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bellasbookmark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
I really wanted to love this book that had such amazing representation and creative plot but the storytelling fell short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Police brutality, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
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, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found the beginning of this book rather slow but the final third of the book picks up. The author took some very familiar tropes and turned them on their heads in ways I didn’t expect. I was pleasantly surprised. I found some of the storytelling a bit repetitive but the writing is good. The ending was more open ended than I expected but and some aspects of the story were a bit unsatisfactory but still realistic. I loved the genre blending of fantasy and sci fi in this book. I also loved the unapologetic Black Canadianness of this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Moderate: Blood
nschweitzer21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I generally liked this book but there were definitely some sticking points. First, though the book features a fantastically diverse cast of characters, this diversity features as a plot point that isn’t always handled well.
For instance, though multiple main and supporting characters are trans, Voya (our main character and narrator) seems content to assume gender and be corrected later, rather than simply read their pronouns on their easily accessible “feed” profile before making judgements. Gender neutral pronouns are not featured in this book, despite Voya’s insistence that trans and non-binary individuals are accepted. Similarly, descriptions of characters are sparse, rather than describing physical characteristics, style, or the way someone holds themselves, Voya’s narration frequently only introduces characters by race/ethnicity. Characters are introduced by saying “a Black woman with distinctly East Asian eyes” which 1) sometimes reduces characters to stereotypes and 2) doesn’t do much to paint a mental picture of the characters.
Speaking of trans people, the book also seems to push a very medicalized version of trans identity. All trans characters are insistent on getting the genetic treatment that alters their DNA to replicate transition surgeries “naturally” and Voya questions whether or not certain characters have had the procedure. Characters don’t really discuss their identities or feelings beyond the very “physical” aspect of trans identity. While this isn’t a bad thing, I feel that by having trans characters (and their feelings/needs surrounding transition) feature heavily in the book, the author could have either done more to explore this or allowed trans characters to exist separate from their “transition status.”
That being said, I enjoyed the plot of this book and the insistence Voya has on her family and her ancestors, and her desire to protect the people she loves while maintaining her sense of self. The Thomas family traditions and Trinidadian culture also features heavily and are really great additions. The magic system is well defined and has strict rules. I found myself simultaneously hating Voya and sympathizing with her. Luc is a fun character with layers. The family is well fleshed out and I never had trouble remembering who was who, despite the extended supporting cast.
Overall, this is a good book. I just wish some of the characters and identities featured in the book were more fleshed out.
For instance, though multiple main and supporting characters are trans, Voya (our main character and narrator) seems content to assume gender and be corrected later, rather than simply read their pronouns on their easily accessible “feed” profile before making judgements. Gender neutral pronouns are not featured in this book, despite Voya’s insistence that trans and non-binary individuals are accepted. Similarly, descriptions of characters are sparse, rather than describing physical characteristics, style, or the way someone holds themselves, Voya’s narration frequently only introduces characters by race/ethnicity. Characters are introduced by saying “a Black woman with distinctly East Asian eyes” which 1) sometimes reduces characters to stereotypes and 2) doesn’t do much to paint a mental picture of the characters.
Speaking of trans people, the book also seems to push a very medicalized version of trans identity. All trans characters are insistent on getting the genetic treatment that alters their DNA to replicate transition surgeries “naturally” and Voya questions whether or not certain characters have had the procedure. Characters don’t really discuss their identities or feelings beyond the very “physical” aspect of trans identity. While this isn’t a bad thing, I feel that by having trans characters (and their feelings/needs surrounding transition) feature heavily in the book, the author could have either done more to explore this or allowed trans characters to exist separate from their “transition status.”
That being said, I enjoyed the plot of this book and the insistence Voya has on her family and her ancestors, and her desire to protect the people she loves while maintaining her sense of self. The Thomas family traditions and Trinidadian culture also features heavily and are really great additions. The magic system is well defined and has strict rules. I found myself simultaneously hating Voya and sympathizing with her. Luc is a fun character with layers. The family is well fleshed out and I never had trouble remembering who was who, despite the extended supporting cast.
Overall, this is a good book. I just wish some of the characters and identities featured in the book were more fleshed out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Racism
Minor: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
The book does go into graphic detail regarding a whipping scene in the context of slavery. There is also graphic descriptions of blood and violence.hannahadamson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Meet my new favourite book!
I absolutely loved Blood Like Magic. It was magical, mysterious and the characters were so loveable and well developed. If you love fantasy and the enemies to lovers trope, I would highly recommend this book.
I thought that the world in this book was really unique and interesting, it was a great blend of fantasy and sci fi. The world building was also done really well. The author does a really good job of easing you into the new world.
I also mentioned this briefly at the beginning of my review, but the characters in this book were wonderful. Our main character, Voya, is so interesting and well developed. I loved her growth throughout the book and I was rooting for her the whole time.
Voya has a really large family and I felt that all these characters were really well developed and I cared about them all so deeply by the end of the book.
Luc was also a wonderful love interest. I loved getting to know him with Voya and there were so many cute moments!
The pacing in this book is also great. There aren’t any slow points at all, I was hooked the entire time.
Overall, I really loved this book and would highly recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers. I’m already desperate for book 2n
I absolutely loved Blood Like Magic. It was magical, mysterious and the characters were so loveable and well developed. If you love fantasy and the enemies to lovers trope, I would highly recommend this book.
I thought that the world in this book was really unique and interesting, it was a great blend of fantasy and sci fi. The world building was also done really well. The author does a really good job of easing you into the new world.
I also mentioned this briefly at the beginning of my review, but the characters in this book were wonderful. Our main character, Voya, is so interesting and well developed. I loved her growth throughout the book and I was rooting for her the whole time.
Voya has a really large family and I felt that all these characters were really well developed and I cared about them all so deeply by the end of the book.
Luc was also a wonderful love interest. I loved getting to know him with Voya and there were so many cute moments!
The pacing in this book is also great. There aren’t any slow points at all, I was hooked the entire time.
Overall, I really loved this book and would highly recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers. I’m already desperate for book 2n
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
achay91's review against another edition
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Blood
Minor: Racism
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Terminal illness
reviewsbyleyla's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am so torn about this book. On the one hand, this world that Sambury created is unique and interesting and I loved learning about it. The characters added a lot to the story, and for the most part, they were nicely fleshed out and added to the world that was being built. However, there was a ton of world-building right at the beginning, and the main plot didn't really seem to start until about 100 pages into the book. Which could be your cup of tea! But I wanted the action to start a little sooner.
Overall, I think my main issue is this book felt too long. For me, this meant that a lot of the plot felt repetitive, especially with Voya's task. I was actually much more interested in the mystery with her aunt and how that was going to pan out. As the first book in a series, I think this might have just taken on a bit too much. Pairing it down would have allowed some of the plot elements to breath a bit, and some of the other parts of the story could have been explored in future books.
I don't want to giveaway spoilers, but I also felt "meh" about the ending. Voya's choice ended up feeling a bit harsh, and even though I kind of figured where the plot was going, I didn't know it was going to go to that extent.
Definitely mixed about this book, but still 100% in love with this fantastic cover.
Overall, I think my main issue is this book felt too long. For me, this meant that a lot of the plot felt repetitive, especially with Voya's task. I was actually much more interested in the mystery with her aunt and how that was going to pan out. As the first book in a series, I think this might have just taken on a bit too much. Pairing it down would have allowed some of the plot elements to breath a bit, and some of the other parts of the story could have been explored in future books.
I don't want to giveaway spoilers, but I also felt "meh" about the ending. Voya's choice ended up feeling a bit harsh, and even though I kind of figured where the plot was going, I didn't know it was going to go to that extent.
Definitely mixed about this book, but still 100% in love with this fantastic cover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Transphobia, and Police brutality
16rcampbell's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Another reader would probably rate this a lot higher, I just did not love the sci-fic elements. It was unexpected and not my preference. I really liked the family dynamics. Keis is my favorite. Voya was a frustrating character to follow because she just needed to make a choice and she’s so good at choices for other people that when she can’t make one for herself it’s almost infuriating. It had some pretty heavy imagery for a YA book in terms of blood and violence. At times it felt a little repetitive but I feel like that’s mostly due to the nature of YA books. I liked the twists, everything wrapped up nicely and there wasn’t a bunch of extra stuff to address that got in the way of the main plot. I liked seeing Voya grow and I thought the choices she made in the end were creative solutions and really showed how far she came. I’d recommend this book, I liked it, but I would not read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Hate crime, Transphobia, and Police brutality
Trigger warning - hanging, described in detail