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A Wish Too Dark and Kind
Among the immortals that inhabit our world, Arnaud Demeure is known as the man who can fulfill your one true wish or who can also conjure your worst nightmares.
Eight invitations are sent to eight immortals, and when Arnaud Demeure hosts a party, no one refuses his request. Why have they been summoned? Is it for a celebration or does a sinister fate await them? After all, in the ways of Magick, a party can also be a ritual to end the world.
As the mystery deepens, the attendees must overcome their personal grudges to unravel the threads of Demeure's grand plan that has been centuries in the making. But, with one of the guests secretly working with their host to sabotage the group's every move, it seems impossible to look behind the curtain to learn Demeure's true intentions.
With each guest hiding dark secrets and darker intentions, will they be able to uncover Demeure's mysterious motives or will the party prove to be the deadly nightmare that they each fear?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2021
21 people are currently reading
3464 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Blackbird
1 book40 followersM.L. also writes as Sebastiano Merlino.
Born and raised in Sicily (just Italy, but sunnier), M.L. spent most of his early life inventing stories and believing he could live in them.
In high-school, he spent way too much time watching B movies, playing video games and reading everything he could get his hands on, provided it wasn’t recommended by any authority figure.
M.L. spent most of his college years and adult life writing in languages only machines can understand until he decided to put some of his stories on the page.
After a few years spent in Scotland, now M.L. lives in Seattle with his wife, his cat and a large assortment of books. When not writing, he still enjoys playing video games and explaining board games’ rules to his friends.
Born and raised in Sicily (just Italy, but sunnier), M.L. spent most of his early life inventing stories and believing he could live in them.
In high-school, he spent way too much time watching B movies, playing video games and reading everything he could get his hands on, provided it wasn’t recommended by any authority figure.
M.L. spent most of his college years and adult life writing in languages only machines can understand until he decided to put some of his stories on the page.
After a few years spent in Scotland, now M.L. lives in Seattle with his wife, his cat and a large assortment of books. When not writing, he still enjoys playing video games and explaining board games’ rules to his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 24, 2021
I think this is a brilliant book, but I am biased given I wrote it. It took years in the making and I am proud of what I've produced.
You'll like it too if you enjoy detailed magic systems (like Brandon Sanderson's or HunterXHunter's), mystical/horror atmospheres (like those of Stephen King), Joe Abercrombie's raw fights, and Dan Brown's high pacing with a pinch of Anne Rice's dark, urban settings and characters.
As for every book, I don't think this would appeal to everyone (I would not recommend you to eat spicy wings if you don't like spicy food). For example, if you immediately associate Urban Fantasy to Romance, this will not be the book for you. If likeable characters are a must, you might want to avoid this book too, as most of the characters are grey (and some downright dark) and you'll see the "good guys" do pretty terrible things in here. Finally, the non-linear progression of the plot and the entanglement of two storylines might annoy some readers.
To get a better idea of the book, you can read a few sample chapters here: https://mylittleblackbird.com/a-wish-...
All in all, I wanted to write a book I'd actually enjoy reading. I think I did it, but at this point, it might be more important to know what you think about it.
You'll like it too if you enjoy detailed magic systems (like Brandon Sanderson's or HunterXHunter's), mystical/horror atmospheres (like those of Stephen King), Joe Abercrombie's raw fights, and Dan Brown's high pacing with a pinch of Anne Rice's dark, urban settings and characters.
As for every book, I don't think this would appeal to everyone (I would not recommend you to eat spicy wings if you don't like spicy food). For example, if you immediately associate Urban Fantasy to Romance, this will not be the book for you. If likeable characters are a must, you might want to avoid this book too, as most of the characters are grey (and some downright dark) and you'll see the "good guys" do pretty terrible things in here. Finally, the non-linear progression of the plot and the entanglement of two storylines might annoy some readers.
To get a better idea of the book, you can read a few sample chapters here: https://mylittleblackbird.com/a-wish-...
All in all, I wanted to write a book I'd actually enjoy reading. I think I did it, but at this point, it might be more important to know what you think about it.
August 26, 2021
I received the book in ARC to make spots illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. And it was so easy to make them. The book is inspiring, with lots of mystical and magical images.
It was fun to read, with fast pacing action and lots of mystery. I absolutely loved it!
I particularly liked trying to discover the backstories of the several characters, how they are connected to each other and what secrets they carry. All the characters are multifaceted: they are not villains and heroes, but grey complex beings.
I also liked how the story is narrated in an unconventional way: present time scenes where we see the characters at the party, intermingled with documents that give us additional context.
Of the documents, Arnaud Demeure's diaries are basically a parallel story on their own. And while I loved the action scenes in the present, the diary entries are my fav bits: they are covered in a veil of sadness and melancholy that really made me like Demeure more than I should like an antagonist like him.
I highly recommend it. It is a honour to be part of it through the illustrations I made.
It was fun to read, with fast pacing action and lots of mystery. I absolutely loved it!
I particularly liked trying to discover the backstories of the several characters, how they are connected to each other and what secrets they carry. All the characters are multifaceted: they are not villains and heroes, but grey complex beings.
I also liked how the story is narrated in an unconventional way: present time scenes where we see the characters at the party, intermingled with documents that give us additional context.
Of the documents, Arnaud Demeure's diaries are basically a parallel story on their own. And while I loved the action scenes in the present, the diary entries are my fav bits: they are covered in a veil of sadness and melancholy that really made me like Demeure more than I should like an antagonist like him.
I highly recommend it. It is a honour to be part of it through the illustrations I made.
August 27, 2021
this was an enjoyable read, i had a lot of fun reading this. It had a great suspenseful atmosphere with interesting characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2021
This very good book
October 17, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Blackbird LLC for the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing! All opinions are my own.
I overall really enjoyed this book! A Wish Too Dark and Kind is packed with action and is basically a murder mystery with heavy fantasy elements. There are immortals, some of which are reminiscent of classic fantasy creatures like vampires and werewolves. There is also a really complex and unique magic system that I really enjoyed learning about. I loved that Blackbird was able to build the world and explain the magic system while moving the plot forward instead of just info dumping.
I mostly enjoyed the structure of the book which was narritive interspersed with documents from an investigation into the events of the party. This structure allowed for facts and characters to be revealed slowly and kept me guessing at what would happen next. What didn’t work for me with this structure was the introduction of the mythology in this world. I found the mythology incredibly confusing at times and even more so when switching between the narrative and investigation documents. It was difficult for me to keep things straight and honestly understand why the mythology was introduced in the first place. I mostly wish I had more time in the world prior to the party. I think it would have helped immensely to world build and introduce the mythology at the beginning of the book.
That being said, I’m giving this 4 stars. If you like mysteries and dark fantasy you should definitely check out this book! It has immortals, action, gore, and just the right amount of creepy - perfect for this time of year.
I overall really enjoyed this book! A Wish Too Dark and Kind is packed with action and is basically a murder mystery with heavy fantasy elements. There are immortals, some of which are reminiscent of classic fantasy creatures like vampires and werewolves. There is also a really complex and unique magic system that I really enjoyed learning about. I loved that Blackbird was able to build the world and explain the magic system while moving the plot forward instead of just info dumping.
I mostly enjoyed the structure of the book which was narritive interspersed with documents from an investigation into the events of the party. This structure allowed for facts and characters to be revealed slowly and kept me guessing at what would happen next. What didn’t work for me with this structure was the introduction of the mythology in this world. I found the mythology incredibly confusing at times and even more so when switching between the narrative and investigation documents. It was difficult for me to keep things straight and honestly understand why the mythology was introduced in the first place. I mostly wish I had more time in the world prior to the party. I think it would have helped immensely to world build and introduce the mythology at the beginning of the book.
That being said, I’m giving this 4 stars. If you like mysteries and dark fantasy you should definitely check out this book! It has immortals, action, gore, and just the right amount of creepy - perfect for this time of year.
October 23, 2021
If you like atmospheric reads with some dark magic, immortals, mystery, a large cast of characters, and setups where an eccentric, mysterious, and powerful man invites a group of strangers to an isolated setting, this is a book for you.
“This reality is nothing but an agreement between the parts that compose it.”
I loved that there were snippets from the past interwoven in the story, leaving you with more questions than answers in the beginning. I personally really like that style of book.
One thing that didn’t quite click with me was the magic system. The explanations were very conceptual, cerebral, and very much so ‘higher plane’ ‘imagine the threads of reality in your mind’, which I thought was really cool but I got a little lost in the explanations.
“Let me tell you, there is hope in your quest for knowledge. With eternity in front of you, you will have the time to discover every secret this world offers.”
As the characters were introduced, I really enjoyed most of them and wondering how they would all fit together, but once together, some characters really faded to the background. This is probably due to the length of the book, it’s not super long and a LOT happens in it.
Something I think this book does really well is explore what it would be like for immortals to live so long. We see snippets of their lives throughout history and hear about the psychological effects of living forever and what you have to give up in return. Additionally, how power can change you.
“Ah, beautiful creature, you have nothing left but your hope. But the Lord of Death will take that away.”
I wasn’t sure where it was going in the middle but by the end it really sold me. There’s still things I don’t understand, but I think that this book has amazing re-read potential.
This book is really unique so it’s kind of hard to compare it to other things, but if I had to, maybe I would describe this as Middlegame meets Furyborn.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Blackbird LLC for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
“This reality is nothing but an agreement between the parts that compose it.”
I loved that there were snippets from the past interwoven in the story, leaving you with more questions than answers in the beginning. I personally really like that style of book.
One thing that didn’t quite click with me was the magic system. The explanations were very conceptual, cerebral, and very much so ‘higher plane’ ‘imagine the threads of reality in your mind’, which I thought was really cool but I got a little lost in the explanations.
“Let me tell you, there is hope in your quest for knowledge. With eternity in front of you, you will have the time to discover every secret this world offers.”
As the characters were introduced, I really enjoyed most of them and wondering how they would all fit together, but once together, some characters really faded to the background. This is probably due to the length of the book, it’s not super long and a LOT happens in it.
Something I think this book does really well is explore what it would be like for immortals to live so long. We see snippets of their lives throughout history and hear about the psychological effects of living forever and what you have to give up in return. Additionally, how power can change you.
“Ah, beautiful creature, you have nothing left but your hope. But the Lord of Death will take that away.”
I wasn’t sure where it was going in the middle but by the end it really sold me. There’s still things I don’t understand, but I think that this book has amazing re-read potential.
This book is really unique so it’s kind of hard to compare it to other things, but if I had to, maybe I would describe this as Middlegame meets Furyborn.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Blackbird LLC for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2021
Review copy accessed via Netgalley.
I'm not sure where to start with 'A Wish Too Dark and Kind'.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way it was structured, the characters were intriguing, it drew connections between histories seamlessly and tied itself together perfectly for the climax.
The characters we diverse and fleshed out enough to be interesting and have identifiable personalities. Some, like Alex and Ioan, were crucial to the story as in their roles as teachers, with experience in magic, they were able to deduce some of what was happening and explain it to Daniel who acted as the student - thereby explaining the rules of the magical world to the reader.
Structured as a kind of paranormal investigation, full of kidnapping, ritual sacrifice and coercion, 'A Wish Too Dark And Kind' was a thrilling adventure that kept me hooked even when I found myself overwhelmed by the detail in the book.
However, as much as I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I understood the story. It was complex and Blackbird created a whole mythology of magick (blood magic and tellur), immortals and dark powers that was difficult to absorb at times.
The structure of the book, one half excerpts of documents from an investigation into the events of the other half of the narrative, was clever - allowing for a slow revelation of facts and character reveals in the lead up to the climax. Little things mentioned in the early excerpts made sense as we followed the active storyline - but at the same time, when combined with the mythology of the world made the novel increasingly complicated.
By the halfway mark, I was still struggling to understand who the key characters were, what motivated them and how they fit into the plot. I knew I was enjoying the book but I wasn't sure I was understanding it in the way the author intended.
I love a good fantasy novel and have read enough to have a good understanding of magical creatures from cultures around the world, alchemy and history, and yet found myself completely lost at times while reading. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy and recommend pushing through to the second half of the book where everything rapidly starts coming together to make more sense.
Cover thoughts: this cover is dark and creepy and magical and glorious. It beautifully illustrates the creepy, haunting feel of the narrative while instantly identifying this as a book filled with dark magic, rituals and death.
I'm not sure where to start with 'A Wish Too Dark and Kind'.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way it was structured, the characters were intriguing, it drew connections between histories seamlessly and tied itself together perfectly for the climax.
The characters we diverse and fleshed out enough to be interesting and have identifiable personalities. Some, like Alex and Ioan, were crucial to the story as in their roles as teachers, with experience in magic, they were able to deduce some of what was happening and explain it to Daniel who acted as the student - thereby explaining the rules of the magical world to the reader.
Structured as a kind of paranormal investigation, full of kidnapping, ritual sacrifice and coercion, 'A Wish Too Dark And Kind' was a thrilling adventure that kept me hooked even when I found myself overwhelmed by the detail in the book.
However, as much as I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I understood the story. It was complex and Blackbird created a whole mythology of magick (blood magic and tellur), immortals and dark powers that was difficult to absorb at times.
The structure of the book, one half excerpts of documents from an investigation into the events of the other half of the narrative, was clever - allowing for a slow revelation of facts and character reveals in the lead up to the climax. Little things mentioned in the early excerpts made sense as we followed the active storyline - but at the same time, when combined with the mythology of the world made the novel increasingly complicated.
By the halfway mark, I was still struggling to understand who the key characters were, what motivated them and how they fit into the plot. I knew I was enjoying the book but I wasn't sure I was understanding it in the way the author intended.
I love a good fantasy novel and have read enough to have a good understanding of magical creatures from cultures around the world, alchemy and history, and yet found myself completely lost at times while reading. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy and recommend pushing through to the second half of the book where everything rapidly starts coming together to make more sense.
Cover thoughts: this cover is dark and creepy and magical and glorious. It beautifully illustrates the creepy, haunting feel of the narrative while instantly identifying this as a book filled with dark magic, rituals and death.
September 10, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book in advance!
The first three chapters seemed a bit confusing to me as it features only three different characters and then that is of little importance in the book. At first the magic system seemed quite confusing to me but little by little it is clarifying. The first half of the book has a very good rhythm I read it very quickly but with so many characters sometimes I forgot who was who and had to reread it a couple of times. It's interesting how you discover how all the characters are related and how little by little you discover the mysteries of the house and Arnaud Demeure through their diaries (which I found very ingenious). Of course, the end of the book seemed to me that it was going very fast and I had many questions to solve. I felt it all very rushed and it was not very clear to me because there were many things happening at the same time so I did not like it very much. Overall it was a very entertaining read but I wish the book had been longer so the characters could have been better known and the second half of the book didn't feel so rushed.
The first three chapters seemed a bit confusing to me as it features only three different characters and then that is of little importance in the book. At first the magic system seemed quite confusing to me but little by little it is clarifying. The first half of the book has a very good rhythm I read it very quickly but with so many characters sometimes I forgot who was who and had to reread it a couple of times. It's interesting how you discover how all the characters are related and how little by little you discover the mysteries of the house and Arnaud Demeure through their diaries (which I found very ingenious). Of course, the end of the book seemed to me that it was going very fast and I had many questions to solve. I felt it all very rushed and it was not very clear to me because there were many things happening at the same time so I did not like it very much. Overall it was a very entertaining read but I wish the book had been longer so the characters could have been better known and the second half of the book didn't feel so rushed.
October 30, 2021
The cover for this book is stunning and I knew from first glance I wanted to read it. The description tells of immortals and in particular Arnaud, a man who can fulfil your one true wish or conjure your worst nightmares. Eight invitations are sent out to eight mortals and this begins the story. There were multiple narratives in the story and at times a little too much description but I found I was invested in each character's story as the book progressed and I loved getting to see into each person's life and decisions. The storyline moves between past and present. I enjoyed the author's style of writing and the mystery included in the story. I enjoyed the fantasy elements also and the complex magical system that was created. At times the mythology was a little confusing, but overall, this was an enjoyable read and it kept me intrigued throughout.
October 6, 2021
This book was intriguing to piece all the details together. The first 15-20% of the book is confusing. My advise is to push through as everything becomes clear in later chapters. I do wish we had a little more character development. However, I enjoyed the investigation and mystery of the house in this book. A solid fantasy read!
August 29, 2021
Thanks, NetGalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read!
Finished the book in one breath and it's safe to say it was a really enjoyable read! It's a combination between fantasy and mystery with a lot of suspense and I truly liked this mix! All the essential characters are connected to each other and it was a pleasure slowly discovering their secrets. You like them, as much as hate them, blame them for things they did, as much as understand their motives. This is how characters should be written - with so many different layers, each one hiding a truth that provokes different emotions in you while reading!
Definitely recommend this book!
Finished the book in one breath and it's safe to say it was a really enjoyable read! It's a combination between fantasy and mystery with a lot of suspense and I truly liked this mix! All the essential characters are connected to each other and it was a pleasure slowly discovering their secrets. You like them, as much as hate them, blame them for things they did, as much as understand their motives. This is how characters should be written - with so many different layers, each one hiding a truth that provokes different emotions in you while reading!
Definitely recommend this book!
September 14, 2021
This was an intriguing and suspenseful book. The characters were quite interesting and relatable. I found it very enjoyable to read.
December 31, 2021
Although literary urban fantasy isn't my favourite, I have to say that I still enjoyed reading M.L. Blackbird's A Wish Too Dark And Kind. There were multiple narratives in the story and often a large amount of descriptiveness, but I found I was invested in the characters stories as things progressed. In the novel, a dinner party is hosted by the immortal prince, Arnaud Demeure who can fulfil wishes or conjure nightmares. There are eight guests each one hiding dark secrets and intentions. Overall, I was left a little confused but I'm still pleased to have picked this one up.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Little Blackbird LLC via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Little Blackbird LLC via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 28, 2021
If China Mieville collaborated with Justin Cronin to re-invent the urban fantasy genre from scratch, it might read something like this.
When I read the blurb, I initially expected something like a mystery-plot in the style of Agatha Christie, but with vampires (maybe?); while the cover, to me, says YA horror. Neither could be further from the truth, and I'd say the plot as well as the expectations aroused by the cover are perhaps a bit misleading. That's a shame, because this is an amazing book, but probably not what the YA paranormal/vampire mystery crowd might be looking for, and some readers who would very much enjoy this might not think to pick it up. We all judge our books by the covers, after all.
Paranormal, or urban fantasy, is often a pretty low-brow genre and focused mainly on a love story-aspect (let's call it what it is, porn with werewolves). And that's is a big damn shame, because this genre has the potential for so much more.
The labyrinthine horror-plot Blackbird weaves in a dry and detached style that couldn't be further removed from the purple prose often encountered in this genre made this a real joy to read.
I'll say that it's not an easy or fast read, however - you have to be on your toes to follow the interweaving plotlines and time strands, and the prose requires you to sit up and pay attention as well. Initially, it was a little confusing, but the longer you read, the more everything begins coming together.
If you are looking for a genre-bending literary urban fantasy, I would absolutely recommend giving this one a go! Perfect for fans of House of Leaves and China Mieville, as well as people who prefer their supernatural creatures on the horror side of things.
I want to thank NetGalley and M.L.Blackbird for a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.
When I read the blurb, I initially expected something like a mystery-plot in the style of Agatha Christie, but with vampires (maybe?); while the cover, to me, says YA horror. Neither could be further from the truth, and I'd say the plot as well as the expectations aroused by the cover are perhaps a bit misleading. That's a shame, because this is an amazing book, but probably not what the YA paranormal/vampire mystery crowd might be looking for, and some readers who would very much enjoy this might not think to pick it up. We all judge our books by the covers, after all.
Paranormal, or urban fantasy, is often a pretty low-brow genre and focused mainly on a love story-aspect (let's call it what it is, porn with werewolves). And that's is a big damn shame, because this genre has the potential for so much more.
The labyrinthine horror-plot Blackbird weaves in a dry and detached style that couldn't be further removed from the purple prose often encountered in this genre made this a real joy to read.
I'll say that it's not an easy or fast read, however - you have to be on your toes to follow the interweaving plotlines and time strands, and the prose requires you to sit up and pay attention as well. Initially, it was a little confusing, but the longer you read, the more everything begins coming together.
If you are looking for a genre-bending literary urban fantasy, I would absolutely recommend giving this one a go! Perfect for fans of House of Leaves and China Mieville, as well as people who prefer their supernatural creatures on the horror side of things.
I want to thank NetGalley and M.L.Blackbird for a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.
December 5, 2021
Intricate and bizarre
This one is a hell of a book. Multi-layered and nuanced, it kept me on my toes and I lost my footing a couple of times. It is grotesque, violent, even psychedelic.
I liked author's style and the fragmented feeling of narration, especially in the beginning. The bits in the middle were to drawn out and the book felt too long for its own good, though.
Perhaps, I found some elements of the story overly complicated but that is how the writer rolls, and you gotta respect that. There is a lot going on, many threads intertwining, and I am not sure that readers would get definitive answers to all their questions.
But maybe that will be this book's magic - letting readers figure things out.
It was an interesting read. Not without flaws but compelling nonetheless. I hope, this book will attract a wider audience and will give a good recognition to its autor.
I am wondering if the author would pursue the storyline in the future (there are some things that might need some clarification or development).
This one is a hell of a book. Multi-layered and nuanced, it kept me on my toes and I lost my footing a couple of times. It is grotesque, violent, even psychedelic.
I liked author's style and the fragmented feeling of narration, especially in the beginning. The bits in the middle were to drawn out and the book felt too long for its own good, though.
Perhaps, I found some elements of the story overly complicated but that is how the writer rolls, and you gotta respect that. There is a lot going on, many threads intertwining, and I am not sure that readers would get definitive answers to all their questions.
But maybe that will be this book's magic - letting readers figure things out.
It was an interesting read. Not without flaws but compelling nonetheless. I hope, this book will attract a wider audience and will give a good recognition to its autor.
I am wondering if the author would pursue the storyline in the future (there are some things that might need some clarification or development).
September 4, 2021
This book is actually interesting, both from the impressive cover and the premise which is quite promising. However, too bad that it's not well-executed and kinda messy. It was already confusing at the beginning with the short story of each character who was invited to the party with a less strong background as well. I can't feel connected to the characters because while reading I often think: “Um... who is that person again?” Maybe it's better if the plot is reversed, they meet first at the party, then start exploring the background of the characters one by one as the story progresses. About halfway through the book, I started to feel tired and give up on the seemingly endless and confusing plot and ended up skimming a lot to the end.
Another thing that really bugging me is the writing style. Some parts I think are better written with italic to distinguish the atmosphere. For example, when a letter is inserted, or when a character is listening to a recording, I think the contents of the recording should be written in italic so it won't be confusing.
Thank you for NetGalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.
Another thing that really bugging me is the writing style. Some parts I think are better written with italic to distinguish the atmosphere. For example, when a letter is inserted, or when a character is listening to a recording, I think the contents of the recording should be written in italic so it won't be confusing.
Thank you for NetGalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.
October 29, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Blackbird LLC for the arc of this book!
What would you do if you received an invitation to a gathering with someone who could grant you your wish? No one refuses the invite, but perhaps they will regret that decision...you never fully know what will be involved when magic and otherworldly beings are in attendance.
When I saw the cover, I was immediately intrigued, then I read the description and became even more curious about this book.
I was a bit slower to get going on this book as I had plans that got in the way, but when I could finally sit down and read, I just kept coming up with more and more questions pertaining to the book.
The book had some fresh ideas going and multiple perspectives, but I did sometimes need to reread sections here and there. I felt like there was so much story and detail in the author's mind, but not enough pages to portray it all. I became invested in each character and would love to get more of a backstory to how they each got to where they were as I feel, even after finishing the book, that I still do not have a complete picture of each individual and how they tie together with the others.
With the multiple perspectives and timelines, you really see how there are many sides to each character. Like in life, no one is fully good nor fully evil. It also gave us more insight into the different branches of this fantastical realm. As it was formatted, it does bounce between past journal entries to present day story-telling, but it did seem to tie more aspects together bringing forward the history of one main character.
I feel like I've only just dipped a toe into this universe rather than diving completely in. Ready to see what M.L. Blackbird comes up with next.
What would you do if you received an invitation to a gathering with someone who could grant you your wish? No one refuses the invite, but perhaps they will regret that decision...you never fully know what will be involved when magic and otherworldly beings are in attendance.
When I saw the cover, I was immediately intrigued, then I read the description and became even more curious about this book.
I was a bit slower to get going on this book as I had plans that got in the way, but when I could finally sit down and read, I just kept coming up with more and more questions pertaining to the book.
The book had some fresh ideas going and multiple perspectives, but I did sometimes need to reread sections here and there. I felt like there was so much story and detail in the author's mind, but not enough pages to portray it all. I became invested in each character and would love to get more of a backstory to how they each got to where they were as I feel, even after finishing the book, that I still do not have a complete picture of each individual and how they tie together with the others.
With the multiple perspectives and timelines, you really see how there are many sides to each character. Like in life, no one is fully good nor fully evil. It also gave us more insight into the different branches of this fantastical realm. As it was formatted, it does bounce between past journal entries to present day story-telling, but it did seem to tie more aspects together bringing forward the history of one main character.
I feel like I've only just dipped a toe into this universe rather than diving completely in. Ready to see what M.L. Blackbird comes up with next.
September 15, 2021
Thank you M.L. Blackbird for allowing me to review A Wish Too Dark and Kind.
An old prince. 8 party guests. A ritual sacrifice. Each guest has their own dark history and some are connected through more than just attending the same party. When they all find out why they are really at the party, can they stop the old prince before he goes too far?
A Wish Too Dark and Kind stands out because of the intricate “magick” system that has so clearly been thought out. I enjoyed the manner in which that “magick” is connected to telluric currents and a deeper energy. It is also made clear that “magick” has consequences and I found that this made it more realistic, in the sense that it is not so far-fetched.
The characters are well developed and certainly all have secrets that they are hiding. None of them seem completely good or evil, as each of their backstories allows you to understand them. You almost feel sad when something bad happens to a character you don’t like. I enjoyed Alex and the relationship she developed with Ioan. Together they made a good team, and we’re essential to the plan.
However, for the first 30% of the book, I had no idea what was happening. Take this as your warning: there are two stories being told. One is Arnaud Demeure’s story, the main antagonist, and the other story tells the events of the present. At first, I wasn’t aware that this was the case. As a result, I didn’t understand what the plot was for most of the book. I feel as though it could have been made more clear as to what everyone was and what their purpose was.
Another issue I had with this novel, which is more personal, is that it involved a bit too much religion and almost biblical references. I don’t like a book having too much to do with those topics, but as I said that is just a personal feeling.
Perhaps the fault is with me and I only need to read this book again to fully understand its workings.
Overall the plot was enticing and unpredictable! The characters were real! And I would certainly recommend this book to those looking for a fantasy novel that is darker, has a realistic and beautifully designed “magick” system, and is not like many of the fantasy novels you find on ‘bookstagram/booktok’.
An old prince. 8 party guests. A ritual sacrifice. Each guest has their own dark history and some are connected through more than just attending the same party. When they all find out why they are really at the party, can they stop the old prince before he goes too far?
A Wish Too Dark and Kind stands out because of the intricate “magick” system that has so clearly been thought out. I enjoyed the manner in which that “magick” is connected to telluric currents and a deeper energy. It is also made clear that “magick” has consequences and I found that this made it more realistic, in the sense that it is not so far-fetched.
The characters are well developed and certainly all have secrets that they are hiding. None of them seem completely good or evil, as each of their backstories allows you to understand them. You almost feel sad when something bad happens to a character you don’t like. I enjoyed Alex and the relationship she developed with Ioan. Together they made a good team, and we’re essential to the plan.
However, for the first 30% of the book, I had no idea what was happening. Take this as your warning: there are two stories being told. One is Arnaud Demeure’s story, the main antagonist, and the other story tells the events of the present. At first, I wasn’t aware that this was the case. As a result, I didn’t understand what the plot was for most of the book. I feel as though it could have been made more clear as to what everyone was and what their purpose was.
Another issue I had with this novel, which is more personal, is that it involved a bit too much religion and almost biblical references. I don’t like a book having too much to do with those topics, but as I said that is just a personal feeling.
Perhaps the fault is with me and I only need to read this book again to fully understand its workings.
Overall the plot was enticing and unpredictable! The characters were real! And I would certainly recommend this book to those looking for a fantasy novel that is darker, has a realistic and beautifully designed “magick” system, and is not like many of the fantasy novels you find on ‘bookstagram/booktok’.
October 15, 2021
This book was fun to read, the characters were drawn up in a vivid way. I loved the idea of the house and how it was presented. The story was a fun premise to follow.
I am however not giving five stars as I found the background of the story too complicated to follow at times, and some sections of the main story I found confusing to understand. But overall still a very enjoyable book!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
I am however not giving five stars as I found the background of the story too complicated to follow at times, and some sections of the main story I found confusing to understand. But overall still a very enjoyable book!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
October 1, 2021
The book starts off ... interestingly and took me a moment to know what was going on before we switched characters. We are introduced to Alexandra, or Alex, who works at the School of Winchester (Is this a Supernatural reference? I hope). My feelings towards her were conflicting. I mean, she is a boss-ass chick but sis is also rude, but it could just be her ego. She's practically immortal. Then we meet Millard and Hermann, and there are mentions of dreams and Paris. Then we meet Daniel, and if you are not catching on, we are going to keep meeting new characters.
Read more on my blog Inksoaked Page
Read more on my blog Inksoaked Page
September 23, 2021
I was provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a teenager, I might not be what the author intended as his primary audience for this because I had to give up the book halfway through. The story started really strong, but by the time I reached the end of the book I lost all interest, and it took so much willpower not to chuck it in the DNF zone.
You can check out my full review on my blog! https://bookistic17.blogspot.com/2021...
As a teenager, I might not be what the author intended as his primary audience for this because I had to give up the book halfway through. The story started really strong, but by the time I reached the end of the book I lost all interest, and it took so much willpower not to chuck it in the DNF zone.
You can check out my full review on my blog! https://bookistic17.blogspot.com/2021...
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September 19, 2021This review is based on an ARC of A Wish Too Dark and Kind which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Little Blackbird LLC./IBPA).
DNF @ 41%
Well, the cover is really good...
I don't know what went wrong here, but this book just Wasn't for Me™. I couldn't get immersed, couldn't get a feel for the characters, couldn't find a sense of place or time... For the longest time I kept trying to get into the story, but I was just reading and not retaining.
The writing is really good, in a standard, textbook sense. I see many rave reviews of the book. Something with me just didn't click here.
DNF @ 41%
Well, the cover is really good...
I don't know what went wrong here, but this book just Wasn't for Me™. I couldn't get immersed, couldn't get a feel for the characters, couldn't find a sense of place or time... For the longest time I kept trying to get into the story, but I was just reading and not retaining.
The writing is really good, in a standard, textbook sense. I see many rave reviews of the book. Something with me just didn't click here.
January 16, 2022
I need a physical copy of this book to reread because it was great and I would love to examine it closely. Great character development, complicated plot, great action.
January 14, 2022
A very gripping and entertaining book.
The story progresses at a nice pace and characters have the right amount of background story to make you feel attached to them.
The environment are fitting and well described too.
The story progresses at a nice pace and characters have the right amount of background story to make you feel attached to them.
The environment are fitting and well described too.
December 31, 2021
*3.5 rounded up to 4*
I will admit that this took me a while to get going. I put this down several times because I felt to stupid to continue reading it. The writing style is way more fancy than I am, like I knew the words on the page but didn't understand what the whole sentence was telling me. I had to reread several times and then it was a little confusing knowing what character's POV you were in so I then had to reread again to get that part. So with all the rereading, the first part of the book I have managed to memorize and could probably tell you the whole thing by heart. BUT once this got going, I was on board. I started to understand the characters, the magical structure and everything started to come together. I loved the premise and the little slice of mystery surrounding the narrative. And that cover art is still my favorite!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Blackbird LLC for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit that this took me a while to get going. I put this down several times because I felt to stupid to continue reading it. The writing style is way more fancy than I am, like I knew the words on the page but didn't understand what the whole sentence was telling me. I had to reread several times and then it was a little confusing knowing what character's POV you were in so I then had to reread again to get that part. So with all the rereading, the first part of the book I have managed to memorize and could probably tell you the whole thing by heart. BUT once this got going, I was on board. I started to understand the characters, the magical structure and everything started to come together. I loved the premise and the little slice of mystery surrounding the narrative. And that cover art is still my favorite!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Blackbird LLC for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
A Wish Too Dark and Kind review
Thank you NetGalley for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is a genre blend of fantasy, mystery, and horror and it’s full of with murder, mayhem, blood, betrayals, and of course, lots of magic. M. L. Blackbird invites readers to join the colorful cast of characters as they unravel the secrets a mysterious magic-user has in store. The story is at times confusing, but I think it's done in the way of the mystery genre where readers are meant to follow along and try to figure it out for themselves alongside the characters. I didn't love it, but I do think it was intentional. This book was really interesting though. There are multiple points of view which was interesting for world-building because each character has a unique experience with magic and use different magic systems. At different points in the story, these characters explain to each other (and readers) how these magic systems work. I liked this and found it helpful. I like that the story functions as a mystery box of sorts and that's also one of the settings which I thought was fun. I truthfully didn't understand everything (and perhaps I just wasn't reading closely enough) but I found some parts a touch confusing.
The concept of this book is compelling: a strange invitation from an even stranger sender that causes several strangers to meet and must solve a mystery about how they all fit into the puzzle their host has created. Although it was not my favorite, this book is a solid blend of fantasy, mystery, and horror.
3 out of 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is a genre blend of fantasy, mystery, and horror and it’s full of with murder, mayhem, blood, betrayals, and of course, lots of magic. M. L. Blackbird invites readers to join the colorful cast of characters as they unravel the secrets a mysterious magic-user has in store. The story is at times confusing, but I think it's done in the way of the mystery genre where readers are meant to follow along and try to figure it out for themselves alongside the characters. I didn't love it, but I do think it was intentional. This book was really interesting though. There are multiple points of view which was interesting for world-building because each character has a unique experience with magic and use different magic systems. At different points in the story, these characters explain to each other (and readers) how these magic systems work. I liked this and found it helpful. I like that the story functions as a mystery box of sorts and that's also one of the settings which I thought was fun. I truthfully didn't understand everything (and perhaps I just wasn't reading closely enough) but I found some parts a touch confusing.
The concept of this book is compelling: a strange invitation from an even stranger sender that causes several strangers to meet and must solve a mystery about how they all fit into the puzzle their host has created. Although it was not my favorite, this book is a solid blend of fantasy, mystery, and horror.
3 out of 5 stars
October 31, 2021
dnf on page 112
trigger warning
People are invited to a party. Not any people, mind, every single one of them is immortal, some of them even possessing the ability to do magick. Another thing the guest have in common is that they are not sure about the purpose of this party.
The first 20 pages rocked, then I quit because it was the middle of the night and I needed to sleep. Next day, it felt like I had an entirely different book before me.
The writing and especially the timeline feel very messy. Other reviewers say it makes sense and the end, but at the point I quit, it didn't. On one hand, I do not like being kept in the dark and not knowing anything about what's happening, on the other hand, I recently read Harrow the Ninth which is exactly like that, the not knowing, the guessing, getting new data, guessing again. I loved Harrow the Ninth, but the reading experience was entirely different to what we have here.
You see, it feels like following a writing newbie who has all these fun ideas but hasn't learned yet to tie them together. It feels like said ideas are the best of the book, and the characters are flat and will be forever. There is no much a mystery as the sense of mystery, which makes me care not at all about what will go down, because the author doesn't seem fully convinced, either.
I had problems keeping the characters apart. Only one felt clearly characterised, and that's Alex, who just is against everything and anyone and is used so the author themselves doesn't have to infodump via narrator, because Alex really loves patronising by explaining.
In fact, the scene I quit at was her explaining the system of magic randomly in the middle of the book.
There were oddly phrased sentences and I even found a grammatical error nobody edited out, but forgot to mark the page on my e-reader so I can't find an report it. Oh well.
Not my cup of tea, though the premise seemed so fun.
It's marketed as being like Knives Out, and please, ignore that. It really isn't a cozy crime novel with fantasy elements, it's more... look we're cool immortals, admire us. I'd more recommend it to Anne Rice fans, but then I would not recommend it at all because I didn't get along with it in any way.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
trigger warning
People are invited to a party. Not any people, mind, every single one of them is immortal, some of them even possessing the ability to do magick. Another thing the guest have in common is that they are not sure about the purpose of this party.
The first 20 pages rocked, then I quit because it was the middle of the night and I needed to sleep. Next day, it felt like I had an entirely different book before me.
The writing and especially the timeline feel very messy. Other reviewers say it makes sense and the end, but at the point I quit, it didn't. On one hand, I do not like being kept in the dark and not knowing anything about what's happening, on the other hand, I recently read Harrow the Ninth which is exactly like that, the not knowing, the guessing, getting new data, guessing again. I loved Harrow the Ninth, but the reading experience was entirely different to what we have here.
You see, it feels like following a writing newbie who has all these fun ideas but hasn't learned yet to tie them together. It feels like said ideas are the best of the book, and the characters are flat and will be forever. There is no much a mystery as the sense of mystery, which makes me care not at all about what will go down, because the author doesn't seem fully convinced, either.
I had problems keeping the characters apart. Only one felt clearly characterised, and that's Alex, who just is against everything and anyone and is used so the author themselves doesn't have to infodump via narrator, because Alex really loves patronising by explaining.
In fact, the scene I quit at was her explaining the system of magic randomly in the middle of the book.
There were oddly phrased sentences and I even found a grammatical error nobody edited out, but forgot to mark the page on my e-reader so I can't find an report it. Oh well.
Not my cup of tea, though the premise seemed so fun.
It's marketed as being like Knives Out, and please, ignore that. It really isn't a cozy crime novel with fantasy elements, it's more... look we're cool immortals, admire us. I'd more recommend it to Anne Rice fans, but then I would not recommend it at all because I didn't get along with it in any way.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
January 31, 2022
It felt like the author was trying to retell a movie he had watched a while back. There was so much information missing that would have helped the reader understand the story and quite a few chapters that had nothing to do with the overall story. Also quite a few plot holes and an ending that left me feeling nothing.
I believe the author just tried to put too many ideas into one book and it didn't translate to those of us who can't read his mind.
I believe the author just tried to put too many ideas into one book and it didn't translate to those of us who can't read his mind.
February 19, 2022
Spanish/English review.
Ocho invitaciones a una fiesta son enviadas a ocho inmortales que no tienen idea qué hacen ahí o cuál es la intención del Príncipe en invitarlos.
Un profeta, una bruja, un chico, un dandi, una monja, son algunos de los invitados y quienes deben evitar que ese ritual maligno se lleve a cabo.
El libro presenta muchos personajes. No sólo estos ocho invitados sino también el príncipe, su pasado, sus sirvientes, los familiares. Hay muchas historias y el libro al principio puede ser un poco pesado de leer (varias veces volví atrás porque no me acordaba qué personaje era del que hablaba).
La trama del libro se presenta incluso más llegando al final. Se nota que hay bastante esmero por presentar a todos los personajes, que empatices (o no) con algunos y que vayas descubriendo el hilo conductor que los guía.
La parte de la magia se explica de una forma un poco rebuscada, pero se entiende una vez se sigue hablando de eso y si no les gustan las cosas cuánticas no pasa nada porque a lo que es la historia no tiene tanta relevancia. Hay cosas que no se explican pero tampoco es que haga falta (como la inmortalidad y la particularidad que tienen los Inmortales).
Lo leí rápido porque me gustó, así que lo recomiendo. Tiene magia, inmortales, amor, traiciones, lobos... Bueno, si les gusta el género este libro les va a gustar.
***
Eight invitations to a party are sent to eight immortals who have no idea what they are doing there or what the Prince's intention is in inviting them.
A prophet, a witch, a boy, a dandy, a nun are some of the guests and those who must prevent this evil ritual from taking place.
The book features many characters. Not only these eight guests but also the prince, his past, his servants, the relatives. There are many stories and the book at first can be a bit heavy to read (several times I went back because I couldn't remember which character the book was talking about).
The plot of the book is presented towards the end. There is a lot care to present the characters, that you empathize (or not) with some, and that you discover the common thread that guides them.
The magick part is explained in a way that's kind of difficult to follow, but if you don't like 'quantum' things it's ok because that is not soooo relevant (but I hardly recommend to read it again and try to understand). There are things that are not explained but it is not necessary either (such as immortality and the particularity that the Immortals have).
I read it quickly because actually I really liked it, so I recommend this book. It has magick, immortals, love, betrayals, wolves... Well, if you like the genre, you're going to like it!
Thank you NetGalley and M.L. Blackbird for giving me the chance to read them and fall in love with (almost) all the characters <3
Ocho invitaciones a una fiesta son enviadas a ocho inmortales que no tienen idea qué hacen ahí o cuál es la intención del Príncipe en invitarlos.
Un profeta, una bruja, un chico, un dandi, una monja, son algunos de los invitados y quienes deben evitar que ese ritual maligno se lleve a cabo.
El libro presenta muchos personajes. No sólo estos ocho invitados sino también el príncipe, su pasado, sus sirvientes, los familiares. Hay muchas historias y el libro al principio puede ser un poco pesado de leer (varias veces volví atrás porque no me acordaba qué personaje era del que hablaba).
La trama del libro se presenta incluso más llegando al final. Se nota que hay bastante esmero por presentar a todos los personajes, que empatices (o no) con algunos y que vayas descubriendo el hilo conductor que los guía.
La parte de la magia se explica de una forma un poco rebuscada, pero se entiende una vez se sigue hablando de eso y si no les gustan las cosas cuánticas no pasa nada porque a lo que es la historia no tiene tanta relevancia. Hay cosas que no se explican pero tampoco es que haga falta (como la inmortalidad y la particularidad que tienen los Inmortales).
Lo leí rápido porque me gustó, así que lo recomiendo. Tiene magia, inmortales, amor, traiciones, lobos... Bueno, si les gusta el género este libro les va a gustar.
***
Eight invitations to a party are sent to eight immortals who have no idea what they are doing there or what the Prince's intention is in inviting them.
A prophet, a witch, a boy, a dandy, a nun are some of the guests and those who must prevent this evil ritual from taking place.
The book features many characters. Not only these eight guests but also the prince, his past, his servants, the relatives. There are many stories and the book at first can be a bit heavy to read (several times I went back because I couldn't remember which character the book was talking about).
The plot of the book is presented towards the end. There is a lot care to present the characters, that you empathize (or not) with some, and that you discover the common thread that guides them.
The magick part is explained in a way that's kind of difficult to follow, but if you don't like 'quantum' things it's ok because that is not soooo relevant (but I hardly recommend to read it again and try to understand). There are things that are not explained but it is not necessary either (such as immortality and the particularity that the Immortals have).
I read it quickly because actually I really liked it, so I recommend this book. It has magick, immortals, love, betrayals, wolves... Well, if you like the genre, you're going to like it!
Thank you NetGalley and M.L. Blackbird for giving me the chance to read them and fall in love with (almost) all the characters <3
October 6, 2021
A Wish Too Dark and Kind takes place at a dinner party hosted by the immortal "prince of Paris" Arnaud Demeure. The book switches back and forth from revealing Demeure's convoluted backstory and motivation to following his (also immortal) dinner party guests as they try and figure out the dark purpose Demeure truly has for summoning them.
I wasn't too sure about the premise of this book but after the first 50 or so pages I started to really get into it. As other reviewers have mentioned I was really interested in Alex's character and was looking forward to getting invested in other characters but they never seemed to really be fleshed out the same way. There is a lot of really good and interesting stuff here- Alex as I mentioned and also Demeure's "sister" Valentine, a cool magic system and world-building that incorporates mythology and biblical themes, and lots of mystery and complicated family dynamics. Unfortunately the pieces don't really come together and it ends up feeling like the author is trying to do too much in one short book. I liked some of the characterization and the writing so even though I might not recommend this book I would be interested to read other by Blackbird.
I wasn't too sure about the premise of this book but after the first 50 or so pages I started to really get into it. As other reviewers have mentioned I was really interested in Alex's character and was looking forward to getting invested in other characters but they never seemed to really be fleshed out the same way. There is a lot of really good and interesting stuff here- Alex as I mentioned and also Demeure's "sister" Valentine, a cool magic system and world-building that incorporates mythology and biblical themes, and lots of mystery and complicated family dynamics. Unfortunately the pieces don't really come together and it ends up feeling like the author is trying to do too much in one short book. I liked some of the characterization and the writing so even though I might not recommend this book I would be interested to read other by Blackbird.
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