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Youkai Bloodlines #1
Bloodlaced
Kanjin hardly view their servants as human. Even less so when they are different.
Asagi is different. Both a man and a woman.
In the wake of his failure to protect a boy he saw as a son from their abusive master, Asagi is sold into the house of a young nobleman, Mahiro, who is the opposite of everything Asagi has ever known—gentle, kind, and generous.
Mahiro bonds with Asagi and their friendship blooms into a deep and profound love. But when Asagi is poisoned out of jealousy, Mahiro reveals himself to be youkai, a demon who feeds on blood, and he has no choice but to turn Asagi to save their life.
Asagi awakes reborn, strong, and eternally youthful. But the price for Asagi’s new life is high.
The blood of the innocent. Just as Asagi’s trust in Mahiro falters, the boy they failed to protect, now a man, reappears.
New master, same threat.
With both a literal and proverbial monster at the door, Asagi must decide what it means to be human to protect what they love most.
Asagi is different. Both a man and a woman.
In the wake of his failure to protect a boy he saw as a son from their abusive master, Asagi is sold into the house of a young nobleman, Mahiro, who is the opposite of everything Asagi has ever known—gentle, kind, and generous.
Mahiro bonds with Asagi and their friendship blooms into a deep and profound love. But when Asagi is poisoned out of jealousy, Mahiro reveals himself to be youkai, a demon who feeds on blood, and he has no choice but to turn Asagi to save their life.
Asagi awakes reborn, strong, and eternally youthful. But the price for Asagi’s new life is high.
The blood of the innocent. Just as Asagi’s trust in Mahiro falters, the boy they failed to protect, now a man, reappears.
New master, same threat.
With both a literal and proverbial monster at the door, Asagi must decide what it means to be human to protect what they love most.
314 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2020
21 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
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July 6, 2021“Are you a man or a woman?” she asked, her nose millimeters from mine. The same question I’d been asked a million times before. I only ever had one answer.
“I am Asagi.”
I really like how very different this book is from others in the vampire genre. If I was to compare it to any of the ones I’ve read, I’d probably say it fits in with Shari Sakurai’s Demon’s Blood series in that both are set in historical Japan and follow the characters’ struggles around vampirism. Bloodlaced is a nuanced character study and a good bit of the book occurs before the fantasy element comes in. The story focuses heavily on the effects of imbalanced relationships, and especially how these relationships impact those without a say in their circumstances.
There are some spoilers herein.
The story begins with Asagi and Tsukito, two household slaves, the day they are sold to a new master (who is a complete arsehole, let’s be clear). It’s a horrible, brutal place where both are abused. And no matter how hard Asagi works to keep Tsukito safe, things get very dark and bleak for the pair. Eventually, Asagi is bought by a new master, Mahiro.
I was unsure of Mahiro at the start, although Asagi certainly wasn’t:
Like a fool, I’d fallen in love with the moon, and once again it was out of my reach.
To be sure, Mahiro is nothing like Asagi’s previous master and encourages opinions and respect amongst members of the household. And so Asagi quickly falls in love with Mahiro. Asagi also makes friends with Kira, who hides a secret about her relationship with Mahiro and is, awkwardly, madly in love with him. So the closer Asagi and Mahiro become, the more jealous she gets.
Asagi soon learns that Mahiro is a blood-drinking immortal. Though Asagi’s reaction is bad at first, soon they grow closer and become deeply attached to each other. But the joy doesn’t last long. An unfortunate series of events leads to Mahiro turning Asagi into a creature just like him. Something Asagi isn’t remotely delighted about. Worse, the longer they’re together, the more Asagi realises that Mahiro is not an equal, nor views himself as such, and resentment builds slowly on Asagi’s side.
He was still my master. I might not have been bound in chains, but I had become a slave of another kind, bound by blood and time.
I was so glad Asagi realised this and didn’t excuse Mahiro’s views simply because he was kinder than some. (I was worrying, guys. WORRYING.) As time goes on, Asagi begins to push back and I was rooting so hard for Asagi to find Tsukito and get the happy ending that was denied to both of them.
The ending was straight up AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER. I wasn’t expecting any of the final twists, but overall I really liked how everything came together in the end. A very impressive start to a new series!
Really excited to read what happens next!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of the Bloodlaced Blog Tour.
Blog | Twitter
“I am Asagi.”
I really like how very different this book is from others in the vampire genre. If I was to compare it to any of the ones I’ve read, I’d probably say it fits in with Shari Sakurai’s Demon’s Blood series in that both are set in historical Japan and follow the characters’ struggles around vampirism. Bloodlaced is a nuanced character study and a good bit of the book occurs before the fantasy element comes in. The story focuses heavily on the effects of imbalanced relationships, and especially how these relationships impact those without a say in their circumstances.
There are some spoilers herein.
The story begins with Asagi and Tsukito, two household slaves, the day they are sold to a new master (who is a complete arsehole, let’s be clear). It’s a horrible, brutal place where both are abused. And no matter how hard Asagi works to keep Tsukito safe, things get very dark and bleak for the pair. Eventually, Asagi is bought by a new master, Mahiro.
I was unsure of Mahiro at the start, although Asagi certainly wasn’t:
Like a fool, I’d fallen in love with the moon, and once again it was out of my reach.
To be sure, Mahiro is nothing like Asagi’s previous master and encourages opinions and respect amongst members of the household. And so Asagi quickly falls in love with Mahiro. Asagi also makes friends with Kira, who hides a secret about her relationship with Mahiro and is, awkwardly, madly in love with him. So the closer Asagi and Mahiro become, the more jealous she gets.
Asagi soon learns that Mahiro is a blood-drinking immortal. Though Asagi’s reaction is bad at first, soon they grow closer and become deeply attached to each other. But the joy doesn’t last long. An unfortunate series of events leads to Mahiro turning Asagi into a creature just like him. Something Asagi isn’t remotely delighted about. Worse, the longer they’re together, the more Asagi realises that Mahiro is not an equal, nor views himself as such, and resentment builds slowly on Asagi’s side.
He was still my master. I might not have been bound in chains, but I had become a slave of another kind, bound by blood and time.
I was so glad Asagi realised this and didn’t excuse Mahiro’s views simply because he was kinder than some. (I was worrying, guys. WORRYING.) As time goes on, Asagi begins to push back and I was rooting so hard for Asagi to find Tsukito and get the happy ending that was denied to both of them.
The ending was straight up AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER. I wasn’t expecting any of the final twists, but overall I really liked how everything came together in the end. A very impressive start to a new series!
Really excited to read what happens next!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of the Bloodlaced Blog Tour.
Blog | Twitter
October 9, 2020
Originally published on nightingfae's blog
GIVEAWAY Head to my blog to have the chance to win an e-copy of this book!
I started reading Bloodlaced a bit blindly, I didn't know what I was going to find in it, so I had no expectations, honestly, plus I was in a huge reading slump so I had to force myself to start it, but I'm glad I did, because it has taken me out of that awful reading slump. And I think that would be more than enough for you to go and read it, because there are few books that will help you get over a reading slump. But I want to give you more reasons to want to read it, so I'll go on.
First things first, Asagi, the main character, is the is the spitting image of a non-binary person, though the author herself treats Asagi as a he/him, so I'm going to follow her steps. Now, if you're into vampire books you're going to enjoy Bloodlaced, because that's basically the base of the story. Though I really liked the fact that Asagi becoming a blood-drinking demon is just another complement to the story. You read his story, what he lives, what he feels, but him being a youkai doesn't affect his life more than being a slave did. What I'm trying to say is that by experience and time he learns to live with it, though his past acts will end up coming back to him.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it's set in the 19th Century Japan, when Tokyo was still called Edo. I've always liked Japan's history and culture and it was really interesting to read a book placed there. Also, Courtney Maguire used a lot of Japanese terms and expressions throughout the book, luckily there's a glossary at the end of the book with all the words and their meanings. It's interesting and helps you feel more immersed in the story.
And finally, I'm not going to lie, this book was a crude, rough and hard read. It talks about rape, slavery, violence and self-harm among other things. But it has rays of hope and love, too. So it shows us that life, as raw and brutal as it may seem, is also filled with joy and good moments, which we have to hold on to so we don't lose our way.
Thanks to Let's Talk! Promotions and Psst... Promotions for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
GIVEAWAY Head to my blog to have the chance to win an e-copy of this book!
"People are afraid of what they don't understand. And weaker men want to destroy the things they fear."
I started reading Bloodlaced a bit blindly, I didn't know what I was going to find in it, so I had no expectations, honestly, plus I was in a huge reading slump so I had to force myself to start it, but I'm glad I did, because it has taken me out of that awful reading slump. And I think that would be more than enough for you to go and read it, because there are few books that will help you get over a reading slump. But I want to give you more reasons to want to read it, so I'll go on.
First things first, Asagi, the main character, is the is the spitting image of a non-binary person, though the author herself treats Asagi as a he/him, so I'm going to follow her steps. Now, if you're into vampire books you're going to enjoy Bloodlaced, because that's basically the base of the story. Though I really liked the fact that Asagi becoming a blood-drinking demon is just another complement to the story. You read his story, what he lives, what he feels, but him being a youkai doesn't affect his life more than being a slave did. What I'm trying to say is that by experience and time he learns to live with it, though his past acts will end up coming back to him.
"All fighting ever gets you is broken bones and bloodied noses and scars so deep they bleed into your soul until you learn to stop fighting."
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it's set in the 19th Century Japan, when Tokyo was still called Edo. I've always liked Japan's history and culture and it was really interesting to read a book placed there. Also, Courtney Maguire used a lot of Japanese terms and expressions throughout the book, luckily there's a glossary at the end of the book with all the words and their meanings. It's interesting and helps you feel more immersed in the story.
And finally, I'm not going to lie, this book was a crude, rough and hard read. It talks about rape, slavery, violence and self-harm among other things. But it has rays of hope and love, too. So it shows us that life, as raw and brutal as it may seem, is also filled with joy and good moments, which we have to hold on to so we don't lose our way.
Thanks to Let's Talk! Promotions and Psst... Promotions for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Bloodlaced is a very good book, but ultimately it’s tragically sad. There are few happy moments to be found and Asagi’s suffering is profound. So make sure you’re prepared for a healthy dose of angsty before you pick this one.
Asagi is ultimately victimized for being different. He is understood by few and isolated by a rigid class structure that doesn’t allow for rule breaking. That he has survived is a credit to his determination and the depth of his endurance. Asagi is impossible not to champion and care about. His suffering has given him a strength that is believable and empowering. That’s not to say it comes without cost and often Asagi is not the only one to suffer. Asagi and the other characters are victims, both of their actions and of the world they live in.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Bloodlaced is a very good book, but ultimately it’s tragically sad. There are few happy moments to be found and Asagi’s suffering is profound. So make sure you’re prepared for a healthy dose of angsty before you pick this one.
Asagi is ultimately victimized for being different. He is understood by few and isolated by a rigid class structure that doesn’t allow for rule breaking. That he has survived is a credit to his determination and the depth of his endurance. Asagi is impossible not to champion and care about. His suffering has given him a strength that is believable and empowering. That’s not to say it comes without cost and often Asagi is not the only one to suffer. Asagi and the other characters are victims, both of their actions and of the world they live in.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
September 12, 2020
You can't help but be drawn in by these characters and the hardships they face. Though most of us won't be turned into vampires, Maguire writes in a way that makes their lives universal and heartbreaking. It's hard to put this series down.
March 24, 2023
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Bloodlaced
Thank you to BBNYA for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!
Asagi is neither man nor woman. Sold into slavery, they are subjected to emotional and physical abuse. And when one master is done, they are sold to another to repeat the cycle. When one such household leaves Asagi in charge of a young boy, they do all they can to protect him. But the inevitable happens and Asagi is torn away from the boy to be sold to another house. Guilt and heartache plague them. Pain becomes the only solace in their life, the only thing able to ground them. When the new household shows even the smallest kindness, Asagi is hesitant to believe it is possible. Surely it is some new way to torment them? Asagi will soon learn, while the master may indeed be kind, there is an underlying darkness that compels him to do so.
Asagi’s character is tragic and complex. The amount of abuse they have endured is heartbreaking. Watching the evolution of Asagi’s trauma and battle to overcome it will keep readers entranced. They are so frightened by human interaction. When Asagi begins to form connections with people they are such fragile relationships that take time to develop and grow. And even at their strongest points, the past haunts Asagi making them doubt every good thing in their life. Not to mention the confusion of trying to form relationships with people when for so long Asagi was seen as only a slave.
Bloodlaced is a dark and emotional read. An extra depth was added to the writing as readers will often feel as confused as Asagi when they try to understand their feelings of love. Asagi believed love was beyond them and when they begin to feel different kinds of love the messages seem to become mixed. There are times when the expected social interactions become skewed with other kinds of love. Then add in the element of vampirism and it mixes up the emotional drives.
Vampirism in this novel takes the form of a youkai. And while the lore around this particular youkai is limited, it makes a large impact on the story. Many of the characters' choices will be determined by the effects of the youkai and haunted pasts. And while vampirism is the perfect catalyst for many of the plot points, a stronger foundation in the lore would have added to the worldbuilding.
Bloodlaced is by no means a light read and will not be suitable for all readers. There is no shying away from the brutality characters endure. The depth of emotional and physical torment bestowed on Asagi will not be easy for readers to experience.
Thank you to BBNYA for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!
Asagi is neither man nor woman. Sold into slavery, they are subjected to emotional and physical abuse. And when one master is done, they are sold to another to repeat the cycle. When one such household leaves Asagi in charge of a young boy, they do all they can to protect him. But the inevitable happens and Asagi is torn away from the boy to be sold to another house. Guilt and heartache plague them. Pain becomes the only solace in their life, the only thing able to ground them. When the new household shows even the smallest kindness, Asagi is hesitant to believe it is possible. Surely it is some new way to torment them? Asagi will soon learn, while the master may indeed be kind, there is an underlying darkness that compels him to do so.
Asagi’s character is tragic and complex. The amount of abuse they have endured is heartbreaking. Watching the evolution of Asagi’s trauma and battle to overcome it will keep readers entranced. They are so frightened by human interaction. When Asagi begins to form connections with people they are such fragile relationships that take time to develop and grow. And even at their strongest points, the past haunts Asagi making them doubt every good thing in their life. Not to mention the confusion of trying to form relationships with people when for so long Asagi was seen as only a slave.
Bloodlaced is a dark and emotional read. An extra depth was added to the writing as readers will often feel as confused as Asagi when they try to understand their feelings of love. Asagi believed love was beyond them and when they begin to feel different kinds of love the messages seem to become mixed. There are times when the expected social interactions become skewed with other kinds of love. Then add in the element of vampirism and it mixes up the emotional drives.
Vampirism in this novel takes the form of a youkai. And while the lore around this particular youkai is limited, it makes a large impact on the story. Many of the characters' choices will be determined by the effects of the youkai and haunted pasts. And while vampirism is the perfect catalyst for many of the plot points, a stronger foundation in the lore would have added to the worldbuilding.
Bloodlaced is by no means a light read and will not be suitable for all readers. There is no shying away from the brutality characters endure. The depth of emotional and physical torment bestowed on Asagi will not be easy for readers to experience.
September 25, 2020
Youkai Bloodlines: Bloodlaced by Courtney Maguire is an anime-flavored vampiric delight. 4.5 stars
I was intrigued by the premise when I was approached to do a read and review for this book, and I am so happy I did. The story was a fresh enough take on bloodsuckers to keep my interest, and I became completely invested in Asagi’s journey.
Asagi identifies neither as male nor female but treads a “sliding scale between masculine and feminine” (Chapter 20, “Arrangements”). A household slave and someone with male anatomy, who presents as female, Asagi has been the victim of assault and abuse. When she and a child named Tsukito are sold to a new, monstrous master with an eye for young boys, Asagi throws herself between the man and the child she has come to love like a son, taking the abuse to spare the child. This is noticed by one of her master’s guests, who ‘rescues’ her from the brutal position by purchasing her service after she is badly injured.
The new household is nothing like the old one—the servants are happy, well-fed, and devoted to their master. Mahiro is kind and generous and expects nothing from Asagi but her company. Too good to be true, she thinks, and she is right: Mahiro is a Youkai, a supernatural being who feeds on blood. There is a fine line between human and monster—so delicate that Asagi finds herself coming to care for Mahiro, but misunderstandings, jealousy, and an act of desperation soon drag Asagi across that line. Her life will never be the same.
This story was completely enjoyable, and each character is painted in fine detail. It employs many well-used vampire tropes, but the imperial Japanese setting and the wonderful characters make them seem new. It was a quick read and I’m glad to see that there will be more books coming in the Youkai Bloodlines vein.
I was intrigued by the premise when I was approached to do a read and review for this book, and I am so happy I did. The story was a fresh enough take on bloodsuckers to keep my interest, and I became completely invested in Asagi’s journey.
Asagi identifies neither as male nor female but treads a “sliding scale between masculine and feminine” (Chapter 20, “Arrangements”). A household slave and someone with male anatomy, who presents as female, Asagi has been the victim of assault and abuse. When she and a child named Tsukito are sold to a new, monstrous master with an eye for young boys, Asagi throws herself between the man and the child she has come to love like a son, taking the abuse to spare the child. This is noticed by one of her master’s guests, who ‘rescues’ her from the brutal position by purchasing her service after she is badly injured.
The new household is nothing like the old one—the servants are happy, well-fed, and devoted to their master. Mahiro is kind and generous and expects nothing from Asagi but her company. Too good to be true, she thinks, and she is right: Mahiro is a Youkai, a supernatural being who feeds on blood. There is a fine line between human and monster—so delicate that Asagi finds herself coming to care for Mahiro, but misunderstandings, jealousy, and an act of desperation soon drag Asagi across that line. Her life will never be the same.
This story was completely enjoyable, and each character is painted in fine detail. It employs many well-used vampire tropes, but the imperial Japanese setting and the wonderful characters make them seem new. It was a quick read and I’m glad to see that there will be more books coming in the Youkai Bloodlines vein.
December 14, 2020
This book has an interesting plot. Asagi is a very strong character who appears to be vulnerable at times.
Read full review in the 2020 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
February 24, 2021
3.5 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This book was basically about Asagi's life as a slave, then not really a slave but not really free either, then a vampire, all the while dealing with past trauma and inner demons and trying to protect the boy they thought of as a son whenever possible. This is a story with a lot of emotional pain and trauma. It's about a slave trying to protect a fellow slave who was an orphaned child. It's about how hard or impossible it is to escape that life, because even when Asagi became a vampire and technically wasn't a slave anymore, he was still in different figurative chains. It's about how inaction is still a choice and often the wrong one. It's about the struggle of being a monster and taking lives and having to live with that, while also knowing the chance to keep living was as much a gift as a curse. It's about how even good things have a price to be paid.
The pacing was a little odd. The book was meandering and slow without a clear goal, making it hard to figure out how far into the story I was and surprising me when all the sudden it was over (perhaps to be continued in the next book?), and I kept waiting for the things mentioned in the description, some of them didn't happen until over 50% in. All of which is not necessarily bad, but it threw me off a bit, and it might help other readers to know what to expect.
What really drew me to this book when I read the description was the mention of gender, of a main character who didn't fit neatly into a male or female checkbox, and it was a significant aspect of the story. (Pronouns are never given in the book, but the description uses both "he" and "they," so that's what I'm using.) They never used a label for themselves (though that's maybe because there was no word for it at the time). He was assigned male at birth but had a feminine face and enjoyed being seen as a woman. I'm not sure if he ever quite thought of himself as a woman though, and he also chose to present male sometimes. If asked whether they were a man or woman, their answer was, "I am Asagi." They said at one point maybe they were both, or neither. I have similar feelings, so I loved finding a character I could relate to in that way, and it made me happy to see them actually get the chance to be themselves, to present how they wanted when they wanted, and to find people who loved and appreciated them for exactly who they were.
The other thing that drew me to the book was the mention of blood-drinking youkai. They were essentially vampires, but this wasn't really a romantic, sexy portrayal. They got immortality, healing, and some mind-related abilities (Asagi could sort of read people's minds to view their lives, and both Asagi and Mahiro could affect emotions of their victims), but no other abilities or drawbacks as far as I could tell. The price for it, having to drink blood, was a steep one for Asagi though, and dealing with his new life as a monster, and the consequences of it, was also a significant element of the story.
Asagi themselves was a character with a lot of inner strength and guile, but also a lot of emotional struggle.
There was a romantic relationship in the book, but it was kind of vague. The focus was very much the parent-child-esque relationship between Asagi and Tsukito, which was refreshing.
I believe this took place in a historical Japan setting, and I enjoyed the Japanese elements.
Overall this was a slow-paced, heavy sort of story that somehow kept me at a bit of a distance, but it had a unique combination of elements, including Japanese culture, blood drinking youkai, familial love, and gender exploration, and I enjoyed it. Well, if *enjoy* is the right word for a such a heavy, melancholic tale.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Physical abuse. Rape (off-page). Implied rape of a child. Self-harm (one instance, on-page).
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eBook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes youkai/vampires, nonbinary characters, heavy stories, slow-paced tales of a character's life, and parent-child-esque love.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This book was basically about Asagi's life as a slave, then not really a slave but not really free either, then a vampire, all the while dealing with past trauma and inner demons and trying to protect the boy they thought of as a son whenever possible. This is a story with a lot of emotional pain and trauma. It's about a slave trying to protect a fellow slave who was an orphaned child. It's about how hard or impossible it is to escape that life, because even when Asagi became a vampire and technically wasn't a slave anymore, he was still in different figurative chains. It's about how inaction is still a choice and often the wrong one. It's about the struggle of being a monster and taking lives and having to live with that, while also knowing the chance to keep living was as much a gift as a curse. It's about how even good things have a price to be paid.
The pacing was a little odd. The book was meandering and slow without a clear goal, making it hard to figure out how far into the story I was and surprising me when all the sudden it was over (perhaps to be continued in the next book?), and I kept waiting for the things mentioned in the description, some of them didn't happen until over 50% in. All of which is not necessarily bad, but it threw me off a bit, and it might help other readers to know what to expect.
What really drew me to this book when I read the description was the mention of gender, of a main character who didn't fit neatly into a male or female checkbox, and it was a significant aspect of the story. (Pronouns are never given in the book, but the description uses both "he" and "they," so that's what I'm using.) They never used a label for themselves (though that's maybe because there was no word for it at the time). He was assigned male at birth but had a feminine face and enjoyed being seen as a woman. I'm not sure if he ever quite thought of himself as a woman though, and he also chose to present male sometimes. If asked whether they were a man or woman, their answer was, "I am Asagi." They said at one point maybe they were both, or neither. I have similar feelings, so I loved finding a character I could relate to in that way, and it made me happy to see them actually get the chance to be themselves, to present how they wanted when they wanted, and to find people who loved and appreciated them for exactly who they were.
The other thing that drew me to the book was the mention of blood-drinking youkai. They were essentially vampires, but this wasn't really a romantic, sexy portrayal. They got immortality, healing, and some mind-related abilities (Asagi could sort of read people's minds to view their lives, and both Asagi and Mahiro could affect emotions of their victims), but no other abilities or drawbacks as far as I could tell. The price for it, having to drink blood, was a steep one for Asagi though, and dealing with his new life as a monster, and the consequences of it, was also a significant element of the story.
Asagi themselves was a character with a lot of inner strength and guile, but also a lot of emotional struggle.
There was a romantic relationship in the book, but it was kind of vague. The focus was very much the parent-child-esque relationship between Asagi and Tsukito, which was refreshing.
I believe this took place in a historical Japan setting, and I enjoyed the Japanese elements.
Overall this was a slow-paced, heavy sort of story that somehow kept me at a bit of a distance, but it had a unique combination of elements, including Japanese culture, blood drinking youkai, familial love, and gender exploration, and I enjoyed it. Well, if *enjoy* is the right word for a such a heavy, melancholic tale.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Physical abuse. Rape (off-page). Implied rape of a child. Self-harm (one instance, on-page).
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eBook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes youkai/vampires, nonbinary characters, heavy stories, slow-paced tales of a character's life, and parent-child-esque love.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
October 7, 2020
Set in historical Japan, Courtney has created a captivating read around love, power, family and gender identity along with a dark twist of vampirism. An intriguing, emotional and heartbreaking tale that was so much more than what I was expecting!
Asagi and a young orphaned boy called Tsukito are sold to a new master, an evil man who made physical, emotional and mental abuse an everyday occurance. Asagi's gender crossed the line between male and female, and as such was the target of many types of abuse. Agasi's main concern was keeping Tsukito safe and innocent, but in this world of servants and slaves, abuse is common place.
Asagi gets sold to a new master and has to leave Tsukito. Mahiro is her new master, completely different in how he treats his household, and Asagi ends up falling in love with him, and vice versa.
But Mahiro is hiding a secret, he is a vampire, and in a cruel twist of fate, Mahiro ends up turning Asagi to save her life, but she is anything but thankful for it.
The relationships are complicated and layered, as Asagi realises that she is still a slave just in a different setting, and begins to rebel and and resent Mahiro. Asagi misses Tsukito still and they end up crossing paths yet again, and Asagi realises that her happiness still revolves around Tsukito.
The ending is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns in the plot that I didn't see coming. A terrific and engrossing read, very different to what I was expecting and something different from what I would normally read, but I would definitely recommend it.
Asagi and a young orphaned boy called Tsukito are sold to a new master, an evil man who made physical, emotional and mental abuse an everyday occurance. Asagi's gender crossed the line between male and female, and as such was the target of many types of abuse. Agasi's main concern was keeping Tsukito safe and innocent, but in this world of servants and slaves, abuse is common place.
Asagi gets sold to a new master and has to leave Tsukito. Mahiro is her new master, completely different in how he treats his household, and Asagi ends up falling in love with him, and vice versa.
But Mahiro is hiding a secret, he is a vampire, and in a cruel twist of fate, Mahiro ends up turning Asagi to save her life, but she is anything but thankful for it.
The relationships are complicated and layered, as Asagi realises that she is still a slave just in a different setting, and begins to rebel and and resent Mahiro. Asagi misses Tsukito still and they end up crossing paths yet again, and Asagi realises that her happiness still revolves around Tsukito.
The ending is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns in the plot that I didn't see coming. A terrific and engrossing read, very different to what I was expecting and something different from what I would normally read, but I would definitely recommend it.
October 27, 2020
The cover for this book is gorgeous and I love it! It really sets the tone for what turned out to be a dark and emotional read.
I can’t label this as a romance, although there is a lot love present, and the different forms it takes. The love for a friend, the love for a child, and the love for a partner. We also get to see how some of those loves twist into hate.
While this book’s main plot is that of a slave finding their way in a cruel world, it’s so much more than that. It explores gender identity, injustice, slavery, monsters, and the choices we make or cannot make.
My heart broke for everyone at some point in this story and I really hope the characters get some sort of happy ending by series end(this ends HFN). I cried during the last parts of this book, and while the events were unfair and heartbreaking, I am looking forward to seeing Asagi continue their journey.
4.5 Stars
I can’t label this as a romance, although there is a lot love present, and the different forms it takes. The love for a friend, the love for a child, and the love for a partner. We also get to see how some of those loves twist into hate.
While this book’s main plot is that of a slave finding their way in a cruel world, it’s so much more than that. It explores gender identity, injustice, slavery, monsters, and the choices we make or cannot make.
My heart broke for everyone at some point in this story and I really hope the characters get some sort of happy ending by series end(this ends HFN). I cried during the last parts of this book, and while the events were unfair and heartbreaking, I am looking forward to seeing Asagi continue their journey.
4.5 Stars
October 15, 2020
Content Warnings: physical abuse, sexual abuse (off-page), self-harm, blood, graphic violence
When I chose to read this book, I had no idea what was coming for me. I was intrigued by the premise that the main character, Asagi, was both a male and a female, and decided to give it a try. By the time I reached the end, this novel had wrapped itself around my heart and did not let go. I was devastated, and I do not lie when I say I cried for days after finishing the novel!
The novel itself started as grabbing. The first chapter was entitled 'A Boy or A Girl?', and this is when Asagi and Tsukito were introduced. These two were newly bought by a master, and at that moment, Asagi and Tsukito created a bond that was about to last forever. Tsukito was a little boy, and Asagi took the responsibility to look after him. They called themselves the mother of the child. In that house, things got dark, and no matter how much Asagi tried to protect his youth, they had no power against Kanjin.
When they were working for Kanjin, Asagi was often beaten and abused. Yutaka was the man who used to do the dirty work, and even if the violent scenes were quite graphic, they weren't as bad as what came after. Yutaka had no desire to hurt Asagi, so when he came to apologise, something broke into my heart. You could see how broken both of these people were, and by reading, I could feel their pain in my chest. I can't explain into words how emotional this book made me! Eventually, Asagi is bought by a new master named Mahiro. Tsukito is left behind, and Asagi suffers greatly after him. Despite the pain he feels, a new era starts for Asagi.
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://dailydoseofbooks.com/2020/10/...
When I chose to read this book, I had no idea what was coming for me. I was intrigued by the premise that the main character, Asagi, was both a male and a female, and decided to give it a try. By the time I reached the end, this novel had wrapped itself around my heart and did not let go. I was devastated, and I do not lie when I say I cried for days after finishing the novel!
I was young, so much younger than him, when I learned to stop fighting.
Please, I silently pleaded, don’t let him be like me. Let he remain a child a little longer.
The novel itself started as grabbing. The first chapter was entitled 'A Boy or A Girl?', and this is when Asagi and Tsukito were introduced. These two were newly bought by a master, and at that moment, Asagi and Tsukito created a bond that was about to last forever. Tsukito was a little boy, and Asagi took the responsibility to look after him. They called themselves the mother of the child. In that house, things got dark, and no matter how much Asagi tried to protect his youth, they had no power against Kanjin.
He’d tried to weaken me, but instead, he’d created something androgynous and otherworldly. Something he couldn’t touch.’
When they were working for Kanjin, Asagi was often beaten and abused. Yutaka was the man who used to do the dirty work, and even if the violent scenes were quite graphic, they weren't as bad as what came after. Yutaka had no desire to hurt Asagi, so when he came to apologise, something broke into my heart. You could see how broken both of these people were, and by reading, I could feel their pain in my chest. I can't explain into words how emotional this book made me! Eventually, Asagi is bought by a new master named Mahiro. Tsukito is left behind, and Asagi suffers greatly after him. Despite the pain he feels, a new era starts for Asagi.
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://dailydoseofbooks.com/2020/10/...
July 16, 2022
An emotional and memorable read about Asagi and his inner turmoil with identity, guilt, and humanity.
Just a heads up, the paranormal/vampire part of the storyline doesn't even come into play until around the halfway point. If you're expecting lots of vampire action, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Make sure to check out the TW before reading. This is not a light read.
***I would like to thank BookSirens, Courtney Maguire (the author), and City Owl Press for graciously providing a copy of the novel for me to read & review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
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December 22, 2022Congratulations for placing 9th in the 2022 BBNYA Competition!
January 21, 2022
Bloodlaced is one of those books that I bought on a whim. I didn't buy a lot of books at that point in time, because I didn't read much and struggled to even get started reading a book, let alone finish them thanks to my ADHD, but here I am: I've read it. I finished it. Who needs ADHD meds when you have Asagi?!
Speaking of Asagi: as a pain character they were painfully, beautifully flawed, carrying the marks and scars both internal and external of the life they've lived so far. Asagi is devastatingly human, even when they're not human anymore, and makes decisions that have me wanting to scream and shake my Kindle around until they change their mind, but at the end of the day are real, true decisions I can't fault them for. They're just too human, too driven by their own traumas and the barriers they've built over the years, and I love that in a book.
The characters around Asagi that build up the world (Tsukito, Mahiro, Yutaka and Kira primarily) are all incredibly well fleshed-out. You can tell this book is written by someone not only passionate about the book itself but someone who understands the motivations and inner workings of every single character in the novel and that, to me, is something to behold.
The plot itself is also genius. The last couple of chapters (no spoilers in this review) gave me anxiety the likes of which I haven't had in months, purely out of concern for one of the other characters. I devoured the end of the book in one go when I really should have been sleeping, and when the book ended and I ran out I was devastated, and also crying over what happened in the book itself. I need more!
If you enjoy genderfluid main characters with hearts as full of love as trauma, and a good vampire story in tow, this book is absolutely for you. There's a few moments of gore in there but nothing too terrible as far as I'm concerned, and the story will sweep you away into another world before you even know what's happening.
I look forward to reading the next book and getting to see Asagi again soon.
Speaking of Asagi: as a pain character they were painfully, beautifully flawed, carrying the marks and scars both internal and external of the life they've lived so far. Asagi is devastatingly human, even when they're not human anymore, and makes decisions that have me wanting to scream and shake my Kindle around until they change their mind, but at the end of the day are real, true decisions I can't fault them for. They're just too human, too driven by their own traumas and the barriers they've built over the years, and I love that in a book.
The characters around Asagi that build up the world (Tsukito, Mahiro, Yutaka and Kira primarily) are all incredibly well fleshed-out. You can tell this book is written by someone not only passionate about the book itself but someone who understands the motivations and inner workings of every single character in the novel and that, to me, is something to behold.
The plot itself is also genius. The last couple of chapters (no spoilers in this review) gave me anxiety the likes of which I haven't had in months, purely out of concern for one of the other characters. I devoured the end of the book in one go when I really should have been sleeping, and when the book ended and I ran out I was devastated, and also crying over what happened in the book itself. I need more!
If you enjoy genderfluid main characters with hearts as full of love as trauma, and a good vampire story in tow, this book is absolutely for you. There's a few moments of gore in there but nothing too terrible as far as I'm concerned, and the story will sweep you away into another world before you even know what's happening.
I look forward to reading the next book and getting to see Asagi again soon.
March 13, 2021
Bloodlaced was an enjoyable LGBT paranormal tale. I liked the Japanese setting and the use of Asian folklore, which gave the book a fresh feel after having read so many western-based paranormal works. I also felt the LGBT presentation was nicely handled, although there were plenty of dark moments within the tale as well, meaning it might not be for everyone. Asagi was a delightful character whose struggles I got behind right from the start. The pacing could have done with a little tweaking, as the ending felt rushed compared to the rest, but that is a very minor complaint. Overall the story and characters held my interest from start to finish and I would be happy to read more from Maguire in the future. For me, this was a four-star read.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2021
This book was amazing. I love Asagi so very much. This story has more heart than any I've read in a very long time. I felt every anxiety right along with Asagi. Felt the joy of being reunited with a piece of their past, felt the cruel losses, and the momentary periods of peace. This emotional roller coaster is worth every second of anguish and all the tears I shed. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
March 10, 2021
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🌸 Click here to see the review on my blog, and click here to see my interview with the author, Courtney Maguire!🌸
Bloodlaced is an LGBT eastern-inspired fantasy romance that follows Asagi, a man and a woman. Asagi is unable to protect a boy they saw as a son and is sold to Mahiro, a kind and gentle master, and they fall in love. When Asagi is poisoned, Mahiro is revealed to be a youkai, a demon that feeds on blood, and saves Asagi’s life—at a high price. Asagi now craves blood, but the boy they once tried to protect reappears under a new master. Asagi must decide what it means to be human to protect what they love most.
Bloodlaced is not your typical fantasy read. Normally, you’d find the fantasy part to be the main thing—and in Bloodlaced’s case, the youkai (vampire). But that isn’t what happened.
The topics of love, identity, and having the strength to accept yourself are at the forefront rather than the fantasy side.
At the forefront of Bloodlaced, Asagi’s gender is immediately brought to the front and makes it clear for everyone to see: that Asagi is who they are, no matter what. They are unapologetically themselves in a world that does not accept them, and they fight to remain who they are.
Asagi fights to survive as a servant, but they end up isolated and the subject of disapproval.
“I’m a man who looks like a woman. Who wants to look like a woman. I don’t…make sense to people…People are afraid of what they don’t understand.”
“And weaker men want to destroy the things they fear.”
Things that happen at the beginning are sickening and tragic, but ultimately tie together this dark tale and show the reality of this world that Maguire has painted for us.
Rather than relying on action and fantasy, Maguire relies on the strength of her characters to guide Bloodlaced forward in an emotional and dark tale.
Asagi’s motherly love for Tsukito, the owner/romantic love for Mahiro, and so much more all come into play. Levels upon levels of character building, Maguire does not fail to make me feel the same emotions as Asagi feels for these other characters.
My favorite relationship, which may surprise you, was with Mahiro. Equal love, guilt, and hatred resided within this interwoven relationship and I found myself feeling the same conflicting feelings that Asagi does: guilt, rage, pain, yet… love for this man that saved yet enslaved them.
It broke me to pieces, and I often found myself in the middle of the book, tearing up because of these relationships and what they ultimately became.
While these relationships carried Bloodlaced, I did have a few issues with the story.
A few issues with the story came up for me at the end that I really could not ignore. Things I can’t mention in this review happened at the end that, to me, we had no foreshadowing for.
At the same time, throughout the story characters conveniently showed up at times, making it a bit predictable and cliché.
However, this does not pull away from the beautiful story that Maguire crafted and I cannot wait to read book 2.
A beautifully woven tale, Bloodlaced is heartbreaking and something I wasn’t expecting, but something I needed.
November 28, 2020
“He’s a monster,” I said, voice cracking.
“Yes,” she said. “But he tries very hard not to be.”
I was provided a copy of this book through Nightingfae’s giveaway. Thank you to Echo Shea for sending me this book!
The world of Bloodlaced is a dark one. We follow Asagi, a slave, through a journey of finding what freedom truly means. As Asagi moves along in life, we get a glimpse at what life is like for someone who identifies as androgynous in a society that is anything other than accepting. The paranormal spin on this world adds further intrigue to the story.
Asagi’s story and struggles are profound, and I found the book itself to be a fast paced and easy read. This was a curious world to step into, one where femininity acted as an armor for Asagi, rather than a target. I found myself growing fiercely protective of characters such as Tsukito, and was overjoyed by certain reunions. The ending tied up the story nicely, leaving a glimmer of hope in a world of darkness.
For anyone looking to dive into this book: please be aware that there are themes of slavery, rape, abuse, and violence throughout the story. I went into this book prepared for this and I think it helped me along the way, rather than going in blind!
“Yes,” she said. “But he tries very hard not to be.”
I was provided a copy of this book through Nightingfae’s giveaway. Thank you to Echo Shea for sending me this book!
The world of Bloodlaced is a dark one. We follow Asagi, a slave, through a journey of finding what freedom truly means. As Asagi moves along in life, we get a glimpse at what life is like for someone who identifies as androgynous in a society that is anything other than accepting. The paranormal spin on this world adds further intrigue to the story.
Asagi’s story and struggles are profound, and I found the book itself to be a fast paced and easy read. This was a curious world to step into, one where femininity acted as an armor for Asagi, rather than a target. I found myself growing fiercely protective of characters such as Tsukito, and was overjoyed by certain reunions. The ending tied up the story nicely, leaving a glimmer of hope in a world of darkness.
For anyone looking to dive into this book: please be aware that there are themes of slavery, rape, abuse, and violence throughout the story. I went into this book prepared for this and I think it helped me along the way, rather than going in blind!
February 25, 2022
"Well, I've seen the effect of your common good. I've seen it spill blood and break bones. I've seen it torture and rape. Your common good doesn't apply to people like me."
This cover made this book an insta-buy for me. I’m literally obsessed with it.
As for the book itself, it kept surprising me. I think I’ve just been reading a lot of indie that plays by the rules (nothing wrong with that)—but this book kinda felt more like what I expected the wild world of indie to be. That is, taking odd risks, a bit charmingly off-kilter, and super queer, haha. I never quite knew where it was going, and that fit its vibes of being a dark little character study.
Bloodlaced is a fairly slow (& pretty dang grim) story, exploring difficult themes such as sexual abuse, abuse of power, motherhood, envy, love, and of course gender. Sprinkle in a few vampire-like youkai and many lavish descriptions of kimonos, too. (And maybe have Google ready for the tons of Japanese terms & phrases used.) If you’re expecting a fantasy-filled paranormal drama, look elsewhere. Here the youkai speak more to Asagi’s inner pain and the politics of powers over others than any Buffy-like action, and therefore come in pretty late in the story.
Quick note about Asagi’s gender—it’s left very ambiguous because of the lack of vocabulary, communities, etc., and even Asagi’s nebulous understanding of herself. She refers to herself as “magic.” Even the summary refers to her as “he” when in the book, Asagi seems to favour “she.” After pretty much only reading gender-focused books that come prepackaged with rigid definitions and a tendency to be ultra-careful about not saying anything bad whatsoever, I admit I appreciated this. Still respectful of Asagi and yet had wiggle room to discuss the topic depending on how Asagi felt about it.
I can never wrap up reviews. anyways chef’s kiss @ that cover
March 23, 2021
Emotional, intense and beautifully written.
This is a definition of a character driven story. We follow the life of the main character Asagi in first person perspective. Asagi is neither a boy nor a girl, but somewhere on the spectrum in between. She's sold into slavery and tries to survive and cope with all the cruelty the best she can while trying to protect those she loves.
We have very little of the actual plot and action, the story is focused solely on Asagi and her whole world changing. So if you do not like that or you find the main character unlikable, if you can't root for her, the book will probably bore you. Otherwise, prepare for a deep, intense and dark story.
I was invested in the story and characters from the first page onward. I felt all the emotions the main character felt and it was absolutely heart-wrenching. I couldn't stop thinking about the book when I took breaks from reading it, so it's no wonder I've read it in only two days. The writing is beautiful yet simple and easy to read, I liked the pacing as well. The first half of the book reads like a historical fiction and paranormal elements come into play only in the second half of it. Old Japanese culture was presented very well. I learned a bit more about non-binary people through the main character too. The story as a whole is very dark and it talks about very intense topics, so be prepared for that. I really liked the depth and complexity of all the characters, their arcs and all the foreshadowing. This is quite sad and emotionally intense read, but it's nonetheless inspiring as it talks about humanity, different types of love and, of course, hope.
(I got an ARC on NetGalley.)
This is a definition of a character driven story. We follow the life of the main character Asagi in first person perspective. Asagi is neither a boy nor a girl, but somewhere on the spectrum in between. She's sold into slavery and tries to survive and cope with all the cruelty the best she can while trying to protect those she loves.
We have very little of the actual plot and action, the story is focused solely on Asagi and her whole world changing. So if you do not like that or you find the main character unlikable, if you can't root for her, the book will probably bore you. Otherwise, prepare for a deep, intense and dark story.
I was invested in the story and characters from the first page onward. I felt all the emotions the main character felt and it was absolutely heart-wrenching. I couldn't stop thinking about the book when I took breaks from reading it, so it's no wonder I've read it in only two days. The writing is beautiful yet simple and easy to read, I liked the pacing as well. The first half of the book reads like a historical fiction and paranormal elements come into play only in the second half of it. Old Japanese culture was presented very well. I learned a bit more about non-binary people through the main character too. The story as a whole is very dark and it talks about very intense topics, so be prepared for that. I really liked the depth and complexity of all the characters, their arcs and all the foreshadowing. This is quite sad and emotionally intense read, but it's nonetheless inspiring as it talks about humanity, different types of love and, of course, hope.
(I got an ARC on NetGalley.)
February 7, 2021
I received a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily...
Bloodlaced focuses on Asagi. Asagi is both a man and a woman in a time when this was viewed as a novelty. Asagi is also a slave. The story begins with Asagi and Tsukito, a boy she views as a son, being sold to an extremely abusive owner. After failing to protect Tsukito one horrific night, Asagi is sold to Mahiro. Mahiro is the opposite of Asagi's old master, kind and gentle. Asagi and Mahiro find themselves drawn to each other until eventually they fall in love. However, Asagi ends up poisoned due to jealousy. With only death to look forward to, Mahiro decides to turn Asagi into what he already is, a youkai, a Japanese creature which feeds on blood. Asagi struggles to adjust to this new life where she must cause pain to be able to exist. Tsukito, now a man, then reenters her life and Asagi makes up her mind that this time she will protect him.
This was a paranormal tale but it was mainly a romance. It focused a lot on the chemistry between Mahiro and Asagi which was nice to read. However, there were times within the book where Asagi was reminded that even though she was supposedly no longer a slave, Mahiro still saw himself as a master. I was able to see where the blind love she had for him was quickly turning into resentment.
This was a book that held my attention from beginning to end. I finished it in a matter of hours. However, it was not a fun read by any means. It included some very traumatic scenes. However, it was very fascinating to see how the vampire was viewed in another culture.
I would definitely like to read more of this series and see what happens with Asagi in the future.
Due to some very adult themes, this book should be read by adults only. There are also some triggers in this book such as child abuse, sexual violence, self-harm as well as extremely graphic scenes of violence.
Bloodlaced focuses on Asagi. Asagi is both a man and a woman in a time when this was viewed as a novelty. Asagi is also a slave. The story begins with Asagi and Tsukito, a boy she views as a son, being sold to an extremely abusive owner. After failing to protect Tsukito one horrific night, Asagi is sold to Mahiro. Mahiro is the opposite of Asagi's old master, kind and gentle. Asagi and Mahiro find themselves drawn to each other until eventually they fall in love. However, Asagi ends up poisoned due to jealousy. With only death to look forward to, Mahiro decides to turn Asagi into what he already is, a youkai, a Japanese creature which feeds on blood. Asagi struggles to adjust to this new life where she must cause pain to be able to exist. Tsukito, now a man, then reenters her life and Asagi makes up her mind that this time she will protect him.
This was a paranormal tale but it was mainly a romance. It focused a lot on the chemistry between Mahiro and Asagi which was nice to read. However, there were times within the book where Asagi was reminded that even though she was supposedly no longer a slave, Mahiro still saw himself as a master. I was able to see where the blind love she had for him was quickly turning into resentment.
This was a book that held my attention from beginning to end. I finished it in a matter of hours. However, it was not a fun read by any means. It included some very traumatic scenes. However, it was very fascinating to see how the vampire was viewed in another culture.
I would definitely like to read more of this series and see what happens with Asagi in the future.
Due to some very adult themes, this book should be read by adults only. There are also some triggers in this book such as child abuse, sexual violence, self-harm as well as extremely graphic scenes of violence.
March 23, 2023
Bloodlaced is a book that I heard of through BBNYA, the Book Bloggers‘ Novel of the Year Awards. I love the cover and title and it has an interesting premise as well. The main character, Asagi, is a slave and has lived a life full of torture. Treated as odd and out of the ordinary for identifying both as male and female, Asagi knows more than most others that the world of slavery is hard. Therefore, taking care of the young boy who is sold with them to a new household comes naturally to Asagi, and they want to do whatever it takes to protect Tsukito - after all, the young boy had just lost his mother too. While that is the case and the caring for the young boy was nice to read about, the book really isn‘t for the faint-hearted, so do take the TWs seriously - there is a lot of violence, physical and sexual abuse, blood and more. I quickly realised the book isn't really for me, but I still wanted to give it a chance. The writing is pretty solid overall, but something I have to say really bothered me was that the some of the premises mentioned in the blurb and the things you‘d expect from both the title as well as the cover don‘t come in until very late into the story, something I think shouldn't be the case. There is a lot of angst running all throughout the book, and while there is some romance too the rather sad ending mixed with the rather dark aspects mentioned above left me quite unsatisfied, but it is only the first book in a series, so that might be why. Overall, solid writing with an interesting premise, I did like the Japanese aspects and would have liked to learn more about them! 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
May 15, 2021
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
Asagi is born into a life of slavery. He is abused not only for his low position, but also for being different. When he and a young boy, Tsukito, are sold to a new master, Asgai resolves to protect the child that he quickly begins to view as his son. However, events rapidly spin out of his control and Asagi is devastated when he sold again, leaving Tsukito behind. Asagi’s new master is unlike any that he has ever known before. Mahiro is gentle, kind and treats him as an equal. Quickly feelings develop between them, but Mahiro is hiding a dark secret. One that ultimately costs Asagi everything.
First of all, I have to say how much I loved this novel. It is a dark, beautifully written Japanese vampire novel with an array of different characters to love or loathe! The first half of the novel is setting the scenes and you learn a lot about Asagi as a character and his struggles. To begin with he lacks belief in himself and that there can ever be something better for him. It was beautiful to read how he came into his own as the novel progressed.
The second half focuses on Asagi learning the truth about Mahiro and the fall out from this. It is here when things become a lot darker. I very much enjoyed how the vampire lore was incorporated but also interweaving Japanese legends into this. The author has a very sound knowledge of Japan, the mythology and the culture, which shines through in their work.
I loved this novel so much and cannot wait to read further books in the series.
Asagi is born into a life of slavery. He is abused not only for his low position, but also for being different. When he and a young boy, Tsukito, are sold to a new master, Asgai resolves to protect the child that he quickly begins to view as his son. However, events rapidly spin out of his control and Asagi is devastated when he sold again, leaving Tsukito behind. Asagi’s new master is unlike any that he has ever known before. Mahiro is gentle, kind and treats him as an equal. Quickly feelings develop between them, but Mahiro is hiding a dark secret. One that ultimately costs Asagi everything.
First of all, I have to say how much I loved this novel. It is a dark, beautifully written Japanese vampire novel with an array of different characters to love or loathe! The first half of the novel is setting the scenes and you learn a lot about Asagi as a character and his struggles. To begin with he lacks belief in himself and that there can ever be something better for him. It was beautiful to read how he came into his own as the novel progressed.
The second half focuses on Asagi learning the truth about Mahiro and the fall out from this. It is here when things become a lot darker. I very much enjoyed how the vampire lore was incorporated but also interweaving Japanese legends into this. The author has a very sound knowledge of Japan, the mythology and the culture, which shines through in their work.
I loved this novel so much and cannot wait to read further books in the series.
January 16, 2022
I was blown away by this book even after reading only a few chapters. It has so much heart but is so gut-wrenching at the same time. Maguire writes with great skill and so much compassion, even as she drags the protagonist through one nightmare after another.
It's an easy one to get sucked into and lose yourself in. The story flows so seamlessly from one moment to the next and pulls you along with it. I did find it unusual that a large portion of the plot is revealed in the blurb, which kind of colored my expectations and left me feeling a bit cheated.
I haven't read much—or perhaps any—Japanese fiction before, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about Japanese language and culture. It's so rich and fascinating!
Even though this is technically a vampire story, it doesn't feel like one because—unlike most vampire stories—it isn't about vampires, not really. It's not even really a love story either. This is a story about, among other themes, acceptance and strength despite great adversity. In fact, the vampires don't even show up until halfway through the book. And when they do show up, Maguire has such a fresh take on them that they don't feel overdone or cliché. But I actually kind of think the story would have worked just as well or possibly even better if there were no vampires at all. Asagi's story had me on the edge of my seat long before vampires came into the picture.
I will say that I was disappointed in the ending. I was promised a happily ever after, and while some might consider it so, I didn't feel that way. It's actually rather depressing, but I did enjoy the journey.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's an easy one to get sucked into and lose yourself in. The story flows so seamlessly from one moment to the next and pulls you along with it. I did find it unusual that a large portion of the plot is revealed in the blurb, which kind of colored my expectations and left me feeling a bit cheated.
I haven't read much—or perhaps any—Japanese fiction before, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about Japanese language and culture. It's so rich and fascinating!
Even though this is technically a vampire story, it doesn't feel like one because—unlike most vampire stories—it isn't about vampires, not really. It's not even really a love story either. This is a story about, among other themes, acceptance and strength despite great adversity. In fact, the vampires don't even show up until halfway through the book. And when they do show up, Maguire has such a fresh take on them that they don't feel overdone or cliché. But I actually kind of think the story would have worked just as well or possibly even better if there were no vampires at all. Asagi's story had me on the edge of my seat long before vampires came into the picture.
I will say that I was disappointed in the ending. I was promised a happily ever after, and while some might consider it so, I didn't feel that way. It's actually rather depressing, but I did enjoy the journey.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2022
“Bloodlaced” is the first book in the “Youkai Bloodlines” series by Courtney Maguire. I read book two “Blood Pact” and book three “Blood Bound”, which will be released in February 1, 2022. It is possible to read “Bloodlaced” after “Blood Pact” because “Bloodlaced” is the story of Asagi’ life.
Asagi was abandoned by his mother from the time he was an infant. He was sold to a Master and life for him was a cruel start. As he was traded from Master to Master life didn’t improve. No one knew what to do with Asagi. He was always beautiful, and looked like a woman and wanted to be a woman. But he was both and it confused people. What people didn’t understand they feared.
Once again, Asagi was being sold and meets a young boy, Tsukito, awaiting the same fate. Tsukito’ mother had died and now at the age of nine he is alone. Tsukito resists going with this new Master and is dragged off by Yutaka. With orders from this new Master, Asagi now has the responsibility of being the boys mother. Asagi prays that life for both, he and Tsukito, will change for the better, but he knows it’s impossible. Tsukito remains in Asagi’ heart and he carries the guilt for not protecting him.
With heart breaking results for Asagi, there is nothing he can do and Tsukito is left behind with the cruel Master. For Asagi his life was about to change again, with his new Master, Arakawa Mahiro. Mahiro’ a good man and much more understanding than other masters. Asagi meets Kira, Kaoru, and Haruko and they become friends. As time goes on Asagi misinterprets what he feels is happening between Mahiro and Kira. Mahiro always takes the time to explain situations to Asagi and they grow close. Eventually Asagi will find out the truth about Mahiro and he struggles with what he knows. But jealousy will bring Asagi close to death and for Mahiro a grave decision will be made to save Asagi. Asagi will be facing a future of the unknown. Will he be able to accept and control where life will lead him?
Courtney Maguire has a brilliant way in composing “Bloodlaced” with the Japanese verbiage. There is a dictionary at the end of the book and I highly suggest it be looked over first. What comes with this story is the way that she handles the segments that could be triggers. She never makes them explicit and even the thoughts of her
characters are not explicit. There are some violent scenes but that is in the way of Youkai’s and also killing.
“Bloodlaced” has a dark theme built around a variety of emotions and layered with a unique love affair and unpredictable outcomes. It’s sad, heart breaking and at moments there’s happiness. It’s also colorful with the description of the clothing material and styles of the old world Asian culture.
Because I have read “Blood Pact” and an advanced copy of “Blood Bound”, I can’t say it’s this is a first time read, but Courtney is a new author for me. I am now invested in the “Youkai Bloodlines” series and will be patiently waiting for book four from Courtney Maguire.
Asagi was abandoned by his mother from the time he was an infant. He was sold to a Master and life for him was a cruel start. As he was traded from Master to Master life didn’t improve. No one knew what to do with Asagi. He was always beautiful, and looked like a woman and wanted to be a woman. But he was both and it confused people. What people didn’t understand they feared.
Once again, Asagi was being sold and meets a young boy, Tsukito, awaiting the same fate. Tsukito’ mother had died and now at the age of nine he is alone. Tsukito resists going with this new Master and is dragged off by Yutaka. With orders from this new Master, Asagi now has the responsibility of being the boys mother. Asagi prays that life for both, he and Tsukito, will change for the better, but he knows it’s impossible. Tsukito remains in Asagi’ heart and he carries the guilt for not protecting him.
With heart breaking results for Asagi, there is nothing he can do and Tsukito is left behind with the cruel Master. For Asagi his life was about to change again, with his new Master, Arakawa Mahiro. Mahiro’ a good man and much more understanding than other masters. Asagi meets Kira, Kaoru, and Haruko and they become friends. As time goes on Asagi misinterprets what he feels is happening between Mahiro and Kira. Mahiro always takes the time to explain situations to Asagi and they grow close. Eventually Asagi will find out the truth about Mahiro and he struggles with what he knows. But jealousy will bring Asagi close to death and for Mahiro a grave decision will be made to save Asagi. Asagi will be facing a future of the unknown. Will he be able to accept and control where life will lead him?
Courtney Maguire has a brilliant way in composing “Bloodlaced” with the Japanese verbiage. There is a dictionary at the end of the book and I highly suggest it be looked over first. What comes with this story is the way that she handles the segments that could be triggers. She never makes them explicit and even the thoughts of her
characters are not explicit. There are some violent scenes but that is in the way of Youkai’s and also killing.
“Bloodlaced” has a dark theme built around a variety of emotions and layered with a unique love affair and unpredictable outcomes. It’s sad, heart breaking and at moments there’s happiness. It’s also colorful with the description of the clothing material and styles of the old world Asian culture.
Because I have read “Blood Pact” and an advanced copy of “Blood Bound”, I can’t say it’s this is a first time read, but Courtney is a new author for me. I am now invested in the “Youkai Bloodlines” series and will be patiently waiting for book four from Courtney Maguire.
January 29, 2021
⛩ Bloodlaced by Courtney Maguire ⛩
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In the wake of his failure to protect a boy he saw as a son from their abusive master, Asagi is sold into the house of a young nobleman, Mahiro, who is the opposite of everything Asagi has ever known—gentle, kind, and generous.
Mahiro bonds with Asagi and their friendship blooms into a deep and profound love. But when Asagi is poisoned out of jealousy, Mahiro reveals himself to be youkai, a demon who feeds on blood, and he has no choice but to turn Asagi to save his life.
Asagi awakes reborn, strong, and eternally youthful. But the price for Asagi’s new life is high.
______________________________________________
I was super excited when I got accepted to read this because I really have been wanting to read more of these kind of stories. I really wanted more cultured base books and therefore I immediately began this when I got it. This story is beautifully told and very well written. It was super easy to understand what was going on and the characters were very well developed.
Asagi was a character I really liked. It was super fun to follow him along this adventure of a story. I really loved how he became this blood-sucking demon, but I also loved reading about his other version before he became that demon. Absolutely a great character that I’ll always remember and appreciate.
Because I had really high expectations for this, I think it ended messing with my overall experience. I really appreciated the concept and everything about this story, but I don’t think it was for me. Great story, just not my taste in reading. I would, however, suggest it if you’re into vampire stories. It’s definitely worth reading just for Asagi, but I personally would’ve liked a bit more. It was still a really sad story because of Asagi’s background and story. It was still such a great plot and great read. I finished it fairly quickly because I was intrigued. I’m honestly glad I read this.
Content Warnings: physical abuse, sexual abuse (off-screen), self-harm, blood, graphic violence.
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Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
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**I received a copy via NetGalley for an honest review, thank you so much.**
_______________________________________________
In the wake of his failure to protect a boy he saw as a son from their abusive master, Asagi is sold into the house of a young nobleman, Mahiro, who is the opposite of everything Asagi has ever known—gentle, kind, and generous.
Mahiro bonds with Asagi and their friendship blooms into a deep and profound love. But when Asagi is poisoned out of jealousy, Mahiro reveals himself to be youkai, a demon who feeds on blood, and he has no choice but to turn Asagi to save his life.
Asagi awakes reborn, strong, and eternally youthful. But the price for Asagi’s new life is high.
______________________________________________
I was super excited when I got accepted to read this because I really have been wanting to read more of these kind of stories. I really wanted more cultured base books and therefore I immediately began this when I got it. This story is beautifully told and very well written. It was super easy to understand what was going on and the characters were very well developed.
Asagi was a character I really liked. It was super fun to follow him along this adventure of a story. I really loved how he became this blood-sucking demon, but I also loved reading about his other version before he became that demon. Absolutely a great character that I’ll always remember and appreciate.
Because I had really high expectations for this, I think it ended messing with my overall experience. I really appreciated the concept and everything about this story, but I don’t think it was for me. Great story, just not my taste in reading. I would, however, suggest it if you’re into vampire stories. It’s definitely worth reading just for Asagi, but I personally would’ve liked a bit more. It was still a really sad story because of Asagi’s background and story. It was still such a great plot and great read. I finished it fairly quickly because I was intrigued. I’m honestly glad I read this.
Content Warnings: physical abuse, sexual abuse (off-screen), self-harm, blood, graphic violence.
_____________________________________________
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
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**I received a copy via NetGalley for an honest review, thank you so much.**
March 16, 2021
You know a book is good when you sit down and read the first 3/4 of it in one go. I’ve never been a fan of vampires, but this book really pulled me in and made me change my mind about them—at least when it comes to Maguire’s version of them.
I loved Asagi from the start. Her painful journey from slave to vampire is one that was well-crafted and expertly written.
I was impressed with the way the author made even the smallest characters seem alive, with their own back stories and hopes and fears. From the beginning, one of my favorite characters was Yutaka, who seemed at first to be only a side-player in Asagi’s story. No spoilers, though.
Tsukito was a joy to get to know and left me smiling often, and was a bright spot in a very realistic but brutal world.
The culture and history was very well researched, and written so that it was easy to sink into it without getting lost. The world was richly-detailed and lush.
Maguire Definitely didn’t pull any emotional punches either. I found this to be fascinating read, and one of the first books that had me absolutely, truly enthralled. I recommend it highly.
I loved Asagi from the start. Her painful journey from slave to vampire is one that was well-crafted and expertly written.
I was impressed with the way the author made even the smallest characters seem alive, with their own back stories and hopes and fears. From the beginning, one of my favorite characters was Yutaka, who seemed at first to be only a side-player in Asagi’s story. No spoilers, though.
Tsukito was a joy to get to know and left me smiling often, and was a bright spot in a very realistic but brutal world.
The culture and history was very well researched, and written so that it was easy to sink into it without getting lost. The world was richly-detailed and lush.
Maguire Definitely didn’t pull any emotional punches either. I found this to be fascinating read, and one of the first books that had me absolutely, truly enthralled. I recommend it highly.
March 23, 2023
Bloodlaced was my favourite book that I read for the BBNYA last year. I do wish that it would have placed higher than 9th as I think this is definitely underrated.
Paranormal books are not a genre that I usually read so it took me by surprise. This is equal parts heartbreaking and addictive, you don’t want to keep reading because what’s happening is terrible but you have to.
The character development by Maguire is phenomenal, Asagi is a truly wonderful protagonist whose story I was fully invested in. Seeing Asagi create such a strong bond and want to protect another young slave no matter the consequence was heart wrenching in the circumstances. The setting truly intrigued me and I do wish we would have had a little more description however that is just mere nit picking.
Bloodlaced is beautifully written and perfectly paced, I will definitely be carrying on with the Youkai Bloodlines series as I need to dive back into this world.
Paranormal books are not a genre that I usually read so it took me by surprise. This is equal parts heartbreaking and addictive, you don’t want to keep reading because what’s happening is terrible but you have to.
The character development by Maguire is phenomenal, Asagi is a truly wonderful protagonist whose story I was fully invested in. Seeing Asagi create such a strong bond and want to protect another young slave no matter the consequence was heart wrenching in the circumstances. The setting truly intrigued me and I do wish we would have had a little more description however that is just mere nit picking.
Bloodlaced is beautifully written and perfectly paced, I will definitely be carrying on with the Youkai Bloodlines series as I need to dive back into this world.
October 20, 2023
This was a weird one for me.
I didn’t find anything spectacular about this book, but I was still compelled to read and was very captivated by the story. It is rather dark, there is a lot of violence with physical and sexual abuse. The writing is pretty solid and I feel it’s a good start to the trilogy. Will I be reading more? Yes…I’m curious to see how our protagonist, Asagi, grows and develops from here.
I didn’t find anything spectacular about this book, but I was still compelled to read and was very captivated by the story. It is rather dark, there is a lot of violence with physical and sexual abuse. The writing is pretty solid and I feel it’s a good start to the trilogy. Will I be reading more? Yes…I’m curious to see how our protagonist, Asagi, grows and develops from here.
February 13, 2021
This is fantasy book about a man and a women. Which is about vampire tale. This is a very dark book but I love stories about vampires . The story is about love , identity and strength. Good read. Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.
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