Reviews

Blood and Sunlight by Danielle Cancel

tdanixo93's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was amazing. @daniellecancelwrites please thank your sister for being your biggest fan and encourager, because this story was perfect. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!

This book kept me on my toes! A true page turner.. things kept happening and you just have to find out what happens next. I will say the frustration of the romantic aspect made me so mad

lexirachellereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

4.5 Stars

The first thing to draw me to this book was the cover. It is absolutely stunning and I’m obsessed with the artwork.

The second thing was the author saying the MMC was inspired by Damon from The Vampire Diaries. And I’m happy to report, Danielle did not disappoint! She managed to incorporate all of the things we love about Damon into Soran. He’s broody, insanely good looking, mysterious, and a good guy at his core but willing to do anything for those he loves.

”I’m not allowed to want you. And I surely don’t deserve you.”

The slow burn romance was phenomenal. There was so much banter that had me both frustrated and giggling at different points. I’m excited to see how Soran and Jade’s relationship grows in the second book.

There were many secrets throughout the book and I can’t wait to find out how they all come to light. Specifically how Soran is entangled in Jade’s past. I hate that the next book doesn’t come out until October! I’m dying over here!

asabovesobelow's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

annsbibliotherapy's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I will be 100% transparent here, The cover art for Shadows and Secrets (Book two of The Twisted Fates Series) blew my mind away and I knew I had to read it so I went looking for book one as fast as my fingers could type. 

After finding it on Kindle Unlimited my journey began into this world-bending tale that blends reality and fantasy beautifully. 

Before I get into an actual review (I know that's what you're all here for) I have to talk about two things I can't thank the author enough for, the map (again just beyond beautiful) and the pronunciation guide, I wish more books had both of them, they truly add to the reading experience and I found myself referencing them often. 

I'm not going to say much about the actual story here, because I think you should read it if you're looking for vampires, read it, if you're looking for fantasy that's woven into the threads of reality and vice versa, read it, and if you're looking for a swoon-worthy cast of characters, well you guessed it read it.  

Let's talk about a few things that I absolutely loved. 

Can we just say a vampire that hunts so that everyone else can eat, ohh how my vamp-loving heart went pitter-patter at that one. Found family is something that just makes me smile and root for them, even when I don't particularly trust them all, and lastly the slow-burn romance, oh, it's so good, drawn out just enough to have you holding your breath and biting your bottom lip one second and saying holy hell the next. 

I can't wait to start book two in this series, I know where we left off and let me just say, that Danielle Cancel is a master at making the reader want more.  

booker96's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

tdanixo's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was amazing. @daniellecancelwrites please thank your sister for being your biggest fan and encourager, because this story was perfect. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!

This book kept me on my toes! A true page turner.. things kept happening and you just have to find out what happens next. I will say the frustration of the romantic aspect made me so mad

theoriginal_b00k_nerd's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Blood and Sunlight Forbidden – Twisted Fates #1 - Review
 
Couple: Jade & Soran
 
Author: Danielle Cancel
 
Tropes: vampire romance, hidden heir, found family, save the world themes, PNR, fantasy romance, YA/NA romance, hidden prophecy, enemy to lover
 
Review: In this debut novel we meet Jade, is a young woman who suddenly finds herself in another world that is full of magical creatures and hidden identities. This book is written in the third person and has dual POV but centers mainly on Jade’s POV.
 
Jade believes she is human and as she travels through this new world she learns many secrets about herself and those she considers new friends. I loved how this book was not focused as much on the romance aspect but more on the quest for Jade to find herself and “get home”. I found myself waiting anxiously for the next big thing to happen so I could see hoe Jade dealt with it.
 
Soran on the other hand is a cynical vampire who wants to deny his curiosity and attraction towards Jade. I enjoyed his character and the wit and depth he had. I also thought Danielle created his dark past perfectly and unveiled it at a speed that leaves you intrigued. I am looking forward to uncovering more about Soran in the next book and am anxious to learn how he will tell Jade his dark past towards the crown and the hidden prophecy between them.
 
This book is a fantasy quest and is more YA or NA in this first installment. I loved how it is a very slow burn story and is mainly enemies to lovers in book 1.  I also really enjoyed the bonds between Jade and each of the characters in her band of misfits. Alice ended up being one of my favorite characters outside of Jade and Soran. I hope to learn more about her and her past.
 
This book ends on a cliffhanger and will create questions about how Jade and Soran will come out on top but is worth the read and wait for book 2.
 
Rating: 10/10, oh Soran….why are you hiding the truth?

floofymoosereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Blood & Sunlight by Danielle Cancel is the first book of the Twisted Fates series. This is a new adult romantic epic fantasy. College student Jade, who in no way has her life in order, falls through a portal to another world where magic, and magical creatures, exist. A vampire, Soran, that despises her (and isn’t shy about letting Jade know it) can help her get home and survive the dangers of the adventure. But Sora has his own history and knows Jade needs to go home, even as he starts to like her just a little bit. But her staying will easily be his ruin. Tropes include banter, found family, hate to sometimes love and a slowww burn. And a lot of angst.
The Lovely: The cave scene. That is all. Just kidding. I really liked the character, main and secondary, and Al, their relationships with each other. Jade and Soran’s relationship has this constant push and pull, and I quickly become invested. It hurt when they pushed each other away. I also loved the world building and the writing itself - together this set the stage for a beautiful world told in lush prose.
The Mundane: The pacing of this book was slower (but not painfully slow) as one, it was the first book of a series, and two, it’s not a high action (ie constant battles) book. That makes the pacing good for this book. Also, the first chapter was a bit fluffy, but that ends up not being terribly important.
The Dreadful: I did occasionally want to smack Soran (and sometimes Jade) for being cruel to each other (with their words). But, the wit is their way.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Recommendation: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I knew by the 63 percent mark this was a five star book, all the way from the characters to the world to the storytelling and dialogue. I had trouble putting this down because I just wanted to know what happened next to the characters. If you like romantic fantasies set in another world, with a strong FMC and brooding MMC, I think you would LOVE this book/series.

apagecastingwitch's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I LOVED this! Soran gave me whiplash the whole time, but like a sucker I’m obsessed. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in this series. This one is a good set up for the world/characters and the cliffhanger hooks you in to committing to book 2! Well written and so easy to get lost in!