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A review by writingbugsal
Blood & Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.75
Did I have a fun romp? Yes. Will I read the second book? Yes. Would I reread it? Yes. Did I think this was good? Um.
It had the potential to be something above what it was. It failed rather spectacularly.
I do love a murderous woman, but Dayanara's impulse to kill any problem grew tiresome. I don't buy that you'd ask your servant if she was loyal to you or her king and then go solely off of words if I've been told you don't trust anybody. I don't buy you'd be betrayed multiple times and still decide to trust another king because of some heart connection (oh yeah and a nice room along with a cool closet and some sex). Her characterization swung from childish and inconsistent into I'm a witch warrior and I'll cut off your head. Cool, feel free! Maybe you'd be doing me a favor at this point.
It was a vibe sure.
But here is my remaining gripe with romantasy that spans many, many books. If actual thinking makes your books fall apart, then I'm a little disappointed.
Also, if we're trying to counter or subvert the eurocentric traditional fantasy, you have to do it well in order to make your point. This did not succeed. There are other better diverse recs out there that don't have to be propped up by the crutch of tropes.
But if you want to not think and watch a woman terrorize men, please be my guest. It's probably better that way.
It had the potential to be something above what it was. It failed rather spectacularly.
I do love a murderous woman, but Dayanara's impulse to kill any problem grew tiresome. I don't buy that you'd ask your servant if she was loyal to you or her king and then go solely off of words if I've been told you don't trust anybody. I don't buy you'd be betrayed multiple times and still decide to trust another king because of some heart connection (oh yeah and a nice room along with a cool closet and some sex). Her characterization swung from childish and inconsistent into I'm a witch warrior and I'll cut off your head. Cool, feel free! Maybe you'd be doing me a favor at this point.
It was a vibe sure.
But here is my remaining gripe with romantasy that spans many, many books. If actual thinking makes your books fall apart, then I'm a little disappointed.
Also, if we're trying to counter or subvert the eurocentric traditional fantasy, you have to do it well in order to make your point. This did not succeed. There are other better diverse recs out there that don't have to be propped up by the crutch of tropes.
But if you want to not think and watch a woman terrorize men, please be my guest. It's probably better that way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, War