So much fun! Really 4.5 stars. This was the book I didn't realise I needed right now. It was unputdownable. I read it in less than 24 hours I was so iSo much fun! Really 4.5 stars. This was the book I didn't realise I needed right now. It was unputdownable. I read it in less than 24 hours I was so immersed. I would give it 5 but there were some major plotholes! Esp re: Julies timeline of events and her communication with her family. It's a hot mess IMO.
For those coming into this book blind or thinking about it? Don't. In order to get full enjoyment, you must read the Kate Daniels series and the novellas.
Back to Blood Heir! I know I'm not the only one who's been waiting for a Julie/Derek book since their novella (Magic Stars, Kate Daniels 8.5, Grey Wolf #1), and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was better than expected for many reasons and one of them being ........
****SPOILERS BELOW**** . . . . . . . . . . That actually Julie told Derek she was in love with him as soon as he let on he knew it was her. I was shocked and happy about that! I thought we would have to wait and do that entire push-pull romance trope before Julie discussed her honest feelings. So yeah, yay! You say it like it is, gurl! No time to waste.....eight years later ;)
So when the book started I was VERY weary. I thought - "Oh f no! I just got done with the latest Hidden Legacy book and IA can't be using the same exact character driver as the engine that drives this plot too! Really? New Face, new name and gonna keep that massive secret from her family cause an oracle "friend" who could very well screw Julie over told her not to tell her family or else they die? Oh hell no!? I'm so tired of that plot/character driver. Not team Andrews!"
But it worked. So far. Cause the book was so enjoyable, however, technically there are some gaping holes. It's actually a hot mess express of timeline swiss cheese. Therefore that excuse? The keeping secrets from your friends and family excuse...SHOULD NOT continue. Why? - Number 1 - it's tired. - Number 2 - it left plot holes (anyone else? Or did I legit miss something) - Number 3 - and maybe I missed an explanation around this or misread in my excitement, so please someone let me know if you read this review, but didn't Julie say she speaks to her family at least once a week on pg 131?
So how did she manage to avoid face-timing or even calling to Kate/Curran/Conlan for more than NINE MONTHS when she went into a magically induced coma? Even ERRA went with her! And we know Erra speaks to Kate cause she rang her looking for Julie back in Atlanta. Seriously - how did Kate & Curran's radar not go up? How are they not looking for Julie once Erra rang in a panic?
Moving on as to why it's a tired and illogical excuse - Julie states that FOUR YEARS AGO is when she went to Moloch's castle, plonked his eye in hers and had a face change. Started changing for TWO MONTHS before going into a coma for NINE months. And at the beginning of the book, Julie states Kate hasn't seen her since the face change (Four years ago now. Well technically probably three years ago cause of the long coma after)? But Conlan has and Sienna tells Julie doesn't matter. Really???
On-Page 214 - Julie says Erra calls Kate as often as she does through Cauldron (magical facetime), then Uncle Hugh calls Julie at her new hideout to tell her to call her hysterical grandma who called Kate looking for her......Errrr......wait. Erra knows about the prophecy and super-secret so why would she call Kate only after 7 days? AND then Hugh manages to locate Julie immediately and tells her that everyone who cares about her safety knows where she is. Huh? I mean, it's all not stacking up.
Plus, EIGHT months before Julie comes home apparently Roland tells Conlan about the prophecy. And neither tell Julie this? Also, Sienna says Julie can't go home/see her or else Kate's doomed. Not that if Kate finds out about the prophecy then she's doomed, yet later in the book that's what Julie says the prophecy is. Gah! I'm so confused! See??? Just don't F-ing keep secrets for other people's own good!
Okay Okay, now that I got that off my chest.
I loved the new characters and the revisiting of some of the old. Conlan, Marten, Dougie, Namtur was hilarious and stole every scene. I loved seeing a bigger, badder Derek and even liked the little bit we got on Zahar.
Sophia was also hilarious but where did she come from?
Sienna, I was suspicious of (even Luther is too ) before her cryptic message at the end.
The Hodag action scene was awesome, the epic Metal Wolf scene at the end was excellent. I was glued to every word so I could picture it all. I loved the surprise of The Sphynx at the end and that the box was a school project of Roland's. I loved Julie going into Rudolph's house and showing those thugs who was boss.
Of course, the dynamic duo - Derek and Julie once again teaming up - their chemistry is undeniable and he's right, they make a great team.
I miss Kate and Curran naturally but this book more than made up for it.
IA fans will love it. I normally can't stand major, inexplicable timeline/plot holes and these drove me crazy too but because the book was SO good otherwise and still has all the same heart, I am overlooking it. Not entirely but enough to give this baby 4.5 stars.
Overall: Action - 5 Plot - 4-4.5 Characters - 5 Worldbuilding - 5 Romance - 4-4.5 (if there were a few more scenes between D&J it would be a 5 just on chemistry)...more
I tried, oh I tried but this book was painful. All over the place, redundant character thoughts and descriptions with no real context. I needed a map I tried, oh I tried but this book was painful. All over the place, redundant character thoughts and descriptions with no real context. I needed a map so went back and started jotting down the rankings of the clans and jewels but utlimately, the vague and brief outline of the heirarchy ended up contradicting itself in my opinion and I just thought, "Pfffft....fuck it. Why bother?"
In other words, I found there was much storytelling because the world building was lacking and it was more about the character descriptions intermingling with a bit of backstory but those descriptions (as I read on) actually became reptitive. I felt plopped into this world and was expected to understand. I didn't think it was especially dark because I was so bored so didn't take it seriously enough to care.
Maybe I am just being too lazy or stupid to try and wade my way through this but I didn't want to work that hard while I was reading it. I just felt like I was slogging through a swamp trying to get through this and for what? Because I wasn't enjoying it or finding it any good. ...more
Loading...
