow on the ending, but it felt as if there was a lot to be set up for the next novel and instead of mostly shutting the door and leaving a crack it felt like the door stopped closing and I have SO many questions.
When we meet Voya in the beginning of the novel it's a bit tough to wrap your head around just exactly how far in the future it is, what exactly is the same and what isn't, and just how the magic is working here. I found that the first 6-7 chapters were really the "world building" chapters that had all of the information you needed to know about the Thomas family.
Voya's magic only will arrive after her calling, a task she must complete successfully to obtain her magic. Her task is to fall in love and kill them. How is she supposed to do that when she's never been in love? When she is placed in a genetic matchmaking program she is partnered with Luc her perfect match. Yet he's horrible and she's not sure how she can make him fall in love with her.
This was the perfect tail of old magic, story telling from generation to generation, and how technology can be scary. I thoroughly enjoyed how enthralling this story was toward the end. You kept turning pages because you wanted to know what was going to happen to Voya and Luc. Voya could be frustrating at times because I wanted her to have a bit more of a spine, but she's a sixteen year old girl who has never not had her family's support.
It was interesting to see how the Genetics played such a major roll in this novel, but how even though it was a major aspect many of the modifications wasn't treated like a big deal. I loved the inclusivity of this novel. More than that I loved that the inclusivity was just normal.
The only reason I didn't give this the 5 stars it may have deserved was the loose ends at the end. Sure we got the nice neat bow on the ending, but it felt as if there was a lot to be set up for the next novel and instead of mostly shutting the door and leaving a crack it felt like the door stopped closing and I have SO many questions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism and Addiction
Minor: Eating disorder, Gun violence, and Transphobia
megatron1560's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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: Blood
kimberlyb's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The plot of killing your love to save your family had me very hesitant to read this book.
I read the audio version. The beginning I was anxious because I kept thinking she has to kill Luke. But I pushed through because I knew that destroy didn't mean death.
That was annoying. The ancestor clearly said destroy and NOT kill.
Once I got past my anxiety I had to finish the story.
It was hard to put down. I needed to know HOW Voya completed her task.
And I'm glad the story was fresh and new so I didn't predict how the conflict was resolved. I hope Voya's goal for her world comes to pass and that's why I want to read book 2. I recommend this book. But with a strong g warning for a heavy darkness.
I read the audio version. The beginning I was anxious because I kept thinking she has to kill Luke. But I pushed through because I knew that destroy didn't mean death.
That was annoying. The ancestor clearly said destroy and NOT kill.
Once I got past my anxiety I had to finish the story.
It was hard to put down. I needed to know HOW Voya completed her task.
And I'm glad the story was fresh and new so I didn't predict how the conflict was resolved. I hope Voya's goal for her world comes to pass and that's why I want to read book 2. I recommend this book. But with a strong g warning for a heavy darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Blood
tiannakelly's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content and Trigger Warning:
Drug use, whipping, disordered eating, misgendering, child neglect, and generational trauma.
Our MC Voya has been asked to perform an impossible task within a tight deadline for her family to maintain their ancestral magic.
She must fall in love and destroy her love.
This book, I believed was pitched to me as Urban Fantasy due to the setting (Canada) in combination with the witchy elements. I think this would have done better if it was marketed as SciFi because of the biotech and advanced technology. (Sometimes, for me as a reader trying to imagine advanced tech is so distracting, and I wasn't prepared for it)
Sambury has a diverse cast that comes from non-traditional family structures. The blended family that Voya is a part of was challenging to watch because of their lack of support and the generational trauma. Alex being comfortable in her body and her family accepting her was so good to see with BLACK families that are okay with LGBTQAI+ people outside of their family. When someone within the family identifies with LGBTQAI,+ all bets are off. (I am speaking from my experience within the Black Community) Voya's relationship with her cousins was relatable: bickering one moment and heartfelt moments the next. Luc being sponsored to work for the major Biotech company was new. The complex feeling surrounding identity isn't; Luc is from Mexico but grew up and spent a hefty amount of time away from Mexico that he is an outsider whenever he has the opportunity to visit.
When Voya finally starts to see the cycle of drama and trauma is when the story picks up and becomes something I truly enjoyed. Voya tries to find a way around destroying Luc and falling in love with him, but as the story unravels, love takes over in the driver's seat. However, this is not an urban fantasy romance, as romance within the book is for the plot but nothing more.
Be prepared for a story that allows for family to be your love and heartache.
Drug use, whipping, disordered eating, misgendering, child neglect, and generational trauma.
Our MC Voya has been asked to perform an impossible task within a tight deadline for her family to maintain their ancestral magic.
She must fall in love and destroy her love.
This book, I believed was pitched to me as Urban Fantasy due to the setting (Canada) in combination with the witchy elements. I think this would have done better if it was marketed as SciFi because of the biotech and advanced technology. (Sometimes, for me as a reader trying to imagine advanced tech is so distracting, and I wasn't prepared for it)
Sambury has a diverse cast that comes from non-traditional family structures. The blended family that Voya is a part of was challenging to watch because of their lack of support and the generational trauma. Alex being comfortable in her body and her family accepting her was so good to see with BLACK families that are okay with LGBTQAI+ people outside of their family. When someone within the family identifies with LGBTQAI,+ all bets are off. (I am speaking from my experience within the Black Community) Voya's relationship with her cousins was relatable: bickering one moment and heartfelt moments the next. Luc being sponsored to work for the major Biotech company was new. The complex feeling surrounding identity isn't; Luc is from Mexico but grew up and spent a hefty amount of time away from Mexico that he is an outsider whenever he has the opportunity to visit.
When Voya finally starts to see the cycle of drama and trauma is when the story picks up and becomes something I truly enjoyed. Voya tries to find a way around destroying Luc and falling in love with him, but as the story unravels, love takes over in the driver's seat. However, this is not an urban fantasy romance, as romance within the book is for the plot but nothing more.
Be prepared for a story that allows for family to be your love and heartache.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Blood, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Slavery
bookswhitme's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow. That's all I can say is WOW! Everything about this was out of this world to be honest. The magic system that Liselle created had be sucked in from the beginning. While this could definitely classified as an urban fantasy, I loved the contemporary-esque elements involved. The focus on familial pressures, how secrets destroy relationships, and trying to figure out how to find yourself when you have no idea who you want to be, hit me right in the chest. Don't get me wrong, Voya frustrated me throughout the entire story, but I also understood her. She had a lot placed on her shoulders and it's hard to break out of people pleasing and stand strong in your decisions when you've had a life of people disappointing you and also telling you that your worth is measured in the gifts you have or what you can provide to your family. I can't wait for the next book.
CW for blood, discussions of murder, ritual sacrifice, dysfunctional family relationships, systemic racism, torture, familial death
CW for blood, discussions of murder, ritual sacrifice, dysfunctional family relationships, systemic racism, torture, familial death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, Murder, Kidnapping, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, and Violence
stephy_mu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Slavery, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse and Death of parent
jarka120's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
All of the books I've read this year have been bangers, and this one is no exception. Such good world-building and the darkness of the plot is so good, especially juxtaposed with moments of light humor and the wonderful relationship dynamics between characters. Stayed up until 2:30AM reading this book and my only regrets are having to go to work on 4 hours of sleep and the fact that now I can't keep reading the book because it's over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Blood