"Enchanting, visceral, and twisty." - New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess, Laura Sebastian "Bloodleaffeels like a classic in the making." - Sara Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Everless A roar of a dark and luscious epic fantasy that's layered with heady romance, bloodthirsty magic, and ghostly intrigue - an absolutely wicked delight. AGES: 14 plus AUTHOR: Crystal Smith is a writer, photographer, and artist who developed an early love of storytelling in a family of voracious readers. She resides in Utah with her high school sweetheart husband and two lively sons. When she isn't writing or creating, she can be found re-watching Jane Eyre or reading ghost stories with all the lights on Princess Aurelia is a prisoner to her crown and the heir that nobody wants. Surrounded by spirits and banned from using her blood-magic, Aurelia flees her country after a devastating assassination attempt. To escape her fate, Aurelia disguises herself as a commoner in a new land and discovers a happiness her crown has never allowed. As she forges new bonds and perfects her magic, she begins to fall for a man who is forbidden to rule beside her. But the ghosts that haunt Aurelia refuse to abandon her, and she finds herself succumbing to their call as they expose a nefarious plot that only she can defeat. Will she be forced to choose between the weight of the crown and the freedom of her new life?
The physical world of Bloodleaf is beautiful. I was able to easily see the city of Achlev and its magical wall. Smith's writing is lyrical and there are at least two scenes that brought tears to my eyes.
Since this is already listed as a series in Goodreads, I felt the ending was tied up a bit too neatly. I expected more of a cliffhanger. Not that the ending is unsatisfactory, but there is nothing I feel I absolutely need to know that would compel me to read the next book in the series.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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8 March, 2019:
Finished reading
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8 March, 2019:
Reviewed