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Blackwood

by Gwenda Bond (Goodreads Author)

3.52 of 5 stars 3.52 · rating details · 453 ratings · 202 reviews

On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.

Miranda, a misfit girl from the island’s most in...more

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Published September 4th 2012 by Strange Chemistry (first published September 1st 2012)

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Apr 29, 2012 Ashleigh Paige rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, could-have-been-so-much-better, e-arc-via-netgalley, the-decent-shelf-of-meh, whut

Also appears on my blog, The YA Kitten! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley.

Roanoke is one of the most fascinating mysteries in the history of North America. Over a hundred colonists go missing, leaving behind little more than "Croatoan" carved in a wooden post, and are never found again. Historical mysteries like this one fascinated me as a little girl, but so little was known about it and I was so little that I soon gave up on it. Bond's take on the secrets of the Lo...more Also appears on my blog, The YA Kitten! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley.

Roanoke is one of the most fascinating mysteries in the history of North America. Over a hundred colonists go missing, leaving behind little more than "Croatoan" carved in a wooden post, and are never found again. Historical mysteries like this one fascinated me as a little girl, but so little was known about it and I was so little that I soon gave up on it. Bond's take on the secrets of the Lost Colony's disappearance is grabbing, though it could have used a little more development.

From beginning to end, Blackwood won't let the reader go. The opening pages dangle a little bit of bait for us, but it gets pulled away every time we get close. Not only does it get further away, but it gets more and more appetizing, and we keep following it until we reach the end of the line and finally get the gratification we've been seeking the entire time. That is the story of this book. The hints of alchemy and its role in the mysterious disappearances of Roanoke citizens in the present time, mirroring the mystery that made the island so infamous, kept me reading and thinking about it even when I wasn't reading.

The pacing may be fantastic, but I feel Miranda and Phillips's blooming relationship suffered because the story flew by so quickly. Blackwood takes place over a couple of days. They vaguely knew each other when they were children thanks to an incident where younger Phillips called Miranda a freak in front of the entire town, setting the stage for her to be ostracized by the rest of the town, but otherwise have no connection before the book stars. She gets over what was apparently an important moment in her life easily and the two are head over heels for one another before the first day is over. They moved too far too fast for what felt like the sake of the plot and it threw me out of the story.

The writing was largely serviceable and often perfect for a certain scene, but it sometimes bordered on ridiculous. Talk of hands remembering how to open doors and feet knowing how to be clever as if those body parts had their own brains made me roll my eyes. Miranda treating Phillips giving her bacon like it was a confession of love at one point made me roll my eyes again.

Back to the better points of the book. Few young adult authors have made attempts at writing about Roanoke and alchemy isn't a subject I've run across very often either. Her take on the colonists of Roanoke being alchemists searching for the secret to eternal life had me intrigued and I enjoyed the chance to read something outside the usual circle of plots and powers. I wish it could have been a little more fully explained, though. How little is known for sure about the colonists and the fictional nature of the novel gave it so much room to create an even deeper story of the colonists, but I know little more about these fictional ones than I do the real ones.

I wish Blackwood could have been a more solid novel, but Bond is an author I want to keep an eye on. I see promise in her and I'm all in for any more young adult novels she may choose to write.(less)

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Aug 26, 2012 Ole Imsen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rural-fantasy, urban-fantasy, fantasy, adventure, supernatural, magic, thriller, young-adult

I'm a big fan of history, so I was immediately drawn in by the historical connection this novel has. The Lost Colony at Roanoke Island will be familiar to anyone who's ever had an interest in the "mysterious disappearances sub genre" of history, and Bond really does use it to great effect in her novel. I was especially pleased with the appearance of one historical figure who is connected to magic. It seems so logical when you read it, and it brings the supernatural elements from history to the...more I'm a big fan of history, so I was immediately drawn in by the historical connection this novel has. The Lost Colony at Roanoke Island will be familiar to anyone who's ever had an interest in the "mysterious disappearances sub genre" of history, and Bond really does use it to great effect in her novel. I was especially pleased with the appearance of one historical figure who is connected to magic. It seems so logical when you read it, and it brings the supernatural elements from history to the present in a completely natural way.

The novel doesn't take long to show us the present day mystery that is the main focus of the story, and the novel is "up and running" before the reader has time to get settled in. Bond is great at setting a fast pace, the story moves along so quick that the slower passages feel like a welcome opportunity for the reader to take a deep breath. The fast pace of the novel doesn't mean that it feels rushed, the pace of events flows naturally from the page.
The fast pace of the novel is not caused by the action, although there is enough of that to satisfy, instead the story is driven by mystery. Bond presents the reader with events that deepens the mystery and suspense throughout the novel. There are a lot of twists and turns to what is happening and although one element is not a surprising revelation that doesn't mean it is predictable. It is very hard to see what is coming, and the answers to mystery we do get doesn't take away from that. Bond manages to keep up the level of suspense all the way to the end, and when all is finally resolved it is a satisfying ending.

A novel isn't only driven by its story, it has to have characters that you care about in it. Bond has created some really great ones here. The main characters, Miranda Blackwood and Phillips Rawling, come very well to life. Miranda is the protagonist of the novel, she is very well drawn and manages to feel both familiar and original. That there's something special about Miranda and Phillips will not come as a surprise, but the way Bond presents them, it doesn't feel out of place but just as a natural part of who they are.
The supporting characters are also very well done, and they come with their own stories. We may not get to see it, but they are so alive on the page that you just know it is there. Even Miranda's father, who frankly gives a cliched first impression is shown to be much more than that later in the novel.

To sum up, this is really a great novel. It has a great supernatural suspense story at it's center, and the pacing of a good action-thriller. The Urban, or in this case rather Rural, Fantasy elements are suitably fantastic while still managing to be realistic. We get great characters whose story is a joy to follow, and who I wouldn't mind seeing again.
Bond has written a Young Adult novel that shows the strengths of YA, and how good YA can be when done right. Despite not being anywhere near the YA age group I found this a great read, and I can recommend it to anyone who likes Urban/Contemporary Fantasy.
This is a great debut novel by Gwenda Bond, and it is a novel that deserves a place on the shelves of any Fantasy fan. And for those that are partial to Young Adult, this is a must buy.

This review was originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com (less)

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Jul 26, 2012 Kevin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads-arc, reviewed

3.5 Stars

This was a bizarre book with a side of creepy, let me tell ya.

To begin I was pleasantly surprised that this book kept my interest at all, after just reading the synopsis that came with it.I just felt reading it, that it had a done to death formula, a misfit girl with some daddy issues and a rebellious boy, who used to make fun of said girl, but now finds her to be the best thing like ever. It didn't help that my favorite character was probably the dog, that I kept wishing would star...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Gillyb rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was sold by the premise of BLACKWOOD. A modern-day supernatural interpretation of the Roanoke colony, full of teenage shenanigans? Sign me up. I love supernatural, I love history, and I particularly love the Elizabethan era. What I didn’t expect was such spunky, relatable, fun characters, and a plot that pretty much delivers.

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond is about the lost colony of Roanoke and what happens when present day inhabitants of the island go missing. It's told in the alternating perspect...more I was sold by the premise of BLACKWOOD. A modern-day supernatural interpretation of the Roanoke colony, full of teenage shenanigans? Sign me up. I love supernatural, I love history, and I particularly love the Elizabethan era. What I didn’t expect was such spunky, relatable, fun characters, and a plot that pretty much delivers.

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond is about the lost colony of Roanoke and what happens when present day inhabitants of the island go missing. It's told in the alternating perspectives of Miranda Blackwood, youngest member of the cursed Blackwood family, and Phillips Rawling, the police chief's son who has a dark secret of his own.

These two characters are great. I loved spending time with tough loner Miranda, full of geek cred and pop culture references. Miranda is a very complex character, a girl who has grown up in a family that is discriminated against by the rest of the town, who has spent her teenage years without a mother and with a shell of a father.

Phillips had the possibility of being a Gary Sue- he’s good at everything and he’s got a lot of knowledge- but he retains his complexity and I basically just loved him.

Their intertwined pasts were very intriguing, especially as it influenced the present, and I loved seeing them grow together. The best thing about these two characters was their immediate chemistry - they worked well together, they played well together, and you knew almost immediately that they would end up together. They’re spunky and believable

Where this book falters for me is the plot. Again, the mystery is enthralling. There’s suspense and historical intrigue and all sorts of spooky awesome historical things. The pacing is off in places, and there are the most incompetent FBI agents in the history of mankind, but I was so eager to find out what the HECK was going on it didn’t seem to matter as much.

Bond has done great research in the history of Roanoke Island, and has woven a fascinating alternate history full of quests for immortality and evil alchemists.

All in all, the book isn’t perfect, but I’d certainly recommend it. There’s quality writing here and Bond has some amazingly original idea. For fans of history, the supernatural, romance, pop culture references, and alternating POVs.(less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Beth Fred rated it 2 of 5 stars

The concept is brilliant. It's unique for a YA paranormal romance. Nothing about this concept is ordinary. I enjoyed the freshness of the idea and some of the unique elements--like the villain's weapon, a bedazzled rifle, but this book fell short of my expectations. I started off liking the main characters, but I don't think I really like Miranda by the end. She made a decision that I suppose was courageous but really just seemed cold and calculating, and she didn't even seem to struggle with it...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Book Angel Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review by Jenni

Before I started reading Blackwood I’d never heard of Roanoke Island, let alone the legend of the Lost Colony. After the first couple of chapters I actually looked it up to see whether it was an actual legend or one created by the author for the book as I’ve read books where this has been done. It’s a genuine legend though and one that I definitely want to read more about now as a result of reading Blackwood.

The book opens with some spooky goings on right in the first chapter, thi...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn’t know much about The Lost Colony before starting Blackwood (had to do a few Google searches), but the book was a definitely an interesting take on everything that happened. However, I found the story a bit confusing and hard to follow at times and feel like it didn’t live up to its potential.

Miranda was a character I had mixed feelings about. She was an outcast on Roanoke Island; people avoided her because they believed her bloodline was cursed, so she had no friends, no other family mem...more I didn’t know much about The Lost Colony before starting Blackwood (had to do a few Google searches), but the book was a definitely an interesting take on everything that happened. However, I found the story a bit confusing and hard to follow at times and feel like it didn’t live up to its potential.

Miranda was a character I had mixed feelings about. She was an outcast on Roanoke Island; people avoided her because they believed her bloodline was cursed, so she had no friends, no other family members (besides her alcoholic dad) to look out for her and was often teased by people who wanted to humiliate her. In short, she had a hard life. But one thing I didn’t get was that she didn’t do anything about her situation. When people mistreated her, she sort of wrote it off as “well, that’s what they do!” She just accepted their behaviour, which struck me as odd, as she seemed like the type of person who could have stood up to these people if she wanted to. I liked her curiosity, her love of the theatre and her nerdiness, but I wished maybe she had shown more emotion, more anger or hurt or anything – I think it would have made her more believable. I felt like throughout the book, I was sort of detached from Miranda and all the other characters – I couldn’t get much feeling from them, and so couldn’t feel involved in the story. That being said, I think Miranda’s reactions when she was with Phillips were quite realistic (apart from her forgiving him so easily) – she overanalysed everything she did and got worried that things would become awkward between them and didn’t know how to act.

Phillips was an intriguing character. His ability to hear the dead was very interesting – sometimes the voices overwhelmed him so he couldn’t understand what they wanted, but other times they seemed to be whispering pieces of advice, trying to guide him in the right direction. The ability ran in the family, and I would have loved to know more about it and perhaps where it originated from. Being the son of a police chief, Phillips also knew a lot of things that most of the islanders didn’t, which helped on occasion when trying to solve the mystery. However, I found Phillips’s interest in Miranda a bit strange. He hadn’t seen the girl in years, yet suddenly had this strong desire to protect her? The relationship was a bit rushed, I felt like they didn’t really know each other well, and didn’t get why Phillips was so obsessed with helping Miranda. They never really even spoke when they were children, except for the incident when Phillips humiliated Miranda, so this rapid relationship development didn’t really work for me. I did enjoy their scenes together, don’t get me wrong – but it all happened too fast for my liking.

Plot-wise, I think the book started off strong but got confusing when the 114 people who had disappeared (just like in history) reappeared. I was confused as how their disappearance was viewed by the islanders – it was explained to us, but the regular citizens, the ones who weren’t in the know like us readers, seemed to just accept this disappearance and reappearance with no explanation. What were the citizens of the island told about the people who disappeared? Why did they so easily welcome them back with no questions? It wasn’t explained and I felt like this messed with the story, because there’s no way anyone would just accept such an event without wanting answers. I was also confused about what happened to the original lost colony – where exactly did they go? What happened to them? We were told very little about this, which affected the story later in the book, because I was wondering how on earth of all the things going on were able to happen. However, I did enjoy the way alchemy played a part in the story (though more explanation would have been nice) and thought it was very clever the way real people in history were included - it made the characters motivations and actions seem more real.

Overall, Blackwood had a great premise but I felt a little let down by the confusing nature of the story and the detached narration. However, I would recommend it people who like mysteries and who want something different and unique.

(Side note: the cover of this book is awesome. Very cool and clever, and relates to the book too. Love it!)(less)

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Sep 16, 2012 Rhiannon Ryder rated it 3 of 5 stars

Going into this story I didn't know anything about the true life mystery and legends of Roanoke Island, however, I did know a certain amount about Virginia Dare, John Dee and Sir Walter Raleigh- who are all key characters in either the complete story or the denouement. I wouldn't say either thing hindered or helped me, since Bond did a good job of filling in the historical details where necessary, but there is a certain amount of depth that can be added to the tale if you come into it knowing so...more Going into this story I didn't know anything about the true life mystery and legends of Roanoke Island, however, I did know a certain amount about Virginia Dare, John Dee and Sir Walter Raleigh- who are all key characters in either the complete story or the denouement. I wouldn't say either thing hindered or helped me, since Bond did a good job of filling in the historical details where necessary, but there is a certain amount of depth that can be added to the tale if you come into it knowing something about the actual historical characters.

Bond's twist on the legend, and her use of several of histories more colourful enigmas was fun and intriguing. There was excellent tension, a seriously creepy villain and several plot twists I didn't see coming. But where Blackwood really excelled was with it's two main characters, Miranda and Phillips. These two had fun dialogue, believable interactions and great chemistry. In fact any scene that didn't involve the two of them together, was somehow slightly disappointing, not because it was bad, but just because together they had so much zing.

Phillips is the good-hearted delinquent and Miranda is the misunderstood, but non-resentful community outcast, together they are a decided handful. Throw in a dog and they're a downright super hero team (the dog is even called Sidekick, come on!). Although Bond commits the common YA sin of undermining the parents for the sake of her story (Phillips is supposed to check in with his police chief father with updates or else, and fails to do so immediately without consequences), she does at least develop them enough so that they're human instead of figure heads.

There were several cute moments, with a couple of down right funny lines, but most of Blackwood was a serious affair. I loved the snapshots of funny, and would have enjoyed seeing more of it. Lines like:
"Morning, creepy people," and "That creepy donut is all yours. I'm never eating donuts again.", made me wish Bond had let loose with the giggles a little more frequently to lighten up some of the more intense moments.

All in all a fun and intriguing story dealing with a fascinating historical mystery I wasn't previously aware of. I can't wait to dig into some of Strange Chemistry's other books in their first ever fall line up, so far it's looking pretty promising!
(less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Dawn Vanniman rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story starts out with a theatrical production of "Roanoke" and ends with a fantastical discovery of what happened to the 114 people who disappeared off Roanoke Island. Not familiar with the original story? It's worth reading: Roanoke Island Mystery

Miranda Blackwood is a teenage girl who lives on Roanoke Island with her alcoholic dad. Miranda was born on the island and has never once stepped foot off of it. Her dad told her that she can't...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Joshua Burns rated it 3 of 5 stars

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

The characters make a lot of quirky decisions that stem from their quirky pasts:

Miranda peppers her speech with “frak” (I will always like the substitutions people come up with for curses) because she's watched too much Battlestar Galactica .

Phillips, albeit a little more bland with his mouth, more than makes up for it with his mischief and just how much trouble he is willing to get himself into for the son of a cop.

I was, at first, not sold on the split perspective. To...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Carol Crigger rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an entertaining YA paranormal that builds off the disappearance of 114 souls from Roanoke Island in 1584. The author builds a great story based with snippets known about some of the folks who tried to settle the colony, including John White, an alchemist, and of course, Virginia Dare, the first European child born in the new world--that we know of.

Most of the characters in this book are fictional, of course, including the two main protagonists. First is Miranda Blackwood, an outcast in h...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Seanean rated it 1 of 5 stars

http://librarytalker.blogspot.com/201...

Roanoke Island is the stuff of legends... literally. The first settled town of the new Americas, when those who left to get provisions came back three years later, all the people had disappeared. There was no trace of them anywhere. No bodies. No note. Just the word "Croatoan" on a post and all the homes were dismantled.

It's an enduring mystery that many are still trying to solve today.

Miranda Blackwood has lived on Roanoke since birth; she's never even s...more http://librarytalker.blogspot.com/201...

Roanoke Island is the stuff of legends... literally. The first settled town of the new Americas, when those who left to get provisions came back three years later, all the people had disappeared. There was no trace of them anywhere. No bodies. No note. Just the word "Croatoan" on a post and all the homes were dismantled.

It's an enduring mystery that many are still trying to solve today.

Miranda Blackwood has lived on Roanoke since birth; she's never even stepped across the bridge to go to the mainland. All her life, she's lived with the stares and talk of the townspeople around her. She's the curse-bearer. She and her father bear the name of the betrayer. In the eyes of the island natives, the Blackwoods will never amount to any good.

Phillips Rawling, son of the police chief, has his own issues. He hears the voices of the dead. They fill his mind and prevent him from thinking straight. After having been sent off the island, and subsequently away from the voices, years before, Phillips is back and he's just in time.

Because it's happened again.

Over a hundred islanders have disappeared without a trace. Somehow, Miranda is involved. And Phillips may be the only person who can help her set things right.

Final thoughts: I will start off by saying that a large part of the problem I had with reading this book was the formatting of the NetGalley ARC I got on my Kindle. There are serious spacing issues, which cause confusion when points of view change but there's no identifier like a paragraph space to show that a change in narrator is occurring. However, the writing overall is fairly poor. There's just not enough detail of the major events. There are sudden shifts in location without explanation. One moment she's one place and the next, she's somewhere else. Some things are stressed as fairly important and then ignored later, while other things barely mentioned suddenly become essential. The story is interesting (though the author admits to taking tons of liberties with the history, the actual location, and other facts), but the follow-thru is lacking. (less)

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May 17, 2012 Manda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was really pleased with this book, and when I found out that it is based on true events, I was even more enthralled with it. This story is an interesting one, and not quite like anything I’ve read before. The mix of mystery and paranormal are intense, and there is even a little romance thrown in too. This is definitely one that I enjoyed reading and am happy to review.

When I started reading this one I was a little distracted and I had a hard time getting “sucked” in but things quickly picked u...more

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May 14, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mallory Anne-Marie by: Net Galley and Great Minds Think Aloud

Shelves: may-2012-reads, may-reading-challenge, a-rainbow-of-books

A truly riveting tale of contemporary Roanoke Island, Virginia, “Blackwood” interweaves YA issues (loneliness, outcasts, the cool crowd vs. those shunned, alcoholic parents, misunderstood adolescents, and more) with the history of the Island, and with Supernatural overtones. Miranda, Phillips, and Bones are endearing and comprehensible characters, who seem like our friends, or even ourselves-easy to elicit empathy, despite their flaws and foibles.

What made the story even more appealing for me is...more

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May 10, 2012 lafon حمزة نوفل rated it 3 of 5 stars

Star, stars, stars. We are so obsessed with these icons of the heavens. So said I before reviewing this ARC which I received from NetGalley, mostly because I don't really want to review it as I believe it might take away from the enjoyment I experienced reading it.

OK. So I'm going to do something I don't do all that often. I'm going to make a list.

1) Plot idea, good.
2) Characters, agreeable.
3) Romance, not too cheesy, kinda sweet and cute, not bad.
4)Execution, third-rate. Nah, make that second-...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was just my second electronic ARC from NetGalley so some of my confusion and unease about the book is likely due to the odd broken formatting.

I love the story of Roanoke. I have since I first read about it in middle school. The story revolves around contemporary Roanoke when 114 people suddenly go missing again, mirroring colonial disappearances. I was excited to start this book, and was sucked in by the characters early. Miranda and Phillips are intriguing and different than your normal pr...more

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May 22, 2012 Vickie Ramage rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was really excited to get a copy of this in the mail as I wasn't expecting it and I've heard many GOOD THINGS about it. I've been curious about the Roanoke Island mystery for a while now, so I was really curious to see where Gwenda would take it - and she certainly took it places I never would have imagined! The story starts off pretty quickly, getting us straight into the action with the missing people. It slows down after this, giving us a chance to meet Miranda and Phillips, who I hadn't re...more I was really excited to get a copy of this in the mail as I wasn't expecting it and I've heard many GOOD THINGS about it. I've been curious about the Roanoke Island mystery for a while now, so I was really curious to see where Gwenda would take it - and she certainly took it places I never would have imagined! The story starts off pretty quickly, getting us straight into the action with the missing people. It slows down after this, giving us a chance to meet Miranda and Phillips, who I hadn't realised had a voice in this when I read the blurb. We also have a chance to piece together clues and poof Phillips in the face with a museum piece of a gun.

The romance is not insta-love, in my humble opinion. You can see that Phillips and Miranda are attracted to each other - but you learn of their history and you can see that they always have held a candle for each other. Not literally - that would be weird. They have their moments when they miiiight be about to kiss and then they get interrupted or have to go save the island or something. They are a really cute couple though and I loved Phillips.

It does get a tad too slow in places and although I appreciated the world building and the history and the meeting the characters and the getting to know the characters I wanted SOME ACTION. Flying cats and sheep, you know? Probably not so much with the sheep. The ending made it worth it as it was a lot of fun and had evil villains and cops and lots and lots of people and at times I wasn't quite sure what was going on but worked it out eventually. There was a really cliched 'I'm the evil villain that you guessed five chapters ago!' scene, unfortunately. Twice. But it was all good fun and I really looked forward to meeting - ooh spoilers! You'll have to go find out who the big bad is for yourself, my friends!

Overall, it was a great read and one I highly recommend for fans of Paranormal Romance and Mystery! I am kinda hoping for a sequel as there was one thing at the end that wasn't cleared up, although I can guess what happened. I'm not sure where a sequel could go, but I'd really like one!(less)

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May 12, 2012 Julie-anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

So apparently the whole missing people storyline in this book is a real thing? I never knew that, I've never heard of Roanoke Island before I started this book so forgive me for not knowing the backing behind this one.

People go missing from Roanoke, not just a couple of people though, 114 go missing all on the same night. Which is a bit weird, let's admit it. Philips left the island by choice years before but his dad calls him back 'cos he thinks his "gift" can help with this case. Miranda's fam...more

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May 01, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror

Review from A Journey Through Pages

I am not proud, I know that my blog isn't so big as of now and that galleys I request on NetGalley are 99% going to be rejected, so when my request for Blackwood was approved I was both incredibly excited and apprehensive. Why had I gotten chosen? Was the book not that good?

Well my worries were for naught, Blackwood is a very good book, so thank you Strange Chemistry for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

This book cleverly plays off of an existing bit of Ameri...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Angela Fristoe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-books

For some reason I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Blackwood. I wasn't expecting to not like it, so maybe it was because it had been a while since I requested it and downloaded it that I'd forgotten what it was that had intrigued me. Whatever it was, I'm glad that I finally sat down and read it.

Blackwood manages to walk a fine line between creepy and creeping me out. I hate ghost movies and books, simply because to me of all paranormal activity it seems most likely. When Bond first int...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Dracolibris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya-lit, mystery, paranormal

This book started off strong and was very hard to put down, but as I neared the end I felt it ran out of steam. I am not sure if that was because of the stress of the impending holiday or because once I, as the reader, kind of figured out what was going on it lost the gripping sense of suspense that kept me turning pages at the beginning.

Miranda Blackwood is an outcast on the tiny island of Roanoke. You may have heard of Roanoke, as it was the sight of one of the first American colonies, and on...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Lily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven

'Blackwood' caught my eye based solely on its beautiful and eye catching cover. Though I, like many other readers, JUDGE NOT by a cover, how can you resist a cover like this? Throw in a blurb about a century plus old mystery, which reenacts again on the same island, and I was game.

This novel moved a little slowly for me, though it was packed with action. And initially I could not put my finger on it. There was so much happening all the time, and yet,...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Jennifer | Book Den rated it 3 of 5 stars

Blackwood is the debut novel of Gwenda Bond.

You might recall the story of Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony from your history classes. Somewhere around 120 people (114 for the purposes of this story) vanished from the English settlement on Roanoke Island. The only clue as to what happened to the colonists was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree.

In Blackwood, Miranda's family lives on Roanoke Island. When 114 people vanish again (as well as Miranda's father), a boy named Phillips returns to t...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Livia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Scialbo e trito. (Approfondirò più avanti.)

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Review.

It failed to capture my attention from the very beginning: first the exposition on the history of Roanoke Island, then a short glimpse of Miranda, the main character, in a chapter that really comes alive only when the black ship appears (before we've even got to care a little bit about the character, since we're just told a few facts about her, and nothing is shown), then a short chapter in italics told from other point of views that introduce...more Scialbo e trito. (Approfondirò più avanti.)

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Review.

It failed to capture my attention from the very beginning: first the exposition on the history of Roanoke Island, then a short glimpse of Miranda, the main character, in a chapter that really comes alive only when the black ship appears (before we've even got to care a little bit about the character, since we're just told a few facts about her, and nothing is shown), then a short chapter in italics told from other point of views that introduces the disappearance of people from the island. (The presence of those three little chapters in italics didn't really make sense at all, actually.) Confusing and ultimately uninteresting, sadly.

As a whole I found this novel to be trite and uninspired: it employed every stereotype I could think of (the alcoholic father who loves his daughter, the historian/scientist/researcher who believes in the supernatural, the stupid FBI agents) and it really made no effort to put these characters in new, different situations. Most of the plot felt old (asking the historian for help, visiting the graveyard for comfort, the evil overlord boasting about his evil plan...), and at one point it became very predictable, and while it did not stall, some parts didn't really work (the accusation of murder from the stupid FBI agents was so unfounded - they got the only person on the island who had a strong alibi and no previous contacts with his alleged accomplice - that it resulted completely unbelievable. I get that it helped the plot moving along, but come on).

The worst thing was that I couldn't connect with the characters. Miranda was not very interesting: I'm glad her status as an outcast didn't make her an angst-ridden character, but for the most part I found her to be just a vehicle for the plot. Her reaction to her father's death wasn't just weird (as the stupid FBI agents said), it was actually almost absent: I get she may not want to see the body, but at least she could've give it a thought, instead of forgetting it until it became important to the plot. A parent's death is not just any plot device; here it just felt meaningless. Of course people have different reactions to death of loved ones, but this was even a murder! And still just a few hours later Miranda can only think about making out with her newfound love interest. It may certainly happen in real life, but that doesn't automatically make the narrative interesting or believable.

Phillips, just like Miranda, served the plot without being more than the hero type character. He was first introduced as a boy who had a really bad reputation, but after a few pages it was like the rumours about him being a criminal never existed. Instead, we get this golden boy who is ready to break the rules to protect his loved ones (first Miranda and then his mother), and that really doesn't feel right when you think he's just spent three years of his life away from the island to save himself from the voices in his head. Then he sees Miranda on tv and he just decides he has to give in to his irrational side, without a second thought, without fearing for himself and his sanity. (He just acknowleledges that, but it doesn't stand as a conflict to the story.) I'm sorry, but I don't buy it.

In the end, a not so enjoyable read. I wish luck to this new imprint, though, in the hope I will like one or more of their future publications.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.(less)

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Sep 04, 2012 Pretty in Fiction rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-by-jesse

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond is about the lost colony of Roanoke and what happens when present day inhabitants of the island go missing. It's told in the alternating perspectives of Miranda Blackwood, youngest member of the cursed Blackwood family, and Phillips Rawling, the police chief's son who has a dark secret of his own. With a storyline jam packed full of history's mysteries, fans of suspense are sure to enjoy Blackwood.

I enjoyed reading Blackwood. I found the writing to be reminiscent of L.J....more

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Jul 22, 2012 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 4 of 5 stars

When a author can take a fantastic tale of mystery, magic, and a real story combinne them all, making it an awesome story.

What I enjoyed the most is the plot. The story of The Lost Colony has always intrigued me. To see a good story unfold with the author making a new spin on the tale delighted me. I enjoyed learning the facts, watching the characters become more aware of their surroundings, but mostly enjoyed the all the puzzles pieces coming together.

The characters of the book grew well with t...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Ryan Lawler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Full Review posted at http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/bo...

YA books like Shift and Blackwood have allowed me to get out of the morally ambiguous suck hole that fantasy has been circling for the past decade, and back into cool stories with fun characters that are satisfying because of the happily ever after ending. Blackwood is a fast and easy read, I had fun reading it, and even the pickiest of readers should be able to extract some good fun out of it. There are some big issues with this book...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Justin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, history, magic, romance

I’ve come to appreciate books from the publisher Angry Robot the same way I’ve eventually warmed to Baen: unapologetic genre fiction that provides reliable escapism, free of pretentiousness. I was excited to hear about their YA imprint, partly because of my own literary ambitions but mostly because I’m all for more fantasy and sci-fi in YA lit. I gave Strange Chemistry a try with an advance reader copy of this book, and while it didn’t really blow me away, it’s definitely a good start for the au...more I’ve come to appreciate books from the publisher Angry Robot the same way I’ve eventually warmed to Baen: unapologetic genre fiction that provides reliable escapism, free of pretentiousness. I was excited to hear about their YA imprint, partly because of my own literary ambitions but mostly because I’m all for more fantasy and sci-fi in YA lit. I gave Strange Chemistry a try with an advance reader copy of this book, and while it didn’t really blow me away, it’s definitely a good start for the author.

The hook for this book is its historical element: the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists in the 16th century. The story’s protagonist, Miranda Blackwood, has lived her entire life on Roanoke Island, bound there by a curse that stretches through her bloodline all the way back to the original colonists. When the force behind the historical vanishing threatens to return and engulf the current population, she and her father are swept into the thick of the mystery. However, Phillips Rawling, a good-natured delinquent that has tried his entire life to stay away from the island, is drawn back by an ability that also traces back to the first colony. Well, by that, and by an increasing affection for Miranda.

That’s where my first problem with the book lies. Though the budding romance follows a familiar course, it feels a little rushed and distinctly contrived. That feeling kept popping up here and there throughout the rest of the book- the surprise villain, the damsel in distress, the climactic plan revolving around the prerequisite MacGuffin. I wanted more context and more time to discover and absorb the plot elements. That, combined with occasionally awkward pop culture references, created a lingering sense of trying too hard, as if there was a YA fiction checklist being ticked off somewhere.

But, hey, trying too hard is better than not trying hard enough. Underneath the (in my opinion) middling execution is a readable story steeped in fascinating and well-researched lore. The twists, though mostly predictable, are still effective. Although I didn’t really have much invested in any of the secondary characters, I really liked Miranda and her dog. The story is tightly plotted and moves along at a swift pace, bolstered by some deliciously tense moments that, given a little more room to breathe, could have been even more effective.

As it stands, it’s solid YA paranormal action, and a decent debut novel. It successfully blends romance and humor into the mix, despite a few stumbles, and makes for a quick and enjoyable read. It’s definitely worth checking out for those who get a thrill out of putting an otherworldly patina over the unexplained.(less)

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May 15, 2012 Archer added it

DNF at 50% Review to come

0 stars as DNF

WARNING CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS. CONSIDER THIS YOUR ALERT!

Well, hello there once again fellow book-wormy types!

Over the past few days I have been reading a YA Paranormal novel with a concept that intrigued me: “On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now,...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Darkfallen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-reviewed, read-n-reviewed

I tried very hard to get into this book. In fact I tried so hard that I read 72% of the book before I finally admitted defeat.

The things I had problems with is that the mundane actions in this story are over described in a way that leaves you thinking "Well, duh!" and it happens enough that it pulls you out of the story. Leaving you annoyed at times even.

My other main issue was quite the opposite of the first. See while the little things of over explained, the main details of the plot and the...more

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About Gwenda Bond

Gwenda Bond is the author of the YA novels Blackwood (out now), The Woken Gods (Sept. 2013), and Girl on a Wire (summer 2014). Blackwood is currently in development as a TV series by MTV, Grammnet Productions, and Lionsgate TV. She is also a contributing writer for Publishers Weekly, regularly reviews for Locus, and guest-edited a special YA issue of Subterranean Online. Her nonfiction work has ap...more

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