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antonique_reads's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
the_b00kreader'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? It's complicated
5.0
"What, like it's hard?"
**TW**
blood, death, gore, domestic violence, r*pe, betrayal, grief, kidnapping, slavery, racism
Wildblood was amazing. That's all I feel like I need to say. It's a story that you simply have to read. Where do you truly feel at home? Where do you truly belong?
These two questions seem to pop into your mind as you read this book through the eyes of the main character, Victoria.
Victoria is a light-skinned Wildblood, a 'Rare Beauty' yet that doesn't stop harm from coming her way.
This book was bittersweet and heartfelt, magical yet real. Every emotion you may have suppressed is likely to come to the surface.
Wildblood is written in such a way that I could not be torn away from reading, I just had to keep going. The story this book held, the deeper meanings, it was all so beautiful.
I must say, I'm glad how the story ended and I don't believe I could picture a more perfect ending. This book is worthy of your time, so please give it a go. (I insist!ðŸ¤)
Lauren Blackwood, you've written a story that has touched my heart. To read about such a strong connection and such a strong female lead, I feel honoured. Thank you for writing Wildblood and sharing it. ♡ (I shall now dedicate myself to reading previously published and future releases by you!)
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
e_flah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The setting of Wildblood has a ton of ambience but a disappointing lack of substantive world building. There is SO much cool stuff in this story -- from spirits that haunt the jungle to the river spirit River Mumma -- but we don't get a lot of descriptions or any discussion about how these things fit within the wider world of Wildblood. It felt like the magical creatures were two-dimensional props for the story rather than interesting, complex parts of the setting. More world building would have helped make this a more memorable read rather than a somewhat predictable adventure story.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Rape, and Blood
luckylulureads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury
Colorism, near-enslavementcaseythereader'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
- Lauren Blackwood excels at writing fiery, headstrong young women who are determined to prove their worth and humanity. Victoria is a force, both in terms of her magic and her personality.
- The jungle and the creatures in it were gripping and terrifying. I was also a fan of the magic system in this book, in which certain people, Wildbloods, can manipulate blood into weapons.
- This book does get a bit bogged down in love triangles (literally every boy is in love with Victoria) but if you're willing to accept that, this book is definitely one to check out if you love dark YA/NA fantasy.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
oracle_of_madness's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful adventure into a mystifying jungle in Jamaica.
This story takes place around the mid 1800's just to give you an idea of the time period. The tour group that Victoria and the other wildbloods "worked" for (more like slavery with a very small payment to specifically make it not slavery) had a British overlord that was quite cruel and abusive.
Victoria joins her archrival's side to lead the next tour into the jungle. The main concept that I really observed while reading, and what I really appreciated, was Victoria's relationship to this wild jungle as being one of comfort while her relationship with other humans and her job (basically her abusers) was where the real harm came from in this story. The jungle, while having so many dangerous and unknown factors, was more of a safe place for her, especially considering her origin.
There were some things I thought were too simple. Like a specific love interest for Victoria in the story. Just seemed a little too candy sweet for me to believe it to be genuine. But otherwise, I thought this was a magnificent story about understanding a victim's of abuse relationship to her abuser(s).
Out January 7, 2023!
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Blood
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What I loved: The setting! The magical jungle is gorgeous and full of creatures that are spooky and powerful but endearing and all connected to each other. I wanted more of the jungle and the magic therein. The character arc for Dean and his relationship with Victoria was written very well - I enjoyed the narrator's reflections on what makes someone a monster/unredeemable/unforgivable, and what makes a relationship repairable or not. I won't spoil too much but I thought the author wrote a believable interpersonal relationship and gave the writing of interpersonal violence and emotional abuse the delicacy it needed. I enjoyed the historical setting as well, although we didn't get too too much of it, it was a fun addition to the setting. The blood magic of the wildbloods was also very fun to read, although I do wish it had been explained more fully. Finally, I appreciated the commentary on colonialism and resource extraction, especially because it was woven very well into the fantastical setting, it didn't seem forced or out of place at all.
What I didn't love: Victoria's character felt a little flat to me, most of what I know about her is that she is THE BEST WILDBLOOD (okay I get it), that she struggles to speak up for herself against her abusers, and that she protects her friends (she protec but she do not attac). I just didn't feel much of a personality from her; I love that she is a daughter of the jungle, I think that fleshes out her character much more but it felt too little and was explained too late. I disliked the ratio of men to women in this book - Victoria has no women in her life but she has like 5 men and they are all in love with her and all want to marry her.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail