ria_mhrj's review
3.0
I feel like I need counselling after reading Daughter of the Blood. I started reading this on a beach in Italy (and even accidentally dipped the bottom half of the book in the Adriatic, true story), fully expecting an engaging fantasy with a dash of a romance. This book has been in my to-read pile for YEARS, a highly recommended and much loved novel that I always expected to enjoy. Ahh, the crushing weight of expectation...
So, Daughter of the Blood starts fairly bleakly and things get so much worse as the 400-odd pages wear on. I don't think I have ever read quite so depressing a world in my 27 years (and I have read Game of Thrones, people). This book features rape, child abuse, male mutilation, female mutilation, enslavement, masochism, sadism and all kinds of psychological misery.
Yet for all the misery, it's a hell of an intricately designed world. The matriarchal society was fascinating, with women very much being in power and control (and most interestingly, responsible for many of the horrors listed above), and the rules and structure of magic and its use was well realised and unique.
I am curious about what will happen next, but it's a morbid curiosity more than an excited one. I think I need to stick to happier books for the time being, though!
So, Daughter of the Blood starts fairly bleakly and things get so much worse as the 400-odd pages wear on. I don't think I have ever read quite so depressing a world in my 27 years (and I have read Game of Thrones, people). This book features rape, child abuse, male mutilation, female mutilation, enslavement, masochism, sadism and all kinds of psychological misery.
Yet for all the misery, it's a hell of an intricately designed world. The matriarchal society was fascinating, with women very much being in power and control (and most interestingly, responsible for many of the horrors listed above), and the rules and structure of magic and its use was well realised and unique.
I am curious about what will happen next, but it's a morbid curiosity more than an excited one. I think I need to stick to happier books for the time being, though!
jesselhenson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
readbooks_eatapples's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 10%. It is confusing and convoluted, and I already don't like any of the characters. I peeked through some other reviews, and it doesn't seem to get better. I might revisit someday. (Probably not.)
loregerblin's review against another edition
5.0
This book and this whole series IS me. It truly spoke to my beaten, battered soul. If you don't like Dark(yes with a capital D) fantasy then these books are not for you. If, however you like gritty, beautiful, sometimes whimsical world building then I truly hope you read on. Ms. Bishop does not spare the meek for sure so be prepared for blood and rage but also for the true meaning of love, sacrifice and wonder. The map fleshes out in time, the characters become distinct (especially if you read the short story collections) and I especially love the parts that I could imagine coming out of my own mouth (that whimsy I mentioned). Since I tend to label myself as rather gray (rather than black or white that is) probably adds to the appeal - sometimes these characters have to make those hard decisions....and follow through on them. This first book is truly a treasure, though, since we get to see Jaenelle in the beginning....a child but so much more, hinting at the shadows to come.
mare_cognitum's review against another edition
2.0
Other reviewers have pretty much covered the flaws with this book... The silly names, the all-too-perfect Mary Sue and accompanying Gary Stus, and how the entire book centered on showing just how perfect Jaenelle was. +1 star because I read the whole thing in a weekend, even if afterward I had to ask myself why.
joie881's review against another edition
4.0
*** 3.5 stars ***
Picked this up after being blown away by The Others series by the same author.
This one is quite dark and can be rather disturbing, but the story is intricately woven and very well done.
Picked this up after being blown away by The Others series by the same author.
This one is quite dark and can be rather disturbing, but the story is intricately woven and very well done.
katje's review against another edition
5.0
Daughter of the Blood is a captivating introduction to the world of the Blood, a psychic aristocracy with a rigid caste system. It begins the tale of Witch, a young Queen named Jaenelle, whose destiny is to cleanse the Blood of the taint they've suffered for the past few thousand years. But Jaenelle's path is fraught with danger, and it is up to her allies -- Saetan SaDiablo, the High Lord of Hell and her adoptive father, Daemon SaDiablo, the Sadist, destined to be Jaenelle's Consort, and Lucivar Yaslana, Eyrien Warlord Prince with a nasty temper -- to keep her safe as she makes the rocky journey to adulthood and her full magical strength.
A rousing read. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantasy book.
A rousing read. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantasy book.
caseymccully's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mandijooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5