Blood Magic

Dragon Born Alexandria #2

by Ella Summers

Branded as an abomination, Dragon Born mage Alex Dering has spent her whole life hiding what she is—a secret her father died to protect. Eight years after his death, Alex finally gets the chance to track down the mage responsible.

But her vengeance is put on hold when she gets a lead in London on the Blood Orb, a magical artifact with the power to control vampires. Retrieving the orb from the hate group that holds it won’t be easy; thwarting their plan to exterminate every supernatural in the world will be even harder.

To make matters worse, a mysterious killer is stalking Alex’s every move, determined to end her life. To survive this, it will take all her magic, a lot of help from a dangerous ally, and a really big sword.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Dragons, Vampires, Romance

284 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2016

About the author

Ella Summers has been writing stories for as long as she could read; she's been coming up with tall tales even longer than that. One of her early year masterpieces was a story about a pigtailed princess and her dragon sidekick. Nowadays, she still writes fantasy. She likes books with layered plots, lots of action and adventure, and a touch of romance. When she is not busy writing or spending time with her two young children, she makes the world safe by fighting robots.

Originally from the U.S., Ella currently resides in Switzerland. She is the author of Sorcery and Science, a fantasy adventure series set in a world splintered by magic and technology.

Reviews

[Cece ❀Rants, Raves &Reviews❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's just something about ✨snarky assassins✨, am I right?

Meet Alex our sweet lovely mercenary... And she’s in love with Logan, an assassin #great life decisions

They both have their demons and been to hell. But thats just the way we like them, right ladies?



Blood Magic starts right up after the first book with Alex searching for her father’s killer after 8 years, being stalked by an assassin, and.. oh yeah... trying to save the world by locating the Blood Orb to thwart a supernatural group.

All on a government salary.
Damnnnnn girl

Alex is still the reckless adrenaline junkie that we love who runs into danger without thinking if she sees someone in danger. Ooo those feels though

Alex and Logan relationship went from 0 to 60 and i am absolutely totally okay with it. Overall a great sequel *thank gawd* where events from the first book have consequences and everything is building up to the epic battle showdown.... which will happen when now...???



The chemistry between Logan and Alex literarily were off the charts!! She continues to jump into danger and he just jumps after her and if that isn’t love then I don’t know what is!

His dry wit and her sarcasm also makes some awesome banter that made me laughing on the floor while reading



Naomi is part of the squad now and she is almost as crazy as Alex ... and I love it! I'm predicting she is gonna also have a separate series to keep this world going on which I ain't made about

I wish the editing had been tighter with the *constant* mention of assassins and smart-mouthed mercenaries like okay we get it ...we know their friggen professions by now... Lets have some action please!

One small note about the world-building which has been pretty stellar up to this point... the world itself is clearly established but I hadn't realized how little we know about our characters actual backgrounds.

like there was one scene when Alex kept talking about this Sera and i was like... who the fuck is she?!?!?
Its Alex's goddamn sister.

Because they have such separate storylines, and author tries to keep their events separate *as ya should to keep integrity of each character and story*

But then ... you start thinking about ... you read about Alex almost dying like where the fuck is her family and like NO ONE except Logan gives a shit... realistic? I mean neither is the whole dragon shit but comeee on



So since this series suppose to work in tandem with Sera’s book, I will likely finish out Alex’s series then begin Sera. Apparently Sera is more a prude but equally reckless ?? *shrugs* aiight sure. Guess we will see how that plays out but reading Alex’s POV first has definitely given me a bias since y'all know I much prefer snarky badass to wallflower special snowflake

Overall exciting, fast paced with lots of tasty romance and magic. Hot damn, highly recommend

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Magic is book two in the Dragon Born Alexandria series by Ella Summers.

This was an improvement from book one. It’s a fast-paced read with a lot of action. We get an assassin sent to kill Alex, hybrids going missing, and Alex is starting to have weird dreams.

Now that Alexandria has Slayer on her side, her and her sister, can look into their fathers death and who killed him. That trail had gone cold, but having an assassin around who knows the underworld and where to look, well they can start to get answers.

The search continues for the Blood Orb, stopping the hate group, and stopping an all out war between humans and supernaturals. Which is what will happen if the Convictionites have their way.

If you aren’t read the Dragon Born World series books in order then you will be spoiled on what happened in Magic Nights Dragon Born Serafina book three; because we have Serafina and Naomi explaining about the Big Evils in play and how the Convicitionites fit into this. Many of my questions where answered about the Evils, how things are connected, and the Blood Orbs.

We also learn that mix breed aka hybrids, adults and children are being kidnapped all over the world. To what end? We don’t know, but this brings Naomi into the picture and I love her. She’s a lot of fun. Her and Serafina worked together and now she’s here to help Alexandria.

Slayer aka Logan and Alexandria still have that scorching sexual tension. These two get together fast and stay together. The romance isn’t drawn out. It’s more insta.

Summers does a good job describing things and being descriptive of the different kinds and flavors of magic. I like this aspect of the Dragon Born. It’s an interesting magic skill.

Magic Born was a lot of fun with it’s fast-paced action and adventure.

Rated: 4 Stars

You do need to read the Dragon Born series in order:
Mercenary Magic (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 1)
Magic Edge (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 1)
Magic Games (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 2)
Magic Nights (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 3)
Blood Magic (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 2)
Magic Kingdom (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 3)
Fairy Magic (Dragon Born Awakening, Book 1)
Rival Magic (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 4)
Shadow World: A Dragon Born Trilogy
Spirit Magic (Dragon Born Awakening, Book 2)
Magic Immortal (Dragon Born Awakening, Book 3)
Shadow Magic (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 4)

[John Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Sera's storyline is only growing better with each book I read! I am thoroughly engaged in every page of the books I've read so far! Ella has created an incredible world here! I look forward to reading more!

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced UF series

I like these characters. The snark and the tension between Alex and Logan really makes this fun to read. I like how they are working parallel to Sera and Kai (regarding the orbs), but I’m wondering what will happen when Marek learns some truths that Alex has only just discovered.

3.5 stars ⭐️

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Magic is definitely a must-read in Ella Summer's Dragon Born series! Alex can no longer hide behind the human mercenary label. Her magic is out and ready to play! Pushed to the limit to save Logan, Alex's magic explodes. Like the series, the storyline is fast-paced and unique, filled with twists and turns, danger, intrigue and romance. The characters are well developed and endearing. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!

[Ms. Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder

I can't believe how much trouble Alex gets to in all this. I really enjoy how much Alex's and Logan's relationship heats up but it seemed to go from 10 to 100% within one book. It was really exciting though and the way the relationship matured so fast was done in a way that still made sense.

The Convictionites sure are sneaky and I wonder how the world will change from what has happened in this book. I also wonder how much longer the sister's secret will last. Too many people are finding out that they are Dragon Born. Lastly, I wonder why the assassin that tried to kill Alex was even in the story. He seemed extraneous.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick, fun read. I definitely prefer this branch of the Dragon Born series over the Serafina one. The progress between Logan and Alex irked me a touch (they're adults, they didn't need to pussy foot around so long). All in all it was well-written and something I look forward to reading more of.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying my introduction to Ella Summers's books!

I love this series! All the books are great, but I got hooked on Sera's story the most. Alex's story is just beginning for me & im excited to read more... Including her story with the assassin!!

[Kat Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series. Alex is a fun character, and I love how Logan interacts with her. He's alpha male, without being the overbearing, protect the little woman type. In this one, Alex and Logan are still trying to recover the Blood Orb, and stop the Convictionites. (Evil villain name, much? :) Also, Naomi has arrived from the states, and they've discovered that there are a lot of hybrids being kidnapped all over the world, who need to be rescued, too.

The storyline is great in this series, as well as the dialogue. I think the main reason that it's 3 stars (liked it) instead of 4 (really liked it) or 5 (it was amazing) is mainly because while the over arching story and the dialogue are great, there isn't a lot of depth to it. When Naomi shows up to help, Alex says Hi, like she's seen her a day or so ago, rather than months. No real excitement. When Alex is sad, or scared, or angry we are told that is how she feels, rather than feeling it ourselves. She's great with the snark, but not so great at portraying depth of emotion. Often the snark is mixed in with the emotions that ES tells us Alex is feeling right then.

That doesn't mean it's not a good series and well worth reading. I'm enjoying it very much. It's a pretty well written UF, with the snarky heroine, (or heroines with Sera's books) and the sexy alpha male hero with Logan (and Kai), and the constant action. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy

[Mary L]

So… i DNF :(
I like my books that are like a good simmer in a low fire in every aspect not only with the romance but also with the mysteries and secrecy but this was not the case
The important part is knowing what she is and from the first book to this one she has more control and is more open to her magic abilities.
Romance wise? The love each other literally and want to be together forever and i just cant see it, i get they have history together and from book 1 to this one they have save each other asses but for me it wasn't enough to called love
The mysteries? Well i don't know i was bored and uninterested to be honest, it was reveal from book 1 the hate and the plans even though they don't exactly know how this plans will be executed still is pretty boring
This series in my mind was like a combination of Ilona Andrews books but more so Annette Marie book those book are really good
I'm sad because i really wanted to like it the series and continuing with the others idk maybe i will read the one with the brother is missing, will see

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Logan have been traveling Europe searching where the Convictionites have hidden the Blood Orb. They’ve tracked in down to London where they discover that dozens of hybrids are disappearing including Naomi’s cousin.

I like how Naomi joins them. She adds a needed element to the mix, forcing Alex and Logan to interact more with others and giving the character interactions somewhere else to go. Was getting tired of reading about their teasing going nowhere and Logan and Marek pretending not to fight.

I think I like the Kai/Sera blend better than Alex/Logan. Alex and Logan talk a lot but keep letting things get in the way. And Logan pretends to be too aloof. There’s just something off about their relationship.

Footnote: 1) Possible writing mistake: just after the ‘FOUR’ of them rescue the hybrids and they are leading them down the street to safety the story says ‘They sure must have looked odd out there, THREE mysterious strangers dressed in black leading….’. I looked and didn’t see if one of them was gone and they all were talking to each other.
Fave scenes: the Black Castle’s menu, Alex throwing oranges, Alex releasing her dragon and Daisy’s candy.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars...just.

I love this intertwined series; however the constant (multiple times per page, if not paragraph) mention of assassins and smart-mouthed mercenaries just did my head in! We get it already! Alex is a bad ass mercenary and Logan is an assassin - it doesn't need to be discussed during every conversation! Ugh. Could've been so much better with some tighter editing. I'm not going to read the 3rd book in this series, because it drives me nuts. Thankfully Sera's books seem to flow much better.

[Leanne Crabtree · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I've been reading this for a week now and I'm not feeling it, which is a disappointment considering i quite enjoyed the first one.

DNF @63%

I think it's the fact that between book 1 and this, it appears I've missed out on quite a lot of stuff. NOTE: It needs to be read in the recommended reading order, not just in the series' order or you miss out on important information.

I've struggled along up to here but because I've missed important things, i just can't be bothered to try and understand what's happening. Therefore I'm finally throwing the towel in.

[Barbara Sykeshaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yummy Great Reading

Ella Summers wins Gold once again! This time with hot romance thrown in for good measure. I sound redundant but really do read her books. If you like females with strong ethics, certainly not a wimpy whining weak woman, read Ms. Summers ' storylines. She has some great ones. I don't like leaking the plots, trust me when I say I thoroughly enjoy reading her books. Never a dull moment.

[Dawn Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't be sure who's good or bad

Alex and Logan work well together...except when Logan is controlled by the crazy people with the remote thing. The fight scenes are all exciting and a little worrisome. Marek's mother is going to be a huge problem but hopefully not as bad as Logan's mother.

[Barbara Barna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Liked the dialogue
Disliked the slow movement until near then end
Recommend the series
This has been an enjoyable good to read, and the evil queen is absolutely marvelous.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fab!

I am loving this series. I love the way Ella writes, all of her characters are interesting and likeable. I am hoping I will get to a book where they all work together. On that note, I am off to start the next one 😀😀

[Michael Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Fantasy Tale

Alex and Logan plot and fight against humanity's enemies, which include Logan's mother. Alex and Logan explore their personal trust issues and their feelings while simultaneously fighting all three types of vampires. Lots of action, fun and romance.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad book. But I think it feels a little young for me(?) just a tad. It was still interesting to read through but I don’t think I’ll continue the series. Had I read this a couple years ago I might’ve liked it more.

[Daniel W Gard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting a little mundane

The author keeps the story going but has a tendency to repeat stuff. The story kind just repeats and that can be a little troublesome.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Ella Summers brings it again. I can never put her books down and yet I worry I'll read them fast.

[charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like an opening blossom

Alex expands her secret powers and learns to trust her friends. With the challenges she's meeting she needs power and friends to succeed. Good read.

[Angela ReadingCave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Magic picks up right where Magic Edge ends. Alex, Logan and her bestie Marek are still hunting the orbs. Logan’s momma is still the evil leader of the Convictionites. Logan is still looking into the death of Alex’s daddy-who hired the assassin Nightshade and why. After a particularly bad battle Alex and Logan go home- well to Marek’s home, in England. Alex gets a rare chance to talk to Sera, who sent her a present- Naomi. (Side note- maybe this means that Naomi will get her own book.) Naomi is here looking for her missing cousin, Eva who just so happened to once be madly in love with Marek. When he finds out she is missing, things get serious. The hunt for the blood orb gets even more dangerous as a new assassin is after Alex- why? Is it because of who she is? What she is? Or maybe it is her connection to Logan.

The chemistry between Logan and Alex is off the chart in this book. Two people have never been more suited for each other. As an assassin Logan is deadly, as an assassin in love he is legendary. Nothing and no one can hurt Alex. I love the fact that he lets her jump into danger, I adore the fact that she is non-judgmental of his lifestyle. They both accept and love one another.

Alex cares deeply about the missing hybrids. She will stop at nothing to find them. Because she cares, Logan cares. She is good for him. Alex rushes ahead with an action plan, she is reckless. Because Logan has to have a plan, she plans. He is good for her. The changes that occur are scary- yet they face them together. Logan’s mom, yeah she is evil. Yeah she masterminded her own son’s powers. You gotta hand it to the woman though, she has style. That last chapter…yeah she has style.

The action in this one is face-paced, spot-on. You honestly will not be able to put it down. If you like an action book, with a good plot and great chemistry that is. I am enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next book to come out.

http://readingcave.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Logan are off to London and tracking the killer who was sent to assassinate Alex and Sera as Dagon Born. They encounter more than expected when the Convictionites use the Blood Orb to control Vampires to read havoc in the streets of London. They stumble across a new and powerful enemy the Sultan and discover the kidnapping of Hybrid supernaturals. All of these things lead them back to the Convictionites and Logan's mother. Alex while fighting for her life connects with her dragon and produces Dragon Fire destroying the Sultan and a large faction of Convictionites. The Blood Orb is destroyed in the fight removing it from the hands of the Convictionites, but before that occurred the damage had already been done with a large force of Vampires under their control reeking death and destruction through the streets of London. Alex saves Merek's love a fairy/mage Hybrid in all the chaos and comes to the attention of the Magic Council. I am looking forward to Alex and Logan's next adventure now that they are bonded through Blood Magic.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry into the Dragon Born world. The story picks up right after the end of Magic Nights (Dragon Born Serafina Book 3 that is amazing as well.) and plunged us back into the focus of the Alexandria novels, in this case Alex, Logan and Marek and later on in the book Naomi[ With her own mission] continued hunt for the Blood Orb and the fight against the Convictionites. I love each series of Dragon Born that i have read so far, take place in one world, they really can be read as standalone series.

I highly recommend this book to anymore as it is a very good read. I started it today and I'm finished it already. I love the whole book. Its a very good read and series to get into.

[Angel Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, some weird editing misses

Rant first, compliments second. No one ogles AT, they just ogle the object of their attention. Then there is the palm "gracing" her breast instead of grazing it. Those are just weird, plus a bit mood diminishing, and they throw you out of the proper story head space.

Other than those oddities, it's a pretty awesome second (or 6th, if you go in her recommended reading order, which includes the 3 sister books) book. Characters a just as fun, she's ramping up the heat level with the romantic interest, and several world story arcs are showing up with good follow through (sorry, I try not to post spoilers).

Definitely going to keep reading this series, even with the odd editing!

[JadeShea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Magic begins when Alex and her new assassin friend agree to help find the blood orb. The problem is this creates a whole new set of issues, and on top of that someone is gunning for Alex and no one knows who or why. Alex and her friends must figure out what's going on before it is too late.

I thought this book was a great sequel to the first one. It brought in a whole slew of new issues and it was more in depth of the relationship between Alex and her hero.

On top of that, it was also very fast paced and interesting and kept me guessing the whole time I was reading it.

I look forward to reading more in this series!

[Severine Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil Queen More Evil Than Advertised

This book had some dark moments and Alex's meeting with Logan's mother shows that The Evil Queen is the biggest birch on long list of big britches. She horrified me.

Logan says it first and shows it best, plus Alex really connects with her Dragon.

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mage has spent years protecting what she is. Her dad was killed 8 years before protecting their secret. She is set out to find her dads killer but gets side tracked when she hears about something to help control vampires.

I'm loving this series.

[Angie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book in a great series that joins together with at least 2 other series. This one had me wondering what to expect next and finding big things in the most obvious never thought of sort of way. I can't wait to read the next one!