To be bound by blood is to be bound forever – but who can you trust, when everyone has their own agenda?
Sophie may have broken the Delville curse and gained temporary control of her powers, but the clock is ticking. She can’t become a sworn Bloodlender – a blood magician blessed by the Old Gods – until she finds her missing father, and failure isn’t an option.
When trouble arises in Vichy, Sophie flees to Switzerland and encounters the Vessel, a secret community dealing with a crisis of its own. Several young Bloodlenders have disappeared and rumours are circulating of a fate worse than death.
As her new friends vanish one by one, Sophie must confront her fears and venture into the heart of danger, where the answers she seeks lie in wait. But the truth isn’t always pleasant… and the past is fast catching up.
Can she save herself and her loved ones before someone else seals her fate?
This was one of my most highly anticipated new releases of 2023, and it did not disappoint.
Timebender by Zoé Perrenoud is the second book in the YA trilogy Bloodlender, and picks up right where book one left off. The story continues with 17 year old Sophie fleeing from her home in France to Switzerland to find her family, learn more about her powers and finish the task the Gods require of her.
The magic system in the Bloodlender Trilogy is truly unique and incredibly thought out. The series does a great job of blending fantasy and the real world in a way that makes it seem like a bloodlender could be living next door.
The book also dives deeper into Sophie’s emotional and psychological state as she tackles her grief, her powers and her divine mission.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With this second book in the Bloodlender trilogy, Zoé Perrenoud proves herself once more as a very talented writer. The story is gripping and well written, the characters are so realistic that you really seem to know them in real life. The setting is very well described, too - it almost looks like you are there in Switzerland with the protagonist.
Sophie is growing up (she's now 17) and has to face situations a girl her age doesn't normally face. She's a strong young woman. The other characters are very interesting, too.
Once again, kudos to Zoé for a great novel, and looking forward to the third and final book in the series!
This was a gripping read – I just wanted to keep reading and finished it in a few days. I absolutely loved the setting in a Swiss mountain village. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Timebender by Zoé Perrenoud is the sequel to last year's gothic fantasy Bloodlender. The story continues to revolve around Sophie, who is learning to control her powerful blood magic. One day, she arrives in Switzerland and meets a new community. But when Bloodlenders are disappearing, it's up to Sophie to find out what is happening to them. Along the way, she also meets a handsome new love interest. Will Sophie succeed in solving the mystery and find love along the way?
Here is an emotional excerpt from Chapter 1:
"I didn't have the heart to tell her I couldn't care less about school. Tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes as she lowered her hand. 'Promise me you won't give up on yourself, alright? I watched it happen to Jeanne after your father died. I can't go through that pain again with you.' 'Sure,' was all I could manage. 'Good. Now, go to Les Rosiers and come straight home after. If that Boucher man's still out there-' 'I'll be fine.' I said before my nerves betrayed me. 'I can take care of myself.'
Overall, Timebender is a lovely YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of City of Bones or The Vampire Diaries. One highlight of this book are the travel abroad scenes, which was a change from the first book. Another highlight of this book is the romance and new love interest. I enjoyed reading about multiple love interests. One last highlight was the exciting climax and cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next book! 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, which is available now!
I really, really enjoyed this book and especially the authors writing style. Book one was great and book two has outdone that one. The story, once again, sucks you in and spits you out hours later knowing you will probably need to read the books again from the start to experience it all over. I make sure not to give anything about the story line away in my reviews. But I think that these books are a must read for everyone. Magic
Poor Sophie! Still no peace for her. Still struggles to figure out her powers and find a place to belong. No luck this book! And lots of twists and turns at the end that just make things worse. Quick, easy read. Entertaining.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this and it did not disappoint. I love the way this author writes, the story and the characters draw you in and don't let go. I'm looking forward to the final book in the series!
This book is even better than the first one in the series! The world Ms Perrenoud created is so close to the real world, yet she takes us into a completely different dimension! The inventive machinery throughout the book remind me of the movie Wild Wild West...
Ok, it ends on a cliffhanger so do be aware of that, but it was amazing!!! I have no idea how I am going to sleep with where I am. Well worth the read, but have the next one ready!!
It's so rare that a sequel is better than the first. Time Bender was an improvement on Bloodlender, the story telling improves and the suspense builds in such a way that keeps you wanting more, can't wait to start Riftmender.
An unusual magic system, a compelling plot, and a mysterious future! A fitting second installment for the Bloodlender trilogy. Well written and great characters!