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Boston Preternatural Investigations Unit #1
Blood Rituals
Boston Homicide Detective, Caitlin Reagan, walks a razor's edge, propping up her life on emotional constructs designed to help her manage grueling PTSD. She keeps her mother, boyfriend, and work separated and controlled, all in service to one horrible, tragic act she committed amid the Iraq war.
But when the murder of a charity worker brings her face to face with the beautiful and charismatic philanthropist, Marcella Carson, Cait finds everything she thought she knew about her world, her life, and her very identity called into question.
Sliding inexorably into an unsuspected Boston subculture, where creatures of myth and nightmare struggle to survive in a world of fading magic and proliferating public surveillance, Cait must face down her inner demons, rediscover her lost past, and catch an undead serial killer.
In her first novel, Aoibh Wood explores a dark urban fantasy world through the eyes of a woman struggling to come to terms with Post Traumatic Stress, personal trust issues, and the belated realization that she is a lesbian. On the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters, from a Latino cowboy cop with a love of country music, to a ruthless vampire assassin and a retired serpent goddess with a passion for science.
This book is intended for adult readers. It contains scenes of an intimate sexual nature, as well as themes and images of violence, sexual assault, and death
But when the murder of a charity worker brings her face to face with the beautiful and charismatic philanthropist, Marcella Carson, Cait finds everything she thought she knew about her world, her life, and her very identity called into question.
Sliding inexorably into an unsuspected Boston subculture, where creatures of myth and nightmare struggle to survive in a world of fading magic and proliferating public surveillance, Cait must face down her inner demons, rediscover her lost past, and catch an undead serial killer.
In her first novel, Aoibh Wood explores a dark urban fantasy world through the eyes of a woman struggling to come to terms with Post Traumatic Stress, personal trust issues, and the belated realization that she is a lesbian. On the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters, from a Latino cowboy cop with a love of country music, to a ruthless vampire assassin and a retired serpent goddess with a passion for science.
This book is intended for adult readers. It contains scenes of an intimate sexual nature, as well as themes and images of violence, sexual assault, and death
Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2022
212 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 27, 2023
I usually find out about new books and new authors through fellow reviewers and readers. This one, however, came to my attention when Abby Craden tweeted about it. It’s a debut, another very exciting and promising debut.
Cait Reagan is a police detective working on a gruesome murder. Her boyfriend is somewhat involved and the way the two of them deal with the situation brings their incompatibility to the forefront. At the same time, Cait feels unexpectedly attracted to the victim’s employer, the mysterious Marcella Carson.
The crime arc is thrilling but being me, I’m as usual more interested in the characters’ journeys, in this case Cait’s. Realizing she’s not straight is only part of what changes in her life as the story progresses. Yeah, that’s an understatement. “How am I going to tell my mom?” applies to more than sexual orientation. The doubts, the unsettled feelings, the growth Cait goes through are skillfully detailed and go a long way into establishing her as a captivating character.
There’s a lot happening in this book, maybe too much. I don’t know if it’s on purpose – who doesn’t like a few twists? – or if it’s a – rather common – debut novel flaw. Either way, it at times felt like I was reading three books at once. I can’t decide whether it’s a problem or not. The pace is excellent and it kept me on my toes and yes, it was messy and chaotic but since that’s probably what the main character felt as well, it kinda works for me, especially in a first book in a series, where everything is new and part of the worldbuilding. I look forward to finding out how all of this evolves in books 2 and 3. Book 3, Green Rath, was just released, and the audiobook of Black Mirror will be out this winter, narrated by Abby Craden as well.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
September 6, 2023
This book is written in first person POV. Caitlin is taking you on her journey and honestly it felt like a whirlwind. I had the time to deep my toe in the water with the first chapters then it's like I was hit by a tsunami and taking in a flow of surprising plots. This book has a lot of things:
- A main character with deep traumas from the army
-The sexual awakening of Cait
-The investigation
-The dark urban fantasy
-Some bloody scenes that made me close my eyes(I am quite sensitive)
All these elements mixed made this book very rich. Maybe a bit too rich, sometimes overwhelming my average brain.
With this debut novel, Wood opens the doors to a world mixing fantasy, action, violence, suspense, passion, sex and blood.
To me, the book's main strength is that it excelled in tip toeing the "grey zone" (in opposition to a black or white). Grey characters that make grey decisions. Marcella's character is the perfect example and played a central part in bringing depth to the book : she is complex, dangerous, irresistible and definitely mysterious. Nuanced characters are always my favorite.
Caitlin's journey is everything but restful, surprising you until the last page. If you decide to take this ride, buckle up, because inspiration is definitely not something the author is lacking and you won't be able to stop at book 1.
Abby Craden's narration is once again impressive with a book rich in accents, characters and plots. She really gave the story the life it deserved.
January 14, 2023
I loved this but if you’re looking for a well structured fantasy book nah there’s a lot of iffy eyebrow raising parts
August 27, 2023
4.5 stars
While the blurb for this book gives a little teaser of what readers can expect, I was blown away by the layers and complexity of this story! It's almost two books in one. One is the story of a military veteran struggling with PTSD from her wartime experience. The second is the story of a hot-headed, dedicated homicide detective who gets dragged into a paranormal underworld, where she discovers more about herself than she could have imagined.
There are twists and turns and just about the time you think you have a handle on what's going to happen - BOOM! - plot twist! It certainly keeps you on your toes. It's quite the adventure and sometimes quite scary - though it's not really horror per se.
Abby Craden did a phenomenal job of narrating this work and seemed to really be enjoying it. She really got to flex her creative muscle with a significant number of characters with varied accents.
This has one hell of a cliffhanger ending, being the first of a series. I'm definitely in for more.
While the blurb for this book gives a little teaser of what readers can expect, I was blown away by the layers and complexity of this story! It's almost two books in one. One is the story of a military veteran struggling with PTSD from her wartime experience. The second is the story of a hot-headed, dedicated homicide detective who gets dragged into a paranormal underworld, where she discovers more about herself than she could have imagined.
There are twists and turns and just about the time you think you have a handle on what's going to happen - BOOM! - plot twist! It certainly keeps you on your toes. It's quite the adventure and sometimes quite scary - though it's not really horror per se.
Abby Craden did a phenomenal job of narrating this work and seemed to really be enjoying it. She really got to flex her creative muscle with a significant number of characters with varied accents.
This has one hell of a cliffhanger ending, being the first of a series. I'm definitely in for more.
July 17, 2022
I absolutely loved it
Okay, I was a little apprehensive at first because I had never read anything by this author and it was like a 10 hour read. I was thinking that a book this long could hold my attention. Well, I
was wrong. It was such well written story with strong well developed characters that I literally couldn't put it down. I'm trying to give an honest review without spoilers but in closing, it was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Okay, I was a little apprehensive at first because I had never read anything by this author and it was like a 10 hour read. I was thinking that a book this long could hold my attention. Well, I
was wrong. It was such well written story with strong well developed characters that I literally couldn't put it down. I'm trying to give an honest review without spoilers but in closing, it was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 23, 2023
Sometimes, I stumble across a book and am so pleasantly surprised at how brilliant it is, I’m left kind of giddy for days after. Blood Rituals by Aoibh Wood didn’t stand out to me until it hit audible because I’m not hugely into fantasy, but Abby Craden narrates this one, so I was happy to give it a go.
Do I need to mention, yet again, how amazing Abby Craden is at her job? She has never delivered anything less than a five-star performance in my eyes, and this book is no different.
Cait is a cop living with PTSD and fine with being known as the bitch within her department. A new case brings a new partner and a lot of questions about her sexuality. Marcella is not a suspect, so developing feeling towards her isn’t out of the question, it’s just something Cait has never thought about. Following leads end in more questions however as the case takes a turn, and Cait finds herself face to face with vampires, werewolves and other creatures she never dreamed were real.
One of the things that struck me about Blood Rituals was that Aoibh Wood did a lot of showing, not telling. I never felt dragged down by details. I loved this aspect of the book, as it made the characters more three-dimensional and relatable. And there were a few times I didn’t particularly like Cait, but I’m not sure I was meant to. The storytelling is intentional and there are a few plot twists towards the end, which I’m sure not everyone will love. But again, it all feels like it is going somewhere.
Wood has set the bar high with her debut dark urban fantasy novel, so if you haven’t read it, I recommend checking it out.
Do I need to mention, yet again, how amazing Abby Craden is at her job? She has never delivered anything less than a five-star performance in my eyes, and this book is no different.
Cait is a cop living with PTSD and fine with being known as the bitch within her department. A new case brings a new partner and a lot of questions about her sexuality. Marcella is not a suspect, so developing feeling towards her isn’t out of the question, it’s just something Cait has never thought about. Following leads end in more questions however as the case takes a turn, and Cait finds herself face to face with vampires, werewolves and other creatures she never dreamed were real.
One of the things that struck me about Blood Rituals was that Aoibh Wood did a lot of showing, not telling. I never felt dragged down by details. I loved this aspect of the book, as it made the characters more three-dimensional and relatable. And there were a few times I didn’t particularly like Cait, but I’m not sure I was meant to. The storytelling is intentional and there are a few plot twists towards the end, which I’m sure not everyone will love. But again, it all feels like it is going somewhere.
Wood has set the bar high with her debut dark urban fantasy novel, so if you haven’t read it, I recommend checking it out.
March 18, 2024
4 Stars
This book was very immersive in the lives of police and vampires. I like the detail poured into the life of the main character. It was helpful in seeing her holistically from her past to present. I assume the vampires’ history will be divulged soon enough but in this book it was more about the human.
It’s a heavy read in terms of information but I enjoyed myself.
This book was very immersive in the lives of police and vampires. I like the detail poured into the life of the main character. It was helpful in seeing her holistically from her past to present. I assume the vampires’ history will be divulged soon enough but in this book it was more about the human.
It’s a heavy read in terms of information but I enjoyed myself.
Read
October 9, 2022Fantastic!!
Massive twist around 80% and I was not expecting that!!
Owwwww crap I’ve got to wait until next year for book two 🤯
Massive twist around 80% and I was not expecting that!!
Owwwww crap I’ve got to wait until next year for book two 🤯
October 4, 2024
Surprise! This started with a journal like chapter and i thought this book was going to be a bore but what a dramatic turnover i experienced. Vamps, werewolves, snake goddesses with action
February 25, 2024
I'm gonna be honest. This book had me fooled into thinking it was going to be another run of the mill vampire romance novel. You know the basic setup: PI or detective gets called to a murder scene, gets embroiled with a rich and powerful vampire who's somehow connected to the mystery, main character gets thrust into the supernatural underworld, sex happens. This is not that book. I mean, sure, all that happens in the first half but later there are several twists that keeps it from being anything but typical.
First and foremost the main character suffers from PTSD from her tour in Afghanistan. Exactly how she can be a homicide detective without constantly triggering her PTSD is kind of a mystery to me, but there it is. In spite of that, it's kind of nice having a main character who's flawed in a meaningful way (not that having PTSD means you're flawed just... you know what I mean.) Secondly, part of this story is her coming out to herself as a lesbian, and it's handled pretty decently. She isn't shamed for having dated men, and she *does* consider the possibility that she's bi, but in the end she comes to the conclusion that she just isn't attracted to men the same way she is to women, and it's celebrated by the other queer folk that she finally figured it out. Most books of this ilk that I've read start out with the MC already out, and it's nice to see somebody struggle with that.
I mentioned that things start off rather run of the mill, but at about the halfway mark things start to get batshit crazy. There's ninjas, there's a medical doctor naga, there's a secret underground forest that houses various fae refugees, not to mention It's just kind of a lot that starts off small but then kind of snowballs towards the end where revelation after revelation happens, which normally I don't mind but some of those revelations come out of left field and you aren't really given any time to process any of it.
I'm going to bitch about one of them right now, but I can't without being very spoilery. Also cw: Rape, sexual assault and grooming. So here goes.
Despite these things I *did* enjoy the book, and I'm going to read the others in the series to see if they untangle all the revelations that happen in the last few chapters because, while some of them left me scratching my head, others were kind of neat. Normally I'd give this four stars, but I'm going to knock one off because of the above problems.
First and foremost the main character suffers from PTSD from her tour in Afghanistan. Exactly how she can be a homicide detective without constantly triggering her PTSD is kind of a mystery to me, but there it is. In spite of that, it's kind of nice having a main character who's flawed in a meaningful way (not that having PTSD means you're flawed just... you know what I mean.) Secondly, part of this story is her coming out to herself as a lesbian, and it's handled pretty decently. She isn't shamed for having dated men, and she *does* consider the possibility that she's bi, but in the end she comes to the conclusion that she just isn't attracted to men the same way she is to women, and it's celebrated by the other queer folk that she finally figured it out. Most books of this ilk that I've read start out with the MC already out, and it's nice to see somebody struggle with that.
I mentioned that things start off rather run of the mill, but at about the halfway mark things start to get batshit crazy. There's ninjas, there's a medical doctor naga, there's a secret underground forest that houses various fae refugees, not to mention It's just kind of a lot that starts off small but then kind of snowballs towards the end where revelation after revelation happens, which normally I don't mind but some of those revelations come out of left field and you aren't really given any time to process any of it.
I'm going to bitch about one of them right now, but I can't without being very spoilery. Also cw: Rape, sexual assault and grooming. So here goes.
Despite these things I *did* enjoy the book, and I'm going to read the others in the series to see if they untangle all the revelations that happen in the last few chapters because, while some of them left me scratching my head, others were kind of neat. Normally I'd give this four stars, but I'm going to knock one off because of the above problems.
November 18, 2022
An okay read
***Spoiler Warning***
The story was alright and I feel like there was a lot of potential left unused. Some of the story dragged on and other parts felt very rushed. The ending left me disappointed as did the handling of the portal. The runaway nudist colony line had me laughing out loud though. Definitely want my own Jabba because the big boned cat might just be my favorite character in the book.
I almost deducted a star because a name was used that I associate with a great deal of mental and emotional trauma from my past and I nearly quit reading the book on the spot because of it. I powered through my own mental gymnastics to finish the story and now I have to wait until the next book comes out to maybe find a satisfactory conclusion. Not really sure how I feel about it given the way things left off between Cait and Marcella and now the addition of Morgan to the mix? Meh to Cait being cured too.
I’m feeling more 2.5ish about this the more I think about it but my initial thoughts were a 3 so I’m going with that for now. I’m hoping the next book knocks my proverbial socks off to make up for my mixed feelings on this one.
***Spoiler Warning***
The story was alright and I feel like there was a lot of potential left unused. Some of the story dragged on and other parts felt very rushed. The ending left me disappointed as did the handling of the portal. The runaway nudist colony line had me laughing out loud though. Definitely want my own Jabba because the big boned cat might just be my favorite character in the book.
I almost deducted a star because a name was used that I associate with a great deal of mental and emotional trauma from my past and I nearly quit reading the book on the spot because of it. I powered through my own mental gymnastics to finish the story and now I have to wait until the next book comes out to maybe find a satisfactory conclusion. Not really sure how I feel about it given the way things left off between Cait and Marcella and now the addition of Morgan to the mix? Meh to Cait being cured too.
I’m feeling more 2.5ish about this the more I think about it but my initial thoughts were a 3 so I’m going with that for now. I’m hoping the next book knocks my proverbial socks off to make up for my mixed feelings on this one.
December 10, 2023
3.5*
I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the fantasy of it all. What i found a little frustrating was how fast paced everything is. As a reader you have no time to adjust to the twists and turns, before something else happens.
It would’ve been nice for Cait and Marcella’s relationship to happen at a slower pace. In love after a week? I’m not so sure. It doesn’t work for me, personally.
Sometimes there’s just too much going on to register what’s actually going on. Cait is conflicted, and rightly so, but it doesn’t last long enough to empathise with her.
Also, if I were Cait’s parent and found out she’d been turned into a vampire, I’d have reacted more. It was all too rushed, which is surprising considering the book is quite long.
Onto the next one!
I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the fantasy of it all. What i found a little frustrating was how fast paced everything is. As a reader you have no time to adjust to the twists and turns, before something else happens.
It would’ve been nice for Cait and Marcella’s relationship to happen at a slower pace. In love after a week? I’m not so sure. It doesn’t work for me, personally.
Sometimes there’s just too much going on to register what’s actually going on. Cait is conflicted, and rightly so, but it doesn’t last long enough to empathise with her.
Also, if I were Cait’s parent and found out she’d been turned into a vampire, I’d have reacted more. It was all too rushed, which is surprising considering the book is quite long.
Onto the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
I can't decide how to feel about this book.
Like, there's a lot to process here.
And it's... something. It's not a bad something but it's also not really a good something? There was a lot of information and it wasn't exactly...linear? Some things felt thrown together and rushed. Other things dragged.
It's an interesting premise and absolutely fucking hysterical at points, but I just don't know.
So here's waiting for Black Mirror before I officially make up my mind.
Like, there's a lot to process here.
And it's... something. It's not a bad something but it's also not really a good something? There was a lot of information and it wasn't exactly...linear? Some things felt thrown together and rushed. Other things dragged.
It's an interesting premise and absolutely fucking hysterical at points, but I just don't know.
So here's waiting for Black Mirror before I officially make up my mind.
May 6, 2022
Loved it!
All the twists, amazing! I wanted something different but para and this really hit all the right notes. I am looking forward to more and really hoping that 2023 hurry up so I can read the next one. This will definitely be having a few re-reads. It may even up on my most coveted bookcase space.
All the twists, amazing! I wanted something different but para and this really hit all the right notes. I am looking forward to more and really hoping that 2023 hurry up so I can read the next one. This will definitely be having a few re-reads. It may even up on my most coveted bookcase space.
July 23, 2022
Needed a good copy editor, liked the writing style but hated the eventual plot.
did-not-finish
July 27, 2022DNF @ 52%. Kindle Unlimited.
September 13, 2023
So I listen to this book a couple times it does get better every time I’m very inpatient waiting for the next one!!!
February 22, 2024
For ~70% the story moves forward with a really nice and sometimes too fast pace. It's either the criminal story or Caits personal development. Then the reason unfolds for this being a series instead of a standalone story and derails the book somewhat. If you like EPIC DRAMA this will be right up your alley. If you prefer a more contained story, this may be not for you.
dnf
March 13, 2024DNF at 54%.
Started off interesting but lost steam at the half way point. Also, I feel like I missed a part of the plot but don’t care to go back and figure it out.
Started off interesting but lost steam at the half way point. Also, I feel like I missed a part of the plot but don’t care to go back and figure it out.
July 25, 2022
wow
What an incredible book and I’m so sad to have to wait for the next installment for a long while. Storied like these are a great find. The characters are relatable and the dialogues are well written. Well done!
What an incredible book and I’m so sad to have to wait for the next installment for a long while. Storied like these are a great find. The characters are relatable and the dialogues are well written. Well done!
February 16, 2023
TLDR: A detective bites off more paranormal activity than she can chew, but the author needs to be more explicit.
Blood Rituals is a far better book than I anticipated. The story follows Caitlin Reagan, a detective for the Boston police department and a veteran of the Iraq War. Due to chronic PTSD, she’s divorced from her personal life and married to her job. So, when she’s assigned a new case, she jumps in with both feet and is subsequently thrust into the world of the paranormal. While there are elements of romance throughout, the focus is largely on the homicide case. To be frank, I prefer this over typical romance because there is a plot pulling the characters through the story in addition to growing infatuation.
There are a great many things Blood Rituals does well, so I’ll do my best to give you the highlights. To start, the world-building is admirable and the veil of secrecy shrouding the paranormal is peeled back bit by bit so it’s never overwhelming. I’m a long-time fan of noir, so the hard-boiled detective becoming her job fills with me glee. Especially because it’s a woman playing a role that is typically reserved for a man. That said, she’s also prone to the same bravado that results in reckless behavior. So, she’s a stubborn pain in the ass. I love this, but I understand it’s not for everyone.
Secondly, the author is clearly well-read and knowledgeable. I love information porn. I was introduced to real-world poetry I had never read - and I love poetry - in addition to paintings by celebrated artists. Thank you, Google. Liberal politics are employed throughout and the overarching theme is environmentalism and the destruction of the planet brought about by humans. I’ve been working on a paranormal romance set in a cyberpunk future and I’m dealing with similar issues so this was excellent food for thought. I like that environmentalism was used as a lens to examine paranormal activity.
Thirdly, I adore the way Cait acknowledges her sexuality. I’ve read over 40 books this year and, until now, no one has discussed the sense of “rightness” which is the clarity of sexual awakening. And many of these books have characters that are just beginning to understand they are lesbian. What gives? I remember hugging my first girlfriend over twenty years ago and thinking there was no way it could be wrong because it felt more right than anything I’d ever done.
Unfortunately, the lack of clarity surrounding events unfolding throughout the story is keeping me from giving this book 5 stars. I still don’t completely understand what happened to Gabe and why. And what happened to Celeste? I read multiple paragraphs forward and backward and still couldn’t figure out what Cait seemed to know that I didn’t. I think this is a case of the author knowing exactly what is happening and forgetting to spell it out for the reader. It’s a thin line between allowing readers to connect the dots and telling them exactly what is happening. So, my constructive criticism is to just slow down a little.
Overall, do I recommend reading this book? Yes, absolutely. It’s the best book I’ve read in my favorite genre. High praise. And I will begin reading the second in the series after I post this review.
Blood Rituals is a far better book than I anticipated. The story follows Caitlin Reagan, a detective for the Boston police department and a veteran of the Iraq War. Due to chronic PTSD, she’s divorced from her personal life and married to her job. So, when she’s assigned a new case, she jumps in with both feet and is subsequently thrust into the world of the paranormal. While there are elements of romance throughout, the focus is largely on the homicide case. To be frank, I prefer this over typical romance because there is a plot pulling the characters through the story in addition to growing infatuation.
There are a great many things Blood Rituals does well, so I’ll do my best to give you the highlights. To start, the world-building is admirable and the veil of secrecy shrouding the paranormal is peeled back bit by bit so it’s never overwhelming. I’m a long-time fan of noir, so the hard-boiled detective becoming her job fills with me glee. Especially because it’s a woman playing a role that is typically reserved for a man. That said, she’s also prone to the same bravado that results in reckless behavior. So, she’s a stubborn pain in the ass. I love this, but I understand it’s not for everyone.
Secondly, the author is clearly well-read and knowledgeable. I love information porn. I was introduced to real-world poetry I had never read - and I love poetry - in addition to paintings by celebrated artists. Thank you, Google. Liberal politics are employed throughout and the overarching theme is environmentalism and the destruction of the planet brought about by humans. I’ve been working on a paranormal romance set in a cyberpunk future and I’m dealing with similar issues so this was excellent food for thought. I like that environmentalism was used as a lens to examine paranormal activity.
Thirdly, I adore the way Cait acknowledges her sexuality. I’ve read over 40 books this year and, until now, no one has discussed the sense of “rightness” which is the clarity of sexual awakening. And many of these books have characters that are just beginning to understand they are lesbian. What gives? I remember hugging my first girlfriend over twenty years ago and thinking there was no way it could be wrong because it felt more right than anything I’d ever done.
Unfortunately, the lack of clarity surrounding events unfolding throughout the story is keeping me from giving this book 5 stars. I still don’t completely understand what happened to Gabe and why. And what happened to Celeste? I read multiple paragraphs forward and backward and still couldn’t figure out what Cait seemed to know that I didn’t. I think this is a case of the author knowing exactly what is happening and forgetting to spell it out for the reader. It’s a thin line between allowing readers to connect the dots and telling them exactly what is happening. So, my constructive criticism is to just slow down a little.
Overall, do I recommend reading this book? Yes, absolutely. It’s the best book I’ve read in my favorite genre. High praise. And I will begin reading the second in the series after I post this review.
June 13, 2022
TLDR: Worth the read, couldn't put it down, gnashing my teeth for the second book
I could not put this down. I read it in essentially a single 24-hour period. I could not wait to find out what happened next. It just had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. There were a couple of places where I felt like my heart was being ripped out, that cold internal feeling where emotion feels like it dies. I stuck it and was thankful for that, even if the ending didn't work out as well as I prefer. I like books that wrap things up in a nice little package. It's one reason I don't tend to read duology or trilogy series that only have 1 book because I hate being left hanging.
That is probably why I am writing a review to let the author know that I will be buying the second book when it comes out.
I could not put this down. I read it in essentially a single 24-hour period. I could not wait to find out what happened next. It just had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. There were a couple of places where I felt like my heart was being ripped out, that cold internal feeling where emotion feels like it dies. I stuck it and was thankful for that, even if the ending didn't work out as well as I prefer. I like books that wrap things up in a nice little package. It's one reason I don't tend to read duology or trilogy series that only have 1 book because I hate being left hanging.
That is probably why I am writing a review to let the author know that I will be buying the second book when it comes out.
June 6, 2022
Wow just wow
This book was so freaking good ! I love how you portrayed the characters especially cait & Marcella , I love how when cait found out about Marcella she didn’t have one of those stupid unnecessary moments where she freaked out and acted like Marcella was evil because she was different or was afraid of her and I love how open minded and accepting she was , I love that Marcella was a bad ass one moment but loving to cait and her cause the next it really help me see her from different views , I hope we have more of cait and Marcella but I do feel Marcella should have to fight for cait this time around , more “ dreams “ would be nice though can’t lie lol . Please don’t make use wait until 2023 I couldn’t stand it lol . You are a amazing writer and quickly became one of my favorite with this amazing book . Keep writing ❤️
This book was so freaking good ! I love how you portrayed the characters especially cait & Marcella , I love how when cait found out about Marcella she didn’t have one of those stupid unnecessary moments where she freaked out and acted like Marcella was evil because she was different or was afraid of her and I love how open minded and accepting she was , I love that Marcella was a bad ass one moment but loving to cait and her cause the next it really help me see her from different views , I hope we have more of cait and Marcella but I do feel Marcella should have to fight for cait this time around , more “ dreams “ would be nice though can’t lie lol . Please don’t make use wait until 2023 I couldn’t stand it lol . You are a amazing writer and quickly became one of my favorite with this amazing book . Keep writing ❤️
May 31, 2025
Almost DNF.
The author had an idea and it had the potential to be great but just… wasn’t. The pacing was beyond strange with the first half of the book basically being the introduction to the characters and dynamics and the story itself and it still didn’t manage to build a cohesive world. Once you get to the second half, all of a sudden things start to happen and there are so many side plots that lead absolutely nowhere that you start to forget what the actual plot is.
I get what the author was trying to do and where she was trying to go with the story but the execution simply isn’t good. I think the book would be considerably better if Wood hadn’t tried to do so much in a single book (or more like half a book since most of the plot is focused on the latter half of it) and instead focused on building the world and making sure the plot and the twists actually make sense. As it is, it almost feels like the author came up with new twists as she wrote and the characters are consistently inconsistent but in a wrong way, not in a well-rounded, complex character way.
The author had an idea and it had the potential to be great but just… wasn’t. The pacing was beyond strange with the first half of the book basically being the introduction to the characters and dynamics and the story itself and it still didn’t manage to build a cohesive world. Once you get to the second half, all of a sudden things start to happen and there are so many side plots that lead absolutely nowhere that you start to forget what the actual plot is.
I get what the author was trying to do and where she was trying to go with the story but the execution simply isn’t good. I think the book would be considerably better if Wood hadn’t tried to do so much in a single book (or more like half a book since most of the plot is focused on the latter half of it) and instead focused on building the world and making sure the plot and the twists actually make sense. As it is, it almost feels like the author came up with new twists as she wrote and the characters are consistently inconsistent but in a wrong way, not in a well-rounded, complex character way.
September 27, 2023
Complex, dark, adorable at times, and with a hell of a lot of twists, this story is so much more than a typical detective/vampire story, and nothing is quite what it seems. And I absolutely loved it. This is the type of story that sinks it claws in, not letting go even when the story is finished, things going in ways that I truly didn't expect.
Cait is a broken, tough-as-nails cop, but beneath it all there a lot to be worked through, and when she meets Marcella things quickly start to change. There are more than just vampires here, and so much going on that slowly gets revealed, the murders just the tip of the iceberg. It's gritty and dark, but there are also some some cute moments there too, and you really do end up feeling for the characters. Even when things get quite messy.
Thoroughly enjoyed, and I'll be jumping straight into book 2 - Black Mirror.
Cait is a broken, tough-as-nails cop, but beneath it all there a lot to be worked through, and when she meets Marcella things quickly start to change. There are more than just vampires here, and so much going on that slowly gets revealed, the murders just the tip of the iceberg. It's gritty and dark, but there are also some some cute moments there too, and you really do end up feeling for the characters. Even when things get quite messy.
Thoroughly enjoyed, and I'll be jumping straight into book 2 - Black Mirror.
January 2, 2023
could’ve been 4 stars
This book needed to stick with the relationship with Marcella and instead destroyed it for no reason at all. Marcella is the one who helped cait with her ptsd and I could continue the series except the next book cait is even a more toxic relationship and Marcella is gone.
Sorry but a book that has so much potential decided to switch plot lines and heroines multiple times throughout the book.
No one decided to fight for love or try to make things work even in the context this vampire world Marcella did have choices to make things better for cait but it was almost as if the author didn’t want cait to have any healthy relationships in this book or the next.
So disappointed
This book needed to stick with the relationship with Marcella and instead destroyed it for no reason at all. Marcella is the one who helped cait with her ptsd and I could continue the series except the next book cait is even a more toxic relationship and Marcella is gone.
Sorry but a book that has so much potential decided to switch plot lines and heroines multiple times throughout the book.
No one decided to fight for love or try to make things work even in the context this vampire world Marcella did have choices to make things better for cait but it was almost as if the author didn’t want cait to have any healthy relationships in this book or the next.
So disappointed
May 12, 2024
Initially the book was awesome, nice buildup and all. Until..somewhere a turn was made and everything mythical was introduced like an avalanche.. the action went from 10 up to 100, and to be honest..a bit confusing. Al lot got crammed in the last chapters including some new characters..Entertaining read, but I’ll pass on the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
An exceptional first novel!!
I was blown away by Ms. Woods’ writing and character development. I’m pretty picky about the books I read, and this one did NOT disappoint! I’m looking forward to her next book, and the next book in this series.
I was blown away by Ms. Woods’ writing and character development. I’m pretty picky about the books I read, and this one did NOT disappoint! I’m looking forward to her next book, and the next book in this series.
September 16, 2023
Phenomenal Paranormal Adventure with Romantic Elements
This is the best paranormal book I've read, actually listened to. The writing is creative and the world-building, phenomenal. Abby Craden's narration along with author Aoibh Wood's writing brought you right into this world as if you were walking through it with superbly fleshed-out three-dimensional characters along with spellbinding scenery and action. The storyline is so captivating that my sense is that whether you listen or read, you will be captured well beyond finishing it.
I did find that in the last quarter of the book you needed to slow down and pay closer attention, or you'd miss something and get confused, which I did so I went back and relistened. This story was just as engaging the second time through, and I found the answers to my questions were there in those last chapters.
Still, I was devastated and felt let down by so many things that happened during the final chapters leaving me to wonder with some trepidation over what will happen going forward in the following books. But I will probably continue with this series in the hopes that in the end, the author will build to an amazing satisfying climax and successful resolution of the main conflicts within the storyline and with the characters.
Thank you, Aoibh Wood, for the ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the best paranormal book I've read, actually listened to. The writing is creative and the world-building, phenomenal. Abby Craden's narration along with author Aoibh Wood's writing brought you right into this world as if you were walking through it with superbly fleshed-out three-dimensional characters along with spellbinding scenery and action. The storyline is so captivating that my sense is that whether you listen or read, you will be captured well beyond finishing it.
I did find that in the last quarter of the book you needed to slow down and pay closer attention, or you'd miss something and get confused, which I did so I went back and relistened. This story was just as engaging the second time through, and I found the answers to my questions were there in those last chapters.
Still, I was devastated and felt let down by so many things that happened during the final chapters leaving me to wonder with some trepidation over what will happen going forward in the following books. But I will probably continue with this series in the hopes that in the end, the author will build to an amazing satisfying climax and successful resolution of the main conflicts within the storyline and with the characters.
Thank you, Aoibh Wood, for the ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2023
This is my first story from this author and I was not disappointed. I love a good story about vampires and lesbians and you get both in this book. Add Abby Craden as the narrator and you have yourself an awesome time! This book really has so much because as you read it so much comes from it. Cait is a women that has ptsd and is discovering things about herself. One of those things is her sexuality. She meets Marcella that comes with a lot of hidden secrets. Things you wouldn’t even be able to guess. I really did like their dynamic. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book. The way this book ended left me with lots of questions. I always root for the main characters to be end game so I hope we get to see that as the story evolves. Definitely reading the next book cause I can’t with the unknown. Recommended this book to anyone who is looking for a love story but with so much more then just that and I think this book really delivers on that.
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