patricktreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Wild blood was broody, dark, aggressive and deep. However it was a struggle for me to get through. While it was a very good story, I am not saying it was bad, I think it was a lot more……descriptive in the situations than what I am normally comfortable with. This applies to the description of things such as an “SA”, an animal death, and some aggressive violence situations. I still think the story was good, but it was hard for me personally to get through.
The narrator did really well, but even on normal speed it was extremely fast. Just make sure to really pay attention if you are listening to the audio.
Special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me listen to the audio arc for this review.
The narrator did really well, but even on normal speed it was extremely fast. Just make sure to really pay attention if you are listening to the audio.
Special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me listen to the audio arc for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Genocide, Gore, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Slavery, and Sexual violence
luckylulureads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Grief
Minor: Self harm, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Colorism, near-enslavementaquariusqueen's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.75
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.75/5⭐️
Wildblood really thrived on its setting just like Within these Wicked Walls. The sentient jungle and Victoria’s connection to it was so cool. The animals were creepy and there was soul sucking spirit bison that was basically Victoria’s pet. I was so sucked into the jungle and I wish we had more of it, it was that cool. This story also delves into some of the horror’s of English and American colonialism so it had quite a few emotional moments. Victoria and her friends go through a lot of trauma both before and through the book so I definitely recommend this for older YA readers.
The romance for me really fell flat for me. Thorn was charming yes but because of Victoria’s history with abuse from men it sometimes felt like his charm was a bit manipulative. I also just didn’t sense any chemistry. Like okay I get he’s charming and likes to crack jokes but what else? We got a little bit more of his character in small moments but it wasn’t enough for me to convinced they belonged together. It was also very insta-lovey which a personal pet peeve of mine. So, at the end I was very happy with Victoria’s decision.
Tw: physical abuse, (off page, past) rape, SA, colonialism, colorism, racism (mentions of lynching), graphic death, emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- 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.
- 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Death, Alcohol, Child death, Colonisation, Blood, and Child abuse
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Colonisation, Bullying, Violence, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Wildblood is the story of Victoria, a powerful blood-bender who was taken as a child and forced to labor as a tour guide/guard through Jamaica's sentient monster jungle. She spends her time working as much as possible, looking out for her two best friends Samson and Bunny, and avoiding her boss and ex boyfriend, Dean. A client from America comes to them in his desire to mine the fabled gold that's rumored to lie deep in the jungle, despite Victoria's every warning against it. The client however, shows Victoria a kindness she is unused to and feelings develop between the two, despite the increasingly dangerous expedition. This YA verges on NA and is perfect for fans of Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray.
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. What's more, Thorn is giving HUGE John Smith (or John Rolfe, if you prefer) vibes lol ummm so romantic... There were also a few things in the writing that came off as awkward or confusing that I thought a stronger editor could've solved. Also, did sensitivity readers give that casual inclusion of a lynching the thumbs up????????? SOS send help that was SO WEIRD. and then he joked about it?????? erm.
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.
Spoiler
The insta-love between Thorn and V was not convincing, why should I care about this relationship at all? They met 48 hours ago and have nothing in common.Spoiler
and at first V calls him out and instead of considering her critique he's like <<but I'm good at finding gold>> and she's like <<well I tried>>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Self harm, Trafficking, Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Death, and Colonisation
More...