What do you think?
Rate this book
Divine #1
Blood Crescent
A missing mother. A magical birthright. Can she uncover the secrets of her family legacy before the bloodline runs dry?
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Dylan thought magic only existed in storybooks. But everything changes when she finds out her long-departed mom isn’t dead: she was stolen away by the same power-hungry league now hunting her own enchanted blood. In search of answers, she must make sense of a hidden mystical realm and two mysterious protectors.
Victor is more than just the boy-next-door. As a shifter, he’s lost track of the many lives he’s led and the memories of his true self. But as he stands close to the beautiful Crystal, he can sense his past coming back into focus. So when dark forces threaten to drain Crystal’s powers, he may just have to risk an enchanted kiss that could save her life… or seal her fate.
With enemies closing in, Crystal must find her mom and uncover her magical destiny before her powers fall into the clutches of evil.
Blood Crescent is the first novel in the exhilarating Divine Series of YA paranormal fantasies. If you like hidden magical realms, fresh new takes on vampire lore, and heartfelt journeys of self-discovery, then you’ll love Stevie McCoy’s spellbinding coming-of-age tale.
Buy Blood Crescent to unlock a supernatural story today!Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2018
About the author
S.M. McCoy
9 books201 followersStevie Marie is a paranormal fantasy author born within the apex of another universe, where magic flows like leaky faucets. Forged from the fires of the Underrealm she dug her way to Earth reluctantly participating in human society, secretly returning to her home world within her mind to relay the stories of her monsters, and the troubled love of her dark heroes. When she isn’t writing she’s crafting clothing in her sewing room, cuddling her tiny humans, or pretending to adult by narrating audiobooks in the rainy city of Seattle, Washington.
Grab your first free book by joining S.M. McCoy's Fantasy Romance Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/freeboo...
Connect with Stevie Marie at:
https://linktr.ee/authorsteviemarie
www.steviemarie.com
Twitter @AuthorMarie
Grab your first free book by joining S.M. McCoy's Fantasy Romance Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/freeboo...
Connect with Stevie Marie at:
https://linktr.ee/authorsteviemarie
www.steviemarie.com
Twitter @AuthorMarie
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 25, 2018
I want to give this more stars, mainly because I think the author is unique and has an immense talent for world building. Here comes the “it’s not you, it’s me” part:
Sometimes when I read a story using 1st person narrative I get too sucked in to the character and get dragged down by that. Lemme ‘splain.
At first when I started Blood Crescent it was like meeting a slightly tipsy friend in a loud pub that has a super exciting story to tell you but skips important details that they assume you know. This imaginary premise had me imaginarily asking:
THEN without giving too much of the plot away, our MC Chrystal is losing time and feeling extremely low energy, almost through the entire book, which made ME feel low and super confused. The last 1/2 of the book felt very dream-like in that fuzzy, some-conversations-are clearer-than-others kinda way.
For me, I can totally see that McCoy has built a unique paranormal fantasy world which will become waaaaay clearer (I think) in the 2nd and 3rd books. If it was in 3rd person, however, I could take a more birds-eye view, but since Chrystal spends most of the story confused, so did I! I’m too susceptible to suggestion, apparently.
Otherwise, if you’re wanting paranormal, romance, mystery, and intrigue, Blood Crescent has your back!
*This book was given to me for an unbiased review.*
Sometimes when I read a story using 1st person narrative I get too sucked in to the character and get dragged down by that. Lemme ‘splain.
At first when I started Blood Crescent it was like meeting a slightly tipsy friend in a loud pub that has a super exciting story to tell you but skips important details that they assume you know. This imaginary premise had me imaginarily asking:
“Wait. Who’s Victor again?”
Tipsy friend: Victor! My best friend this past year that I don’t really know very well? Victor, Victor!
Me: We’re gonna need more beer...
THEN without giving too much of the plot away, our MC Chrystal is losing time and feeling extremely low energy, almost through the entire book, which made ME feel low and super confused. The last 1/2 of the book felt very dream-like in that fuzzy, some-conversations-are clearer-than-others kinda way.
For me, I can totally see that McCoy has built a unique paranormal fantasy world which will become waaaaay clearer (I think) in the 2nd and 3rd books. If it was in 3rd person, however, I could take a more birds-eye view, but since Chrystal spends most of the story confused, so did I! I’m too susceptible to suggestion, apparently.
Otherwise, if you’re wanting paranormal, romance, mystery, and intrigue, Blood Crescent has your back!
*This book was given to me for an unbiased review.*
September 15, 2018
Chaos. Crystal’s life has become a series of chaotic events, one after the other and she isn’t sure anymore what is real and what isn’t and it all started when she found that her long dead mother was very much alive and Crystal’s life was marked for death.
She never believed in the supernatural, but now she finds herself ground zero in a supernatural game of betrayal, lies and trickery until she is unable to discern who to trust and why. Evil is coming for the powers she never knew she had, her memories and heart have been manipulated.
Stevie McCoy’s BLOOD CRESCENT is an ambitious start to a new series that will cross realms, introduce a slightly different take on the vampire world and more as one teen falls down the rabbit hole of the unbelievable in a quest to find her mother while finding her true self.
There is so much going on, so much chaos, and so many unique characters introduced, one must pay close attention or get lost in the labyrinth of the world being created. As a ground-breaker for a new series, there is much to digest as this world grows and twists along, hopefully to clear the path for smoother sailing in the future!
Crystal will doubt her memories, her best friend and possibly make a huge romantic mistake.
I did, at times feel I was suffering the same memory loss or manipulation that Crystal did, which led me to re-reading a few pages, that said, there is a world out there just waiting for readers to enter, just step carefully and leave breadcrumbs!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Stevie McCoy!
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Divine - Book 1
Publisher: Broken Books (September 21, 2018)
Publication Date: September 21, 2018
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Print Length: 242 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
She never believed in the supernatural, but now she finds herself ground zero in a supernatural game of betrayal, lies and trickery until she is unable to discern who to trust and why. Evil is coming for the powers she never knew she had, her memories and heart have been manipulated.
Stevie McCoy’s BLOOD CRESCENT is an ambitious start to a new series that will cross realms, introduce a slightly different take on the vampire world and more as one teen falls down the rabbit hole of the unbelievable in a quest to find her mother while finding her true self.
There is so much going on, so much chaos, and so many unique characters introduced, one must pay close attention or get lost in the labyrinth of the world being created. As a ground-breaker for a new series, there is much to digest as this world grows and twists along, hopefully to clear the path for smoother sailing in the future!
Crystal will doubt her memories, her best friend and possibly make a huge romantic mistake.
I did, at times feel I was suffering the same memory loss or manipulation that Crystal did, which led me to re-reading a few pages, that said, there is a world out there just waiting for readers to enter, just step carefully and leave breadcrumbs!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Stevie McCoy!
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Divine - Book 1
Publisher: Broken Books (September 21, 2018)
Publication Date: September 21, 2018
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Print Length: 242 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 10, 2022
Divine News: Blood Crescent, book one, is going through a reboot. And Lathar is getting his own book! Stay Tuned. Join the Newsletter to keep up to date on these events: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/pzx6j7x29n (grab a free copy of My Abett when you join)
The Divine Series is complete! Book three Blood Queen is available now. Add to your to-read lists today! Blood Queen Review: "It's definitely un-put-downable!" - Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
Editorial Reviews:
"Readers of seminal classics like Twilight, The Hunger Games and Divergent are very likely to eat up Blood Crescent and devour every morsel with relish, and I found it to be an enjoyable read."--Reader's Favorite
"The writing is descriptive and enjoyable... echoes of the Twilight series and Harry Potter, (though) the characters and scenario are wholly original...the author provides enough mystery and suspense to keep readers turning pages." -- The BookLife Prize
Blood Crescent is available on AUDIBLE!
The Divine Series is complete! Book three Blood Queen is available now. Add to your to-read lists today! Blood Queen Review: "It's definitely un-put-downable!" - Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
Editorial Reviews:
"Readers of seminal classics like Twilight, The Hunger Games and Divergent are very likely to eat up Blood Crescent and devour every morsel with relish, and I found it to be an enjoyable read."--Reader's Favorite
"The writing is descriptive and enjoyable... echoes of the Twilight series and Harry Potter, (though) the characters and scenario are wholly original...the author provides enough mystery and suspense to keep readers turning pages." -- The BookLife Prize
Blood Crescent is available on AUDIBLE!
September 27, 2018
Book Review
Title: Blood Crescent
Author: S. M. McCoy
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance
Rating: ***
Review: The opening to Blood Crescent was, we are introduced to Crystal Dylan and her father who are running from dangerous creatures who are after Crystal because she is the next in line after her mother who disappeared. We learn that Crystal is turning into a creature which sounds like a vampire and she has to make a choice about what is going to happen next. However, we then jump three months into the past, where we see Crystal trying to believe that her mother was kidnapped and not dead, her friend Victor is someone who believes her, but she doesn’t confide in him that she can still feel the shadows following her.
It is interesting to see that the shadows don’t bother her when Victor is around making me think that there is something different about Victor as well. We learn that Crystal is staying with a woman named Aislin and that she takes care of her, but in a memory, we learn that Crystal’s mother was most likely a Dreamwalker like Crystal although she doesn’t know it, but she was also a hunter. Being a Dreamwalker means that Crystal can see between the different realms and enter the minds of others. Victor seems like a protector for Crystal and during her investigation into her mother’s disappearance she makes a fatal error that seems to lead the things looking for her straight to them.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, the story felt a little disjointed, but I am hoping this will change as the novel progresses. Despite knowing what she is Crystal has tried to deny it and push it aside for many years and now it is getting harder and at times her mind and body doesn’t feel like she is in control of them, just observing. It is beginning to seem like Victor and Aislin know more than they are letting on and Crystal is beginning to lose her grip on time and reality as seen when she loses 4 hours in what feels like moments to her. It seems that Aislin believes in witchcraft and finds that Crystal’s aura is being attacked by something or someone and when she tries to investigate she finds the symbol of a waning crescent on Crystal; a symbol of death and Crystal knows that she is dying. She also seems to have been bitten by a creature called a serpent and this means that she could die or end up turning into one of them. Aislin is helping her protect herself but they need to get out of town first.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, Aislin is taking Crystal to New York but Victor doesn’t think it is a good idea and he seem to have some knowledge on the people after Crystal as he mentions that he can keep her safe from the Council and guardians. However, everything is feeling quite confusing and disjointed and I felt that not a lot was happening. Also, the other issues Crystal has with people and her constantly changing attitude doesn’t make for a pleasant reading experience.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, things definitely start picking up when Crystal is kidnapped in New York but when she wakes she seems to know her captor as he feels familiar. It turns out she has been in a sort of coma for weeks and they are far away from New York but the mysterious stranger who is a vampire makes no move to hurt Crystal and he even answers the questions she has. It turns out that she is beginning followed by a Shifter and he is attempting to protect her from it. We also can’t deny the connection between the pair despite his disfigured face, Crystal is drawn to him and she doesn’t know why. As she spends more time with this vampire, Crystal finds herself drawn and maybe even attracted to him, but he isn’t able to answer the questions she wants answers to the most. However, I must point out it seems that at some point before the beginning of the novel Crystal lost certain memories that are vital to the story.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, her “angel” as she dubs him returns her home and Aislin knows they need to find something that Crystal’s mother left behind but when they get to the storage locker where her father left it they find it has been sold and now they have to track down this item. With their search for the Blood Moon Ring underway Crystal also gets her first real helping hand towards finding her mother but it has come at a cost. We eventually learn that the vampire’s name is Damien and he is Drawn to Crystal whose real name seems to be Grace which was very interesting. I wasn’t really enjoying the love triangle between Damien, Crystal and Victor and the fights between them when essentially, they all have the same goal, they just seemed to be shoved in their for dramatic purposes.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Aislin and Crystal are attending a party at a location where both Damien and Victor said she would find the answers she seeks. It is clear that Crystal’s powers are becoming stronger as well as changing but there is nothing happening, no intrigue, suspense or action that feels unique and natural to the story. As Crystal’s turning progresses, issues are becoming clear and choices have to be made but they are being made by people other than Crystal herself. On top of all this she is still unsure of whether Damien or Victor is lying and who has the deceitful motives.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, things finally start making sense but a little too late as the novel ends soon after. The ending of this novel has to be one of the best parts and not all for the right reasons. One the main issues I had with Blood Crescent was the jumpy pacing, lacklustre storytelling and slightly off-putting writing style. However, the characters, plot and creatures in this novel are really interesting it is just the way the novel is presented that I had an issue with.
Title: Blood Crescent
Author: S. M. McCoy
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance
Rating: ***
Review: The opening to Blood Crescent was, we are introduced to Crystal Dylan and her father who are running from dangerous creatures who are after Crystal because she is the next in line after her mother who disappeared. We learn that Crystal is turning into a creature which sounds like a vampire and she has to make a choice about what is going to happen next. However, we then jump three months into the past, where we see Crystal trying to believe that her mother was kidnapped and not dead, her friend Victor is someone who believes her, but she doesn’t confide in him that she can still feel the shadows following her.
It is interesting to see that the shadows don’t bother her when Victor is around making me think that there is something different about Victor as well. We learn that Crystal is staying with a woman named Aislin and that she takes care of her, but in a memory, we learn that Crystal’s mother was most likely a Dreamwalker like Crystal although she doesn’t know it, but she was also a hunter. Being a Dreamwalker means that Crystal can see between the different realms and enter the minds of others. Victor seems like a protector for Crystal and during her investigation into her mother’s disappearance she makes a fatal error that seems to lead the things looking for her straight to them.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, the story felt a little disjointed, but I am hoping this will change as the novel progresses. Despite knowing what she is Crystal has tried to deny it and push it aside for many years and now it is getting harder and at times her mind and body doesn’t feel like she is in control of them, just observing. It is beginning to seem like Victor and Aislin know more than they are letting on and Crystal is beginning to lose her grip on time and reality as seen when she loses 4 hours in what feels like moments to her. It seems that Aislin believes in witchcraft and finds that Crystal’s aura is being attacked by something or someone and when she tries to investigate she finds the symbol of a waning crescent on Crystal; a symbol of death and Crystal knows that she is dying. She also seems to have been bitten by a creature called a serpent and this means that she could die or end up turning into one of them. Aislin is helping her protect herself but they need to get out of town first.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, Aislin is taking Crystal to New York but Victor doesn’t think it is a good idea and he seem to have some knowledge on the people after Crystal as he mentions that he can keep her safe from the Council and guardians. However, everything is feeling quite confusing and disjointed and I felt that not a lot was happening. Also, the other issues Crystal has with people and her constantly changing attitude doesn’t make for a pleasant reading experience.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, things definitely start picking up when Crystal is kidnapped in New York but when she wakes she seems to know her captor as he feels familiar. It turns out she has been in a sort of coma for weeks and they are far away from New York but the mysterious stranger who is a vampire makes no move to hurt Crystal and he even answers the questions she has. It turns out that she is beginning followed by a Shifter and he is attempting to protect her from it. We also can’t deny the connection between the pair despite his disfigured face, Crystal is drawn to him and she doesn’t know why. As she spends more time with this vampire, Crystal finds herself drawn and maybe even attracted to him, but he isn’t able to answer the questions she wants answers to the most. However, I must point out it seems that at some point before the beginning of the novel Crystal lost certain memories that are vital to the story.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, her “angel” as she dubs him returns her home and Aislin knows they need to find something that Crystal’s mother left behind but when they get to the storage locker where her father left it they find it has been sold and now they have to track down this item. With their search for the Blood Moon Ring underway Crystal also gets her first real helping hand towards finding her mother but it has come at a cost. We eventually learn that the vampire’s name is Damien and he is Drawn to Crystal whose real name seems to be Grace which was very interesting. I wasn’t really enjoying the love triangle between Damien, Crystal and Victor and the fights between them when essentially, they all have the same goal, they just seemed to be shoved in their for dramatic purposes.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Aislin and Crystal are attending a party at a location where both Damien and Victor said she would find the answers she seeks. It is clear that Crystal’s powers are becoming stronger as well as changing but there is nothing happening, no intrigue, suspense or action that feels unique and natural to the story. As Crystal’s turning progresses, issues are becoming clear and choices have to be made but they are being made by people other than Crystal herself. On top of all this she is still unsure of whether Damien or Victor is lying and who has the deceitful motives.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, things finally start making sense but a little too late as the novel ends soon after. The ending of this novel has to be one of the best parts and not all for the right reasons. One the main issues I had with Blood Crescent was the jumpy pacing, lacklustre storytelling and slightly off-putting writing style. However, the characters, plot and creatures in this novel are really interesting it is just the way the novel is presented that I had an issue with.
September 21, 2018
Supernaturally magical!
Something about this story that brings these supernatural beings to life. I've read about vampires and demons, but this also has the interesting serpents within the story. I love the names within a supernatural or paranormal tale, and how they fit with the undead nature of the story. Intrigue, manipulation, twists and the search for truth, about oneself and protection, fill this story. I definitely enjoyed this read, especially as the back story and current story came together and fit wonderfully.
Something about this story that brings these supernatural beings to life. I've read about vampires and demons, but this also has the interesting serpents within the story. I love the names within a supernatural or paranormal tale, and how they fit with the undead nature of the story. Intrigue, manipulation, twists and the search for truth, about oneself and protection, fill this story. I definitely enjoyed this read, especially as the back story and current story came together and fit wonderfully.
September 5, 2018
Hey, this isn’t my thing but it’s a good easy read. The magical stuff with a dash of mystical thrown in is what usually gets me down, but the writing is good, keeps you interested and wanting to find out more. It’s a twist on the old YA vampire story and it feels fresh. I’m looking forward to book 2.
December 1, 2018
I didnt think i was going to like it but after first chapter it got really good. I enjoyed it
November 14, 2021
First of all I want to thank the author Stevie McCoy for sharing her book with me! It means the world to me to read and review books of newish and upcoming authors.
This book is about Chrystal. It starts of with her father, they have made a memory box together. He tells her that box will give her freedom. She gets dropped off by the bus station and goes to Aislin.
She learns about vampires, seers and serpents. And she is dying to know where her mother is. Her mother disappeared and was a strong dreamwalker and diviner.
Dreamwalkers see things ever seers can't see.
Chrystal sees things in her dreams and in real life. She is very confused about it. The author really integrated that into the story. The confusion. But for me personally there was just too much confusion. I got confused with Chrystal and at times I needed to reread big chunks of the story because I just couldn't absorb it in 1 go. And that pulled me out of the story several times.
I even stopped rereading things at some point because I just couldn't seem to really grasp it.
If that was the goal of the author, than it was perfectly done.
But for me personally it was to much, and I wish the author would have been more clearer about things.
I did enjoy the variety of characters in the story. Damien is by far my fav. character of the book.
I did like Victor at times. But I wish that in certain chapters they had a bit more personality.
My fav. scene was when Damien shows himself first to Chrystal. That was one chapter I was really into, and that captured my heart.
The story continues with small and big revelations. Who is the council? Why is she hunted down?
And what is this school for Old Realm Powers and Home of the Serpents?
It did end quite strong. And I am really curious to see what will happen at the school. And I am dying to know if she finds more information about her mother there.
Overall a good book. I just wish it was a little less confusing. So 3 stars from me!
This book is about Chrystal. It starts of with her father, they have made a memory box together. He tells her that box will give her freedom. She gets dropped off by the bus station and goes to Aislin.
She learns about vampires, seers and serpents. And she is dying to know where her mother is. Her mother disappeared and was a strong dreamwalker and diviner.
Dreamwalkers see things ever seers can't see.
Chrystal sees things in her dreams and in real life. She is very confused about it. The author really integrated that into the story. The confusion. But for me personally there was just too much confusion. I got confused with Chrystal and at times I needed to reread big chunks of the story because I just couldn't absorb it in 1 go. And that pulled me out of the story several times.
I even stopped rereading things at some point because I just couldn't seem to really grasp it.
If that was the goal of the author, than it was perfectly done.
But for me personally it was to much, and I wish the author would have been more clearer about things.
I did enjoy the variety of characters in the story. Damien is by far my fav. character of the book.
I did like Victor at times. But I wish that in certain chapters they had a bit more personality.
My fav. scene was when Damien shows himself first to Chrystal. That was one chapter I was really into, and that captured my heart.
The story continues with small and big revelations. Who is the council? Why is she hunted down?
And what is this school for Old Realm Powers and Home of the Serpents?
It did end quite strong. And I am really curious to see what will happen at the school. And I am dying to know if she finds more information about her mother there.
Overall a good book. I just wish it was a little less confusing. So 3 stars from me!
October 12, 2021
Blood Crescent by S.M. McCoy is a YA paranormal fantasy that I listened to on audio narrated by Tara Marie Kirk. This is the first book in the Divine Series.
The book was an interesting read. Chrystal has a lot going on at 15 years old as she tries to find out what happened to her mother, while discovering that she has a magical roll to play in a prophecy.
I am a little torn on this book because overall it was a good story. The book kept me guessing what would happen next. But, I felt that some sections were hard to follow.
The book does end on an interesting cliffhanger that I didn't see coming.
Tara did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.
The book was an interesting read. Chrystal has a lot going on at 15 years old as she tries to find out what happened to her mother, while discovering that she has a magical roll to play in a prophecy.
I am a little torn on this book because overall it was a good story. The book kept me guessing what would happen next. But, I felt that some sections were hard to follow.
The book does end on an interesting cliffhanger that I didn't see coming.
Tara did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.
August 4, 2018
*This book was given to me for an unbiased review.*
I have to be honest and say that this type of book is not my normal read, as you may already know I like my stories to be filled with horror, twists and the occasional blood curling death. Saying that this book surprised me, not just that its a cracking read, but that I found myself enjoying the tale despite the distinct lack of gore.
Blood Crescent is the first in a 3 book series and focuses on Crystal, a normal kid who has had to reinvent herself, hiding her past and growing up really quickly when her Mum disappears and her Dad abandons her. She lies about her age, gets a job and best friend and all's good with her life. That is until she starts having occasional blackouts, memory lapses and interactions with two rather charming men.
I have to say that the initial setup, for me, took too long. I felt that we spent rather a long time developing the characters, especially Crystals struggles. Don’t get me wrong, this is nothing against the way the story was told, I’m just impatient and as the characters were so well developed, I got where we were going early on and just wanted to get to the implied madness that was coming.
As we progressed though the story I found myself getting a bit confused with the telling and the different character interactions. In all honesty I think this helped rather than hindered, as I was with Crystal every step of the way in her confusion and totally understood her frustration and fears.
Onto the men in her life. I was convinced that I knew at the beginning who was the ‘bad’ guy, Victor right? He was secretive, selfish (a bit sexy of course) and kept appearing at odd times when Crystal either just had a memory blank or had one straight after he left. Then sexy Damien swept in and saved her, so of course here was the ‘good’ guy. By the end of the book I was no longer sure. Damien was also selfish and seemed to want Crystal for what she could do for him not what he could do for her. All in all they’re both good and bad, I have no idea which one she should be with or even if it matters (LOL), all I know is that I need the next book.
I think someone used to YA Paranormal of this type will be blown away by Blood Crescent. It has well developed characters, a very interesting story which has a long way to go, which is just as well as there are another two books in the series. I’ll be on the look out for book two as, despite not being my normal reading material, I just have to find out what happens next.
I have to be honest and say that this type of book is not my normal read, as you may already know I like my stories to be filled with horror, twists and the occasional blood curling death. Saying that this book surprised me, not just that its a cracking read, but that I found myself enjoying the tale despite the distinct lack of gore.
Blood Crescent is the first in a 3 book series and focuses on Crystal, a normal kid who has had to reinvent herself, hiding her past and growing up really quickly when her Mum disappears and her Dad abandons her. She lies about her age, gets a job and best friend and all's good with her life. That is until she starts having occasional blackouts, memory lapses and interactions with two rather charming men.
I have to say that the initial setup, for me, took too long. I felt that we spent rather a long time developing the characters, especially Crystals struggles. Don’t get me wrong, this is nothing against the way the story was told, I’m just impatient and as the characters were so well developed, I got where we were going early on and just wanted to get to the implied madness that was coming.
As we progressed though the story I found myself getting a bit confused with the telling and the different character interactions. In all honesty I think this helped rather than hindered, as I was with Crystal every step of the way in her confusion and totally understood her frustration and fears.
Onto the men in her life. I was convinced that I knew at the beginning who was the ‘bad’ guy, Victor right? He was secretive, selfish (a bit sexy of course) and kept appearing at odd times when Crystal either just had a memory blank or had one straight after he left. Then sexy Damien swept in and saved her, so of course here was the ‘good’ guy. By the end of the book I was no longer sure. Damien was also selfish and seemed to want Crystal for what she could do for him not what he could do for her. All in all they’re both good and bad, I have no idea which one she should be with or even if it matters (LOL), all I know is that I need the next book.
I think someone used to YA Paranormal of this type will be blown away by Blood Crescent. It has well developed characters, a very interesting story which has a long way to go, which is just as well as there are another two books in the series. I’ll be on the look out for book two as, despite not being my normal reading material, I just have to find out what happens next.
September 27, 2018
Emotions seep from every page in a paranormal story with a slightly different feel, one that makes the monsters as if they might be real.
Crystal's life isn't clear even to her. Her mother disappeared long ago...her father, who knows. She's grown up with a guardian who has her fingers in auras and spiritual plains, one Crystal doesn't fully get or even believe. But if she ever thought her life could be normal someday, this idea is quickly swept aside when a bite mark appears on her throat and her inner energy is being drained. What she thought was fantasy crashes her reality full force as she learns that there are dangerous creatures out there, ones than not only captured her mother but now, want her.
This was a bit of a battle to dive into. The first chapters are written as if in a haze. Crystal's life isn't right, but it's not clear how outside of the fact that her mother disappeared and that she isn't feeling herself. But holding on through this beginning is worth it as the story does shift into a clearer and more tension filled gear. Crystal lives in a world which is so much more complicated than she knows, and it's these multi-layers which are being laid in this first book with a promise to shoot off in the rest of the series.
Crystal's life is being drained, leaving her a bit weak, hazy and uncertain of things. This holds through the book, taking away the usual clarity in stories and instead, allowing the emotions to take over. The beginning doesn't hold much dialogue but rather sticks heavily to Crystal's head. This makes it a bit sluggish...even later on...but when the dialogue comes, it sits. The other characters are intriguing, although it's not clear what or who or which goals some of them have for much of the book. I would have liked to see a bit more solid information and situations to ground all of it, but then, I can imagine other readers might enjoy this hazy atmosphere as they can sink into and experience Crystal's confusion up close.
There is a lot going on in the plot and only dips and dabs drip through, a little at a time. But it's clear that this is a rich, fantastical world on the border of reality as we know it...and it's exactly this which makes the book a, hopefully, basis laying beginning to an exciting adventure.
I received a complimentary copy and found the style interesting enough to want to leave my honest thoughts. I'm giving this 3.5 stars (due to the difficult beginning) and rounding up to 4.
Crystal's life isn't clear even to her. Her mother disappeared long ago...her father, who knows. She's grown up with a guardian who has her fingers in auras and spiritual plains, one Crystal doesn't fully get or even believe. But if she ever thought her life could be normal someday, this idea is quickly swept aside when a bite mark appears on her throat and her inner energy is being drained. What she thought was fantasy crashes her reality full force as she learns that there are dangerous creatures out there, ones than not only captured her mother but now, want her.
This was a bit of a battle to dive into. The first chapters are written as if in a haze. Crystal's life isn't right, but it's not clear how outside of the fact that her mother disappeared and that she isn't feeling herself. But holding on through this beginning is worth it as the story does shift into a clearer and more tension filled gear. Crystal lives in a world which is so much more complicated than she knows, and it's these multi-layers which are being laid in this first book with a promise to shoot off in the rest of the series.
Crystal's life is being drained, leaving her a bit weak, hazy and uncertain of things. This holds through the book, taking away the usual clarity in stories and instead, allowing the emotions to take over. The beginning doesn't hold much dialogue but rather sticks heavily to Crystal's head. This makes it a bit sluggish...even later on...but when the dialogue comes, it sits. The other characters are intriguing, although it's not clear what or who or which goals some of them have for much of the book. I would have liked to see a bit more solid information and situations to ground all of it, but then, I can imagine other readers might enjoy this hazy atmosphere as they can sink into and experience Crystal's confusion up close.
There is a lot going on in the plot and only dips and dabs drip through, a little at a time. But it's clear that this is a rich, fantastical world on the border of reality as we know it...and it's exactly this which makes the book a, hopefully, basis laying beginning to an exciting adventure.
I received a complimentary copy and found the style interesting enough to want to leave my honest thoughts. I'm giving this 3.5 stars (due to the difficult beginning) and rounding up to 4.
September 24, 2018
This book frustrated me on so many levels, mainly because I was making my own scenarios and started liking some of the characters, only to realize nothing is as it seems, or at least how I thought it would be. That’s mostly why I liked it so much!
S.M. McCoy brings a new series, full of mystical beings and magic. “Blood Crescent” is only the beginning of something so much more. Our main character Chrystal’s life is turned upside down when she realizes her mother may still be alive. Oh, and she comes from a long line of people with special ties to magic. Well, what’s so special about that? We have the same good guy, bad guy stuff, we have a quest for self-discovery and her desire to find her family.
Other than that, we have an incredible writer! The world is built incredibly and the magic system is so complex, I even got lost at some point. And the characters are some questionable, other still under development. Because Chrystal is only at the beginning of her journey.
We have a love triangle, maybe. Because I am not sure who I like best, I am not sure who Chrystal likes and if she makes a good or bad choice in the end. What I know exactly is that I am not tired of her story and that I DO WANT more!
“Blood Crescent” is only the beginning and this universe holds the promise of so much more! I cannot wait to discover what we have next. For now, I’m giving it 4 stars, but I am 100% sure that the next installments will blow me away. In case of book 1, the beginning was a little slow and at times I was a little confused with everything going on. But other than that, I loved the book and I loved the main character! Enjoy !
S.M. McCoy brings a new series, full of mystical beings and magic. “Blood Crescent” is only the beginning of something so much more. Our main character Chrystal’s life is turned upside down when she realizes her mother may still be alive. Oh, and she comes from a long line of people with special ties to magic. Well, what’s so special about that? We have the same good guy, bad guy stuff, we have a quest for self-discovery and her desire to find her family.
Other than that, we have an incredible writer! The world is built incredibly and the magic system is so complex, I even got lost at some point. And the characters are some questionable, other still under development. Because Chrystal is only at the beginning of her journey.
We have a love triangle, maybe. Because I am not sure who I like best, I am not sure who Chrystal likes and if she makes a good or bad choice in the end. What I know exactly is that I am not tired of her story and that I DO WANT more!
“Blood Crescent” is only the beginning and this universe holds the promise of so much more! I cannot wait to discover what we have next. For now, I’m giving it 4 stars, but I am 100% sure that the next installments will blow me away. In case of book 1, the beginning was a little slow and at times I was a little confused with everything going on. But other than that, I loved the book and I loved the main character! Enjoy !
July 13, 2018
“Blood Crescent” by Stevie McCoy is a young adult vampire novel. Fortunately, it is fresh and different from the other YA vampire novels out there. First, our main character, Crystal, doesn’t start out as a hopeless teen struggling in school. She is a young teen who pretends to be 18 and has a job at a dance studio and helps pay the rent. I think she turns the actual age of 16 in the book. This book can be a bit confusing at places, but I believe that is meant to portray the confusion of Crystal (who speaks to us in first person throughout the book). There is good reason for her confusion, and the writing brings that across. Yes, things start to come together, but not completely. This is the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one, which looks like it will be a lot more informative on everything. Some criticisms that I have are that the book starts out with Crystal describing a box of her mother, but the book never explains what is in that box or where it is. It does do a great job of portraying the struggles Crystal goes through searching for her mother throughout the book. Also, there are a lot of missing commas in the book, some of the sentences aren’t structured right, and there is some confusion with past/present tense. However, the book isn’t scheduled to be published quite yet, so there is plenty of time to fix those errors. The subject matter is interesting and different from what’s out there. If you like young adult novels, then I highly suggest that you read “Blood Crescent.”
September 19, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blood Crescent was the first book I have read by McCoy, but it certainly will not be my last.
This book is a headlong dive into a very well-built world of madness, a chaotic journey to discover truths, and a unique take on vampires (which I found refreshing). It is no secret that I am a big fan of fantasy and I love it when I come across one that makes me feel like I am being introduced to a different part of that genre. I think my favorite part of Blood Crescent had to be the complete chaos of everything Crystal was going through. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read until I was able to see where it all came together. Of course, this is only book one, so I have to wait to get my hands on the next book to find out more.
There are a vast amount of characters and details that can leave you a bit mixed up, but I feel that only helped me to connect with Crystal and what she was going through all the more. Proper world-building has always been something I deeply enjoy and even though all the information could be a bit overwhelming, I did not feel like I missed out on anything from the story. I look forward to getting more pulled into to this supernatural story with book two.
Blood Crescent was the first book I have read by McCoy, but it certainly will not be my last.
This book is a headlong dive into a very well-built world of madness, a chaotic journey to discover truths, and a unique take on vampires (which I found refreshing). It is no secret that I am a big fan of fantasy and I love it when I come across one that makes me feel like I am being introduced to a different part of that genre. I think my favorite part of Blood Crescent had to be the complete chaos of everything Crystal was going through. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read until I was able to see where it all came together. Of course, this is only book one, so I have to wait to get my hands on the next book to find out more.
There are a vast amount of characters and details that can leave you a bit mixed up, but I feel that only helped me to connect with Crystal and what she was going through all the more. Proper world-building has always been something I deeply enjoy and even though all the information could be a bit overwhelming, I did not feel like I missed out on anything from the story. I look forward to getting more pulled into to this supernatural story with book two.
September 16, 2021
Blood Crescent by S.M. McCoy is the first book in the Divine Series. It follows teenage Chrystal as she navigates the exceptionally confusing world of the supernatural. She spends her days dragged through life as she tries to deal with aspects beyond her control, such as prophecies, genetics, and the attentions of two very attractive vampires. Unfortunately, Chrystal is ill and seems to have sizeable gaps in her memory, making life even more confusing as she looses large portions of her history, only remembering bits here and there.
Blood Cresent is a great story, though the main characters memory loss leaves large gaps of questions, which can make the story feel confusing. However, given the story is told in a first person view, this simply allows the reader to feel the main characters obvious discomfort and confusion. This can leave the reader with a confused feeling as some scenes seem to have large holes due to the main character’s memory lapses, but with that in mind it makes for a fantastic reading experience.
The characters are interesting, but as the story is written from a first person perspective, we only see as much of the characters as Chrystal sees, and again with her memory issues, she only seems parts of these characters. This leaves some of the supporting characters seeming rather one sided and a bit dull. Over all though the bits that we are given about the various characters leave the reader wanting to know more about them.
Over all, Blood Crescent is worth picking up for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. If you want your sexy vampire hit, this is a good book to pick up. I will start reading the second book in the series, Blood Rebirth, as soon as I finish posting this review.
Blood Cresent is a great story, though the main characters memory loss leaves large gaps of questions, which can make the story feel confusing. However, given the story is told in a first person view, this simply allows the reader to feel the main characters obvious discomfort and confusion. This can leave the reader with a confused feeling as some scenes seem to have large holes due to the main character’s memory lapses, but with that in mind it makes for a fantastic reading experience.
The characters are interesting, but as the story is written from a first person perspective, we only see as much of the characters as Chrystal sees, and again with her memory issues, she only seems parts of these characters. This leaves some of the supporting characters seeming rather one sided and a bit dull. Over all though the bits that we are given about the various characters leave the reader wanting to know more about them.
Over all, Blood Crescent is worth picking up for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. If you want your sexy vampire hit, this is a good book to pick up. I will start reading the second book in the series, Blood Rebirth, as soon as I finish posting this review.
November 23, 2021
Book Analysis – Blood Crescent by S.M. Mccoy
This book was great! I am a personal lover of paranormal romance and fantasy, and this book fits all those categories perfectly. The main character, Crystal Dylan, is introduced in the beginning and instantly throws the reader through a loop with the character-driven plotline. The intertwining of fantasy creatures and vampires gives an enticing twist to the action and storyline.
The story structure with different realms and family troubles and obstacles makes this story gripping and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I loved the chapters having titles, you do not see that often anymore, and the table of contents. The pacing of the story is great, as we veer to the quarter mark of the book things begin to heat up and at the final point the ending is so good!
Overall, I thought the supernatural and paranormal details were well put and the powers were so interesting to learn. Both Crystal and her friend Victor were fun to read together and how they meshed as a duo. Their quest for answers and survival was very well thought out to make the idea of immortality seem so realistic.
I recommend this book to anyone who is into young adult fantasy and an intense quest filled with paranormal romance and vampire elements. The suspense-filled and intriguing plotline is so well written, this author has a way for words, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the story.
This book was great! I am a personal lover of paranormal romance and fantasy, and this book fits all those categories perfectly. The main character, Crystal Dylan, is introduced in the beginning and instantly throws the reader through a loop with the character-driven plotline. The intertwining of fantasy creatures and vampires gives an enticing twist to the action and storyline.
The story structure with different realms and family troubles and obstacles makes this story gripping and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I loved the chapters having titles, you do not see that often anymore, and the table of contents. The pacing of the story is great, as we veer to the quarter mark of the book things begin to heat up and at the final point the ending is so good!
Overall, I thought the supernatural and paranormal details were well put and the powers were so interesting to learn. Both Crystal and her friend Victor were fun to read together and how they meshed as a duo. Their quest for answers and survival was very well thought out to make the idea of immortality seem so realistic.
I recommend this book to anyone who is into young adult fantasy and an intense quest filled with paranormal romance and vampire elements. The suspense-filled and intriguing plotline is so well written, this author has a way for words, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the story.
July 6, 2018
YA isn't me usual wheelhouse, but I had to give this one a read to see what Stevie McCoy had plotting. I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the magical/mystical elements and the twist on 'Vampires' and 'Shifters'. I am actually looking forward to book 2 because I feel like THAT is where the real story begins.
Look out! This is going to be a wild ride. :D
Look out! This is going to be a wild ride. :D
January 2, 2022
The storyline is rich and the descriptions of places is beautifully presented it's a story of journey of self-discovery and adventure with amazing characters some who happen to be vampires
I was given a review copy by the author and look forward to reading others in the series and this is a book that is not just for the younger reader
I was given a review copy by the author and look forward to reading others in the series and this is a book that is not just for the younger reader
September 29, 2018
I really appreciate that the author took the time to build all the characters personalities, the story was very engaging it's a combination of mystery, fantasy and magic a great read can't wait until the second book in the trilogy.
October 10, 2021
Blood Crescent: Divine Series by S.M. McCoy is a wonderful read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I am so hooked on and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to all.
August 28, 2018
This book was read and reviewed for the OnlineBookClub.org Review Team.
To read my official review, please go here:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
To read my official review, please go here:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
January 3, 2019
Awesome book
Great book for anyone who loves paranormal stories. Highly recommend it and will be purchasing the entire series when released.
Great book for anyone who loves paranormal stories. Highly recommend it and will be purchasing the entire series when released.
December 1, 2019
I have to be honest - I almost did not finish this one. The author is committed to sharing the events from Chrystal's perspective. I admire the fact that she NEVER wavers from this but it does provide for some pretty bizarre "stream-of-consciousness" style reading. We, like the main character, are completely baffled by the strange dreams she's having, her health issues, and the cryptic comments by her friends Aislin and Victor. It's such a wild read at the beginning of the book that I struggled to make sense of the story and I almost gave up. I decided to keep going for another couple of chapters and began to get the answers I needed as Chrystal began to sort things out and get answers herself. As I said earlier - McCoy intended to let the reader watch this story take shape through Chrystal's experiences and she was extremely consistent!
I'm so glad I didn't quit! A mother who and may very well still be alive and living in a supernatural dimension, friends who are more supernatural than they first appear, and a woman who has inherited special powers (and a special destiny) but has absolutely no clue - Chrystal's life in the process of undergoing a radical shift and those around her aren't even sure she'll survive the physiological changes, much less have the ability to face her destiny. I went from almost giving up on the book to not being able to put it down. The really rough "I-almost-gave-up" beginning combined with an ending that sends you looking for the sequel combined to earn this book 3 stars. It's definitely a book worth reading.
I'm so glad I didn't quit! A mother who and may very well still be alive and living in a supernatural dimension, friends who are more supernatural than they first appear, and a woman who has inherited special powers (and a special destiny) but has absolutely no clue - Chrystal's life in the process of undergoing a radical shift and those around her aren't even sure she'll survive the physiological changes, much less have the ability to face her destiny. I went from almost giving up on the book to not being able to put it down. The really rough "I-almost-gave-up" beginning combined with an ending that sends you looking for the sequel combined to earn this book 3 stars. It's definitely a book worth reading.
October 28, 2018
This is not for everyone. Be ready for a long ride, and many interesting characters will join you: Crytal-Grace, Aislin, Dominic, Lahtar-Victor and my preferred minor character: Great Moon Dragon. Don’t think about an easy read. Most of the novel is a stream of imagination involving intelligent mind games. The novel is complex and convoluted, leading you through a very intellectual path of imagination, trading vampires, shifters and witches unlike any other you have read about in the past. The last comment in my review is in fact two questions:
Will Crystal survive when half of her body passed into another development phase which doesn’t need a human body while the other half is still human? Would the fighting for her Vampires, help her to survive?
And in the end, be welcomed to Ealdred School for Old Realm Powers.
All in all, the novel is interesting, but you will have to like this kind of writing if you want to enjoy the book.
Will Crystal survive when half of her body passed into another development phase which doesn’t need a human body while the other half is still human? Would the fighting for her Vampires, help her to survive?
And in the end, be welcomed to Ealdred School for Old Realm Powers.
All in all, the novel is interesting, but you will have to like this kind of writing if you want to enjoy the book.
Want to read
December 10, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/10/2019)! 🎁
February 6, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Blood Crescent for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a standard disclaimer, but it is worth highlighting this time: I am not a reader of YA fantasy, and would not have thought to pick this up otherwise.
But I was rewarded for reading this ARC. From the instant I started reading this, it grabbed me, from its often amusing chapter title, to the sparkling wit Stevie McCoy has imbued throughout the prose. The author establishes her voice from the outset, as well as the voice for the book's protagonist, and this is absolutely enchanting throughout.
Blood Crescent is a fairly swift read, which is a great length for the story being told, building the world well and telling a great story while it's at it. The pace builds gradually, though not too slowly, taking its time to lay out a complex plot with plenty of twists and turns, which kept surprising me throughout.
The book features a vast array of characters, who are fleshed out and entertaining. The protagonist is thoroughly entertaining, which is great, given the novel's first person narration. The supporting characters are intriguing and no character is perfect, adding to Blood Crescent's believability.
The story keeping believability through an urban fantasy where a character sees into different realms while chasing a magical artefact as the story builds a mystery as to what, exactly, the protagonist is, is quite an achievement. If that sounds at all confusing, great - that's how the protagonist feels throughout, something the author has managed to present wonderfully.
The one thing keeping me from giving this a full five stars, however, is the number of typos included in the book. It would have benefitted from an extra round of proofreading. Unfortunately, these kept pulling me from the book. While the story itself didn't break my suspension of disbelief, the typos did.
But proofreading issues aside, Blood Crescent is thoroughly entertaining. If you're a fan of the genre, or simply fantasy stories, I thoroughly recommend it.
My full review will be posted on my website from 14 February, and you will be able to find my full thoughts here.
But I was rewarded for reading this ARC. From the instant I started reading this, it grabbed me, from its often amusing chapter title, to the sparkling wit Stevie McCoy has imbued throughout the prose. The author establishes her voice from the outset, as well as the voice for the book's protagonist, and this is absolutely enchanting throughout.
Blood Crescent is a fairly swift read, which is a great length for the story being told, building the world well and telling a great story while it's at it. The pace builds gradually, though not too slowly, taking its time to lay out a complex plot with plenty of twists and turns, which kept surprising me throughout.
The book features a vast array of characters, who are fleshed out and entertaining. The protagonist is thoroughly entertaining, which is great, given the novel's first person narration. The supporting characters are intriguing and no character is perfect, adding to Blood Crescent's believability.
The story keeping believability through an urban fantasy where a character sees into different realms while chasing a magical artefact as the story builds a mystery as to what, exactly, the protagonist is, is quite an achievement. If that sounds at all confusing, great - that's how the protagonist feels throughout, something the author has managed to present wonderfully.
The one thing keeping me from giving this a full five stars, however, is the number of typos included in the book. It would have benefitted from an extra round of proofreading. Unfortunately, these kept pulling me from the book. While the story itself didn't break my suspension of disbelief, the typos did.
But proofreading issues aside, Blood Crescent is thoroughly entertaining. If you're a fan of the genre, or simply fantasy stories, I thoroughly recommend it.
My full review will be posted on my website from 14 February, and you will be able to find my full thoughts here.
December 4, 2018
3.5 stars.
Blood Crescent was definitely an interesting read. It was imaginative, full of different kinds of magic, supernatural lore, and the like, and I found the descriptions of environments and energy fascinating. The plot too was interesting, though I do feel like there was some issue in its execution. If not for the book's synopsis, I probably wouldn't know much about what was actually going on, save the aspects concerning Crystal seeking her mother, her push and pull feelings regarding Damien, and her distorted memories surrounding him, Victor, and Aislin.
For one, the narrative felt pretty disjointed at times. While I can appreciate that we’re experiencing Crystal’s experiences in a first-hand sort of manner, I found it a bit too unreliable when she either knows absolutely nothing about what’s going on, or she drops information under the assumption the reader knows it. I found it swung wildly back and forth between these two extremes.
For two, there were a lot of abrupt changes in pacing, which made it all the more bewildering whenever I did manage to follow a particular thread. I also found there was a fair bit of repetition, usually in the form of too many metaphors being used to explain the same thing. I’m not sure if this is just because Crystal is an unreliable voice intentionally, or if the writing itself could have used a bit more cleaning up, but it had the unfortunate effect of pulling me out of the story.
Some of this could probably be chalked up to personal, but I also feel quite a bit of this fell on the technical side of things. My complaints aside, it was a good story (however confusing it might have been), and I do think there is a great deal of potential for both the story and Stevie as an author. The last chapter in particular did pique my interest, and I can only assume the next book will make everything that transpired in Book One far clearer.
All in all an engaging read.
Blood Crescent was definitely an interesting read. It was imaginative, full of different kinds of magic, supernatural lore, and the like, and I found the descriptions of environments and energy fascinating. The plot too was interesting, though I do feel like there was some issue in its execution. If not for the book's synopsis, I probably wouldn't know much about what was actually going on, save the aspects concerning Crystal seeking her mother, her push and pull feelings regarding Damien, and her distorted memories surrounding him, Victor, and Aislin.
For one, the narrative felt pretty disjointed at times. While I can appreciate that we’re experiencing Crystal’s experiences in a first-hand sort of manner, I found it a bit too unreliable when she either knows absolutely nothing about what’s going on, or she drops information under the assumption the reader knows it. I found it swung wildly back and forth between these two extremes.
For two, there were a lot of abrupt changes in pacing, which made it all the more bewildering whenever I did manage to follow a particular thread. I also found there was a fair bit of repetition, usually in the form of too many metaphors being used to explain the same thing. I’m not sure if this is just because Crystal is an unreliable voice intentionally, or if the writing itself could have used a bit more cleaning up, but it had the unfortunate effect of pulling me out of the story.
Some of this could probably be chalked up to personal, but I also feel quite a bit of this fell on the technical side of things. My complaints aside, it was a good story (however confusing it might have been), and I do think there is a great deal of potential for both the story and Stevie as an author. The last chapter in particular did pique my interest, and I can only assume the next book will make everything that transpired in Book One far clearer.
All in all an engaging read.
March 16, 2022
Blood Crescent starts off a little chaotic and gradually settles down into something that becomes increasingly easier to follow. However, that initial chaos isn’t as bothersome as it sounds; it mirrors Crystal’s own mental state. Crystal also feels somewhat relatable. Our story may be different than hers, but deep down we are all the same. We all have our tangled thoughts and ailments. Sometimes we feel drained of our energy, and it’s not the first time we feel as if someone is observing us from the shadows and draining us.
One thing I definitely liked was the inclusion of witchcraft–not something I expected to see in a novel about vampires. It always feels like a bonus when an author is able to surprise you. That being said, there were times at first when it was necessary to backtrack a little as there seemed to be a disconnect between certain parts. A second reading of such parts revealed this not to be the case, but it can become easy to get lost in Crystal’s convoluted psyche during the initial phases of the novel. It’s not something that detracts from the novel, but it’s definitely worth starting the book while keeping this in mind.
Overall, the novel feels like a good, promising launch-pad for Stevie McCoy’s series. If you like vampire novels with a touch of magic and a dash (fine, maybe more than a dash) of romantic complications, then this is the read for you.
One thing I definitely liked was the inclusion of witchcraft–not something I expected to see in a novel about vampires. It always feels like a bonus when an author is able to surprise you. That being said, there were times at first when it was necessary to backtrack a little as there seemed to be a disconnect between certain parts. A second reading of such parts revealed this not to be the case, but it can become easy to get lost in Crystal’s convoluted psyche during the initial phases of the novel. It’s not something that detracts from the novel, but it’s definitely worth starting the book while keeping this in mind.
Overall, the novel feels like a good, promising launch-pad for Stevie McCoy’s series. If you like vampire novels with a touch of magic and a dash (fine, maybe more than a dash) of romantic complications, then this is the read for you.
December 16, 2021
This story was hard to follow. The premise was interesting, but it was never made clear WHAT Chrystal was - a cyborg? a vampire? I had no idea. There were so many scenes that just seemed like a drug trip - either she was hallucinating or dreaming or someone was sucking her memories away. And the dialogue felt disconnected, like characters were just saying vague, ominous things to one another that made no sense and was never explained.
Right when I was about to get on board with Victor and Chrystal, a new mysterious guy was introduced, and the insta-love was shoved so hard on the reader that it made it difficult to keep reading. Plus, Chrystal is kind of a feeble heroine who just lets things happen to her instead of taking action herself. I felt like I was reading a story about a clueless girl who was just along for the ride.
The author is a stellar writer, and I love the way she writes her descriptions. She has a great flow with words. And the unique concept of vampires was refreshing and fascinating. But the plot and characterization just didn't work for me.
Right when I was about to get on board with Victor and Chrystal, a new mysterious guy was introduced, and the insta-love was shoved so hard on the reader that it made it difficult to keep reading. Plus, Chrystal is kind of a feeble heroine who just lets things happen to her instead of taking action herself. I felt like I was reading a story about a clueless girl who was just along for the ride.
The author is a stellar writer, and I love the way she writes her descriptions. She has a great flow with words. And the unique concept of vampires was refreshing and fascinating. But the plot and characterization just didn't work for me.
January 16, 2019
A bit frenetic and at times hard to follow
The foundation of this book was interesting. It got murky and hard to follow in places. I liked the female characters but the make characters felt stodgy and dated. Maybe it was the majorly uncomfortable aspect of two men professing their need and devotion for a 15 year old girl! She's confused and doesn't know what she feels. At least that is realistic!
The foundation of this book was interesting. It got murky and hard to follow in places. I liked the female characters but the make characters felt stodgy and dated. Maybe it was the majorly uncomfortable aspect of two men professing their need and devotion for a 15 year old girl! She's confused and doesn't know what she feels. At least that is realistic!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews