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Wildblood
A thrilling new fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood!
Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Since she was kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.
When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.
Thorn is everything Victoria isn't - confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide - is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?
A fierce, lush fantasy by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, Wildblood tells the story of a girl who must find the strength to defeat the demons of the jungle as well as her own to find where she truly belongs.
"A lyrically told story of healing after trauma and finding home, Wildblood is as fierce as it is beautiful, and as hopeful as it is heartbreaking." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
"Wildblood is a poignant, thrilling, emotionally complex story of love and sacrifice. Victoria's tense journey through the haunted jungle is filled with terror and beauty, both supernatural and human, and will grip you until the very last page." - L. Penelope, award-winning author of the Earthsinger Chronicles
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2023
About the author
Lauren Blackwood
3 books807 followersLauren Blackwood is the NYT/Indie Bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls and Wildblood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
August 24, 2022
the writing is the main culprit for this mediocre rating.
its repetitive, the prose/narrative is pretty weak, and it doesnt do a great job at supporting a unique concept overall. it creates more questions than answers when it comes to wildbloods, how they developed their “science” or why victoria is the strongest of them all. i didnt find her confinement to the tour company convincing, not to mention the boss and her ex are terrible two-dimensional villains.
i will say the sentient jungle is pretty amazing. it and the creatures/beings that live inside it are very intriguing. but thats where it ends. again, the interesting atmosphere could have been explored much more if the narrative hadnt been lacking. so im walking away feeling like i didnt experience any jamaican folklore or magic, unfortunately.
overall, there are some good, basic ideas. but the poor execution left me wondering what the entire point of the story was.
thanks for the ARC, st. martins press/wednesday books.
↠ 2.5 stars
its repetitive, the prose/narrative is pretty weak, and it doesnt do a great job at supporting a unique concept overall. it creates more questions than answers when it comes to wildbloods, how they developed their “science” or why victoria is the strongest of them all. i didnt find her confinement to the tour company convincing, not to mention the boss and her ex are terrible two-dimensional villains.
i will say the sentient jungle is pretty amazing. it and the creatures/beings that live inside it are very intriguing. but thats where it ends. again, the interesting atmosphere could have been explored much more if the narrative hadnt been lacking. so im walking away feeling like i didnt experience any jamaican folklore or magic, unfortunately.
overall, there are some good, basic ideas. but the poor execution left me wondering what the entire point of the story was.
thanks for the ARC, st. martins press/wednesday books.
↠ 2.5 stars
August 22, 2024
**3.5-stars**
The Exotic Lands Touring Company offers tourists the opportunity to go on the excursions of their dreams through the magical and mystical jungle landscapes of Jamaica.
Victoria is an 18-year old Wildblood, who after being kidnapped as a child, is made to work for the Company. Wildbloods use their powers to guide tourists safely through the dangerous parts of the jungle.
The Company's latest mission is to help a successful miner, a young man named Thorne, reach an area in the jungle thought to hold vast deposits of gold.
Victoria, recently turned down for a position of team leader in favor of her less talented, jerk of an ex-boyfriend, Dean, is slightly disgruntled as the tour gets under way. One look at Thorne though and she begins to reconsider. He's quite handsome and he seems to be taken with her too.
Each member of the excursion is assigned their very own Wildblood and as luck would have it, Thorne and Victoria get paired up. The rest, as they say, is history.
I really enjoyed Blackwood's 2021-debut, Within These Wicked Walls. I loved the atmosphere, rich with gothic vibes and found the plot to be dark and engaging. Therefore, when I heard about Blackwood's sophomore effort, Wildblood, I was super excited to get to it.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to connect to this as well as I did with Blackwood's first book. I feel like this is a personal taste issue, the plot just wasn't something I found to be engaging, but I know that a lot of Readers will.
Additionally, I was a bit disappointed by the atmosphere. Being set in the magical wilds of a fantasy version of Jamaica, I expected it to be lush, ominous and exciting, but personally, I felt like it could have taken place anywhere.
I did appreciate the various themes explored. The power dynamics amongst the characters working for the Tour Company was of particular interest to me.
Also, the exploitation of local culture, people and resources by wealthy outsiders via eco-tourism was examined. It's a bit of an overriding concept in the book and I thought that was well done and an important topic to consider.
I found the main character, Victoria, to be interesting. I enjoyed learning a bit about her past and actually wish we could have gotten more of it. Furthermore, I wish the whole-concept of the Wildbloods, their magic system, could have been more detailed as well.
For me, the relationship between Victoria and Thorne took over the show and personally, it was my least favorite part of the entire story. I would have preferred more balance with the other aspects.
Perhaps, if I would have gone into this expecting more Romance than Fantasy, I may have ended up feeling a bit differently about it.
Overall, I recognize that this is a good story, one that a lot of Readers will enjoy. Blackwood is a beautiful writer and I look forward to reading more of her work, even though this one wasn't a perfect match for my tastes.
I would still recommend this one to anyone who is intrigued by the synopsis, especially if you enjoy romantic fantasy. Also, as an aside, I did listen to the audiobook and loved the narration. I absolutely recommend that as a medium for reading this story.
Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
The Exotic Lands Touring Company offers tourists the opportunity to go on the excursions of their dreams through the magical and mystical jungle landscapes of Jamaica.
Victoria is an 18-year old Wildblood, who after being kidnapped as a child, is made to work for the Company. Wildbloods use their powers to guide tourists safely through the dangerous parts of the jungle.
The Company's latest mission is to help a successful miner, a young man named Thorne, reach an area in the jungle thought to hold vast deposits of gold.
Victoria, recently turned down for a position of team leader in favor of her less talented, jerk of an ex-boyfriend, Dean, is slightly disgruntled as the tour gets under way. One look at Thorne though and she begins to reconsider. He's quite handsome and he seems to be taken with her too.
Each member of the excursion is assigned their very own Wildblood and as luck would have it, Thorne and Victoria get paired up. The rest, as they say, is history.
I really enjoyed Blackwood's 2021-debut, Within These Wicked Walls. I loved the atmosphere, rich with gothic vibes and found the plot to be dark and engaging. Therefore, when I heard about Blackwood's sophomore effort, Wildblood, I was super excited to get to it.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to connect to this as well as I did with Blackwood's first book. I feel like this is a personal taste issue, the plot just wasn't something I found to be engaging, but I know that a lot of Readers will.
Additionally, I was a bit disappointed by the atmosphere. Being set in the magical wilds of a fantasy version of Jamaica, I expected it to be lush, ominous and exciting, but personally, I felt like it could have taken place anywhere.
I did appreciate the various themes explored. The power dynamics amongst the characters working for the Tour Company was of particular interest to me.
Also, the exploitation of local culture, people and resources by wealthy outsiders via eco-tourism was examined. It's a bit of an overriding concept in the book and I thought that was well done and an important topic to consider.
I found the main character, Victoria, to be interesting. I enjoyed learning a bit about her past and actually wish we could have gotten more of it. Furthermore, I wish the whole-concept of the Wildbloods, their magic system, could have been more detailed as well.
For me, the relationship between Victoria and Thorne took over the show and personally, it was my least favorite part of the entire story. I would have preferred more balance with the other aspects.
Perhaps, if I would have gone into this expecting more Romance than Fantasy, I may have ended up feeling a bit differently about it.
Overall, I recognize that this is a good story, one that a lot of Readers will enjoy. Blackwood is a beautiful writer and I look forward to reading more of her work, even though this one wasn't a perfect match for my tastes.
I would still recommend this one to anyone who is intrigued by the synopsis, especially if you enjoy romantic fantasy. Also, as an aside, I did listen to the audiobook and loved the narration. I absolutely recommend that as a medium for reading this story.
Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
November 22, 2022
3.5⭐️
“You’re a baby to the jungle. You’ve only been here a year.”
Going into this, I was really intrigued about the lives of these wildbloods and the world that they live in. There is a lot of tension throughout the story because of forced labor, betrayal, and mistrust among many people. These factors along with the beautiful and spooky, yet captivating descriptions of the jungle made this a fun ride…….initially.
The individual characters were definitely the next most interesting things in this book, next to the jungle. I was impressed by how unique they all were. Some of them had really strong bonds with each other that I could connect to. I could tell that the author wanted us to hate some of these characters yet still find it somewhere within us to understand them.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t grasp me anymore from around halfway through the book. It’s soon obvious that there is not much plot just following a group of people as they go through the jungle and process their own individual feelings. The “romance” was really my last straw. It somewhat became the center of the attention of the book and it was so unbelievable that it ruined a lot of the story for me.
I was proud of how the book ended though. It brought the whole book back to perspective but it still wasn’t enough to ultimately save the book.
I would somewhat recommend this.
-Thank you St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book!
“You’re a baby to the jungle. You’ve only been here a year.”
Going into this, I was really intrigued about the lives of these wildbloods and the world that they live in. There is a lot of tension throughout the story because of forced labor, betrayal, and mistrust among many people. These factors along with the beautiful and spooky, yet captivating descriptions of the jungle made this a fun ride…….initially.
The individual characters were definitely the next most interesting things in this book, next to the jungle. I was impressed by how unique they all were. Some of them had really strong bonds with each other that I could connect to. I could tell that the author wanted us to hate some of these characters yet still find it somewhere within us to understand them.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t grasp me anymore from around halfway through the book. It’s soon obvious that there is not much plot just following a group of people as they go through the jungle and process their own individual feelings. The “romance” was really my last straw. It somewhat became the center of the attention of the book and it was so unbelievable that it ruined a lot of the story for me.
I was proud of how the book ended though. It brought the whole book back to perspective but it still wasn’t enough to ultimately save the book.
I would somewhat recommend this.
-Thank you St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book!
February 8, 2023
Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood is a YA Fantasy Romance set in the Jamaican jungle.
Exotic Lands Touring Company offers exclusive tours of the jungle. They also kidnap children and force them to work for them.
Victoria, the most powerful Wildblood in the company, is one of these kidnapped children. Disappointed for not receiving the promotion promised to her, Victoria joins an ultra-risky jungle expedition with their new handsome and wealthy client Thorn. Thorn is a gold miner looking to reach some untapped gold deep in the jungle.
Victoria’s boss allows her to go on the condition that she makes her less-skilled ex-boyfriend look good on this trip.
Even though Victoria has strong ties to the jungle, it will be a dangerous expedition for everyone involved.
I was really expecting to love this one. And at the beginning, it was promising. The magic system seemed intriguing, the setting was atmospheric, and Victoria seemed like an interesting character. It discussed some serious topics such as human trafficking, SA, racism, and colonialism.
But everything was overshadowed, in my opinion, by the insta-love romance. Thorn and Victoria went from calling each other by their names to “beloved” in the blink of an eye. And honestly, nearly all of the men in this book are red flags.
So although it had a good start, I wish it delved a little deeper into some of the themes and the magic system.
I enjoyed the author’s debut Within These Wicked Walls, so it’s a bit disappointing to give this one a lower rating.
If you don’t mind insta-love and love triangles, this book may work well for you.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Exotic Lands Touring Company offers exclusive tours of the jungle. They also kidnap children and force them to work for them.
Victoria, the most powerful Wildblood in the company, is one of these kidnapped children. Disappointed for not receiving the promotion promised to her, Victoria joins an ultra-risky jungle expedition with their new handsome and wealthy client Thorn. Thorn is a gold miner looking to reach some untapped gold deep in the jungle.
Victoria’s boss allows her to go on the condition that she makes her less-skilled ex-boyfriend look good on this trip.
Even though Victoria has strong ties to the jungle, it will be a dangerous expedition for everyone involved.
I was really expecting to love this one. And at the beginning, it was promising. The magic system seemed intriguing, the setting was atmospheric, and Victoria seemed like an interesting character. It discussed some serious topics such as human trafficking, SA, racism, and colonialism.
But everything was overshadowed, in my opinion, by the insta-love romance. Thorn and Victoria went from calling each other by their names to “beloved” in the blink of an eye. And honestly, nearly all of the men in this book are red flags.
So although it had a good start, I wish it delved a little deeper into some of the themes and the magic system.
I enjoyed the author’s debut Within These Wicked Walls, so it’s a bit disappointing to give this one a lower rating.
If you don’t mind insta-love and love triangles, this book may work well for you.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
July 28, 2022
Oh hey, I wrote another book! You should read it, especially if you enjoy:
Jamaican folklore
Sentient, monster-infested jungles
A multitude of attractive guys
A Black girl being loved unconditionally
That same Black girl kicking some butt
Having your heart torn out, stomped on, then set on fire
Also LOOK AT THAT COVER I mean come on! How can you resist THAT!?!?
Note: TW will be updated on my website closer to publication, but if you're sensitive to depictions of gore, death, sexual assault trauma, and physical abuse, please take care of yourselves.
Jamaican folklore
Sentient, monster-infested jungles
A multitude of attractive guys
A Black girl being loved unconditionally
That same Black girl kicking some butt
Having your heart torn out, stomped on, then set on fire
Also LOOK AT THAT COVER I mean come on! How can you resist THAT!?!?
Note: TW will be updated on my website closer to publication, but if you're sensitive to depictions of gore, death, sexual assault trauma, and physical abuse, please take care of yourselves.
November 6, 2022
Such an amazing story! I felt immersed into the world the author created. It just felt like I was there going through it with the characters. I loved how from the start it keeps you so interested you cannot put it down. So many interesting things happened along the way to keep you on your toes. Such a touching story and life of Victoria. I truly loved her and her braveness. I had soo many laughs by Thorn. The ending though, I got so teary eyed. Such a beautifully written, must-read kind of book!
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
December 25, 2023
Stunning cover and interesting concept, but had poor execution.
I found myself running into the same issues as others. It lacked world-building and character development. The writing felt repetitive and the romance forced. There was so much potential! Sadly, I found the novel dull and a chore to read.
(Actual rating is 1.5 Stars but I'm rounding up since I like the concept and idea.)
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Lauren Blackwood (the author), and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
I found myself running into the same issues as others. It lacked world-building and character development. The writing felt repetitive and the romance forced. There was so much potential! Sadly, I found the novel dull and a chore to read.
(Actual rating is 1.5 Stars but I'm rounding up since I like the concept and idea.)
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Lauren Blackwood (the author), and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
February 6, 2023
I'm sad to say it but I think had the setting, and some of the magic and wildness of the jungle -- at least in the first half -- not been so interesting, this rating would be even lower.
It didn't take long before every chapter, every page, every interaction between these cardboard characters, became a chore. It became a trial not to DNF around the 30% mark, and maybe it would've been earlier had I not chipped away at this so slowly after initially picking it up, but I convinced myself I could at least try to skim through a little further to see where things were going and, unfortunately, eventually read through to the end. I'm not sure why I bothered.
No, sorry, I do know why. Because I enjoyed the author's debut so much.
This did have a few good things to offer outside of the setting; it also talks about colourism, human trafficking, and more, but it quickly shifted gears to focusing on a stuttering girl getting starry eyed over her love interest. Complete with confessions of feelings and love after two days.
Sorry, miss me with this. I already had one foot out of the door but this was too much. Especially with the whole evil ex dynamic and.. yeah, no.
Victoria's character see-sawed all over the place and there were too many men involved, plus a pseudo-brother/son who she seemed willing to do anything for and who just mostly slept the whole time. I truly have no idea what was going on with these characters and why. But I think in general there just wasn't a solid running vibe because the latter half of the story goes off the rails; both in plot and tone. Sometimes jokey, sometimes angsty, quick to forgive, quick to abandon things it had spent a lot of time and energy setting up.. it was all over the place.
I am hugely disappointed by this but mostly disappointed in myself for not just putting it down and walking away instead of pushing on to make it work. Do not recommend.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
It didn't take long before every chapter, every page, every interaction between these cardboard characters, became a chore. It became a trial not to DNF around the 30% mark, and maybe it would've been earlier had I not chipped away at this so slowly after initially picking it up, but I convinced myself I could at least try to skim through a little further to see where things were going and, unfortunately, eventually read through to the end. I'm not sure why I bothered.
No, sorry, I do know why. Because I enjoyed the author's debut so much.
This did have a few good things to offer outside of the setting; it also talks about colourism, human trafficking, and more, but it quickly shifted gears to focusing on a stuttering girl getting starry eyed over her love interest. Complete with confessions of feelings and love after two days.
Sorry, miss me with this. I already had one foot out of the door but this was too much. Especially with the whole evil ex dynamic and.. yeah, no.
Victoria's character see-sawed all over the place and there were too many men involved, plus a pseudo-brother/son who she seemed willing to do anything for and who just mostly slept the whole time. I truly have no idea what was going on with these characters and why. But I think in general there just wasn't a solid running vibe because the latter half of the story goes off the rails; both in plot and tone. Sometimes jokey, sometimes angsty, quick to forgive, quick to abandon things it had spent a lot of time and energy setting up.. it was all over the place.
I am hugely disappointed by this but mostly disappointed in myself for not just putting it down and walking away instead of pushing on to make it work. Do not recommend.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 9, 2023DNF at 59%
*sigh* I really liked this author's debut novel and I kept going with this one for so long because I really wanted it to work for me. Set in a magical version of Jamaica, the main character, Victoria, is a deeply traumatized teen girl with magic who was kidnapped as a child and forced to work as a tour guide through a dangerous jungle. All of which was definitely intriguing, but I feel like Wildblood isn't sure what kind of book it wants to be.
On the one hand, it's very dark and heavy because of the trauma Victoria has experienced. She has been abused in every possible way, and struggles to use her voice to defend herself partly because of a stutter, partly because she has been taught to just shut up and take it. So while she's technically very powerful, in her head she feels helpless. But then onto that intense to read trauma, we layer a tropey instalove story that feels very discordant and not taking into account the trauma Victoria is STILL suffering under, much less all the healing needed if she were to escape it.
I was struggling with all of that, but the thing that kind of pushed it over the edge for me (though your mileage may vary) is when the love interest (who I kind of don't like already) sort of acts like the voice of God that he hears speaking comforting things to Victoria. He's a Christian and that starts to become a bigger part of the story. Again, some readers may do fine with this, but as a former evangelical Christian unpacking spiritual trauma, this was just too much for me. So unfortunately, I'm going to DNF. Hopefully others will do better with this book. I received an advance copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
*sigh* I really liked this author's debut novel and I kept going with this one for so long because I really wanted it to work for me. Set in a magical version of Jamaica, the main character, Victoria, is a deeply traumatized teen girl with magic who was kidnapped as a child and forced to work as a tour guide through a dangerous jungle. All of which was definitely intriguing, but I feel like Wildblood isn't sure what kind of book it wants to be.
On the one hand, it's very dark and heavy because of the trauma Victoria has experienced. She has been abused in every possible way, and struggles to use her voice to defend herself partly because of a stutter, partly because she has been taught to just shut up and take it. So while she's technically very powerful, in her head she feels helpless. But then onto that intense to read trauma, we layer a tropey instalove story that feels very discordant and not taking into account the trauma Victoria is STILL suffering under, much less all the healing needed if she were to escape it.
I was struggling with all of that, but the thing that kind of pushed it over the edge for me (though your mileage may vary) is when the love interest (who I kind of don't like already) sort of acts like the voice of God that he hears speaking comforting things to Victoria. He's a Christian and that starts to become a bigger part of the story. Again, some readers may do fine with this, but as a former evangelical Christian unpacking spiritual trauma, this was just too much for me. So unfortunately, I'm going to DNF. Hopefully others will do better with this book. I received an advance copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Read
February 25, 2023DNF’d around 40%. I’ve got to stop being drawn by gorgeous covers. When I see beautiful Black or Brown women on book covers I’m immediately sold! This was just not my cuppa. This story had potential, but it just didn’t grab me.
February 18, 2023
This is my second book by Blackwood, and I feel like the gothic premises always pull me in and the book just doesn't hit the way it's supposed to. I also don't get the light skin Black or biracial Black girl always falling for some sorry white dude either. Yeah, this was just meh.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Wednesday Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Wednesday Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
January 4, 2023
Wildblood felt like a book with an identity crisis. On the one hand: we have fantasy-romance against the backdrop of a fun jungle adventure. On the other hand, we have the hint at much deeper themes of eco-tourism, colonialism and abuse of power. Whether you’ll enjoy this novel will largely depend on what you hope to get from it…
The Story:
Our story takes place in the mystical and dangerous deep-jungles of Jamaica, where rich westerners pay good money to get a taste of the “exotic”, within the safety of a guided tour. The Exotic Lands Touring Company has built an empire on this brand of eco-tourism, meanwhile exploiting the land as well as its people for profit. Victoria is one of their unwilling but ambitious employee’s, as well as a Wildblood; one with the power to manipulate her environment and protect travellers from the dangers of the jungle. When Victoria is passed over for promotion in favour of her ex-boyfriend, she is determined to prove herself. What better way to do so, than to successfully complete the high-profile job of shepherding a famous goldminer safely across the jungle in his next search for treasure. But the jungle is treacherous: between mythical monsters, backstabbing exes, and unexpected romance, Victoria has to decide - is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?
What I liked:
Lauren Blackwood does settings and atmosphere extremely well. She already proved so with the haunted manor-setting in her debut Within These Wicked Walls, but she outdoes herself with the sentient haunted jungle in this book. From the foggy, damp atmosphere to the lush vegetation, to the lurking creatures that inhabit it; I felt myself completely transported to the world she envisioned.
I also liked the authors ambition of incorporating some important but complex themes of eco-tourism, colonialism, slavery and abuse of power. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like that came to complete fruition.
What I didn’t like:
This is where the identity-crisis comes in... Although Wildblood tries to address these themes, it simultaneously reads like your typical young-adult fantasy-romance, more concerned with the soap-opera-level personal drama of its characters, than the larger issues going on around them. The typical tropes of the YA-genre are all there: teenage drama concerning exes and promotions, cringe-worthy insta-love/love-triangles, the trope of our protagonist being the inexplicably “most powerful magic-user of her sort”. The very shallow and basic tropes made for a mismatch to the deeper themes for me; the book simply lacked the page time and depth to do these them justice. Rather, I’d have seen the book commit to its classic-YA roots fully. That way I might have enjoyed it for what it was, and not have been disappointed by missed potential.
Speaking of “enjoying things for what they are”; I was irrationally bothered by the fact that the author kept referring to the magic as “science”, even though there’s absolutely nothing scientific about it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the trope of wild/blood magic, but at least call it what it is, instead of selling it as something it’s not?!
I recommend this to readers looking for a fun YA-fantasy-romance with a unique tropical setting; you’re in for a good time with this one! If you’re coming at this specifically for the hinted social commentary or looking for anything genre-transcending; you might come away disappointed.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Story:
Our story takes place in the mystical and dangerous deep-jungles of Jamaica, where rich westerners pay good money to get a taste of the “exotic”, within the safety of a guided tour. The Exotic Lands Touring Company has built an empire on this brand of eco-tourism, meanwhile exploiting the land as well as its people for profit. Victoria is one of their unwilling but ambitious employee’s, as well as a Wildblood; one with the power to manipulate her environment and protect travellers from the dangers of the jungle. When Victoria is passed over for promotion in favour of her ex-boyfriend, she is determined to prove herself. What better way to do so, than to successfully complete the high-profile job of shepherding a famous goldminer safely across the jungle in his next search for treasure. But the jungle is treacherous: between mythical monsters, backstabbing exes, and unexpected romance, Victoria has to decide - is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?
What I liked:
Lauren Blackwood does settings and atmosphere extremely well. She already proved so with the haunted manor-setting in her debut Within These Wicked Walls, but she outdoes herself with the sentient haunted jungle in this book. From the foggy, damp atmosphere to the lush vegetation, to the lurking creatures that inhabit it; I felt myself completely transported to the world she envisioned.
I also liked the authors ambition of incorporating some important but complex themes of eco-tourism, colonialism, slavery and abuse of power. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like that came to complete fruition.
What I didn’t like:
This is where the identity-crisis comes in... Although Wildblood tries to address these themes, it simultaneously reads like your typical young-adult fantasy-romance, more concerned with the soap-opera-level personal drama of its characters, than the larger issues going on around them. The typical tropes of the YA-genre are all there: teenage drama concerning exes and promotions, cringe-worthy insta-love/love-triangles, the trope of our protagonist being the inexplicably “most powerful magic-user of her sort”. The very shallow and basic tropes made for a mismatch to the deeper themes for me; the book simply lacked the page time and depth to do these them justice. Rather, I’d have seen the book commit to its classic-YA roots fully. That way I might have enjoyed it for what it was, and not have been disappointed by missed potential.
Speaking of “enjoying things for what they are”; I was irrationally bothered by the fact that the author kept referring to the magic as “science”, even though there’s absolutely nothing scientific about it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the trope of wild/blood magic, but at least call it what it is, instead of selling it as something it’s not?!
I recommend this to readers looking for a fun YA-fantasy-romance with a unique tropical setting; you’re in for a good time with this one! If you’re coming at this specifically for the hinted social commentary or looking for anything genre-transcending; you might come away disappointed.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2023
Wildblood was very intriguing to me from the description and in the beginning of the book. Somewhere along the reading I felt that it became a little flat for me. I did enjoy the premise of them being in the jungle where there were strange and dangerous things lurking about; however, it felt more like a romance with the love interests in the story. For me, both the romantic and jungle journey of the book didn’t work well together. I believe I was looking for more of a fantasy vibe. It may have been an “it’s not you, it’s me” for this one.
I do feel that this will appeal to others. It just didn’t work well for me. So I would recommend to others to give it a try if they are drawn to the description. As I said, there were some bits that I did enjoy like some of the dangerous jungle scenes and atmosphere. I think this would be great for those that are new to fantasy.
I do feel that this will appeal to others. It just didn’t work well for me. So I would recommend to others to give it a try if they are drawn to the description. As I said, there were some bits that I did enjoy like some of the dangerous jungle scenes and atmosphere. I think this would be great for those that are new to fantasy.
Want to read
July 29, 2022
December 25, 2022
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!
This was a beautiful adventure into a mystifying jungle in Jamaica.
This story takes place around the mid 1800's just to give you an idea of the time period. The tour group that Victoria and the other wildbloods "worked" for (more like slavery with a very small payment to specifically make it not slavery) had a British overlord that was quite cruel and abusive.
Victoria joins her archrival's side to lead the next tour into the jungle. The main concept that I really observed while reading, and what I really appreciated, was Victoria's relationship to this wild jungle as being one of comfort while her relationship with other humans and her job (basically her abusers) was where the real harm came from in this story. The jungle, while having so many dangerous and unknown factors, was more of a safe place for her, especially considering her origin.
There were some things I thought were too simple. Like a specific love interest for Victoria in the story. Just seemed a little too candy sweet for me to believe it to be genuine. But otherwise, I thought this was a magnificent story about understanding a victim's of abuse relationship to her abuser(s).
Out February 7, 2023!
This was a beautiful adventure into a mystifying jungle in Jamaica.
This story takes place around the mid 1800's just to give you an idea of the time period. The tour group that Victoria and the other wildbloods "worked" for (more like slavery with a very small payment to specifically make it not slavery) had a British overlord that was quite cruel and abusive.
Victoria joins her archrival's side to lead the next tour into the jungle. The main concept that I really observed while reading, and what I really appreciated, was Victoria's relationship to this wild jungle as being one of comfort while her relationship with other humans and her job (basically her abusers) was where the real harm came from in this story. The jungle, while having so many dangerous and unknown factors, was more of a safe place for her, especially considering her origin.
There were some things I thought were too simple. Like a specific love interest for Victoria in the story. Just seemed a little too candy sweet for me to believe it to be genuine. But otherwise, I thought this was a magnificent story about understanding a victim's of abuse relationship to her abuser(s).
Out February 7, 2023!
May 2, 2023
I wanted to love this one, it had all of the elements that should have been love for me.
I LOVED the Jamaican cultural lore! This was a huge strength in this book. And honestly that was the only strength for me.
We are plopped into a jungle expedition with a lack of backstory detail to give the reader the full scope of what is going on and why the wildbloods are so disdained and yet useful, and how they end up indentured. There were snippits of explanation, but it wasn't fully realized.
Then we have these other characters that are mostly not fully developed. The prissy wife that stays in the tent but is someone conveniently absent for anything that matters with her husband. If Lauren Blackwood would have later told us that she was an apparition, it probably would have made more sense.
There's this fight for a promotion and the angst with Dean, but I don't really get the full scope of why they don't like each other anymore. There was never a thorogh explanation, and it was a big subplot, so I needed that.
Then there is a lot of sex between everyone, and one guy falls in lvoe right away and none of it really made a lot of sense. I am fine with casual sex in a book, but it was like an after thought that didn't really do anything for the story, except that all of the characters are even more intimately familiar, or they should be. But this wasn't sold for me.
The pace of the beginning takes forever to get moving and with the lack of details and explanations, I spent much of the time wondering why I cared about anyone with a small bit of intrigue surrounding Victoria. By the time any action comes in, my attention has waned and there are short interludes of action that are not fully developed scenes. This could have added a ton to the story and instead, it felt forced.
Ultimately this didn't feel well edited or complete. It wasn't more than ok for me.
Within These Wicked Walls was much more enjoyable for me.
2 Stars.
I LOVED the Jamaican cultural lore! This was a huge strength in this book. And honestly that was the only strength for me.
We are plopped into a jungle expedition with a lack of backstory detail to give the reader the full scope of what is going on and why the wildbloods are so disdained and yet useful, and how they end up indentured. There were snippits of explanation, but it wasn't fully realized.
Then we have these other characters that are mostly not fully developed. The prissy wife that stays in the tent but is someone conveniently absent for anything that matters with her husband. If Lauren Blackwood would have later told us that she was an apparition, it probably would have made more sense.
There's this fight for a promotion and the angst with Dean, but I don't really get the full scope of why they don't like each other anymore. There was never a thorogh explanation, and it was a big subplot, so I needed that.
Then there is a lot of sex between everyone, and one guy falls in lvoe right away and none of it really made a lot of sense. I am fine with casual sex in a book, but it was like an after thought that didn't really do anything for the story, except that all of the characters are even more intimately familiar, or they should be. But this wasn't sold for me.
The pace of the beginning takes forever to get moving and with the lack of details and explanations, I spent much of the time wondering why I cared about anyone with a small bit of intrigue surrounding Victoria. By the time any action comes in, my attention has waned and there are short interludes of action that are not fully developed scenes. This could have added a ton to the story and instead, it felt forced.
Ultimately this didn't feel well edited or complete. It wasn't more than ok for me.
Within These Wicked Walls was much more enjoyable for me.
2 Stars.
February 5, 2023
3.5/5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was nervous to read this as I hadn't enjoyed the author's other work, Within These Wicked Walls, very much. However, this really turned it around for me! The book was well-written and I was fascinated by the concept of the jungle and the spirit creatures and River Mumma. However, we don't get many answers in relation to the Wildbloods - where does their "science" come from, why is our main character so strong, what are the "rages" that they go into? Not to mention, if they are so strong and powerful, how were they confined to this touring company? There were a lot of unanswered questions which I think even a paragraph or two of explanation on would have done the book the world of good.
I struggled with the romance in the book - I didn't think it was necessary to be a romance, and could've been really strong if it had just developed as a friendship. Given the nature of the trauma that the main character has been through, the romance felt very rushed - they've only known each other for a few days and they're in love, and these aren't even young teenagers either, they're 18 and 21.
There are trigger warnings included in this book, which I was really glad to see because the topics discussed in tis book are HEAVY and you should be aware of that going in. This book deals with rape, abuse, gore, and doesn't shy away from any of these topics either, so please do be mindful of that going in!
All that being said, I did enjoy this book a lot - whether that's merely in comparison to the author's other book, I'm not sure, but I'm definitely more open to reading more from this author in the future now.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was nervous to read this as I hadn't enjoyed the author's other work, Within These Wicked Walls, very much. However, this really turned it around for me! The book was well-written and I was fascinated by the concept of the jungle and the spirit creatures and River Mumma. However, we don't get many answers in relation to the Wildbloods - where does their "science" come from, why is our main character so strong, what are the "rages" that they go into? Not to mention, if they are so strong and powerful, how were they confined to this touring company? There were a lot of unanswered questions which I think even a paragraph or two of explanation on would have done the book the world of good.
I struggled with the romance in the book - I didn't think it was necessary to be a romance, and could've been really strong if it had just developed as a friendship. Given the nature of the trauma that the main character has been through, the romance felt very rushed - they've only known each other for a few days and they're in love, and these aren't even young teenagers either, they're 18 and 21.
There are trigger warnings included in this book, which I was really glad to see because the topics discussed in tis book are HEAVY and you should be aware of that going in. This book deals with rape, abuse, gore, and doesn't shy away from any of these topics either, so please do be mindful of that going in!
All that being said, I did enjoy this book a lot - whether that's merely in comparison to the author's other book, I'm not sure, but I'm definitely more open to reading more from this author in the future now.
November 3, 2022
I loved the concept of this book. Teens who are basically imprisoned and forced to use their blood magic to help guide travelers through the jungle safely. However, I feel parts of the story were not well developed or explained. This left me confused at times as I feel like I needed more backstory on their “science” and the Wildblood magic itself.
This book touches on a wide range of touchy subjects such as sexual assault, racism, violence, graphic death, emotional and physical abuse, just to name a few. Even though the characters experienced a lot of these hardships, I was left not feeling much of anything while reading this one. I’m not sure what was missing.
I did however enjoy the setting of the forest and the elements explored within it. The dangers were evident and I think that helped provide a nice backdrop for the story.
I wish I would have liked this one more. I had high hopes for this one, but it left me feeling a little bit disappointed.
***there are trigger warnings for this book
This book touches on a wide range of touchy subjects such as sexual assault, racism, violence, graphic death, emotional and physical abuse, just to name a few. Even though the characters experienced a lot of these hardships, I was left not feeling much of anything while reading this one. I’m not sure what was missing.
I did however enjoy the setting of the forest and the elements explored within it. The dangers were evident and I think that helped provide a nice backdrop for the story.
I wish I would have liked this one more. I had high hopes for this one, but it left me feeling a little bit disappointed.
***there are trigger warnings for this book
Read
December 21, 2022DNF. I’ve tried to get into this twice now and I just can’t seem to connect with it. And I refuse to make myself read books that I’m not enjoying. This is such a disappointment because I loved Lauren’s debut novel so much.
August 9, 2022
The cover and the synopsis are a great indication of the kind of story you're in for. This book was a whirlwind of an adventure with some of the great worldbuilding. It was so easy to go through and author also did an excellent job at including meaningful details about the setting that made the work immersive and lush. If you love young adult fantasy, this is absolutely a book you’ll want to read.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2022
Lauren Blackwood takes us on a trip to the tropics of Jamaica, to
the Exotic Lands Touring Company.
The name sounds like the perfect company to plan your next vacation touring guide, but this company is as corrupt as “Boi Blue” that some are known to be, true!
So let me begin to tell you the tale of ELTC for short,
Let us begin:
Victoria:
Victoria has been working for Exotic Land Touring Company as a Wildblood since she was kidnapped, when she was only 6 years old.
Her job is not one of the utmost respectable jobs on the outside.
However, inside the gates of the “touring” company, everyone knows that Victoria is the most powerful Wildblood there.
Here, the power of blood bending is what she and her fellow team of blood benders are known for.
Their special abilities are to protect the “rich” who can afford their services.
To take them safely through the Jamaican jungles, which are filled with ghost, monsters, and spirits.
No matter what they have heard about the frights of the jungle, the rich will still pay.
Because in the end, all they are after is GOLD.
Overlooked:
Victoria is extremely excited because the position for Team Leader has opened up.
Bunny and Samson just know that Victoria, is the only person powerful enough and ready for the position.
However, when the boss makes the announcement, it is not Victoria’s name he calls.
It is her conniving, backstabbing, ex-boyfriend Dean who is next to inherit the company.
Victoria is “VEXED” unbelievably, and she is determined to show and prove who she really is.
The Client:
Then one day the boss says he has a new client, (however sorry, to Victoria about passing her over.
She just was not the image that he wanted to portray for this rich client.) The world-renowned gold miner, Thorn
.
Thorn is determined to do, and go, anywhere, to reach a mythical gold supply that is said to be, buried deep within the dense layers of the jungle.
Victoria is totally taken aback by this man; she cannot believe how calm and kind he is to her.
For she is nothing like this kindhearted man from America.
Change of Plans:
He is scheduled to leave on his excursion with Dean as his guide in 48 hours
.
However, in that time Thorn and Victoria end up falling in love.
Thorn in turn entrusts Victoria with the mission instead, and she is about to prove her boss and that no-good Dean wrong.
Not to mention, she is not about to let her newfound love Thorn down.
Mission:
Together they will embark on a harrowing experience, through the mystifying jungles that await them ever so ominously.
Black wood Illuminates with her novelistic mosaic of enthralling magical creatures, astonishingly.
From her River Goddess to the hypnotic spirits that are calling out to Victoria from the jungle.
The word building was nicely done and flowed seamlessly
Blackwood’s character Victoria was outstanding and was the pinnacle of the novel.
You actually cared for her safety and her feelings.
However, the ending was absolutely STELLAR!!
This is where Blackwood truly shines like a diamond. Where you finally get to give that sly smile.
Hope it gives you that smirk too.
Good one Blackwood!
BIG UP GAL!
ENCORE!
Thank you, NetGalley/Lauren Blackwood/St.Martin's Press.Wednesday Books/ For this free eARC for my honest review. My opinions are of my own volition.
the Exotic Lands Touring Company.
The name sounds like the perfect company to plan your next vacation touring guide, but this company is as corrupt as “Boi Blue” that some are known to be, true!
So let me begin to tell you the tale of ELTC for short,
Let us begin:
Victoria:
Victoria has been working for Exotic Land Touring Company as a Wildblood since she was kidnapped, when she was only 6 years old.
Her job is not one of the utmost respectable jobs on the outside.
However, inside the gates of the “touring” company, everyone knows that Victoria is the most powerful Wildblood there.
Here, the power of blood bending is what she and her fellow team of blood benders are known for.
Their special abilities are to protect the “rich” who can afford their services.
To take them safely through the Jamaican jungles, which are filled with ghost, monsters, and spirits.
No matter what they have heard about the frights of the jungle, the rich will still pay.
Because in the end, all they are after is GOLD.
Overlooked:
Victoria is extremely excited because the position for Team Leader has opened up.
Bunny and Samson just know that Victoria, is the only person powerful enough and ready for the position.
However, when the boss makes the announcement, it is not Victoria’s name he calls.
It is her conniving, backstabbing, ex-boyfriend Dean who is next to inherit the company.
Victoria is “VEXED” unbelievably, and she is determined to show and prove who she really is.
The Client:
Then one day the boss says he has a new client, (however sorry, to Victoria about passing her over.
She just was not the image that he wanted to portray for this rich client.) The world-renowned gold miner, Thorn
.
Thorn is determined to do, and go, anywhere, to reach a mythical gold supply that is said to be, buried deep within the dense layers of the jungle.
Victoria is totally taken aback by this man; she cannot believe how calm and kind he is to her.
For she is nothing like this kindhearted man from America.
Change of Plans:
He is scheduled to leave on his excursion with Dean as his guide in 48 hours
.
However, in that time Thorn and Victoria end up falling in love.
Thorn in turn entrusts Victoria with the mission instead, and she is about to prove her boss and that no-good Dean wrong.
Not to mention, she is not about to let her newfound love Thorn down.
Mission:
Together they will embark on a harrowing experience, through the mystifying jungles that await them ever so ominously.
Black wood Illuminates with her novelistic mosaic of enthralling magical creatures, astonishingly.
From her River Goddess to the hypnotic spirits that are calling out to Victoria from the jungle.
The word building was nicely done and flowed seamlessly
Blackwood’s character Victoria was outstanding and was the pinnacle of the novel.
You actually cared for her safety and her feelings.
However, the ending was absolutely STELLAR!!
This is where Blackwood truly shines like a diamond. Where you finally get to give that sly smile.
Hope it gives you that smirk too.
Good one Blackwood!
BIG UP GAL!
ENCORE!
Thank you, NetGalley/Lauren Blackwood/St.Martin's Press.Wednesday Books/ For this free eARC for my honest review. My opinions are of my own volition.
August 22, 2023
This book was unlike anything I've read before. It was a genuinely unique experience. That said, when I was nearing the end I realized that the payoff wasn't going to be what I'd been hoping for. I was disappointed to find the plot took a back seat to the romance. I say this as someone who loves romance and found the love interest in this book to be pretty swoonworthy, but it felt like the plot was completely dropped in favor of the lovey-dovey stuff and that left me completely unsatisfied. Thorn was adamant throughout the entire expedition that even if people were dying for his greed, he was going to get his gold. And then he wordlessly gave up? The few survivors of the jungle terrors just headed home without even a discussion about it? I felt like a scene had to be missing.
The "big showdown" at the end was over so quickly and the villain was really nothing to be concerned about. It's hard to believe the main character and her friends didn't leave long ago, when they clearly had the power to do so at any time. I have to be honest, the lackluster climax did make me wonder, what was the point of this story? Also, I did love the characters but I thought their relationships and hardships were well-defined as-is, and throwing a sexual assault into the storyline was completely unnecessary. The villain was already kidnapping children and forcing them into slavery. He was already clearly defined as evil. Victoria had been through enough without torturing her like that, too.
The worldbuilding was fantastic, the best element of the book, but the magic system never played as huge a role as I anticipated. The wildbloods' limitations and abilities were never clearly defined, and I kept expecting that a book called Wildblood would go into a lot more detail about who and what these people are, but it's just left to the imagination in the end.
I did anticipate the way this book would end. It was inevitable, but thereby perhaps predictable. I just wish everything had played out a bit differently, more explosively. And I am just absolutely crushed that the whole cast was killed all for the sake of finding a gold mine, and in the end we never even see it!
I could have easily given this book five stars for the worldbuilding alone, and the fantastic characters and the trials they go through and the ends they meet. But the way it just kind of petered out and felt like crucial scenes were missing left me feeling disappointed.
*Review based on an arc from NetGalley.
The "big showdown" at the end was over so quickly and the villain was really nothing to be concerned about. It's hard to believe the main character and her friends didn't leave long ago, when they clearly had the power to do so at any time. I have to be honest, the lackluster climax did make me wonder, what was the point of this story? Also, I did love the characters but I thought their relationships and hardships were well-defined as-is, and throwing a sexual assault into the storyline was completely unnecessary. The villain was already kidnapping children and forcing them into slavery. He was already clearly defined as evil. Victoria had been through enough without torturing her like that, too.
The worldbuilding was fantastic, the best element of the book, but the magic system never played as huge a role as I anticipated. The wildbloods' limitations and abilities were never clearly defined, and I kept expecting that a book called Wildblood would go into a lot more detail about who and what these people are, but it's just left to the imagination in the end.
I did anticipate the way this book would end. It was inevitable, but thereby perhaps predictable. I just wish everything had played out a bit differently, more explosively. And I am just absolutely crushed that the whole cast was killed all for the sake of finding a gold mine, and in the end we never even see it!
I could have easily given this book five stars for the worldbuilding alone, and the fantastic characters and the trials they go through and the ends they meet. But the way it just kind of petered out and felt like crucial scenes were missing left me feeling disappointed.
*Review based on an arc from NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I missed out on Lauren Blackwood’s debut novel from last year, Within These Wicked Walls, and I’m really regretting that right now as I sit here and digest Wildblood, because it took all of maybe two pages for her to wrap me around her finger with some of the most striking and lovely prose I’ve read in this genre in months, and then I was completely swallowed by the intense characterizations and intricate worldbuilding before I had even hit 5% into the book. I don’t know what to call Lauren Blackwood but some sort of dark fantasy enchantress who knows her mission, researches the heck out of it, and then sits down and somehow comes out the other end with intense tales of adventure, love, horror, evil, friendship, and self-discovery set in times past whose morals and other lessons could be applied to current times and not just to the times in which the books are set (in this case it seems to be Jamaica in the early 1900s).
Yes, I do have some complaints about this book: I didn’t like Dean and felt let down by the resolution to his part in the story. I also can both recognize the need (through the time period and where he comes from) for Thorn to be a Christian and to be vocal about it without being thrilled by it. I felt his psalms and prayers took up space in the book that could’ve been used elsewhere. I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority in this opinion. I also wasn’t happy with Blackwood’s decision to not have Victoria contemplate at any point in time what it would mean to leave the compound and go out into a world she’s never been in. She never asked any questions about what it was like out there, or what she would do, or if she would have to wear certain clothing. There were scenes that would’ve allowed for this kind of small talk and intimate conversation between her and Thorn, but it never happened. I don’t know if that’s because Blackwood meant for Victoria to not think about those things because of one reason or another, but by the time I got to the resolution of the book, I found myself facepalming a little because Thorn should have put some thought into matters. Then again, he seems the impulsive type.
The worldbuilding, the setting, the magic, the mythology, the folklore…it all added up to make this book so entrancing at times. If you add in Blackwood’s lovely prose, her ability to tap into her character’s inner narratives and emotions, and her ability to draw from the history her world is built on, it all makes for a bright, emotional, adventurous, fantastical read. I loved it.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Reads/Coming of Age/Folklore/Fantasy Romance/Historical Fantasy/Myth/Standalone/Dark Fantasy
Yes, I do have some complaints about this book: I didn’t like Dean and felt let down by the resolution to his part in the story. I also can both recognize the need (through the time period and where he comes from) for Thorn to be a Christian and to be vocal about it without being thrilled by it. I felt his psalms and prayers took up space in the book that could’ve been used elsewhere. I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority in this opinion. I also wasn’t happy with Blackwood’s decision to not have Victoria contemplate at any point in time what it would mean to leave the compound and go out into a world she’s never been in. She never asked any questions about what it was like out there, or what she would do, or if she would have to wear certain clothing. There were scenes that would’ve allowed for this kind of small talk and intimate conversation between her and Thorn, but it never happened. I don’t know if that’s because Blackwood meant for Victoria to not think about those things because of one reason or another, but by the time I got to the resolution of the book, I found myself facepalming a little because Thorn should have put some thought into matters. Then again, he seems the impulsive type.
The worldbuilding, the setting, the magic, the mythology, the folklore…it all added up to make this book so entrancing at times. If you add in Blackwood’s lovely prose, her ability to tap into her character’s inner narratives and emotions, and her ability to draw from the history her world is built on, it all makes for a bright, emotional, adventurous, fantastical read. I loved it.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Reads/Coming of Age/Folklore/Fantasy Romance/Historical Fantasy/Myth/Standalone/Dark Fantasy
February 17, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was...fine? I guess. Okay, you're right. I didn't like it and I'm trying to cover up my disappointment with placating words to myself. I really enjoyed Blackwood's debut novel and was super excited to see what she would come up with next. When I read the synopsis of this and saw sentient jungle, blood magic, and ghostly monsters, I was there. However, all these really cool aspects ultimately fell flat.
Wildblood could have used a little more time to develop. The plot vanishes halfway through the book in a puff of romance. A romance that is very much instant attraction and gave me little to no feels, but then proceeded to take up the plot's space. And honestly I'm sometimes fine with insta-love, but this even felt like 1-100 in three pages. Which considering I think that both Victoria and Thorn had promise, is sad. It needed a bit more time to stew.
Speaking of stewing the worldbuilding and the magic system. The glimpses of the jungle we did get were really interesting. Flesh eating vines, deadly butterflies, shadow creatures, cat/wolf things... all super interesting and completely underutilized. Considering most of the humans seemed to kill each other instead of being eaten by the jungle, but I guess you can make an argument for humans being the most deadly creatures on the planet and what we do to the environment is tragic and all that jazz. I just wanted more of the jungle. The magic system was also never fully explained and thus felt underutilized as well. I didn't understand why Victoria was the strongest, how their limits before they raged were determined, or even the boundaries of what they could and couldn't do with it.
However, I think the thing that bothered me the most about this book is killing characters off by a villain just to cement how evil they are and then also backtracking it. Villains kill characters. Sure. But the reasons here just felt super flimsy and it happened twice very close together. It honestly just felt like the author clearing out characters so she wouldn't have to keep track of them anymore. But also, for one of them the villain was like, "It was an accident." Yeah, just embrace it or don't do it in the first place. The author was generally walking back how evil he was to just make him damaged because of his traumatic childhood. Which, sure, that's valid, but it didn't feel like his actions were always consistent then.
There are some really dark themes in this book, with mentions of rape and physical abuse, blood, gore, trauma, and death. So, I would say not maybe for younger teen readers. Also, there is a sex scene. It's not particularly descriptive, but it does exist. It also takes place during a somewhat questionable emotional time (which is addressed, but not well in my opinion) and then a weird conversation about it happens between the main character and earlier mentioned villain character.
Overall, I would recommend this for people who don't care if the romance overshadows any other plot, or who like sentient jungles, or who don't mind dark themes. Oh, and if you don't care that someone "kisses their teeth" every five pages. Some readers may find it worth looking into for the way that it talks about race, colonization, and environmentalism. Ultimately this is a story of a woman fighting for herself and her future and learning that she is strong enough by herself. However, it just wasn't for me. I hope that other readers enjoy it, but I would say her debut is stronger.
This was...fine? I guess. Okay, you're right. I didn't like it and I'm trying to cover up my disappointment with placating words to myself. I really enjoyed Blackwood's debut novel and was super excited to see what she would come up with next. When I read the synopsis of this and saw sentient jungle, blood magic, and ghostly monsters, I was there. However, all these really cool aspects ultimately fell flat.
Wildblood could have used a little more time to develop. The plot vanishes halfway through the book in a puff of romance. A romance that is very much instant attraction and gave me little to no feels, but then proceeded to take up the plot's space. And honestly I'm sometimes fine with insta-love, but this even felt like 1-100 in three pages. Which considering I think that both Victoria and Thorn had promise, is sad. It needed a bit more time to stew.
Speaking of stewing the worldbuilding and the magic system. The glimpses of the jungle we did get were really interesting. Flesh eating vines, deadly butterflies, shadow creatures, cat/wolf things... all super interesting and completely underutilized. Considering most of the humans seemed to kill each other instead of being eaten by the jungle, but I guess you can make an argument for humans being the most deadly creatures on the planet and what we do to the environment is tragic and all that jazz. I just wanted more of the jungle. The magic system was also never fully explained and thus felt underutilized as well. I didn't understand why Victoria was the strongest, how their limits before they raged were determined, or even the boundaries of what they could and couldn't do with it.
However, I think the thing that bothered me the most about this book is killing characters off by a villain just to cement how evil they are and then also backtracking it. Villains kill characters. Sure. But the reasons here just felt super flimsy and it happened twice very close together. It honestly just felt like the author clearing out characters so she wouldn't have to keep track of them anymore. But also, for one of them the villain was like, "It was an accident." Yeah, just embrace it or don't do it in the first place. The author was generally walking back how evil he was to just make him damaged because of his traumatic childhood. Which, sure, that's valid, but it didn't feel like his actions were always consistent then.
There are some really dark themes in this book, with mentions of rape and physical abuse, blood, gore, trauma, and death. So, I would say not maybe for younger teen readers. Also, there is a sex scene. It's not particularly descriptive, but it does exist. It also takes place during a somewhat questionable emotional time (which is addressed, but not well in my opinion) and then a weird conversation about it happens between the main character and earlier mentioned villain character.
Overall, I would recommend this for people who don't care if the romance overshadows any other plot, or who like sentient jungles, or who don't mind dark themes. Oh, and if you don't care that someone "kisses their teeth" every five pages. Some readers may find it worth looking into for the way that it talks about race, colonization, and environmentalism. Ultimately this is a story of a woman fighting for herself and her future and learning that she is strong enough by herself. However, it just wasn't for me. I hope that other readers enjoy it, but I would say her debut is stronger.
February 25, 2023
I was so dang excited to get a copy of this one! It has such a unique diverse story and setting that I haven't seen much in Young Adult.
Victoria is a servant to the Exotic Lands Touring company and was kidnapped when she was a young girl. She has a unique connection to the jungle around her and a genetic blood born magical power. This story begins when she is overlooked for a deserved tour guide position and now has to work with her ex to take a group of treasure hunters into the heart of a violent and dangerous jungle.
What worked for me:
-I absolutely loved the setting and the Jamaican jungle setting and representation
-heavier themes of abuse, forced labor and betrayal adds tension and motive
-I was super intrigued by the blood magic system
the magical creatures found in the jungle encounters
What didn't work for me:
-this book would have been substantially better if not for the romance (love triangle/very insta love and in your face)
-the romance really took away from the development of so many of the things I wanted to know more from. Theres one part where sex is used as a coping mech. for grief and I did not like that
-the plot took a turn about half way and I lost interest in where it was headed
-too many character deaths that I felt were ineffective
What was good was great. I was hooked in the start and I think the nail in the coffin was the romance for me. I did like how it ended but ultimately this too would have been more powerful and equally as effective without the romance...it just took away from what could have been an incredibly rich and deeper story.
Victoria is a servant to the Exotic Lands Touring company and was kidnapped when she was a young girl. She has a unique connection to the jungle around her and a genetic blood born magical power. This story begins when she is overlooked for a deserved tour guide position and now has to work with her ex to take a group of treasure hunters into the heart of a violent and dangerous jungle.
What worked for me:
-I absolutely loved the setting and the Jamaican jungle setting and representation
-heavier themes of abuse, forced labor and betrayal adds tension and motive
-I was super intrigued by the blood magic system
the magical creatures found in the jungle encounters
What didn't work for me:
-this book would have been substantially better if not for the romance (love triangle/very insta love and in your face)
-the romance really took away from the development of so many of the things I wanted to know more from. Theres one part where sex is used as a coping mech. for grief and I did not like that
-the plot took a turn about half way and I lost interest in where it was headed
-too many character deaths that I felt were ineffective
What was good was great. I was hooked in the start and I think the nail in the coffin was the romance for me. I did like how it ended but ultimately this too would have been more powerful and equally as effective without the romance...it just took away from what could have been an incredibly rich and deeper story.
August 10, 2022
Content warnings: colorism, racism (real-world & fantasy), sexual assault (prior to story), violence, abuse & manipulation, mentions of lynching
Victoria is a Wildblood. She was kidnapped and forced to work at the age of six, and though she’s eighteen now, Wildbloods are not respected in her society, so she doesn’t have much of a choice to leave. But when her boss denies her a promotion, she figures out a way to convince him otherwise: she’ll go on a dangerous expedition with her ex-best friend who will be inheriting the company, and who is less powerful than her, and make him look good. This expedition is different than anyone expected, though, and ahead of Victoria is a journey full of death, dangerous jungle creatures, and even love.
I loved Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls, so as soon as I heard about this one I was excited to read it! The beautiful prose in WTWW was not missing from Wildblood. This book also touched on religion (specifically Christianity) and I really liked and related to some of the discussions on that.
I loved Victoria and I’m so glad we got this book about her! Wildblood is set in first person from Victoria’s viewpoint and this choice further drew me into the story and into Victoria’s mind. Victoria’s story was unique in many ways, but I think all readers (myself included) will be able to relate to her in at least one way.
I highly recommend to fantasy fans who want a book that’s still YA, but edges closer to NA.
Victoria is a Wildblood. She was kidnapped and forced to work at the age of six, and though she’s eighteen now, Wildbloods are not respected in her society, so she doesn’t have much of a choice to leave. But when her boss denies her a promotion, she figures out a way to convince him otherwise: she’ll go on a dangerous expedition with her ex-best friend who will be inheriting the company, and who is less powerful than her, and make him look good. This expedition is different than anyone expected, though, and ahead of Victoria is a journey full of death, dangerous jungle creatures, and even love.
I loved Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls, so as soon as I heard about this one I was excited to read it! The beautiful prose in WTWW was not missing from Wildblood. This book also touched on religion (specifically Christianity) and I really liked and related to some of the discussions on that.
I loved Victoria and I’m so glad we got this book about her! Wildblood is set in first person from Victoria’s viewpoint and this choice further drew me into the story and into Victoria’s mind. Victoria’s story was unique in many ways, but I think all readers (myself included) will be able to relate to her in at least one way.
I highly recommend to fantasy fans who want a book that’s still YA, but edges closer to NA.
February 22, 2023
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
i really am so sad i didn’t end up liking this. it had so much potential but it fell so flat for me. i really don’t like being so negative but i truly don’t think there was anything about this book that i liked/enjoyed. i tried to read this using the e-arc but i got 10% and i couldn’t do it anymore, and i had to request the audiobook as soon as it was available at my library. i had many more questions than answers regarding the wildbloods. we never learn where their powers come from or what makes our mc victoria stronger than all the rest. the way it was also referred to as ‘science’ all the time got very repetitive. there was a faux brother/son relationship with a character who had no significance other than literally sleeping all the time. i truly had no idea what was going on with any of the characters. and don’t get me started on the romance. it was the epitome of insta-love. the two characters were saying i love you and calling each other beloved within knowing each other for 2 days. that alone took off one whole star from my rating. i will still be picking up this authors debut as i enjoy a gothic setting, but i sadly would not recommend this one.
i really am so sad i didn’t end up liking this. it had so much potential but it fell so flat for me. i really don’t like being so negative but i truly don’t think there was anything about this book that i liked/enjoyed. i tried to read this using the e-arc but i got 10% and i couldn’t do it anymore, and i had to request the audiobook as soon as it was available at my library. i had many more questions than answers regarding the wildbloods. we never learn where their powers come from or what makes our mc victoria stronger than all the rest. the way it was also referred to as ‘science’ all the time got very repetitive. there was a faux brother/son relationship with a character who had no significance other than literally sleeping all the time. i truly had no idea what was going on with any of the characters. and don’t get me started on the romance. it was the epitome of insta-love. the two characters were saying i love you and calling each other beloved within knowing each other for 2 days. that alone took off one whole star from my rating. i will still be picking up this authors debut as i enjoy a gothic setting, but i sadly would not recommend this one.
February 17, 2024
A gorgeous cover with a story and characters that frustrated me. I liked the beginning - as we're introduce to the jungle and Victoria and we can see how things work. However, just as quickly - the romance interested is introduced and I was just not feeling it. The arguing, the shocking deaths - it felt rushed and forced.
I really wish I'd liked this one more. The ending did wrap up well and I did like it, but what came before was too much for me to enjoy this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I really wish I'd liked this one more. The ending did wrap up well and I did like it, but what came before was too much for me to enjoy this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 10, 2023DNF at 78%. And let me tell you I don’t remember a single thing about it. Definitely made me sad. I liked the first one and was excited for this one. But for this to be a huge scary jungle, there was again, no world building so it just seemed like she was outside in her backyard. I wanted to know more about the creatures and what a wild blood and all her magic and we just don’t get that.
September 10, 2022
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
TW: rape/sexual assault (occurs in the main character's past), graphic death, violence, racism (including mentions of lynching), colorism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, toxic relationship, gaslighting, and manipulation
Wow that was quite the journey, which feels on brand for the theme of the story. I knew going into this novel that there would be many emotional moments, as this story sheds light on the horrifying aspects of British and American colonialism in Jamaica. The pain and trauma that Victoria and her friends endure is quite heavy, and I want to emphasize that before readers go into this book thinking it's a fun YA Fantasy.
My favorite aspect of this novel was definitely the various supernatural entities, gods/goddesses, and jungle creatures included in the story from Jamaican folklore. The descriptions and scenes with each of these beings were written in a perfectly creepy and alluring manner and I definitely found myself on the edge of my seat as more and more creatures were introduced. The magic system among the Wildbloods was also described very viscerally and added to the intensity of the story.
I think my least favorite aspect of this novel was the romance, to be honest. I adored the romance in Within These Wicked Walls, but the romance in Wildblood was not very convincing for me. After the trauma that Victoria endures from the men around her, I could not trust Thorn at all, no matter how charming he seemed. His dynamic with Victoria felt a little childish, which was perhaps the point to add to Victoria's naiveté as someone who was born and raised in the jungle and has never experienced what most upper-class folks have experienced. However, I am glad, in a way, that she .
Overall, if you like YA fantasy novels set in the jungle with various jungle creatures like Beasts of Prey, combined with themes of colonialism, classism, environmentalism, strength, and family, check out Wildblood.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
TW: rape/sexual assault (occurs in the main character's past), graphic death, violence, racism (including mentions of lynching), colorism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, toxic relationship, gaslighting, and manipulation
Wow that was quite the journey, which feels on brand for the theme of the story. I knew going into this novel that there would be many emotional moments, as this story sheds light on the horrifying aspects of British and American colonialism in Jamaica. The pain and trauma that Victoria and her friends endure is quite heavy, and I want to emphasize that before readers go into this book thinking it's a fun YA Fantasy.
My favorite aspect of this novel was definitely the various supernatural entities, gods/goddesses, and jungle creatures included in the story from Jamaican folklore. The descriptions and scenes with each of these beings were written in a perfectly creepy and alluring manner and I definitely found myself on the edge of my seat as more and more creatures were introduced. The magic system among the Wildbloods was also described very viscerally and added to the intensity of the story.
I think my least favorite aspect of this novel was the romance, to be honest. I adored the romance in Within These Wicked Walls, but the romance in Wildblood was not very convincing for me. After the trauma that Victoria endures from the men around her, I could not trust Thorn at all, no matter how charming he seemed. His dynamic with Victoria felt a little childish, which was perhaps the point to add to Victoria's naiveté as someone who was born and raised in the jungle and has never experienced what most upper-class folks have experienced. However, I am glad, in a way, that she .
Overall, if you like YA fantasy novels set in the jungle with various jungle creatures like Beasts of Prey, combined with themes of colonialism, classism, environmentalism, strength, and family, check out Wildblood.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
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