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fairybookmother's review against another edition
1.0
Nope nope nope. Didn't finish. I'm so tired of rape, implied rape, and attempted rape being a plot device, especially used as "spice" to an otherwise boring narrative. There are better ways of making someone out to be an asshole other than saying you'll force yourself on this girl who won't marry you and force her friend to watch. WTF.
DRC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
DRC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
shogins's review against another edition
3.0
(I received an ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.)
This book was fine. It was a perfectly acceptable historical fantasy. I liked the relationship between the main characters, cousins Dacia and Lou Lou a lot - it was nice that while they initially felt like tropes, throughout the book they expanded beyond simply the-brave-wild-one and the meek one. The setting was pretty cool too - Romania, but not vampires! Still, I found Lou Lou's romance subplot weird - we're originally supposed to find Arkady creepy, but even though Lou Lou likes him by the end, I never changed my mind about his creepiness. Also - how did the family never figure out that the grandma was killing all the baby girls??? It seems like after that many deaths, you'd realize it's not a coincidence!
I would've preferred if it was either more epistolary or if the letters were completely excised - the letters as is didn't do much.
This book was fine. It was a perfectly acceptable historical fantasy. I liked the relationship between the main characters, cousins Dacia and Lou Lou a lot - it was nice that while they initially felt like tropes, throughout the book they expanded beyond simply the-brave-wild-one and the meek one. The setting was pretty cool too - Romania, but not vampires! Still, I found Lou Lou's romance subplot weird - we're originally supposed to find Arkady creepy, but even though Lou Lou likes him by the end, I never changed my mind about his creepiness. Also - how did the family never figure out that the grandma was killing all the baby girls??? It seems like after that many deaths, you'd realize it's not a coincidence!
I would've preferred if it was either more epistolary or if the letters were completely excised - the letters as is didn't do much.
smokowate's review against another edition
3.0
Powinno być 2.5 ale dobrze się czytało. Ciekawy pomysł ciut infantylne ale mila przerwa od myślenia
izzywitchandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
It took about fifty pages to get into but I am very happy that I was able to.
Can we please have another?
Can we please have another?
deannaksmith's review against another edition
4.0
I really really liked this one! Excited to eventually read the next one and see where this story goes.
hrusewif's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't finish this book- though I desperately tried to force myself to keep reading. But I got to 33% / Page 177 (Kindle) and finally had to stop.
The story had an interesting premise. And the slight twist that I did get to was sort of interesting. So I do think Silver in the Blood actually had a lot of potential as story... But it was just so poorly told.
A lot of details were left out, so it sometimes jumped in ways that didn't make a lot of sense. Other plot points were too sudden, or had little context, making them more jarring than I think they should have been. The cheesiness of some of it was off putting as well... I've also never really been a huge fan of secondary narrative sources (journals, letters, news paper clippings, etc) in storytelling, or in POV switching- and it unfortunately does both, which just serves to make the story harder to follow and stay connected with.
The story had an interesting premise. And the slight twist that I did get to was sort of interesting. So I do think Silver in the Blood actually had a lot of potential as story... But it was just so poorly told.
A lot of details were left out, so it sometimes jumped in ways that didn't make a lot of sense. Other plot points were too sudden, or had little context, making them more jarring than I think they should have been. The cheesiness of some of it was off putting as well... I've also never really been a huge fan of secondary narrative sources (journals, letters, news paper clippings, etc) in storytelling, or in POV switching- and it unfortunately does both, which just serves to make the story harder to follow and stay connected with.
vivri's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
All the pieces are there, but they didn't quite click into place. The first part of the book where the Dacia and Lou were trying to unravel the mystery of their family was atmospheric and intriguing, but once the mystery is revealed, the rest of the book feels like it's in a rush to be over and loses the characterization and mystery that kept it compelling. I think readers on the younger end of YA would enjoy it, but the lack of nuance in the second half made it a bit disappointing for me.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This was hard to rate! I wavered between 2 and 3 stars. Jessica Day George is one of my favorite YA authors. I loved her Princess series. The problem that I had with this book is that is was so slow going at first. The build up took so long before the secrets were revealed that I found myself putting the book down several times before I could really get into it.
The premise is really good. It is set in the late 1800's in the mysterious country of Romania. There are two girl cousins who are likeable and have a sister-like bond. Though they grow up as wealthy Americans, their mothers' heritage is full of dark secrets. As they travel to Romania to meet their extended family for the first time, they are faced with an unbelievable discovery. Throw in a mysterious prince named Dracula, and you have the makings for a great series.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. It took so long for anything to happen that by the time I got to the end, I didn't really feel much for the characters one way or another. The romance was just so so because we didn't really get much detail on the male characters. I wanted to really like this. I guess the setting made my expectations soar and the reality was disappointing. I will read the next book in the series just because the potential is there. Let's just hope the next book is better than the first book.
The premise is really good. It is set in the late 1800's in the mysterious country of Romania. There are two girl cousins who are likeable and have a sister-like bond. Though they grow up as wealthy Americans, their mothers' heritage is full of dark secrets. As they travel to Romania to meet their extended family for the first time, they are faced with an unbelievable discovery. Throw in a mysterious prince named Dracula, and you have the makings for a great series.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. It took so long for anything to happen that by the time I got to the end, I didn't really feel much for the characters one way or another. The romance was just so so because we didn't really get much detail on the male characters. I wanted to really like this. I guess the setting made my expectations soar and the reality was disappointing. I will read the next book in the series just because the potential is there. Let's just hope the next book is better than the first book.