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A review by pagesofplatypus
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best YA fantasy books I've read. With a lush, slightly futuristic world and rich magic system, Loselle Sambury crafts a pulse-pounding novel of magic, choice, and sacrifice.
Voya is a compelling protagonist with crippling indecision and immense care for her family. She's faced with an inpossible task and readers greatly sympathise with her conflict between saving her family and destroying her first love.
There are plenty of shocking twists that lead to a pretty satisfying ending, despite this being only book 1 of 2 there's no frustrating cliffhanger and it feels like it could be a standalone.
The famy dynamics are messy and strained but with loce and trust serving as the main conflict points. I really like how all the characters felt fully developed no matter how much page time they were given. Keis and Alex are standouts.
Part of the premise of learning to trust in yourself, what determines your worth, and what you're willing to do to protect your family remind me a bit of Encanto especially with the aspects of a large family, a Matriarch, fading magic/threat of loss of magic for the entire family, and magic being tied to a family house.
I definitely look forward to reading the sequel and highly recommend this as a teen/YA sci-fi/fantasy read.
Voya is a compelling protagonist with crippling indecision and immense care for her family. She's faced with an inpossible task and readers greatly sympathise with her conflict between saving her family and destroying her first love.
There are plenty of shocking twists that lead to a pretty satisfying ending, despite this being only book 1 of 2 there's no frustrating cliffhanger and it feels like it could be a standalone.
The famy dynamics are messy and strained but with loce and trust serving as the main conflict points. I really like how all the characters felt fully developed no matter how much page time they were given. Keis and Alex are standouts.
Part of the premise of learning to trust in yourself, what determines your worth, and what you're willing to do to protect your family remind me a bit of Encanto especially with the aspects of a large family, a Matriarch, fading magic/threat of loss of magic for the entire family, and magic being tied to a family house.
I definitely look forward to reading the sequel and highly recommend this as a teen/YA sci-fi/fantasy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, Grief, Hate crime, and Slavery
Minor: Addiction, Eating disorder, Abandonment, and Drug abuse