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rae477's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Addiction, Abandonment, and Violence
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Based in Canada, the story follows a young witch who is about to perform the task that will solidify her magic. However, her entire family is stunned when their ancestor gives her the seemingly impossible task to destroy her first love. Filled with clever twists, dynamic characters, and a refreshingly unique magic system, Blood Like Magic is a must read for any fan of urban fantasy.
The only downside to this book was the pacing. It did take me two attempts to get into this book as I would find myself interested in the story and characters, but was struggling with how slow or fast the story was progressing. I wish the pacing had a bit more stability. I’m hoping this is something I will see improve with the sequel.
This is a powerful book. The characters are diverse and strong, but the storyline delves into difficult topics around racism and generational trauma. Please review content warnings before reading.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Gun violence, Addiction, Drug abuse, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Eating disorder
There is at least two whipping scenes in this book related to slavery.emzhay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The characters were the highlight of the book for me from the beginning. I cared about literally everyone and wanted to know more about them. I liked how messy their relationships
were too. The plot, however, was way too drawn out. It could have been edited down. There was too much telling and not enough showing. There was so much repetition that could have been excluded, and so many details that were over explained at least 3 times sometimes in the same chapter. It made listening to the book such a chore especially toward the end.
I know this is a duology, but the ending is incredibly unsatisfying.
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism and Grief
Minor: Addiction and Eating disorder
mallotar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Murder, Blood, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Cursing
cosmicwillow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Racism, Slavery, and Death
Minor: Transphobia and Addiction
melodyseestrees's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Racism, Eating disorder, and Addiction
Minor: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Gun violence, and Police brutality
hecubatohim's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and Death
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Grief, Racism, and Drug use
lenaricharz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Racism
jenna_04's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Addiction, Medical content, and Kidnapping
tinysierra's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“There’s something about lounging in a bath of blood that makes me want to stay until my fingers shrivel enough to show the outlines of my bones.” pg 1
I expected to fall in love with Blood like Magic. The synopsis was interesting and the first sentence hooked me. It’s got black witches and queer representation. Speaking of, I swear I’ve seen this book on asexual rec lists, but asexual and aromantic are two different things. It has an explicit demiromantic (meaning that they’re on the aromantic spectrum) side character. There is another character that does not seem to enjoy physical touch or kissing, but the word asexual is not used. Moving on, another thing that influenced me to read the book was the fact that the plot reminded me of Raybearer, which I really loved.
-addiction
-poverty
-eating disorder briefly mentioned
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Slavery, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Torture
Moderate: Drug abuse, Mass/school shootings, and Transphobia
Minor: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Vomit