sammys_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I thought the concept sounded fun and the cover looked really cool but this book has been an amazing read! The magic system is fascinating and despite the book being about a bunch of teenagers (and I am definitely NOT a teenager) I did not find it difficult or annoying to read (which I often do, especially when the book mentions specific modern references, I once DNFed a book for it's early mention of a Fae playing candy crush 🫣) I'm actually found the opposite, I'm found the modern references relatable and fun.
I cannot get over how good this book was! I completely fell in love with all the characters, which, by the way were refreshingly diverse.
Blythe was at times selfish and a little annoying but was strong, a natural disaster and had great growth throughout the book.
Cordelia was a hard ass bitch with a hidden heart of gold.
Daniel was timid, shielded and naive but surprisingly brave, incredibly smart and fiercely loyal.
Antonio, the "soft boy" (total positive attribute btw) was just the sweetest little thing that you just constantly wanted to hug.
Storm was hard and isolated but secretly protective and sweet, especially with the quieter members of the team
Caspian was the total oddball who's humour really appealed to me.
And Jays flirty, charming nature and spicy humour had me giggling more often than I could count. I loved how diverse these characters were and how they broke so many stereotypes.
Ashias writing and natural flowing banter made this found family, coming of age type story an absolute joy to read, the teens were realistic and relatable and very much reminded me of my old social group and how different we all were and how our personalities all bounced off each others.
There was a really strong concept there too which was excellently executed. It felt quite different to anything I've read recently and I truly thrived off it! I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment!
I'd also like to say that Ashia gave very specific and detailed content warnings at the beginning, which I thought was a fantastic addition. I'm thankful that I'm not easily triggered by anything but I see the value in having very specific content warnings like this in a book. Fantastic 😊
I cannot get over how good this book was! I completely fell in love with all the characters, which, by the way were refreshingly diverse.
Blythe was at times selfish and a little annoying but was strong, a natural disaster and had great growth throughout the book.
Cordelia was a hard ass bitch with a hidden heart of gold.
Daniel was timid, shielded and naive but surprisingly brave, incredibly smart and fiercely loyal.
Antonio, the "soft boy" (total positive attribute btw) was just the sweetest little thing that you just constantly wanted to hug.
Storm was hard and isolated but secretly protective and sweet, especially with the quieter members of the team
Caspian was the total oddball who's humour really appealed to me.
And Jays flirty, charming nature and spicy humour had me giggling more often than I could count. I loved how diverse these characters were and how they broke so many stereotypes.
Ashias writing and natural flowing banter made this found family, coming of age type story an absolute joy to read, the teens were realistic and relatable and very much reminded me of my old social group and how different we all were and how our personalities all bounced off each others.
There was a really strong concept there too which was excellently executed. It felt quite different to anything I've read recently and I truly thrived off it! I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment!
I'd also like to say that Ashia gave very specific and detailed content warnings at the beginning, which I thought was a fantastic addition. I'm thankful that I'm not easily triggered by anything but I see the value in having very specific content warnings like this in a book. Fantastic 😊
book_loser's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
irenhere's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
bingsoojung's review
adventurous
- 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
3.0
noa_27moony's review against another edition
4.0
i enjoyed this book a lot, as someone identifying on the ace spectrum a love interest free book was so refreshing to read
tbh the lore confused me a bit but most fantasy book lores do so that might just be me
i'm intrigued to pick up the sequel
tbh the lore confused me a bit but most fantasy book lores do so that might just be me
i'm intrigued to pick up the sequel
zaheerah's review
4.0
*I received a copy via the author in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*
After Blythe witnesses her family being kidnapped right in front of her and her best friend injured, she’s forced into a road trip like no other. In search of other powerful magicians like her or “Guardians”, she must make her way to Electric City. But in a world where magic thrives and an imminent war between the two magician governments forces Blythes and her new friends to think on their feet and discover magic in a new way.
I found The Black Veins an interesting read. The writing is easy and enjoyable, and I found myself barrelling through the book with much ease, despite my own issue with the pacing. I particularly enjoyed the way Monet brings together all these teens who seemly have nothing in common. It was hilarious and sweet, watching them fall apart and come back together as a team. All the guardians have their own quirks that make them stand out. At first, I wasn’t too sure about the comedy aspects of this book, but I found it so funny, and I really loved how realistic all these teens came alive.
Blythe is the leader whose family kidnapping kickstarts her journey across the states. Slowly, she comes in contact with the guardians. Cordelia is a stuck up hacker, Daniel has never left his parents side, Antonio is confident and brash with a hilarious comedic flair. The last three I’ll keep unnamed were equally exciting and fun to experience.
I found the pacing to be quite the biggest pitfall for this book, and the lack of consistency in its pacing is where I struggled the most in the book. The overall journey we witness was quite exhilarating, and Ashia Monet is clearly a talented writer, but the story felt quite long and what we’re given in terms of worldbuilding doesn’t feel the gaps as well as I expected it to. Given the number of Guardians we meet, I feel like I didn’t really connect with the last three as much. But I do believe this is something that will most likely be worked upon in the sequel.
Overall, I found The Black Veins to be a strong debut. A YA urban fantasy that follows a group of teenagers. I found their journey to becoming a found family quite sweet, and I would definitely recommend this book. I might just chalk my negativity as the result of myself never really enjoying the first book as much as the rest of the series. If you’re interested in an urban fantasy road trip that follows a ragtag group of teenagers with enough power to destroy the world basically, then The Black Veins is definitely a treat for readers. And considering the ending of The Black Veins, I’m excited to see what happens next.
After Blythe witnesses her family being kidnapped right in front of her and her best friend injured, she’s forced into a road trip like no other. In search of other powerful magicians like her or “Guardians”, she must make her way to Electric City. But in a world where magic thrives and an imminent war between the two magician governments forces Blythes and her new friends to think on their feet and discover magic in a new way.
I found The Black Veins an interesting read. The writing is easy and enjoyable, and I found myself barrelling through the book with much ease, despite my own issue with the pacing. I particularly enjoyed the way Monet brings together all these teens who seemly have nothing in common. It was hilarious and sweet, watching them fall apart and come back together as a team. All the guardians have their own quirks that make them stand out. At first, I wasn’t too sure about the comedy aspects of this book, but I found it so funny, and I really loved how realistic all these teens came alive.
Blythe is the leader whose family kidnapping kickstarts her journey across the states. Slowly, she comes in contact with the guardians. Cordelia is a stuck up hacker, Daniel has never left his parents side, Antonio is confident and brash with a hilarious comedic flair. The last three I’ll keep unnamed were equally exciting and fun to experience.
I found the pacing to be quite the biggest pitfall for this book, and the lack of consistency in its pacing is where I struggled the most in the book. The overall journey we witness was quite exhilarating, and Ashia Monet is clearly a talented writer, but the story felt quite long and what we’re given in terms of worldbuilding doesn’t feel the gaps as well as I expected it to. Given the number of Guardians we meet, I feel like I didn’t really connect with the last three as much. But I do believe this is something that will most likely be worked upon in the sequel.
Overall, I found The Black Veins to be a strong debut. A YA urban fantasy that follows a group of teenagers. I found their journey to becoming a found family quite sweet, and I would definitely recommend this book. I might just chalk my negativity as the result of myself never really enjoying the first book as much as the rest of the series. If you’re interested in an urban fantasy road trip that follows a ragtag group of teenagers with enough power to destroy the world basically, then The Black Veins is definitely a treat for readers. And considering the ending of The Black Veins, I’m excited to see what happens next.
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Confinement, and Blood
Moderate: Car accident
betweenworlds's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.25
irlspiderman's review
5.0
this book was easily a 5 star read for me!! i had never heard of it and read it to gift to a friend and i am so glad i did. if you’re a fan of found family and representation for everything that feels so effortless and personal this is a go to. i could not put this book down and i cannot wait for the sequel!!