A review by little_miss_darkness
Blood Union Part One by Vela Roth
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
On the verge of finally becoming a Hesperine, Cassia finds out the truth that will shake up her world.
The special guest on her Gifting Night is one who has been long awaited in Orthros. Nike finally shows up, and offers Cassia final memories of her sister. Or not. It turns out Solia might still be alive after all these years. Not being able to bear the uncertainty, Cassia decides to delay her Gifting to find out what happened to her sister. But why is she feeling such relief?
Tracking her sister all the way to the Empire, they have to go covertly, as citizens of Cordium and Tenebra are not allowed within the Empire's borders. And until she has her Gifting, Cassia is not considered a citizen of Orthros yet.
On their journey they encounter the famous pirate captain Ziara (one of the many things they write Zoe home about as she is so excited at the famous woman privateer), a mercenary Monsoon who guides them all over the Empire to find Ukocha, the last one to have seen Solia. They encounter mythical Jinn who guard the Muqaal desert and the shadowy organization known only as 'Broken Stones' who seem to be targeting Cassia and have the uncanny ability to neutralize even Hesperine magic.
It is so fascinating to find out more about the Empire and different cultures and languages all over it. Vela Roth has a way of writing that makes you only thirsty for more, and I can't wait to read more and finally meet Solia, and see what became of her after all these years.
The special guest on her Gifting Night is one who has been long awaited in Orthros. Nike finally shows up, and offers Cassia final memories of her sister. Or not. It turns out Solia might still be alive after all these years. Not being able to bear the uncertainty, Cassia decides to delay her Gifting to find out what happened to her sister. But why is she feeling such relief?
Tracking her sister all the way to the Empire, they have to go covertly, as citizens of Cordium and Tenebra are not allowed within the Empire's borders. And until she has her Gifting, Cassia is not considered a citizen of Orthros yet.
On their journey they encounter the famous pirate captain Ziara (one of the many things they write Zoe home about as she is so excited at the famous woman privateer), a mercenary Monsoon who guides them all over the Empire to find Ukocha, the last one to have seen Solia. They encounter mythical Jinn who guard the Muqaal desert and the shadowy organization known only as 'Broken Stones' who seem to be targeting Cassia and have the uncanny ability to neutralize even Hesperine magic.
It is so fascinating to find out more about the Empire and different cultures and languages all over it. Vela Roth has a way of writing that makes you only thirsty for more, and I can't wait to read more and finally meet Solia, and see what became of her after all these years.