Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

53 reviews

foreverinastory's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thank you to B2 Weird Bookclub and Harper Voyager for an arc in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5 Y’all this book took me on a ride.

This was so bloody, but I loved it all! The Blood Trials is an immersive, bloody military fantasy that follows Ikenna Amari. She has just graduated her training and is planning to take time off to grieve the loss of her beloved Grandfather. When she learns he was murdered, she decides to pledge to the Praetorians to find out who killed him. But she’ll only find out if she survives the fatal trial process.

There is so much action in this story, and a shit ton of graphic and violent content. I loved going on this journey with Ikenna. She was a character I enjoyed getting to know. She doesn’t have everything figured out, but she has a goal in mind and nothing will stop her from getting there.

The magic and world building was really well done. There are so many cool parts to the societies to explore and I cannot wait to learn more about them all in the sequel! I really hope we get to see more of the other countries besides Mareen, because I am so curious about them all. Especially Ikenna's friendship with the Crown Prince. I need more details Ikenna!

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

Rep: Biracial Black cishet female MC, white cishet female side character, biracial cishet male side character, various Black male side characters. 

CWs: Racism, racial slurs, xenophobia, violence, gore, blood, injury/injury detail, cursing, death, cannibalism, misogyny, sexual content (on page and discussions), classism, sexism, grief, war, bullying/hazing, torture, murder, death of grandparent/parent, gun violence, medical content. Moderate: vomit, alcohol, alcoholism, confinement, gaslighting, colonisation, genocide, abandonment. 
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bookinitwithahtiya's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

This book here, y’all! I loved Ikenna within the first ten pages, point blank period. She’s bullheaded, driven, rash, and can definitely back up anything that comes out her mouth, no questions asked. I definitely feel like her and Rue from Wings of Ebony would get along or be the most dynamic sister duo 🤣 Kenna’s evolution is realistic and understandable, and I’m super excited to see her journey continue in Book 2. This (New) Adult SFF novel jumps right in and gives us the mission right in Chapter One; there’s no unnecessary exposition and it’s packed full with fleshed out and memorable characters. I’m excited for whatever N.E. Davenport puts out next. THE BLOOD TRIALS is already out in the world, so make sure to go grab your copy from your local bookstore or put in a request at your library; you’re not gonna wanna miss out on this one. That’s a promise 😉
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internationalreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-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

5.0

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