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p_ivy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I’m not a Matriarch. I’m a child with a fancy title.
I’m trying my best, but nothing seems to matter.
We’re like the beginnings of a sourdough starter, just getting our first bubbles, showing promise.
I really liked this as a second book! The story was tied up really well. I knew something was up with
Minor: Death
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Addiction, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Eating disorder and Murder
apoppyinthewind's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
My favourite aspect of this book has to be the magic and that the author's not afraid to explore the darker aspects of the blood magic, especially given that this is a YA book. I also liked reading how the family and witch community develop in this book, growing from the foundation set in the first book. They still have their issues but there's growth that feels like a natural progression.
Voya is still pretty angsty & self-critical at times but it felt more understandable and relatable this time around given the grief and pressure she is under in the story. She also had some good moments where she stood up for herself which helped I think compared to the first book.
I'm getting a little spoiler-y going forward here --
I knew Johan was up to no good because the foundation for that was set up in the first book but damn, what he did was messed up. I was a little surprised he didn't have more repercussions for what he did but given that dark deeds are somewhat accepted in the blood magic practiced in this world, it wasn't too world-breaking that he would still have some place in the community at the end.
I was also honestly surprised Keis wasn't fully freed from the house as I genuinely expected more of a workaround than giving her access to the internet and an Android avatar. I was kind of hoping she would have been named Matriarch of the Davis family through some deception from April Mae and that might have given her a way to leave. Still, this not happening didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend checking out this series but you absolutely have to read the first book Blood like Magic to follow what's happening in Blood like Fate.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Drug use, Gun violence, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, Eating disorder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Blood Like Fate by Liselle Sambury is the final installment in the Blood Like Magic duology. Don't let the rating fool you, I did enjoy reading this book, but it had some pacing issues, and I was able to guess the twist not even half way through the book. It was just so painfully obvious.
We pick up with Voya after the events of the last book, heartbroken and grieving. In the first book we see Voya's struggle to make decisions, any decision, and realizes that even not making a decision is a decision. This time she now has to deal with the consequences of her decisions and the fallout therein. Voya is also struggling with being the new Matriarch. She doesn't believe in herself, and neither does her family. They only see her as a kid making all the wrong choices. Even though Luc is one of the reasons her life is a mess, she still pines for him throughout the book (which honestly was really annoying).
One of the things I love about this series is the family dynamics and importance of history and ancestors. Voya's family is large and complicated, and they don't always agree on everything, but when it comes down to it, they love each other and will fight for one another. There is also a major thread about community as extended family, and how pooling their resources makes everyone stronger. I also really appreciate the examination of grief and other mental health issues such as substance use disorder and eating disorders.
Sambury describes her writing as "messy black girls in fantasy situations", and she delivered. Voya is messy AF, and I found myself grumbling at her throughout the book, but I try to remember, she's only 17. She's a great character, and I wouldn't mind seeing how she grows as matriarch as she gets older. It's also nice to read about Canadian-Trinidadian families and other families from the Caribbean. The speculative science in this is so interesting! It's very much science run amuck. The main message is science without ethics is violence.
Check out my review of book one for the representation in the series.
Graphic: Blood, Addiction, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death and Police brutality
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.5
Voya, her family and the other witches all stand out as their own individual and unique characters, which can be hard to do with such a large ensemble supporting cast. I love the relationships and Voya’s reflection and introspection. Themes of ancestry and self-doubt were explored and well handled. I liked how LGBT identities and the conversations surrounding them were integrated seamlessly into the book and treated with love and respect. I was not expecting the plot twist. I like how the plot points were all wrapped cleanly and satisfyingly.
My one complaint is that the first half of the book was very slow paced, but the last 25% is un-put-downable! A great conclusion to a fantasy YA duology I will be recommending.
☀️6/20
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Eating disorder, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
bookswhitme's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Cursing, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Eating disorder
lemonlord_of_the_south's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I felt the ending wrapped up the story in a very satisfying way and made up for a lot of the frustration I felt in the first book.
Some of the miscommunication didn't make sens but only small parts for me at least.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Addiction, Slavery, and Police brutality
caelinsullivan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Eating disorder, Child death, Addiction, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Police brutality, and Mental illness
madamenovelist's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Eating disorder, Death, Colonisation, Classism, Racism, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Medical content, and Grief