Blood Magic - Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic – Tessa Gratton

Pages: 405 (ARC)

Publisher: Doubleday (RHCB)

Release Date: 7^th July 2011  

My whole body shivered. I was about to find out of magic was real. The electric thrill of terror was sharp on my tongue. I cut deep.

Silla is damaged and lost since the death of her parents.

Nick is the new boy in town with a chilling past of his own.

A mysterious spell book seeped in magic will bind Silla and Nick together.

But at what cost?

I have to admit that Blood Magic surprised me: I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did.

The first thing that told me I was going to enjoy Tessa’s debut was the discovery of its duel narrative. I’m a real sucker for it! I love seeing the reactions to other character’s actions. It was really refreshing to see what Nick really thought of Silla’s dabbling in blood magic and when he went along with her plans and when he genuinely agreed with her. It’s not something you often get to see; especially in a paranormal romance novel.

Another narrative voice that appeared sporadically throughout Blood Magic was Josephine’s diary entries. In the beginning, the entries provided a real sense of mystery: Who are Josephine, Philip and the Deacon? And what on earth do they have to do with Silla and Nick? Luckily, most of the questions were answered and the entries proved vital later in the story. My only complaint would be that a particular character who contributed to the diary in the latter chapters of the novel had a handwriting font that I found a little hard decipher.

Blood Magic is a novel of questions and puzzling connections. I spent a lot of the novel wondering about the connection between Nick’s mum and Silla’s dad and Josephine and Philip and Silla and Nick. They propelled the plot in a furious search for answers and they were gradually revealed as Nick and Silla learned more about their families and their pasts. As they learned more about the magic and their connection to it, their lives became more and more dangerous. I loved how Tessa Gratton didn't shy away from the death and havoc that a truly evil and unhinged character such as Blood Magic’s villain wreaked; it felt authentic and very true to the character’s nature.

I really enjoyed Blood Magic and I’m looking forward to the sequel even as I’m rather curious as to how the story arc is going to be carried on.

For my 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Sophie