Scan barcode
dannie_xx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Misogyny, and Racism
jkreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and more, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It is absolutely my new favourite ‘trial-centric’ book. I cannot wait to start The Blood Gift!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I struggled to get into this at first and then it kicked off about a third of the way in and I was completely hooked. And that ending! I'll have to get to the second one soon because I need to know how on this is all going to play out.
My only thing I wasn't so keen on is a huge plot spoiler so proceeded with caution.I felt like thete were a lot of character deaths that just didn't draw a lot of emotion from me as I felt like I didn't really know them. This is particularly true for Zayne. I felt Ikenna's emotion but I didn't feel much for Zayne as he was kind of pushed to the side for a lot of the story, which just made me feel like some of the impact was lost. But at the same time I don't know how much of this is just me. I think I just wanted to know them more before we lost them.
My only thing I wasn't so keen on is a huge plot spoiler so proceeded with caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Racial slurs, Murder, Blood, Medical content, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, War, Gore, and Sexual content
kjanet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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 think the main character flaw I can see with the main character was that she let her anger and frustration get the better of her. She was extremely head strong (which I loved), but there were some points in time where that anger, hurt, and frustration lead her toward a mistake. Regardless, I am extremely happy I finally read this book. I heard nothing but amazing things, yet it still took me so long to read it. The main saving grace is that both books are already out so I can dive head first into the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, War, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
squids_can_read's review against another edition
DNF (46%)
Kenna's grandfather is dead. Died of a heart attack or so the corner says. Suddenly information comes to light that her grandfather's death might not have been an accident like everyone says it is. Now Kenna has to fight for her place among the ruthless Praetorians along with finding out what actually happened to her grandfather.
Doesn't that sound great? It would have been if the author had developed the world at all. This is a mix of science fiction and fantasy but neither of these aspects are explained at all. There is random technology that simply exists with no information of how long it's existed or if people are still trying to create new technology. Similar to the fantasy element. Gods are referenced but are not described whatsoever in their effect on the world except for giving some people powers. And these powers aren't explained either. It seems like people with powers are much stronger than everyone else but they get beat up by people without powers. It also doesn't explain all of what they can do. Do they have one power depending on the god or do they have all of them? I was just really confused.
I also didn't like how focused the world was on racism and bigotry. This was a big part of the point of the book and I didn't have a problem with using those ideas to make a commentary on our world. I had an issue with how much was shoved in the reader's face that absolutely everyone where Kenna lives is a terrible person except for her friends, one of whom is from there. It just didn't make a lot of sense to me, especially in terms of the timeline of when these ideas started and where they came from.
As for the characters, I thought that they were okay. All of the characters seemed kind of two-dimensional to me. It didn't feel like they were very complicated, including the main character. But the characters were not why I DNFed this book.
PSA- Despite the fact that this book cover looks YA, this is definitely a book for adults. There is heavy graphic violence that took me a little by surprise. I did get used to it but it was a lot in the beginning, just so you know.
Kenna's grandfather is dead. Died of a heart attack or so the corner says. Suddenly information comes to light that her grandfather's death might not have been an accident like everyone says it is. Now Kenna has to fight for her place among the ruthless Praetorians along with finding out what actually happened to her grandfather.
Doesn't that sound great? It would have been if the author had developed the world at all. This is a mix of science fiction and fantasy but neither of these aspects are explained at all. There is random technology that simply exists with no information of how long it's existed or if people are still trying to create new technology. Similar to the fantasy element. Gods are referenced but are not described whatsoever in their effect on the world except for giving some people powers. And these powers aren't explained either. It seems like people with powers are much stronger than everyone else but they get beat up by people without powers. It also doesn't explain all of what they can do. Do they have one power depending on the god or do they have all of them? I was just really confused.
I also didn't like how focused the world was on racism and bigotry. This was a big part of the point of the book and I didn't have a problem with using those ideas to make a commentary on our world. I had an issue with how much was shoved in the reader's face that absolutely everyone where Kenna lives is a terrible person except for her friends, one of whom is from there. It just didn't make a lot of sense to me, especially in terms of the timeline of when these ideas started and where they came from.
As for the characters, I thought that they were okay. All of the characters seemed kind of two-dimensional to me. It didn't feel like they were very complicated, including the main character. But the characters were not why I DNFed this book.
PSA- Despite the fact that this book cover looks YA, this is definitely a book for adults. There is heavy graphic violence that took me a little by surprise. I did get used to it but it was a lot in the beginning, just so you know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Gore, Alcohol, Body horror, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Blood, Classism, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Death, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, War, and Violence
yessicookie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
A great fantasy scifi book with interesting characters and a relatable main character.
(some parts were a little bit predictable to me, however i did not mind bc there were some plot twists that even i couldn't predict)
(some parts were a little bit predictable to me, however i did not mind bc there were some plot twists that even i couldn't predict)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Grief, Torture, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Slavery and Vomit
ek_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An excellent read! It’s got all the makings of a solid war college fantasy: a main character that’s underestimated by everyone around them; big secrets, meaning the MC has no idea who to trust; a mission to avenge a loved one; corruption in the leadership group, and the MC has to ferret out who’s responsible. Add in a society built on misogyny and racism, and you’ve got The Blood Trials.
This book has a lot of elements of the war college trope, but it kept me on my toes the whole time. I think one of my guesses was correct the whole book. I cannot wait to read book two!
Content warnings: this book has a lot of graphic violence and racism. There is one open-door sex scene, but it’s consensual and not very long.
This book has a lot of elements of the war college trope, but it kept me on my toes the whole time. I think one of my guesses was correct the whole book. I cannot wait to read book two!
Content warnings: this book has a lot of graphic violence and racism. There is one open-door sex scene, but it’s consensual and not very long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
shannahtan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I found that parts could be more show than tell. I guess maybe some people need the explanation that people are treating her a certain way due to the color of her skin.
is a badass, and it makes me so mad that she has to deal with such trash. I think it’s realistic that even the people you sort of end up rooting forlike Caiman, Greysen & Reed had moments of major racism and misogyny from the first 2. It’s an interesting statement on redemption. Even the best people have bad moments in a racist, misogynist society. The way a system can mess someone up is clear with Brock as well who ended up being privy of Verne Amari’s death. I really didn’t think Selene would betray Ikenna, but it seems like maybe she did? Hopefully, she didn’t know about the pendant blocking Kenna’s powers, and her dad just did it on his own. Do I hope Kenna ends up with Reed? I guess. It was a fast-paced book with constant drama and twists. It’s definitely gory and violent.
is a badass, and it makes me so mad that she has to deal with such trash. I think it’s realistic that even the people you sort of end up rooting for
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Misogyny, and Death
manicpixiedreaming's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
reed and ikenna sex scene jumpscare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Misogyny
marinaaurelia's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, War, Confinement, Murder, and Cannibalism