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jinmichae's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved a lot of things about this book, but the plot felt messy to me. Strong start, compelling main character, and a challenge that seems insurmountable all for me interested from the start.
Unfortunately, for me it got muddled up with the romance factor. I think it would have worked better with a longer "will they/won't they" phase, or if there were more stakes for them to have to consider their feelings. I hate misunderstandings that come from something the characters could just have talked about, but even that would have created more tension:if Thorn thought that Victoria was actually committed to her other "lovers" and was more subtle with his desires.
I wanted to know more about the jungle and the dangers present there, but the feeling of constant present danger wasn't there as the got farther off the trail. They had no Wildbloods watching at night?It was mere coincidence that Victoria noticed the soul eater: if she hadn't been awake, the whole camp could have been killed.
I think mostly this could have done with some tightening up. I felt there were too many scenes basically hashing out the same conversation between Thorn and Victoria, and it killed the tension and pacing. They, and the reader, forget they're in a dangerous jungle.And I hate that Thorn doesn't really agree that the jungle and the gold belong to no one but the jungle. I feel that should have been a bigger sticking point for Victoria.
Finally, the scene in the orchard was quite anticlimactic. Victoria alludes to not knowing what's actually there, why there are "man eaters" if there's no men there. But it's just trees with gold sap? And we only really see it in a glance as she tries to help Thorn. I also didn't understand why she didn't just stay in the jungle: why return to the boss at all? Especially with how it ends?
In some ways this felt like a first draft, which is frustrating because I really enjoyed the writing, the glimpses we saw of the jungle's beauty and danger, and the different characters. I think the plot just got muddied up in the middle, and the tone became less consistent, which lost the danger and immediacy of the early chapters.
All that said, I loved Biggs. I think he was my favorite part of the book. I almost yelled with how happy I was that he loved Victoria just like the rest of the jungle.
Unfortunately, for me it got muddled up with the romance factor. I think it would have worked better with a longer "will they/won't they" phase, or if there were more stakes for them to have to consider their feelings. I hate misunderstandings that come from something the characters could just have talked about, but even that would have created more tension:
I wanted to know more about the jungle and the dangers present there, but the feeling of constant present danger wasn't there as the got farther off the trail. They had no Wildbloods watching at night?
I think mostly this could have done with some tightening up. I felt there were too many scenes basically hashing out the same conversation between Thorn and Victoria, and it killed the tension and pacing. They, and the reader, forget they're in a dangerous jungle.
In some ways this felt like a first draft, which is frustrating because I really enjoyed the writing, the glimpses we saw of the jungle's beauty and danger, and the different characters. I think the plot just got muddied up in the middle, and the tone became less consistent, which lost the danger and immediacy of the early chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Colonisation, Grief, Slavery, Trafficking, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Bullying, Murder, Racism, Torture, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
kjanet's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book was disappointing. The insta-love, the plot, the characters, the unexplored island - everything. The world is literally not something that is explored. Were Wildbloods always there (did I miss this?)? Is it something native to the island? What about the rest of this country/island? Where do the deserters go when they run away?
I feel like this story beginning and ending at the jungle just caused such a weak plot. Do not even mention the main "enemy" who is their boss who they could have killed and/or overthrown years ago with their wildblood magic. Ridiculous. The characters really did nothing for me, and the plot was boring and dragged. This whole book took place within a few days (so it seems).
So much premise only for this to be such a letdown.
I feel like this story beginning and ending at the jungle just caused such a weak plot. Do not even mention the main "enemy" who is their boss who they could have killed and/or overthrown years ago with their wildblood magic. Ridiculous. The characters really did nothing for me, and the plot was boring and dragged. This whole book took place within a few days (so it seems).
So much premise only for this to be such a letdown.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Racism
Minor: Rape
its_thekla's review
adventurous
dark
slow-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
Man, this one was hard to rate. I loved our FMC's grit and attitude. I loved our setting. I loved the "magic".
I hated the instalove between the two MCs- it felt like an afterthought that was thrown in after the fact, combined with the godawful tension between the LI and another character was a hard no for me. I hated the pacing- slow, lumbering and often repetitive.
I hated the instalove between the two MCs- it felt like an afterthought that was thrown in after the fact, combined with the godawful tension between the LI and another character was a hard no for me. I hated the pacing- slow, lumbering and often repetitive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
kayjchan95's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m so frustrated. I had excitement for this story and it started off strong! About 40 percent in everything came crashing down for me.
A lot of the choices of the characters doesn’t make sense to me. How tf do you have a captor YET you’re the strongest Wildblood you’ve ever known? Have y’all thought uhhh to overthrow your captor being that he’s actually human and you’re not??? The mix of African spirituality and then mixing Christianity was confusing to me. Homeboy being Christian is one thing but then her understanding and talking about it didn’t make sense being that they come from two different worlds???? Also the crying about Dean ruining her life got soooo old. I’m shocked she didn’t kill him after what he did. She very well should have. Especially BOTH of her boys dying because of him? I don’t get her. All her choices were dumb rash and did I say dumb? I don’t care she’s only 18 if you’re trying to get promoted bickering with your superior is the absolute way to NOT make it up the ranks. Her getting raped by her boss is also insane to me. It felt like it was used as a plot point to drive the wedge between her and Dean but I don’t think it was handled and explained was done poorly. I have not experienced such but I just got the ick hearing about her trauma as if it was just a bad experience. Rather than traumatizing and absolutely something that changes the person. I’m sorry but Dean should have met his maker in this book. He’s done waaaaay to much to V for her to forgive him. Made no sense. Also. The amount of random conflict this book had baffled me. One after another. There rarely any down time to just chill for a second before there’s another annoying conflict. The book feels childish to me like it could have been for 10 year olds. If the cursing (which was minimal by the way), the sex scene, and mention of rape was not stated this could have easily been a kids book. Dead ass. That’s how comical and childish it read to me. My rant is all over the place because guess what! So was the book. The parts I did enjoy was the character chemistry at the beginning between Bunny Sam and Victoria. I chuckled a lot at them! Loved the banter. I also did like Thorn up until the turning point. Everything got confusing and messy when they got together. It’s as if the mission to find gold didn’t even matter. Did they even find gold!? I can’t even remember bc I started skimming at some point. This was a cathartic write. I’m upset. I wanted to like this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Racism and Classism
the_clever_reader's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I struggled with this one. I wanted more magic, monsters, and actual treasure hunting. Instead I got insta-love and not very likeable characters all around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
the_b00kreader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
"You . . . you tamed a shadow creature?" he asks dumbly.
"What, like it's hard?"
**TW**
blood, death, gore, domestic violence, r*pe, betrayal, grief, kidnapping, slavery, racism
Wildblood was amazing. That's all I feel like I need to say. It's a story that you simply have to read. Where do you truly feel at home? Where do you truly belong?
These two questions seem to pop into your mind as you read this book through the eyes of the main character, Victoria.
Victoria is a light-skinned Wildblood, a 'Rare Beauty' yet that doesn't stop harm from coming her way.
This book was bittersweet and heartfelt, magical yet real. Every emotion you may have suppressed is likely to come to the surface.
Wildblood is written in such a way that I could not be torn away from reading, I just had to keep going. The story this book held, the deeper meanings, it was all so beautiful.
I must say, I'm glad how the story ended and I don't believe I could picture a more perfect ending. This book is worthy of your time, so please give it a go. (I insist!🤭)
Lauren Blackwood, you've written a story that has touched my heart. To read about such a strong connection and such a strong female lead, I feel honoured. Thank you for writing Wildblood and sharing it. ♡ (I shall now dedicate myself to reading previously published and future releases by you!)
"What, like it's hard?"
**TW**
blood, death, gore, domestic violence, r*pe, betrayal, grief, kidnapping, slavery, racism
Wildblood was amazing. That's all I feel like I need to say. It's a story that you simply have to read. Where do you truly feel at home? Where do you truly belong?
These two questions seem to pop into your mind as you read this book through the eyes of the main character, Victoria.
Victoria is a light-skinned Wildblood, a 'Rare Beauty' yet that doesn't stop harm from coming her way.
This book was bittersweet and heartfelt, magical yet real. Every emotion you may have suppressed is likely to come to the surface.
Wildblood is written in such a way that I could not be torn away from reading, I just had to keep going. The story this book held, the deeper meanings, it was all so beautiful.
I must say, I'm glad how the story ended and I don't believe I could picture a more perfect ending. This book is worthy of your time, so please give it a go. (I insist!🤭)
Lauren Blackwood, you've written a story that has touched my heart. To read about such a strong connection and such a strong female lead, I feel honoured. Thank you for writing Wildblood and sharing it. ♡ (I shall now dedicate myself to reading previously published and future releases by you!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Domestic abuse, Slavery, Kidnapping, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Physical abuse, Child death, Rape, Murder, Blood, Racism, Hate crime, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Abandonment
chronicallybookish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 15+
Over All: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.25/5
Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Special thanks to Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
TW: (as stated in the front of the book) depictions of blood, gore, physical/sexual assault, sexual trauma, and death. For more information, please visit the author’s website.
I’m really glad this book has a TW in the front, because I think it might be the darkest YA book I’ve ever read. These are not just passing mentions of abuse, gore, and SA. They’re repeated, and often described to a graphic extent. The rape isn’t directly described, and it takes place a year prior to the start of the book, but we do get flashbacks of it that while they don’t describe the act itself, they do go into enough detail that it made me physically sick to read.
I think the premise far outshines the execution of this book. The writing is fine, but could be stronger, and I think that by making this book YA, the author was unable to delve as deep into the darker aspects of this book as she wanted to, leaving some of the darker scenes feeling as if they were lacking depth. It takes a lot of skill to navigate these topics in a space where you have to portray these aspects in a complete and powerful way, without getting too graphic, because the book needs to remain suitable for younger readers. I don’t think that Blackwood quite achieved that balance here.
I enjoyed Victoria as a character. I think she was a strong protagonist, well rounded, with believable goals and motivations. She was easy to root for. I cannot say the same for any of the other characters. They all felt very… shallow. I don’t think any of them had much individuality, much personality, and most of their motivations rang hollow. I think they just needed more.
The writing also felt… choppy? I’m not sure what word to use. The narration was very serious, matching the dark content and atmosphere of the novel. However every once in a while, there would be a pop culture reference/quote thrown in randomly. Now, I’m terrible at pop culture references and such, so I didn’t always know where the reference came from, but it was always obvious when it happened, because someone would say something that was both out of character for them and that did not fit the vibe of the narration or what was happening at the time. Like, imagine a severely dark and fucked up story, very seriously narrated, a very serious main character, who has just watched a bunch of people get brutally murdered, throwing out a “What, like it’s hard?” No. Just no. I love Legally Blonde, but it was so clunkily in there. Every reference was so clunky.
I did really enjoy the setting. I think that the jungle, the lore around it, and Victoria’s connection to it was fascinating and really well executed. This aspect of the book was phenomenal. When it came to the descriptions and Victoria’s interactions with the forest itself, the creatures, River Mumma, all of those aspects were great. This is what I wanted, when I was reading Beasts of Prey. If everything in this book had been executed to the level that the jungle was, this could have been a five star book.
Age Rating: 15+
Over All: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.25/5
Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Special thanks to Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
TW: (as stated in the front of the book) depictions of blood, gore, physical/sexual assault, sexual trauma, and death. For more information, please visit the author’s website.
I’m really glad this book has a TW in the front, because I think it might be the darkest YA book I’ve ever read. These are not just passing mentions of abuse, gore, and SA. They’re repeated, and often described to a graphic extent. The rape isn’t directly described, and it takes place a year prior to the start of the book, but we do get flashbacks of it that while they don’t describe the act itself, they do go into enough detail that it made me physically sick to read.
I think the premise far outshines the execution of this book. The writing is fine, but could be stronger, and I think that by making this book YA, the author was unable to delve as deep into the darker aspects of this book as she wanted to, leaving some of the darker scenes feeling as if they were lacking depth. It takes a lot of skill to navigate these topics in a space where you have to portray these aspects in a complete and powerful way, without getting too graphic, because the book needs to remain suitable for younger readers. I don’t think that Blackwood quite achieved that balance here.
I enjoyed Victoria as a character. I think she was a strong protagonist, well rounded, with believable goals and motivations. She was easy to root for. I cannot say the same for any of the other characters. They all felt very… shallow. I don’t think any of them had much individuality, much personality, and most of their motivations rang hollow. I think they just needed more.
The writing also felt… choppy? I’m not sure what word to use. The narration was very serious, matching the dark content and atmosphere of the novel. However every once in a while, there would be a pop culture reference/quote thrown in randomly. Now, I’m terrible at pop culture references and such, so I didn’t always know where the reference came from, but it was always obvious when it happened, because someone would say something that was both out of character for them and that did not fit the vibe of the narration or what was happening at the time. Like, imagine a severely dark and fucked up story, very seriously narrated, a very serious main character, who has just watched a bunch of people get brutally murdered, throwing out a “What, like it’s hard?” No. Just no. I love Legally Blonde, but it was so clunkily in there. Every reference was so clunky.
I did really enjoy the setting. I think that the jungle, the lore around it, and Victoria’s connection to it was fascinating and really well executed. This aspect of the book was phenomenal. When it came to the descriptions and Victoria’s interactions with the forest itself, the creatures, River Mumma, all of those aspects were great. This is what I wanted, when I was reading Beasts of Prey. If everything in this book had been executed to the level that the jungle was, this could have been a five star book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
luckylulureads's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Grief
Minor: Self harm, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Colorism, near-enslavementaquariusqueen's review against another edition
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? No
3.75
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.75/5⭐️
Wildblood really thrived on its setting just like Within these Wicked Walls. The sentient jungle and Victoria’s connection to it was so cool. The animals were creepy and there was soul sucking spirit bison that was basically Victoria’s pet. I was so sucked into the jungle and I wish we had more of it, it was that cool. This story also delves into some of the horror’s of English and American colonialism so it had quite a few emotional moments. Victoria and her friends go through a lot of trauma both before and through the book so I definitely recommend this for older YA readers.
The romance for me really fell flat for me. Thorn was charming yes but because of Victoria’s history with abuse from men it sometimes felt like his charm was a bit manipulative. I also just didn’t sense any chemistry. Like okay I get he’s charming and likes to crack jokes but what else? We got a little bit more of his character in small moments but it wasn’t enough for me to convinced they belonged together. It was also very insta-lovey which a personal pet peeve of mine. So, at the end I was very happy with Victoria’s decision.
Tw: physical abuse, (off page, past) rape, SA, colonialism, colorism, racism (mentions of lynching), graphic death, emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
bookwormbullet's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Colonisation, Bullying, Violence, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape