Reviews

Blood Sanctuary: Part One by Vela Roth

jaedee09's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• 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

I continue to settle more and more into this magical world. Vela Roth spins such intricate detail into the story and characters. I don't usually enjoy series that go on for more than three or four books, but there is so much to the world of Orthros/Tenebra/Cordium that it doesn't feel like the story is dragging on.

Though I do wish Lio would tell Cassia she's his Grace already...

oorr's review

adventurous emotional medium-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

4.0

traysharps's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I think this series is picking up more for me finally. The Hesperine characters are far more interesting and loveable and fun to exist with, but I gather that was the point. I’m glad that we get each person’s backstory, that we get to see Cassia learning and meshing into life in Orthros. I’m curious if the affinity for language will make a return - it was a big point made but then brushed over fairly quickly so I do hope we learn more about that. One bright spot, funnily enough, is the conflict with the mages. I love how obvious and yet how equally mysterious the three of them are, how close they come to laying their cards on the table every time they’re goaded with their own inaccuracies and fears. It’s so satisfying to watch the Hesperines thwart them at each turn they try to make. However, the one annoyance I have other than once again the continuing and growing anatomy word nonsense, is the unnecessary secret keeping. I would say that trope is probably second of my biggest hates in books, right under intentional miscommunication. I will never understand keeping things hidden that don’t need to be, especially in this case where you have a relationship built and focused on open honestly. The only piece I can give a minor concession to is Lio keeping the Grace thing hidden so as not to remove Cassia’s choices - that I get, but I hope he tells her soon. In any case, I think in the coming books we’ll have much to be laid bare from all sides. 

wintersbookmark's review against another edition

5.0

I need part two like I need air!!!

nyghtengale's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

sandrae04's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

bookwisp's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bethhaywood's review

I was not engaged Miss Roth!!! 

n0wimn0thing's review against another edition

3.0

Series is really dragging, book felt unnecessarily bloated. Did enjoy the gardening scenes though 

kaylawhite17's review

4.0

I couldn't decide between 3 and 4 stars so we'll say 3.5.

That being said, all the books are running together and I can't quite keep them straight. I appreciated this one had more plot then the others. More things happened beyond boring political meetings and sex. I still struggle with the Hesperine's being too perfect. I feel like once all the the political posturing is done, Cassia and Lio are going to have the most boring eternity!

That being said, I appreciated the queen's daughter doesn't want the summit to succeed. I'm glad there is some opposition from the Hesperine's side. I also enjoyed when Cassia was poisoned. I was so looking forward to her getting hurt in some way. She's pushing so many buttons, they have to start pushing back at some point.

I get so annoyed with the fucking mortals refusing to see past their own prejudices.