Also, it's worth noting that blood magic involves cutting, so there's a lot of that in here (in case you needed to know).īLOODLEAF was so much more than I dared hope it would be. I also like the three-tiered magic system of feral, high, and blood magic. There were some real gut-punching moments in here that made my stomach drop. This book made me feel all the feels, too. You, the reader, basically see everything in real time as she's experiencing it. She immerses you into the story without overwhelming you with info-dumps. When she is betrayed, she ends up being forced into hiding and flees to the neighboring kingdom incognito where she discovers a treacherous plot to undo their magical protections and throw the entire city into darkness.Īurelia is such a great narrator. Her own kingdom is like Scotland in the peak of its witch-hunting frenzy, and unlucky for her, she happens to be a witch. The plot is a little confusing and less is definitely more when going in, but the main character is a teen girl named Aurelia who is engaged to be married to the prince of a neighboring kingdom. It has innovative and interesting world-building, a compelling mythology, a strong female protagonist, real emotional stakes, and some really good twists and plotting that left me guessing (even if my guesses were right). BLOODLEAF, however, is that one book out of one hundred that manages to turn all the usual tropes on their heads. I decided I had to read this book after my friend Heather gave it five stars because we tend to have the same frustrations about YA fantasy.
(Mar.Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest Debut author Smith explores the power of sacrifice in this darkly romantic reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s “The Goose Girl.” Smith’s rich mythology and affecting love story provides ample distraction from the occasional, overtly telegraphed plot twist, and subtly drawn characters illustrate the story’s interest in the difference between piety and goodness. Guided by a spirit dubbed the Harbinger, Aurelia poses as a peasant and partners with a boy named Zan to find and foil Achleva’s mysterious foe.
Aurelia wants to challenge her pretender, but even more pressing is the possible destruction of the kingdom’s mystical shield.
There, she faces a Princess Aurelia imposter and an unknown assailant systematically dismantling Achleva’s border wards. But when Renalta’s puritanical Tribunal and magic-fearing populace decide to execute her for witchcraft, she makes a run for Achleva and its magically protected borders. Seventeen-year-old Aurelia, a witch, resents the arrangement she has feelings for her guard, Kellan, and rumors allege that Valentin is unwell.
As the first girl born to Renaltan royalty in generations, Princess Aurelia must marry Prince Valentin of Achleva to fulfill the treaty that ended the kingdoms’ centuries-long war.
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