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tregina's review
3.0
There were a lot of tremendously interesting elements to this story, but it was choppy/fragmentary enough that I lost the thread of it at times and we didn't get to know the characters as individuals as well as we might have. This is not a style that in itself is a problem--a fragmentary narrative can be very powerful--but there was just a certain something that just didn't quite get there. I wanted more of it, something a bit richer, but I really enjoyed what I got.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
Spells of Blood and Kin is a debut novel by Claire Humphrey. Lissa Nevsky just lost her grandmother or Baba (as Lissa called her). Baba was the local koldun’ia (sorcerer) and Lissa is her successor. Lissa has to make the spells (with eggs) for their clients. Maksim knew Baba. Maksim had saved Baba from the Gulag, and, in return, Baba saved him with a spell (one that goes against her teachings/beliefs) which ended when she passed away. Maksim needs Lissa to recreate the spell for him before he gets completely out of control. Maksim has already harmed a person by changing him (he licked Nick Kaisaris). Maksim needs to find Nick before he harms people. Can Lissa find the spell she needs and do it in time to help Maksim? Will Maksim be able to find Nick in time?
This sounded like such a great book, but it turned out to be very boring (I actually started drifting off to sleep a couple of times). You would think with magic it would be an interesting or lively novel. The magic is never fully explained. Why do they need to use eggs for the spells and only during a full moon? What exactly Maksim is (the type of monster as he calls himself) is not fully explained in the novel. We get a little bit, but not a full description. If the author had enlightened the readers (provided details about the characters) it would have improved the story. For the most part the characters are unlikeable. Lissa is just plain boring (and I thought my life was dull). Lissa is uptight, rigid and has no idea how to enjoy life. I thought the writing was awkward/stilted and the pace of the novel was slow. I ended up speed reading through the majority of the book. The ending is just plain odd (makes no sense). The novel is told from the main characters (Lissa, Nick, and Maksim) points-of-view. It goes from one to the next to the next and then starts over. I think it would have helped the story (at least a little bit) if it had just been told in the third person. I’m sorry, but this book was just plain unenjoyable (I dislike saying that about any book, but it is true). I was not taken into this world or engaged in any shape, way, or form. I give Spells of Blood and Kin 1 out of 5 stars. Fair warning that the novel contains violence and alcohol (great quantities of alcohol are consumed by the characters).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review of the novel. I will always provide a forthright evaluation of a book no matter how I obtained a novel.
This sounded like such a great book, but it turned out to be very boring (I actually started drifting off to sleep a couple of times). You would think with magic it would be an interesting or lively novel. The magic is never fully explained. Why do they need to use eggs for the spells and only during a full moon? What exactly Maksim is (the type of monster as he calls himself) is not fully explained in the novel. We get a little bit, but not a full description. If the author had enlightened the readers (provided details about the characters) it would have improved the story. For the most part the characters are unlikeable. Lissa is just plain boring (and I thought my life was dull). Lissa is uptight, rigid and has no idea how to enjoy life. I thought the writing was awkward/stilted and the pace of the novel was slow. I ended up speed reading through the majority of the book. The ending is just plain odd (makes no sense). The novel is told from the main characters (Lissa, Nick, and Maksim) points-of-view. It goes from one to the next to the next and then starts over. I think it would have helped the story (at least a little bit) if it had just been told in the third person. I’m sorry, but this book was just plain unenjoyable (I dislike saying that about any book, but it is true). I was not taken into this world or engaged in any shape, way, or form. I give Spells of Blood and Kin 1 out of 5 stars. Fair warning that the novel contains violence and alcohol (great quantities of alcohol are consumed by the characters).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review of the novel. I will always provide a forthright evaluation of a book no matter how I obtained a novel.
teresaalice's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. This book was just okay. I've read quite a bit of urban fantasy in the last few years so I guess I was expecting more of the supernatural. The "kin" in this book are never revealed for their true nature -- are they vampires? Or some kind of other supernatural being? Whatever they are, they're not overly interesting or captivating. Lissa was my favourite character, but you don't get to know too much about her, really. I'm assuming that this is the first in a series (apparently stand alone books are sooo last century), but I'm not sure I'll be compelled to read any further.
fatherfireball's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
drewdontcare's review against another edition
1.0
If i had to use one word to describe Spells of Blood and Kin it would be BORING. Who ever says this book gets interesting past the half way point was wrong.
Starting off with the best thing about this book, at least in my mind, was that the plot was original and the fact that Lissa is a Russian witch who casts her spells in eggs is so freaking cool to me. I also found the premiss of the Kin interesting too. If you know Toronto at all her nods to popular places are fun and relatable and her writing style is easy to read but that is all the good I found in the book.
Now onto the bad. Nothing happens in this book there is no climax, no suspense, no plot twist and nothing to keep you on the edge of your seat reading. The blurb of the book tells you what is going to happen no twists along the way, buts forgets to mention one key element of this book... the running. Everyone is always running everywhere all the time and it's boring. Humphrey doesn't explore her characters or develop them in any way the only character that has any changes in any way is Nick and that is only because he is physically changed.
I don't want to rant more about this book and risk "spoiling" anything but if you want a book that just so average and boring and predictable the entire time with a little bit of fun fantasy I recommend you give Spells of Blood and Kin a try.
Starting off with the best thing about this book, at least in my mind, was that the plot was original and the fact that Lissa is a Russian witch who casts her spells in eggs is so freaking cool to me. I also found the premiss of the Kin interesting too. If you know Toronto at all her nods to popular places are fun and relatable and her writing style is easy to read but that is all the good I found in the book.
Now onto the bad. Nothing happens in this book there is no climax, no suspense, no plot twist and nothing to keep you on the edge of your seat reading. The blurb of the book tells you what is going to happen no twists along the way, buts forgets to mention one key element of this book... the running. Everyone is always running everywhere all the time and it's boring. Humphrey doesn't explore her characters or develop them in any way the only character that has any changes in any way is Nick and that is only because he is physically changed.
I don't want to rant more about this book and risk "spoiling" anything but if you want a book that just so average and boring and predictable the entire time with a little bit of fun fantasy I recommend you give Spells of Blood and Kin a try.
slashattack7's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific! I really enjoyed my trip through Spells of Blood and Kin and thought it was a fantastic debut novel from an author I will definitely be reading more of. The story started strong and went into some great world-building, accomplishing this without breaking or slowing down the narrative flow. Humphrey's characters felt real, and although I have to admit that I didn't really love Lissa as a person, that's part of the charm and depth of her realness. No spoilers, but the ending wasn't exactly what I expected, and that's not a bad thing. All in all, this is a good piece of escapism and a strong first showing from a promising author.
plaidpladd's review against another edition
3.0
I've had this on my TBR since it came out in 2016 and I finally read it! I liked it over all, although when I turned the page and got just "About the Author" I actually said "what?" out loud because it didn't feel like it really had an ending. Unless you consider Nick the main character, I guess, but I really could care less about him so I do not. I liked the switching POVs and the flashback sections. I think the world building was really cool, and I would definitely read a sequel.
toadfairy's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book... For its uniqueness and being based in Toronto. But it just didn't do it for me. I found it boring and unfulfilling.