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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
I just couldn't finish it. I got bored reading it. I was excited for the whole Dracula element but it took too long to get to the point. DNF at page 183. Very disappointing.
Loved the story and the characters. Less romance than I usually would like, but it worked very well. Not sure why there's going to be more books, since the ending was pretty solid. But I guess Lady Iona is going to come back in the next book.
Grade: C
This e-galley was provided by Bloomsbury USA Childrens via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: I really ought to read synopses better, shouldn't I? I didn't expect Silver in the Blood to take that paranormal twist. But clearly, I should've known it would happen, thanks to that Goodreads synopsis. Because I don't like paranormal and shape-shifter stuff, my opinion of the whole book is based mostly on that. I enjoyed Dacia and Lou - they're strong characters who try to do what's right and stand up for themselves. The romances lacked some chemistry for me; I knew they would end the way they did, but I wanted to be able to root for the girls and their love interests.
The beginning dragged, and I knew I was forcing myself to continue for a good chunk of the book. I kept with it once the action kicked in, even though, like I said, the paranormal stuff was not my scene. I did like how Jessica Day George incorporated Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I kind of got used to Dacia's and Lou's abilities. However, I found the transformations and special abilities came much too easy. I felt like the girls needed to mess up or not be great right off the bat. (That was a great unintentional pun.)
Foul language was mild, if nonexistent. There was a fair amount of nakedness because of the shape-shifting. The villain attempted rape a couple times.
The Verdict: Not what I hoped.
This e-galley was provided by Bloomsbury USA Childrens via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: I really ought to read synopses better, shouldn't I? I didn't expect Silver in the Blood to take that paranormal twist. But clearly, I should've known it would happen, thanks to that Goodreads synopsis. Because I don't like paranormal and shape-shifter stuff, my opinion of the whole book is based mostly on that. I enjoyed Dacia and Lou - they're strong characters who try to do what's right and stand up for themselves. The romances lacked some chemistry for me; I knew they would end the way they did, but I wanted to be able to root for the girls and their love interests.
The beginning dragged, and I knew I was forcing myself to continue for a good chunk of the book. I kept with it once the action kicked in, even though, like I said, the paranormal stuff was not my scene. I did like how Jessica Day George incorporated Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I kind of got used to Dacia's and Lou's abilities. However, I found the transformations and special abilities came much too easy. I felt like the girls needed to mess up or not be great right off the bat. (That was a great unintentional pun.)
Foul language was mild, if nonexistent. There was a fair amount of nakedness because of the shape-shifting. The villain attempted rape a couple times.
The Verdict: Not what I hoped.
-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-
I was so surprised I liked this book, I thought I wasn't going to for whatever reason. I'm not a huge fan of stories like this, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
First off, however, I just want to mention the cover. No, I don't think it's beautiful and pretty and gorgeous like everyone else, why does everyone think that? It's not hideous, and after reading the book it makes sense, but it's not very appealing to look at. To me, it looks like the author just threw every single thing related to the plot on one cover. 'Oh, it takes place in Romania! Romanian church! The girls can morph into smoke and wolf, so place that on the cover too! What? There's no room? Do it anyway!' It's an eyefuck, is what it is. She should've placed a girl on the cover, like in her Twelve Dancing Princesses trilogy or her old and revamped covers of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. It would've matched and looked more appealing.
Anyway, onto the actual story. I was glad this took place in Romania AND DIDN'T FEATURE VAMPIRES. Let me repeat that again: It takes place in Romania and doesn't feature vampires. It's about freaking time. According to some reviewers, this is a retelling of Dracula; other than the letters, I didn't see it.
The characters were really good. I like how they're the total opposite of each other, yet they're still best friends and complement each other perfectly. I also like their character development and how they go from being fashionably spoiled girls into mature and serious protectors of their families. Lots of reviewers didn't like how their personalities switched after they discovered their powers, but I thought it fit their powers perfectly, especially Lou. Maybe it's because I would've reacted the exact same way in her spot, but I thought it fit.
The climax was perfectly paced and well-done. The book was longer than her other YA novels, but that's good since she was allowed to make the climax progress more naturally.
I personally don't wish for a sequel, I think it wrapped up just fine. However, if a sequel IS written, then I'll read it.
Overall, I was a huge fan of this unexpected treasure. It had received very mixed reviews, but you can throw me into the fan category.
I was so surprised I liked this book, I thought I wasn't going to for whatever reason. I'm not a huge fan of stories like this, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
First off, however, I just want to mention the cover. No, I don't think it's beautiful and pretty and gorgeous like everyone else, why does everyone think that? It's not hideous, and after reading the book it makes sense, but it's not very appealing to look at. To me, it looks like the author just threw every single thing related to the plot on one cover. 'Oh, it takes place in Romania! Romanian church! The girls can morph into smoke and wolf, so place that on the cover too! What? There's no room? Do it anyway!' It's an eyefuck, is what it is. She should've placed a girl on the cover, like in her Twelve Dancing Princesses trilogy or her old and revamped covers of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. It would've matched and looked more appealing.
Anyway, onto the actual story. I was glad this took place in Romania AND DIDN'T FEATURE VAMPIRES. Let me repeat that again: It takes place in Romania and doesn't feature vampires. It's about freaking time. According to some reviewers, this is a retelling of Dracula; other than the letters, I didn't see it.
The characters were really good. I like how they're the total opposite of each other, yet they're still best friends and complement each other perfectly. I also like their character development and how they go from being fashionably spoiled girls into mature and serious protectors of their families. Lots of reviewers didn't like how their personalities switched after they discovered their powers, but I thought it fit their powers perfectly, especially Lou. Maybe it's because I would've reacted the exact same way in her spot, but I thought it fit.
The climax was perfectly paced and well-done. The book was longer than her other YA novels, but that's good since she was allowed to make the climax progress more naturally.
I personally don't wish for a sequel, I think it wrapped up just fine. However, if a sequel IS written, then I'll read it.
Overall, I was a huge fan of this unexpected treasure. It had received very mixed reviews, but you can throw me into the fan category.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ik heb Jessica Day George recentelijk "herontdekt", nadat ik deel 2 en 3 van haar prinsessenboeken heb gelezen (en deel 1 voor de 2e keer, blijft mijn favoriet!). En ik kan zeggen dat ik vanaf nu al haar boeken in de gaten ga houden! Ook dit was weer een juweeltje! Nee, het was niet perfect, sommige personages waren niet echt uitgewerkt of ik snapte hun motieven niet goed (oma, ouders van hoofdpersonen, familieleden, de potentiële huwelijkskandidaten), maar degenen die wel uitgewerkt waren, waren ook echt goed! Het verhaal zat goed in elkaar, en was anders dan ik initieel had verwacht, dat maakte het leuk, maar het kwam wel langzaam op gang. Ik vond dat zelf niet erg, je krijgt tenminste de kans om echt in de personages te duiken en het was nooit saai. Op een gegeven moment werd ik het wel zat dat ze echt de hele tijd bezig waren met kleding aan- of uittrekken, hoewel het in het plot past, van mij mocht dat wel een keer worden overgeslagen. Overigens vond ik het erg leuk dat de 2 meiden nichtjes van elkaar waren, maar elkaar perfect aanvulden en aanvoelden. Ik herken die relatie persoonlijk, maar ik heb die nog nooit in een boek beschreven gezien. Maar goed, dat zal de meeste mensen niet boeien. Het verhaal speelt eind 19e eeuw, maar dan met YA paranormale elementen, wat mijn twee favoriete genres zijn. Echt een aanrader als je daar ook van houdt! En wat ook errug prettig is: het boek eindigt zoals een boek moet eindigen, geen eindeloos wachten op volgende delen maar een gewoon, normaal boek om je een dag helemaal in te kunnen verliezen. Heerlijk!
Great story, meh execution. Did not like.
And can writers who write about werewolves just agree to have the clothes transform as well? I promise that we readers can handle it. It's just that when the clothes land in a heap on the floor every time you transform, then the text is always fussing around about where exactly the clothes were left, and how if you want to transform back you have to worry about being naked, etc. Werewolves are already magical. Let's just have the clothes be magical, too, mmkay?
And can writers who write about werewolves just agree to have the clothes transform as well? I promise that we readers can handle it. It's just that when the clothes land in a heap on the floor every time you transform, then the text is always fussing around about where exactly the clothes were left, and how if you want to transform back you have to worry about being naked, etc. Werewolves are already magical. Let's just have the clothes be magical, too, mmkay?
A little darker than her usual, but another solid read from George. I was enthralled by the Victorian Era with a paranormal twist. A prince threatens to 'ruin' the cousins but other than that, it's a great, clean read!