Bloodspell by Amalie Howard

The spell was simple...

Cruentus Protectum (Defend the Blood)

But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds -- much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.

What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...

Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?

Four Stars, 0 Flames

After the tragic death of her parents, Victoria Warrick moved in with her grandmother's best friend, Holly. Starting her junior year in a new school with no friends and viewed as a freak isn't easy, especially since Victoria feels that she's different. On her 17th birthday she is given an old family heirloom from her grandmother, a music box and an antique amulet. Within the music box are letters, some of them obviously very old. But the one on top is from her grandmother, and the message is not what Tory was expecting to read. Traditionally, in the Warrick family, the women of the family experienced a great change at the age of 17, a beginning and end. Of what you ask? That's what Tory wants to know.

Suddenly strange things begin to happen around Tory. She can read people's minds, even her cat Leto can communicate with her. Of course, he is a supernatural being as well...a familiar if you will. Tory is a witch, descended from a long line of powerful female witches and part of a prophecy of doom. Then one day she meets a young man whom she feels an instant connection with. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to feel the same way, yet he can't seem to leave Tory alone.

Christian Devereux is much more than he seems; he is a vampire from the Royal House of Devereux, a prince who gave his throne to his twin brother Lucian. Christian is content to live a relatively peaceful life away from the politics and the Council in Paris. As far as he knows he is the only vampire in the area. When he meets Victoria he feels drawn to her, her blood seems to call to him. But she's a witch, and a union between a witch and vampire is expressly forbidden by the Council. Once he realizes who she is, who's descendant she is, he knows there can be nothing between them. If only he could stay away.

Ms. Howard engages the reader from page one and leads you through a world filled with intrigue, jealousy, betrayal and the ultimate sacrifice of love. I have read a lot of vampire stories, both young adult and adult. Bloodspell manages to add a new element to the genre. Victoria is a strong female lead who struggles with the knowledge that she was right, there is something different about her, while coping with the mesmerizing pull her magic has over her. The chemistry between Tory and Christian is hot without being cheesy or cliche. The internal conflict for Christian and how he decided to overcome his misgivings to be with Tory is sigh worthy. I like how Ms. Howard kept the flashbacks tidy and clear. Tory reads letters and a journal her ancestor kept detailing the powers she had and the consequences of using that power. A riveting tale of the constant balancing act we perform each day when trying to live a life on the right path. Evil is tempting and seems to be the easy way, but Tory fights...does she win? Read the book to find out! I promise you'll enjoy it! I give Bloodspell 4 Stars, 0 Flames. I cannot wait to read the next book in Ms. Howard's Bloodspell series.

I requested this ebook on NetGalley for an honest review.

posted by Emily

The Conduit by Stacey Rourke

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon.

She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop.

Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

3.5 Stars, 0 Flames


After they experience multiple break ins in their home, Celeste, her older brother Gabe and younger sister Kendall move to Gainesville, TN to live with their grandmother. Before heading to college in the fall, Celeste plans to relax, sketch, and maybe go on a few dates with a certain cute reporter...
 
But that's before she finds a strange wooden figurine in the shape of a gryphon. Before she begins seeing a strange glowing bird that seems to want her to follow it into the mountains. Suddenly, she can feel the emotions of those around her. That's when she meets Alaina, an ancestor from 17th century Ireland. When Alaina's village came under attack by an evil army, a strange being came to their defense, the Gryphon. The Gryphon changed the people of the village, the women growing wings, the men becoming lions. In appreciation for his assistance, Alaina promises that she and all her descendants would come to his aid should he ever need them. An ancient enemy is returning, the Gryphon's need is great, so Celeste, Gabe and Kendall become his fighters here on Earth.

Gabe gains strength and the ability to shift into a lion.
Kendall receives impenetrable wings with feathers that heal.
Celeste is the Conduit of the Gryphon, and an empath.

With Alaina as their guide they must learn to harness their powers and prepare for war.

The Conduit is a great beginning to a series. Celeste is a strong character, and I liked how the character stays true to how a teenager would behave. When Celeste learns what her powers are in comparison to her siblings she feels cheated. Come on, she's this almighty being's conduit and all she gets is empathy?! Celeste doesn't suddenly become all knowing or able to handle everything as an adult. I liked that. I do wish there was more conflict with the villain before the big showdown. There's a background story that introduces him, you know he's the villain, and then he arrives in present time and they fight. Other than that, The Conduit is a unique story and I feel Ms. Rourke is a refreshing new voice in the young adult genre.

I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.


posted by Emily