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Broken Bonds #1
Of Blood and Crowns
On my sixteenth birthday, I’ll become a murderer.
I don’t want to kill anyone but it’s my duty as princess.
To stop the threat of the Cursed. The ones who destroyed our planet and most life.
If I don’t participate in the ritual to seal my initiation into the ruling council and solidify my mother’s empire, everyone will figure out the truth.
My truth.
That I’m a Cursed.
It gets worse.
My only hope rests in the hands of Ryker, whose sister I sentenced to death.
I don’t want to kill anyone but it’s my duty as princess.
To stop the threat of the Cursed. The ones who destroyed our planet and most life.
If I don’t participate in the ritual to seal my initiation into the ruling council and solidify my mother’s empire, everyone will figure out the truth.
My truth.
That I’m a Cursed.
It gets worse.
My only hope rests in the hands of Ryker, whose sister I sentenced to death.
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First published January 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 14, 2023
This book was just marvelous. I loved this so much, it was so much better than what I thought. Valencia was so brave and strong, I loved her attitude and spunk, she was young but at the same time she was wise beyond her years. She would do anything for the people she cared about. Ryker was all gruff but so loyal and strong too. Their love was everything, it was wholesome and just really pure. I can't wait to read the next one
January 20, 2023
Of Blood and Crowns was an enjoyable sci-fi with cyborg-adjacent elements, which (I think) is underdone in YA. Parts of the story vaguely reminded me of the feeling I had while watching the TV show Arcane, though the narratives are entirely different. Valencia is a relatable character in that she comes into her power fairly quickly and has to combat her mother's will while attempting to unravel the truth behind her father's death. Valencia is also doing everything within her power to avoid the arranged marriage to an abusive general set up by her mother, but is quickly losing traction in the kingdom she is supposed to help rule. She is rescued by the brother (Ryker) of her best friend, Emery (who she had previously thought was dead), and ends up in a cat-and-mouse game where she is not entirely sure who to trust. Years before, Valencia tossed Emery overboard the ship she was on to save her life, and for all this time, Valencia believed her friend to have perished in the seas. When Emery shows up with Ryker, Valencia feels extreme guilt over risking her friend's life (though it was the only option to save her at the time) and is terrified of what her brother- Ryker- will do when he finds out.
Overall, I had a good time reading this! I wish there had been more world-building at the beginning of the book. It sounds so intriguing! There are airships, advanced technology, and human enhancement elements to the story-- I just wish it had gone more in-depth about how these things came to be, what the entire country is like in detail, and how the social structures work. I understand that the queen says that everyone must work to live, but the world is still not a classless system, and it would have been nice to learn more about the "whys" and "hows" behind it all.
I think that younger readers will have a great time with this book! Thank you to NetGalley, Raven more, and Author Collective 20 for an e-ARC copy of Of Blood and Crowns.
Overall, I had a good time reading this! I wish there had been more world-building at the beginning of the book. It sounds so intriguing! There are airships, advanced technology, and human enhancement elements to the story-- I just wish it had gone more in-depth about how these things came to be, what the entire country is like in detail, and how the social structures work. I understand that the queen says that everyone must work to live, but the world is still not a classless system, and it would have been nice to learn more about the "whys" and "hows" behind it all.
I think that younger readers will have a great time with this book! Thank you to NetGalley, Raven more, and Author Collective 20 for an e-ARC copy of Of Blood and Crowns.
March 2, 2023
Absolutely loved reading this book. Kept me pulled into it. 5 star book. Highly recommend it. Couldn't put it down. Already told a few people that they need read this book. Might reread this book later on in the year.
January 28, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!
I have read it until the end? Yes. I have enjoyed it? I'm not sure, but let’s talk about it.
Of Blood and Crowns is a fantasy distopian young adult set in a world destroyed by war.
My favorite thing about the book is the protagonist Valencia who has made an impressive character evolution. She discovered her strength through friendship and love and became a badass.
But I found some parts of the book confusing and others boring, not to mention the cringe scenes (for example, in the middle of the battle Valencia and her love interest start kissing instead of thinking of a way to save the situation).
I don't think I will read the sequel because this book is not for me, but surely someone else will like it!
I have read it until the end? Yes. I have enjoyed it? I'm not sure, but let’s talk about it.
Of Blood and Crowns is a fantasy distopian young adult set in a world destroyed by war.
My favorite thing about the book is the protagonist Valencia who has made an impressive character evolution. She discovered her strength through friendship and love and became a badass.
But I found some parts of the book confusing and others boring, not to mention the cringe scenes (for example, in the middle of the battle Valencia and her love interest start kissing instead of thinking of a way to save the situation).
I don't think I will read the sequel because this book is not for me, but surely someone else will like it!
January 28, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Collective 20, and Raven More for the opportunity to read Of Blood and Crowns (Broken Bonds Book 1) in exchange for an honest review.
Told from the first-person perspective of Princess Valencia, this is the first book in an exciting new science-fiction romance.
Valencia has an obligation. As Princess, her sixteenth birthday celebration is marked by sacrificing a Mualite (my understanding of which is someone seen as a lower class citizen who also has a special ability of sorts). When she refuses, the Queen and the torturous general she is betrothed to toss her heritage aside and seek her potential death.
With her escape, a Mualite Valencia left for dead nearly four years ago saves her. Between Emery and her brother, Ryker, Valencia is thrown into a world opposite of that which she knows. Exhibiting a power of her own, Valencia's mixed heritage is revealed.
With passionate feelings arising for Ryker and a quest to find the rebels and join their feat against her own mother, Valencia has a lot to tackle in a world so unlike that which she has known.
The worldbuilding is good, but a bit convoluted at times. There are some instances where I can picture events quite clearly, and other times where I struggle to figure out and picture what is going on. Many have said the pacing is a bit off in the beginning. I both agree and disagree. While starting off a romance so quickly does feel a bit off, it end up working well later on, making for an enticing romance aspect to the story. I like the quest aspect as the main characters set their goal and attempt to make something of themselves against Valencia's mother. The book has a lot of dialogue with not so much exposition, making for a very quick read.
Fast-paced and exciting, with the perfect amount of adventure and romance, Of Blood and Crowns makes for a great first novel in a young adult series that teen readers are certain to enjoy.
Told from the first-person perspective of Princess Valencia, this is the first book in an exciting new science-fiction romance.
Valencia has an obligation. As Princess, her sixteenth birthday celebration is marked by sacrificing a Mualite (my understanding of which is someone seen as a lower class citizen who also has a special ability of sorts). When she refuses, the Queen and the torturous general she is betrothed to toss her heritage aside and seek her potential death.
With her escape, a Mualite Valencia left for dead nearly four years ago saves her. Between Emery and her brother, Ryker, Valencia is thrown into a world opposite of that which she knows. Exhibiting a power of her own, Valencia's mixed heritage is revealed.
With passionate feelings arising for Ryker and a quest to find the rebels and join their feat against her own mother, Valencia has a lot to tackle in a world so unlike that which she has known.
The worldbuilding is good, but a bit convoluted at times. There are some instances where I can picture events quite clearly, and other times where I struggle to figure out and picture what is going on. Many have said the pacing is a bit off in the beginning. I both agree and disagree. While starting off a romance so quickly does feel a bit off, it end up working well later on, making for an enticing romance aspect to the story. I like the quest aspect as the main characters set their goal and attempt to make something of themselves against Valencia's mother. The book has a lot of dialogue with not so much exposition, making for a very quick read.
Fast-paced and exciting, with the perfect amount of adventure and romance, Of Blood and Crowns makes for a great first novel in a young adult series that teen readers are certain to enjoy.
January 13, 2023
Of Blood and Crowns is a very unique blend of a dystopian novel mixed with sci-fi and fantasy elements and it immediately grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. At the beginning of the story, we follow Valencia, who is a princess, on her 16th birthday. Valencia is being forced to participate in a ritual during her birthday to complete her initiation into the ruling council and solidify her mother's empire against the "Cursed."
The first part of this story was so exciting and I was totally invested in Valencia as a character. I also really liked the other characters that Valencia met along the way: Ryker and Emery. I thought the romance between Ryker and Valencia was excellent and I loved every scene of theirs together.
I also really enjoyed the setting of this book. It takes place in our world, but in the future and in a post-apocalyptic type environment. The characters are constantly scrounging for things and trying to survive and a harsh environment.
One of my favorite parts of the book, was the fantasy elements. I thought the magical powers that the characters had were very interesting and I hope that the author includes even more of this in the future books.
My only criticism is I felt like the pacing of the story was a little off. The characters were constantly on the brink of death and everything seemed to happen very quickly and chaotically. I would have liked some more quiet and peaceful moments with the characters along the way. I also felt like a lot of the plot was super convenient. Some important people would just show up when they needed to with no real explanation of how they got there at just the right time.
Overall though I really loved this book and would like to continue on with the series!
The first part of this story was so exciting and I was totally invested in Valencia as a character. I also really liked the other characters that Valencia met along the way: Ryker and Emery. I thought the romance between Ryker and Valencia was excellent and I loved every scene of theirs together.
I also really enjoyed the setting of this book. It takes place in our world, but in the future and in a post-apocalyptic type environment. The characters are constantly scrounging for things and trying to survive and a harsh environment.
One of my favorite parts of the book, was the fantasy elements. I thought the magical powers that the characters had were very interesting and I hope that the author includes even more of this in the future books.
My only criticism is I felt like the pacing of the story was a little off. The characters were constantly on the brink of death and everything seemed to happen very quickly and chaotically. I would have liked some more quiet and peaceful moments with the characters along the way. I also felt like a lot of the plot was super convenient. Some important people would just show up when they needed to with no real explanation of how they got there at just the right time.
Overall though I really loved this book and would like to continue on with the series!
January 16, 2023
A unique, futuristic, dystopian story. I loved this story from the first page. Princess Valencia is trapped between doing what is expected of her, and what she feels and knows is right. Enter Ryker, the boy she isn't supposed to want, and Emery, Ryker's sister who Valencia has wronged in the past. Secrets, magical powers, and spaceships abound. The three of them embark on a journey to save everyone from the Evil Queen and the "Cursed".
Great descriptions and character building. I felt immediately transported to their world. I actually finished this book in one day, and was surprised to see that this a debut novel! It ends with a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to the next book!
Thank you #NetGalley and #authorcollective20 for this cARC in exchange for my honest review.
Great descriptions and character building. I felt immediately transported to their world. I actually finished this book in one day, and was surprised to see that this a debut novel! It ends with a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to the next book!
Thank you #NetGalley and #authorcollective20 for this cARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2023
Thank you to the publisher, the author Raven More, and NetGalley for this ARC.
3.5-4⭐️⭐️
This was a YA dystopian/fantasy/romance novel. The book moved really quickly and there was a lot of action to keep you hooked. The book ends on a big cliffhanger noting to continue the story in book 2. Overall I thought it was a good quick read. The book could have added a little more world building and the MC had an insta- love connection over a slow burn. While the book has strong female MCs. There is a couple of quotes made by a few of the characters that rubbed me the wrong way regarding masculinity or being a man. That being said, I think it was an overall good book.
Also note: there is a bit of sexual assault mentioned and experienced by the MC.
3.5-4⭐️⭐️
This was a YA dystopian/fantasy/romance novel. The book moved really quickly and there was a lot of action to keep you hooked. The book ends on a big cliffhanger noting to continue the story in book 2. Overall I thought it was a good quick read. The book could have added a little more world building and the MC had an insta- love connection over a slow burn. While the book has strong female MCs. There is a couple of quotes made by a few of the characters that rubbed me the wrong way regarding masculinity or being a man. That being said, I think it was an overall good book.
Also note: there is a bit of sexual assault mentioned and experienced by the MC.
February 6, 2023
Thank you to the publisher, the author Raven More, and NetGalley for this ARC.
I want to start off by saying that I DNF’d this book at 70% despite wanting to do it at around the 30% mark - purely because I wanted to give an honest review and see if things improved.
Unfortunately, for me they didn’t. The main issues for me lay in the writing. The plot (a fast paced, dystopian, enemies to lovers story) had potential, but ultimately was just chaotic. At no point in this read did I know what was going on. Not because the plot was difficult to grasp, but because of the haphazard writing. I was constantly confused by simple events. Because it was so fast paced, each sentence felt like a random jump. For example, the characters are travelling what is made out to be a long distance across wasteland to uncover a ship. One sentence they’ve just set off & then I swear to god the literal next sentence they’ve found it. The next sentence they’re battling random creatures and the sentence after that they’re using mind powers to fix the problem. It was all just unnecessary chaos with no real world building to steady the narrative. The book was 300 pages long but could’ve been so much longer and better had these things been fleshed out and some love put into describing what was going on.
More on that point, I think some more thoughtful world building would’ve been an appreciated addition to this book. There was no real explanation of how the war started, all the different territories and how they interacted/sustained themselves or why some people had magic and why the mc’s magic was interacting. Some of the attempts at world building directly contradicted each other also. For example, throughout the book water is made known to be scarce, with some territories drinking watered down wine for hydration… but when the characters reach a nuclear wasteland with a lime green reactive water supply after having survived on barely any water through the desert, the destitute character that helps them just randomly has buckets full of water?
Another issue for me were the basic spelling errors “suites” instead of “suits”, “ENR” which stood for European Mualite Rebellion (???), and also just the most cringe statements “his tongue parted my lips, I only tasted juice and paradise” and my favourite “you’re shy? I like it, you’re complicated, not obvious like the girls I usually know”
I don’t know if this was just the scientist in me, but another phase used in the book that really bothered me and I couldn’t stop thinking about was “every nerve synapse convulsed” … how can something that is by definition a gap between two things, convulse?
Finally, the derogatory term for certain people in the book - “slags” was an issue for me. In England that’s actually a derogatory term used to condemn women who are intimate often, so I don’t know what possessed the author to use it as every time I read it I violently cringed.
Overall, a hard unenjoyable read.
I want to start off by saying that I DNF’d this book at 70% despite wanting to do it at around the 30% mark - purely because I wanted to give an honest review and see if things improved.
Unfortunately, for me they didn’t. The main issues for me lay in the writing. The plot (a fast paced, dystopian, enemies to lovers story) had potential, but ultimately was just chaotic. At no point in this read did I know what was going on. Not because the plot was difficult to grasp, but because of the haphazard writing. I was constantly confused by simple events. Because it was so fast paced, each sentence felt like a random jump. For example, the characters are travelling what is made out to be a long distance across wasteland to uncover a ship. One sentence they’ve just set off & then I swear to god the literal next sentence they’ve found it. The next sentence they’re battling random creatures and the sentence after that they’re using mind powers to fix the problem. It was all just unnecessary chaos with no real world building to steady the narrative. The book was 300 pages long but could’ve been so much longer and better had these things been fleshed out and some love put into describing what was going on.
More on that point, I think some more thoughtful world building would’ve been an appreciated addition to this book. There was no real explanation of how the war started, all the different territories and how they interacted/sustained themselves or why some people had magic and why the mc’s magic was interacting. Some of the attempts at world building directly contradicted each other also. For example, throughout the book water is made known to be scarce, with some territories drinking watered down wine for hydration… but when the characters reach a nuclear wasteland with a lime green reactive water supply after having survived on barely any water through the desert, the destitute character that helps them just randomly has buckets full of water?
Another issue for me were the basic spelling errors “suites” instead of “suits”, “ENR” which stood for European Mualite Rebellion (???), and also just the most cringe statements “his tongue parted my lips, I only tasted juice and paradise” and my favourite “you’re shy? I like it, you’re complicated, not obvious like the girls I usually know”
I don’t know if this was just the scientist in me, but another phase used in the book that really bothered me and I couldn’t stop thinking about was “every nerve synapse convulsed” … how can something that is by definition a gap between two things, convulse?
Finally, the derogatory term for certain people in the book - “slags” was an issue for me. In England that’s actually a derogatory term used to condemn women who are intimate often, so I don’t know what possessed the author to use it as every time I read it I violently cringed.
Overall, a hard unenjoyable read.
November 3, 2024
I would have went sooo crazy over this in middle school/ high school.
I don’t typically go for a strangers to lovers in a page book nowadays so it did deter me some but
I haven’t read a dystopian book since the Divergent series so this was a nice change for me.
It could have done with some more world building. If I were to be thrown into this world, I would be beyond lost 😂
The pacing is good, there wasn’t really any unnecessary filler, in my opinion.
It kept me interested and ended on a nice lil cliffhanger so definitely gonna continue to read the series.
I have a theory and I need to see if it pans out.
I don’t typically go for a strangers to lovers in a page book nowadays so it did deter me some but
I haven’t read a dystopian book since the Divergent series so this was a nice change for me.
It could have done with some more world building. If I were to be thrown into this world, I would be beyond lost 😂
The pacing is good, there wasn’t really any unnecessary filler, in my opinion.
It kept me interested and ended on a nice lil cliffhanger so definitely gonna continue to read the series.
I have a theory and I need to see if it pans out.
January 21, 2023
It took a while to get into this one, the pacing trough the first half felt a bit clunky, but it definitely picked up in the second half. A good start to what will be a great adventure I’m sure. Hoping Emery’s character gets to develop more as the story unfolds as she was my favourite. I found the heroine a little one dimensional and hope she becomes more layered through the series. I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
February 1, 2023
If you like Aveyard's Red Queen-style dystopians books,then you will surely love this one: in fact right from the start you will not struggle to find yourself in a post-apocalyptic World in which you will immediately make yours his desolation and suffering. The characters are all so well delineated that you will find them easy to love and hate. I loved Valencia and her good, sensitive and brave soul behind which she hides her fears and frailties.
Riker, on the other hand, has entered my long list of Book - boyfriends: he is hot-headed, impulsive , full of flaws and prejudices that make him extremely human. And that is precisely why it was wonderful to see him on page after page understand that the world and people are not divided into black and white, but can also contain shades of gray in them.
My favorite character, however, was Emery who,despite having experienced some really traumatic events whose consequences she will forever bear, continues to face every challenge head-on without ever ceasing to see the good in people.
From the beginning,the book was able to keep me glued to its pages thanks to its fast pace and the fluent writing of the author. Until the end,Raven was able to bring me into a world with steampunk characteristics in which I was moved several times to see the protagonists face their demons and find their own path to redemption.
Riker, on the other hand, has entered my long list of Book - boyfriends: he is hot-headed, impulsive , full of flaws and prejudices that make him extremely human. And that is precisely why it was wonderful to see him on page after page understand that the world and people are not divided into black and white, but can also contain shades of gray in them.
My favorite character, however, was Emery who,despite having experienced some really traumatic events whose consequences she will forever bear, continues to face every challenge head-on without ever ceasing to see the good in people.
From the beginning,the book was able to keep me glued to its pages thanks to its fast pace and the fluent writing of the author. Until the end,Raven was able to bring me into a world with steampunk characteristics in which I was moved several times to see the protagonists face their demons and find their own path to redemption.
January 30, 2023
This is the start of a scifi romance series that begins a bit slow as the characters are introduced. Then the story really begins as Valencia goes from a Princess in this futuristic crazy society with 3 types of people to being on the run and learning what the world is really like. It really has a quest feel to it as three teens are off to save the world. But of course there are obstacles and truths to find along the way. And watch as Valencia learns basic truths and tries to figure it all out. Enjoyed the story.
January 21, 2023
Of Blood and Crowns by Raven More (Broken Bonds Series: Book 1)
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book when I first requested to read it, but I am glad that I did. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down! Of Blood and Crowns is a dystopian novel that hits the ground running right from the beginning and is action packed the entire rest of the book. It follows Princess Valencia and her quest for freedom from her mother, who happens to be an evil queen who hates a race of people with special powers. Valencia happens to have those very powers. Along the way she meets the girl she saved 4 years prior and her brother, who both have special powers like Valencia. Together they escape a mining town, survive the desert with giant sand creatures, end up at a city straight out of Mad Max: Fury Road, then head to the ruins of Chicago where they meet some mutant assassins, and finally reach their destination after a long road trip just to face their biggest obstacle yet! I thought the book was well written overall and was a quick read. The only slightly unbelievable part was the romance between the two leads. From the first kiss (which was not in a romantic way) they were drawn to each other like magnets. In a span of three days they went from strangers to inseparable. It was still a fun read and I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes dystopian thrillers! Thank you NetGalley and Raven More for allowing me to read this advanced copy!
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book when I first requested to read it, but I am glad that I did. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down! Of Blood and Crowns is a dystopian novel that hits the ground running right from the beginning and is action packed the entire rest of the book. It follows Princess Valencia and her quest for freedom from her mother, who happens to be an evil queen who hates a race of people with special powers. Valencia happens to have those very powers. Along the way she meets the girl she saved 4 years prior and her brother, who both have special powers like Valencia. Together they escape a mining town, survive the desert with giant sand creatures, end up at a city straight out of Mad Max: Fury Road, then head to the ruins of Chicago where they meet some mutant assassins, and finally reach their destination after a long road trip just to face their biggest obstacle yet! I thought the book was well written overall and was a quick read. The only slightly unbelievable part was the romance between the two leads. From the first kiss (which was not in a romantic way) they were drawn to each other like magnets. In a span of three days they went from strangers to inseparable. It was still a fun read and I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes dystopian thrillers! Thank you NetGalley and Raven More for allowing me to read this advanced copy!
January 16, 2023
My Review
My Ranking: 4 stars
I was hooked from the very first page with this one. **I received a digital copy from NetGalley ** The fact that this is Raven’s Debut book blew my mind! From a new Author, she knocked this out of the park! I seriously couldn’t put this book down. I loved the characters, the world-building, the story setup, and everything! I was constantly rooting for the 3 main characters. Also, Ryker…yes he’s been added to the book boyfriend list! There were a few things I did not like. Valencia and Emery are supposed to be the same age. Yes, Emery had a more traumatic backstory but I felt like they made Valencia seem years older than her which just made no sense. I can understand making her seem more fragile because of her past trauma but not to make her seem childlike. Emery saw and survived some major things. I can see her being cautious and checking out during intense things but not to be made more childlike or less than Valencia. It also felt like they were constantly in trouble. Again I understand storyline wise it needed to be this way but I just wish we would have some more time with the characters and their development not just while they were under attack. But, honestly even these things didn’t take away from the story. I still really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for the next in the series. I also can’t wait to get my hands on some paperbacks to add to my store!
My Ranking: 4 stars
I was hooked from the very first page with this one. **I received a digital copy from NetGalley ** The fact that this is Raven’s Debut book blew my mind! From a new Author, she knocked this out of the park! I seriously couldn’t put this book down. I loved the characters, the world-building, the story setup, and everything! I was constantly rooting for the 3 main characters. Also, Ryker…yes he’s been added to the book boyfriend list! There were a few things I did not like. Valencia and Emery are supposed to be the same age. Yes, Emery had a more traumatic backstory but I felt like they made Valencia seem years older than her which just made no sense. I can understand making her seem more fragile because of her past trauma but not to make her seem childlike. Emery saw and survived some major things. I can see her being cautious and checking out during intense things but not to be made more childlike or less than Valencia. It also felt like they were constantly in trouble. Again I understand storyline wise it needed to be this way but I just wish we would have some more time with the characters and their development not just while they were under attack. But, honestly even these things didn’t take away from the story. I still really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for the next in the series. I also can’t wait to get my hands on some paperbacks to add to my store!
January 29, 2023
A cross between the Lunar Chronicles and Divergent, Of Blood and Crowns reels you in and doesn't let you go from page one. Futuristic dystopia mixed with magical powers, I spent the majority of the book with my heart in my throat, absolutely NEEDING to know what happened next.
Then I found out it was the start of a series.
I absolutely cannot wait for book 2, "Of Blood and Betrayal," to continue this journey in the hopes that my favorite character will triumph and get their little slice of happily ever after. A MUST READ for fans of everything from the Hunger Games to Three Dark Crowns.
Thanks to NetGalley, Author Collective 20, for the preview read!
Then I found out it was the start of a series.
I absolutely cannot wait for book 2, "Of Blood and Betrayal," to continue this journey in the hopes that my favorite character will triumph and get their little slice of happily ever after. A MUST READ for fans of everything from the Hunger Games to Three Dark Crowns.
Thanks to NetGalley, Author Collective 20, for the preview read!
Read
January 30, 2023This story has so much depth. Great world and character building. Valencia has to face so many hurdles. It all seems so insurmountable, but finding faith in Ryker and Emery, and learning to work together is their only path to survival. There is so much intrigue, especially in regards to Valencia and her parents. Boaz reminds me a bit of Dobby and I just want to pick him up and hug him. I look forward to the continuation of this tale, and hopefully freedom for Maulites, Tertians, and humans alike.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2023
This is a post apocalyptic dystopian fantasy - we have the Tertians & the Queen that pretty much “rule” whatever is left of the planet, the cursed aka the mualites that have special powers & get killed / tortured by the Queen and her guards, and then just regular humans. Things go awry when Princess Valencia, daughter of the Queen, refuses to k*ll one of the mualites in order to seal her initiation into the council and solidify her mothers empire. She is then saved by Ryker and his sister Emery, who was sentenced to death four years ago when the girls were just twelve years old, but she miraculously survived. The three of them have to work together to find the rebellion and hopefully overthrow the Queen and her crew.
I don’t read a lot of dystopian fantasy’s, but I think this might be my sign to read MORE of them.. this book was absolutely amazing, page after page makes you want more. I loved every character (except for the murderous a-holes. seriously, screw them). And I cannot wait to see where these characters are when book 2 of this series, Of Blood & Betrayal, is set to come out!
I don’t read a lot of dystopian fantasy’s, but I think this might be my sign to read MORE of them.. this book was absolutely amazing, page after page makes you want more. I loved every character (except for the murderous a-holes. seriously, screw them). And I cannot wait to see where these characters are when book 2 of this series, Of Blood & Betrayal, is set to come out!
January 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.
This book was fantastic. I had Scarlett st. Claire vibes. The plot, characters, stetting and everything else is flawless
I loved the romance story between Ryker and Valencia and felt myself rooting for Princess Valencia all the way.
Would love a prequel with some backstory as that was missing and it took a while to figure out what had happened.
I read the book from start to finish in one setting. I was up until the wee hours of the morning. I am going to do a reread and will be waiting in anticipation for the sequel.
This book is going to be a number one best seller for sure. I can see it including in every book club as a monthly highlighter!
A must read! Ready for the sequel
Highly recommend!!
This book was fantastic. I had Scarlett st. Claire vibes. The plot, characters, stetting and everything else is flawless
I loved the romance story between Ryker and Valencia and felt myself rooting for Princess Valencia all the way.
Would love a prequel with some backstory as that was missing and it took a while to figure out what had happened.
I read the book from start to finish in one setting. I was up until the wee hours of the morning. I am going to do a reread and will be waiting in anticipation for the sequel.
This book is going to be a number one best seller for sure. I can see it including in every book club as a monthly highlighter!
A must read! Ready for the sequel
Highly recommend!!
January 19, 2023
This is a beautiful example of a dystopian fantasy novel, with visual storytelling that gives you both post-apocalypse and steampunk the things I saw in my mind reading this was fantastic.
Our characters face challenges, tragedy, and redemption in a tale that will take you through a roller coaster of emotion and leave you breathless at times.
The story itself has so much depth, there's good, evil, and literally everything in between, giving you an immersive experience while reading.
I don't normally read a lot of dystopian novels but this one looked intriguing and I'm so very glad I took a chance on this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for providing an advance copy of this ebook, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our characters face challenges, tragedy, and redemption in a tale that will take you through a roller coaster of emotion and leave you breathless at times.
The story itself has so much depth, there's good, evil, and literally everything in between, giving you an immersive experience while reading.
I don't normally read a lot of dystopian novels but this one looked intriguing and I'm so very glad I took a chance on this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for providing an advance copy of this ebook, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley for sending me this ARC copy for reviewing.
Firstly what made me read the book was its cover photo. It is absolutely gorgeous. It has a unique storyline. The main protagonist has been portrayed as a very strong character and I really enjoyed reading her character development. It is a dystopian novel mixed with some Fantasy and Sci-fi Genre set in a world that is destroyed by war. Valencia discovers her strength with the help of love and friendship.
The romance between Ryker and Valencia was to the point and her friendship with Emery was also nice to read. Somehow I felt that I was reading the bookish version of Arcane. I enjoyed it and I will recommend this book to anyone who loves reading Dystopian novels.
#OfBloodandCrowns #NetGalley
Firstly what made me read the book was its cover photo. It is absolutely gorgeous. It has a unique storyline. The main protagonist has been portrayed as a very strong character and I really enjoyed reading her character development. It is a dystopian novel mixed with some Fantasy and Sci-fi Genre set in a world that is destroyed by war. Valencia discovers her strength with the help of love and friendship.
The romance between Ryker and Valencia was to the point and her friendship with Emery was also nice to read. Somehow I felt that I was reading the bookish version of Arcane. I enjoyed it and I will recommend this book to anyone who loves reading Dystopian novels.
#OfBloodandCrowns #NetGalley
January 8, 2024
A princess being forced into an arranged marriage and being abused by an evil queen; in a dystopian future where mutants and cyborgs exist.
This was a great read, original storyline, developed characters and so much going on it felt like reading an action movie. A touch of enemies to lovers and slow burn tropes, as well as the war between good and evil, freedom and tyranny.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Free Arc provided by netgalley
This was a great read, original storyline, developed characters and so much going on it felt like reading an action movie. A touch of enemies to lovers and slow burn tropes, as well as the war between good and evil, freedom and tyranny.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Free Arc provided by netgalley
March 11, 2023
I loved the concept but the writing had me constantly scanning previous sentences to see if I missed something. I often found myself wondering how one sentence led to the next.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2023
DNF at 42%
I really hate to not finish a book. I have a kind of OCD about it, and not finishing offends it. But unfortunately, this book is so thoroughly confusing, and the worldbuilding is so underdone that I can barely understand it and I find it unfeasible to continue.
I will say that the author does seem to have talent. I believe the author is either young or new or both, but the glimpses of this, steampunk, sci-fi world she's created are very interesting, and I believe with some refinement and better editing, some work and some polish, she could truly have something special here.
The problem with this book is that we're plunged into the middle of this world with very little explanation about anything, as if we're in a sequel, but this isn't a sequel. It's the first book. I wrote some notes here on some specific examples just to give a general idea of what the reader faces when they engage in this book (slight spoilers, you've been warned):
"But my mind kept returning to my confinement hole. The small box I'd been forced to crouch in for hours, if not days, when I disobeyed an order, or when mother was in a bad mood."
The main character, Valencia, has detailed before this that her mother was abusive. But this confinement box is mentioned for the first time in chapter ten. We never hear of it before this chapter, and it's not detailed in the trauma that she's survived up until now. In fact, in a previous chapter, she makes it sound like she was sent to a cell or tortured by doctors if she was punished.
The secondary characters, Ryker and Emery, are also quite inconsistent. When we are introduced to Emery, Valencia tells us they were best friends, but she was too afraid to stand up to her mother and defend her when she was found to be a Mualite (individual with powers) and she did nothing when Emery was tortured, dumped from the ship and left for dead. Later, Valencia reveals that SHE was the one who dumped Emery in the middle of the desert herself after her mother beat her for trying to nurse Emery back to health when she'd been tortured. Then several chapters later, it's revealed that both girls were 12 at the time. I'm sorry, what? This seems like information that should have been given to begin with, that Valencia could have given us with a simple, "When I was much younger" or "Four years ago."
Also by Chapter 10, we're told that Emery seems to have fugues, or brain malfunctions where she tunes out and doesn't respond to people when she uses a large amount of power. However, this never happened before chapter ten, and Emery has expended massive amounts of her power before this, such as when she attempted to hold back a massive sandstorm all on her own.
Ryker on the other hand is described in excruciating physical detail ("rippling back muscles" and such). He vacillates between hating Valencia's people, and supposedly hating her, to being inordinately attracted to her after having known her for very little time, and for no discernible reason. Every time it looks as if the pair are going to be lovers, either he or Valencia withdraw and fall back on the tired "I'm prejudiced" or "He hates me" tropes.
These are just some examples that I encountered, and there were a large amount of inconsistencies and unexplained world details in every chapter I read, which is why I got so lost I finally had to stop. All that being said, I will repeat that I do firmly believe this story can be something special if more editing and polish is applied. The raw stone is there. It just needs a bit more time and patience to become a diamond. Thank you to Netgalley and Author Collective 20 for the advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really hate to not finish a book. I have a kind of OCD about it, and not finishing offends it. But unfortunately, this book is so thoroughly confusing, and the worldbuilding is so underdone that I can barely understand it and I find it unfeasible to continue.
I will say that the author does seem to have talent. I believe the author is either young or new or both, but the glimpses of this, steampunk, sci-fi world she's created are very interesting, and I believe with some refinement and better editing, some work and some polish, she could truly have something special here.
The problem with this book is that we're plunged into the middle of this world with very little explanation about anything, as if we're in a sequel, but this isn't a sequel. It's the first book. I wrote some notes here on some specific examples just to give a general idea of what the reader faces when they engage in this book (slight spoilers, you've been warned):
"But my mind kept returning to my confinement hole. The small box I'd been forced to crouch in for hours, if not days, when I disobeyed an order, or when mother was in a bad mood."
The main character, Valencia, has detailed before this that her mother was abusive. But this confinement box is mentioned for the first time in chapter ten. We never hear of it before this chapter, and it's not detailed in the trauma that she's survived up until now. In fact, in a previous chapter, she makes it sound like she was sent to a cell or tortured by doctors if she was punished.
The secondary characters, Ryker and Emery, are also quite inconsistent. When we are introduced to Emery, Valencia tells us they were best friends, but she was too afraid to stand up to her mother and defend her when she was found to be a Mualite (individual with powers) and she did nothing when Emery was tortured, dumped from the ship and left for dead. Later, Valencia reveals that SHE was the one who dumped Emery in the middle of the desert herself after her mother beat her for trying to nurse Emery back to health when she'd been tortured. Then several chapters later, it's revealed that both girls were 12 at the time. I'm sorry, what? This seems like information that should have been given to begin with, that Valencia could have given us with a simple, "When I was much younger" or "Four years ago."
Also by Chapter 10, we're told that Emery seems to have fugues, or brain malfunctions where she tunes out and doesn't respond to people when she uses a large amount of power. However, this never happened before chapter ten, and Emery has expended massive amounts of her power before this, such as when she attempted to hold back a massive sandstorm all on her own.
Ryker on the other hand is described in excruciating physical detail ("rippling back muscles" and such). He vacillates between hating Valencia's people, and supposedly hating her, to being inordinately attracted to her after having known her for very little time, and for no discernible reason. Every time it looks as if the pair are going to be lovers, either he or Valencia withdraw and fall back on the tired "I'm prejudiced" or "He hates me" tropes.
These are just some examples that I encountered, and there were a large amount of inconsistencies and unexplained world details in every chapter I read, which is why I got so lost I finally had to stop. All that being said, I will repeat that I do firmly believe this story can be something special if more editing and polish is applied. The raw stone is there. It just needs a bit more time and patience to become a diamond. Thank you to Netgalley and Author Collective 20 for the advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
I still don't really know what to think about this piece.
The idea behind this book is really good, and apart from the heroine being the classic cliché "almighty" all-rounder, it has lovely bits and pieces.
The writing though... I personally believe that a few more rounds of reading it through on paper, handing it to someone to test read, would have helped to take away the chaotic writing style, the sometimes too fast paced plot and the cringy edges.
What am I talking about? A good example is the chapter where the heroine and her friends meet the contact person in "Old" Chicago. Valencia thinks that Ryker hates her now, since she confessed - but in the next sentence she strips down in front of him and he washes her. Then they get into bed together and all her guilt is gone.
In another chapter they kiss in the middle of an open warfield and everything around them fades away - that was a bit too cringy for my taste 😅
Also, Emery comes across like an impersonated chaperone: always stopping the two lovers from ravishing each other in the middle of a man hunt.
The world building stands on wobbly pillars - there was a certain lack of depth and information. Also, some bits of that were contrary. I also would have loved the inf, that the Mining Territory was America far ahead of the mention of Old Chicago. Until then I thought it's all a made up world, not Earth like we know it.
A bit more work on these points and future books will be awesome 😊
I am no native American, and my education in English is based on British English. So this writing style came across like chopped off sentences with only the bare minimum of content. I am also not sure if this was actually intended, since Ryker uses some sort of Eastern European language. There was just this feeling as if something is missing, and that wasn't my cup of tea.
The idea behind this book is really good, and apart from the heroine being the classic cliché "almighty" all-rounder, it has lovely bits and pieces.
The writing though... I personally believe that a few more rounds of reading it through on paper, handing it to someone to test read, would have helped to take away the chaotic writing style, the sometimes too fast paced plot and the cringy edges.
What am I talking about? A good example is the chapter where the heroine and her friends meet the contact person in "Old" Chicago. Valencia thinks that Ryker hates her now, since she confessed - but in the next sentence she strips down in front of him and he washes her. Then they get into bed together and all her guilt is gone.
In another chapter they kiss in the middle of an open warfield and everything around them fades away - that was a bit too cringy for my taste 😅
Also, Emery comes across like an impersonated chaperone: always stopping the two lovers from ravishing each other in the middle of a man hunt.
The world building stands on wobbly pillars - there was a certain lack of depth and information. Also, some bits of that were contrary. I also would have loved the inf, that the Mining Territory was America far ahead of the mention of Old Chicago. Until then I thought it's all a made up world, not Earth like we know it.
A bit more work on these points and future books will be awesome 😊
I am no native American, and my education in English is based on British English. So this writing style came across like chopped off sentences with only the bare minimum of content. I am also not sure if this was actually intended, since Ryker uses some sort of Eastern European language. There was just this feeling as if something is missing, and that wasn't my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
First, thank you Netgalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book I have mixed feelings on but they lean towards positive. I liked the story and world that was created for this book. A bleak outlook of our future.
There were some things that I think should have been made a little more clear. There are three races that they speak of the most. The Humans, the Mualites (which are humans with gifts/powers, and the Tertians, which I THINK are just humans that have merged with tech? but its not explicitly clear on that one. I wish I had more background into the other races, the actual structure of the world and more descriptions of those around them. In addition to that, when did everything take place? They meet an older woman that makes references to our time period ex Republicans and Gun Toters, etc. I know that this is supposed to be the 2400 something but her character and what she says just seems so far fetched for this world. I get that there was recently a war that took place as the main characters mother was one of the ones that was in the war and won the thrown through it but even so, its hard to believe that it changed so drastically so quickly.
Another issue I have is with the main characters. The princess and Ryker do not speak to each other in a way that most people do. It seems like its missing huge chunks of both back story and dialogue and everything between then just seems so fast paced and sudden with no actual communications.
That being said, the story itself, the world created, the abilities and the structure of it all kept me interested and going. I liked seeing everything around them as they went on their journey and I liked seeing the old mixed with the new. I just wish that there was more dialogue between the main characters that gave them A. more character depth and development and B. a more soundly structured and more dynamic relationship.
This book I have mixed feelings on but they lean towards positive. I liked the story and world that was created for this book. A bleak outlook of our future.
There were some things that I think should have been made a little more clear. There are three races that they speak of the most. The Humans, the Mualites (which are humans with gifts/powers, and the Tertians, which I THINK are just humans that have merged with tech? but its not explicitly clear on that one. I wish I had more background into the other races, the actual structure of the world and more descriptions of those around them. In addition to that, when did everything take place? They meet an older woman that makes references to our time period ex Republicans and Gun Toters, etc. I know that this is supposed to be the 2400 something but her character and what she says just seems so far fetched for this world. I get that there was recently a war that took place as the main characters mother was one of the ones that was in the war and won the thrown through it but even so, its hard to believe that it changed so drastically so quickly.
Another issue I have is with the main characters. The princess and Ryker do not speak to each other in a way that most people do. It seems like its missing huge chunks of both back story and dialogue and everything between then just seems so fast paced and sudden with no actual communications.
That being said, the story itself, the world created, the abilities and the structure of it all kept me interested and going. I liked seeing everything around them as they went on their journey and I liked seeing the old mixed with the new. I just wish that there was more dialogue between the main characters that gave them A. more character depth and development and B. a more soundly structured and more dynamic relationship.
January 18, 2023
**Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital arc copy in exchange for an honest review.**
The premise of this book grabbed my attention immediately. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian/sci-fi/ fantasy aspects the author created with this story. Valencia is a very likable main character from the start. She comes into power quickly and seems to immediately realize something is not right about the world her Mother has painted for her. Some of my favorite aspects of this book were how fleshed out each character was and how well the plot was pieced together. I also love the idea of the world as we know it becoming something unrecognizable years and years into the future.
The only thing I wished this book had was a touch more of world building in the beginning. Some descriptions of the different people, items, and laws of the land would have helped paint a more vivid picture of what exactly this world entailed and the characters within it.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable. It left off on a note that has me very interested to see where the author takes the story in book two.
The premise of this book grabbed my attention immediately. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian/sci-fi/ fantasy aspects the author created with this story. Valencia is a very likable main character from the start. She comes into power quickly and seems to immediately realize something is not right about the world her Mother has painted for her. Some of my favorite aspects of this book were how fleshed out each character was and how well the plot was pieced together. I also love the idea of the world as we know it becoming something unrecognizable years and years into the future.
The only thing I wished this book had was a touch more of world building in the beginning. Some descriptions of the different people, items, and laws of the land would have helped paint a more vivid picture of what exactly this world entailed and the characters within it.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable. It left off on a note that has me very interested to see where the author takes the story in book two.
January 3, 2023
Of Blood and Crowns is a recommended read, especially for lovers of Fantasy and Dystopian futures.
The plot felt relatively fresh, which can be hard within this genre. Some areas were generally predictable, but that's easily overlooked with how enjoyable the story was. It was easy to feel invested in the characters and their journeys.
I do think there could have been some more world building in the beginning (e.g. when more background and descriptive language when mentioning the different territories initially).
Similarly, some parts of the storyline felt a little rushed (the first few chapters, Valencia and Ryker's relationship). I did actually have to double check that I hadn't missed any other information about Emery. The speed at which things developed could sometimes make the storytelling feel confused, but this wasn't a consistent issue throughout the book.
Overall this was a generally well-paced, original read, and more than I expected from a debut novel from a new author. I'll definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it's available,
The plot felt relatively fresh, which can be hard within this genre. Some areas were generally predictable, but that's easily overlooked with how enjoyable the story was. It was easy to feel invested in the characters and their journeys.
I do think there could have been some more world building in the beginning (e.g. when more background and descriptive language when mentioning the different territories initially).
Similarly, some parts of the storyline felt a little rushed (the first few chapters, Valencia and Ryker's relationship). I did actually have to double check that I hadn't missed any other information about Emery. The speed at which things developed could sometimes make the storytelling feel confused, but this wasn't a consistent issue throughout the book.
Overall this was a generally well-paced, original read, and more than I expected from a debut novel from a new author. I'll definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it's available,
January 15, 2023
Thank you Author Collective 20, Raven More and Netgalley for this ARC.
Of Blood and Crowns is an action-packed, dystopian fantasy following Princess Valencia and her escape from her mother’s ruling on her 16th birthday.
I’ve not read much futuristic fiction in the past, and found this a little hard to get my head round at first, but once I did I was hooked by the fast-paced plot. I found myself really invested in the characters (especially Boaz!) and found them easy to connect with. However, I do wish there was a little more world building, especially towards the beginning of the novel, as at times I found it hard to picture the environment the story was taking place in and I lost track of what was happening a few times.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall and now that I understand the world a little better, I'm looking forward to future instalments of Broken Bonds. I’d recommend this book to fans of dystopian fiction and those who like a lot of action in their reads!
Of Blood and Crowns will be released on 17th January.
Of Blood and Crowns is an action-packed, dystopian fantasy following Princess Valencia and her escape from her mother’s ruling on her 16th birthday.
I’ve not read much futuristic fiction in the past, and found this a little hard to get my head round at first, but once I did I was hooked by the fast-paced plot. I found myself really invested in the characters (especially Boaz!) and found them easy to connect with. However, I do wish there was a little more world building, especially towards the beginning of the novel, as at times I found it hard to picture the environment the story was taking place in and I lost track of what was happening a few times.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall and now that I understand the world a little better, I'm looking forward to future instalments of Broken Bonds. I’d recommend this book to fans of dystopian fiction and those who like a lot of action in their reads!
Of Blood and Crowns will be released on 17th January.
February 2, 2023
This arc from NetGalley and author collective 20 released January 17th
A young princess valencia learns she is cursed like many others. Her mother the ruthless queen tried to hide that by forcing her to get an upgrade. Valencia gets help escaping from new and old friends, Ryker and his sister Emrey. Emrey a friend from Valencia’s past she once thought dead comes back to help her. To take down her mother and gain freedom once and for all they must go on a quest together.
This sci-fi post apocalyptic world that is war decimated was a quick read. There’s cyborg upgrades, mutant animals, mutant abilities. The premise is cool and not done often enough in ya novels. The abilities they call gifts are all different and the three main characters can join together. At some points this story is great you can see the scenes in your head. At others the pacing seems off and rushed so it’s hard to grasp what’s currently happening. The world building was decent but they spent half the book in a desert. I didn’t really enjoy this myself but I am sure it will be a great read for others out there.
A young princess valencia learns she is cursed like many others. Her mother the ruthless queen tried to hide that by forcing her to get an upgrade. Valencia gets help escaping from new and old friends, Ryker and his sister Emrey. Emrey a friend from Valencia’s past she once thought dead comes back to help her. To take down her mother and gain freedom once and for all they must go on a quest together.
This sci-fi post apocalyptic world that is war decimated was a quick read. There’s cyborg upgrades, mutant animals, mutant abilities. The premise is cool and not done often enough in ya novels. The abilities they call gifts are all different and the three main characters can join together. At some points this story is great you can see the scenes in your head. At others the pacing seems off and rushed so it’s hard to grasp what’s currently happening. The world building was decent but they spent half the book in a desert. I didn’t really enjoy this myself but I am sure it will be a great read for others out there.
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