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bookish_caprice's review against another edition
4.0
I've read this one after finishing Werewolf Dens- so I got a general idea about the book.
Although characterisation of FMC and MMC were off a little in my opinion that resulted me visualising the characters differently.
Great beginning!
I thought I wouldn't like it so I started Werewolf Dens first but it's far better than I expected.
I couldn't put it down, and more importantly I didn't want to. Not for a second, it's intense and the game is ingenious. It's also heartbreaking from time to time. I liked Basi a lot, she's rich but managed to stay kind at the same time.
Although characterisation of FMC and MMC were off a little in my opinion that resulted me visualising the characters differently.
Great beginning!
I thought I wouldn't like it so I started Werewolf Dens first but it's far better than I expected.
I couldn't put it down, and more importantly I didn't want to. Not for a second, it's intense and the game is ingenious. It's also heartbreaking from time to time. I liked Basi a lot, she's rich but managed to stay kind at the same time.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
Blood Trial was such a fun vampire book. It was very easy to devour and I ate up all the sexual tension that I got from the main characters. However, I definitely want more in the freaking sequel. Less sexual tension and more doing the damn deed! I mean.. I could probably be persuaded into more sexual tension if it leads to certain yumminess. If not, I will riot.
As for the characters? Well, I definitely enjoyed Basi and Kyros getting to know one another. I loved how she was completely stubborn and said things to him that literally no one else would. She called him out on his shit and the other people's reactions had me laughing.
I also enjoyed the little drama between the clans. I feel like I'm still confused about some of it and maybe I'll get answers in the next one. Not sure, but I definitely want some more from everyone involved. Especially with the freaking cliffhanger!
In the end, I nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddd the sequel stat! I also really really need Tom and her to make up. Ugh!
As for the characters? Well, I definitely enjoyed Basi and Kyros getting to know one another. I loved how she was completely stubborn and said things to him that literally no one else would. She called him out on his shit and the other people's reactions had me laughing.
I also enjoyed the little drama between the clans. I feel like I'm still confused about some of it and maybe I'll get answers in the next one. Not sure, but I definitely want some more from everyone involved. Especially with the freaking cliffhanger!
In the end, I nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddd the sequel stat! I also really really need Tom and her to make up. Ugh!
jaydavies's review against another edition
2.0
First off I just have to say I read Kelly St. Clare's Werewolf Dens series first and I'm very glad I did. I HATE Kyros as a Vampire he is terrible, he can't control his "need" to be the alpha which means Basil can't give him orders, turn her back to him, its just so stupid. You're telling me a supernatural creature can't hold his temper? Everyone knows in supernatural "lore" its the werewolves who can't control themselves. Instead there is this Vampire who growls, and throws tantrums every single chapter. In fact by book 3 the heroine is "understanding" of how he reacted.
This brings me to my next problem Basil the heroine is the least strongest female character in the book series. She's mega rich so she knows next to nothing but the author is trying to claim she knows the inner workings of the upper class. The sense I got was a girl who got everything handed to her at every stage of her life. She gets kicked out of her apartment for not paying rent. No problem you can stay at the boss's penthouse and his family will just gift her clothes so she doesn't have to worry. I mean what girl by the age of 21 doesn't know her own tax number. Who runs away without bringing electronics? Her character only grows in that she doesn't judge people based on where they are in life ex servants vs upper class, poor vs rich.
The idea of two separate vampire clans fighting for control based on a game splitting the city into sections sounds cool but then the author claims that the dice is rolled daily at midnight. I mean the concept is just so pouring. I much preferred the game structure in her second series more basic and actually applies to the strengths/weaknesses of the supernatural creatures.
This series has made me very hesitant to read anything by Kelly that pertains to Vampires, her's are just weak and pathetic, even Edward has more class.
This brings me to my next problem Basil the heroine is the least strongest female character in the book series. She's mega rich so she knows next to nothing but the author is trying to claim she knows the inner workings of the upper class. The sense I got was a girl who got everything handed to her at every stage of her life. She gets kicked out of her apartment for not paying rent. No problem you can stay at the boss's penthouse and his family will just gift her clothes so she doesn't have to worry. I mean what girl by the age of 21 doesn't know her own tax number. Who runs away without bringing electronics? Her character only grows in that she doesn't judge people based on where they are in life ex servants vs upper class, poor vs rich.
The idea of two separate vampire clans fighting for control based on a game splitting the city into sections sounds cool but then the author claims that the dice is rolled daily at midnight. I mean the concept is just so pouring. I much preferred the game structure in her second series more basic and actually applies to the strengths/weaknesses of the supernatural creatures.
This series has made me very hesitant to read anything by Kelly that pertains to Vampires, her's are just weak and pathetic, even Edward has more class.
inuyama's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
curls's review against another edition
4.0
The only thing scarier than a mindless beast was a cultured one.
In this riches to rags story, Basilla (goes by Basi) walked away from her family obligations and inheritance to slum it on the streets.
She’s living with her best friend Tommy and takes an entry job working at Live Right Realty. She’s soon entangled into a whole new world where monsters are real.
I love the humor in this book. Basi had the potential to be really unrelatable due to her privileged upbringing. But her humor and naivety make her charming instead of grating. I loved the back and forth between her and Kyros. There’s a lot of tension there, I can’t wait to see where book two takes them.
This is a great start to an urban fantasy series. It was fascinating how the vampires are playing literal games with mortals. It took me a while to figure out what was going on, but I was hooked quickly enough.
And that’s what I hated about games. They weren’t real, and yet real people got hurt when others played them.
Recommended if you’re in the mood for a new adult urban fantasy with vampires. Free on kindle unlimited.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this riches to rags story, Basilla (goes by Basi) walked away from her family obligations and inheritance to slum it on the streets.
She’s living with her best friend Tommy and takes an entry job working at Live Right Realty. She’s soon entangled into a whole new world where monsters are real.
I love the humor in this book. Basi had the potential to be really unrelatable due to her privileged upbringing. But her humor and naivety make her charming instead of grating. I loved the back and forth between her and Kyros. There’s a lot of tension there, I can’t wait to see where book two takes them.
This is a great start to an urban fantasy series. It was fascinating how the vampires are playing literal games with mortals. It took me a while to figure out what was going on, but I was hooked quickly enough.
And that’s what I hated about games. They weren’t real, and yet real people got hurt when others played them.
Recommended if you’re in the mood for a new adult urban fantasy with vampires. Free on kindle unlimited.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
halffast's review against another edition
3.0
Heiress rejects her family fortune and strikes out on her own, only to discover vampires are real and she's working for their demanding crown prince.
3.5 stars rounded down for GR. This book had an interesting take on vampires and their culture, though I found the 'game' they played versus the rival clan a little odd. I enjoyed Basi's character arc. At first she is very ignorant of how the real world works and makes several mistakes, but despite the setbacks she forges ahead and starts to gain more confidence in herself and her abilities. I like how she channels the attitude of her imperious grandmother. Her tension with Kyros and the blood exchanges was smolderingly hot. Overall the writing was good and I liked the cliffhanger at the end, but I'm not invested enough to continue the trilogy.
3.5 stars rounded down for GR. This book had an interesting take on vampires and their culture, though I found the 'game' they played versus the rival clan a little odd. I enjoyed Basi's character arc. At first she is very ignorant of how the real world works and makes several mistakes, but despite the setbacks she forges ahead and starts to gain more confidence in herself and her abilities. I like how she channels the attitude of her imperious grandmother. Her tension with Kyros and the blood exchanges was smolderingly hot. Overall the writing was good and I liked the cliffhanger at the end, but I'm not invested enough to continue the trilogy.
He crossed the room, and I realised how hard I was breathing. With one finger under my chin, he forced me to meet his piercing gaze. I closed my eyes, his gentle hold preventing me from turning my face away.
“Someone has hurt you, my beauty,” he said softly. “Tell me who it was.”
ohsoliloquy's review against another edition
1.0
wow
This is an actual quote from the book.
“He came from powerful lineage—an inheritance that was the work of many generations. I could detect it as easily as the sinking sun. Or a urinary infection.”
NO. Just no.
This is an actual quote from the book.
“He came from powerful lineage—an inheritance that was the work of many generations. I could detect it as easily as the sinking sun. Or a urinary infection.”
NO. Just no.
alicia1566's review against another edition
5.0
I think the 4.2 stars this book has is decent, I would give it 4.5.
I typically enjoy more spice than this book had to offer because it seems to be a series playing the long game slow burn... But they was okay because the author sprinkled enough supernatural, possessiveness, and alpha male in the story to keep it interesting.
I have enjoyed learning Basil's character and I look forward to seeing how the story develops after the conclusion of this book in book 2.
I typically enjoy more spice than this book had to offer because it seems to be a series playing the long game slow burn... But they was okay because the author sprinkled enough supernatural, possessiveness, and alpha male in the story to keep it interesting.
I have enjoyed learning Basil's character and I look forward to seeing how the story develops after the conclusion of this book in book 2.