Release Date: April 4th 2023
Publisher: Hodderscape
Pages: 416
Find it on: Goodreads. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars
Synopsis
Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen.
On the anniversary of these brutal events, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the sixteen-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Cristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. For Clement, magic is his lifeline. A distraction from his anger and pain. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.
Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family’s magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don’t succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.
Review
Set in a magical New Orleans, the story follows twins Clement and Cristina Trudeau – heirs to an ancient magical family. The twins are still reeling from the death of their father and are trying to care for their dying mother when they discover their mother isn’t sick – she’s been cursed by someone from the magical council their family once ruled. Can the twins come together and discover who is trying to destroy their family before it’s too late?
Blood Debts is a clever, compelling fantasy story that had me hooked right from the very first chapter. The story is thought-provoking, well-paced, and features a really interesting magic system. The story is full to the brim with magic and mystery and I had no idea where the story was going to go. I loved seeing the twins work together in their attempt to uncover who was threatening their family. Blood Debts definitely keep me captivated right till the very end and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Blood Debts features some interesting protagonists and both Clement and Cristina felt well developed. Both are dealing with the loss of their father, trying to find themselves, sort out their love lives, and deal with the magical threat against their family. Blood Debts is an enticing and engaging read, full of drama, mystery, and magic. If you’re looking for a gripping YA read this one should definitely be your next read.
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No Heart for a Thief is the first in a new epic fantasy series that follows Tayen, a young girl seeking vengeance for the murder of her family by soldiers of the Gousht Empire. When she meets Kaylo the famous thief with the ability to steal magic, he saves her and offers to help her learn how to control her magic and how to wield a weapon. As Kaylo and Tayen work together, Kaylo recounts his life and the mistakes he has made – will Kaylo be able to stop Tayen’s quest for vengeance and escape the demons he’s hiding from?
I am absolutely fascinated by historical fiction books that revolve around witchcraft so when I saw that the Last Witch of Scotland was inspired by the true events surrounding the last woman to be hanged as a witch, I just knew I had to read it. The story follows Aila and her mother Janet as they move to a remote town near Inverness, following a horrific fire that killed Aila’s father. When a temporary minister moves to the area he develops a fascination with Aila and her mother that begins to alienate them from the community – but at what cost?
Psyche and Eros is a beautifully told Greek myth retelling. I was initially drawn in by that beautiful cover and was completely hooked from the outset. The story follows Psyche, the princess of Mycenae, who angers the goddess of love Aphrodite. As revenge, Aphrodite sends Eros to deliver a curse to Psyche. However when Eros is hit with the arrow meant for Psyche, he finds himself in love with her. If Psyche ever looks upon Eros the curse will split them apart. Will they find a way to break the curse and be together?
Lured in by that beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis, I picked up The Foxglove King even though I haven’t gotten around to reading Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf yet. The story follows Lore, a young poison runner with the ability to channel Mortem – death magic. Channeling Mortem is illegal so when Lore is caught summoning she’s captured by the Presque Mort, an arm of the church where channeling Mortem is allowed. There Lore learns about a mysterious affliction that is wiping out entire villages and is tasked with using her magic to discover what is killing them. Having no choice but to accept Lore ends up in the Sainted King’s court, attempting to uncover the truth behind the killings, but will she be able to discover the truth before it’s too late?
Garth Nix is back with an all new fantasy adventure featuring Susan Arkshaw and the mysterious booksellers. Picking up after the events of The Left-Handed Booksellers of London, the story follows Susan, Merlin and Viven as they are transported to a strange house taken out of time. There they find a series of murders have taken place and an ancient sovereign with the ability to animate stone. The ancient sovereign takes an interest in Susan and together with the help of the other booksellers, the trio must find a way to stop the Lady of Stone before she kills again.
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is a whimsical fantasy adventure tale that follows Susan Arkshaw, a young woman who winds up involved with the mysterious booksellers – an extended family that protects the ordinary world from the creatures of the Old World. Susan is in London to start art school and find out who her father is, but her search may take her further into the Old World than anyone thought possible.
Sister, Maiden, Monster is a unique cosmic horror book that is completely unlike anything I’ve read before. The story follows three women in the wake of a pandemic that spreads across the world and infects people in strange horrific ways. Each woman is transformed in ways they could not possibly imagine.
C. L. Clark’s The Unbroken was one of my favourite reads of 2022 so I was dying to get my hands on a copy of The Faithless. Picking up after the events of book one, we follow Touraine as she travels to Balladaire as an Ambassador for Qazal. Touraine knows this will be no easy task and the future of Qazal rests upon her. Meanwhile Luca has returned home to take her rightful place as Queen, however, her Uncle is not willing to let the crown go. Luca must go through a Trial of Competence to prove she is ready for the throne, but with so few allies will she be able to rally the nobles to her cause and stop her Uncle stealing the throne?
The Bibliophile Chronicles 