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rjdenney's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the story line because it seemed unique... but after the two characters began
to fall for each other, the story grew sour. Some authors can execute romance well, and some can't.
Nick meets Silla and two hours later he can't stop thinking about her. Silla meets Nick and three days later she can't stop looking at him. I was annoyed by the romance, but the story kept me reading. The story began to get boring around page 235 and from there it just went... somewhere. I bought this book when it came out and barely got around to reading it. I didn't like it. I will keep the book on my shelf because it didn't piss me the hell off like the unbecoming of mara dyer did but I won't be picking it up or recommending it to anyone anytime soon.
-R.D.
to fall for each other, the story grew sour. Some authors can execute romance well, and some can't.
Nick meets Silla and two hours later he can't stop thinking about her. Silla meets Nick and three days later she can't stop looking at him. I was annoyed by the romance, but the story kept me reading. The story began to get boring around page 235 and from there it just went... somewhere. I bought this book when it came out and barely got around to reading it. I didn't like it. I will keep the book on my shelf because it didn't piss me the hell off like the unbecoming of mara dyer did but I won't be picking it up or recommending it to anyone anytime soon.
-R.D.
klaragon73's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adore this book. Of course, I love dark fiction with lots of quirky, snarky, lovable characters.
Silla – (AKA Drusilla) is a young girl, from Yaleylah, Missouri who finds her parents dead and covered in blood. Yaleylah is a typical small town where rumors of her parents’ death and Silla’s inherited “craziness” runs like wildfire through the school. Crazy may be the least alarming inheritance Silla acquires from her parents. It is definitely not the most dangerous Kennicott legacy…the magic inside her will endanger her and everyone around.
Reese – is Silla’s older brother who should be away at college; however after the horrifying death of his parents, Reese has delayed his admittance to Kansas State to take care of Silla. He is somewhat overprotective of his little sister, and who can blame him? He is somewhat resistant to the belief that his dad could be innocent, and downright difficult to convince magic is real. Silla desperately needs his faith, understanding, love, and help.
Nicholas – is a young man from Chicago who has just inherited his grandfather’s home in Yaleylah. His dad is a prominent lawyer with a “cougarish” wife. Nick is rebellious, snarky, condescending, spiteful, brutally honest, and eccentric. (Everything I love in a character.) He has his own memories that he has buried; memories that will resurface as he learns more about Silla.
Judy – is one of Silla’s Step-Grandmothers. She showed up shortly after the accident and moved right in. She is a perfect ally for Silla.
Wendy – is Silla’s only friend left from before the “accident.”
Eric – is Silla’s ex, the president of the drama club, and a surprisingly charming character who will endure much during this story.
Lilith (Mary) – Mary is Nick’s stepmother. She is a famous author and encouraged the move to Yaleylah. She felt like the small town would be a writer’s haven. But, there could be much more to her than what she seems.
Ms. Tripp – is the school counselor. She is attempting to help Silla overcome the horrifying experience of her parents death.
Josephine Darly – is a blood witch who wants to live forever and will try anything to get what she wants.
Philip – is an important piece of the puzzle that Silla must solve to save her friends and family.
My first impression of this book is that it would be dark, scary, and not my cup of tea. Well, I was right on two of the three, anyway. Blood Magic is built around death, cemeteries, blood, and magic. Some of the magic is pure evil and scared the c… out of me. However, I fell completely and unequivocally in love with this book after just a few pages…especially after meeting Nick.
The book switches perspectives between Silla and Nick…which I love. There is sometimes a bit of overlapping of views that appear repetitive, but overall, I enjoy the back and forth of it all. The one thing I don’t like is switching between past and present times. I have never liked this in books I read, and there is quite a bit of this. The past is important to the story though.
Here are a few of my favorite lines
The characters were troubled and each had a defined personality. Working together they can make life better and save each other. I was suspicious of everyone and everything. The things that Silla, Nick, and Reese can do with magic are down-right frightening.
Tessa Gratton brings emotions to the table that some would rather avoid; others will dwell in the upheaval. A debut novel to be read in the light.
Silla – (AKA Drusilla) is a young girl, from Yaleylah, Missouri who finds her parents dead and covered in blood. Yaleylah is a typical small town where rumors of her parents’ death and Silla’s inherited “craziness” runs like wildfire through the school. Crazy may be the least alarming inheritance Silla acquires from her parents. It is definitely not the most dangerous Kennicott legacy…the magic inside her will endanger her and everyone around.
Reese – is Silla’s older brother who should be away at college; however after the horrifying death of his parents, Reese has delayed his admittance to Kansas State to take care of Silla. He is somewhat overprotective of his little sister, and who can blame him? He is somewhat resistant to the belief that his dad could be innocent, and downright difficult to convince magic is real. Silla desperately needs his faith, understanding, love, and help.
Nicholas – is a young man from Chicago who has just inherited his grandfather’s home in Yaleylah. His dad is a prominent lawyer with a “cougarish” wife. Nick is rebellious, snarky, condescending, spiteful, brutally honest, and eccentric. (Everything I love in a character.) He has his own memories that he has buried; memories that will resurface as he learns more about Silla.
Judy – is one of Silla’s Step-Grandmothers. She showed up shortly after the accident and moved right in. She is a perfect ally for Silla.
Wendy – is Silla’s only friend left from before the “accident.”
Eric – is Silla’s ex, the president of the drama club, and a surprisingly charming character who will endure much during this story.
Lilith (Mary) – Mary is Nick’s stepmother. She is a famous author and encouraged the move to Yaleylah. She felt like the small town would be a writer’s haven. But, there could be much more to her than what she seems.
Ms. Tripp – is the school counselor. She is attempting to help Silla overcome the horrifying experience of her parents death.
Josephine Darly – is a blood witch who wants to live forever and will try anything to get what she wants.
Philip – is an important piece of the puzzle that Silla must solve to save her friends and family.
My first impression of this book is that it would be dark, scary, and not my cup of tea. Well, I was right on two of the three, anyway. Blood Magic is built around death, cemeteries, blood, and magic. Some of the magic is pure evil and scared the c… out of me. However, I fell completely and unequivocally in love with this book after just a few pages…especially after meeting Nick.
The book switches perspectives between Silla and Nick…which I love. There is sometimes a bit of overlapping of views that appear repetitive, but overall, I enjoy the back and forth of it all. The one thing I don’t like is switching between past and present times. I have never liked this in books I read, and there is quite a bit of this. The past is important to the story though.
Here are a few of my favorite lines
I looked up from the dirty haiku I was writing between notes on logarithmic functions. And? I asked with my eyes…I couldn’t be totally rude to somebody who knew his poetry. – Nicholas
“She was hot. And eager, man. A few of us were looking forward to her brother going away to college.” – Eric
I closed my eyes and stepped in. My hands found his shoulders, and my finger bones sucked up the heat from the fire…his hands pressed just over the belt of my low-riding jeans, guiding me, pulling me, pushing me, willing me to twirl and step and glide. – Silla
The characters were troubled and each had a defined personality. Working together they can make life better and save each other. I was suspicious of everyone and everything. The things that Silla, Nick, and Reese can do with magic are down-right frightening.
Tessa Gratton brings emotions to the table that some would rather avoid; others will dwell in the upheaval. A debut novel to be read in the light.
ladytiara's review against another edition
3.0
Blood Magic is an interesting addition to the young adult paranormal genre. In a genre overrun with vampires, werewolves, and fairies, Tessa Gratton's novel provides a welcome change. Although magic isn't unknown in the genre, the particular world of blood magic that Gratton has created feels new and different.
Blood Magic's heroine, Silla, is a very unhappy teenager. A few months earlier, her parents died under horrible circumstances. Everyone in their small town believes that her father killed her mother and then himself, but Silla has trouble believing her beloved father could have committed this crime. When she receives a mysterious package containing book of spells, apparently written by her father, she's desperate enough to try a spell, to find some sort of connection to the father she's lost. She performs the spell at her parent's grave, where she's seen by the new boy in town, Nick. He's disturbed by what he sees, because it brings up unpleasant memories for him, but he's very intrigued by Silla. They begin a romance and are soon caught up in the mystery of the blood magic.
The story is told from both Silla and Nick's points of view, in alternating chapters. Interspersed throughout the story are diary entries written many years earlier by a woman named Josephine. Their connection to the main story doesn't become apparent until well into the book, but the diary entries are an interesting contrast to the present-day tale. I enjoyed the way the mystery slowly unfolded.
I liked Silla very much. She's been through a major trauma, and it's hard for her to move on when everyone in her small town regards her as damaged. She and Nick have an instantaneous connection, a trope that's a bit overused in YA books, but it worked for me in this case. Nick and Silla are both fish out of water. Silla may have grown up in this town, but she no longer fits in, and Nick is a city boy who's been transplanted to this place against his will. Their connection makes sense.
There were some minor issues with the pacing of the story, and I felt it dragged a bit in the middle. However, things got really exciting toward the end of the book, and it was hard to put down. The climax was exciting and very creepy. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
(I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine.)
Blood Magic's heroine, Silla, is a very unhappy teenager. A few months earlier, her parents died under horrible circumstances. Everyone in their small town believes that her father killed her mother and then himself, but Silla has trouble believing her beloved father could have committed this crime. When she receives a mysterious package containing book of spells, apparently written by her father, she's desperate enough to try a spell, to find some sort of connection to the father she's lost. She performs the spell at her parent's grave, where she's seen by the new boy in town, Nick. He's disturbed by what he sees, because it brings up unpleasant memories for him, but he's very intrigued by Silla. They begin a romance and are soon caught up in the mystery of the blood magic.
The story is told from both Silla and Nick's points of view, in alternating chapters. Interspersed throughout the story are diary entries written many years earlier by a woman named Josephine. Their connection to the main story doesn't become apparent until well into the book, but the diary entries are an interesting contrast to the present-day tale. I enjoyed the way the mystery slowly unfolded.
I liked Silla very much. She's been through a major trauma, and it's hard for her to move on when everyone in her small town regards her as damaged. She and Nick have an instantaneous connection, a trope that's a bit overused in YA books, but it worked for me in this case. Nick and Silla are both fish out of water. Silla may have grown up in this town, but she no longer fits in, and Nick is a city boy who's been transplanted to this place against his will. Their connection makes sense.
There were some minor issues with the pacing of the story, and I felt it dragged a bit in the middle. However, things got really exciting toward the end of the book, and it was hard to put down. The climax was exciting and very creepy. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
(I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine.)
charms1976's review against another edition
3.0
In her debut novel, author Tess Gratton brings to the table magic, blood, suspense and romance. This would seem like the perfect combination for an amazing book. While I had high hopes for the story, and there were great parts through out, I still felt kind of disappointed in it.
When Silla's parents die in a horrific way, the whole town believes that her Father went crazy and killed not only himself, but her mother as well. Silla refuses to believe that her Father could do such a thing and has never accepted what has been said even though her brother Reese feels that maybe he did do it. Silla receives a package that is signed by The Deacon and discovers it is a book of spells based on Blood Magic. When she unleashes the magic within the pages, not only does she involve her brother, but newcomer Nick as well. What Silla doesn't know is that Nick already knows about magic and knows how evil it can be. As the three of them try to understand the magic and spells, they realize that there is something more sinister that is going on besides the blood sacrifices they make for spells.
With drama and suspense, the author had my interest from the get go. There were moments though that the book seemed to falter and the pace slowed to a point to where I wanted to skip pages. Even though it did this, I kept going because I needed to know what everything meant. I admit, at times I was a little confused with the storyline. There were times that things didn't go together and the characters seemed to fall out of the personality that the author had first created. I also didn't like how the book ended with so many unanswered questions and certain characters not being revealed. Even with these problems in the book, I still thought it was a very decent read for a debut novel. It had all the factors that I wanted including mystery, romance, heartbreak, paranormal and possessions.
Not a book that would end up on my keeper shelf, but one that I would read the next in the series. I am anxious to see what book two will hold and maybe clear up some questions from this book. Not bad for a debut novel and I hope the author can bring us more in the future!
When Silla's parents die in a horrific way, the whole town believes that her Father went crazy and killed not only himself, but her mother as well. Silla refuses to believe that her Father could do such a thing and has never accepted what has been said even though her brother Reese feels that maybe he did do it. Silla receives a package that is signed by The Deacon and discovers it is a book of spells based on Blood Magic. When she unleashes the magic within the pages, not only does she involve her brother, but newcomer Nick as well. What Silla doesn't know is that Nick already knows about magic and knows how evil it can be. As the three of them try to understand the magic and spells, they realize that there is something more sinister that is going on besides the blood sacrifices they make for spells.
With drama and suspense, the author had my interest from the get go. There were moments though that the book seemed to falter and the pace slowed to a point to where I wanted to skip pages. Even though it did this, I kept going because I needed to know what everything meant. I admit, at times I was a little confused with the storyline. There were times that things didn't go together and the characters seemed to fall out of the personality that the author had first created. I also didn't like how the book ended with so many unanswered questions and certain characters not being revealed. Even with these problems in the book, I still thought it was a very decent read for a debut novel. It had all the factors that I wanted including mystery, romance, heartbreak, paranormal and possessions.
Not a book that would end up on my keeper shelf, but one that I would read the next in the series. I am anxious to see what book two will hold and maybe clear up some questions from this book. Not bad for a debut novel and I hope the author can bring us more in the future!
missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
Lang und breit
Das Beste an Blood Magic findet sich schon im Titel wieder. Tessa Gratton verbindet in ihrer Welt Blut und Magie untrennbar miteinander. Ein Tropfen Blut kann wahre Wunder bewirken, aber manche Zauber verlangen ein wenig mehr Treibstoff. Dieses kleine Selbstopfer hat die Magie in diesem Buch zu etwas Gefährlichem gemacht. Manchmal wurden mir die vielen tiefen Schnitte sogar zu eklig, aber die Idee hat mir gefallen und die Art der Zauber hat mich an klassische Hexen- und Voodoorituale erinnert. Besonders gut hat mir der liebevoll beschriebene Zauberkasten, den Nick von seiner Mutter geerbt hat, gefallen. Darin gibt es unzählige Zutaten, sorgsam verpackt, die ich mir gern mit eigenen Augen und Fingern angeschaut hätte.
Die Verstrickung, die alle Charaktere miteinander verbindet, war nicht allzu schwer zu entknoten, hat aber mein Interesse aufrecht erhalten und mich am Ende sogar an manchen Stellen überrascht. Wer Josephine ist, war mir relativ schnell klar, aber als mehr über Philipp enthüllt wurde, war ich doch erstaunt.
Am Schönsten hätte ich es gefunden, wenn die Geschichte sich ausschließlich auf Silla und ihren Bruder Reese konzentriert hätte. Die beiden haben gerade ihre Eltern verloren und man hätte die Geschichte wunderbar auf die beiden Geschwister minimieren können. Stattdessen taucht Tölpel Nick auf. Er bringt durch seine Mutter, die ihm als Kind die Blutmagie gezeigt hat, zwar eine interessante Note ins Spiel, aber die meiste Zeit ging er mir auf die Nerven. Vor allem wie er mit seiner Stiefmutter umgeht, die er Lilith (nach der Dämonenurmutter) nennt, fand ich unerhört. Mit seinen 16 Jahren führt sich auf wie ein pubertierender Rotzlöffel! Er führt lächerliche Streitgespräche mit ihr und behandelt sie von oben herab. Ich kann es verstehen, wenn man die neue Partnerin seines Vaters nicht leiden kann, aber sich ihr so gegenüber zu verhalten, war mir unsympathisch. „Lilith“ wird zwar auch nicht als Unschuldsengel dargestellt, aber diese stereotype böse Stiefmutterrolle fand ich eh blöd.
Silla war mir da schon viel lieber. Die Idee, dass sie sich für jeden Moment und jede Stimmung eine passende (gedachte) Maske zurechtlegt und aufsetzt, fand ich fantastisch. Die Masken waren nicht nur farbenfroh beschrieben, sie haben auch Sillas Gefühlswelt widergespiegelt. Ihren Bruder Reese mochte ich genauso gern. Schade, dass er so wenig Spielfläche bekommen hat.
Hörbucheindruck
Corinna Dorenkamp liest Silla. Von ihrer Stimme war ich sofort eingenommen. Sympathisch, stimmungsvoll und passend zu Sillas Rolle. Auch Hildegard Meier, die Josephines Parts vorträgt, konnte mich überzeugen. Erst fand ich den Übergang zwischen ihrer deutlich älteren Stimme und den beiden jüngeren etwas hart, aber das Alter passt zur Figur und Zeit aus der die Tagebucheinträge stammen. Martin Baltscheit liest die wenigen Stellen des Charakters Philipp. Auch seine Stimme und Lesung hat mir gut gefallen.
Mit diesen drei Lesern hätte ich das Hörbuch durchweg genießen können, aber der Vierte im Bunde – Patrick Mölleken, Stimme der zweiten Hauptfigur Nick – hat mir alles kaputt gemacht. Seine Stimmfarbe ist zwar angenehm, aber seine Betonung hat überhaupt nicht hingehauen. Jeder Satz klang unnatürlich und als wenn er sich bemüht in der Schule ordentlich aus einem Buch vorzulesen. Das hat mir Nick zusätzlich unsympathisch gemacht.
Kurz und knapp
Ein solider Teenieroman für alle, die mal wieder was über Zauberei und Magie in unserer Welt lesen möchten. Die weibliche Seite des Hörbuchs wird toll gelesen, während man bei Nicks Kapiteln vielleicht lieber zum gedruckten Werk wechseln sollte.
Das Beste an Blood Magic findet sich schon im Titel wieder. Tessa Gratton verbindet in ihrer Welt Blut und Magie untrennbar miteinander. Ein Tropfen Blut kann wahre Wunder bewirken, aber manche Zauber verlangen ein wenig mehr Treibstoff. Dieses kleine Selbstopfer hat die Magie in diesem Buch zu etwas Gefährlichem gemacht. Manchmal wurden mir die vielen tiefen Schnitte sogar zu eklig, aber die Idee hat mir gefallen und die Art der Zauber hat mich an klassische Hexen- und Voodoorituale erinnert. Besonders gut hat mir der liebevoll beschriebene Zauberkasten, den Nick von seiner Mutter geerbt hat, gefallen. Darin gibt es unzählige Zutaten, sorgsam verpackt, die ich mir gern mit eigenen Augen und Fingern angeschaut hätte.
Die Verstrickung, die alle Charaktere miteinander verbindet, war nicht allzu schwer zu entknoten, hat aber mein Interesse aufrecht erhalten und mich am Ende sogar an manchen Stellen überrascht. Wer Josephine ist, war mir relativ schnell klar, aber als mehr über Philipp enthüllt wurde, war ich doch erstaunt.
Am Schönsten hätte ich es gefunden, wenn die Geschichte sich ausschließlich auf Silla und ihren Bruder Reese konzentriert hätte. Die beiden haben gerade ihre Eltern verloren und man hätte die Geschichte wunderbar auf die beiden Geschwister minimieren können. Stattdessen taucht Tölpel Nick auf. Er bringt durch seine Mutter, die ihm als Kind die Blutmagie gezeigt hat, zwar eine interessante Note ins Spiel, aber die meiste Zeit ging er mir auf die Nerven. Vor allem wie er mit seiner Stiefmutter umgeht, die er Lilith (nach der Dämonenurmutter) nennt, fand ich unerhört. Mit seinen 16 Jahren führt sich auf wie ein pubertierender Rotzlöffel! Er führt lächerliche Streitgespräche mit ihr und behandelt sie von oben herab. Ich kann es verstehen, wenn man die neue Partnerin seines Vaters nicht leiden kann, aber sich ihr so gegenüber zu verhalten, war mir unsympathisch. „Lilith“ wird zwar auch nicht als Unschuldsengel dargestellt, aber diese stereotype böse Stiefmutterrolle fand ich eh blöd.
Silla war mir da schon viel lieber. Die Idee, dass sie sich für jeden Moment und jede Stimmung eine passende (gedachte) Maske zurechtlegt und aufsetzt, fand ich fantastisch. Die Masken waren nicht nur farbenfroh beschrieben, sie haben auch Sillas Gefühlswelt widergespiegelt. Ihren Bruder Reese mochte ich genauso gern. Schade, dass er so wenig Spielfläche bekommen hat.
Hörbucheindruck
Corinna Dorenkamp liest Silla. Von ihrer Stimme war ich sofort eingenommen. Sympathisch, stimmungsvoll und passend zu Sillas Rolle. Auch Hildegard Meier, die Josephines Parts vorträgt, konnte mich überzeugen. Erst fand ich den Übergang zwischen ihrer deutlich älteren Stimme und den beiden jüngeren etwas hart, aber das Alter passt zur Figur und Zeit aus der die Tagebucheinträge stammen. Martin Baltscheit liest die wenigen Stellen des Charakters Philipp. Auch seine Stimme und Lesung hat mir gut gefallen.
Mit diesen drei Lesern hätte ich das Hörbuch durchweg genießen können, aber der Vierte im Bunde – Patrick Mölleken, Stimme der zweiten Hauptfigur Nick – hat mir alles kaputt gemacht. Seine Stimmfarbe ist zwar angenehm, aber seine Betonung hat überhaupt nicht hingehauen. Jeder Satz klang unnatürlich und als wenn er sich bemüht in der Schule ordentlich aus einem Buch vorzulesen. Das hat mir Nick zusätzlich unsympathisch gemacht.
Kurz und knapp
Ein solider Teenieroman für alle, die mal wieder was über Zauberei und Magie in unserer Welt lesen möchten. Die weibliche Seite des Hörbuchs wird toll gelesen, während man bei Nicks Kapiteln vielleicht lieber zum gedruckten Werk wechseln sollte.
sony08's review against another edition
4.0
Actually loved this book and will be looking out for the second one.
fokmok's review against another edition
3.0
Rather exciting book from start to end.
It's a long time since I read this one but I loved it all the way through.
There are a lot of reasons to read this, but if I had to choose one reason to re-read it, it would be the pain factor in the book due to the usage of blood to perform magic.
It's a long time since I read this one but I loved it all the way through.
There are a lot of reasons to read this, but if I had to choose one reason to re-read it, it would be the pain factor in the book due to the usage of blood to perform magic.
redinteeth's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled across the first-chapter excerpt online. I wasn't going to read this book
before I saw the first chapter. It completely changed my mind. I'm definitely adding
this to my want-list.
before I saw the first chapter. It completely changed my mind. I'm definitely adding
this to my want-list.
sugarpop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
singsthewren's review against another edition
4.0
This book was sitting on my to-read shelf, literally, for five years. The title sort of put me off, and the main character's name is so silly I assumed it would be really painfully typical YA. And I got it for free, so I just kept putting it off.
I finally decided to read it since I was on vacation, and I figured I could leave it behind when I was done. Well, unfortunately, the book was so darn good that I had to shlep it all the way home so I can lend it to other people!!
The plot is really different - I love how accepting everyone is of the magic, and how open and honest the main characters are with the other people in their lives. The romance feels very real and engaging, and the different points of view are earned and interesting. Can't wait to read the next one!
I finally decided to read it since I was on vacation, and I figured I could leave it behind when I was done. Well, unfortunately, the book was so darn good that I had to shlep it all the way home so I can lend it to other people!!
The plot is really different - I love how accepting everyone is of the magic, and how open and honest the main characters are with the other people in their lives. The romance feels very real and engaging, and the different points of view are earned and interesting. Can't wait to read the next one!