Reviews

So I could NOT help but compare this book to Fourth Wing which I read like a month or so before this but which came out like a year after this book. They both revolve around brutal and very deadly school trials to get into a powerful military group and they both have a enemies to lovers element. BUT thats where the similarities end. (NO dragons in this book) This book was more fantasy plot over romance and the trials aspect was way better done in my opinion. In this book our main characters grandfather recently died and after getting some info regarding the death she decides to do the trials to figure out what happened. There is heavy discrimination elements in the story which our character is indirectly fighting against (well at least at first)

I will admit that she was a little annoying at times but I was pretty involved in the story and seeing how things went. There were some fun/intense trials and although it didn't fully make sense that the school was so deadly with the elite status of the military group and the special perks of becoming one it wasn't as silly of a thing as it was in other books. Still kinda stupid though when you think about it. Why make the trials so deadly if you need people to fight in your war??

I did end up enjoying it and was excited to hop right onto the next book right after finishing it..

grace_muriithi's review

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5.0

GIVE IKENNA AMARI HER FLOWERS NOW.
(Or her knives...if you know what I mean.)
This novel blends fantasy and science fiction in a new, refreshing way while also acknowledging the true struggles that Black women face with the dual sword of misogynoir trying to keep them at bay. Ikenna's struggle with trying to figure out who murdered her grandfather along with surviving the Praetorian trials to achieve that rank explores how grief can be turned into a weapon for change...or in her case, revenge. This is a must-read for 2023 (even though I'm late).
(Also, Darius Reed? WHAT A MAN. Enough said.)

jazzreads32's review

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adventurous dark slow-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

The Blood Trials is my first fantasy book in a very long time. This author is new to me and I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this book. I enjoyed the plot and the action in this book. I like the main female character Ikenna. I like the different type of magic and combat parts in the book. I am looking forward to reading book 2. I am happy that I decided to listen to the audiobook because the narrator did a great time.

doug_f91's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

stewartla1392's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

itsme_hi's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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