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Lizzie Grace #1
Blood Kissed
In a world where magic and science sit side by side, and powerful witches are considered necessary aides for all governments, Lizzie Grace is something of an outlier. Though born into one the most powerful blue blood witch families, she wants nothing to do with either her past or her magic.
But when she and Belle, her human familiar and best friend, open a small cafe in the Faelan werewolf reservation, she quickly finds herself enmeshed in the hunt for a vampire intent on wreaking bloody havoc. It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive–that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.
But when she and Belle, her human familiar and best friend, open a small cafe in the Faelan werewolf reservation, she quickly finds herself enmeshed in the hunt for a vampire intent on wreaking bloody havoc. It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive–that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.
339 pages, ebook
First published May 9, 2017
About the author
Keri Arthur
99 books5,928 followersKeri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs
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July 14, 2022
Blood Kissed
by Keri Arthur is the first book in the Lizzie Grace series. The author does a great job of meshing urban fantasy with supernatural suspense. It’s set on the fictional Faelan Reservation in Australia and features Lizzie who is a witch.
Lizzie and her best friend Belle Kent co-own a small cafe. Both are witches but neither wants anything to do with their families. Additionally, instead of relying mainly on magic, Lizzie mainly relies upon her psychic abilities. One unfortunate part to the story is that Belle is also Lizzie’s familiar Therefore, Lizzie can order her and take away her freedom of action and choice. While this only happens once, I felt this story would be better off without Belle being a familiar and having another way for them to share power and communicate. When a woman asks Lizzie to find her missing daughter, Lizzie agrees due to financial concerns. But there’s more going on than just a missing teenager and Lizzie is soon in great danger.
Lizzie and Belle are both likeable characters that are different enough to stand out. With Lizzie’s psychometry talents and Belle’s advice and nudges from the spirit world they have additional capabilities to draw upon than low level magic. Both are strong in their own way. Lizzie is stubborn and wants to do the right thing. But will it be enough to solve the mystery. Aiden O’Connor is the head ranger on the Faelan Reservation and has a deep hatred of witches. However, he and Lizzie learn they need to work together to solve the mystery. How will that work out for them? There are several other characters that play smaller roles, enhancing and rounding out the story. Hopefully, some of them with be in future novels and gain more depth. Of course, there is the main antagonist that supplies the conflict needed to make this novel suspenseful.
A well-written story line with great world-building, fascinating characters, and a good mystery made this novel a fast read. The plot and pacing were good. While parts of the story were a little predictable, I stayed engaged. There are plenty of action scenes as well as a bit of romance to give the story more energy and keep the pages turning. There’s plenty of tension and suspense as well as some humor.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was well-crafted and entertaining. I would recommend it to those that enjoy urban fantasy and supernatural suspense. While I’ve read other books by this author, I have only read one other book in this series. I believe reading the books in order would add to the enjoyment of the series.
This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was May 9, 2017.
Lizzie and her best friend Belle Kent co-own a small cafe. Both are witches but neither wants anything to do with their families. Additionally, instead of relying mainly on magic, Lizzie mainly relies upon her psychic abilities. One unfortunate part to the story is that Belle is also Lizzie’s familiar Therefore, Lizzie can order her and take away her freedom of action and choice. While this only happens once, I felt this story would be better off without Belle being a familiar and having another way for them to share power and communicate. When a woman asks Lizzie to find her missing daughter, Lizzie agrees due to financial concerns. But there’s more going on than just a missing teenager and Lizzie is soon in great danger.
Lizzie and Belle are both likeable characters that are different enough to stand out. With Lizzie’s psychometry talents and Belle’s advice and nudges from the spirit world they have additional capabilities to draw upon than low level magic. Both are strong in their own way. Lizzie is stubborn and wants to do the right thing. But will it be enough to solve the mystery. Aiden O’Connor is the head ranger on the Faelan Reservation and has a deep hatred of witches. However, he and Lizzie learn they need to work together to solve the mystery. How will that work out for them? There are several other characters that play smaller roles, enhancing and rounding out the story. Hopefully, some of them with be in future novels and gain more depth. Of course, there is the main antagonist that supplies the conflict needed to make this novel suspenseful.
A well-written story line with great world-building, fascinating characters, and a good mystery made this novel a fast read. The plot and pacing were good. While parts of the story were a little predictable, I stayed engaged. There are plenty of action scenes as well as a bit of romance to give the story more energy and keep the pages turning. There’s plenty of tension and suspense as well as some humor.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was well-crafted and entertaining. I would recommend it to those that enjoy urban fantasy and supernatural suspense. While I’ve read other books by this author, I have only read one other book in this series. I believe reading the books in order would add to the enjoyment of the series.
This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was May 9, 2017.
June 25, 2020
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!
Blood Kissed is now sitting on my 'favourite' shelf, I absolutely loved the book, the world and the characters! Lizzie is a fantastic lead for this book, I loved everything about her and the fact that she has a special relationship with Belle adds to her character, and Belle is just as amazing. This relationship (without giving away spoilers) makes the book unique in my opinion, I have never come across this before in this manner.
Aiden is absolutely fantastic! Actually all of the characters in their own way are amazing but these 3 are something special.
This book had me hooked from the first few pages until the last written word and I am hungry for more (I had to buy and download the second book immediately!)
Highly recommended if you love werewolves, witches and the rest!
Keri Author is one of my all time favourite authors and she just gets better and better with each release, definitely an author to look up!
Blood Kissed is now sitting on my 'favourite' shelf, I absolutely loved the book, the world and the characters! Lizzie is a fantastic lead for this book, I loved everything about her and the fact that she has a special relationship with Belle adds to her character, and Belle is just as amazing. This relationship (without giving away spoilers) makes the book unique in my opinion, I have never come across this before in this manner.
Aiden is absolutely fantastic! Actually all of the characters in their own way are amazing but these 3 are something special.
This book had me hooked from the first few pages until the last written word and I am hungry for more (I had to buy and download the second book immediately!)
Highly recommended if you love werewolves, witches and the rest!
Keri Author is one of my all time favourite authors and she just gets better and better with each release, definitely an author to look up!
June 1, 2017
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
I accepted this title for review without a second thought; it's written by Keri Arthur, and about werewolves—going once, going twice, sold! The protagonist in BLOOD KISSED is a witch, so although our four-legged friends have been cast as secondary characters, it's safe to assume that we'll be seeing a lot of them given that the story is set on the Faelan reservation, a place run by shifters of the lunar persuasion.
This novel offered up tons of stand-out content including a human familiar (say what!?), small-town mystery, and a heroine who's outside of this author's norm. I liked the way that Arthur gave readers enough facts on the different elements that will make up her LIZZIE GRACE series so that all the moving parts jived, but still left sufficient wiggle room to maneuver in future installments, and more importantly, left us pining for book 2.
As odd as Belle's role sounded at first, picking her over a cat was actually quite brilliant. She's a sidekick, BFF, business partner, and adviser all rolled into one who's fate is closely tied to Lizzie's. They have a long history of working together, and because of her lot in life, Grace is very permissive when it comes to issuing "orders" which is turn equates to sexy times that don't take over the narrative (ex: SOULS OF FIRE, DARK ANGELS, etc).
I thought that the Psychic Café and Grace's psychometry expertise were a good jumping off point. As much as I love the investigative style plot line in Urban Fantasy, I get tired of the protagonist always being a P.I. I also liked that Aidan couldn't be more anti-witch because this will hopefully mean that his and Lizzie's romance will be of the slow burn variety. The heroine is definitely a character who I can see myself wanting to follow long-term.
BLOOD KISSED is a fresh start by a seasoned writer.
I accepted this title for review without a second thought; it's written by Keri Arthur, and about werewolves—going once, going twice, sold! The protagonist in BLOOD KISSED is a witch, so although our four-legged friends have been cast as secondary characters, it's safe to assume that we'll be seeing a lot of them given that the story is set on the Faelan reservation, a place run by shifters of the lunar persuasion.
This novel offered up tons of stand-out content including a human familiar (say what!?), small-town mystery, and a heroine who's outside of this author's norm. I liked the way that Arthur gave readers enough facts on the different elements that will make up her LIZZIE GRACE series so that all the moving parts jived, but still left sufficient wiggle room to maneuver in future installments, and more importantly, left us pining for book 2.
As odd as Belle's role sounded at first, picking her over a cat was actually quite brilliant. She's a sidekick, BFF, business partner, and adviser all rolled into one who's fate is closely tied to Lizzie's. They have a long history of working together, and because of her lot in life, Grace is very permissive when it comes to issuing "orders" which is turn equates to sexy times that don't take over the narrative (ex: SOULS OF FIRE, DARK ANGELS, etc).
I thought that the Psychic Café and Grace's psychometry expertise were a good jumping off point. As much as I love the investigative style plot line in Urban Fantasy, I get tired of the protagonist always being a P.I. I also liked that Aidan couldn't be more anti-witch because this will hopefully mean that his and Lizzie's romance will be of the slow burn variety. The heroine is definitely a character who I can see myself wanting to follow long-term.
BLOOD KISSED is a fresh start by a seasoned writer.
July 7, 2017
As far as I'm aware this is my first book by Keri Arthur. Before I started, I checked out reviews of her other series and saw that many complained of the overly sexual content of the books. This certainly wasn't the case with this book. I like a balance in my urban fantasy. Good to have some love interest, some sparky chemistry etc as long as it doesn't turn into PNR.
Not bowled over by this, but then I've read a fair bit of high quality urban fantasy, so the bar I've set is pretty high. Main character- meh. Belle- familiar and sidekick- too irritating to be meh. Love interest werewolf- tepid meh. Information dumps. A plot where we never properly meet the villain until the end. It started fairly well but petered out. I was more interested in the countdown on my kindle telling how many minutes were left in the book!
Not bowled over by this, but then I've read a fair bit of high quality urban fantasy, so the bar I've set is pretty high. Main character- meh. Belle- familiar and sidekick- too irritating to be meh. Love interest werewolf- tepid meh. Information dumps. A plot where we never properly meet the villain until the end. It started fairly well but petered out. I was more interested in the countdown on my kindle telling how many minutes were left in the book!
February 11, 2018
I took a chance on this for reasons I don't recall. I love when that works out.
This is a standard non-standard Urban Fantasy in that there are vampires and weres and magic but with at least a bit of a twist to keep it interesting. In this case, the witches (like our protagonist) come in bloodlines and have power completely separate from (but adjacent to) psychic abilities like psychometry and telepathy and the like. I liked that our main character isn't that strong of a witch and that she does her best to make up for it on the psychic axis. So she's not able to out-gun any of the supers and has to move sideways if she wants to make progress. Arthur handles this well and I liked the dynamic it brought into the story.
Another twist she brought in is that Lizzie's familiar is another witch. She does some careful tap-dancing around the inherent slavery in such a position by making it a relationship of mutual trust and respect and one entered by both parties by choice. Which made it very important that Belle be at least minimally engaging in her own right because she makes up nearly as much of the story as Lizzie does. I really liked this very strong friendship and how they could partition out responsibilities without qualm and even on the fly, each listening to the other and acting as both brake and support in equal measure.
The rest of the setting held together pretty well, too, with secondary characters that I enjoyed and interactions that were pretty fun. Some of the challenges felt a little too easily overcome, and there was a time or two where I lost track what name went to which character, so that could have been stronger. That said, the story was fast-paced and I never lost track of the actual story or the important events and motivations.
With the minor weaknesses and self-pub problems (which will get their own section below), this comes out a solid four stars.
I'll also note up front that there was no perceptible steam in this one, though there are enough references to sex and sexual activities that I'm not tagging this as "chaste", either.
A note about Self-Pub: In addition to relatively frequent copy-editing issues, Arthur could also have used better chapter breaks. As in, add a bunch more chapters because the long ones she has now are completely inadequate to the purpose. This is a nearly 340 page book with just 13 chapters and an epilogue. I found myself on a couple occasions thinking "I'll just get to a chapter break and then do the thing" only to find myself wondering when that would finally be, already. And then I started mapping out natural chapter break points in my head and that totally threw me out of the story (though I acknowledge that's probably a weird reaction to the dearth of chapters). Needless to say, there were a lot of natural chapter break points that weren't actual chapter breaks and that distracted me once I noticed it.
This is a standard non-standard Urban Fantasy in that there are vampires and weres and magic but with at least a bit of a twist to keep it interesting. In this case, the witches (like our protagonist) come in bloodlines and have power completely separate from (but adjacent to) psychic abilities like psychometry and telepathy and the like. I liked that our main character isn't that strong of a witch and that she does her best to make up for it on the psychic axis. So she's not able to out-gun any of the supers and has to move sideways if she wants to make progress. Arthur handles this well and I liked the dynamic it brought into the story.
Another twist she brought in is that Lizzie's familiar is another witch. She does some careful tap-dancing around the inherent slavery in such a position by making it a relationship of mutual trust and respect and one entered by both parties by choice. Which made it very important that Belle be at least minimally engaging in her own right because she makes up nearly as much of the story as Lizzie does. I really liked this very strong friendship and how they could partition out responsibilities without qualm and even on the fly, each listening to the other and acting as both brake and support in equal measure.
The rest of the setting held together pretty well, too, with secondary characters that I enjoyed and interactions that were pretty fun. Some of the challenges felt a little too easily overcome, and there was a time or two where I lost track what name went to which character, so that could have been stronger. That said, the story was fast-paced and I never lost track of the actual story or the important events and motivations.
With the minor weaknesses and self-pub problems (which will get their own section below), this comes out a solid four stars.
I'll also note up front that there was no perceptible steam in this one, though there are enough references to sex and sexual activities that I'm not tagging this as "chaste", either.
A note about Self-Pub: In addition to relatively frequent copy-editing issues, Arthur could also have used better chapter breaks. As in, add a bunch more chapters because the long ones she has now are completely inadequate to the purpose. This is a nearly 340 page book with just 13 chapters and an epilogue. I found myself on a couple occasions thinking "I'll just get to a chapter break and then do the thing" only to find myself wondering when that would finally be, already. And then I started mapping out natural chapter break points in my head and that totally threw me out of the story (though I acknowledge that's probably a weird reaction to the dearth of chapters). Needless to say, there were a lot of natural chapter break points that weren't actual chapter breaks and that distracted me once I noticed it.
March 26, 2018
I've tried a lot of Keri Arthur's series in the years since Riley Jensen wrapped up. None of them quite grabbed me like Riley's did. I'm happy to say I really enjoyed this one and am really looking forward to book 2. My only real complaint is a book about witch craft was a whole lot of describing sensations and odd feelings. I think I enjoy the more physical nature of her werewolf centered series. But happy to have found a new UF series none the less.
March 4, 2019
First of all, I love Keri Arthur's books and I'll only read higher rated reviews. I'm irrational like that when it comes to her books.
Second, a note for the prudes or people disliking her attitude towards sex in her other books: feel free to read this. It isn't Riley Jenson. Go for it, you're safe.
Lizzie Grace seems to be set in the same world as Ripple Creek Werewolf. Werewolves live on reservations and they have their own rangers to deal with crimes. In both series if something more serious happens they have an obligation to notify the Interspecies Investigations Team (or in Ripple Creek Werewolf duology they are called the Interspecies Investigations Squad). There are no witches there, though. Unfortunately, Keri Arthur stopped after the second book so we'll never know if a witch would have appeared at all.
Twelve years ago, Lizzie Grace and her human familiar Belle (a rare thing) ran away from home after her sister got murdered. She tried to save her. Lizzie tells us her family hates her because she's one, a disappointment for them, and two, they blame her for the sister's death. The thing is, the only source of that are Lizzie and Belle.
They open a cafe located on a werewolf reservation only to find out that they hate witches. You get the reason later in the story. It's not really resolved. I'm guessing that and Lizzie's family problem will be sorted out in later books.
All Lizzie's troubles start when a local lawyer hires her to find her runaway daughter. The town is too small to offer huge opportunities for world building, but hints of witches and their hierarchy, vampires and the registrar, werewolves and their packs, and who knows what else is out there, are enough for me to really like this and expect a lot from the series.
There's even a promise of a romance. After all, this is Keri Arthur and she has yet to disappoint me.
As a first book in the series, it does its job quite well. I could be biased, though.
Second, a note for the prudes or people disliking her attitude towards sex in her other books: feel free to read this. It isn't Riley Jenson. Go for it, you're safe.
Lizzie Grace seems to be set in the same world as Ripple Creek Werewolf. Werewolves live on reservations and they have their own rangers to deal with crimes. In both series if something more serious happens they have an obligation to notify the Interspecies Investigations Team (or in Ripple Creek Werewolf duology they are called the Interspecies Investigations Squad). There are no witches there, though. Unfortunately, Keri Arthur stopped after the second book so we'll never know if a witch would have appeared at all.
Twelve years ago, Lizzie Grace and her human familiar Belle (a rare thing) ran away from home after her sister got murdered. She tried to save her. Lizzie tells us her family hates her because she's one, a disappointment for them, and two, they blame her for the sister's death. The thing is, the only source of that are Lizzie and Belle.
They open a cafe located on a werewolf reservation only to find out that they hate witches. You get the reason later in the story. It's not really resolved. I'm guessing that and Lizzie's family problem will be sorted out in later books.
All Lizzie's troubles start when a local lawyer hires her to find her runaway daughter. The town is too small to offer huge opportunities for world building, but hints of witches and their hierarchy, vampires and the registrar, werewolves and their packs, and who knows what else is out there, are enough for me to really like this and expect a lot from the series.
There's even a promise of a romance. After all, this is Keri Arthur and she has yet to disappoint me.
As a first book in the series, it does its job quite well. I could be biased, though.
April 28, 2020
I was a little bit hesitant to read this book but wow, what an unexpected gem! I absolutely devoured this book from start to finish. I mean, witches and werewolves AND vampires?! Sign me up! I was worried it would be terrible and cheesy like a lot of vampire/werewolf novels but it was actually so well written. The blend of three species is intriguing, to see how they all interact and govern themselves alongside the humans (who are aware of the creatures existence) was quite interesting. This book was such a pleasant surprise and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
September 11, 2017
4.5 stars Keri Arthur writes characters that I love to read. They are well developed, quirky, off centered, and snarky, just the way I like them. This series has two witches who are in the lower cast of witches just trying to make a living running a bakery in a small town run by a werewolf pack that hates witches. They bake do simple fortune telling and charms keeping under the radar for many reasons. They are semi hiding from their families. All is going well till, something wicked comes to town and the werewolves are forced to work with the witches who say they're really not witches to try to save the town for a blackness. Things go from bad to worse, and it gets dangerous.
There s some sexual tension, life threatening tension some fantastic snark, yummy treats, and a whole lot of fun. I loved the human familiar for the witches. The weres were hot headed, strong, sexy, and mysterious. The book ended with a cliff hanger and I need the next book. I recommend this book to fans of her writing or lovers of witches and weres. it's a good fun story.
There s some sexual tension, life threatening tension some fantastic snark, yummy treats, and a whole lot of fun. I loved the human familiar for the witches. The weres were hot headed, strong, sexy, and mysterious. The book ended with a cliff hanger and I need the next book. I recommend this book to fans of her writing or lovers of witches and weres. it's a good fun story.
May 1, 2018
It's weird with this series that it doesn't offer much new in the way of UF, but it's still really good. It didn't feel like I was reading the same old crap. It's a world where witches, werewolves, and vampires are known about. Werewolves live on reservations where they make up most of their own rules. Witches seem to have the most power in the hierarchy of supernaturals. I really liked Liz despite her tendency to run towards danger. Although she constantly downplayed her powers, she is much stronger than she's willing to admit even to herself. It appears that she is powerful but not in the usual way for a witch of her blood. Aiden definitely became more appealing as the book went on. He is a werewolf but it isn't the most defining thing about him. The one thing I thought was odd in this was Liz and Belle's relationship. They are familiars and friends, which gives them the ability to communicate telepathically. It seems weird to me to think that someone else can read your thoughts all the time. Since they had this ability, they would strike up conversation at any given time, even when they weren't anywhere near each other. Sometimes it was cool but other times it felt awkward when they'd randomly have a conversation while Liz was in the middle of doing something else.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 14, 2017I'm waiting on the platform,
but the train has already left.
I'm not saying it's not good. Just that it's not for me.
I don't rate books unless I've read at least 50%. I put this book down at 20% so no rating.
but the train has already left.
I'm not saying it's not good. Just that it's not for me.
I don't rate books unless I've read at least 50%. I put this book down at 20% so no rating.
November 17, 2017
3 1/2
A minor, self pub, Keri Arthur novel. I like those most, as it seems she's ready(ier) to break her usual mold.
A minor, self pub, Keri Arthur novel. I like those most, as it seems she's ready(ier) to break her usual mold.
August 3, 2017
The best thing about this book is the beautiful cover. While reading this book I came very close to DNF-ing this book multiple times. That is never a good sign. The main character Elizabeth Grace lives at fifty-eight Mostyn Street in Australia with her human familiar named Belle. She serves up bakery sweets, has a talent for psychometry and has flaming red crimson hair. This alone sounded like a very promising book description but the execution fell flat. The mystery part of the story takes over the majority of this book. To me it felt like a Scooby-Doo Mystery where the main characters are chasing the villain but are always two steps behind until the final confrontation.
There is SO much explaining in this story. As a reader you get a lot of descriptions and explanations. Even things I didn't need to know or care to know about were included. Such as how many desks were in a room when Aiden O'Conner interrogates Elizabeth during their first initial meeting. Also, the overwhelming amount of supernatural councils mentioned over and over again! Every time I read about The Regional Witch Association or the I.T.T. it just made my eyes glaze over in exasperation.
Speaking of Aiden O'Connor he was hands down the worst romantic interest I've read in a long time. To the point where I don't think the book would have suffered if he was eliminated as being attracted to Elizabeth entirely and just stayed as the main ranger and backup support. In the story, Aiden is a werewolf and in this book Aiden is reduced to a non-alpha idiot. How can someone who changes every full moon actively keep themselves ignorant of OTHER magical beings. You are co-exsisting with supernatural forces, unnatural phenomenon and indescribable magical sensations (Ex. Wild Magic). We know this as a fact due to the numerous magical regulatory councils mentioned in the book that exist to keep balance in the community. Aiden repeatedly proves that he lacks understanding about the magical world right in front of him because of his caveman thought process of "magic = witches and witches = bad" mindset. For a book with heavy paranormal elements this was astonishingly upsetting to read about in a romantic interest. Did I miss something while reading that excused his simplistic mindset? Everything from wild magic to spell casting vampires are well past this mans mental capacities. His sole redeeming quality is he's super hot, yeah right! I don't pass up a book boyfriend or husband very often but I wouldn't fantasy date this man if he was the last supernatural werewolf left in the whole book paranormal stratosphere.
This book was like eating bland ice cream. An activity you start with relish but soon discover the experience is not what you thought it would be. I felt the story dragged and D-R-A-G-G-E-D to draw out the mystery aspect of the book and to introduce the reader to the various dull community members. If I could change one thing about this book I think I would have made this book about two lesbian witches. Instead, Belle as a familiar did not add anything interesting to the stories plot for me. She WAS the only female character in the book besides the first murder victim, Karen, to have sex in the whole book. So she got to do that off-screen, make some potions, and play the supportive caregiver role. Overall, their relationship and psychic mental conversations were just fluff-filler to provide Elizabeth with someone to talk to since she is currently isolated from her own family. AKA Elizabeth was not an interesting enough character to hold the readers interest by herself whenever Aiden wasn't around.
The book's cover was so KICK ASS that it was such a let down to follow around this protagonist who felt all to mortal and inexperienced when the chips were down. Elizabeth just wasn't the strong confident witch that the book cover teased at and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth and wanting to not continue the series in the long run. I would suggest this book to people who enjoy "Cozy Mysteries" with paranormal elements or urban mystery. Avoid if you like paranormal romances! The mystery in this book takes front stage and any sex or violence is heavily downplayed compared to other books in the same genre. This was not a compelling read for me.
There is SO much explaining in this story. As a reader you get a lot of descriptions and explanations. Even things I didn't need to know or care to know about were included. Such as how many desks were in a room when Aiden O'Conner interrogates Elizabeth during their first initial meeting. Also, the overwhelming amount of supernatural councils mentioned over and over again! Every time I read about The Regional Witch Association or the I.T.T. it just made my eyes glaze over in exasperation.
Speaking of Aiden O'Connor he was hands down the worst romantic interest I've read in a long time. To the point where I don't think the book would have suffered if he was eliminated as being attracted to Elizabeth entirely and just stayed as the main ranger and backup support. In the story, Aiden is a werewolf and in this book Aiden is reduced to a non-alpha idiot. How can someone who changes every full moon actively keep themselves ignorant of OTHER magical beings. You are co-exsisting with supernatural forces, unnatural phenomenon and indescribable magical sensations (Ex. Wild Magic). We know this as a fact due to the numerous magical regulatory councils mentioned in the book that exist to keep balance in the community. Aiden repeatedly proves that he lacks understanding about the magical world right in front of him because of his caveman thought process of "magic = witches and witches = bad" mindset. For a book with heavy paranormal elements this was astonishingly upsetting to read about in a romantic interest. Did I miss something while reading that excused his simplistic mindset? Everything from wild magic to spell casting vampires are well past this mans mental capacities. His sole redeeming quality is he's super hot, yeah right! I don't pass up a book boyfriend or husband very often but I wouldn't fantasy date this man if he was the last supernatural werewolf left in the whole book paranormal stratosphere.
This book was like eating bland ice cream. An activity you start with relish but soon discover the experience is not what you thought it would be. I felt the story dragged and D-R-A-G-G-E-D to draw out the mystery aspect of the book and to introduce the reader to the various dull community members. If I could change one thing about this book I think I would have made this book about two lesbian witches. Instead, Belle as a familiar did not add anything interesting to the stories plot for me. She WAS the only female character in the book besides the first murder victim, Karen, to have sex in the whole book. So she got to do that off-screen, make some potions, and play the supportive caregiver role. Overall, their relationship and psychic mental conversations were just fluff-filler to provide Elizabeth with someone to talk to since she is currently isolated from her own family. AKA Elizabeth was not an interesting enough character to hold the readers interest by herself whenever Aiden wasn't around.
The book's cover was so KICK ASS that it was such a let down to follow around this protagonist who felt all to mortal and inexperienced when the chips were down. Elizabeth just wasn't the strong confident witch that the book cover teased at and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth and wanting to not continue the series in the long run. I would suggest this book to people who enjoy "Cozy Mysteries" with paranormal elements or urban mystery. Avoid if you like paranormal romances! The mystery in this book takes front stage and any sex or violence is heavily downplayed compared to other books in the same genre. This was not a compelling read for me.
May 22, 2022
In this version of paranormal Australia, werewolves are assigned to live in seven werewolf reservations around the country, whereas "powerful witches are considered necessary aides for all governments" and "magic and science sit side by side." I'm quoting from the publisher's blurb, reprinted at the top of this page, and it gives a fairly good idea of the story going in. Vampires are the problem species in this world, though misuse of witch magic and violation of many legal rules also come under the jurisdiction of the Interspecies Investigative Team (IIT).
The novel is set in the Faelan werewolf reservation, located in central Victoria. Three genetic lines, each with its own private territory, live on the reservation, and one such territory contains a wellspring of wild magic, that is, powerful magic that springs directly from the earth and natural habitats without human (witchy?) controls.
The rule is that a witch must be assigned to protect the wild magic on the reservation, but werewolves hate witches; the last one disappeared mysteriously and hasn't been replaced. It turns out that wild magic is very important in this story, but remember that it can easily destroy anyone who tries to handle it or direct it.
Into this setting comes Lizzie Grace, our first-person narrator, born into the blue-blood Marlowe witch family but estranged from them. That conflict may become clearer in future installments; we know now that she was a disappointing magic student and she disappeared from the cluster of witches around the capital, Canberra, where they have fun influencing the government. She tries not to let anyone know her connection with the Marlowes and hides her rudimentary magic ability. But like any witch, as she grew up she bonded with a familiar who travels everywhere with her now.
Unlike other witch familiars, Lizzie's is another witch, Belle, from the low-ranking Sarr family. Their relationship makes the most rewarding reading for me in the whole book; as another reviewer (Carmel) points out, Belle is not just a traditional familiar but Lizzie's sidekick, best friend, business partner, and adviser.
Hiding their witch status, Lizzie and Belle go into the cafe business offering their psi powers, which in this world are totally different from magic. Lizzie's power is psychometry (she gets true images when she touches an object), and Belle's is telepathy, strong enough that Lizzie can have lengthy telepathic conversations with her at any distance, always in italics.
After a business failure elsewhere, Lizzie and Belle set up shop on the Faelan reservation. Apparently lots of humans live there too, under werewolf jurisdiction. One of the humans hires Lizzie to find her missing daughter, and off we go.
Following the scary stuff she picks up from the girl's jewelry, Lizzie soon tangles with werewolf Aidan O'Connor, chief law enforcer for the reservation. Aidan spots Lizzie as a witch, and the conflict heats up (along with Lizzie's hormones), but he'll need witch magic to deal with a serial killer he can't scent when Lizzie establishes that the killer is a vampire who can use very strong witch magic. And then the IIT team gets into the action!
The focus stays on the adventure and the danger the killer poses to everyone, especially Lizzie; the romance component is marginal and very, very slow-burn. Lizzie and Belle are the only witches we see, and little is shared about their background and families. Aidan is appropriately wolf-like in temperament as well as tracking ability, and he has some of the nobility of the wolf too. As usual, Keri Arthur's writing is well-paced and a pleasure to read. Recommended.
The novel is set in the Faelan werewolf reservation, located in central Victoria. Three genetic lines, each with its own private territory, live on the reservation, and one such territory contains a wellspring of wild magic, that is, powerful magic that springs directly from the earth and natural habitats without human (witchy?) controls.
The rule is that a witch must be assigned to protect the wild magic on the reservation, but werewolves hate witches; the last one disappeared mysteriously and hasn't been replaced. It turns out that wild magic is very important in this story, but remember that it can easily destroy anyone who tries to handle it or direct it.
Into this setting comes Lizzie Grace, our first-person narrator, born into the blue-blood Marlowe witch family but estranged from them. That conflict may become clearer in future installments; we know now that she was a disappointing magic student and she disappeared from the cluster of witches around the capital, Canberra, where they have fun influencing the government. She tries not to let anyone know her connection with the Marlowes and hides her rudimentary magic ability. But like any witch, as she grew up she bonded with a familiar who travels everywhere with her now.
Unlike other witch familiars, Lizzie's is another witch, Belle, from the low-ranking Sarr family. Their relationship makes the most rewarding reading for me in the whole book; as another reviewer (Carmel) points out, Belle is not just a traditional familiar but Lizzie's sidekick, best friend, business partner, and adviser.
Hiding their witch status, Lizzie and Belle go into the cafe business offering their psi powers, which in this world are totally different from magic. Lizzie's power is psychometry (she gets true images when she touches an object), and Belle's is telepathy, strong enough that Lizzie can have lengthy telepathic conversations with her at any distance, always in italics.
After a business failure elsewhere, Lizzie and Belle set up shop on the Faelan reservation. Apparently lots of humans live there too, under werewolf jurisdiction. One of the humans hires Lizzie to find her missing daughter, and off we go.
Following the scary stuff she picks up from the girl's jewelry, Lizzie soon tangles with werewolf Aidan O'Connor, chief law enforcer for the reservation. Aidan spots Lizzie as a witch, and the conflict heats up (along with Lizzie's hormones), but he'll need witch magic to deal with a serial killer he can't scent when Lizzie establishes that the killer is a vampire who can use very strong witch magic. And then the IIT team gets into the action!
The focus stays on the adventure and the danger the killer poses to everyone, especially Lizzie; the romance component is marginal and very, very slow-burn. Lizzie and Belle are the only witches we see, and little is shared about their background and families. Aidan is appropriately wolf-like in temperament as well as tracking ability, and he has some of the nobility of the wolf too. As usual, Keri Arthur's writing is well-paced and a pleasure to read. Recommended.
July 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this one and it was a pretty solid UF!
So we have our h, Lizzie, who is a self described not-quite-witch that has just moved to a werewolf reservation with her best friend and familiar Belle in order to start their lives over. With this fresh start the two try to lay low by opening up a cafe.
But after a few months of peace everything turns abruptly on its head when a woman seeking her missing daughter comes into the cafe looking for help. When Lizzie suggests the local witch would be more prudent than a "mutt" with psychometric magic- she is informed that the reservation has banned witches from the town a year ago (much to the duo's bafflement as they were approved to live there without the town leaders mentioning this important fact...)
That's suspicious, that's weird.
But knowing she can't turn away the fearful mother Lizzie goes out looking for her daughter- magically and physically- and what she sees and finds isn't pretty. It seems like the young 16 year old is possibly caught up with a dangerous entity, and with that info the hunt is on!
However, the local Werewolf Ranger Aiden has other plans for her. Mainly to stay out of his investigation, and if at all possible to get the hell out of his town. Seems like the craggy Were is amongst the part of the witch hatin' population. Which is a shame because there is def an attraction going on between the two (Even if they are trying to deny it.)
With the spirits urging Lizzie and Belle to find the perpetrator (as well as harness the wild magic surrounding the Australian town) can these outcast witches- with the help of the Rangers- stop the evil that's coming their way?
So we have our h, Lizzie, who is a self described not-quite-witch that has just moved to a werewolf reservation with her best friend and familiar Belle in order to start their lives over. With this fresh start the two try to lay low by opening up a cafe.
But after a few months of peace everything turns abruptly on its head when a woman seeking her missing daughter comes into the cafe looking for help. When Lizzie suggests the local witch would be more prudent than a "mutt" with psychometric magic- she is informed that the reservation has banned witches from the town a year ago (much to the duo's bafflement as they were approved to live there without the town leaders mentioning this important fact...)
That's suspicious, that's weird.
But knowing she can't turn away the fearful mother Lizzie goes out looking for her daughter- magically and physically- and what she sees and finds isn't pretty. It seems like the young 16 year old is possibly caught up with a dangerous entity, and with that info the hunt is on!
However, the local Werewolf Ranger Aiden has other plans for her. Mainly to stay out of his investigation, and if at all possible to get the hell out of his town. Seems like the craggy Were is amongst the part of the witch hatin' population. Which is a shame because there is def an attraction going on between the two (Even if they are trying to deny it.)
With the spirits urging Lizzie and Belle to find the perpetrator (as well as harness the wild magic surrounding the Australian town) can these outcast witches- with the help of the Rangers- stop the evil that's coming their way?
June 17, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a fun start to a new (to me) series by the author of my beloved Riley Jenson series (which starts with Full Moon Rising). I’m intrigued by the fact that the main character Lizzie has another witch for a familiar and how that might play out further in future books. Plus the love interest of course. On to book #2!
This was a fun start to a new (to me) series by the author of my beloved Riley Jenson series (which starts with Full Moon Rising). I’m intrigued by the fact that the main character Lizzie has another witch for a familiar and how that might play out further in future books. Plus the love interest of course. On to book #2!
April 24, 2019
Two witches on the run open a café in a werewolf reservation. What could go wrong? When two different races of supernaturals mix together, definitely a whole keg of trouble exploding in your face.
It’s been ages since I last read a Keri Arthur book and witch stories being one of my favorite types of stories, I was pretty eager to get into Blood Kissed. Keri Arthur did not disappoint.
Lizzie and Belle weren’t blood-related but they were sisters in every sense of the word. A best friend who gets you and loves you, faults and all, someone whom you understand just as well – that kind of connection is rare and precious. I enjoyed the interactions between them a lot.
The plot-line was a good one, with six witch houses, three of which more powerful than others, and working as the rule-makers for the government and being the law in ‘law and order’ prickled my curiosity a lot. The intrigue was done well to the point that I was more interested in learning the secrets and mystery behind the story rather than the understated romance.
The author’s writing was witty and entertaining, laced with a beautiful flow of words that was a pleasure to read.
Posted on Blog
February 7, 2018
Just the starting point in a new series but a great story and mystery. A touch of romance and a lot of just getting the reader used to this world. I was a bit reluctant to start this since it sounded like everyone was against her in the synopsis but that was not the case at all.
Great story and I saw a review saying it was "dull" ??? Each to their own but I thought it captured the reader early in the book and held your attention for the whole book and it leads into the next book perfectly (which is actually a bit better since you don't have to do all the background again)
Great story and I saw a review saying it was "dull" ??? Each to their own but I thought it captured the reader early in the book and held your attention for the whole book and it leads into the next book perfectly (which is actually a bit better since you don't have to do all the background again)
February 4, 2018
Every once and a while an author I follow slips a book by and I don't realize they released a new series. I missed this release but saw book 2 so I went back and grabbed and boy am I glad I did.
Great characters, great plot and original, fresh new Australian "Urban" - Outback Fantasy.
Great characters, great plot and original, fresh new Australian "Urban" - Outback Fantasy.
July 17, 2017
Powerful witches, especially from the major families, are considered a major influental part of modern society
Except for Lizzie, never living up to her family’s standards, she has gone into hiding with Isabelle, her best friend and familiar, to set up a business in werewolf territory which is more than a little hostile to witches.
She intended to fly under the radar - but when a child goes missing she cannot avoid using her magical abilities to find her; even if it did raise the ire of the local werewolf ranger
The world building of this book pulled me in quickly - which is just what you want for the first book in a series. The first book has to yell at you why this series is different, what this series has to offer that you can’t get elsewhere, something to hook you in - and a well built world is a perfect hook.
The werewolf territories and their quasi-independent status. There are the witches who are massively influential in government with their magic meaning certain witch families hold a position of almost aristocracy. We have a nice introduction of things like natural magic which is definitely raising potential for future complexities. We also have the big bad definitely with a different form of magic that is also going to add to the complexity of the world. Throw in some vampires and a nice hidden society and I’m hooked in
Lizzie herself I don’t think is going to be that original herself. Scion of a major family but without the major woo-woo? I’m laying odds now that she will turn out to have the super-rare-special magic or she will turn out to be a late bloomer or something. At some point her awesome super powers will become apparent, the tropes demand it! Honestly? This doesn’t bother me. Yes the genre is full of protagonists who deny their magic, jate their magic, don’t realise how powerful they are, think they’re weak and then embrace it all and become awesomely special power. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not fun or interesting or enjoyable to read.
Sadly, we also have her love interest. He’s a werewolf. He hates witches and is mean to her but needs her so they have to work together. And he can’t help being attracted to her and she can’t help noticing how utter hot he is ALL THE DAMN TIME never mind how much he hates her and yes we alllllll know where this is going. Nothing says true love like complete and utter loathing (it’s a pet hate of mine - can we stop driving the train from hate to love without a severe redemption moment on the way? Lusting after someone who loathes you is terribad self-esteem). I quickly became tired of the many times she told me she found hot.
Thankfully what isn’t tropes is her relationship with Isabelle her best friend, business partner and familiar is much more interesting, original, touching and with a lot of promise. The combination of prophetic dreams, linked magic, the class difference between them and a whole lot of snark and fun connection made this the most important part of the book to me. These two together are going to be excellent. Their friendship is great, they support each other, are fun, sex positive and joyful. But it’s also complicated by the subservient nature of the familiar bond which definitely makes Lizzie uncomfortable.
read More
Except for Lizzie, never living up to her family’s standards, she has gone into hiding with Isabelle, her best friend and familiar, to set up a business in werewolf territory which is more than a little hostile to witches.
She intended to fly under the radar - but when a child goes missing she cannot avoid using her magical abilities to find her; even if it did raise the ire of the local werewolf ranger
The world building of this book pulled me in quickly - which is just what you want for the first book in a series. The first book has to yell at you why this series is different, what this series has to offer that you can’t get elsewhere, something to hook you in - and a well built world is a perfect hook.
The werewolf territories and their quasi-independent status. There are the witches who are massively influential in government with their magic meaning certain witch families hold a position of almost aristocracy. We have a nice introduction of things like natural magic which is definitely raising potential for future complexities. We also have the big bad definitely with a different form of magic that is also going to add to the complexity of the world. Throw in some vampires and a nice hidden society and I’m hooked in
Lizzie herself I don’t think is going to be that original herself. Scion of a major family but without the major woo-woo? I’m laying odds now that she will turn out to have the super-rare-special magic or she will turn out to be a late bloomer or something. At some point her awesome super powers will become apparent, the tropes demand it! Honestly? This doesn’t bother me. Yes the genre is full of protagonists who deny their magic, jate their magic, don’t realise how powerful they are, think they’re weak and then embrace it all and become awesomely special power. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not fun or interesting or enjoyable to read.
Sadly, we also have her love interest. He’s a werewolf. He hates witches and is mean to her but needs her so they have to work together. And he can’t help being attracted to her and she can’t help noticing how utter hot he is ALL THE DAMN TIME never mind how much he hates her and yes we alllllll know where this is going. Nothing says true love like complete and utter loathing (it’s a pet hate of mine - can we stop driving the train from hate to love without a severe redemption moment on the way? Lusting after someone who loathes you is terribad self-esteem). I quickly became tired of the many times she told me she found hot.
Thankfully what isn’t tropes is her relationship with Isabelle her best friend, business partner and familiar is much more interesting, original, touching and with a lot of promise. The combination of prophetic dreams, linked magic, the class difference between them and a whole lot of snark and fun connection made this the most important part of the book to me. These two together are going to be excellent. Their friendship is great, they support each other, are fun, sex positive and joyful. But it’s also complicated by the subservient nature of the familiar bond which definitely makes Lizzie uncomfortable.
read More
September 6, 2017
I've been a fan of Keri Arthur's writing for years! When I saw the cover for this book (months ago) I was jumping with excitement for this new series. Lately it's felt like the urban fantasy genre doesn't have much to offer in terms of new and refreshing books and I'm just dying to find that new gem. BLOOD KISSED was entertaining and it has the promise of something I can really sink my teeth into.Lizzie is a witch on the run. Running from her family, she's taken on a new identity and her and her familiar and best friend, another witch named Belle, have settled in the small town of Castle Rock and opened a cafe which offers some psychic assistance as well. Thinking they would lay low and stay away from trouble, but trouble seems to find them when a human client comes looking for help in finding her missing daughter and Lizzie stumbles across a rogue vampire set on killing the town's habitants.
First things first... I loved the concept of the world in this series. It's very simple yet a bit different. The paranormal creatures are out, the shifters are the law in town and witches have been run out of this particular town. Small town paranormal mystery seems to be a recent fave of mine. If you've read my reviews for Devon Monks latest series, then you'll know this. The new Lizzie Grace series falls into the same category while it lacked just a bit of the humor.
I loved the heroine, Lizzie. She's very down to earth and relatable. We still have more to discover about her past and her family, but what we find out about her in this book made me really like her. Plus her attitude is just perfect for this type of book. She's just snarky enough, confident enough, and knowledgeable enough without coming across as a standard bitchy kickass heroine. The sexy Ranger and shifter, Aidan, has an underlying hate for witches in particular and Lizzie struggles with her attraction to him while having to work together on solving this case. Her best friend Belle was the bit of comic relief needed. And the plot had an interesting mystery that I wanted to unravel.
I will say this... the first about 30% of the book was pretty slow going and was having a hard time holding my interest for more than a chapter. But I was still drawn to the characters and wanting to solve the mystery so I pushed through. Once this gets going, it was a page turner. Overall, I think it's a great book to kick off a series and I honestly can't wait for another adventure.
*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
October 28, 2020
My problem with this book was mostly the writing. I’m going to list some of my issues with the writing at the end of this review. If you feel like none of this would bother you much, this book could be the start of a series you’ll greatly enjoy. Don’t let me discourage you from reading it, in that case.
The story itself was a fairly average urban fantasy, nothing to write home about so far, but a solid start to a series with lots of potential to build upon in the next books. Based on the story alone – the characters, the world, the plot, the pacing – I would’ve rated this book 3 stars. More than that would’ve been a stretch. The characters were a bit flat, but I still found myself liking them and would’ve given them at least another book to develop some more depth. The mystery plot was too neat and really could’ve used some red herrings. Every single clue led the characters immediately to the correct conclusion – and while they were waffling about it, saying “we can’t really know if this is actually the case”, they acted as if this was the only possible conclusion and we never saw them pursuing a lead that led nowhere or coming to a conclusion that turned out to be wrong. (Which makes it baffling that they were still always too late and didn’t manage to catch up to their bad guy until the very end of the book.) But still, based on the story alone, 3 stars would’ve seemed fair, and I would’ve picked up the next book, hoping for some improvement.
The thing that makes me unwilling to pick up another Keri Arthur book in the future is the writing. If this was her debut novel, I might not write her off yet. But she’s published well over 20 books before this. If this is what her writing looks like at this stage of her career, I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy reading her. (Of course, your mileage may vary. And if you like her writing, I'm happy for you. People finding books they like always makes me happy! And one of the best things about reading and talking about books is that different readers like and dislike completely different things for completely different reasons.)
To me, the writing felt clunky. There were a lot of grammatical issues (tenses that didn’t really make sense, “was” used instead of “were”). Most of the transitions were awkward, the dialogue was stilted. And the chapters felt too long. I can't really say why. I don't remember ever reading a book before where I was bothered by the chapter length, but here I was. Overall, this book could’ve used a lot more editing.
Some of the word choices were odd, and the text (both dialogue and descriptions) went back and forth between strangely formal and then at other parts informal. The dialogue often used a lot more words than necessary. This was especially jarring in action scenes when the characters situationally would’ve needed to get their point across quickly, but instead they were unnecessarily wordy.
The whole book overused “filler” words in the extreme. (It reminded me of my school days when I’d have to write a paper, but didn’t have much to say, so I used every trick in the book to boost my word count 😉). One word that was seriously overused was “rather”. It felt like it was used every other sentence: occasionally in places where it fit, but mostly in places where it was superfluous, and – worst of all – sometimes in places where it didn’t even make sense. I rather think this book rather overuses the word “rather”. I’d rather “rather” had been used rather less frequently. The book would’ve been rather better for it.
Sometimes the first half of a sentence directly contradicted the second half. A sentence would start with “obviously” or “certainly” and then the second part of the sentence would suddenly call the same obvious or certain thing into question. Obviously we’re dealing with a vampire, though we can’t be sure if what we’re dealing with is really a vampire. <=Not a direct quote, but also not exaggerating the issue much.
Then there are the absolute gems of redundancy in the writing - like this, which is an actual quote from the actual book:
Well, yes! That is literally the definition of a frown, Keri. 🙄🤦
If you can overlook these kinds of issues – if how a story is written doesn’t matter to you and all you care about is what happens – I’m sure you’ll find something to like here. I couldn’t really get lost in the story because the writing kept pulling me out instead of pulling me in.
The story itself was a fairly average urban fantasy, nothing to write home about so far, but a solid start to a series with lots of potential to build upon in the next books. Based on the story alone – the characters, the world, the plot, the pacing – I would’ve rated this book 3 stars. More than that would’ve been a stretch. The characters were a bit flat, but I still found myself liking them and would’ve given them at least another book to develop some more depth. The mystery plot was too neat and really could’ve used some red herrings. Every single clue led the characters immediately to the correct conclusion – and while they were waffling about it, saying “we can’t really know if this is actually the case”, they acted as if this was the only possible conclusion and we never saw them pursuing a lead that led nowhere or coming to a conclusion that turned out to be wrong. (Which makes it baffling that they were still always too late and didn’t manage to catch up to their bad guy until the very end of the book.) But still, based on the story alone, 3 stars would’ve seemed fair, and I would’ve picked up the next book, hoping for some improvement.
The thing that makes me unwilling to pick up another Keri Arthur book in the future is the writing. If this was her debut novel, I might not write her off yet. But she’s published well over 20 books before this. If this is what her writing looks like at this stage of her career, I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy reading her. (Of course, your mileage may vary. And if you like her writing, I'm happy for you. People finding books they like always makes me happy! And one of the best things about reading and talking about books is that different readers like and dislike completely different things for completely different reasons.)
To me, the writing felt clunky. There were a lot of grammatical issues (tenses that didn’t really make sense, “was” used instead of “were”). Most of the transitions were awkward, the dialogue was stilted. And the chapters felt too long. I can't really say why. I don't remember ever reading a book before where I was bothered by the chapter length, but here I was. Overall, this book could’ve used a lot more editing.
Some of the word choices were odd, and the text (both dialogue and descriptions) went back and forth between strangely formal and then at other parts informal. The dialogue often used a lot more words than necessary. This was especially jarring in action scenes when the characters situationally would’ve needed to get their point across quickly, but instead they were unnecessarily wordy.
The whole book overused “filler” words in the extreme. (It reminded me of my school days when I’d have to write a paper, but didn’t have much to say, so I used every trick in the book to boost my word count 😉). One word that was seriously overused was “rather”. It felt like it was used every other sentence: occasionally in places where it fit, but mostly in places where it was superfluous, and – worst of all – sometimes in places where it didn’t even make sense. I rather think this book rather overuses the word “rather”. I’d rather “rather” had been used rather less frequently. The book would’ve been rather better for it.
Sometimes the first half of a sentence directly contradicted the second half. A sentence would start with “obviously” or “certainly” and then the second part of the sentence would suddenly call the same obvious or certain thing into question. Obviously we’re dealing with a vampire, though we can’t be sure if what we’re dealing with is really a vampire. <=Not a direct quote, but also not exaggerating the issue much.
Then there are the absolute gems of redundancy in the writing - like this, which is an actual quote from the actual book:
Blume frowned - something that was evident only by the creasing in his forehead.
Well, yes! That is literally the definition of a frown, Keri. 🙄🤦
If you can overlook these kinds of issues – if how a story is written doesn’t matter to you and all you care about is what happens – I’m sure you’ll find something to like here. I couldn’t really get lost in the story because the writing kept pulling me out instead of pulling me in.
March 14, 2018
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I love Keri Arthur and if you know me, you know that I read all her novels with pleasure! So I was really curious to get into this new series!
So we discover Belle and Lizzie, two young witches who hide their powers while evolving in society. But then, their lives will be changed when a woman comes to the cafe asking for help. Indeed, her daughter has disappeared and she hopes that Lizzie can help her find her. Alas, too late, she will help this mother to find the killer. Unfortunately, this killer does not seem to be ordinary and finding him may well be much more dangerous than expected. Moreover, the rangers of the werewolves reserve do not want to have her in the paws and worse still they hate witches! And yet, Lizzie is destined to cross the road of Ranger O’Connor, who although very sexy, makes her very quickly understand that he does not like and does not trust her.
I really had a good time with this novel. The investigation was very well mastered and we are easily carried away by the plot. Lizzie is a suspicious young woman who does not manage to ignore the problems of others and although she knows that it can end badly for her, she does not hesitate to do everything. I really enjoyed seeing her determination and her weaknesses and it was a pleasure to learn a bit more about her past even though I’m really curious to know more. Her encounter with O’Connor is quite explosive but we understand that it is not very simple for him, even if he tries to put his doubts aside. I admit that this man has all of the alpha and I would love to learn more about him. (Well I want to learn more about all the characters so it does not help!). And there is Belle, Lizzie’s familiar. What would our heroine do without her? I wonder about that! Belle is very nice and sweet and although she is also determined, she really contrasts with the other characters.
You understand that I had a good time with this first novel. The main investigation ends but many points are initiated throughout the story and I look forward to learning more!
My English review
I love Keri Arthur and if you know me, you know that I read all her novels with pleasure! So I was really curious to get into this new series!
So we discover Belle and Lizzie, two young witches who hide their powers while evolving in society. But then, their lives will be changed when a woman comes to the cafe asking for help. Indeed, her daughter has disappeared and she hopes that Lizzie can help her find her. Alas, too late, she will help this mother to find the killer. Unfortunately, this killer does not seem to be ordinary and finding him may well be much more dangerous than expected. Moreover, the rangers of the werewolves reserve do not want to have her in the paws and worse still they hate witches! And yet, Lizzie is destined to cross the road of Ranger O’Connor, who although very sexy, makes her very quickly understand that he does not like and does not trust her.
I really had a good time with this novel. The investigation was very well mastered and we are easily carried away by the plot. Lizzie is a suspicious young woman who does not manage to ignore the problems of others and although she knows that it can end badly for her, she does not hesitate to do everything. I really enjoyed seeing her determination and her weaknesses and it was a pleasure to learn a bit more about her past even though I’m really curious to know more. Her encounter with O’Connor is quite explosive but we understand that it is not very simple for him, even if he tries to put his doubts aside. I admit that this man has all of the alpha and I would love to learn more about him. (Well I want to learn more about all the characters so it does not help!). And there is Belle, Lizzie’s familiar. What would our heroine do without her? I wonder about that! Belle is very nice and sweet and although she is also determined, she really contrasts with the other characters.
You understand that I had a good time with this first novel. The main investigation ends but many points are initiated throughout the story and I look forward to learning more!
May 12, 2017
DNF @32%. It's incredibly dull.
August 7, 2020
This one isn’t too bad. If you’ve read Arthur’s Riley series you know how her books go, and this one isn’t really any different. Lizzie is similar to Riley in that she keeps going even after hospital orders say to rest. That was very typical of her Riley series. This book didn’t have enough romance for me though. I expected more and perhaps it’s the world building, but I wanted more relationships to counter the police procedural aspect of the story. Don’t get my wrong solving the murders and such is the bulk of the story, but...it was missing a few tense moments with the ranger.
We also don’t know about the wild magic and what the sentience wanted or if it was actual sentience. We shall see with the next one.
We also don’t know about the wild magic and what the sentience wanted or if it was actual sentience. We shall see with the next one.
February 2, 2023
This is my first foray into Ms. Arthur’s work and so far, I think I’m going to really enjoy it!
This story holds all kinds of promise for a can’t put down series. Lizzie, Belle and Adrien are super fun characters to get to know and hold enormous avenues to delve into deeper (which keeps a series interesting as it progresses). The world is also intriguing and I’m anxious to learn more about it, as well. And, although I did guess what would likely happen and am 90% sure what the wild magic is (we’ll see if I’m right as we go), I had so much fun getting to that final that I didn’t even care! I honestly had trouble putting the book down and am already diving into the next.
This story holds all kinds of promise for a can’t put down series. Lizzie, Belle and Adrien are super fun characters to get to know and hold enormous avenues to delve into deeper (which keeps a series interesting as it progresses). The world is also intriguing and I’m anxious to learn more about it, as well. And, although I did guess what would likely happen and am 90% sure what the wild magic is (we’ll see if I’m right as we go), I had so much fun getting to that final that I didn’t even care! I honestly had trouble putting the book down and am already diving into the next.
January 9, 2023
I remember trying the sample of this a while back. A while being a couple of years and I was on the fence about it.
Fast forward to now and I really enjoyed the beginning of this series.
It's different than other PNR. It takes place in Australia on a wolf reservation. We have witches, shifters and wild magic.
Fast forward to now and I really enjoyed the beginning of this series.
It's different than other PNR. It takes place in Australia on a wolf reservation. We have witches, shifters and wild magic.
June 15, 2018
First in the Lizzie Grace urban fantasy series and revolving around a witch who wants nothing to do with her magical, blue bloodline.
My Take
This was fun! Lots of action and lots of sneaky teases. I'll have to read Hell's Bell to find out how Cat died, if Lizzie's power is stronger than she thinks, what's going on with the wild magic, and where Gabe is…or perhaps it's more about Katie…? Inquiring minds just gotta know!
It's a cozy enough beginning that starts the story crisis up while setting Lizzie and Belle up with their troubled past. Arthur uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Lizzie's perspective, so all that we know is from what Lizzie sees, feels, observes, and thinks. And that is quite a bit. Arthur really does a great job on providing back history and background information (without dumping!) through Lizzie, and her "thoughts" are quite natural without that repetition some authors can't resist.
I love the relationship between Lizzie and Belle, and Arthur provides enough background that I felt as though the girls had grown from their original start. The growth continues with that angry introduction of the werewolf ranger whose own issues Arthur draws on and out until I'm ready to hit someone.
It's truly tricky, because I suspect the reasons for his anger are based in the marvel that Lizzie faces in the park.
God forbid we should only have the story tension with that crazed vampire, so Arthur throws in all of Lizzie's fear of what could happen if her family finds them. Whew, I'm tellin' ya…Arthur has so much material to draw on that the next one oughta be a pip.
The Story
It's a furious mother who insists Lizzie hunt down the bastard who stole her daughter. No matter that witches are banished from the reservation, and the rangers have forbidden Lizzie from interfering, the mother is a powerhouse in town and could make life untenable.
Of course, that's nothing compared to what a blood-magic-using rogue vampire will do!
It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive — that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.
The Characters
Lizzie Grace, born into the Marlowe blueblood line of witches, has constantly let her family down, as she is so out-of-the-norm and weak in her magic — being strong in psychometry in "not adequate". Cat is the sister who died twelve years ago, and Lizzie and Belle had been on the run ever since. The psychic Isabelle "Belle" Kent (from that lowly Sarr bloodline, although her Gran had some amazing books!) is Lizzie's closest friend and her human familiar with constant access to Lizzie's thoughts. Lizzie's real parents are part of a handful of witches who are the most powerful in Australia. Julius "Juli" is Lizzie's smug brother. Supposedly the psychics, Kate and Lance Grace, are the "parents" of Lizzie "Grace".
Castle Rock is…
…the "witch-free" capital (that is filled with wild magic) of the Faelan Reservation, one of seven werewolf reservations in Australia. Gabe, the last witch, had his residency revoked. He had replaced Tarkan.
The Psychic Café…
…is the business that Lizzie and Belle have opened in Castle Rock, offering psychic readings as well as the usual fare. Penny is a waitress. Mike is the chef. Frank Reuben is the kitchen hand.
Aiden O'Connor is the head Ranger and quite prejudiced. Ciara is his sister and the coroner. Katie was their youngest sister. (The O'Connors were one of the original occupiers of the land.) The Rangers are always werewolves elected by the elders and include Tala Sinclair, Aiden's second-in-command; Duke; Jaz; Mac; and, Byron. Maggie is the receptionist and a ranger-in-training.
Marjorie Banks is an attorney-at-law who wants a reading about her missing daughter, Karen. Jason is Karen's boyfriend. Phillip Banks is Majorie's ex. René Marin is reworking an old gold mine. James Maldoon. Mary Jones had run with a bad crowd back in the day, one that included Marjorie and Morris Redfern (he and his wife, Emma, just buried their sixteen-year-old son, Mason, thirteen days ago). Frieda Andersen is the girl who was bullied. Jenny and John Andersen were her parents. Mrs. Williams is a customer at the café; Freddie is her husband. Rosie has dementia and is confused about which psychic can't find her ring.
The old Richards Road Hotel is now a themed nightclub called Émigré. Zak Marin, a werewolf, is one of the bartenders and works as a handyman during the day. Maelle Defour is the owner and a vampire. Her Defour lineage was cursed by a long-ago witch of the Marlowe line.
The Interspecies Investigations Team (IIT) is…
…something of a paranormal FBI with John Hart and Terry Blume as condescending agents.
The Regional Witch Association keeps…
…an eye on witches in the area. Anna Kang is a TWA representative.
Tomme (Frederick Waverley was his human name) is a vampire using blood magic, unclean and soul-staining.
There are six lines of witches: three are considered royalty (Marlowe, Kang, and Waverley) and the other three commoners (the Sarrs and the Fitzgerald line who are no more than carnival fortunetellers and tricksters are two of the lowly). The government requires that a witch be present on all reservations to serve as the government liaison and rule enforcers. A familiar monitors and protects its witch as well as acting as a lifeline of strength. Witch script is an ancient text that can only be read by blueblood adepts. Witch magic relies on the strength of the witch and the energy of the earth. Wild magic comes from the deeper recesses of the earth. The High Ridge Massacre wiped out an entire town in one night, all due to a wellspring that was sucked into evil.
The registrar is an organization that holds the records of every vampire created and can track them.
Kyle was a mistake in Birdwood. Jake is a surfer in Coolangatta. James Barton had been a baker. Beans and Greens is a small café in Bendigo.
The Cover and Title
The cover is simple yet compelling with a black and blues cloudy night and wisps of wild magic rising up from the dark forest. It's Lizzie in profile with her head of long, wavy, crimson hair thrown back as though she were howling at the full moon that rises behind her. It's a subtle nod to the werewolves as well as acknowledging its own influence on her magic. The author's name is centered at the top in white with white in the title at the bottom, crossing Lizzie's hip. Beneath that is the series information in a light blue.
The title, Blood Kissed, refers to the signs that a person has shared the blood of a vampire.
My Take
This was fun! Lots of action and lots of sneaky teases. I'll have to read Hell's Bell to find out how Cat died, if Lizzie's power is stronger than she thinks, what's going on with the wild magic, and where Gabe is…or perhaps it's more about Katie…? Inquiring minds just gotta know!
It's a cozy enough beginning that starts the story crisis up while setting Lizzie and Belle up with their troubled past. Arthur uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Lizzie's perspective, so all that we know is from what Lizzie sees, feels, observes, and thinks. And that is quite a bit. Arthur really does a great job on providing back history and background information (without dumping!) through Lizzie, and her "thoughts" are quite natural without that repetition some authors can't resist.
I love the relationship between Lizzie and Belle, and Arthur provides enough background that I felt as though the girls had grown from their original start. The growth continues with that angry introduction of the werewolf ranger whose own issues Arthur draws on and out until I'm ready to hit someone.
It's truly tricky, because I suspect the reasons for his anger are based in the marvel that Lizzie faces in the park.
God forbid we should only have the story tension with that crazed vampire, so Arthur throws in all of Lizzie's fear of what could happen if her family finds them. Whew, I'm tellin' ya…Arthur has so much material to draw on that the next one oughta be a pip.
The Story
It's a furious mother who insists Lizzie hunt down the bastard who stole her daughter. No matter that witches are banished from the reservation, and the rangers have forbidden Lizzie from interfering, the mother is a powerhouse in town and could make life untenable.
Of course, that's nothing compared to what a blood-magic-using rogue vampire will do!
It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive — that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.
The Characters
Lizzie Grace, born into the Marlowe blueblood line of witches, has constantly let her family down, as she is so out-of-the-norm and weak in her magic — being strong in psychometry in "not adequate". Cat is the sister who died twelve years ago, and Lizzie and Belle had been on the run ever since. The psychic Isabelle "Belle" Kent (from that lowly Sarr bloodline, although her Gran had some amazing books!) is Lizzie's closest friend and her human familiar with constant access to Lizzie's thoughts. Lizzie's real parents are part of a handful of witches who are the most powerful in Australia. Julius "Juli" is Lizzie's smug brother. Supposedly the psychics, Kate and Lance Grace, are the "parents" of Lizzie "Grace".
Castle Rock is…
…the "witch-free" capital (that is filled with wild magic) of the Faelan Reservation, one of seven werewolf reservations in Australia. Gabe, the last witch, had his residency revoked. He had replaced Tarkan.
The Psychic Café…
…is the business that Lizzie and Belle have opened in Castle Rock, offering psychic readings as well as the usual fare. Penny is a waitress. Mike is the chef. Frank Reuben is the kitchen hand.
Aiden O'Connor is the head Ranger and quite prejudiced. Ciara is his sister and the coroner. Katie was their youngest sister. (The O'Connors were one of the original occupiers of the land.) The Rangers are always werewolves elected by the elders and include Tala Sinclair, Aiden's second-in-command; Duke; Jaz; Mac; and, Byron. Maggie is the receptionist and a ranger-in-training.
Marjorie Banks is an attorney-at-law who wants a reading about her missing daughter, Karen. Jason is Karen's boyfriend. Phillip Banks is Majorie's ex. René Marin is reworking an old gold mine. James Maldoon. Mary Jones had run with a bad crowd back in the day, one that included Marjorie and Morris Redfern (he and his wife, Emma, just buried their sixteen-year-old son, Mason, thirteen days ago). Frieda Andersen is the girl who was bullied. Jenny and John Andersen were her parents. Mrs. Williams is a customer at the café; Freddie is her husband. Rosie has dementia and is confused about which psychic can't find her ring.
The old Richards Road Hotel is now a themed nightclub called Émigré. Zak Marin, a werewolf, is one of the bartenders and works as a handyman during the day. Maelle Defour is the owner and a vampire. Her Defour lineage was cursed by a long-ago witch of the Marlowe line.
The Interspecies Investigations Team (IIT) is…
…something of a paranormal FBI with John Hart and Terry Blume as condescending agents.
The Regional Witch Association keeps…
…an eye on witches in the area. Anna Kang is a TWA representative.
Tomme (Frederick Waverley was his human name) is a vampire using blood magic, unclean and soul-staining.
There are six lines of witches: three are considered royalty (Marlowe, Kang, and Waverley) and the other three commoners (the Sarrs and the Fitzgerald line who are no more than carnival fortunetellers and tricksters are two of the lowly). The government requires that a witch be present on all reservations to serve as the government liaison and rule enforcers. A familiar monitors and protects its witch as well as acting as a lifeline of strength. Witch script is an ancient text that can only be read by blueblood adepts. Witch magic relies on the strength of the witch and the energy of the earth. Wild magic comes from the deeper recesses of the earth. The High Ridge Massacre wiped out an entire town in one night, all due to a wellspring that was sucked into evil.
The registrar is an organization that holds the records of every vampire created and can track them.
Kyle was a mistake in Birdwood. Jake is a surfer in Coolangatta. James Barton had been a baker. Beans and Greens is a small café in Bendigo.
The Cover and Title
The cover is simple yet compelling with a black and blues cloudy night and wisps of wild magic rising up from the dark forest. It's Lizzie in profile with her head of long, wavy, crimson hair thrown back as though she were howling at the full moon that rises behind her. It's a subtle nod to the werewolves as well as acknowledging its own influence on her magic. The author's name is centered at the top in white with white in the title at the bottom, crossing Lizzie's hip. Beneath that is the series information in a light blue.
The title, Blood Kissed, refers to the signs that a person has shared the blood of a vampire.
March 18, 2024
'Blood Kissed' was an entertaining Australian Urban Fantasy novel that kicks off a series that I think will become a comfort read of mine. comfort read Urban Fantasy.
The story is a satisfying mix of magical thriller accented with sassy humour and a dash of romance. It has everything you'd expect in an Urban Fantasy: witches, werewolves, vampires and even a zombie but with enough trope twisting to keep everything fresh. The plot was good thriller material with lots of action: abduction, murders, attacks on the good guys and a few surprises along the way. It was also crafted to introduce the main characters who are likely to form the ensemble cast in a series and to speed up the world-building.
The thing I liked most about the book was the relationship between Lizzie Grace and her human witch Familiar, Belle Kent. The idea of a witch having a lesser witch as a Familiar was fresh and fun, especially as the chemistry between the two of them worked so well. I loved that they could speak into each other's minds, that they had complementary strengths and that they respected one another. They're both heterosexual so the partnership is not sexual but it is a lifelong commitment.
I liked the magic system used by the witches and I loved the addition of possibly sentient Wild Magic. The concept of werewolves in modern Australia living on semi-autonomous reservations in the bush and then encouraging tourism to generate revenue amused me. They share a secret past which I'm sure will fuel their future adventures and their banter lifted the book.
I'd been worried that 'Blood Kiss' might be an early example of Romantasy, a genre that doesn't appeal to me but it turned out to be a fantasy with eye-candy romance on the side. I liked that romance parts weren't too eye-rollingly gushy and that they helped move the plot forward. Even so, the romance was still the most trope-heavy part of the plot. Thankfully, the relationship between Lizzie and Belle stayed centre stage, making the romance a relish rather than a main course.
I recommend the audiobook version of 'Blood Kissed'. Katherine Littrell kept the text moving and provided distinct and appropriate voices for the characters.
'Blood Kissed' works as a standalone novel but the set up offers enough promise that I'll know I'll be back for more.
The story is a satisfying mix of magical thriller accented with sassy humour and a dash of romance. It has everything you'd expect in an Urban Fantasy: witches, werewolves, vampires and even a zombie but with enough trope twisting to keep everything fresh. The plot was good thriller material with lots of action: abduction, murders, attacks on the good guys and a few surprises along the way. It was also crafted to introduce the main characters who are likely to form the ensemble cast in a series and to speed up the world-building.
The thing I liked most about the book was the relationship between Lizzie Grace and her human witch Familiar, Belle Kent. The idea of a witch having a lesser witch as a Familiar was fresh and fun, especially as the chemistry between the two of them worked so well. I loved that they could speak into each other's minds, that they had complementary strengths and that they respected one another. They're both heterosexual so the partnership is not sexual but it is a lifelong commitment.
I liked the magic system used by the witches and I loved the addition of possibly sentient Wild Magic. The concept of werewolves in modern Australia living on semi-autonomous reservations in the bush and then encouraging tourism to generate revenue amused me. They share a secret past which I'm sure will fuel their future adventures and their banter lifted the book.
I'd been worried that 'Blood Kiss' might be an early example of Romantasy, a genre that doesn't appeal to me but it turned out to be a fantasy with eye-candy romance on the side. I liked that romance parts weren't too eye-rollingly gushy and that they helped move the plot forward. Even so, the romance was still the most trope-heavy part of the plot. Thankfully, the relationship between Lizzie and Belle stayed centre stage, making the romance a relish rather than a main course.
I recommend the audiobook version of 'Blood Kissed'. Katherine Littrell kept the text moving and provided distinct and appropriate voices for the characters.
'Blood Kissed' works as a standalone novel but the set up offers enough promise that I'll know I'll be back for more.
June 9, 2017
Goddamnit.
Arthur brainstorms an interesting location in a rural town situated in some vague post-apocalyptic society that we're thrown in, in medias res. There's a nice background story about the MC maybe being more powerful than the discussed heritage suggests (a la Ilona Andrews Andrew's White Hot). The MC is also backed by a super dope best friend who's female (and African American)- and get this, instead of being rife with jealousy and drama and other tired tropes they respect and support each other. Imagine that. For bonus points there's even an animosity that could turn into a romance.
In short, Blood Kissed is rife with the good ingredients for a solid UF.
But, Arthur, what did you do with all this potential?
Here's a list of three (JUST THREE) major reasons this book crashed and burned, in no particular order:
1. The animosity/love interest relationship didn't have chemistry. It was just caustic and unprofessional .
The MC was actually just being a major bitch about dealing with someone's trauma and going on lots of ranty monologue. For there to be a real good sarcastic soulmate/love-hate thing it has to go both ways. The way its written right now it just uncomfortable and annoying to read. The relationship reads like what a twelve year old girl thinks is sexy after watching bad 2000's romcoms.
2. Heaving handing the "chosen one" .
Heaving handing the "chosen one" narrative is to UF what American exceptionalism is to politics. It's super unnecessary and tends to obscure the actual good stuff. Arthur is so obviously setting up the MC to have crazy knock-out powers that we the readers don't get to discover it for ourselves, or relish in the build up. If she just cut out the exposition on this and let the MC do her thing it would be fine. Ugh. This is why good editors and beta readers are worth their weight in gold.
3. The MC's sidekick female friend (Belle) is an awesome idea but it came off as having weird racist undertones.
So there's this whole "human familiar" thing - which is maybe cool in principle but which Arthur has designed to be essentially the subjugation of members of lower houses (ex. Belle, who is black) to the noble houses (who are white with red hair) for life. In other words...slavery? What the fuck? Someone tell me I'm wrong. But honestly, even if I'm not, the entire interaction between the MC and Belle in this book is Belle supporting the MC with servant-like tasks - with Belle never independently investigation or creating or contributing much of anything uniquely valuable. Super weird (and not in a compelling way) relationship dynamic to read.
There's more but I can't. I don't usually review books I shelve as "crash and burn" because I was to be constructive. But this was too upsetting not for me to write about. Two stars for the ingredients, minus three stars for the execution.
Arthur brainstorms an interesting location in a rural town situated in some vague post-apocalyptic society that we're thrown in, in medias res. There's a nice background story about the MC maybe being more powerful than the discussed heritage suggests (a la Ilona Andrews Andrew's White Hot). The MC is also backed by a super dope best friend who's female (and African American)- and get this, instead of being rife with jealousy and drama and other tired tropes they respect and support each other. Imagine that. For bonus points there's even an animosity that could turn into a romance.
In short, Blood Kissed is rife with the good ingredients for a solid UF.
But, Arthur, what did you do with all this potential?
Here's a list of three (JUST THREE) major reasons this book crashed and burned, in no particular order:
1. The animosity/love interest relationship didn't have chemistry. It was just caustic and unprofessional .
The MC was actually just being a major bitch about dealing with someone's trauma and going on lots of ranty monologue. For there to be a real good sarcastic soulmate/love-hate thing it has to go both ways. The way its written right now it just uncomfortable and annoying to read. The relationship reads like what a twelve year old girl thinks is sexy after watching bad 2000's romcoms.
2. Heaving handing the "chosen one" .
Heaving handing the "chosen one" narrative is to UF what American exceptionalism is to politics. It's super unnecessary and tends to obscure the actual good stuff. Arthur is so obviously setting up the MC to have crazy knock-out powers that we the readers don't get to discover it for ourselves, or relish in the build up. If she just cut out the exposition on this and let the MC do her thing it would be fine. Ugh. This is why good editors and beta readers are worth their weight in gold.
3. The MC's sidekick female friend (Belle) is an awesome idea but it came off as having weird racist undertones.
So there's this whole "human familiar" thing - which is maybe cool in principle but which Arthur has designed to be essentially the subjugation of members of lower houses (ex. Belle, who is black) to the noble houses (who are white with red hair) for life. In other words...slavery? What the fuck? Someone tell me I'm wrong. But honestly, even if I'm not, the entire interaction between the MC and Belle in this book is Belle supporting the MC with servant-like tasks - with Belle never independently investigation or creating or contributing much of anything uniquely valuable. Super weird (and not in a compelling way) relationship dynamic to read.
There's more but I can't. I don't usually review books I shelve as "crash and burn" because I was to be constructive. But this was too upsetting not for me to write about. Two stars for the ingredients, minus three stars for the execution.
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