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jinmichae's review against another edition
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
the_tea_collector22's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
2.5
The premise of this story was so interesting and I was hooked for the first third of it, but as the story went on it felt quite repetitive with dialogue or even internal thoughts in conflict with each other about what Victoria wanted or how she felt. I wanted so badly to love it, but the more I kept listening the more I just wanted it to end. I think the world building was so unique with Wildbloods that I really liked it, I just didn’t love the execution and how the story played out. Idk if it’s related to a craft piece or just personal preference but something just seemed to be missing for me to really enjoy it. I did like the narrator on the audiobook, they were really good and had a lovely voice for the different songs some characters sing- so I’d recommend the audio for that aspect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Rape and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, and Death of parent
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-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
4.25
This YA adventure story contains powerful themes of choosing forgiveness, overcoming horrific obstacles & traumas, and claiming your own destiny. The author has thoughtfully included a list of content warnings at the beginning of the book, with additional information on her website. Victoria’s character arc is a delight to read, the jungle terrors are chillingly intriguing, and the writing style is simultaneously lush and accessible.
My only hesitation in the rating is that I wasn’t convinced by the chemistry with Thorn. My distrust/suspicions were raised the entire time, so I found him an unconvincing love interest, despite how handsomely he was described. For some readers, this might not matter.
My only hesitation in the rating is that I wasn’t convinced by the chemistry with Thorn. My distrust/suspicions were raised the entire time, so I found him an unconvincing love interest, despite how handsomely he was described. For some readers, this might not matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Sexual assault
Minor: Trafficking
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Wildblood is the story of Victoria, a powerful blood-bender who was taken as a child and forced to labor as a tour guide/guard through Jamaica's sentient monster jungle. She spends her time working as much as possible, looking out for her two best friends Samson and Bunny, and avoiding her boss and ex boyfriend, Dean. A client from America comes to them in his desire to mine the fabled gold that's rumored to lie deep in the jungle, despite Victoria's every warning against it. The client however, shows Victoria a kindness she is unused to and feelings develop between the two, despite the increasingly dangerous expedition. This YA verges on NA and is perfect for fans of Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray.
What I loved: The setting! The magical jungle is gorgeous and full of creatures that are spooky and powerful but endearing and all connected to each other. I wanted more of the jungle and the magic therein. The character arc for Dean and his relationship with Victoria was written very well - I enjoyed the narrator's reflections on what makes someone a monster/unredeemable/unforgivable, and what makes a relationship repairable or not. I won't spoil too much but I thought the author wrote a believable interpersonal relationship and gave the writing of interpersonal violence and emotional abuse the delicacy it needed. I enjoyed the historical setting as well, although we didn't get too too much of it, it was a fun addition to the setting. The blood magic of the wildbloods was also very fun to read, although I do wish it had been explained more fully. Finally, I appreciated the commentary on colonialism and resource extraction, especially because it was woven very well into the fantastical setting, it didn't seem forced or out of place at all.
What I didn't love: Victoria's character felt a little flat to me, most of what I know about her is that she is THE BEST WILDBLOOD (okay I get it), that she struggles to speak up for herself against her abusers, and that she protects her friends (she protec but she do not attac). I just didn't feel much of a personality from her; I love that she is a daughter of the jungle, I think that fleshes out her character much more but it felt too little and was explained too late. I disliked the ratio of men to women in this book - Victoria has no women in her life but she has like 5 men and they are all in love with her and all want to marry her. The insta-love between Thorn and V was not convincing, why should I care about this relationship at all? They met 48 hours ago and have nothing in common. What's more, Thorn is giving HUGE John Smith (or John Rolfe, if you prefer) vibes and at first V calls him out and instead of considering her critique he's like <<but I'm good at finding gold>> and she's like <<well I tried>> lol ummm so romantic... There were also a few things in the writing that came off as awkward or confusing that I thought a stronger editor could've solved. Also, did sensitivity readers give that casual inclusion of a lynching the thumbs up????????? SOS send help that was SO WEIRD. and then he joked about it?????? erm.
What I loved: The setting! The magical jungle is gorgeous and full of creatures that are spooky and powerful but endearing and all connected to each other. I wanted more of the jungle and the magic therein. The character arc for Dean and his relationship with Victoria was written very well - I enjoyed the narrator's reflections on what makes someone a monster/unredeemable/unforgivable, and what makes a relationship repairable or not. I won't spoil too much but I thought the author wrote a believable interpersonal relationship and gave the writing of interpersonal violence and emotional abuse the delicacy it needed. I enjoyed the historical setting as well, although we didn't get too too much of it, it was a fun addition to the setting. The blood magic of the wildbloods was also very fun to read, although I do wish it had been explained more fully. Finally, I appreciated the commentary on colonialism and resource extraction, especially because it was woven very well into the fantastical setting, it didn't seem forced or out of place at all.
What I didn't love: Victoria's character felt a little flat to me, most of what I know about her is that she is THE BEST WILDBLOOD (okay I get it), that she struggles to speak up for herself against her abusers, and that she protects her friends (she protec but she do not attac). I just didn't feel much of a personality from her; I love that she is a daughter of the jungle, I think that fleshes out her character much more but it felt too little and was explained too late. I disliked the ratio of men to women in this book - Victoria has no women in her life but she has like 5 men and they are all in love with her and all want to marry her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Self harm, Trafficking, Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Death, and Colonisation
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