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The Bloodlender Trilogy #1
Bloodlender
An ancient magic. A secret garden. A deadly curse.
Haunted by her father’s unsolved murder, all sixteen-year-old Sophie wants is to keep a low profile. Instead, there’s a dangerous magic stirring in her veins… and she has no idea how to stop it.
After she accidentally puts her mother in a coma, Sophie is forced to move in with the elusive Delville family, whose historic French manor holds secrets even darker than hers. Their son, Gauthier, is dying from a mysterious illness, while deep in the abandoned garden, old ghosts are stirring.
As she struggles to control her powers, Sophie learns that she is Gauthier’s last hope. But when new evidence about her father’s death threatens to shatter their growing bond, she faces the ultimate dilemma: get revenge or save the boy she’s falling for…
…that is, if her blood doesn’t kill them both first.
Haunted by her father’s unsolved murder, all sixteen-year-old Sophie wants is to keep a low profile. Instead, there’s a dangerous magic stirring in her veins… and she has no idea how to stop it.
After she accidentally puts her mother in a coma, Sophie is forced to move in with the elusive Delville family, whose historic French manor holds secrets even darker than hers. Their son, Gauthier, is dying from a mysterious illness, while deep in the abandoned garden, old ghosts are stirring.
As she struggles to control her powers, Sophie learns that she is Gauthier’s last hope. But when new evidence about her father’s death threatens to shatter their growing bond, she faces the ultimate dilemma: get revenge or save the boy she’s falling for…
…that is, if her blood doesn’t kill them both first.
317 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2022
16 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 23, 2022
You know what I hate about reading ARCs? The fact I have just read an amazing book and now have to wait for others to read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
Bloodlender by Zoé Perrenoud is the first book in a YA trilogy by the same name. Set in modern day France, the story is told by 16 year old Sophie who stumbles into a mystery that has life or death consequences for herself, her family, and others. Bloodlender blends magic, science, and folklore together in a way that sucks the reader in and makes you believe it is all real.
I strongly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy a good mystery, curses, a dash of fantasy, and a strongly written female lead.
4.75 stars (rounded up to 5)
Bloodlender by Zoé Perrenoud is the first book in a YA trilogy by the same name. Set in modern day France, the story is told by 16 year old Sophie who stumbles into a mystery that has life or death consequences for herself, her family, and others. Bloodlender blends magic, science, and folklore together in a way that sucks the reader in and makes you believe it is all real.
I strongly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy a good mystery, curses, a dash of fantasy, and a strongly written female lead.
4.75 stars (rounded up to 5)
March 11, 2022
Sophie is a 16-year-old living in Vichy, France, with her "paranoid" mother. At the very beginning of the book, Sophie discovers she has an ancient magic inside her – something she had never been aware of, something magical but dangerous, something she doesn't yet know how to control. And, as the blurb says, something that causes her to accidentallly put her mother in a coma. She is then forced to go live with her mother's employer and his family, where she gets to know their son, the dying Gauthier. Will she be able to help him?
The story is wonderfully written, so much so that I struggled to believe this was a debut novel. The characterization is flawless, the ambiance great, the setting excellent, the plot well constructed. It is a page-turner, one I couldn't put down, especially after the first third or so. I'm truly looking forward to knowing what happens next, but I will have to be patient as the second book isn't out yet.
I recommend this book to all those who love fantasy and don't mind if it is YA (it's actually a plus, in my view). Not G.R.R. Martin kind of fantasy, think rather Neil Gaiman weird worlds.
The story is wonderfully written, so much so that I struggled to believe this was a debut novel. The characterization is flawless, the ambiance great, the setting excellent, the plot well constructed. It is a page-turner, one I couldn't put down, especially after the first third or so. I'm truly looking forward to knowing what happens next, but I will have to be patient as the second book isn't out yet.
I recommend this book to all those who love fantasy and don't mind if it is YA (it's actually a plus, in my view). Not G.R.R. Martin kind of fantasy, think rather Neil Gaiman weird worlds.
March 11, 2022
This is the first book in the Bloodlender series. This book has a strong, well-developed and an interesting story line with twists and unexpected turns keep you reading and turning the pages. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. Amazing world building that is detailed and imaginable. I felt like I was right there watching, feeling, and experiencing the book...not just reading it. The atmosphere created and characters were so realistic. Strong, interesting, and fascinating characters that are well developed and diverse. This is a fast-paced intriguing read!
August 7, 2022
This book will take you on a journey.
A journey of wonder...
Discovery...
Beauty.
Inside, you will find tales of magic...
Tales of darkness...
Betrayal...
Love lost...
... and love found.
So if you're in the mood for fancy old manors...
Haunted gardens...
Family secrets...
and deadly curses...?
Maybe this book is for you.
Enjoy!
A journey of wonder...
Discovery...
Beauty.
Inside, you will find tales of magic...
Tales of darkness...
Betrayal...
Love lost...
... and love found.
So if you're in the mood for fancy old manors...
Haunted gardens...
Family secrets...
and deadly curses...?
Maybe this book is for you.
Enjoy!
February 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and was hooked from the first page.
The story was well written and immersive, I found Sophie’s story really intriguing.
I would definitely recommend this book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story was well written and immersive, I found Sophie’s story really intriguing.
I would definitely recommend this book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2022
Excellent read that's not just for young adults. I loved the story and couldn't put it down. Really looking forward to the next installment.
March 5, 2022
Bloodlender by Zoé Perrenound
When Sophie accidentally puts her mother in a coma, her eyes are opened to a side of her that she wasn't aware existed. The magic running through her veins puts her and others at risk, meaning gaining control of her powers is a major priority. But she is distracted by several things. Finding out the truth about her father's murder and the son of the family she is staying with. The boy, Gauthier, suffers with a serious illness and Sophie may be his only hope for survival.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in modern times, with a little magic and mystery mixed in, creating a great story and protagonist. I feel like the magic was quite unique and didn't use the typical tropes of fantasy, such as mythical creatures. For the first half of the book it felt like there were 2 different stories happening at once and during the second half it was all pieced together. My only issue was that the diary entries being in italics made those sections quite difficult to read. This could have been due to reading it on a tablet though, so a physical book might not have this issue.
Overall I think this book is fantastic and I think anyone who enjoys a Young Adult Fiction with a little bit of fantasy would really enjoy this book very much. I look forward to reading the rest of the series in the future.
When Sophie accidentally puts her mother in a coma, her eyes are opened to a side of her that she wasn't aware existed. The magic running through her veins puts her and others at risk, meaning gaining control of her powers is a major priority. But she is distracted by several things. Finding out the truth about her father's murder and the son of the family she is staying with. The boy, Gauthier, suffers with a serious illness and Sophie may be his only hope for survival.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in modern times, with a little magic and mystery mixed in, creating a great story and protagonist. I feel like the magic was quite unique and didn't use the typical tropes of fantasy, such as mythical creatures. For the first half of the book it felt like there were 2 different stories happening at once and during the second half it was all pieced together. My only issue was that the diary entries being in italics made those sections quite difficult to read. This could have been due to reading it on a tablet though, so a physical book might not have this issue.
Overall I think this book is fantastic and I think anyone who enjoys a Young Adult Fiction with a little bit of fantasy would really enjoy this book very much. I look forward to reading the rest of the series in the future.
March 16, 2022
It is now past 1:30 am - I didn't even realise how time passed, I just couldn't put the book down. I had to find out how it ended. The story is gripping and filled with intriguing details, to be enjoyed by adults of all ages. Can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy!
April 4, 2022
Gripping, could not put it down.
An excellent book that will take you on a journey and have you guessing throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed reading book 1 and can't wait for book 2 to be released.
An excellent book that will take you on a journey and have you guessing throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed reading book 1 and can't wait for book 2 to be released.
February 7, 2022
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Bloodlender by Zoe Perrenoud is an amazing YA fantasy that you will be not be able to put down! The story revolves around Sophie, a 16 year-old girl who has dangerous magic powers in her blood. One day, Sophie is forced to move into a creepy Gothic mansion. While there, she meets the heir of the powerful Delville family, Gauthier, a handsome young man who has a mysterious illness. Will Sophie learn to control her powers? Will sparks fly between her and Gauthier?
Here is a magical excerpt from Chapter 1, which introduces us to Sophie:
"The day my father was murdered, I made him a promise.
Not that I knew something was going to happen to him. None of us did. We had lunch at a bistro by the opera house. Roast chicken and chocolate mouse. He tried to hold my hand on the way home, but I told him I was too old for that. Maman was in one of her moods, marching ahead like we didn't even know each other.
'Why's she mad at us?' I asked Papa.
He sighed. 'No reason. Best to leave your mother alone when she's like this.'
'But she hates it when I get mad. How come she gets away with it?'
'Because it's important we keep her happy.'"
Overall, Bloodlender is an exciting YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of Crimson Peak or Avatar: The Last Airbender. One highlight of this book is the Gothic mansion that Sophie and Gauthier are living in. Crimson Peak is one of my favorite movies, because it embodies that creepy atmosphere so well. Another highlight of this book are Sophie's cool powers. It reminded me a bit of the "blood-bending" in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Even if you haven't watched that TV show, you will enjoy learning about Sophie's power as she does. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!
Bloodlender by Zoe Perrenoud is an amazing YA fantasy that you will be not be able to put down! The story revolves around Sophie, a 16 year-old girl who has dangerous magic powers in her blood. One day, Sophie is forced to move into a creepy Gothic mansion. While there, she meets the heir of the powerful Delville family, Gauthier, a handsome young man who has a mysterious illness. Will Sophie learn to control her powers? Will sparks fly between her and Gauthier?
Here is a magical excerpt from Chapter 1, which introduces us to Sophie:
"The day my father was murdered, I made him a promise.
Not that I knew something was going to happen to him. None of us did. We had lunch at a bistro by the opera house. Roast chicken and chocolate mouse. He tried to hold my hand on the way home, but I told him I was too old for that. Maman was in one of her moods, marching ahead like we didn't even know each other.
'Why's she mad at us?' I asked Papa.
He sighed. 'No reason. Best to leave your mother alone when she's like this.'
'But she hates it when I get mad. How come she gets away with it?'
'Because it's important we keep her happy.'"
Overall, Bloodlender is an exciting YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of Crimson Peak or Avatar: The Last Airbender. One highlight of this book is the Gothic mansion that Sophie and Gauthier are living in. Crimson Peak is one of my favorite movies, because it embodies that creepy atmosphere so well. Another highlight of this book are Sophie's cool powers. It reminded me a bit of the "blood-bending" in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Even if you haven't watched that TV show, you will enjoy learning about Sophie's power as she does. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!
March 9, 2022
This book spends time building an evocative fascinating world but the pace builds to make it unputdownable by the end, and I can't wait to read the second book. The idea itself is original and a fresh take on typical YA tropes. I love the fact that the story takes place in a bilingual setting, giving literary life to Vichy, a place in the English-speaking world is little known except perhaps for its second world war government and bottled water (more on that later...). This book is strongly in the urban fantasy YA tradition so all the reasons why you love the genre you'll find here - but it's also a unique twist. I love this world and can't wait to go back there.
March 2, 2022
This debut YA fantasy novel has everything you could want: An engaging heroine with a mysterious past, an unusual setting (I don't think I've ever read a fantasy book set in France _and_ in the present day), and a magical system which is both distinctive and believable.
On the day her father died, Sophie promised him that she would always mind her mother and try to keep her happy. But with unknown magic in her veins, that is a promise Sophie cannot keep, and one day tragedy occurs. As Sophie attempts to understand her heritage, her magic, and how to control it, we see her struggle not only with deep things like betrayal but also the usual teenage concerns, such as whether she'll ever get a date with the cute guy at school.
There are so many different threads and layers and levels in this story. Completely enjoyed it, cannot wait to read the sequel!
On the day her father died, Sophie promised him that she would always mind her mother and try to keep her happy. But with unknown magic in her veins, that is a promise Sophie cannot keep, and one day tragedy occurs. As Sophie attempts to understand her heritage, her magic, and how to control it, we see her struggle not only with deep things like betrayal but also the usual teenage concerns, such as whether she'll ever get a date with the cute guy at school.
There are so many different threads and layers and levels in this story. Completely enjoyed it, cannot wait to read the sequel!
March 6, 2022
Good YA story with mixes of elements from curses, family dark history, and a good mystery all blended to make a good tale. Sophie is a great characters and the storyline keeps you interested in what will happen next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2022
This was good, albeit a little a bland. This was like the white rice of fantasy… it filled you up, but it didn’t really have any flavor. The setting is beautiful, Vichy, France and a 16 year-old girl who already lost one parent.
At it’s heart, this is a book about necromancy. I’ve read several necromancy novels and it’s just not my favorite topic, but out of all I’ve read this one was the best. The idea of blood letting in relation to growing decaying plants and other dying things was a really fresh view on the subject. I just needed more. More romance, more family history, more friendships, more pages. And that’s a good thing that I wanted more, right? I didn’t need more to understand and appreciate the story, the author did their job. But I wanted more. I think this could really benefit from a second book.
At it’s heart, this is a book about necromancy. I’ve read several necromancy novels and it’s just not my favorite topic, but out of all I’ve read this one was the best. The idea of blood letting in relation to growing decaying plants and other dying things was a really fresh view on the subject. I just needed more. More romance, more family history, more friendships, more pages. And that’s a good thing that I wanted more, right? I didn’t need more to understand and appreciate the story, the author did their job. But I wanted more. I think this could really benefit from a second book.
July 2, 2022
There is no exaggeration in saying that Bloodlender by Zoé Perrenoud captivated me before the end of the first chapter. It really starts off with a bang. Expertly weaving the story until I could not put it down. I found myself falling asleep in the wee hours with it still in my hand and only 5 pages left! Try as I might to finish them.
Sprinkle in a budding romance, and throw in a lot of magic, ancient curses, gardens that are alive, God's that exist, and too many lies and deceptions. The twists keep coming and Zoé ensnares you in her Venus fly trap, giving you characters that you love and love to hate. Only to find, things aren't always what they seem.
Protagonist Sophie, a 16 year old girl, whom is well written as a typical teenager who lost her dear father some years before, only to be left with her overbearing slightly crazy mother with whom she never had a real connection with. Until one night she is forced into the reality that she has powers she never knew existed and finds out about her fathers deception and failure to prepare her for who and what she is. Leaving her ill prepared to face what is coming. Her growth throughout the book, as events unfold is believable and wonderful to experience. She is ripped from her unhappy existence and thrust into a reality she never saw coming. Unprepared for what she finds out about herself, I feel she musters up to the task at a believable pace with determination. Despite her confusion, and the lies and mixed information she receives, threatening at every turn to finally break her. Her hopes swell and fall and she navigates it all with a complete lack of support. She goes at it alone and comes out strong.
Enter Gauthier. The moody, and cursed boy interest of Sophie. Where I understand why some may not like him at first as he comes off as a bit of a jerk, it is easy to understand his situation and see his defense mechanisms at work. He is truly a great guy who has been dealt more bum hands than anyone knows.
The supporting characters, truly keep you on your toes, providing the twists that feed this cursed story and make it great.
This is the first in a trilogy, and as you near the end you are cheering inside that things will resolve and that Sophie has come into her own..... then, another twist. Leaving you in angst for the next installment.
Sprinkle in a budding romance, and throw in a lot of magic, ancient curses, gardens that are alive, God's that exist, and too many lies and deceptions. The twists keep coming and Zoé ensnares you in her Venus fly trap, giving you characters that you love and love to hate. Only to find, things aren't always what they seem.
Protagonist Sophie, a 16 year old girl, whom is well written as a typical teenager who lost her dear father some years before, only to be left with her overbearing slightly crazy mother with whom she never had a real connection with. Until one night she is forced into the reality that she has powers she never knew existed and finds out about her fathers deception and failure to prepare her for who and what she is. Leaving her ill prepared to face what is coming. Her growth throughout the book, as events unfold is believable and wonderful to experience. She is ripped from her unhappy existence and thrust into a reality she never saw coming. Unprepared for what she finds out about herself, I feel she musters up to the task at a believable pace with determination. Despite her confusion, and the lies and mixed information she receives, threatening at every turn to finally break her. Her hopes swell and fall and she navigates it all with a complete lack of support. She goes at it alone and comes out strong.
Enter Gauthier. The moody, and cursed boy interest of Sophie. Where I understand why some may not like him at first as he comes off as a bit of a jerk, it is easy to understand his situation and see his defense mechanisms at work. He is truly a great guy who has been dealt more bum hands than anyone knows.
The supporting characters, truly keep you on your toes, providing the twists that feed this cursed story and make it great.
This is the first in a trilogy, and as you near the end you are cheering inside that things will resolve and that Sophie has come into her own..... then, another twist. Leaving you in angst for the next installment.
Read
June 27, 2022I was given an E-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our Heroine is 16 year old Sophie, a very well written main character. Not a perfect person but very likeable.
This book is fast paced beginning to end and there are no ends to the twists and turns throughout. It was face paced but a slow build and I loved it.
I can’t count how many time I gasped. I can quite often guess where a book is going or what will happen, and for the first time in a long time I didn’t guess anything right!!!! And the ending, boy did I not see that happening.
The information behind the mystery of her father murder, her abilities and the Delville family curse were seeds sown throughout the whole book which kept you on edge.
Zoé manages to blend magic, mystery and elements of folklore and the paranormal into one big feast that is sure to draw any reader into its clutches. There were definitely strong influences such as The Secret Garden involved in this novel and sometimes I felt like I was reading a new dark modern retelling.
This story isn’t one for those looking for romance, though our sweet hero is a loveable character. The subject was touched upon and I feel will be delved into further in book two but don’t expect it going into the book, trust me, there’s so much more to be thinking about.
I’m so bummed I have to wait for book two to come out now, but I for sure am looking forward to it.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our Heroine is 16 year old Sophie, a very well written main character. Not a perfect person but very likeable.
This book is fast paced beginning to end and there are no ends to the twists and turns throughout. It was face paced but a slow build and I loved it.
I can’t count how many time I gasped. I can quite often guess where a book is going or what will happen, and for the first time in a long time I didn’t guess anything right!!!! And the ending, boy did I not see that happening.
The information behind the mystery of her father murder, her abilities and the Delville family curse were seeds sown throughout the whole book which kept you on edge.
Zoé manages to blend magic, mystery and elements of folklore and the paranormal into one big feast that is sure to draw any reader into its clutches. There were definitely strong influences such as The Secret Garden involved in this novel and sometimes I felt like I was reading a new dark modern retelling.
This story isn’t one for those looking for romance, though our sweet hero is a loveable character. The subject was touched upon and I feel will be delved into further in book two but don’t expect it going into the book, trust me, there’s so much more to be thinking about.
I’m so bummed I have to wait for book two to come out now, but I for sure am looking forward to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2022
I enjoyed the flow of the authors writing. I didn’t mind needing to do a bit of research as this is a bilingual text. I thought that the French inclusion made this book unique. The story itself was engaging and I enjoyed all the day to day realness involved.
Bloodlender jumps right into the life of Sophie a 16 year old French girl. Whose life is thrown off course by a session of events. I liked the dynamics between Sophie and the other characters. Of course I loved Gauthier character, morally grey is my middle name. As well as Tante Adele, their were parts I didn’t see coming and I enjoyed the fantasy vs real world feel.
Overall I enjoy this read and couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen next. I will be looking for the next installment and can’t wait to read it ❤️🔥
Thank you to the Author & @booksprout for this EARC in exchange for my honest review.
Bloodlender jumps right into the life of Sophie a 16 year old French girl. Whose life is thrown off course by a session of events. I liked the dynamics between Sophie and the other characters. Of course I loved Gauthier character, morally grey is my middle name. As well as Tante Adele, their were parts I didn’t see coming and I enjoyed the fantasy vs real world feel.
Overall I enjoy this read and couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen next. I will be looking for the next installment and can’t wait to read it ❤️🔥
Thank you to the Author & @booksprout for this EARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2022
It hooks you quick and doesn’t let go.
Sophie accidentally discovers she’s different when she sets her house on fire and subsequently puts her mother into a coma. From there her mothers boss takes her in and we meet their dying son. Gauthier is a multifaceted character that I didn’t like at first but quickly grew to love.
There’s something going on with the Delville family and their mansion and the more it unravels the more invested I became.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Sophie’s life outside of her family and the Delvilles, her school friends were pretty shallow and one dimensional.
The story has several twists and reveals I didn’t see coming as well as some I did but it didn’t lessen the impact.
The ending was amazing and of course, since it’s part of a trilogy, it ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Sophie accidentally discovers she’s different when she sets her house on fire and subsequently puts her mother into a coma. From there her mothers boss takes her in and we meet their dying son. Gauthier is a multifaceted character that I didn’t like at first but quickly grew to love.
There’s something going on with the Delville family and their mansion and the more it unravels the more invested I became.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Sophie’s life outside of her family and the Delvilles, her school friends were pretty shallow and one dimensional.
The story has several twists and reveals I didn’t see coming as well as some I did but it didn’t lessen the impact.
The ending was amazing and of course, since it’s part of a trilogy, it ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
June 30, 2022
This book is beautifully written and reminded me of the secret garden immediately in it's slightly older form of writing. It's a slow burn story that weaves quite a complicated web around the thought of what you would do in the name of love. The lengths others have gone to and the blood that has been shed are astounding but are they honestly that unbelievable. A young french girl who has a trail of disaster in her life discovers that she has a strange magic, but others want it too.
A must read as you are sucked in to a world of love, pain, sorrow and blood.
A must read as you are sucked in to a world of love, pain, sorrow and blood.
June 5, 2022
I thought this was a terrific debut. The book is compelling—especially the second half—and I’m excited for the rest of the series. My only complaint is the pacing; after the action of the first few chapters there is a long period of slowly putting pieces together before everything kicks into high gear at the halfway point. That said, the world building is solid, the twists are interesting, and the book ends at a great jumping-off point for the rest of the series.
July 16, 2022
I was quickly swept up in the author’s immersive storytelling and the world they’ve created. While there are recognisable themes of YA Fantasy, the author explores them in new and surprising ways. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but be prepared for lots of twists and turns. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to a web of characters who feel authentic, flawed, and ever so intriguing.
I’m so excited to find out more about these characters and this world in book 2 (Timebender)🌹
I’m so excited to find out more about these characters and this world in book 2 (Timebender)🌹
July 1, 2022
I read a lot of books similar to this, in which a girl doesn’t know “ what” she is and eventually has to figure it out. But this one was an interesting spin on that type of story. I’ve not read one in which the character has these “gifts”. The writing was concise, no frivolity of verbiage. Relationships were explained and defined without dragging on.
Well written, enjoyable first book.
Well written, enjoyable first book.
July 7, 2024
Worth staying up for
Normally I read a chapter or two a night to get to sleep. These last few chapters kept me hooked until the last line! Very interesting book, interesting premise, and with a nice hook to the rest of the series without being a cliffhanger. Getting the sequel as we speak :)
Normally I read a chapter or two a night to get to sleep. These last few chapters kept me hooked until the last line! Very interesting book, interesting premise, and with a nice hook to the rest of the series without being a cliffhanger. Getting the sequel as we speak :)
dnf
July 29, 2024Up to 60% of the book I was fine reading, I loved The Secret Garden vibes and Delville's eerie garden, but then Mariam started to get on my nerves, and Sophie's aunt, and basically every adult in the book, they were so useless I couldn't stand it. Also, I felt like Sophie needed to be more resentful with the people who hurt her.
January 9, 2022
As someone who struggles to find books that scratches that reader's itch, this book caught me straight away. It's clever storytline is engaging from the very start and kept me reading. A great book from Zoé, and I can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
May 21, 2022
A clean twisty mystery with a lot of magic and a touch of romance. I finished it so fast because I could not stop turning the pages! I’m sad it’s over and I can’t wait to read the next book. Enchanting from the first chapter on! Highly recommended.
June 25, 2022
A beautifully written book. Once I got into it, I couldn’t let go of it. I really liked the main character and the plot and I found the world very intriguing. Not to mention that it's set in Vichy and I could really feel the ambiance of that part of France.
August 3, 2022
I got the book on Saturday afternoon and finished it on Tuesday morning while moving apartment…
It is an easy read with some nice plot twists. Nice for kids from 15 to 99 and older.
Can’t wait for the second part!
It is an easy read with some nice plot twists. Nice for kids from 15 to 99 and older.
Can’t wait for the second part!
March 16, 2023
A wonderful book, an intriguing story, and research done well: for those who know the places where it happens, you will feel like you're there.
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 from this new author!
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 from this new author!
May 11, 2024
3.5
This was a properly YA book, and I felt every one of my 29 years when the sixteen-year-olds were running around being dramatic and angsty! 😂
Bloodlender felt familiar and almost comforting, like all the fantastical series I read 10+ years ago. It was quick, and pretty clever, the characters good (aside from the previously mentioned teen dramatics—and a little too much blind obedience to adults when they'd given every reason to *not* trust them).
Based on another review I thought there'd be more French language in this book, but it was really only the occasional French curse word. But that's not the books fault 😊
I'm interested in where the story and characters go from here—hopefully I'm not too old to enjoy the next book!
This was a properly YA book, and I felt every one of my 29 years when the sixteen-year-olds were running around being dramatic and angsty! 😂
Bloodlender felt familiar and almost comforting, like all the fantastical series I read 10+ years ago. It was quick, and pretty clever, the characters good (aside from the previously mentioned teen dramatics—and a little too much blind obedience to adults when they'd given every reason to *not* trust them).
Based on another review I thought there'd be more French language in this book, but it was really only the occasional French curse word. But that's not the books fault 😊
I'm interested in where the story and characters go from here—hopefully I'm not too old to enjoy the next book!
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