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Bloodleaf #2
Smith, C: Greythorne
In Bloodleaf's highly anticipated sequel, Princess Aurelia's life is turned upside down when the kingdom she thought she saved turns to ruin, her fiancé is tragically killed in a shipwreck, and her home country refuses to respect her brother?s legitimate claim to the throne. With everyone turned against her and enemies closing in on all sides, Aurelia has nothing left to lose in a mad fight to protect the only people she has left--her family. A read bursting with romance, magic, and ghostly intrigue
Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
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8192 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Smith
5 books635 followersCrystal Smith is a writer, photographer, and artist who developed an early love of storytelling in a family of voracious readers. She resides in Utah with her high school sweetheart husband and two lively sons. When she isn’t writing or creating, she can be found re-watching Jane Eyre and Howl's Moving Castle or reading ghost stories with all the lights on.
*Please note, due to Amazon's review policies, I will no longer be accepting friend requests.
*Please note, due to Amazon's review policies, I will no longer be accepting friend requests.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
Want to read
January 24, 2021Woah wait, where’d that flippin gorgeous green cover go that matched Bloodleaf?! 😱 I was counting down the days until I could buy that amazing thing!!
💰Omg this is so disappointing!! 😭😭😭
💰Omg this is so disappointing!! 😭😭😭
Want to read
October 19, 2019YO THIS NEW COVER THO!!!
September 10, 2020
I finished this the day after it came out and I loved it so much. Blood leaf was in my top 10 favorites of last year with a fantastic ending, and the ending of this one is even better. The plot line and pacing was great throughout. There were a few plot twists that were easy to see coming but were still enjoyable. And the character growth was so good, especially with Aurelia, the main character, and Onal. All of the characters are great in this and I hope we continue to see more from them. Especially Conrad, Aurelia’s brother, I think he is really interesting and I hope he is seen more and has a bigger role. I also wished there was more romance, because I love Aurelia and a an together, and I want to see Kellan find love. And like I said before, the ending of Bloodleaf was fantastic, but this one was everything! We are left on a huge cliffhanger, and I am anticipating Ebonwilde even more know.
Want to read
October 15, 2019i'M fiNE i jUsT gOt an ARC cOpY so brb I'm gonna go drown in feels now
October 2, 2020
Okay, so the second book was WAY better than the first. Definitely happy that I stuck with this series and now I can't wait for the third book!
Greythorne was so freaking easy to devour. I feel like the audio went by so quickly when I was working that I had to double check that it actually ended on me before my brain caught up to it. Now I thought the first book was just okay and I was a little hesitant to jump into the sequel. Luckily for me, Aurelia was just so much better in this one.
I don't really know what happened in between these two books but she grew on me. Of course she has a whole set of new problems in this book. With each twist and turn that came my way, I was just stuck to my seat the entire time. I wanted, no - needed, to know what was going to happen in this one and what's the deal with the curses? Oh lord so many things were happening for my more pudding brain to catch up. Yet, I ate it all up.
Even though this is book 2, I honestly don't have a favorite character yet. Maybe in the next one I might have a winner but who knows. Now I have to sit and wait for book 3 to become available.
Greythorne was so freaking easy to devour. I feel like the audio went by so quickly when I was working that I had to double check that it actually ended on me before my brain caught up to it. Now I thought the first book was just okay and I was a little hesitant to jump into the sequel. Luckily for me, Aurelia was just so much better in this one.
I don't really know what happened in between these two books but she grew on me. Of course she has a whole set of new problems in this book. With each twist and turn that came my way, I was just stuck to my seat the entire time. I wanted, no - needed, to know what was going to happen in this one and what's the deal with the curses? Oh lord so many things were happening for my more pudding brain to catch up. Yet, I ate it all up.
Even though this is book 2, I honestly don't have a favorite character yet. Maybe in the next one I might have a winner but who knows. Now I have to sit and wait for book 3 to become available.
September 15, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Greythorne, by author Crystal Smith, is the second installment in the author's Bloodleaf Trilogy. The story picks up about 6 weeks after the end of Bloodleaf which saw the fall of Achleva, the disappearance of Zan, and the arrival of a usurper named Dominic Castillion. As the story moves forward, the coronation day for Aurelia's 8-year-old brother Conrad Costin Altenar is on the horizon. Conrad is the ascendant of King Renault but after what happened to his sister and mother, people are wary of his ascension. What’s worse is that he was tricked into betraying Aurelia who has done nothing but try to help Conrad.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Greythorne, by author Crystal Smith, is the second installment in the author's Bloodleaf Trilogy. The story picks up about 6 weeks after the end of Bloodleaf which saw the fall of Achleva, the disappearance of Zan, and the arrival of a usurper named Dominic Castillion. As the story moves forward, the coronation day for Aurelia's 8-year-old brother Conrad Costin Altenar is on the horizon. Conrad is the ascendant of King Renault but after what happened to his sister and mother, people are wary of his ascension. What’s worse is that he was tricked into betraying Aurelia who has done nothing but try to help Conrad.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 22, 2020
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
*Thank you so much HMH and Netgalley for letting me read and review GREYTHORNE*
It has been a few days since I've finished Greythrone and I am still in complete and utter shock with everything that happened in this novel. Bloodleaf was my favorite novel of 2019 so it was no surprise that I was going to love Greythorne, but honestly I am obsessed and I need to know what is going to happen next. Crystal is a masterful story teller who uses fast moving plots and beautiful imagery to keep her readings craving more. Plus, THAT ENDING.
At the end of Bloodleaf Aurelia has witness the fall of Achlev and pulled Zan back from the reaches of death. Just when we thought that their story could get a happily ever after, Dominic Castillion has just enrolled his plans to take over what is left of the fallen kingdom of Achlev and Renalt. Greythorne picks up a few months after the end of Bloodleaf. Due to Aurelia's mother dying as part of the blood cloth magic that saves Aurelia from death, it leaves her young brother Conrad as the heir to the throne. But all isn't as it seems as Aurelia returns to Greythrone manor for Conrad's coronation. The tribunal is back and they are set on taking the Renalt kingdom for themselves. With Kellan, Onal and a some new characters Aurelia sets off on a journey into the Ebonwilde to end this all once and for all.
The revelations in the first couple of chapters had me gasping and flipping through the pages of this book as fast as I could. Smith managed to further the plot with events that happened after Bloodleaf ends and before Greythorne start, but seamlessly weaves them in. I did not predict half of the revelations of the things that were going to happen. One revelation in particular had me crying at 2a.m. because just how can this be happening!?
I loved that we got to see Aurelia begin to explore her magic and its boundaries more in Greythorne. Though magic is frowned up, many know that Aurelia is a "witch" so she doesn't have to hide it as she once did. In Bloodleaf, if you were suspected of being a witch then the Tribunal would have you hung. I think it was interesting too to see Aurelia struggle with knowing what the right thing to do is, but knowing that in certain situations she can't use her magic in the ideal way.
Onal has always been one of my favorite characters. Shes blunt, cranky and straight up doesn't put up with anyone's bullshit. In Greythorne we learn a lot more about Onal, her beginnings and her purpose in the castle. I'd loved seeing that bond that Onal and Aurelia continued to build in this novel.
THAT ENDING. WHAT. The ending of Greythorne is the biggest cliffhanger that I have read in a long long long time. I'm itching to get Ebonwilde into my hands to know what is going to happen to these characters next. BUT THE PAIN. Overall I loved Greythorne as much as I loved Bloodleaf, possibly even more and I can't wait to see what heartbreak Smith has in store for us next.
*Thank you so much HMH and Netgalley for letting me read and review GREYTHORNE*
It has been a few days since I've finished Greythrone and I am still in complete and utter shock with everything that happened in this novel. Bloodleaf was my favorite novel of 2019 so it was no surprise that I was going to love Greythorne, but honestly I am obsessed and I need to know what is going to happen next. Crystal is a masterful story teller who uses fast moving plots and beautiful imagery to keep her readings craving more. Plus, THAT ENDING.
At the end of Bloodleaf Aurelia has witness the fall of Achlev and pulled Zan back from the reaches of death. Just when we thought that their story could get a happily ever after, Dominic Castillion has just enrolled his plans to take over what is left of the fallen kingdom of Achlev and Renalt. Greythorne picks up a few months after the end of Bloodleaf. Due to Aurelia's mother dying as part of the blood cloth magic that saves Aurelia from death, it leaves her young brother Conrad as the heir to the throne. But all isn't as it seems as Aurelia returns to Greythrone manor for Conrad's coronation. The tribunal is back and they are set on taking the Renalt kingdom for themselves. With Kellan, Onal and a some new characters Aurelia sets off on a journey into the Ebonwilde to end this all once and for all.
The revelations in the first couple of chapters had me gasping and flipping through the pages of this book as fast as I could. Smith managed to further the plot with events that happened after Bloodleaf ends and before Greythorne start, but seamlessly weaves them in. I did not predict half of the revelations of the things that were going to happen. One revelation in particular had me crying at 2a.m. because just how can this be happening!?
I loved that we got to see Aurelia begin to explore her magic and its boundaries more in Greythorne. Though magic is frowned up, many know that Aurelia is a "witch" so she doesn't have to hide it as she once did. In Bloodleaf, if you were suspected of being a witch then the Tribunal would have you hung. I think it was interesting too to see Aurelia struggle with knowing what the right thing to do is, but knowing that in certain situations she can't use her magic in the ideal way.
Onal has always been one of my favorite characters. Shes blunt, cranky and straight up doesn't put up with anyone's bullshit. In Greythorne we learn a lot more about Onal, her beginnings and her purpose in the castle. I'd loved seeing that bond that Onal and Aurelia continued to build in this novel.
THAT ENDING. WHAT. The ending of Greythorne is the biggest cliffhanger that I have read in a long long long time. I'm itching to get Ebonwilde into my hands to know what is going to happen to these characters next. BUT THE PAIN. Overall I loved Greythorne as much as I loved Bloodleaf, possibly even more and I can't wait to see what heartbreak Smith has in store for us next.
February 4, 2020
For some reason my review got deleted. So this one will be shorter because I’m upset lol.
The reason I only gave this four stars was because the chronological structure of this story bothered me. I don’t think it will bother everyone, but to me it took away from the characters and their development. After Bloodleaf, we skip about five our six months into the future starting in Greythorne. Auriela is living in a pleasure house gambling and saving money, Zan is just...gone and Auriela won’t talk about him, Conrad is king and misses his sister, and everything is just so very different from what I expected it to be—which isn’t the actual issue. The issue is that once she starts to reveal all of the events that transpired in the five or six months that have passed, I realized we should have been there for those events. Zan apparently dying, Auriela breaking off from the castle and staying away. Since these characters weren’t very well developed in book 1, I think being present for these moments would have aided their character development, considering there wasn’t a whole lot of it throughout this second installment.
The relationship between Auriela and Zan is also weird. They got engaged—which we ALSO weren’t present for. I feel like their relationship as a whole is barley sentient. I actually don’t care about them as a couple because it was poorly developed in the book. Almost non-existent. After we (obviously) see that Zan still lives and breaths, they almost get naughty once before she realized Zan is the reason she’s dying. Zan yelled at her once about how he felt much later, and for the most part he was always captured or they were always separated which was really underwhelming for their relationship growth.
The plot was the only thing pushing me along. Auriela learning about walking through the land of the “dead”, learning her body wasn’t he real body, but that half of her was in that world the entire time, which was why she had white hair and looked how she did. That was interesting. When Simon sent her on her quest to break her blood-bond to Kellan so she could die and keep chaos from reining, I thought that would be interesting to see play out.
I enjoyed Arcenaux, even though I wanted more from her as an antagonist. She felt a little too background. There was honestly not much threat from her besides in the beginning
when she declared Auriela a conspirator with their enemy—Zan’s kingdom.
The revelations were okay. They helped me care a bit more than I actually thought I would. Learning Urso was Mathuin Greythorne. Okay. Cool. Learning that Aurelia’s dad was the son of their nursemaid Onal, and that Onal had another daughter—Arcenaux. Okay, I’m here for that. I liked Onal a lot. When Rosetta lies to Auriela about the Bell that would break the blood bond because she wanted it for herself so she could finally die, I was a tiny bit shocked. Shocked enough that I was interested.
Overall this installment was okay. I gave it for stars originally, but I think three is more fitting so I changed it.
The reason I only gave this four stars was because the chronological structure of this story bothered me. I don’t think it will bother everyone, but to me it took away from the characters and their development. After Bloodleaf, we skip about five our six months into the future starting in Greythorne. Auriela is living in a pleasure house gambling and saving money, Zan is just...gone and Auriela won’t talk about him, Conrad is king and misses his sister, and everything is just so very different from what I expected it to be—which isn’t the actual issue. The issue is that once she starts to reveal all of the events that transpired in the five or six months that have passed, I realized we should have been there for those events. Zan apparently dying, Auriela breaking off from the castle and staying away. Since these characters weren’t very well developed in book 1, I think being present for these moments would have aided their character development, considering there wasn’t a whole lot of it throughout this second installment.
The relationship between Auriela and Zan is also weird. They got engaged—which we ALSO weren’t present for. I feel like their relationship as a whole is barley sentient. I actually don’t care about them as a couple because it was poorly developed in the book. Almost non-existent. After we (obviously) see that Zan still lives and breaths, they almost get naughty once before she realized Zan is the reason she’s dying. Zan yelled at her once about how he felt much later, and for the most part he was always captured or they were always separated which was really underwhelming for their relationship growth.
The plot was the only thing pushing me along. Auriela learning about walking through the land of the “dead”, learning her body wasn’t he real body, but that half of her was in that world the entire time, which was why she had white hair and looked how she did. That was interesting. When Simon sent her on her quest to break her blood-bond to Kellan so she could die and keep chaos from reining, I thought that would be interesting to see play out.
I enjoyed Arcenaux, even though I wanted more from her as an antagonist. She felt a little too background. There was honestly not much threat from her besides in the beginning
when she declared Auriela a conspirator with their enemy—Zan’s kingdom.
The revelations were okay. They helped me care a bit more than I actually thought I would. Learning Urso was Mathuin Greythorne. Okay. Cool. Learning that Aurelia’s dad was the son of their nursemaid Onal, and that Onal had another daughter—Arcenaux. Okay, I’m here for that. I liked Onal a lot. When Rosetta lies to Auriela about the Bell that would break the blood bond because she wanted it for herself so she could finally die, I was a tiny bit shocked. Shocked enough that I was interested.
Overall this installment was okay. I gave it for stars originally, but I think three is more fitting so I changed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2020
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice
There’s something about starting a series and liking the first book, but then LOVING the sequel. I’ll admit, when I read Bloodleaf, I liked the story, but wanted to love it. I’m definitely a mood reader, so I made it my goal to pick up Greythorne and see how this one would go. I am happy to say that I was blown away by this story and the way that it has built up to an incredible story that I’m excited to find out what will happen next. It builds momentum and anticipation for each of the characters and there’s so much more meaning infused in each of their actions. This was the story that I was waiting for. If you haven’t read Bloodleaf, then you absolutely should because you’re going to want to have Greythorne on your TBR list.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
There’s something about starting a series and liking the first book, but then LOVING the sequel. I’ll admit, when I read Bloodleaf, I liked the story, but wanted to love it. I’m definitely a mood reader, so I made it my goal to pick up Greythorne and see how this one would go. I am happy to say that I was blown away by this story and the way that it has built up to an incredible story that I’m excited to find out what will happen next. It builds momentum and anticipation for each of the characters and there’s so much more meaning infused in each of their actions. This was the story that I was waiting for. If you haven’t read Bloodleaf, then you absolutely should because you’re going to want to have Greythorne on your TBR list.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
August 11, 2021
Lots of times, the second book in an epic series ends up being twice the size of the first, bloated with character development and plot slog and I don't know what all. I'm happy to report that isn't the case here. Greythorne is actually slightly slimmer than Bloodleaf. However, I do feel is was a bit rushed in parts, and I would have appreciated perhaps a few more pages throughout the story just for balance.
This started slowly for me, but once it got going, it was hard to put down. I love this series and the characters and will definitely be snagging the third as soon as it comes out!
This started slowly for me, but once it got going, it was hard to put down. I love this series and the characters and will definitely be snagging the third as soon as it comes out!
February 16, 2021
https://lalettricesullenuvole.blogspo...
Seguito di Fiore di sangue, di cui avevo apprezzato molto la fine, questo libro inizia lasciandomi subito un po’ spaesata. È passata qualche settimana e sono successe molte cose (che non vengono spiegate subito), inoltre diverse altre non le ricordavo benissimo dal libro precedente e l’autrice non ha aiutato il lettore in questo. È come se fra i due libri ci fosse una novella che non è stata scritta, si passa da uno all’altro senza soluzione di continuità e l’effetto è destabilizzante.
Dopo il disorientamento iniziale, però, ho preso le misure; questa lettura ha un ritmo molto veloce e serrato, succedono un mucchio di cose e la sensazione è come di apnea.
I colpi di scena si susseguono, alcuni decisamente prevedibili, ma rimane avvincente. Lo stile dell’autrice mi è di nuovo piaciuto, anche perché le atmosfere sono nuovamente cupe, come in una favola dark.
A differenza di Fiore di sangue stavolta non sono riuscita ad apprezzare Aurora, perché si trasforma nell’eroina che si sacrifica per il bene superiore, mettendo in secondo piano tutto quello che per lei sarebbe importante. Questo eroismo mi piace sempre poco, soprattutto quando è accompagnato da lamentele.
Tra i personaggi secondari ho invece apprezzato molto Onal, schietta e diretta, e mi è piaciuta l’evoluzione del suo rapporto con Aurora.
... continua sul blog
Seguito di Fiore di sangue, di cui avevo apprezzato molto la fine, questo libro inizia lasciandomi subito un po’ spaesata. È passata qualche settimana e sono successe molte cose (che non vengono spiegate subito), inoltre diverse altre non le ricordavo benissimo dal libro precedente e l’autrice non ha aiutato il lettore in questo. È come se fra i due libri ci fosse una novella che non è stata scritta, si passa da uno all’altro senza soluzione di continuità e l’effetto è destabilizzante.
Dopo il disorientamento iniziale, però, ho preso le misure; questa lettura ha un ritmo molto veloce e serrato, succedono un mucchio di cose e la sensazione è come di apnea.
I colpi di scena si susseguono, alcuni decisamente prevedibili, ma rimane avvincente. Lo stile dell’autrice mi è di nuovo piaciuto, anche perché le atmosfere sono nuovamente cupe, come in una favola dark.
A differenza di Fiore di sangue stavolta non sono riuscita ad apprezzare Aurora, perché si trasforma nell’eroina che si sacrifica per il bene superiore, mettendo in secondo piano tutto quello che per lei sarebbe importante. Questo eroismo mi piace sempre poco, soprattutto quando è accompagnato da lamentele.
Tra i personaggi secondari ho invece apprezzato molto Onal, schietta e diretta, e mi è piaciuta l’evoluzione del suo rapporto con Aurora.
... continua sul blog
August 17, 2021
3,75
En resumen, Espino gris nos permite conocer más de los personajes de esta serie, de su mundo y del tipo innovador de magia que nos presenta, aunque sí que es cierto que su trama me ha parecido más floja que la del anterior y no lo he disfrutado tanto.
Reseña completa
En resumen, Espino gris nos permite conocer más de los personajes de esta serie, de su mundo y del tipo innovador de magia que nos presenta, aunque sí que es cierto que su trama me ha parecido más floja que la del anterior y no lo he disfrutado tanto.
Reseña completa
September 1, 2020
Sleeping Beauty meets Sleepy Hollow in this stunning sequel that’s darker and deadlier than the first book.
Aurelia is mourning the loss of her mother, her fiancé, Zan, and her blood magic. Once a princess, she now lives above a tavern and plays cards for money. She is plagued by dark dreams of blood, burning, and death. Meanwhile, her little brother Conrad is supposed to be crowned king. But their country is in uproar and the tribunal is still hunting witches—witches like Aurelia.
The plot line is as twisty and tricky as a forest of thorns—you think you know where it’s going but then there’s another curve to the story. Another sharp surprise until you prick your finger.
Aurelia is mourning the loss of her mother, her fiancé, Zan, and her blood magic. Once a princess, she now lives above a tavern and plays cards for money. She is plagued by dark dreams of blood, burning, and death. Meanwhile, her little brother Conrad is supposed to be crowned king. But their country is in uproar and the tribunal is still hunting witches—witches like Aurelia.
The plot line is as twisty and tricky as a forest of thorns—you think you know where it’s going but then there’s another curve to the story. Another sharp surprise until you prick your finger.
March 23, 2023
I'm not sure how much of this I retained since I was sick while reading, but I loved it nonetheless!
January 13, 2023
Anche il secondo libro di questa trilogia è – come il precedente – un libro medio, senza infamia e senza lode. In più, rispetto al primo, soffre anche della sindrome del "libro-ponte", il classico libro di mezzo di una trilogia, il cui quasi-unico scopo è quello di trasportare il lettore dal libro precedente a quello conclusivo, dando poco impulso alla trama (avvenimenti di rilievo in quasi trecento pagine di racconto ce ne sono una manciata) e non facendo evolvere i personaggi più di tanto.
***
Even the second novel of this trilogy is - like the previous one - an average book, no too good not too bad. In addition, compared to the first one, it also suffers from the "bridge-book" syndrome: it's the usual middle book of a trilogy, whose almost-only purpose is to transport the reader from the previous book to the final one, giving little impetus to the plot (during almost three hundred pages, there are a only handful significant events) and not making the characters evolve so much.
***
Even the second novel of this trilogy is - like the previous one - an average book, no too good not too bad. In addition, compared to the first one, it also suffers from the "bridge-book" syndrome: it's the usual middle book of a trilogy, whose almost-only purpose is to transport the reader from the previous book to the final one, giving little impetus to the plot (during almost three hundred pages, there are a only handful significant events) and not making the characters evolve so much.
May 16, 2021
La fantasía juvenil siempre da buenos frutos. Sigo recomendando al máximo esta autora y su imaginación intrépida. Espino Gris está a la altura de su predecesora y consigue sorprender por su carga de acción, misterio, magia y complejidad.
La lectura comienza agradablemente, luego se pone interesante, entonces se riza de mil maneras complicadas y remata épica. ¡Es fabulosísima! Combina brujería, hechizos prohibidos, magia de la naturaleza y leyendas ancestrales con una narrativa vigorosa y certera, diálogos potentes y un argumento que se enrosca en giros cada vez más misteriosos, místicos y enigmáticos. Me ha gustado muchísimo, aunque reconozco que me he enredado en las intrincadas ramificaciones de la trama y la capacidad de los poderes mágicos.
Aurora es una bruja de la magia de la sangre. Porta sobre sus hombros las consecuencias nefastas de la tragedia acaecida en Achleva y una muerte irreparable que le ha robado la fe en la vida. Reacia, regresa a la residencia de Espino Gris donde un acto oficial afectará al devenir de su pueblo. Sin embargo, sus enemigos pondrán en jaque el futuro de cada uno de sus seres queridos. A partir de esta premisa, el argumento se complica de forma exponencial. Aurelia es un personaje sumamente valiente, astuto y emotivo que trata de proteger a los que le rodean, salvar el destino del reino de fuerzas oscuras y desentrañar secretos que no paran de brotar como champiñones maléficos.
Me ha absorbido totalmente. Es una aventura de heroísmo y magia, luchas y complots, a lo que se añade una red de relaciones personales rebosantes de coraje, respeto, afecto y humor. Me ha encantado el amor imposible a lo Lady Hawke entre Aurelia y Zan, me ha hecho reír el temple furibundo de Onal y Rosetta, me han entristecido las numerosas pérdidas humanas de protagonistas secundarios y generales, me ha fascinado la estrategia brillante con que Aurelia despacha al ambiguo villano de Dominic Castellion y me ha maravillado la imaginación fulgurante de la autora para converger todos los hilos que ha urdido en torno a los personajes del presente y el pasado en una culminación narrativa vibrante.
Creo que este segundo libro logra una mezcla sugestiva de distintos tipos de magia, una heroína que usa un poder de mala reputación con resultados imprevisibles, un misterio ancestral ligado a la familia real y una ristra de sacrificios, escenas de terror y golpes de efecto. No puedo ni imaginar cómo se va a superar esto en el tercer libro. Nuevamente, se cierra la novela con seguridad y no te deja en suspense, pero con esta calidad y sabiendo que lo que viene va a ser tremendo, hay que seguir leyendo sin duda.
Lo único que lamento es el cambio de portada. No porque sea fea, es más, resulta llamativa y poderosa. No obstante, no me tiran las caras y el diseño inicialmente ideado para esta secuela reúne elementos de la trama al tiempo que hacen juego con la primera portada y, en conjunto, es muy bella.
La lectura comienza agradablemente, luego se pone interesante, entonces se riza de mil maneras complicadas y remata épica. ¡Es fabulosísima! Combina brujería, hechizos prohibidos, magia de la naturaleza y leyendas ancestrales con una narrativa vigorosa y certera, diálogos potentes y un argumento que se enrosca en giros cada vez más misteriosos, místicos y enigmáticos. Me ha gustado muchísimo, aunque reconozco que me he enredado en las intrincadas ramificaciones de la trama y la capacidad de los poderes mágicos.
Aurora es una bruja de la magia de la sangre. Porta sobre sus hombros las consecuencias nefastas de la tragedia acaecida en Achleva y una muerte irreparable que le ha robado la fe en la vida. Reacia, regresa a la residencia de Espino Gris donde un acto oficial afectará al devenir de su pueblo. Sin embargo, sus enemigos pondrán en jaque el futuro de cada uno de sus seres queridos. A partir de esta premisa, el argumento se complica de forma exponencial. Aurelia es un personaje sumamente valiente, astuto y emotivo que trata de proteger a los que le rodean, salvar el destino del reino de fuerzas oscuras y desentrañar secretos que no paran de brotar como champiñones maléficos.
Me ha absorbido totalmente. Es una aventura de heroísmo y magia, luchas y complots, a lo que se añade una red de relaciones personales rebosantes de coraje, respeto, afecto y humor. Me ha encantado el amor imposible a lo Lady Hawke entre Aurelia y Zan, me ha hecho reír el temple furibundo de Onal y Rosetta, me han entristecido las numerosas pérdidas humanas de protagonistas secundarios y generales, me ha fascinado la estrategia brillante con que Aurelia despacha al ambiguo villano de Dominic Castellion y me ha maravillado la imaginación fulgurante de la autora para converger todos los hilos que ha urdido en torno a los personajes del presente y el pasado en una culminación narrativa vibrante.
Creo que este segundo libro logra una mezcla sugestiva de distintos tipos de magia, una heroína que usa un poder de mala reputación con resultados imprevisibles, un misterio ancestral ligado a la familia real y una ristra de sacrificios, escenas de terror y golpes de efecto. No puedo ni imaginar cómo se va a superar esto en el tercer libro. Nuevamente, se cierra la novela con seguridad y no te deja en suspense, pero con esta calidad y sabiendo que lo que viene va a ser tremendo, hay que seguir leyendo sin duda.
Lo único que lamento es el cambio de portada. No porque sea fea, es más, resulta llamativa y poderosa. No obstante, no me tiran las caras y el diseño inicialmente ideado para esta secuela reúne elementos de la trama al tiempo que hacen juego con la primera portada y, en conjunto, es muy bella.
February 24, 2021
4,5/5 *
Za prvé- druhý díl byl mnohem lepší než první.
S prvními asi 60 stránkami pokračování jsem byla hodně zmatená, a opravdu poměrně dlouho dobu jsem nevěděla co se tam vlastně děje a jak a proč a co.
Každopádně musím uznat, že ta zmatenost byla k dobru- autorka totiž postupně pomaloučku prozrazovala a připomínala konec prvního dílu.
Za druhé, příběh se četla opravdu hodně dobře, děj krásně plynul, sem tam byl nějaký zvrat a postupně jsme se příběhem propracovávali a dozvídali se tolik nových informací. Trochu jsem se bála, že to tolik nových informací bude k ničemu a že to autorka prostě jenom přehnala, ale nakonec to měla tak skvěle propracované, až mi brada při čtení klesala.
Za třetí- hlavní postavy mi přišli takové strohé, některé možná bez emocí. Někdy jsem si říkala, sakra proč, proč ses tak rozhodla a prostě jsem popadala za hlavu.
Za čtvrté- konec byl krásně zpracovaný, všechno začalo dávat smysl a já jsem si tak mohla ulevit.
Už se těším na třetí díl
Za prvé- druhý díl byl mnohem lepší než první.
S prvními asi 60 stránkami pokračování jsem byla hodně zmatená, a opravdu poměrně dlouho dobu jsem nevěděla co se tam vlastně děje a jak a proč a co.
Každopádně musím uznat, že ta zmatenost byla k dobru- autorka totiž postupně pomaloučku prozrazovala a připomínala konec prvního dílu.
Za druhé, příběh se četla opravdu hodně dobře, děj krásně plynul, sem tam byl nějaký zvrat a postupně jsme se příběhem propracovávali a dozvídali se tolik nových informací. Trochu jsem se bála, že to tolik nových informací bude k ničemu a že to autorka prostě jenom přehnala, ale nakonec to měla tak skvěle propracované, až mi brada při čtení klesala.
Za třetí- hlavní postavy mi přišli takové strohé, některé možná bez emocí. Někdy jsem si říkala, sakra proč, proč ses tak rozhodla a prostě jsem popadala za hlavu.
Za čtvrté- konec byl krásně zpracovaný, všechno začalo dávat smysl a já jsem si tak mohla ulevit.
Už se těším na třetí díl
October 19, 2019
Well, that wasn't as bad as Bloodleaf, but that's not exactly saying a whole lot considering I hated Bloodleaf.
The best thing about this book was Onal, but because she's both gay and a woman, obviously she had to die. (Seriously. please fucking stop).
The best thing about this book was Onal, but because she's both gay and a woman, obviously she had to die. (Seriously. please fucking stop).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2020
My local Barnes and Noble just got this is stock! Hooray! 💪
April 5, 2021
Maljka - per RFS
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Se il primo capitolo della serie The Bloodleaf mi era piaciuto Greythorne, al contrario, ho faticato tremendamente a finirlo!
E’ molto lento e sembra che l’autrice abbia difficoltà o non voglia far decollare la storia e non mi ha coinvolta, mentre nel primo troviamo un ritmo serrato e moltissimi colpi di scena, tant’è che pensavo fosse un autoconclusivo (e così poteva essere per me).
È sicuramente un fantasy fuori dagli schemi, intriso di magia, una magia che si attiva con il sangue, meglio se versato contro la propria volontà…
Le ambientazioni in stile medievale sono sempre molto belle ed emozionanti tanto da riportare il lettore negli anni d’oro in cui la donna doveva solo restare a corte ed era assolutamente vietato essere combattenti.
Avendo letto da un po’ di tempo il primo capitolo della serie e, mancando l’incipit, ho avuto non poca difficoltà a riprendere il filo della storia, soprattutto dopo il finale cupo del precedente.
La protagonista principale è la principessa Aurelia, la strega di sangue incolpata di aver fatto crollare il regno di Achlev… diciamo che il finale del primo romanzo non è stato proprio rose e fiori.
Ci troviamo al momento dell’imminente incoronazione del fratellino di otto anni Conrad, ma qualcuno vuole sabotare quest’evento e attuerà un colpo di stato proprio la notte prima.
Lei è nata da una sanguifoglia, un piccolo fiore velenoso che semina morte qualunque cosa tocchi ed è proprio quel tentare di fare buone azioni che in realtà la riporterà in difficoltà.
Non ha niente da perdere e così cercherà di fare il tutto per tutto per salvare la situazione. Aurelia è una ragazza tenace e anche un amore che pensa aver perso da tempo tornerà a fare capolino.
Gli intrighi politici saranno all’ordine del giorno in questo secondo capitolo della serie, così come le pagine traboccanti di magia, amori e amicizie.
Gli store lo consigliano per un pubblico dai dodici anni in su, ma secondo me è una valutazione errata, date anche le scene di violenza.
Ho trovato una Aurelia molto altalenante: a tratti era una super forzuta spaccatutto mentre in altri momenti era una lagna unica, sembrava quasi bipolare xD e tutto ciò a mio avviso è stato ancora più accentuato dalla scelta del pov in prima persona! Le avrei spaccato il kobo in testa!
Molte informazioni vengono lasciate in sospeso, probabilmente verranno riprese, spero, nel terzo e ultimo capitolo di questa serie che, se devo proprio essere sincera, non credo leggerò.
Se mi sento di consigliarvela? Onestamente no. O meglio… il primo potete tranquillamente leggerlo ma fossi in voi sorvolerei sui successivi.
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Se il primo capitolo della serie The Bloodleaf mi era piaciuto Greythorne, al contrario, ho faticato tremendamente a finirlo!
E’ molto lento e sembra che l’autrice abbia difficoltà o non voglia far decollare la storia e non mi ha coinvolta, mentre nel primo troviamo un ritmo serrato e moltissimi colpi di scena, tant’è che pensavo fosse un autoconclusivo (e così poteva essere per me).
È sicuramente un fantasy fuori dagli schemi, intriso di magia, una magia che si attiva con il sangue, meglio se versato contro la propria volontà…
Le ambientazioni in stile medievale sono sempre molto belle ed emozionanti tanto da riportare il lettore negli anni d’oro in cui la donna doveva solo restare a corte ed era assolutamente vietato essere combattenti.
Avendo letto da un po’ di tempo il primo capitolo della serie e, mancando l’incipit, ho avuto non poca difficoltà a riprendere il filo della storia, soprattutto dopo il finale cupo del precedente.
La protagonista principale è la principessa Aurelia, la strega di sangue incolpata di aver fatto crollare il regno di Achlev… diciamo che il finale del primo romanzo non è stato proprio rose e fiori.
Ci troviamo al momento dell’imminente incoronazione del fratellino di otto anni Conrad, ma qualcuno vuole sabotare quest’evento e attuerà un colpo di stato proprio la notte prima.
Lei è nata da una sanguifoglia, un piccolo fiore velenoso che semina morte qualunque cosa tocchi ed è proprio quel tentare di fare buone azioni che in realtà la riporterà in difficoltà.
Non ha niente da perdere e così cercherà di fare il tutto per tutto per salvare la situazione. Aurelia è una ragazza tenace e anche un amore che pensa aver perso da tempo tornerà a fare capolino.
Gli intrighi politici saranno all’ordine del giorno in questo secondo capitolo della serie, così come le pagine traboccanti di magia, amori e amicizie.
Gli store lo consigliano per un pubblico dai dodici anni in su, ma secondo me è una valutazione errata, date anche le scene di violenza.
Ho trovato una Aurelia molto altalenante: a tratti era una super forzuta spaccatutto mentre in altri momenti era una lagna unica, sembrava quasi bipolare xD e tutto ciò a mio avviso è stato ancora più accentuato dalla scelta del pov in prima persona! Le avrei spaccato il kobo in testa!
Molte informazioni vengono lasciate in sospeso, probabilmente verranno riprese, spero, nel terzo e ultimo capitolo di questa serie che, se devo proprio essere sincera, non credo leggerò.
Se mi sento di consigliarvela? Onestamente no. O meglio… il primo potete tranquillamente leggerlo ma fossi in voi sorvolerei sui successivi.
July 27, 2020
I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book from the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
What a ride. I swear this second book had more twists and turns than the first. I found the beginning of the story to be a lot of explaining what happened in the month between the end of bloodleaf and Greythorne, it was a lot of confusion and catching up but after that bumpy beginning, it became really enjoyable.
I think watching Aurelia deal with the fall out of her actions in bloodleaf was very compelling and seeing her struggling with the aftermath made her a much more dynamic character to read about. The ending left me breathless and I cannot wait for the final book!
What a ride. I swear this second book had more twists and turns than the first. I found the beginning of the story to be a lot of explaining what happened in the month between the end of bloodleaf and Greythorne, it was a lot of confusion and catching up but after that bumpy beginning, it became really enjoyable.
I think watching Aurelia deal with the fall out of her actions in bloodleaf was very compelling and seeing her struggling with the aftermath made her a much more dynamic character to read about. The ending left me breathless and I cannot wait for the final book!
November 28, 2023
I need a minute. Or ten or a thousnd. I lost hold of my feelings somewhere along the way and they are still running wild. This book, I mean—I thought the first one was intense?! This jumps that to a whole new level.
A huge thank you to Raincoast Books and HMH Teen for the ARC copy!
From what I gathered in reading this, I believe this second instalment is a Sleeping Beauty slash Sleepy Hollow retelling mash-up. The story picks up about 5 months after the end of Bloodleaf. I was incredibly satisfied with the ending of Bloodleaf, and that died pretty soon after once I read the synopsis. It's pretty easy to put together the dots of what happened based on the summary, and it is shortly confirmed in the first few chapters. Aurelia has become a bit of a loner. She is in mourning and still reeling from the events of the past book. Her little brother, Conrad, is about to be crowned king, but the world is still in turmoil from the fall of Achlev. Greythorne estate is surrounded by Achlevian refugees who are without a country and in a place that does not like them. Worse still is the Tribunal, which again, Crystal Smith makes so easy to hate.
Aurelia is a much changed character from who we met on the first page of Book 1. She has become hard and tough, both from her experiences and her growing grief. Two of the three lives tied to her remain now that her mother died in her place. Properly outed as a witch, she is not loved by her people. Worse still is that she was the one who brought the wall down in Achlev. She's the one who brought these unwanted, heathen refugees into Renault only for them to steal jobs or not work at all. If that sounds Trump-like, 99% there is a jab at him in the shape of a "rake the forest" line. Despite all that, Aurelia still tries to help however she can from the shadows for both Renault and Achlev. Making matters even worse, something is wrong with her blood magic. She can't see the ghosts she used to, and using her magic makes her horribly ill.
The absolute intensity that sucked me into Bloodleaf is still here. Crystal Smith clearly has a gift for writing scenes that make me clutch my pearls and squirm from the sheer craziness of what is going down. I've read few stories that can dig into my feelings like this series seems to do. I am not exaggerating when I say this is literal edge of your seat action. I must admit that the story doesn't seem as ... deep this time. There is a lot more traveling around by the characters and there are a lot of disjointed dream sequences (for good reason, I promise). Despite that, the plot was no less intriguing or riveting. It was near impossible to put down. Not to mention the plot twists! There were so many things I either did not see coming or never would have expected to come up.
I finished both Bloodleaf and Greythorne inside of a week, and now you're telling me I have to wait a year for Ebonwilde? After THAT ending?! I mean, I'll do it, but it will not be easy.
A huge thank you to Raincoast Books and HMH Teen for the ARC copy!
From what I gathered in reading this, I believe this second instalment is a Sleeping Beauty slash Sleepy Hollow retelling mash-up. The story picks up about 5 months after the end of Bloodleaf. I was incredibly satisfied with the ending of Bloodleaf, and that died pretty soon after once I read the synopsis. It's pretty easy to put together the dots of what happened based on the summary, and it is shortly confirmed in the first few chapters. Aurelia has become a bit of a loner. She is in mourning and still reeling from the events of the past book. Her little brother, Conrad, is about to be crowned king, but the world is still in turmoil from the fall of Achlev. Greythorne estate is surrounded by Achlevian refugees who are without a country and in a place that does not like them. Worse still is the Tribunal, which again, Crystal Smith makes so easy to hate.
Aurelia is a much changed character from who we met on the first page of Book 1. She has become hard and tough, both from her experiences and her growing grief. Two of the three lives tied to her remain now that her mother died in her place. Properly outed as a witch, she is not loved by her people. Worse still is that she was the one who brought the wall down in Achlev. She's the one who brought these unwanted, heathen refugees into Renault only for them to steal jobs or not work at all. If that sounds Trump-like, 99% there is a jab at him in the shape of a "rake the forest" line. Despite all that, Aurelia still tries to help however she can from the shadows for both Renault and Achlev. Making matters even worse, something is wrong with her blood magic. She can't see the ghosts she used to, and using her magic makes her horribly ill.
The absolute intensity that sucked me into Bloodleaf is still here. Crystal Smith clearly has a gift for writing scenes that make me clutch my pearls and squirm from the sheer craziness of what is going down. I've read few stories that can dig into my feelings like this series seems to do. I am not exaggerating when I say this is literal edge of your seat action. I must admit that the story doesn't seem as ... deep this time. There is a lot more traveling around by the characters and there are a lot of disjointed dream sequences (for good reason, I promise). Despite that, the plot was no less intriguing or riveting. It was near impossible to put down. Not to mention the plot twists! There were so many things I either did not see coming or never would have expected to come up.
I finished both Bloodleaf and Greythorne inside of a week, and now you're telling me I have to wait a year for Ebonwilde? After THAT ending?! I mean, I'll do it, but it will not be easy.
February 2, 2021
3.75 ⭐
En un principio, me costó adentrarme a la historia porque la autora nos adentra a una trama que parece no tener relación directa con el final de "Hoja de sangre". Luego viene un plot twist (en las primeras páginas) que casi me mata y me hace querer dejar el libro.
Seguí leyendo y la historia si mejora bastante, pero, no sé si sea yo, me parece que algunas partes son demasiado confusas. Si no hubiera sido por el final y la maravillosa forma en la que la autora nos hace comprender algunas cosas, seguramente le hubiera puesto menos calificación.
No me malinterpreten, la historia si me gustó bastante. Sobretodo por ese cardiáco final (razón por la que estoy loca porque llegue agosto con "Ebonwilde"). Sin embargo, esperaba algo mucho mejor. Se nota que "Hoja de sangre" le costó a Crystal 8 años enteros y que "Greythorne" sólo se escribió en 8 meses.
En un principio, me costó adentrarme a la historia porque la autora nos adentra a una trama que parece no tener relación directa con el final de "Hoja de sangre". Luego viene un plot twist (en las primeras páginas) que casi me mata y me hace querer dejar el libro.
Seguí leyendo y la historia si mejora bastante, pero, no sé si sea yo, me parece que algunas partes son demasiado confusas. Si no hubiera sido por el final y la maravillosa forma en la que la autora nos hace comprender algunas cosas, seguramente le hubiera puesto menos calificación.
No me malinterpreten, la historia si me gustó bastante. Sobretodo por ese cardiáco final (razón por la que estoy loca porque llegue agosto con "Ebonwilde"). Sin embargo, esperaba algo mucho mejor. Se nota que "Hoja de sangre" le costó a Crystal 8 años enteros y que "Greythorne" sólo se escribió en 8 meses.
Want to read
July 8, 2019I cannot WAIT for this gosh I loved Bloodleaf
June 11, 2020
CRYSTAL WTFFFFF WHYYYYY
RTC
RTC
February 14, 2021
Se Fiore di Sangue (qui) mi aveva affascinato per le sue atmosfere oscure e intrise di magia, Greythorne non è riuscito a mantenere lo stesso tono, mostrando qualche falla sia per quanto riguarda la trama che per i personaggi.
Ritrovare le fila della storia non è stato semplice, vuoi perchè tra l'uscita del primo e del secondo capitolo è passato un anno, vuoi per il salto temporale in cui ci si trova immersi sin da subito, ma ho faticato a riallinearmi con la trama, a comprenderne i cambiamenti e seguire un filo logico.
Ovviamente non ho solo punti a sfavore di cui parlarvi, altrimenti non sarei riuscita ad ultimare la lettura.
Iniziando la lettura ci ritroviamo con Aurelia a Greythorne, il regno è in rovina, Conrad non viene riconosciuto come sovrano di Renault e Zan sembra essere sparito. Il Tribunale è ancora in grado di prendere le redini del potere e sappiamo cosa questo significhi per Aurelia.
In Greythorne si nota soprattutto lo sviluppo e la crescita di Aurelia, più forte e consapevole, meno avventata e allo stesso tempo stremata dal tentativo di cercare di salvare la sua famiglia e resistere agli attacchi che le arrivano da ogni fronte. Distrutta dalla perdita e indurita dal dolore, anche la sua magia ne risente, nonostante sia più libera nell'usarla, dal momento che tutti sono a conoscenza dei suoi poteri.
Una trama intricata, piena di oscurità e avvenimenti che si susseguono vorticosamente lasciando però al lettore molte cose da collegare e che a mio avviso hanno richiesto uno sforzo eccessivo.
Una cosa che continua a convincermi di Crystal Smith è lo stile. La scrittura risulta fluida e riesce a ricreare dinamicità e azione, grazie anche ai colpi di scena.
I libro si concludo con un furbissimo cliffhanger che lascia il lettore a bocca aperta, in attesa del seguito. La parte romance viene un po' messa da parte, in questo secondo libro, e questa cosa mi è dispiaciuta solo nella misura in cui Zan è stato poco presente.
Superati i momenti di confusione, Greythorne è una lettura che ha il suo fascino se amate i fantasy con un componente magica, parecchi intrighi e macchinazioni politiche.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2021/0...
Ritrovare le fila della storia non è stato semplice, vuoi perchè tra l'uscita del primo e del secondo capitolo è passato un anno, vuoi per il salto temporale in cui ci si trova immersi sin da subito, ma ho faticato a riallinearmi con la trama, a comprenderne i cambiamenti e seguire un filo logico.
Ovviamente non ho solo punti a sfavore di cui parlarvi, altrimenti non sarei riuscita ad ultimare la lettura.
Iniziando la lettura ci ritroviamo con Aurelia a Greythorne, il regno è in rovina, Conrad non viene riconosciuto come sovrano di Renault e Zan sembra essere sparito. Il Tribunale è ancora in grado di prendere le redini del potere e sappiamo cosa questo significhi per Aurelia.
In Greythorne si nota soprattutto lo sviluppo e la crescita di Aurelia, più forte e consapevole, meno avventata e allo stesso tempo stremata dal tentativo di cercare di salvare la sua famiglia e resistere agli attacchi che le arrivano da ogni fronte. Distrutta dalla perdita e indurita dal dolore, anche la sua magia ne risente, nonostante sia più libera nell'usarla, dal momento che tutti sono a conoscenza dei suoi poteri.
Una trama intricata, piena di oscurità e avvenimenti che si susseguono vorticosamente lasciando però al lettore molte cose da collegare e che a mio avviso hanno richiesto uno sforzo eccessivo.
Una cosa che continua a convincermi di Crystal Smith è lo stile. La scrittura risulta fluida e riesce a ricreare dinamicità e azione, grazie anche ai colpi di scena.
I libro si concludo con un furbissimo cliffhanger che lascia il lettore a bocca aperta, in attesa del seguito. La parte romance viene un po' messa da parte, in questo secondo libro, e questa cosa mi è dispiaciuta solo nella misura in cui Zan è stato poco presente.
Superati i momenti di confusione, Greythorne è una lettura che ha il suo fascino se amate i fantasy con un componente magica, parecchi intrighi e macchinazioni politiche.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2021/0...
February 23, 2021
3,5 - Di solito cerco sempre di leggere il seguito di un libro che mi ha tenuto avvinta perché sono curiosa di sapere come procede la vicenda; nel caso del precedente romanzo, IL FIORE DI SANGUE, mi sarei fermata là, ritenendo il tutto concluso.
Quindi grande sorpresa quando ho visto che l'autrice aveva scritto addirittura una trilogia e ammetto di aver iniziato questo secondo volume chiedendomi se sarei riuscita a godermi la storia di Aurelia senza quel piccolo senso di insoddisfazione che avevo provato in precedenza.
Perchè sì, la Smith ha tante idee, scrive in modo scorrevole, ci sono colpi di scena abbastanza riusciti, ma continuo a pensare che potrebbe migliorare qualcosa: parte con entusiasmo e poi è sempre un "vorrei, ma non posso".
Qui, peraltro, è pure mancato quell'incipit carico di tensione che mi aveva ipnotizzato l'altra volta; anzi, è tutto abbastanza confuso e occorre fare (molta) attenzione per recuperare un po' di punti di orientamento.
Dunque: la città di Achlev non c’è più, la sua popolazione è profuga e alla bando; nel regno ex-nemico di Renalt il giovanissimo Conrad sta per essere finalmente incoronato re, mentre la sorella Aurelia veglia su di lui, ancora indecisa tra l'accettare la sua vocazione di strega, ovvero i suoi talenti magici.
E poi tutto va a rotoli e inizia l'avventura.
Oltre all'inizio un po' farraginoso, fondamentalmente ho mal sopportato la protagonista, Aurelia.
La Smith usa sempre il pov in prima persona, ma stare nella testa di Aurelia per 260 pagine è stato per me sfibrante, perché in certi momenti aveva modi da eroina sacrificale (con tutto il contesto di melodramma retorico) e in altri assumeva un tono piagnucoloso-lamentoso da pregare di imbattersi in una finestra aperta di qualche torre per scaraventarla di sotto...
Perlomeno, rispetto ad altri fantasy, questo ha il pregio di essere breve, dunque la coesistenza mentale con lei è tutto sommato fattibile, però, paradossalmente, avrei voluto che certe scene durassero di più per capire meglio; certi passaggi logici sono così rapidi che ti ritrovi spesso investito da mitragliate di informazioni e boccheggi.
Nel complesso, non ci si annoia. Lievemente inferiore al primo.
Restano le atmosfere da fiaba dark rubate ai Grimm (che sono l'aspetto migliore del romanzo) e a tale proposito ho continuato a chiedermi se anche questa trama fosse una sorta di retelling: personalmente propendo per Rosaspina/La bella addormentata, vuoi per la puntura a tradimento, vuoi per altri indizi che non posso svelare.
Non so se ho ragione. Provate anche voi per formulare la vostra idea.
PS. Sarei anche curiosa di assaggiare un goccino di umbradolce!
Quindi grande sorpresa quando ho visto che l'autrice aveva scritto addirittura una trilogia e ammetto di aver iniziato questo secondo volume chiedendomi se sarei riuscita a godermi la storia di Aurelia senza quel piccolo senso di insoddisfazione che avevo provato in precedenza.
Perchè sì, la Smith ha tante idee, scrive in modo scorrevole, ci sono colpi di scena abbastanza riusciti, ma continuo a pensare che potrebbe migliorare qualcosa: parte con entusiasmo e poi è sempre un "vorrei, ma non posso".
Qui, peraltro, è pure mancato quell'incipit carico di tensione che mi aveva ipnotizzato l'altra volta; anzi, è tutto abbastanza confuso e occorre fare (molta) attenzione per recuperare un po' di punti di orientamento.
Dunque: la città di Achlev non c’è più, la sua popolazione è profuga e alla bando; nel regno ex-nemico di Renalt il giovanissimo Conrad sta per essere finalmente incoronato re, mentre la sorella Aurelia veglia su di lui, ancora indecisa tra l'accettare la sua vocazione di strega, ovvero i suoi talenti magici.
E poi tutto va a rotoli e inizia l'avventura.
Oltre all'inizio un po' farraginoso, fondamentalmente ho mal sopportato la protagonista, Aurelia.
La Smith usa sempre il pov in prima persona, ma stare nella testa di Aurelia per 260 pagine è stato per me sfibrante, perché in certi momenti aveva modi da eroina sacrificale (con tutto il contesto di melodramma retorico) e in altri assumeva un tono piagnucoloso-lamentoso da pregare di imbattersi in una finestra aperta di qualche torre per scaraventarla di sotto...
Perlomeno, rispetto ad altri fantasy, questo ha il pregio di essere breve, dunque la coesistenza mentale con lei è tutto sommato fattibile, però, paradossalmente, avrei voluto che certe scene durassero di più per capire meglio; certi passaggi logici sono così rapidi che ti ritrovi spesso investito da mitragliate di informazioni e boccheggi.
Nel complesso, non ci si annoia. Lievemente inferiore al primo.
Restano le atmosfere da fiaba dark rubate ai Grimm (che sono l'aspetto migliore del romanzo) e a tale proposito ho continuato a chiedermi se anche questa trama fosse una sorta di retelling: personalmente propendo per Rosaspina/La bella addormentata, vuoi per la puntura a tradimento, vuoi per altri indizi che non posso svelare.
Non so se ho ragione. Provate anche voi per formulare la vostra idea.
PS. Sarei anche curiosa di assaggiare un goccino di umbradolce!
July 29, 2020
* I received an arc from my local indie in exchange for an honest review*
Sometimes when going into a sequel, I’m anxious as to how it’s going to turn out. I really enjoyed Crystal’s debut, Bloodleaf, and Greythorne, I’m happy to report, exceeded my expectations! I was hooked from the beginning and it was hard to put down.
Some time has passed since the end of Bloodleaf. Aurelia finds herself mourning the loss of her blood magic and her recently departed loved ones. She’s not much of a princess anymore..she’s living above a tavern and playing cards for money. She keeps having horrible dreams about blood, death, and burning. Her brother Conrad has an upcoming coronation he is preparing for. Their country is in an upheaval and they refuse to accept Conrad’s claim to the throne. Meanwhile, the tribunal is still hunting witches, like Aurelia. Aurelia winds up at her best friend Kellan’s home, Greythorne Manor, as she has no other place to call hers. When she arrives at Greythorne, she finds herself in quite the predicament. We get to go on an amazing adventure with Aurelia and we learn so much more about her. She’s definitely become a favorite of mine! We are also introduced to some intriguing new characters.
This book was full of so many twists, turns, and surprises, you will be left speechless and crying for more! Have no fear, the sequel Ebonwilde will be released in 2021.
Sometimes when going into a sequel, I’m anxious as to how it’s going to turn out. I really enjoyed Crystal’s debut, Bloodleaf, and Greythorne, I’m happy to report, exceeded my expectations! I was hooked from the beginning and it was hard to put down.
Some time has passed since the end of Bloodleaf. Aurelia finds herself mourning the loss of her blood magic and her recently departed loved ones. She’s not much of a princess anymore..she’s living above a tavern and playing cards for money. She keeps having horrible dreams about blood, death, and burning. Her brother Conrad has an upcoming coronation he is preparing for. Their country is in an upheaval and they refuse to accept Conrad’s claim to the throne. Meanwhile, the tribunal is still hunting witches, like Aurelia. Aurelia winds up at her best friend Kellan’s home, Greythorne Manor, as she has no other place to call hers. When she arrives at Greythorne, she finds herself in quite the predicament. We get to go on an amazing adventure with Aurelia and we learn so much more about her. She’s definitely become a favorite of mine! We are also introduced to some intriguing new characters.
This book was full of so many twists, turns, and surprises, you will be left speechless and crying for more! Have no fear, the sequel Ebonwilde will be released in 2021.
Read
June 30, 2021🌺Trilogía Hoja de Sangre🌺 de @grantravesia .
⚠️ De momento solo están publicados en español los dos primeros⚠️
Sinopsis del primero:
AURELIA ES LA PRIMERA PRINCESA NACIDA EN RENALT después de doscientos años, y su destino es casarse con Valentin, el príncipe de Achleva —y mayor enemigo de su casa— para asegurar la paz entre ambos reinos.
Pero los rumores de un príncipe enfermo y cruel no cesan. Ella huye de su trono, y la vida plebeya lejos de intrigas políticas, compromisos monárquicos le encanta aunque descubre magia dentro de ella.
Reseña sin spoilers:
Una magia poderosa y un mundo en el que la hechicería está penada y perseguida. La primera parte es dinámica, eléctrica, llena de sorpresas y una trama que te atrapa.
Entretiene y engancha. Lleno de persecuciones, peligro, acción… no puedes despegarte del libro.
En este segundo tomo todo se pone más serio. Aurelia tiene una personalidad mas dura y fría. Los secundarios se quedan un poco cortos y la trama se enreda de manera un poco rara. No me ha gustado tanto como el primero pero si lo he disfrutado porque la narración y el desarrollo hacen que merezca totalmente la pena.
Yo ya tengo ganas de ver la conclusión de esta historia porque el segundo libro acaba regular😭😭😭
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6OSQmlA...
⚠️ De momento solo están publicados en español los dos primeros⚠️
Sinopsis del primero:
AURELIA ES LA PRIMERA PRINCESA NACIDA EN RENALT después de doscientos años, y su destino es casarse con Valentin, el príncipe de Achleva —y mayor enemigo de su casa— para asegurar la paz entre ambos reinos.
Pero los rumores de un príncipe enfermo y cruel no cesan. Ella huye de su trono, y la vida plebeya lejos de intrigas políticas, compromisos monárquicos le encanta aunque descubre magia dentro de ella.
Reseña sin spoilers:
Una magia poderosa y un mundo en el que la hechicería está penada y perseguida. La primera parte es dinámica, eléctrica, llena de sorpresas y una trama que te atrapa.
Entretiene y engancha. Lleno de persecuciones, peligro, acción… no puedes despegarte del libro.
En este segundo tomo todo se pone más serio. Aurelia tiene una personalidad mas dura y fría. Los secundarios se quedan un poco cortos y la trama se enreda de manera un poco rara. No me ha gustado tanto como el primero pero si lo he disfrutado porque la narración y el desarrollo hacen que merezca totalmente la pena.
Yo ya tengo ganas de ver la conclusión de esta historia porque el segundo libro acaba regular😭😭😭
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6OSQmlA...
October 22, 2020
Stejně dobré jako jednička. Oddechovka na jeden večer, která mě neskutečně bavila. Zajímavé plot twisty, MC, co se nebojí svoji magii používat a love interested, kterej shipuju. Už potřebuju trojku, protože po tom konci dvojky jsem fakt zvědavá!
4/5*
4/5*
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