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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
It took me forever to get through this. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book over 500 pages and I think it showed when I started this one. It was so slow to develop. I respected Thea’s determination but I didn’t connect to her character so it really took time to feel invested. Wilder also didn’t wow me. He just came across as a bit bland. He was angry and a loner and that’s all I knew. It was only once Thea began her training I truly felt invested and even that took time.
In the end, this was a good story but it did feel unnecessarily long. Like a lot of the world billing and things that happened could have been condensed down. It was too much repetition at the beginning that had me questioning if I really wanted to keep reading. I am intrigued and might finish the series since it’s on KU.
In the end, this was a good story but it did feel unnecessarily long. Like a lot of the world billing and things that happened could have been condensed down. It was too much repetition at the beginning that had me questioning if I really wanted to keep reading. I am intrigued and might finish the series since it’s on KU.
adventurous
mysterious
adventurous
adventurous
emotional
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
Blood & Steel completely blew me away. I went in expecting to enjoy it but I did not expect to be this emotionally hooked from the very first chapter. The world building, the characters, the simmering tension, everything just clicked perfectly.
Althea is hands down one of my new favourite FMC in fantasy right now. She’s fierce and strong without ever losing her heart. In a kingdom where women aren’t allowed to fight, she’s been training in secret her whole life and that pressure seeps off the pages. You feel the weight she carries, the danger lurking around every corner and it kept me on edge the entire read. Watching her grow and fight to hold onto her purpose despite the impossible odds was inspiring.
The found family dynamic with Kipp and Cal brought so much heart to the story. Their loyalty and humor, added real depth to their little group. Watching Althea slowly begin to trust them made those connections feel so earned and authentic. I also adored the sisterly bond between Althea and Wren. It was such a grounding presence throughout the book and honestly I can’t wait to read more about Wren because she intrigues the hell out of me.
Then there’s Wilder Hawthorn, the youngest Warsword in existence, deadly, gruff and locked down tighter than a vault. He was everything I never knew I needed in an MMC. Every scene with Wilder had me both swooning and yelling at the book to just let them be together already. Their connection is exactly the kind of tension I crave, quiet, electric and so layered it kept me turning the pages. The way he tries (and fails) to stay indifferent, while clearly being completely hooked had me completely obsessed.
The world building is woven in so naturally that it keeps you fully immersed. The short chapters and fast pace made it impossible to put down. Every twist, every confrontation, every subtle Wilder and Thea moment kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. Plot wise, the pacing is spot on, fast enough to keep the adrenaline pumping but never rushed. The stakes are high from the very beginning and only escalate, with this constant feeling that no one is truly safe and the magic system is layered just enough to intrigue without overwhelming the story.
I loved that the book ended with the truth about Althea finally coming to light, with everything she’s been unknowingly carrying hits all at once and the emotional weight of it is huge. Blood & Steel checked every box for me. A fierce FMC, tension, found family, magic, betrayal, power struggles and just the right amount of angst.
Althea is hands down one of my new favourite FMC in fantasy right now. She’s fierce and strong without ever losing her heart. In a kingdom where women aren’t allowed to fight, she’s been training in secret her whole life and that pressure seeps off the pages. You feel the weight she carries, the danger lurking around every corner and it kept me on edge the entire read. Watching her grow and fight to hold onto her purpose despite the impossible odds was inspiring.
The found family dynamic with Kipp and Cal brought so much heart to the story. Their loyalty and humor, added real depth to their little group. Watching Althea slowly begin to trust them made those connections feel so earned and authentic. I also adored the sisterly bond between Althea and Wren. It was such a grounding presence throughout the book and honestly I can’t wait to read more about Wren because she intrigues the hell out of me.
Then there’s Wilder Hawthorn, the youngest Warsword in existence, deadly, gruff and locked down tighter than a vault. He was everything I never knew I needed in an MMC. Every scene with Wilder had me both swooning and yelling at the book to just let them be together already. Their connection is exactly the kind of tension I crave, quiet, electric and so layered it kept me turning the pages. The way he tries (and fails) to stay indifferent, while clearly being completely hooked had me completely obsessed.
The world building is woven in so naturally that it keeps you fully immersed. The short chapters and fast pace made it impossible to put down. Every twist, every confrontation, every subtle Wilder and Thea moment kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. Plot wise, the pacing is spot on, fast enough to keep the adrenaline pumping but never rushed. The stakes are high from the very beginning and only escalate, with this constant feeling that no one is truly safe and the magic system is layered just enough to intrigue without overwhelming the story.
I loved that the book ended with the truth about Althea finally coming to light, with everything she’s been unknowingly carrying hits all at once and the emotional weight of it is huge. Blood & Steel checked every box for me. A fierce FMC, tension, found family, magic, betrayal, power struggles and just the right amount of angst.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
