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Fire of the Blood
It didn’t start with fire and blood.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Meet Isabrand and Mallory, siblings separated at a young age. Their family has a few problems.
To start, Isabrand has been hired to assassinate his sister. But overcoming his childhood love for her won’t be as easy as he’d hoped, especially when Mallory begins to tell him her life story: details of a horrific childhood at an orphanage for supernatural beings, called the Academy, before finally being rescued by estranged family.
Yet family is never what it seems, as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shape-shifters and witches known as dragoviks. After a murder takes place in her town, Mallory knows she must act to protect her newfound family and home. Joining forces with a team of fellow dragoviks, she begins down a path that will determine her fate. Her future ahead of her, she must decide whether to move forward or return to her past.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Meet Isabrand and Mallory, siblings separated at a young age. Their family has a few problems.
To start, Isabrand has been hired to assassinate his sister. But overcoming his childhood love for her won’t be as easy as he’d hoped, especially when Mallory begins to tell him her life story: details of a horrific childhood at an orphanage for supernatural beings, called the Academy, before finally being rescued by estranged family.
Yet family is never what it seems, as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shape-shifters and witches known as dragoviks. After a murder takes place in her town, Mallory knows she must act to protect her newfound family and home. Joining forces with a team of fellow dragoviks, she begins down a path that will determine her fate. Her future ahead of her, she must decide whether to move forward or return to her past.
540 pages, Unknown Binding
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About the author
Jasmina Coric
4 books8 followersJasmina Coric is the author of Fire of the Blood, a fantasy novel featuring dragons, witches, and angels. A London native, Jasmina lives there with her shiba inu, Cleopawtra.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 26, 2021
Paid Book Review: Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric
Thank you to Jasmina for sending me a copy of Fire of the Blood for review!
Brief Summary:
It didn't start with fire and blood.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Meet Isabrand and Mallory, siblings separated at a young age. Their family has a few problems.
To start, Isabrand has been hired to assassinate his sister. But overcoming his childhood love for her won't be as easy as he'd hoped, especially when Mallory begins to tell him her life story: details of a horrific childhood at an orphanage for supernatural beings, called the Academy, before finally being rescued by an estranged family.
Yet family is never what it seems, as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shape-shifters and witches known as dragoviks. After a murder takes place in her town, Mallory knows she must act to protect her newfound family and home. Joining forces with a team of fellow dragoviks, she begins down a path that will determine her fate. Her future ahead of her, she must decide whether to move forward or return to her past.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW:
I want to preface this by saying that although this is a paid review, that it in NO WAY affects my review of this book!
As some of you may know, I have mentioned this past year that I was looking to delve further into adult books, specifically adult fantasy. This is one of the first adult high fantasy books that I have read since making that goal and I don't know if I can go back after this.
Fire of the Blood is definitely one of the most unique books that I have ever come across, and absolutely the most unique. I think one of the areas that Coric excelled in the most in fact was the uniqueness of the story, how immersive and imagistic everything felt.
As many of you know, I tend to struggle with picturing things as I read. From picturing what the characters look like, to what the setting looks like.. it's rarely if ever a clear image for me. This was NOT something I struggled with while reading Fire in the Blood which was dripping in imagistic prose.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the obvious CARE that went into crafting this world. When I first started reading, I thought I had an idea of the direction the story was going to go and I was shown time and time again that I in fact couldn't even begin to imagine what Coric was able to come up with.
I also want to touch on how atmospheric this story was. There was so much attention to detail in all areas, including setting, characters, objects/foreshadowing. There were so many moments that I was reading where I had an urge to flip back and find where the foreshadowing was prior because I was able to notice it after the fact!
The best part of this story overall in my opinion is the overarching messages and themes. As this is a spoiler free review, I will not be delving into specifics, but mental health is one of the subjects touched upon, and it is done in such a carefully curated and delicate way that I felt understood in a way I hadn't felt before.
In the end, as I was wrapping up the story, I found myself realizing that this is such a rare and unique book that has been so thoughtfully pieced together that I truly believe a re-read of this book will add a whole extra level of awe to this book, because like rewatching your favorite TV show, there are so many little details that were easy to miss the first go around that add such depth.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a DARK, mysterious, fast paced high fantasy with a unique plot and a great lineup of characters! And with the way this story ended.. I NEED ANSWERS immediately!
Overall Rating: 5/5
Thank you to Jasmina for sending me a copy of Fire of the Blood for review!
Brief Summary:
It didn't start with fire and blood.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Meet Isabrand and Mallory, siblings separated at a young age. Their family has a few problems.
To start, Isabrand has been hired to assassinate his sister. But overcoming his childhood love for her won't be as easy as he'd hoped, especially when Mallory begins to tell him her life story: details of a horrific childhood at an orphanage for supernatural beings, called the Academy, before finally being rescued by an estranged family.
Yet family is never what it seems, as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shape-shifters and witches known as dragoviks. After a murder takes place in her town, Mallory knows she must act to protect her newfound family and home. Joining forces with a team of fellow dragoviks, she begins down a path that will determine her fate. Her future ahead of her, she must decide whether to move forward or return to her past.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW:
I want to preface this by saying that although this is a paid review, that it in NO WAY affects my review of this book!
As some of you may know, I have mentioned this past year that I was looking to delve further into adult books, specifically adult fantasy. This is one of the first adult high fantasy books that I have read since making that goal and I don't know if I can go back after this.
Fire of the Blood is definitely one of the most unique books that I have ever come across, and absolutely the most unique. I think one of the areas that Coric excelled in the most in fact was the uniqueness of the story, how immersive and imagistic everything felt.
As many of you know, I tend to struggle with picturing things as I read. From picturing what the characters look like, to what the setting looks like.. it's rarely if ever a clear image for me. This was NOT something I struggled with while reading Fire in the Blood which was dripping in imagistic prose.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the obvious CARE that went into crafting this world. When I first started reading, I thought I had an idea of the direction the story was going to go and I was shown time and time again that I in fact couldn't even begin to imagine what Coric was able to come up with.
I also want to touch on how atmospheric this story was. There was so much attention to detail in all areas, including setting, characters, objects/foreshadowing. There were so many moments that I was reading where I had an urge to flip back and find where the foreshadowing was prior because I was able to notice it after the fact!
The best part of this story overall in my opinion is the overarching messages and themes. As this is a spoiler free review, I will not be delving into specifics, but mental health is one of the subjects touched upon, and it is done in such a carefully curated and delicate way that I felt understood in a way I hadn't felt before.
In the end, as I was wrapping up the story, I found myself realizing that this is such a rare and unique book that has been so thoughtfully pieced together that I truly believe a re-read of this book will add a whole extra level of awe to this book, because like rewatching your favorite TV show, there are so many little details that were easy to miss the first go around that add such depth.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a DARK, mysterious, fast paced high fantasy with a unique plot and a great lineup of characters! And with the way this story ended.. I NEED ANSWERS immediately!
Overall Rating: 5/5
December 27, 2021
If you are looking for a darker fantasy series with dragon shape shifters, magic and witches, I recommend to check out this book! I believe it is suited to a more mature audience, New Adult fantasy, due to the intense and heavy topics covered, specially during the main characters time spent at the Academy.
I was incredibly impressed and captivated by the lush writing style of the author. The descriptions, metaphors and particularly, Mallory's inner thoughts, are extremely vivid and emotionally intense:
"... You're not monsters."
"That's the only truth we know."
I said it as a plea. I realize now I was begging her not to take my beastliness from me because the other side to it was my attempt at humanity. Lose one and I'd lose both. Then I really would be nothing."
Fire of the Blood follows multiple points of views stretched across different timelines. It took me a couple of chapters in to grasp the story, however when I did I was completely immersed. The worldbuilding is paced out evenly throughout the novel, so that the reader discovers it in small doses, keeping the mystery and suspense going as we read. The first parts of the story have a gloomy atmosphere as we follow Mallory and her traumatizing experience at the Academy, an orphanage for supernatural beings. As she moves on to the next stage in her life the story becomes more uplifting, as she discovers love and friendship when she thought she had none. I really enjoyed following her empowering character arc; Mallory slowly unfolds from her loneliness and battles her fears.
The story becomes fast paced and action packed as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient magic line of dragon shape-shifters: The Dragovik. I am a big fan of the found-family trope and I found myself rooting for Mallory and her new friends while reading.
Let me taste the fire of your blood
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
I was incredibly impressed and captivated by the lush writing style of the author. The descriptions, metaphors and particularly, Mallory's inner thoughts, are extremely vivid and emotionally intense:
"... You're not monsters."
"That's the only truth we know."
I said it as a plea. I realize now I was begging her not to take my beastliness from me because the other side to it was my attempt at humanity. Lose one and I'd lose both. Then I really would be nothing."
Fire of the Blood follows multiple points of views stretched across different timelines. It took me a couple of chapters in to grasp the story, however when I did I was completely immersed. The worldbuilding is paced out evenly throughout the novel, so that the reader discovers it in small doses, keeping the mystery and suspense going as we read. The first parts of the story have a gloomy atmosphere as we follow Mallory and her traumatizing experience at the Academy, an orphanage for supernatural beings. As she moves on to the next stage in her life the story becomes more uplifting, as she discovers love and friendship when she thought she had none. I really enjoyed following her empowering character arc; Mallory slowly unfolds from her loneliness and battles her fears.
The story becomes fast paced and action packed as Mallory discovers she is part of an ancient magic line of dragon shape-shifters: The Dragovik. I am a big fan of the found-family trope and I found myself rooting for Mallory and her new friends while reading.
Let me taste the fire of your blood
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
November 25, 2021
Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric is a compelling, intriguing, sometimes quirky but deeply moral fantasy story. This is the kind of story that helps us believe that we could stand and be counted if called upon to do so. This is a story that feeds the imagination and stretches the soul and it is a beautiful testimony to the power of family. It is a very good story to have in our moral imaginations.
Mallory and Isabrand are siblings separated from their childhood, Mallory was raised in what can only be described as a horrible orphanage for supernaturals named the Academy, she was rescued by an estranged family later. The whole thing began when Isabrand was hired to assassinate his sister. Mallory's life story complicates his plans to overcome his childhood love for her. The family who rescued her from the Academy was not what it seems. Then Mallory discovers that she is part of dragoviks, an ancient legacy of dragons and witches. A murder occurs in Mallory's town, and she feels compelled to take action to protect her new-found family and home. Taking part in a path that determines her fate, she joins forces with a group of fellow dragoviks.
It is clear from the introduction that we have an oppressed people who are living a shadow of real life. We know right away that this is a story about good versus evil and that the characters we are about to fall in love with are suffering. The first portion of the book uses humor and quirkiness to reveal this tension. Like any good story, this fantasy setting is peppered with questions about identity, purpose and intention. The characters are sketched with the promise that they will be filled in as we go - but that they themselves still have much to learn about their history and how that will reveal their future. It is a very good setup and the layers are pulled back slowly.
The quirkiness dissipates when the struggle begins to emerge. What I found particularly rewarding about this book is that it does not hold back on the need for people to behave in heroic ways even when it may cost them everything. This is a dark and dangerous culture war and it requires character, love, faith and hope to survive. The family context is gorgeous. It is so authentic.
One of the highlights of 'Fire of the Blood' is the language. Deceptively simple language is used extremely well, creating atmosphere and character that stands out without cumbersome description. There is such a rich atmosphere, and the descriptions left vivid images of the setting in my mind. I felt like I was there in the story, experiencing the world alongside Mallory and Isabrand. From the beginning, they feel like characters you’ve known for years. It’s not that they’re tropes—far from it—but Jasmina Coric is just so deft at crafting characters that feel fully fleshed-out and more real than reflections in a mirror. There was so much in them, a lifetime’s worth of feeling and yearning concentrated into a single moment at the end, and it made reading this book feel like being locked out of a room while someone you love is trapped inside with unknowable terrors.
While the plot was fantastic and the setting was delectable, I found that the characterization is what really made this book stand out among a sea of fantasy books. The characters are living under the terrible burden of an inescapable legacy during a dark time when evil is winning. Our primary characters are absolutely tested to the breaking point - and all bear awful scars from the choices that they make. But, like any true heroic epic, there is never a moment without hope. There is always a fight to move towards the light and like the plot, the characters are deepened in so doing.
Jasmina Coric is a wonderful writer. Her sentences strung together so fluidly, painting a fitting picture for 'Fire of the Blood' world she created. Mallory, Isabrand and other characters jumped off the pages straight away. She wrote such a strong opener with well developed, three-dimensional characters; I was sucked in immediately and had no choice but to stay up and read until the small hours of the morning. The twists were clever and not too over the top, bringing the final chapter to a satisfying conclusion. I know there is a sequel planned, but I felt a good deal of closure with the ending as it is.
December 20, 2021
If I had to describe FIRE OF THE BLOOD in one sentence, it would be Interview with the Vampire with dragons, witches, angels and a bucket-full of drama! This thick wonder of a book was filled with amazing world-building, action and fascinating characters, but let’s proceed in order.
Fire of the Blood is primarily the story of Mallory. We meet her in New York, when her brother Isabrand finds her after having spent years apart. Mallory and Isabrand’s family is far from conventional. Isabrand is an assassin, and Mallory is his latest mark. However, he can’t bring himself to kill her and when they reunite, Mallory takes to telling him her story, bridging the gap of the years they’ve spent apart. Mallory was raised in an orphanage for supernatural beings called the Academy, where she experienced a very unhappy childhood before being rescued by estranged family. However, even once out of the Academy, life doesn’t get easier for Mallory. While she finds herself in a loving environment, she discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of witches and dragon-shifters, and with the help of a group of unlikely friends, she must get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings in her town in order to protect herself and everything she knows. Want to know more? Well, you’ll have to read the book!
As I’ve mentioned above, I really adored the way the narration was split between Isabrand and Mallory’s meeting and the flashbacks of her past, which ultimately take up the majority of the novel. I do admit that the story takes some getting into. The world-building is massive and well spread throughout the entire book, but there is a lot of information to absorb in the first 100 or so pages, so you need to stay focused to make sure you’re not missing details. Apart from that, I applaud the author for Mallory’s character development from start to finish! Mallory’s story is really intense, and we get to follow her growth from a scared, traumatized child/teenager to a more confident young woman who, while still scarred by her past, can take charge of herself and her destiny. I especially enjoyed her interactions with the other dragoviks. I loved the entire found-family dynamic between them, and the more time I spent with them, the more I was obsessed. The personalities are incredibly diverse, which added to the fun of their interactions, but my soft spots were especially for Kyle, who ends up turning into a sort of big brother/best friend figure for Mallory, and Leo…who has me intrigued for entirely different reasons. I SMELL ANGST, friends. I swear, it’s a real ability, and Mallory and Leo have the ANGST scent!
In short, this is the perfect book for any fan of epic fantasy. It has the world, the magic, the lore and the characters to make it an addictive series, and I can’t wait to see more dragons as well in the future books! Highly recommend this one.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
Fire of the Blood is primarily the story of Mallory. We meet her in New York, when her brother Isabrand finds her after having spent years apart. Mallory and Isabrand’s family is far from conventional. Isabrand is an assassin, and Mallory is his latest mark. However, he can’t bring himself to kill her and when they reunite, Mallory takes to telling him her story, bridging the gap of the years they’ve spent apart. Mallory was raised in an orphanage for supernatural beings called the Academy, where she experienced a very unhappy childhood before being rescued by estranged family. However, even once out of the Academy, life doesn’t get easier for Mallory. While she finds herself in a loving environment, she discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of witches and dragon-shifters, and with the help of a group of unlikely friends, she must get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings in her town in order to protect herself and everything she knows. Want to know more? Well, you’ll have to read the book!
As I’ve mentioned above, I really adored the way the narration was split between Isabrand and Mallory’s meeting and the flashbacks of her past, which ultimately take up the majority of the novel. I do admit that the story takes some getting into. The world-building is massive and well spread throughout the entire book, but there is a lot of information to absorb in the first 100 or so pages, so you need to stay focused to make sure you’re not missing details. Apart from that, I applaud the author for Mallory’s character development from start to finish! Mallory’s story is really intense, and we get to follow her growth from a scared, traumatized child/teenager to a more confident young woman who, while still scarred by her past, can take charge of herself and her destiny. I especially enjoyed her interactions with the other dragoviks. I loved the entire found-family dynamic between them, and the more time I spent with them, the more I was obsessed. The personalities are incredibly diverse, which added to the fun of their interactions, but my soft spots were especially for Kyle, who ends up turning into a sort of big brother/best friend figure for Mallory, and Leo…who has me intrigued for entirely different reasons. I SMELL ANGST, friends. I swear, it’s a real ability, and Mallory and Leo have the ANGST scent!
In short, this is the perfect book for any fan of epic fantasy. It has the world, the magic, the lore and the characters to make it an addictive series, and I can’t wait to see more dragons as well in the future books! Highly recommend this one.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
January 7, 2022
Really enjoyed this one!
Fire of the Blood is a darker new adult fantasy that centers around dragon shifters…yep, you read that correctly. Dragon. Shifters. 😍😍 I absolutely loved the world building and thought it was very well thought out and explained. The story was unique and felt different from most other new adult shifter fantasies I’ve read!
I did have a bit of a hard time following the multiple POVs and timeline switches on occasion, but mostly I felt like the multiple POVs and multiple timelines added a special richness to the story.
Definitely recommend this one for lovers of epic fantasy and people who love the found family trope! This book is special.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fire of the Blood is a darker new adult fantasy that centers around dragon shifters…yep, you read that correctly. Dragon. Shifters. 😍😍 I absolutely loved the world building and thought it was very well thought out and explained. The story was unique and felt different from most other new adult shifter fantasies I’ve read!
I did have a bit of a hard time following the multiple POVs and timeline switches on occasion, but mostly I felt like the multiple POVs and multiple timelines added a special richness to the story.
Definitely recommend this one for lovers of epic fantasy and people who love the found family trope! This book is special.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 8, 2022
Though I received a free copy of the book, my review is in no way biased or shaped by this. I am simply obsessed with Jasmina Coric’s writing and will be recommending this book to everyone I know.
Fire of the Blood is a dark, epic tale. This is an adult book with sensitive subject matter and endless action. Told through numerous perspectives and timelines, Coric weaves a tale of a brother and sister separated in their youth. Isabrand and Mallory share a complicated history filled with magic and mystery. As family secrets come to light, the past collides with the present to shape the future of the long lost siblings.
From familial connections to found family, the characters’ relationships are at the heart of this amazing tale. The entire book feels like a giant quest and journey—both literally and figuratively—that you’ll never want to end.
Fire of the Blood is fast-paced, high fantasy at its finest. Coric has such a way with words. Fans of A Song of Ice and Fire will find her worldbuilding and prose thrilling, captivating, and simply brilliant. There is also endless magic on every page and the inclusion of standount supernatural creatures makes it even better.
Fire of the Blood is a dark, epic tale. This is an adult book with sensitive subject matter and endless action. Told through numerous perspectives and timelines, Coric weaves a tale of a brother and sister separated in their youth. Isabrand and Mallory share a complicated history filled with magic and mystery. As family secrets come to light, the past collides with the present to shape the future of the long lost siblings.
From familial connections to found family, the characters’ relationships are at the heart of this amazing tale. The entire book feels like a giant quest and journey—both literally and figuratively—that you’ll never want to end.
Fire of the Blood is fast-paced, high fantasy at its finest. Coric has such a way with words. Fans of A Song of Ice and Fire will find her worldbuilding and prose thrilling, captivating, and simply brilliant. There is also endless magic on every page and the inclusion of standount supernatural creatures makes it even better.
November 30, 2022
Review below, because first:
This is the third review supposed to go up in the start of September that didn't upload 😔
I'm so sorry that, after it took me forever to read and review this book for my friend Jasmina, it didn't upload.
Luckily i (also) saved this review, so i can re-upload it.
Jasmina, i hope you can accept my apologies and forgive me 😔❤️
The review tgat was supposed to go up in September:
Dragons, shape shifters and two characters that are connected without knowing it. A story i just can't help but love!
Throw in the talent of the author in world building and the book almost can't get better!
But it does. Not only is the story addictive and the world a true joy, while reading and just holding this book in your hands you can feel the love and passion the author has for her creation.
Something i find probably the best feature in any good book.
Starting as an author, especially in a time where almost everything has been done, is hard.
I can only admire Jasmine for releasing her creation into the world.
I hope others may enjoy it as much as i have.
Either way, I can't wait to read part two!
This is the third review supposed to go up in the start of September that didn't upload 😔
I'm so sorry that, after it took me forever to read and review this book for my friend Jasmina, it didn't upload.
Luckily i (also) saved this review, so i can re-upload it.
Jasmina, i hope you can accept my apologies and forgive me 😔❤️
The review tgat was supposed to go up in September:
Dragons, shape shifters and two characters that are connected without knowing it. A story i just can't help but love!
Throw in the talent of the author in world building and the book almost can't get better!
But it does. Not only is the story addictive and the world a true joy, while reading and just holding this book in your hands you can feel the love and passion the author has for her creation.
Something i find probably the best feature in any good book.
Starting as an author, especially in a time where almost everything has been done, is hard.
I can only admire Jasmine for releasing her creation into the world.
I hope others may enjoy it as much as i have.
Either way, I can't wait to read part two!
November 5, 2021
Fire Of The Blood by Jasmina Coric immerses you in an urban fantasy world where fire really is of the blood.
By far one of the best opening lines I have ever read in a book: “It didn't start with fire and blood. It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.”
Fire Of The Blood is perfect for lovers of all things fantasy, magic and DRAGONS!!!
I really loved the world built in this book and simply loved the inclusion of mythological creatures.
The pace was perfect - not too slow (overexplaining is a plot killer) and not so fast that you can’t keep up. It’s hard to find the balance in fantasy, so I was thrilled to find it was *just right*.
As for the main cast of characters, I had no particular attachment to any of them which makes the ride a little bit more interesting.
Also did I mention… dragons?
A solid 4 stars and a burning desire for the next instalment of this series!
By far one of the best opening lines I have ever read in a book: “It didn't start with fire and blood. It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.”
Fire Of The Blood is perfect for lovers of all things fantasy, magic and DRAGONS!!!
I really loved the world built in this book and simply loved the inclusion of mythological creatures.
The pace was perfect - not too slow (overexplaining is a plot killer) and not so fast that you can’t keep up. It’s hard to find the balance in fantasy, so I was thrilled to find it was *just right*.
As for the main cast of characters, I had no particular attachment to any of them which makes the ride a little bit more interesting.
Also did I mention… dragons?
A solid 4 stars and a burning desire for the next instalment of this series!
March 14, 2022
This book is pure MAGIC. The writing is lyrical and poetic, the author makes me feel and see everything she describes.
Mallory and Isabrand are siblings that were torn apart while they were children, only to found their way back to each other in their adult life. While trying to reconnect, they are confronted with the fact that their history is dark and traumatizing. In fact, the only reason they realized the other is still alive is because Isabrand’s next target to assassinate just so happened to be his sister.
We get a lot of adult themes in this book, especially related to mental health and physical abuse/torture. Mallory had a horrific childhood being raised at The Academy, where she and other supernatural children were beaten on the regular and forced to do unspeakable things. As an adult, we find out Mallory is part of a dragon-shifting witch bloodline, known as dragoviks. We follow along as she tries to solve the murder mystery happening in town to protect herself, her friends, and the life she’s fought tooth and nail for. AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS.
Mallory’s character arc was really well done. Seeing her find love and acceptance within herself and her friends hit me right in the heart. My beloved found family trope was utilized to perfection with the dragon shifters. They must be protected at all costs.
The beginning of this book is very intense, and took me longer to get into. But once I got to the main storyline I just couldn’t put this book down. And while I respect that the author wanted this story to be told without romance being a main focus, I kinda hope we get a little somethin somethin between a certain pair of dragoviks in book 2 😏 I CAN’T HELP IT, I’M A SUCKER FOR A LOVE STORY.
Mallory and Isabrand are siblings that were torn apart while they were children, only to found their way back to each other in their adult life. While trying to reconnect, they are confronted with the fact that their history is dark and traumatizing. In fact, the only reason they realized the other is still alive is because Isabrand’s next target to assassinate just so happened to be his sister.
We get a lot of adult themes in this book, especially related to mental health and physical abuse/torture. Mallory had a horrific childhood being raised at The Academy, where she and other supernatural children were beaten on the regular and forced to do unspeakable things. As an adult, we find out Mallory is part of a dragon-shifting witch bloodline, known as dragoviks. We follow along as she tries to solve the murder mystery happening in town to protect herself, her friends, and the life she’s fought tooth and nail for. AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS.
Mallory’s character arc was really well done. Seeing her find love and acceptance within herself and her friends hit me right in the heart. My beloved found family trope was utilized to perfection with the dragon shifters. They must be protected at all costs.
The beginning of this book is very intense, and took me longer to get into. But once I got to the main storyline I just couldn’t put this book down. And while I respect that the author wanted this story to be told without romance being a main focus, I kinda hope we get a little somethin somethin between a certain pair of dragoviks in book 2 😏 I CAN’T HELP IT, I’M A SUCKER FOR A LOVE STORY.
December 31, 2021
Fire of the Blood is a perfect mixture of imagination, perseverance, humor, coming-of-age, and adventure! It is a fabulous work of fantasy pulling strongly on the art of storytelling and richly imbued with interesting characters and an unusually imaginative setting. Although this book deals with some pretty heavy topics, the lyrical writing throughout the book lightens the tone.
In story we meet two siblings, Mallory and Isabrand, separated at very young age. Their twisted fate brings them together and the adventure begins with twists and turns. Stunningly beautiful writing mixed with a perfectly plotted story filled with adventure makes this book unputdownable. Another enjoyable aspect of the book was the magical elements. I loved visualising all the fantastical parts of the book. The writing has a very lyrical quality to it, the beautiful imagery helps in picturing the story better.
I really enjoyed the character development in this story. Mallory and Isabrand grow so much as the story progresses, always learning and willing to look at things from a different perspective. It left me very invested in their outcomes and the continuation of the story!
Beautiful writing, quirky, lovable characters, and most of all a plot that will make your heart grow bigger and bigger. It's ultimately about hope and forgiveness and love. Hope in the midst of suffering, forgiveness in the midst of failure, and loving so big and so much that no one is left out. And it's about consequences - the consequences of power unchecked, hiding from memories, and most of all, of pushing down and ignoring the hard things like sorrow and pain. Highly recommended.
In story we meet two siblings, Mallory and Isabrand, separated at very young age. Their twisted fate brings them together and the adventure begins with twists and turns. Stunningly beautiful writing mixed with a perfectly plotted story filled with adventure makes this book unputdownable. Another enjoyable aspect of the book was the magical elements. I loved visualising all the fantastical parts of the book. The writing has a very lyrical quality to it, the beautiful imagery helps in picturing the story better.
I really enjoyed the character development in this story. Mallory and Isabrand grow so much as the story progresses, always learning and willing to look at things from a different perspective. It left me very invested in their outcomes and the continuation of the story!
Beautiful writing, quirky, lovable characters, and most of all a plot that will make your heart grow bigger and bigger. It's ultimately about hope and forgiveness and love. Hope in the midst of suffering, forgiveness in the midst of failure, and loving so big and so much that no one is left out. And it's about consequences - the consequences of power unchecked, hiding from memories, and most of all, of pushing down and ignoring the hard things like sorrow and pain. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2021
Have you ever read a book that made you feel lost in another world? Well, if not, Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric will change that. It is the first book in the series and is a great introduction to the fantasy world for someone not used to it. Imaginative settings and characters, exciting plot with compelling twists, strong morals makes it an excellent story!
The siblings, Isabrand and Mallory, were separated at an early age. Mallory grew up in a horrible orphanage for supernaturals called the Academy, from where she was later rescued by an estranged family. The things sparked up when Isabrand was hired to assassinate his sister Mallory. The twisted story of Mallory's life complicates Isabrand's plan to get over his childhood love for her. Soon Mallory learns that she is a part of an ancient legacy of dragons and witched called dragoviks. Mallory is compelled to act after a murder occurs in her town to protect her new home and family. Her fate is ultimately determined by a path she takes with fellow dragoviks.
Jasmina Coric delivers an edifying perspective on sibling relationship and responsibility, good and evil, greatness and service and much else besides. As with any writing, it has a purpose - it is communicating a message, it is teaching, even subliminally. The story feels so big and it seems there is more to it and behind it. I highly recommend this title to anyone that loves fantasy-adventure.
The siblings, Isabrand and Mallory, were separated at an early age. Mallory grew up in a horrible orphanage for supernaturals called the Academy, from where she was later rescued by an estranged family. The things sparked up when Isabrand was hired to assassinate his sister Mallory. The twisted story of Mallory's life complicates Isabrand's plan to get over his childhood love for her. Soon Mallory learns that she is a part of an ancient legacy of dragons and witched called dragoviks. Mallory is compelled to act after a murder occurs in her town to protect her new home and family. Her fate is ultimately determined by a path she takes with fellow dragoviks.
Jasmina Coric delivers an edifying perspective on sibling relationship and responsibility, good and evil, greatness and service and much else besides. As with any writing, it has a purpose - it is communicating a message, it is teaching, even subliminally. The story feels so big and it seems there is more to it and behind it. I highly recommend this title to anyone that loves fantasy-adventure.
December 31, 2021
Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric deals with belonging, with life and death, growing up and loss. It deals with sorrow. It turns all this to magic, to transformation and growth. The story kickstarts as Isabrand was hired to kill his sister Mallory. A twisted story of Mallory's life complicates Isabrand's plans to overcome his childhood love for her. Their confrontation leads to several adventures.
Fire of the Blood is a complex, rich, magical story with unforgettable characters. It has that feel of a classic fantasy story about magic, but it's also a fresh approach that interweaves critical thinking and legend.
As I said, there are plenty of things I loved about the book. But my most favourite of all has to be the characters. The characters are the life of the book. The main characters are carved with such precision that at no point do you question their actions or doubt their intentions. But there are many other characters who leave you thirsting for more on their origin.
Jasmina Coric's writing is crisp and clear, the perfect fantasy story teller. The themes are all there, magic, love, sorrow. I liked the prose of this work. It is beautiful and it's like a spindle thread of a spider web that has collected the nights dew and now sparkles like diamonds in the sun. Such a work of beauty. Highly recommended.
Fire of the Blood is a complex, rich, magical story with unforgettable characters. It has that feel of a classic fantasy story about magic, but it's also a fresh approach that interweaves critical thinking and legend.
As I said, there are plenty of things I loved about the book. But my most favourite of all has to be the characters. The characters are the life of the book. The main characters are carved with such precision that at no point do you question their actions or doubt their intentions. But there are many other characters who leave you thirsting for more on their origin.
Jasmina Coric's writing is crisp and clear, the perfect fantasy story teller. The themes are all there, magic, love, sorrow. I liked the prose of this work. It is beautiful and it's like a spindle thread of a spider web that has collected the nights dew and now sparkles like diamonds in the sun. Such a work of beauty. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2021
Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric is an emotionally complex tale, with heart-wrenching moments and a little humor. The siblings, Isabrand and Mallory, were divided at a very young age. The Academy was a horrible orphanage for supernaturals where Mallory was raised, from which she later was rescued by an estranged family. When Isabrand was hired to assassinate his sister Mallory, it ignited the whole thing.
Mallory's twisted life story complicates Isabrand's plan to forget his childhood love for his sister. It is not long until Mallory discovers that she is related to an ancient line of dragons and witches known as dragoviks. She must act after a murder takes place in her town in order to protect her home and family. Ultimately, her fate depends on what path she follows with her fellow dragoviks.
This book has everything: adventure- not too dark, but enough to be engaging, fantastic believable characters, amazing world building, solid moral lessons- especially in the sibling relationship! Underlying the whole story, the themes of family and hope are so strong and I absolutely love that about it. Highly recommended.
Mallory's twisted life story complicates Isabrand's plan to forget his childhood love for his sister. It is not long until Mallory discovers that she is related to an ancient line of dragons and witches known as dragoviks. She must act after a murder takes place in her town in order to protect her home and family. Ultimately, her fate depends on what path she follows with her fellow dragoviks.
This book has everything: adventure- not too dark, but enough to be engaging, fantastic believable characters, amazing world building, solid moral lessons- especially in the sibling relationship! Underlying the whole story, the themes of family and hope are so strong and I absolutely love that about it. Highly recommended.
December 28, 2021
This read was filled with so much magic, I enjoyed it! I am a huge fan of witches and dragons... Fire in the blood had a perfect mix. The flow of the story started off a bit slow but it was a great way to introduce the story to the reader.
I enjoyed the modernized view of this story, along with that is the found family trope... one of my favorites! Mallory, our main character finds out family secret that puts her life into a whirlwind of event. Her dragon shifting abilities puts her in the eye of the world and she must learn about her history in order to get through this rough and dangerous patch. Her character development throughout the story really shows, especially having grown up in an orphanage like she did
Another detail I enjoyed about the story was the assassin aspect, it's one of my fav things to read about. The side characters were imperative to the story and the growth of our main character. The dynamic between the main characters really kept me hooked from page one. The world building was pretty big, very detailed, I don't think the author missed anything in their description. I will add...It was a bit difficult to get into in the beginning but the author knew how to lure us and help us stay on track with the story. Although there was that bit of a struggle in the beginning it didn't stop me from enjoying this world! I want to learn more and can't wait for the next book!
I am looking forward to read more by this author. Huge thanks to the author for sending me a copy of their book!
I enjoyed the modernized view of this story, along with that is the found family trope... one of my favorites! Mallory, our main character finds out family secret that puts her life into a whirlwind of event. Her dragon shifting abilities puts her in the eye of the world and she must learn about her history in order to get through this rough and dangerous patch. Her character development throughout the story really shows, especially having grown up in an orphanage like she did
Another detail I enjoyed about the story was the assassin aspect, it's one of my fav things to read about. The side characters were imperative to the story and the growth of our main character. The dynamic between the main characters really kept me hooked from page one. The world building was pretty big, very detailed, I don't think the author missed anything in their description. I will add...It was a bit difficult to get into in the beginning but the author knew how to lure us and help us stay on track with the story. Although there was that bit of a struggle in the beginning it didn't stop me from enjoying this world! I want to learn more and can't wait for the next book!
I am looking forward to read more by this author. Huge thanks to the author for sending me a copy of their book!
January 4, 2022
Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric is a first book in an intense dark fantasy series.
If you love dragons and Witches and shapeshifters then you'll be as fascinated by this world as I was. Other than dragons and witches, there were many other elements that I immensely enjoyed reading about in this book.
They story follows Mallory's journey from her traumatic experiences at the Academy (an orphanage for supernatural beings) to finding her long lost blood relations and just when she started thinking that she finally have peace and love in her life, she discovers that she is a part of an ancient legacy of dragon-shapeshifters and witches, and with the help of her new friends she must get to the bottom of strange happenings in her town.
It took me a while to fully get into the story, but when I did I was totally hooked. It has multiple POVs which I'm a big fan of because it makes the story more engaging and easy to understand.
The book has a mix of past and present storylines that all come eventually together.
The plot was extremely intriguing with all the mystery and darkness, I enjoyed reading all the discoveries and unpredictable unexpected plot twists.
Characters were fleshed out and realistic. I'm a fan of morally grey characters and found family trope and that's the reason I loved this book even more.
The storytelling quality of the writing made the mental health rep in this book all the more impactful. Mallory's traumatic experiences, her weaknesses, her strengths, and her character development throughout the book are portrayed very well.
Lastly, Fire of the Blood is a really interesting fantasy with poetic prose, epic world building, morally grey characters, and awesome fight scenes.
If you love dragons and Witches and shapeshifters then you'll be as fascinated by this world as I was. Other than dragons and witches, there were many other elements that I immensely enjoyed reading about in this book.
They story follows Mallory's journey from her traumatic experiences at the Academy (an orphanage for supernatural beings) to finding her long lost blood relations and just when she started thinking that she finally have peace and love in her life, she discovers that she is a part of an ancient legacy of dragon-shapeshifters and witches, and with the help of her new friends she must get to the bottom of strange happenings in her town.
It took me a while to fully get into the story, but when I did I was totally hooked. It has multiple POVs which I'm a big fan of because it makes the story more engaging and easy to understand.
The book has a mix of past and present storylines that all come eventually together.
The plot was extremely intriguing with all the mystery and darkness, I enjoyed reading all the discoveries and unpredictable unexpected plot twists.
Characters were fleshed out and realistic. I'm a fan of morally grey characters and found family trope and that's the reason I loved this book even more.
The storytelling quality of the writing made the mental health rep in this book all the more impactful. Mallory's traumatic experiences, her weaknesses, her strengths, and her character development throughout the book are portrayed very well.
Lastly, Fire of the Blood is a really interesting fantasy with poetic prose, epic world building, morally grey characters, and awesome fight scenes.
March 25, 2022
Fire of the Blood by @jasminareadstoomuch - a book that is powerfully written and explores found-family, shape-shifters and magic!
The story begins with Isabrand - who is hired to assassinate his sister, Mallory. Things unfold as they meet and discuss their lives. The narrative shifts to Mallory as she tells him of her life. Mallory’s voice is almost poetic, and very intricate with metaphorical imagery and emotive language.
I was swept up in Mallory’s tale as she joined forces with a team of fellow Dragoviks 🐉❤️ - definitely one to add to your tbr!
Thank you to @jasminareadstoomuch and @littlelionpress for the copy to review for our @teaandbooktours
The story begins with Isabrand - who is hired to assassinate his sister, Mallory. Things unfold as they meet and discuss their lives. The narrative shifts to Mallory as she tells him of her life. Mallory’s voice is almost poetic, and very intricate with metaphorical imagery and emotive language.
I was swept up in Mallory’s tale as she joined forces with a team of fellow Dragoviks 🐉❤️ - definitely one to add to your tbr!
Thank you to @jasminareadstoomuch and @littlelionpress for the copy to review for our @teaandbooktours
November 16, 2022
That moment when you’re deep into your fantasy mood and you find the perfect book to carry you through it.
Fire of the Blood was an intense read, which I enjoyed reading both for its interesting format and worldbuilding. The story is split between present day chapters and flashback chapters, which take up the majority of the story. In the present day, our protagonist, Mallory, reunites with someone from her past (not saying who because it’s a nice surprise for you to piece together as you read the first chapter), and she tells them her story from the time they were apart. The fact that the past chapters took up the majority of the story makes this sort of Interview with the Vampire-esque format enjoyable for fans of this sort of style, but also very easy to follow for others who are less familiar with it. I personally enjoyed it a lot!
The other aspect of note is the worldbuilding. It’s detailed, vast and rich with history and different types of creatures—like witches, dragons, angels. It’s something I definitely adored, and I think the author did a great job at spacing things out. As things are, there’s so much information to process that it’s already difficult to remember things as you settle into the story and meet the important players of the book, so I appreciated that the author did that. It was no easy feat.
Character-wise, Mallory was a great protagonist. My heart broke for everything she’s had to endure at the Academy—and for this particular portion of the story, I definitely recommend this to people who like more mature books. Fire of the Blood leans more towards the dark side of fantasy, and Mallory’s time at the Academy is not a happy one. Among the characters, I really liked Kyle, as much as I wasn’t super fond of Robyn. I mean, story-wise she’s an interesting character, the kind of character you like or you don’t like, and who could also change your mind if given reason to.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own!
Fire of the Blood was an intense read, which I enjoyed reading both for its interesting format and worldbuilding. The story is split between present day chapters and flashback chapters, which take up the majority of the story. In the present day, our protagonist, Mallory, reunites with someone from her past (not saying who because it’s a nice surprise for you to piece together as you read the first chapter), and she tells them her story from the time they were apart. The fact that the past chapters took up the majority of the story makes this sort of Interview with the Vampire-esque format enjoyable for fans of this sort of style, but also very easy to follow for others who are less familiar with it. I personally enjoyed it a lot!
The other aspect of note is the worldbuilding. It’s detailed, vast and rich with history and different types of creatures—like witches, dragons, angels. It’s something I definitely adored, and I think the author did a great job at spacing things out. As things are, there’s so much information to process that it’s already difficult to remember things as you settle into the story and meet the important players of the book, so I appreciated that the author did that. It was no easy feat.
Character-wise, Mallory was a great protagonist. My heart broke for everything she’s had to endure at the Academy—and for this particular portion of the story, I definitely recommend this to people who like more mature books. Fire of the Blood leans more towards the dark side of fantasy, and Mallory’s time at the Academy is not a happy one. Among the characters, I really liked Kyle, as much as I wasn’t super fond of Robyn. I mean, story-wise she’s an interesting character, the kind of character you like or you don’t like, and who could also change your mind if given reason to.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own!
January 12, 2023
Okay, yeah it’s my book. I won’t lie, try to pretend to be some lucky reader who stumbled across this fantasy work of genius. But I’m not just going to make a claim with no proof. Oh wait, I have a chunkasaurous of a book that stands as testimony to its quality. Flashbacks, memory loss, mystery, power, myth, bravery, fear, and death. What’s not to love?
October 26, 2021
Okay so, I usually hold books to a standard that is detrimental to my well being and I’m not going to lie, when I began I was fully expecting this to not turn out that great. The man with blood on his hands, reluctant to add the blood of his beloved-who’s this femme fatale figure- to them. I sighed, I read, I predicted the plot but decided to give it a shot. and *cue drum roll* boy oh boy was I proved wrong.
I loved the writing, the emotional depth, the reality of attraction when your body is ruled by hormones, your mind by its status as a bit f$cked up and your life by life threatening danger. I liked the character and the character arc and the world building (which took me a while to understand but thank god Mallory was as clueless as me) the author really built this incredibly complex hierarchical system and then gently spoon fed us concepts to make sure we didn’t choke while swallowing. (which i really really appreciate).
I think more than anything I liked that this book held me. That it did not undermine human connection, that it provided an idea of comfort, of safety, of life, that genuinely resonated with me. I think the protagonist is interesting and she’s selfish and strong and selfless and weak and all this at the same time. I am comforted by the goodness and the constant way she interrogated her actions. She wasn’t willing to forego accountability no matter how convenient that could be. I liked that her inner monologue could simultaneously be very poetic and abstract, very grounded in vernacular and slang and also a blend of both. I liked that the characters were fleshed out, that they were more than one dimensional, that even though everything is narrated by a protagonist, it is a protagonist that has a somewhat similar self awareness that readers have. Sure, she’s way closer and more emotionally involved but I also think it makes sense for her to intellectualise and articulate what’s going on. After all, a very common trauma response is compartmentalisation.
Overall I really liked this book and I’m really really looking forward to the next!!!
Im pleasantly surprised at the kind of depth Coric has given her characters. Sure, there were a few characters I wasn’t very keen on. (spoilers ahead)
Aaron. I just want to punch him in his misogynistic creepy face. I understand the role he plays in the narrative but I don’t have to like it.
Rachel. Jealousy is so overdone. I’m a bit comforted by the fact that it’s not over a romantic interest but rather her viewing Mallory’s presence as a reaffirmation of her brother’s dismissal towards her and her feelings.
but I think just like how the beginning of this book is setting us up by creating certain expectations and then undoing them, maybe these characters will also be undone. They will be given their space and their story and we may not like it but personhood is messy and unlikable and confronting that is in itself a big something for me. I’m looking forward to see how this plays out!!!
I loved the writing, the emotional depth, the reality of attraction when your body is ruled by hormones, your mind by its status as a bit f$cked up and your life by life threatening danger. I liked the character and the character arc and the world building (which took me a while to understand but thank god Mallory was as clueless as me) the author really built this incredibly complex hierarchical system and then gently spoon fed us concepts to make sure we didn’t choke while swallowing. (which i really really appreciate).
I think more than anything I liked that this book held me. That it did not undermine human connection, that it provided an idea of comfort, of safety, of life, that genuinely resonated with me. I think the protagonist is interesting and she’s selfish and strong and selfless and weak and all this at the same time. I am comforted by the goodness and the constant way she interrogated her actions. She wasn’t willing to forego accountability no matter how convenient that could be. I liked that her inner monologue could simultaneously be very poetic and abstract, very grounded in vernacular and slang and also a blend of both. I liked that the characters were fleshed out, that they were more than one dimensional, that even though everything is narrated by a protagonist, it is a protagonist that has a somewhat similar self awareness that readers have. Sure, she’s way closer and more emotionally involved but I also think it makes sense for her to intellectualise and articulate what’s going on. After all, a very common trauma response is compartmentalisation.
Overall I really liked this book and I’m really really looking forward to the next!!!
Im pleasantly surprised at the kind of depth Coric has given her characters. Sure, there were a few characters I wasn’t very keen on. (spoilers ahead)
Aaron. I just want to punch him in his misogynistic creepy face. I understand the role he plays in the narrative but I don’t have to like it.
Rachel. Jealousy is so overdone. I’m a bit comforted by the fact that it’s not over a romantic interest but rather her viewing Mallory’s presence as a reaffirmation of her brother’s dismissal towards her and her feelings.
but I think just like how the beginning of this book is setting us up by creating certain expectations and then undoing them, maybe these characters will also be undone. They will be given their space and their story and we may not like it but personhood is messy and unlikable and confronting that is in itself a big something for me. I’m looking forward to see how this plays out!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2022
3 stars
First I want to thank Jasmina Coric for sending me a copy of her beautiful book!
Now have you ever read a book that left you puzzled, thinking it was maybe not the book for you yet the author did a great job at writing it?
Because that’s totally what happened to me with Fire of the Blood.
The beginning of the book…lost me.
Mallory’s time at the academy was very confusing and I experienced similar feelings when I watched Sucker Punch or Total Recall by Colin Farrell.
It was very hard to read, the punishment, the torture…the author didn’t sugarcoat it! The memories were disjointed, leaving me lost and trying to grasp the reality and the timeline.
I think what the author did to set the tone is genius BUT it didn’t work for me as I am one of these readers who need a more linear plot.
I am also the person who NEEDS to understand. When I was a kid (and nowadays still) I was always asking: Why?
It explains why I had a hard time yet also realizing that the author did a very good job.
Kind of frustrating like you are not privy to the joke…
Once Mallory was out of the Academy, the pace was better for me. I loved the sarcastic found family, the morally grey characters and that it was an urban fantasy with dragon shifters and witches. The world building is also very well done.
I could feel that the author poured her heart out in that book and really paid attention to the details. Her writing was excellent.
There are a lot of great things in that book as the gushing reviews demonstrate. As explained above, I just was not the perfect match for the book to give all the stars it deserves.
So please go read other reviews about that book to make up your mind if it could be something you’ll love as the author really deserves praise and love.
First I want to thank Jasmina Coric for sending me a copy of her beautiful book!
Now have you ever read a book that left you puzzled, thinking it was maybe not the book for you yet the author did a great job at writing it?
Because that’s totally what happened to me with Fire of the Blood.
The beginning of the book…lost me.
Mallory’s time at the academy was very confusing and I experienced similar feelings when I watched Sucker Punch or Total Recall by Colin Farrell.
It was very hard to read, the punishment, the torture…the author didn’t sugarcoat it! The memories were disjointed, leaving me lost and trying to grasp the reality and the timeline.
I think what the author did to set the tone is genius BUT it didn’t work for me as I am one of these readers who need a more linear plot.
I am also the person who NEEDS to understand. When I was a kid (and nowadays still) I was always asking: Why?
It explains why I had a hard time yet also realizing that the author did a very good job.
Kind of frustrating like you are not privy to the joke…
Once Mallory was out of the Academy, the pace was better for me. I loved the sarcastic found family, the morally grey characters and that it was an urban fantasy with dragon shifters and witches. The world building is also very well done.
I could feel that the author poured her heart out in that book and really paid attention to the details. Her writing was excellent.
There are a lot of great things in that book as the gushing reviews demonstrate. As explained above, I just was not the perfect match for the book to give all the stars it deserves.
So please go read other reviews about that book to make up your mind if it could be something you’ll love as the author really deserves praise and love.
December 6, 2021
This book starts in the ‘Academy’, an orphanage for children with supernatural abilities! Scenes in the Academy were gruesome and featured a lot of torture, which I actually enjoyed. I often say that if authors want their readers to really connect with characters, they have to be unafraid to write nitty gritty scenes and Coric certainly showed no fear 😱 I felt Mallory’s fear and isolation and this really helped me to appreciate her growth through discovering who she is ❤️🔥
The actual concept was really unique and, as obvious from the cover, I loved that this book took a dragon shape-shifter stance 🐉with witches too 😍 The characters were all consistent and likeable. I like when characters feel cohesive, yet surprise me at times. Mallory had unpredictable moments which kept me on my toes and I loved her as a protagonist 💜
My one criticism is that the way the book is written confused me a little at times 🤔 it took me a while to piece the story together at times and it felt a little jumpy in places. However, the writing itself was beautifully descriptive and followed really nicely.
Overall a really good read and I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I recommend it for fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Crave series.
Thank you Read the Book Tours for sending me a copy and the opportunity to be part of the tour :)
The actual concept was really unique and, as obvious from the cover, I loved that this book took a dragon shape-shifter stance 🐉with witches too 😍 The characters were all consistent and likeable. I like when characters feel cohesive, yet surprise me at times. Mallory had unpredictable moments which kept me on my toes and I loved her as a protagonist 💜
My one criticism is that the way the book is written confused me a little at times 🤔 it took me a while to piece the story together at times and it felt a little jumpy in places. However, the writing itself was beautifully descriptive and followed really nicely.
Overall a really good read and I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I recommend it for fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Crave series.
Thank you Read the Book Tours for sending me a copy and the opportunity to be part of the tour :)
August 25, 2022
TW: Gore, Sexual Assault, Death of a Parent, Graphic Violence
I would first like to thank Jasmina and Little Lion Press for this review copy. I know it took me exactly two months to read it, but that is not a testimony about the intrigue of this book, rather a testimony to how busy my life is 😂
I liked the premise of this book. It was certainly unique from the ancient language Jasmina created to the branches of supernatural hierarchy. I admit I definitely wish I had read this in a physical format because I did wish I could flip back and forth between the definitions 😂
I loved how all characters are 3D. There are no cardboard characters in this book, and I liked how this book reminds us that despite a person’s initial appearance, there is darkness in us all. I especially enjoyed Kyle’s character. He seems so brotherly to me and I enjoyed his fierce protection over Mallory. I also enjoyed Robyn’s character- I actually liked her straight from the beginning. I just related to her a lot.
What I wasn’t a fan of was how many times this team and Mallory got themselves into situations where Mallory was taken or severely injured. You’d think the first two times, in conjunction with her being a Thiel, would have them going, “hmm, maybe we DON’T leave Mallory alone.” There is only so many times I can feel bad that she gets hurt.
Besides that, I think it is a pretty solid first book. It did read like a prequel though since Isabrand is rarely mentioned and the synopsis makes you think a huge part of the story would include him, so I do hope we see more of him in the sequel.
I would first like to thank Jasmina and Little Lion Press for this review copy. I know it took me exactly two months to read it, but that is not a testimony about the intrigue of this book, rather a testimony to how busy my life is 😂
I liked the premise of this book. It was certainly unique from the ancient language Jasmina created to the branches of supernatural hierarchy. I admit I definitely wish I had read this in a physical format because I did wish I could flip back and forth between the definitions 😂
I loved how all characters are 3D. There are no cardboard characters in this book, and I liked how this book reminds us that despite a person’s initial appearance, there is darkness in us all. I especially enjoyed Kyle’s character. He seems so brotherly to me and I enjoyed his fierce protection over Mallory. I also enjoyed Robyn’s character- I actually liked her straight from the beginning. I just related to her a lot.
What I wasn’t a fan of was how many times this team and Mallory got themselves into situations where Mallory was taken or severely injured. You’d think the first two times, in conjunction with her being a Thiel, would have them going, “hmm, maybe we DON’T leave Mallory alone.” There is only so many times I can feel bad that she gets hurt.
Besides that, I think it is a pretty solid first book. It did read like a prequel though since Isabrand is rarely mentioned and the synopsis makes you think a huge part of the story would include him, so I do hope we see more of him in the sequel.
February 1, 2022
* Paid partnership. Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a copy of the book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own *
Fire of the Blood is the first book in a New Adult dark fantasy series that has literally everything you could ask for!
A very engaging style of writing, with poetic prose, multiple POVs and a mix of different timelines that eventually come together had me hooked from the very beginning.
As with all epic fantasy reads, this one does need some time to really get into as well. The author did an amazing job of still keeping it interesting for the reader, while doing some intense world building, which of course I never mind! This fantasy world and the plot itself are full of magic, darkness and mystery.
Adding to all that we have an amazing cast of characters, with dragon shifters, witches and assassins! I particularly enjoyed the morally gray characters, who just felt very realistic.
Now for the tropes! Found family and quests are always fun to read and this book has both.
So if you enjoy dark, epic fantasy worlds, with badass shifters and assassins, an intense plot that has you hooked and the found family trope, this book is definitely for you!
Fire of the Blood is the first book in a New Adult dark fantasy series that has literally everything you could ask for!
A very engaging style of writing, with poetic prose, multiple POVs and a mix of different timelines that eventually come together had me hooked from the very beginning.
As with all epic fantasy reads, this one does need some time to really get into as well. The author did an amazing job of still keeping it interesting for the reader, while doing some intense world building, which of course I never mind! This fantasy world and the plot itself are full of magic, darkness and mystery.
Adding to all that we have an amazing cast of characters, with dragon shifters, witches and assassins! I particularly enjoyed the morally gray characters, who just felt very realistic.
Now for the tropes! Found family and quests are always fun to read and this book has both.
So if you enjoy dark, epic fantasy worlds, with badass shifters and assassins, an intense plot that has you hooked and the found family trope, this book is definitely for you!
January 31, 2022
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy.
3/5 stars
These were the things I loved about this book: The found family, the relationships, and the prose. Kyle, Aaron, Leo, and Robyn came into Mallory's life when they needed her, but also threw her life upside down. Mallory doesn't have her memory and has to trust them to help her discover who she is and what her past is. As they take her on this journey they deal with a lot of danger and slowly become tightly knitted into her life. They all have their own personalities. The relationships are pretty believable and feel like they're slowly earned not randomly present.
However, I really struggled with this book in being confused quite frequently. The first ~100 pages or so were super confusing, very dense and depressing. It made it really hard to get through them. The middle of the book was pretty good but I feel like the most important parts were short paragraphs. (I honestly somehow missed a character death and had to go back to re-read that chapter.) If the whole book were more like the last 100 pages I'd have LOVED this book. They were so clear and action packed and so much came together and made so much more sense.
3/5 stars
These were the things I loved about this book: The found family, the relationships, and the prose. Kyle, Aaron, Leo, and Robyn came into Mallory's life when they needed her, but also threw her life upside down. Mallory doesn't have her memory and has to trust them to help her discover who she is and what her past is. As they take her on this journey they deal with a lot of danger and slowly become tightly knitted into her life. They all have their own personalities. The relationships are pretty believable and feel like they're slowly earned not randomly present.
However, I really struggled with this book in being confused quite frequently. The first ~100 pages or so were super confusing, very dense and depressing. It made it really hard to get through them. The middle of the book was pretty good but I feel like the most important parts were short paragraphs. (I honestly somehow missed a character death and had to go back to re-read that chapter.) If the whole book were more like the last 100 pages I'd have LOVED this book. They were so clear and action packed and so much came together and made so much more sense.
January 3, 2025
Overall 3.5 stars.
It didn’t start with fire and blood.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Mallory's brother has been hired to un-alive his sister. Yet it doesn't come easy for him. Mallory soon discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shifters and witches known as Dragoviks.
Joining forces with a team of Dragoviks, she soon has to decide whether to move forward with her life or return to her past.
I did enjoy majority of this book, but I did get confused at times in this book.the confusion for me was the flipping between the past and the present, and the magic system. The writing for the world building was easy to follow and is descriptively written. This book is a part of a duology and is available on kindle unlimited.
I was gifted this book for Christmas and loved the cover. I would recommend this book for Fantasy readers who love magic, witches and dragons shifters. Also those who enjoy the found family trope.
It didn’t start with fire and blood.
It started with a man, drinking alone in a bar, thinking about a woman, and whether or not to kill her.
Mallory's brother has been hired to un-alive his sister. Yet it doesn't come easy for him. Mallory soon discovers she is part of an ancient legacy of dragon shifters and witches known as Dragoviks.
Joining forces with a team of Dragoviks, she soon has to decide whether to move forward with her life or return to her past.
I did enjoy majority of this book, but I did get confused at times in this book.the confusion for me was the flipping between the past and the present, and the magic system. The writing for the world building was easy to follow and is descriptively written. This book is a part of a duology and is available on kindle unlimited.
I was gifted this book for Christmas and loved the cover. I would recommend this book for Fantasy readers who love magic, witches and dragons shifters. Also those who enjoy the found family trope.
November 9, 2022
Fire of the Blood is an epic fantasy story. One that'll have you engrossing yourself in its mythology and world building. The prose is so poetic and beautifully told. The characters were memorable and engaging, although I did notice they definitely fall quite heavily into some cliché at times.
Jasmina Corric has done an amazing job of creating an amazing world and also of painting things like trauma and loss in a very real way. And there are sections of the book that will stay with me for a long time.
However, the story at times seems a little lost. And behind the pretty prose the story's pacing seens slightly off.
This story is amazing though, and I feel like with some adjustments it could be even better.
December 27, 2021
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book to read!
If you like epic fantasy, this book is for you. And one word: dragons.
I love dragons. I love dragon shifters even more. Next add in some witches and magic along with a lot of angst and drama. Fire of the blood has it all.
The book is full of massive world building. For myself, it took a little to consume because world building has become harder for me to absorb with my attention span.
We have two siblings who were separated. One assassin. One unknown witch dragon shifter. Two drama full stories. If you like found family and epic quests, you’ll love this book.
!
If you like epic fantasy, this book is for you. And one word: dragons.
I love dragons. I love dragon shifters even more. Next add in some witches and magic along with a lot of angst and drama. Fire of the blood has it all.
The book is full of massive world building. For myself, it took a little to consume because world building has become harder for me to absorb with my attention span.
We have two siblings who were separated. One assassin. One unknown witch dragon shifter. Two drama full stories. If you like found family and epic quests, you’ll love this book.
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January 31, 2022 The exposition of Fire of the Blood by Jasmina Coric was very nostalgic for me because it reminded me so much of Shatter Me: a girl held captive & tortured while her powers were suppressed. It brought me back to a difficult time in my life when reading The Shatter Me series helped me get through it. I’m forever grateful for the healing powers of books.
This story has:
🔥 Beautiful Figurative Language
🔥 Morally Grey Characters
🔥 Multiple Timelines
🔥 Found Family
🔥 World Building
🔥 Shapeshifters & Witches
This story has:
🔥 Beautiful Figurative Language
🔥 Morally Grey Characters
🔥 Multiple Timelines
🔥 Found Family
🔥 World Building
🔥 Shapeshifters & Witches
July 15, 2022
If you are looking for a higher fantasy series with dragons, look no further because this is the one! I found Fire of the Blood wholly immersive, and I especially loved the world-building. It was complex enough, but not too complex that you won't understand a thing. I did find the pace to be a little lacking, and it was a little slow at times which made me lose my focus. However, all in all I most definitely enjoyed this, and can definitely recommend it!
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