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A review by el393way
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
5.0
This book is one of my most memorable for the year. It has a badass FMC and the combo of sci-fi and magic is really well done.
Things I loved in no particular order:
1. Action and gore and magic and sci-fi all woven together really well.
2. The pacing was spot on for most of the book.
3. So many well developed side characters that were distinct from others in some way. They each fit a needed niche in some way.
4. The relationship between Reed and Ikenna was very satisfying. No toxic or overdone tropes, no lovesick pining because that would have jarred with the major plot points of the book (but that doesn’t stop other authors).
5. Very fleshed-out portrayal of racism that was simultaneously a nod on real world racism while also finding a way to realistically and seamlessly mesh with the world built for this book.
6. Even though it is not a standalone book, there was resolution that other authors don’t provide. It’s a pet peeve to finish a book and it feels more like I just finished another chapter and then have to wait a year or more for the next chapter. This book leaves plenty open for the continuation but still ends with enough resolution.
7. Some characters may get a good redemption and character arc but not everyone. Shows some characters can change while others are hopeless and don’t deserve the chance to be forgiven.
8. Ikenna doesn’t back down from killing/executing those who wronged her and killed her grandfather. So many times MCs have a change of heart of can’t do it. She’s strong and in this case, the deaths she dealt felt purposeful and right.
9. The background info you need was introduced so flawlessly. It was given in creative ways that flowed well. The example I can’t remember now is to provide history and backstory of the world, the cadets in the trials underwent a quiz style game and had to provide answers.
My only critique:
1. There were some huge swaths of inner thought that broke up the pacing at times. At first it was a wonderful at the beginning to get info to the reader but towards the end it kind of interrupted what felt like more intense and faster events.
Things I loved in no particular order:
1. Action and gore and magic and sci-fi all woven together really well.
2. The pacing was spot on for most of the book.
3. So many well developed side characters that were distinct from others in some way. They each fit a needed niche in some way.
4. The relationship between Reed and Ikenna was very satisfying. No toxic or overdone tropes, no lovesick pining because that would have jarred with the major plot points of the book (but that doesn’t stop other authors).
5. Very fleshed-out portrayal of racism that was simultaneously a nod on real world racism while also finding a way to realistically and seamlessly mesh with the world built for this book.
6. Even though it is not a standalone book, there was resolution that other authors don’t provide. It’s a pet peeve to finish a book and it feels more like I just finished another chapter and then have to wait a year or more for the next chapter. This book leaves plenty open for the continuation but still ends with enough resolution.
7. Some characters may get a good redemption and character arc but not everyone. Shows some characters can change while others are hopeless and don’t deserve the chance to be forgiven.
8. Ikenna doesn’t back down from killing/executing those who wronged her and killed her grandfather. So many times MCs have a change of heart of can’t do it. She’s strong and in this case, the deaths she dealt felt purposeful and right.
9. The background info you need was introduced so flawlessly. It was given in creative ways that flowed well. The example I can’t remember now is to provide history and backstory of the world, the cadets in the trials underwent a quiz style game and had to provide answers.
My only critique:
1. There were some huge swaths of inner thought that broke up the pacing at times. At first it was a wonderful at the beginning to get info to the reader but towards the end it kind of interrupted what felt like more intense and faster events.