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A review by mardie
The Blood Curse: Gardens of War & Wasteland Book II by Jessica A. McMinn
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
The Blood Curse by Jessica A Mcminn is a feast for!
I love the way the author presents her stories with these stunning covers and striking maps. They are a powerful draw, before you even open the book to reconnect with the core group and return to Whyt'hallen.
Mcminn's evocative prose is the perfect vehicle to continue her worldbuilding. There is so much character development in this book, as we are taken into the past to understand motive, travel through the present to see plans enacted, then watch repercussions drive the story towards possible futures. The fantasy gets darker too, with magic, the presence of, and explanation for derived beasts and twisted plots, but the author's writing paces it perfectly and ensures readers remain sympathetic to characters. And as pieces of history are revealed, I had to feel a lot of sympathy for them. There are also several new characters I felt particularly drawn to.
Following Kio, Rei, Amika and Kriah through the pages it was plain to see them struggling, striving for small or lofty goals or learning their way in the new places they found themselves. I really enjoyed this - it made them relatable and likeable. No easy paths for these four!! Giving each their own POV chapters is an inspired technique to keep readers invested in the MC's as they tread those paths.
The inclusion of LGBTIQA+ characters is a plus for me and I appreciated the sensitive way they were presented here.
This is proving to be a highly immersive, emotional, astonishing-in-it's-scope series - and I am incredibly eager for more!
I love the way the author presents her stories with these stunning covers and striking maps. They are a powerful draw, before you even open the book to reconnect with the core group and return to Whyt'hallen.
Mcminn's evocative prose is the perfect vehicle to continue her worldbuilding. There is so much character development in this book, as we are taken into the past to understand motive, travel through the present to see plans enacted, then watch repercussions drive the story towards possible futures. The fantasy gets darker too, with magic, the presence of, and explanation for derived beasts and twisted plots, but the author's writing paces it perfectly and ensures readers remain sympathetic to characters. And as pieces of history are revealed, I had to feel a lot of sympathy for them. There are also several new characters I felt particularly drawn to.
Following Kio, Rei, Amika and Kriah through the pages it was plain to see them struggling, striving for small or lofty goals or learning their way in the new places they found themselves. I really enjoyed this - it made them relatable and likeable. No easy paths for these four!! Giving each their own POV chapters is an inspired technique to keep readers invested in the MC's as they tread those paths.
The inclusion of LGBTIQA+ characters is a plus for me and I appreciated the sensitive way they were presented here.
This is proving to be a highly immersive, emotional, astonishing-in-it's-scope series - and I am incredibly eager for more!