Book of Blood

by Jaya Farrer

"Book of Blood is a stellar work of YA fantasy that is all the more powerful for its basis in history." --BookLife Prize


Catalina Gonzalez is not a witch.

However, in 1619 Spain, as fear and superstition grip the land and witch hunts sweep across the country, her mother’s profession as town healer raises suspicion. Wanting nothing more than to improve her own ability to heal, Catalina cooks up a plan to protect her family. Her scheme backfires when her mother and sister are arrested, and Catalina barely manages to escape.

Fleeing to the rumored cliff town for witches, Catalina finds refuge in the community and begins to develop her craft. But it isn’t long before the soldiers who arrested her family arrive in town—and are welcomed by the witches’ most trusted leaders. Worse, news reaches her that arrests are turning into executions. Determined to save her family in prison, Catalina makes a deal with soldier Diego Tremiño and the two strike a reluctant truce that soon blurs the lines of their relationship.

The witch town isn’t everything it seemed. Now, Catalina must rely on her new abilities to save her friends and make it back home before her family’s time runs out.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Kyle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this charming book. It’s got a unique historical setting, and a unique magic system in witchcraft that dives into a topic most of us are only somewhat familiar with, and that I found fascinating to learn more about.

I think the book’s biggest strength is its characters - you feel their warmth and community so vividly. Made me want to be in their little town and be friends with everyone.

I had a great time getting to know this cast, and frankly would have been content with the main character just staying in her newfound village of friends.

But of course she couldn’t. You didn’t really want her to. Which brings me to the ending of the book, which was surprising, thrilling, and unexpected. Most of the book has lighter tone, with the grim reality of witch hunts tucked away to the back of our minds. But by the end, that conflict inevitably surfaces with a real edge and bite as the main character satisfyingly comes into her own. I was expecting a relatively straightforward ending that would neatly wrap up our charming story. Instead the ending flipped everything on its head, brought an entirely new side out of our characters, and set them up for a much larger fight that I look forward to reading about in a hopeful sequel.

[Kristen Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of Blood is everything I love in fantasy. It’s darkly magical, lushly historical, and brimming with tension. Imagine witchy fantasy colliding with the richness of Spanish history, and you’ll start to grasp the atmosphere of this story. The world is immersive and beautifully crafted, with details that feel both haunting and alive.

The romance? Absolutely addictive. It’s enemies to lovers to enemies again, written with such fire that every page feels dangerous in the best way. The characters are complex and flawed, and their shifting loyalties kept me breathless, never certain whether to root for their love or brace for their destruction.

This isn’t just another fantasy novel; it’s a visceral, blood-deep story that lingers like a spell long after you close the book. If you love gothic magic, historical depth, and romance that cuts as sharply as it burns, Book of Blood is a must-read.

[BookWorm_Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written!

I really enjoyed how different this story was to other magical books I’ve read. This historical fantasy takes place in Spain (I believe) and features the struggle women went through during the witch trials. The characters are flawed and realistic; they struggled with understanding each other’s perspectives while slowly falling for each other.

I’m really looking forward to the second book to see what happens next

[Tali Farrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and the story and overall vibes. The sisterhood and community is just so beautiful and you feel all the things 😭 loved that it’s rooted in history and nature everything felt so real and mystical. Also the romance is funnnn enemies to lovers to… 👀
Such a good book give me more!!! ❤️

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOT ENEMIES TO LOVERS. This book was cute, but I found it to be quite clichéd. It is not enemies to lovers in my opinion, I want the enemies to know and hate each other earnestly. In this book, they went from strangers to lovers. I might read the second one, but I hate miscommunication, and if it continues further into the second book, I'm afraid I will DNF.

[Christine Witcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of Blood was an awesome blend of a historical setting, fun witchy vibes, and YA fantasy with a little romance thrown in. I love how Jaya Farrer made all the characters complex and relatable, not just the main character. This is a very readable book and I’d say it leans toward the younger end of the YA spectrum, though adults will find a lot to enjoy about it.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this book! This was my first read starting my spooky season lineup. I am happy that this was first. It was very easy to follow and the plot sucked me in, within the first 24 pages. I enjoyed the characters ! I was surprised at the ending but now I’m wondering when book 2 will come out 🥹

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE!!!

I need the next book ASAP!!! Could not put it down. Great plot, wonderfully developed characters and love the history and traditions incorporated! Good read for a wide age range, could not recommend enough! Can’t wait to see what this author writes next!

[Bailey Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I so enjoyed the world building, the setting, the characters and the writing. Once I picked it up, it was impossible to put down. And even after finishing it, I literally cannot stop thinking about it. I NEED the next book!!!!!!!

[Gwen Elison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

The characters feel so real and relatable. You never know where the story is going but you always want to know more. There is a love more than strong female characters who support and love each other!

Could not recommend this book more! ❤️❤️❤️

[Clark Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and intriguing book! I loved all of the characters and the relationships they form with one another. The references to the use energy from the body and from nature, grounding oneself, healing with herbs, etc. was so fun to see played out in a book about witches! Can’t wait for the next!

[Emily Hakala]

I flew through this one! Several twists and turns I didn’t expect, and hard to put down.