Scan barcode
A review by teaqueen
The Blood Gift by N.E. Davenport
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
I loved this series and loved that the main character was strong and confident and such a badass. I feel like we don't get that enough from female protagonists, though I wish she didn't feel the need to remind us she was a confident badass every other sentence.
I don't understand how this series hasn't received more hype, and hope more people pick up these books!
The first book was definitely better due to the plot and story progression, I could tell this one wasn't going to be as good from around 20% in. The found family aspect was great I really enjoyed that, and the progression the other members of the group was really nice to see.
It felt like it started with an intended plot but as soon as an event happened not far into the book (behind the spoiler)they got picked up by Ajani, I felt the book loose itself a little. It felt like a massive detour from what the book was supposed to be and as it was drawn out and became the bulk of the book, it was such a weird and disappointing turn of events.
Every interaction with people not in the group was quite annoying and Ikenna did come across like a petulant child, in a very annoying way which made it seem very YA. The whole exchange in Lusian with Edryssa was so stupid and ridiculous and her internal and external monologues during the interactions about how much of a threat she was became very boring and repetitive.
The writing during both books was a little confusing or hard to read at times.
Some sentences need to be reread a few times, they do make sense but they don't flow very well and it feels like you have to stop to jump a fence to make the sentence make sense in the context - kind of like this sentence. It was hard to get through because it felt like the author was trying to put words together in a different more obscure way but it just made it quite clunky to read and understand.
Plot threads seemed to be confused when coming across - almost like the author hadn't gone back to edit in the "need to know" info so the reader could fully understand and make sense of a situation. You could understand what was going on and work out what the author forgot to mention, but it was a bit frustrating and happened across both books.
Towards the end of the book the author repeated things over and over - gave you a full recap on someone to make a point e.g. X person, my greatest supporter, my greatest confidant, bringer of all that is pure in the world, and 3 times winner of the master baker award for example but this happened way too frequently towards the end.
There was a really cringy scene at the end of the book which was wholly unnecessary and I really wish it wasn't included. If you finished this book, you know what I'm talking about.
The Dramatis Personae felt completely pointless and the last page of the book was right next to it so for someone that doesn't like to read the end of a book first
1. I'd never know it was there and
2. I don't want to accidentally read anything from the last page.
-
I know it sounds like I hated the book but overall I loved the series and am excited to read more from this author, but I am disappointed there wasn't much growth between the first and second books, it did feel a little like second book syndrome.
I don't understand how this series hasn't received more hype, and hope more people pick up these books!
The first book was definitely better due to the plot and story progression, I could tell this one wasn't going to be as good from around 20% in. The found family aspect was great I really enjoyed that, and the progression the other members of the group was really nice to see.
It felt like it started with an intended plot but as soon as an event happened not far into the book (behind the spoiler)
Every interaction with people not in the group was quite annoying and Ikenna did come across like a petulant child, in a very annoying way which made it seem very YA. The whole exchange in Lusian with Edryssa was so stupid and ridiculous and her internal and external monologues during the interactions about how much of a threat she was became very boring and repetitive.
The writing during both books was a little confusing or hard to read at times.
Some sentences need to be reread a few times, they do make sense but they don't flow very well and it feels like you have to stop to jump a fence to make the sentence make sense in the context - kind of like this sentence. It was hard to get through because it felt like the author was trying to put words together in a different more obscure way but it just made it quite clunky to read and understand.
Plot threads seemed to be confused when coming across - almost like the author hadn't gone back to edit in the "need to know" info so the reader could fully understand and make sense of a situation. You could understand what was going on and work out what the author forgot to mention, but it was a bit frustrating and happened across both books.
Towards the end of the book the author repeated things over and over - gave you a full recap on someone to make a point e.g. X person, my greatest supporter, my greatest confidant, bringer of all that is pure in the world, and 3 times winner of the master baker award for example but this happened way too frequently towards the end.
There was a really cringy scene at the end of the book which was wholly unnecessary and I really wish it wasn't included. If you finished this book, you know what I'm talking about.
The Dramatis Personae felt completely pointless and the last page of the book was right next to it so for someone that doesn't like to read the end of a book first
1. I'd never know it was there and
2. I don't want to accidentally read anything from the last page.
-
I know it sounds like I hated the book but overall I loved the series and am excited to read more from this author, but I am disappointed there wasn't much growth between the first and second books, it did feel a little like second book syndrome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence