I've been waiting for something "in the vein of Tamora Pierce" for a pretty long time. What I truly love
“Everything Jae had ever known was a lie.”
I've been waiting for something "in the vein of Tamora Pierce" for a pretty long time. What I truly love is that Bound by Blood and Sand does not claim to be Tamora Pierce, the next Tamora Pierce, or a combination of popular or similarly loved books. In fact, once the official synopsis hit "in the vein of Tamora Pierce" vanished. Though I do firmly believe that if you were—still are!—a fan of Tamora Pierce's work and the young adult fantasy genre that is more world building less “just another YA romance” this book is for you!!! Yes!
“Jae had so much power, and the very first thing she'd done with her freedom was kill. But she'd grown flowers, too. She could do anything.”
I won't lie, like some of Tamora Pierce works, Bound by blood and Sand does follow a formula. The old school formula of High Fantasy for young adult. Yet it has bold flavors of old and new, and Allen has created a compelling world and cast of characters. Best of all Becky Allen does not shirk away from going there. In her world there are people called Closest, their existence is worse then slavery. They are compelled by magic to obey the Highest. If they fail to obey their body is weighed down by pain. There is no option to not obey. They can not speak to anyone other than other Closests unless ordered otherwise. They must answer all questions asked and aren't even allowed to think traitorous thoughts about the Highest. In a society where you can order someone and they MUST obey you know there's gonna be some dark and scary things happening. What I said about Becky Allen not shirking away is that she addresses those dark things. The darker themes are not a footnote or a quick idea to fade away into a silly romance. Which I appreciate. (Defy I am judging and looking at you.)
Bound by Blood and Sand isn't just a wonderful high fantasy young adult title, it transforms into a discussion of human rights. The weight and power of knowledge. How simply controlling history you could suppress an entire people. The power of not only knowledge, but the of the belief of people. The struggle for freedom is always a story that I become swept up in.
“Tal was right, the cost of freedom would be high. But that didn't mean it wasn't worth paying.”
Now that I've laid the heavy stuff out there I have to say how much I loved Allen's writing. Normally desert settings don't do it for me. I'm a mountain and forest girl. While I might like the desert in pictures and a quick scenery change while traveling I am 100% certain I would hate to live there. So most of the time desert settings for fantasy bore me. Yet with every word Allen created a beuatiful and deadly world. Where the Wells are the only thing keeping the people alive. The desert could easily kill them without wells. So water and the Wells are where the power is.
The magic setup and the concept tickle me. Why would people chose to live in a desert where without magic wells you'd die? What's beyond the big well? More, more! Bound by Blood and Sand addresses the real history of the world so I except to find out more in the future books.
At first it may seem like the characters are standard issue for the genre, but many once developed had many layers. You began to question how the world was. For instant the Highest aren't all evil, but perhaps they have to be that way becaue of the laws of the current system?
In the end I don't want to spoil. So what I will say is that if you have been dying for a REAL high fantasy in the young adult genre this is a must. If you have missed Tamora Pierce's type of awesome then yes! Come forth and read this book. If you want to experience real High Fantasy this is for you! A fabulous setup for a series I am eagerly awaiting more books for! With world building like this fans will be happy!
Content Warning: Addresses sexual abuse, rape, slavery, and other dark topics. Deals with murders and the interpretation of justice. Mental control in which characters aren't even allowed to think certain thoughts. Abuse and so on. Yes, it deals with dark themes. However, I don't think it loses itself in it.
I've been waiting for something "in the vein of Tamora Pierce" for a pretty long time. What I truly love is that Bound by Blood and Sand does not claim to be Tamora Pierce, the next Tamora Pierce, or a combination of popular or similarly loved books. In fact, once the official synopsis hit "in the vein of Tamora Pierce" vanished. Though I do firmly believe that if you were—still are!—a fan of Tamora Pierce's work and the young adult fantasy genre that is more world building less “just another YA romance” this book is for you!!! Yes!
“Jae had so much power, and the very first thing she'd done with her freedom was kill. But she'd grown flowers, too. She could do anything.”
I won't lie, like some of Tamora Pierce works, Bound by blood and Sand does follow a formula. The old school formula of High Fantasy for young adult. Yet it has bold flavors of old and new, and Allen has created a compelling world and cast of characters. Best of all Becky Allen does not shirk away from going there. In her world there are people called Closest, their existence is worse then slavery. They are compelled by magic to obey the Highest. If they fail to obey their body is weighed down by pain. There is no option to not obey. They can not speak to anyone other than other Closests unless ordered otherwise. They must answer all questions asked and aren't even allowed to think traitorous thoughts about the Highest. In a society where you can order someone and they MUST obey you know there's gonna be some dark and scary things happening. What I said about Becky Allen not shirking away is that she addresses those dark things. The darker themes are not a footnote or a quick idea to fade away into a silly romance. Which I appreciate. (Defy I am judging and looking at you.)
Bound by Blood and Sand isn't just a wonderful high fantasy young adult title, it transforms into a discussion of human rights. The weight and power of knowledge. How simply controlling history you could suppress an entire people. The power of not only knowledge, but the of the belief of people. The struggle for freedom is always a story that I become swept up in.
“Tal was right, the cost of freedom would be high. But that didn't mean it wasn't worth paying.”
Now that I've laid the heavy stuff out there I have to say how much I loved Allen's writing. Normally desert settings don't do it for me. I'm a mountain and forest girl. While I might like the desert in pictures and a quick scenery change while traveling I am 100% certain I would hate to live there. So most of the time desert settings for fantasy bore me. Yet with every word Allen created a beuatiful and deadly world. Where the Wells are the only thing keeping the people alive. The desert could easily kill them without wells. So water and the Wells are where the power is.
The magic setup and the concept tickle me. Why would people chose to live in a desert where without magic wells you'd die? What's beyond the big well? More, more! Bound by Blood and Sand addresses the real history of the world so I except to find out more in the future books.
At first it may seem like the characters are standard issue for the genre, but many once developed had many layers. You began to question how the world was. For instant the Highest aren't all evil, but perhaps they have to be that way becaue of the laws of the current system?
In the end I don't want to spoil. So what I will say is that if you have been dying for a REAL high fantasy in the young adult genre this is a must. If you have missed Tamora Pierce's type of awesome then yes! Come forth and read this book. If you want to experience real High Fantasy this is for you! A fabulous setup for a series I am eagerly awaiting more books for! With world building like this fans will be happy!
Content Warning: Addresses sexual abuse, rape, slavery, and other dark topics. Deals with murders and the interpretation of justice. Mental control in which characters aren't even allowed to think certain thoughts. Abuse and so on. Yes, it deals with dark themes. However, I don't think it loses itself in it.
Going into this one I was nervous. The first book blew me away, but the idea that this would turn into some kind of apocalyptic/futuristic read made mGoing into this one I was nervous. The first book blew me away, but the idea that this would turn into some kind of apocalyptic/futuristic read made me really nervous. The battle to read, or not to read, was tremendous. In the end I bit the bullet and went for it. Thank you book gods. Thank you! Bookshopaholic'n paid off!
This books is like a heady mix of the best of the X-men time travel episodes (original cartoon series), apocalyptic futures, and love triangles! Each turn had me at the edge of my seat and I kept wondering how things could possibly get worse, and how on earth Rhiannon could possibly get back to "present" time.
Paine's revelations and love for both Disco and Rhiannon are beautiful. I knew it was coming, but it's just awe inspiring to watch events unfold. Paine in my mind is the better man. Disco's actions really reined in my respect for him. Sure he's been betrayed before, but he basically ruins Rhiannon in the only place that she's been slightly safe. Her mind.
There were a few things that bugged the crap out of me. First off in the future Rhiannon has a werewolf "mate" and he gets handsy in the beginning. It would have been better if their relationship could have built up, instead of him seeing her and he's all into her. It's tacky, and I expected more from such an amazing author. Goose's role was very intriguing and it raises many questions on who's side he can truly ever be on, but he does prove himself as a friend to Rhiannon. Rhiannon doesn’t even get upset when she finds out who heads the vampire family’s, which in all honesty would have probably made her NOT want to become a vampire’s servant.
In the end I have to tell all readers to try this series out. It's ambitious and completely amazing. This book alone mixes dystopianish settings, time travel, demons, heaven, morality, and different kinds of love. It's great seeing someone as damaged as Rhiannon find love, the kind that she would finally set aside her trust issues and do everything to save him.
Sexual Content: You bet you, some sex scenes and a plenty of sexual humor. Also Rhiannon has a BAD past.
Going into this one I was nervous. The first book blew me away, but the idea that this would turn into some kind of apocalyptic/futuristic read made me really nervous. The battle to read, or not to read, was tremendous. In the end I bit the bullet and went for it. Thank you book gods. Thank you! Bookshopaholic'n paid off!
This books is like a heady mix of the best of the X-men time travel episodes (original cartoon series), apocalyptic futures, and love triangles! Each turn had me at the edge of my seat and I kept wondering how things could possibly get worse, and how on earth Rhiannon could possibly get back to "present" time.
Paine's revelations and love for both Disco and Rhiannon are beautiful. I knew it was coming, but it's just awe inspiring to watch events unfold. Paine in my mind is the better man. Disco's actions really reined in my respect for him. Sure he's been betrayed before, but he basically ruins Rhiannon in the only place that she's been slightly safe. Her mind.
There were a few things that bugged the crap out of me. First off in the future Rhiannon has a werewolf "mate" and he gets handsy in the beginning. It would have been better if their relationship could have built up, instead of him seeing her and he's all into her. It's tacky, and I expected more from such an amazing author. Goose's role was very intriguing and it raises many questions on who's side he can truly ever be on, but he does prove himself as a friend to Rhiannon. Rhiannon doesn’t even get upset when she finds out who heads the vampire family’s, which in all honesty would have probably made her NOT want to become a vampire’s servant.
In the end I have to tell all readers to try this series out. It's ambitious and completely amazing. This book alone mixes dystopianish settings, time travel, demons, heaven, morality, and different kinds of love. It's great seeing someone as damaged as Rhiannon find love, the kind that she would finally set aside her trust issues and do everything to save him.
Sexual Content: You bet you, some sex scenes and a plenty of sexual humor. Also Rhiannon has a BAD past.
Oh, the inner turmoil! Bishop is . . . a boss! Freaking amazing. Other authors should be bowing down in the sheer wonder of how—
No. Really. Only BishoOh, the inner turmoil! Bishop is . . . a boss! Freaking amazing. Other authors should be bowing down in the sheer wonder of how—
No. Really. Only Bishop could make me feel like humans are the villains and that the Others are totally right. That the nightmares of human dreams are actually the good guys. Because she totally did. The guilt comes barreling in because the evil of a few do not make everyone so. No matter how much herd mindset and prejudices make the masses stupid. If, like me, you thought there was no way that Bishop could out do Written in Red. That the feels, confusion, horror, and down right awe-inspiringness couldn't be topped. Think. Again.
The Cassandra Sangue, or Blood Prophets, hands down are my favorite “magical creatures” ever created for any fantasy world. It doesn't hurt that this book is bursting at the spine with amazing magical critters. Some monstrous and others just coming into touch with their humanity. Blood Prophets though, they're so complex. They don't think like the Others or humans. In a lot of ways they are like innocents, and are—from what’s been shown—beautiful souls.
No matter how many times I say it Bishop is a master of dark themes and humanity. She's almost flawless in her ability to show the darkness in humanity. How ignorance and arrogance can easily ruin and get people killed. Thankfully she can show those rare of sunshine moments that make humans so wonderful. Kindness, understanding, hope, and the ability to accept and see reason. Yes, humans look like the idiots here. Only a small handful able to see the big picture. To understand how the actions that humans have taken so far have lead to their own destruction, and how prejudices are leading them all down a path that might very well annihilate them.
The Others might be the heroes, but as it's mentioned they are monsters. They're beings who have taken on human forms because it suits them to interact with humans and they gain some benefits from them. Most are still animals and can't see or think like humans. While I don't think it's played on quite enough. The power the Others have give them the ability to be on top. Might makes right, to justify their means. In a lot of things they're right, and as I've said you'll be rooting for the Others more than for humans. The fact is that they do have human sides and they chose to ignore them. Ignore the ability to understand and think outside their own selves.
As I've said this is the beauty of a Murder of Crows and the series in general. Both races are flawed, no one is right. Gray areas people! Which makes the good guys amazing and the bad guys down right scary as hell. The politics of this world are so real! Humans conniving for more, more, more—yeah that sounds about right. The Others’ might making there side right. (Though as I've said the humans really do come off as the villains, and the Others doing what's right.) All of the view points are well utilized again, Bishop is one of the few authors that seems to able to pull off showing multiple view points down to the bad guys to enhance the read. Making the story amazing, and never dragging it down. It's safe to say this is a must read for every Urban Fantasy fan out there. There's no copycatting, or formulaic anything to the world Bishop is making.
Sexual Content: Dark themes, sexual humor, and such.
Oh, the inner turmoil! Bishop is . . . a boss! Freaking amazing. Other authors should be bowing down in the sheer wonder of how—
No. Really. Only Bishop could make me feel like humans are the villains and that the Others are totally right. That the nightmares of human dreams are actually the good guys. Because she totally did. The guilt comes barreling in because the evil of a few do not make everyone so. No matter how much herd mindset and prejudices make the masses stupid. If, like me, you thought there was no way that Bishop could out do Written in Red. That the feels, confusion, horror, and down right awe-inspiringness couldn't be topped. Think. Again.
The Cassandra Sangue, or Blood Prophets, hands down are my favorite “magical creatures” ever created for any fantasy world. It doesn't hurt that this book is bursting at the spine with amazing magical critters. Some monstrous and others just coming into touch with their humanity. Blood Prophets though, they're so complex. They don't think like the Others or humans. In a lot of ways they are like innocents, and are—from what’s been shown—beautiful souls.
No matter how many times I say it Bishop is a master of dark themes and humanity. She's almost flawless in her ability to show the darkness in humanity. How ignorance and arrogance can easily ruin and get people killed. Thankfully she can show those rare of sunshine moments that make humans so wonderful. Kindness, understanding, hope, and the ability to accept and see reason. Yes, humans look like the idiots here. Only a small handful able to see the big picture. To understand how the actions that humans have taken so far have lead to their own destruction, and how prejudices are leading them all down a path that might very well annihilate them.
The Others might be the heroes, but as it's mentioned they are monsters. They're beings who have taken on human forms because it suits them to interact with humans and they gain some benefits from them. Most are still animals and can't see or think like humans. While I don't think it's played on quite enough. The power the Others have give them the ability to be on top. Might makes right, to justify their means. In a lot of things they're right, and as I've said you'll be rooting for the Others more than for humans. The fact is that they do have human sides and they chose to ignore them. Ignore the ability to understand and think outside their own selves.
As I've said this is the beauty of a Murder of Crows and the series in general. Both races are flawed, no one is right. Gray areas people! Which makes the good guys amazing and the bad guys down right scary as hell. The politics of this world are so real! Humans conniving for more, more, more—yeah that sounds about right. The Others’ might making there side right. (Though as I've said the humans really do come off as the villains, and the Others doing what's right.) All of the view points are well utilized again, Bishop is one of the few authors that seems to able to pull off showing multiple view points down to the bad guys to enhance the read. Making the story amazing, and never dragging it down. It's safe to say this is a must read for every Urban Fantasy fan out there. There's no copycatting, or formulaic anything to the world Bishop is making.
Sexual Content: Dark themes, sexual humor, and such.
I've kind of been an jerk lately about the Immortals After Dark books. Lately a few have been missing the mark with me, but overall still solid. My isI've kind of been an jerk lately about the Immortals After Dark books. Lately a few have been missing the mark with me, but overall still solid. My issue has been with how each installment's romance has 5 steps that they follow. I'm not going to get into them, because I'm not going to be a meanie. Nope. Because in between those “5 Steps” I was still having fun. The romance was still building, and for each read it normally does. The world is building. Character growth is happening. I feel the feels! Well it's still a great read!
After that epiphany and finally realizing that I didn't want to be a mean bookworm I decided to enjoy Sweet Ruin. (And any future books of this series.)
Because this is a game changer! It is frustrating jumping around the Ascension, the Lore being imprisoned on an island, and all those open cliffhangers. (MacRieve anyone!) Then boom totally new turn. All the new elements introduced here—sighs—are too good. I'm eating it up. Sweet Ruin was just what the series needed to rejuvenate the series. Despite all those open plots. The introduction to the Morior and Orion the Undoing is a breath of fresh air for plot possibilities. Not to mention that it's awesome seeing beloved characters through the eyes of Jo and Rune.
Jo is brilliant. She may be clueless about certain things, but she knows her self. She knows what she deserves and she doesn't take no. She gets what she wants; or she's smart enough to know when it's time to walk. No self hating. Well at least for things she knows aren't in her hands. Her love for her brother Thaddeus is beautiful. Both when they're young, and when they are reunited! Getting to know more about Thaddeus was such a treat. It's just nice to see a decent female lead again, I haven't been fond of the last few.
Rune is an interesting male lead. And when I found out he was quite the whore, I thought it was a cheap gimmick. In the last book the female got around and now it was time for a role reversal. That was not the case. Rune is one of the most fascinating male leads since Lothaire (at least for me). He felt more thought out and not quite as “me caveman” as is Cole's specialty. It was refreshing to see the male POV on sexual abuse. It felt real and I loved his revelations in the end. It's a great message on self love and worth.
Jo and Rune are amazing together. Sure Cole has a formula, but the magic of her books has always been her characters. Romance tends to follow a pattern and I love these characters—and world—too much to miss out. Not to mention that Cole's writing is solid! The snark, accents, flavor of each character, and the crazy-amazing-ness of the IAD is on point! Cole knows how to write a good book, if she uses her formula to do so why not? It works, it's good. And I shan't be judgy any longer.
I've been vague because I want readers to go in being absolutely surprised—and very delighted—by what Cole is bringing to the table. Nix is pretty epic here and I wonder if we just met her fated male? But I think that's too on the nose. The whole cast of the Morior that was introduced are characters I would very much like to get to know and see get HEAs. Not to mention that I want to see Nix take them away from Orion. How are Nix and Orion going to duke it out?!!!! No, really, it is going to get epic. Plus, I'm dying to know who is going to be next. Especially since there was a FURY in one of the showdowns. What the flying books!? Way to tease us Cole. I'm in for wherever this series is going to go. Because the characters are awesome; the world is super-duper-fun awesome; there's decent plots and world building shit going on here!
Sexual Content: Plenty of sexual humor and bedroom scenes. Duh. That's how we Cole fans like it.
I've kind of been an jerk lately about the Immortals After Dark books. Lately a few have been missing the mark with me, but overall still solid. My issue has been with how each installment's romance has 5 steps that they follow. I'm not going to get into them, because I'm not going to be a meanie. Nope. Because in between those “5 Steps” I was still having fun. The romance was still building, and for each read it normally does. The world is building. Character growth is happening. I feel the feels! Well it's still a great read!
After that epiphany and finally realizing that I didn't want to be a mean bookworm I decided to enjoy Sweet Ruin. (And any future books of this series.)
Because this is a game changer! It is frustrating jumping around the Ascension, the Lore being imprisoned on an island, and all those open cliffhangers. (MacRieve anyone!) Then boom totally new turn. All the new elements introduced here—sighs—are too good. I'm eating it up. Sweet Ruin was just what the series needed to rejuvenate the series. Despite all those open plots. The introduction to the Morior and Orion the Undoing is a breath of fresh air for plot possibilities. Not to mention that it's awesome seeing beloved characters through the eyes of Jo and Rune.
Jo is brilliant. She may be clueless about certain things, but she knows her self. She knows what she deserves and she doesn't take no. She gets what she wants; or she's smart enough to know when it's time to walk. No self hating. Well at least for things she knows aren't in her hands. Her love for her brother Thaddeus is beautiful. Both when they're young, and when they are reunited! Getting to know more about Thaddeus was such a treat. It's just nice to see a decent female lead again, I haven't been fond of the last few.
Rune is an interesting male lead. And when I found out he was quite the whore, I thought it was a cheap gimmick. In the last book the female got around and now it was time for a role reversal. That was not the case. Rune is one of the most fascinating male leads since Lothaire (at least for me). He felt more thought out and not quite as “me caveman” as is Cole's specialty. It was refreshing to see the male POV on sexual abuse. It felt real and I loved his revelations in the end. It's a great message on self love and worth.
Jo and Rune are amazing together. Sure Cole has a formula, but the magic of her books has always been her characters. Romance tends to follow a pattern and I love these characters—and world—too much to miss out. Not to mention that Cole's writing is solid! The snark, accents, flavor of each character, and the crazy-amazing-ness of the IAD is on point! Cole knows how to write a good book, if she uses her formula to do so why not? It works, it's good. And I shan't be judgy any longer.
I've been vague because I want readers to go in being absolutely surprised—and very delighted—by what Cole is bringing to the table. Nix is pretty epic here and I wonder if we just met her fated male? But I think that's too on the nose. The whole cast of the Morior that was introduced are characters I would very much like to get to know and see get HEAs. Not to mention that I want to see Nix take them away from Orion. How are Nix and Orion going to duke it out?!!!! No, really, it is going to get epic. Plus, I'm dying to know who is going to be next. Especially since there was a FURY in one of the showdowns. What the flying books!? Way to tease us Cole. I'm in for wherever this series is going to go. Because the characters are awesome; the world is super-duper-fun awesome; there's decent plots and world building shit going on here!
Sexual Content: Plenty of sexual humor and bedroom scenes. Duh. That's how we Cole fans like it.
Shera (Book Whispers)
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