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Anointed by Blood
Some love stories are written in ink. Theirs is etched in blood.
Anointed by Blood is a twisted love story about teenage witch Neave, cursed – like all her kind – to suck the life from her true love, Lachlan. He will live, but their Bind is a cancer, depriving him of the life only women can enjoy. Oppressed, broken, bitter – Lachlan’s on the lowest rung of the Order of Witches and he’s going to burn it all down. The price of revolution: his heart, his sanity, and Neave’s life. He’s prepared to pay it.
Lachlan's twin brother Jack wants nothing to do with magic. Witness to his father's suffering at his mother's hands, he shuns magic, eking out an existence in the mortal world. But when Lachlan enters into a devil's bargain, leaving him damaged and Neave in danger, Jack must sacrifice his freedom and join Neave on a mission into London's underbelly to rescue Lachlan from his hideous fate.
Anointed by Blood is a twisted love story about teenage witch Neave, cursed – like all her kind – to suck the life from her true love, Lachlan. He will live, but their Bind is a cancer, depriving him of the life only women can enjoy. Oppressed, broken, bitter – Lachlan’s on the lowest rung of the Order of Witches and he’s going to burn it all down. The price of revolution: his heart, his sanity, and Neave’s life. He’s prepared to pay it.
Lachlan's twin brother Jack wants nothing to do with magic. Witness to his father's suffering at his mother's hands, he shuns magic, eking out an existence in the mortal world. But when Lachlan enters into a devil's bargain, leaving him damaged and Neave in danger, Jack must sacrifice his freedom and join Neave on a mission into London's underbelly to rescue Lachlan from his hideous fate.
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Edith Ryder
2 books7 followersAfter six years abroad, Edith recently returned to her hometown of Sydney, Australia where she lives with her husband and daughter. When not writing she loves swimming in the ocean and drinking Aperol spritzes on her balcony. She's a devoted reader of YA fantasy novels and is always on the hunt for a good historical romance.
Her debut novel 'Anointed by Blood' is now available for sale on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all local Amazon stores. It is available for free download on Kindle Unlimited. An audiobook version will be available on Audible and iTunes on July 15.
You can follow her at: instagram.com/edithryderwrites.
Her debut novel 'Anointed by Blood' is now available for sale on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all local Amazon stores. It is available for free download on Kindle Unlimited. An audiobook version will be available on Audible and iTunes on July 15.
You can follow her at: instagram.com/edithryderwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 14, 2023
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All these opinions are my own and are not biased in any way.
Release date: 2022
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Age rating: 13+
Plot: This book just made me realise how much I love magical realism, or just "non-mortal thinking they're a mortal living among mortals". What I loved about this book was that there were multiple parts to the plot going on: Neave wanting to find her mother, Neave finding out that she's "not who she thinks she is", and Lachlan plotting something behind everyone's backs.
Characters: Neave was a likeable character. She wasn't a character to suddenly become the most best of the best, like many cliche character in books do. At first I didn't know how to feel about Lachlan. I ended up really loving him, and when , it hurt my soul a lot. Jack was the one who didn't seem right to me at first, .
“He wouldn't betray me.”
Elements/genres: This book is mostly fantasy, but set in the mortal world which follows a girl who thinks she's a mortal, but isn't. I'd say this is magical realism, but could pass off as just fantasy. There are also the aspects of mystery in this book, which mostly take place at the beginning when Neave is looking for her mother and goes to Lachlan for help. There is also the element of betrayal.
Likes: I thought it was really interesting how the binding is done. Also how there are different sort of "elements" that are possible to have, and how lightning is the most powerful. I liked the aspects of mystery, and the "plot twist".
Pace: This book was pretty fast paced, I'd say. In the first 15-20% of the book, the story was already going and a lot had already happened, unlike other fantasy books in which the first 50% is just world building and description. Again, I really like magical realism. So when I opened the eBook at first and saw the first page was about a girl looking for someone online, I knew it was something to do with "fantasy set in the real world", so that really drew me in!
I'd say this is like The Wide Starlight sprinkled with some elements of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and some aspects of mystery. Pretty fast paced and a fun read!
When the next book comes out, I'll definitely be reading it! I just hope this isn't like "some other" fantasy books where the main character loses her power.
Release date: 2022
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Age rating: 13+
Plot: This book just made me realise how much I love magical realism, or just "non-mortal thinking they're a mortal living among mortals". What I loved about this book was that there were multiple parts to the plot going on: Neave wanting to find her mother, Neave finding out that she's "not who she thinks she is", and Lachlan plotting something behind everyone's backs.
Characters: Neave was a likeable character. She wasn't a character to suddenly become the most best of the best, like many cliche character in books do. At first I didn't know how to feel about Lachlan. I ended up really loving him, and when , it hurt my soul a lot. Jack was the one who didn't seem right to me at first, .
“He wouldn't betray me.”
Elements/genres: This book is mostly fantasy, but set in the mortal world which follows a girl who thinks she's a mortal, but isn't. I'd say this is magical realism, but could pass off as just fantasy. There are also the aspects of mystery in this book, which mostly take place at the beginning when Neave is looking for her mother and goes to Lachlan for help. There is also the element of betrayal.
Likes: I thought it was really interesting how the binding is done. Also how there are different sort of "elements" that are possible to have, and how lightning is the most powerful. I liked the aspects of mystery, and the "plot twist".
Pace: This book was pretty fast paced, I'd say. In the first 15-20% of the book, the story was already going and a lot had already happened, unlike other fantasy books in which the first 50% is just world building and description. Again, I really like magical realism. So when I opened the eBook at first and saw the first page was about a girl looking for someone online, I knew it was something to do with "fantasy set in the real world", so that really drew me in!
I'd say this is like The Wide Starlight sprinkled with some elements of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and some aspects of mystery. Pretty fast paced and a fun read!
When the next book comes out, I'll definitely be reading it! I just hope this isn't like "some other" fantasy books where the main character loses her power.
June 22, 2022
Anointed by Blood follows Neave's journey as she enlists the help of Lachlan to help try and find her mom. However, the story soon changes as we (and Neave) learn that she has magic. Lachlan, sullied by watching the dynamic between his magical mother who siphons from his father, is determined to never let that happen to him.
Very interesting premise and I was immediately drawn in! The book moves very fast in the beginning, so much so that I would've actually not hated the smallest bit more of exposition before diving right in. However, the world that Ryder builds is engaging and I was along for the ride immediately.
I also have to say- put a love triangle in a book and I am there. Immediately, I am there. And from the BEGINNING this love triangle was done so so well. This isn't the love triangle where one love interest isn't a serious option- this is one where you might be rooting for one but the twists of the story will change your mind a million times over.
The story starts one way and then evolves into an even more interesting plot. This was YA fantasy as you expect it and you would want it to be. Best of all, it ends with a cliffhanger that has me ready for a sequel like tomorrow!
Thanks to Book Sirens and Edith Ryder for this Advanced Reader Copy!
Very interesting premise and I was immediately drawn in! The book moves very fast in the beginning, so much so that I would've actually not hated the smallest bit more of exposition before diving right in. However, the world that Ryder builds is engaging and I was along for the ride immediately.
I also have to say- put a love triangle in a book and I am there. Immediately, I am there. And from the BEGINNING this love triangle was done so so well. This isn't the love triangle where one love interest isn't a serious option- this is one where you might be rooting for one but the twists of the story will change your mind a million times over.
The story starts one way and then evolves into an even more interesting plot. This was YA fantasy as you expect it and you would want it to be. Best of all, it ends with a cliffhanger that has me ready for a sequel like tomorrow!
Thanks to Book Sirens and Edith Ryder for this Advanced Reader Copy!
June 27, 2022
I received a free advanced reader copy, and my review is being left voluntarily.
This was a really great book! I can't wait for the rest of the series! The story was engaging, the characters were complex enough that I cared what happened to them, and I liked the whole concept. The only reason it gets a 4 instead of 5 star is that the beginning felt kind of choppy, like it jumped from one important scene to another without much filler in between. More like a slide show than a movie, if that makes sense. This did get a lot smoother about halfway through the book; also it's possible that the book went through final edits after I read it, and maybe this isn't even an issue anymore. Either way, it wasn't enough of an issue to detract from the story.
The romance isn't overboard, which is nice as some YA books end up taking it so far that it ends up feeling unrealistic. I could have done with maybe a little more fleshing out of the relationships between characters as they did end up feeling a tad superficial, but they were genuine enough that I still cared what happened to them. Overall, this was a great series start, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This was a really great book! I can't wait for the rest of the series! The story was engaging, the characters were complex enough that I cared what happened to them, and I liked the whole concept. The only reason it gets a 4 instead of 5 star is that the beginning felt kind of choppy, like it jumped from one important scene to another without much filler in between. More like a slide show than a movie, if that makes sense. This did get a lot smoother about halfway through the book; also it's possible that the book went through final edits after I read it, and maybe this isn't even an issue anymore. Either way, it wasn't enough of an issue to detract from the story.
The romance isn't overboard, which is nice as some YA books end up taking it so far that it ends up feeling unrealistic. I could have done with maybe a little more fleshing out of the relationships between characters as they did end up feeling a tad superficial, but they were genuine enough that I still cared what happened to them. Overall, this was a great series start, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 4, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wanted to love this book. There was so much to enjoy, but my struggle was with the total series worth of events that were crammed into one single novel.
There are, however, many things to love.
How far would you go for the person you love most? I'm not JUST talking romantically, I'm talking about your mom, your child, your best friend.
When our main character Neave stumbles into a world of magic, she will do anything to help find her mom. Even if that means making commitments that will permanently alter her life.
The world she discovers is magical, unique, and painted in a way that reminds me of Harry Potter's world, but with a lot more gore. The creepy crawlies are real with the choices that some of these characters make and I felt myself cringing in disgust, tense with worry, and sometimes even ooey gooey with some of the more sentimental moments.
Everywhere Neave turns, she is faced with more danger, new enemies and new magical forces she could never imagine. Neave will face any horror to find her mom, even if her instincts scream to turn away. The thrills didn't stop even to the last page.
If this had been spread out into a series, I know it would have been more enjoyable for me. There was so much going on, so much to explore and dive into. While I know the author has plenty more to share with us, I would have enjoyed the deeper buildup into this incredibly intense story.
I wanted to love this book. There was so much to enjoy, but my struggle was with the total series worth of events that were crammed into one single novel.
There are, however, many things to love.
How far would you go for the person you love most? I'm not JUST talking romantically, I'm talking about your mom, your child, your best friend.
When our main character Neave stumbles into a world of magic, she will do anything to help find her mom. Even if that means making commitments that will permanently alter her life.
The world she discovers is magical, unique, and painted in a way that reminds me of Harry Potter's world, but with a lot more gore. The creepy crawlies are real with the choices that some of these characters make and I felt myself cringing in disgust, tense with worry, and sometimes even ooey gooey with some of the more sentimental moments.
Everywhere Neave turns, she is faced with more danger, new enemies and new magical forces she could never imagine. Neave will face any horror to find her mom, even if her instincts scream to turn away. The thrills didn't stop even to the last page.
If this had been spread out into a series, I know it would have been more enjoyable for me. There was so much going on, so much to explore and dive into. While I know the author has plenty more to share with us, I would have enjoyed the deeper buildup into this incredibly intense story.
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June 27, 2022ANOINTED BY BLOOD may seem benign, but things soon take a darker turn in this plot-driven novel full of suspense and adventure! A must-read for fantasy lovers.
Read BookTrib's Full Review.
Read BookTrib's Full Review.
May 27, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
WOW! I loved this book. The ending was so unexpected and there were many twists and turns that kept me enticed until the very end. I was surprised by the journey Ryder took me on, the book started out feeling like a very traditional YA, but then completely turned the tables. Anointed by Blood is a great example of an author doing unexpected things with YA tropes. She explores and subverts insta-love, patriarchal dominance, the difference between good and evil, and even, my favourite, the good ol’ love triangle.
The story starts with Neave looking for her missing mother, but quickly turns into an exploration of Lachlan’s quest for power in a world where magical power is denied to men. Men must bind their souls to women to generate the magic that is exclusively wielded by their partners. Lachlan’s mother – a character I’d love to see more of – abuses his father in a twisted, erotic power game and Lachlan sees his father suffer. It is this kind of detail that really brings Anointed by Blood alive. In a few of the books I’ve read recently, I felt a lack of character connection, but Ryder really makes you understand and feel what the characters are going through. Twin brothers Jack and Lachlan are particularly well-drawn and come to life.
Neave’s journey to rescue her mother is probably the less interesting plotline in the novel, although the conclusion is satisfactory and sets up the next book in the series. What I really loved was the world-building and the intricately imagined magical world. The politics of Ryder’s alternate London were fascinating, with the extremism of our own times reflected in the world of Ryder’s imagination. I like that she didn’t shy away from this. A lot of YA novels set up a very simple political structure where the fault lines of good and evil are very clear. The politics here is all shades of grey and I’m still not sure entirely who is right and who is wrong. On some level everyone is a little bit of each.
Finally, the romance was captivating. There is a love triangle, and I love a well-executed love triangle. I won’t spoil the surprise by posting the details here, but I’m already shipping one of the pairings. I also thought at the 70% mark, it was going to be pretty clear who Neave ended-up with, but Ryder pulled out a very clever twist making it difficult to know where the romance is going in book 2. Let’s just say the path won’t be easy for Neave!!
This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in recent times. Cannot wait for the sequel!
WOW! I loved this book. The ending was so unexpected and there were many twists and turns that kept me enticed until the very end. I was surprised by the journey Ryder took me on, the book started out feeling like a very traditional YA, but then completely turned the tables. Anointed by Blood is a great example of an author doing unexpected things with YA tropes. She explores and subverts insta-love, patriarchal dominance, the difference between good and evil, and even, my favourite, the good ol’ love triangle.
The story starts with Neave looking for her missing mother, but quickly turns into an exploration of Lachlan’s quest for power in a world where magical power is denied to men. Men must bind their souls to women to generate the magic that is exclusively wielded by their partners. Lachlan’s mother – a character I’d love to see more of – abuses his father in a twisted, erotic power game and Lachlan sees his father suffer. It is this kind of detail that really brings Anointed by Blood alive. In a few of the books I’ve read recently, I felt a lack of character connection, but Ryder really makes you understand and feel what the characters are going through. Twin brothers Jack and Lachlan are particularly well-drawn and come to life.
Neave’s journey to rescue her mother is probably the less interesting plotline in the novel, although the conclusion is satisfactory and sets up the next book in the series. What I really loved was the world-building and the intricately imagined magical world. The politics of Ryder’s alternate London were fascinating, with the extremism of our own times reflected in the world of Ryder’s imagination. I like that she didn’t shy away from this. A lot of YA novels set up a very simple political structure where the fault lines of good and evil are very clear. The politics here is all shades of grey and I’m still not sure entirely who is right and who is wrong. On some level everyone is a little bit of each.
Finally, the romance was captivating. There is a love triangle, and I love a well-executed love triangle. I won’t spoil the surprise by posting the details here, but I’m already shipping one of the pairings. I also thought at the 70% mark, it was going to be pretty clear who Neave ended-up with, but Ryder pulled out a very clever twist making it difficult to know where the romance is going in book 2. Let’s just say the path won’t be easy for Neave!!
This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in recent times. Cannot wait for the sequel!
November 15, 2022
Loved this book! Such a twisted, but amazing concept, and the harrowing tale of Lachlan's descent and the attempts to save him were great! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this! It's super engaging with a unique premise of a magical world where witches must awaken their powers by binding and using the life force of their true loves. It just felt really fresh in a genre that's quite oversaturated in paranormal dystopias. The characters interact well with each other, and I was invested in every bit of their journey.
My issue is that there's just so much going on in this story! The world building in this feels heavier than a typical YA fantasy, which I think was both a blessing and a curse. I was not expecting how detailed this is. It's so well thought out and immersive, and you're really thrown a lot in the first half which was kind of intimidating. I have to say that I had some problems with the pacing. I felt like there were gaps between scenes that weren't explained well. The author sort of throws you into a sea of action and gives you a small info dump as a life line. The pacing gets so much better after the 50% mark where the majority of the action takes place. I actually really loved the twists and turns that happen at the end, and the author does a great job of setting the scene for a second book and tying up all the loose ends. The problem is that this already feels like multiple books. It's obvious that the author loves this world and really wanted to put as much of it as possible into this book. I loved to see it. It was just a lot to handle, and maybe this would have benefitted from a slower pace to match the large amount of world building that's being done here.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for something with similar vibes to The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire or something like the Vampire Diaries. Anointed by Blood isn't similar in terms of plot but has similar elements that reminded me of both while I was reading.
I really enjoyed this! It's super engaging with a unique premise of a magical world where witches must awaken their powers by binding and using the life force of their true loves. It just felt really fresh in a genre that's quite oversaturated in paranormal dystopias. The characters interact well with each other, and I was invested in every bit of their journey.
My issue is that there's just so much going on in this story! The world building in this feels heavier than a typical YA fantasy, which I think was both a blessing and a curse. I was not expecting how detailed this is. It's so well thought out and immersive, and you're really thrown a lot in the first half which was kind of intimidating. I have to say that I had some problems with the pacing. I felt like there were gaps between scenes that weren't explained well. The author sort of throws you into a sea of action and gives you a small info dump as a life line. The pacing gets so much better after the 50% mark where the majority of the action takes place. I actually really loved the twists and turns that happen at the end, and the author does a great job of setting the scene for a second book and tying up all the loose ends. The problem is that this already feels like multiple books. It's obvious that the author loves this world and really wanted to put as much of it as possible into this book. I loved to see it. It was just a lot to handle, and maybe this would have benefitted from a slower pace to match the large amount of world building that's being done here.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for something with similar vibes to The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire or something like the Vampire Diaries. Anointed by Blood isn't similar in terms of plot but has similar elements that reminded me of both while I was reading.
July 10, 2022
Anointed By Blood is one of those rare things in YA fiction, a plot you haven’t read before. It feels fresh. I loved not knowing what would happen, incorrectly anticipating the next move and spending whole chapters trying to pin down my understanding of the world that Neave, Lachlan and Jack inhabit.
Part mystery, part fantasy and part voyage of self discovery, Anointed By Blood does all the things you want from a YA novel, but it does them in its own unique way.
The book introduces a wide range of characters. I’m hoping that some of these might get their own book if author Edith’s Ryder decides to expand this universe. Lots of them left me wanting to know a little more.
The book starts slowly, breaking from the story arc you typically see in books of those genre. The slow burn, as it eases you into its version of the world, steadily picks up pace and leaving you with an explosive ending.
I can’t wait for the next instalment. I loved Anointed By Blood’s take on magic and on power dynamics.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Part mystery, part fantasy and part voyage of self discovery, Anointed By Blood does all the things you want from a YA novel, but it does them in its own unique way.
The book introduces a wide range of characters. I’m hoping that some of these might get their own book if author Edith’s Ryder decides to expand this universe. Lots of them left me wanting to know a little more.
The book starts slowly, breaking from the story arc you typically see in books of those genre. The slow burn, as it eases you into its version of the world, steadily picks up pace and leaving you with an explosive ending.
I can’t wait for the next instalment. I loved Anointed By Blood’s take on magic and on power dynamics.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Pewter for the witchling; Gold for the awoke; Bronze for the new witch; Rust for the broke.
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I went into this book with low expectations. It's not my usual read, I'd never heard of the author, and not a fan of fantasy on modern worlds.
But my gosh was I pleasantly surprised! This book was amazing; the complex magic structure in itself was worth the read!
The main character was dealing with the disappearance of her mother, and suddenly the possibility that she has magic in a world where she didn't know it even existed. Luckily, she has a handsome man to help her along. And, the gift that keeps on giving, that handsome man has an identical twin brother.
This author starts off with one exciting plot, that then cascades into even more interesting and compelling places. You end somewhere you did not see coming, unresolved conflicts all over the place, and an itch to have MORE!
I am so happily surprised that this book turned out to be one of my favorites of the year so far.
--------
Pewter for the witchling; Gold for the awoke; Bronze for the new witch; Rust for the broke.
--------
I went into this book with low expectations. It's not my usual read, I'd never heard of the author, and not a fan of fantasy on modern worlds.
But my gosh was I pleasantly surprised! This book was amazing; the complex magic structure in itself was worth the read!
The main character was dealing with the disappearance of her mother, and suddenly the possibility that she has magic in a world where she didn't know it even existed. Luckily, she has a handsome man to help her along. And, the gift that keeps on giving, that handsome man has an identical twin brother.
This author starts off with one exciting plot, that then cascades into even more interesting and compelling places. You end somewhere you did not see coming, unresolved conflicts all over the place, and an itch to have MORE!
I am so happily surprised that this book turned out to be one of my favorites of the year so far.
June 7, 2022
Ryder surpassed the rest on this Y/A book.
Kudos to Ryder for writing such a well thought out Young Adult Novel
I must say this book has got to be the best Y/A I've read for 2022 that I don't even know what to say.
In this book you will be taken on a ride through good and evil, through what normally doesn't happen unless it's in the "Twilight Book" But we have an actual love triangle.
Can you believe it??
We begin with Naeve on a search for her mother, on this quest we will encounter all sorts of magical
creatures, witches, magic where it wasn't known to have existed.
Strong feminine powers where men must bind their souls to women.
WOW!
Handsome men, Lachlan who just so happens to have a twin brother named Jack.
(How interesting)
Ryder makes this book so darn good that you get tripped up trying to explain it.
Only thing that I can honestly say is
" YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK"
Absolutely the best read so far and Ryder wasn't playing.
My only question is, WHERE'S BOOK 2?
Kudos to Ryder for writing such a well thought out Young Adult Novel
I must say this book has got to be the best Y/A I've read for 2022 that I don't even know what to say.
In this book you will be taken on a ride through good and evil, through what normally doesn't happen unless it's in the "Twilight Book" But we have an actual love triangle.
Can you believe it??
We begin with Naeve on a search for her mother, on this quest we will encounter all sorts of magical
creatures, witches, magic where it wasn't known to have existed.
Strong feminine powers where men must bind their souls to women.
WOW!
Handsome men, Lachlan who just so happens to have a twin brother named Jack.
(How interesting)
Ryder makes this book so darn good that you get tripped up trying to explain it.
Only thing that I can honestly say is
" YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK"
Absolutely the best read so far and Ryder wasn't playing.
My only question is, WHERE'S BOOK 2?
June 2, 2022
What a book! I’m not even sure where to start explaining why I think the book is so good.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an impartial review.
The characters are beautifully developed with hints of their true nature disguised amongst the rhetoric of the story telling.
The story takes you on a journey of discovery with the rises and falls of characters and their relationships.
The emotion is the book is genuine especially for a YA book.
This story of witches, goblins and other assorted supernatural creatures in a world where women rule supreme and the men who, through jealousy, want the power. A story of love, betrayal and heartbreak as a strong young protagonist comes forth to break down walls and (hopefully) save the ones she loves.
(Yes, I’m trying to review without any spoilers)
A great read, all in all, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this great author.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an impartial review.
The characters are beautifully developed with hints of their true nature disguised amongst the rhetoric of the story telling.
The story takes you on a journey of discovery with the rises and falls of characters and their relationships.
The emotion is the book is genuine especially for a YA book.
This story of witches, goblins and other assorted supernatural creatures in a world where women rule supreme and the men who, through jealousy, want the power. A story of love, betrayal and heartbreak as a strong young protagonist comes forth to break down walls and (hopefully) save the ones she loves.
(Yes, I’m trying to review without any spoilers)
A great read, all in all, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this great author.
June 17, 2022
Great book full of twists and turns. The magic system is different and interesting and the characters are well done.
July 12, 2022
I really wanted to love this book. The premise is amazing, and I was so excited after reading the summary. But somehow, it just missed the mark for me.
The biggest thing I struggled with was the first of the book because it seemed really choppy. There were very important things going on, but they were kind of glazed over. For example, the MC goes from trying to find her mom to falling in love in what felt like just a few pages. I wish there had been more character and world building at the beginning, and less glossing over.
I think the way the first part of the book is done is why I had a hard time connecting to the character for the first part of the book, so I struggled care about them for the second half.
At first, I liked how innocent Neave was. She had a freshness and determination that I admired, which made her more accepting of the craziness she encounters (not my favorite trope, but if you are plunging unsuspecting characters in to a hidden, dangerous world, sometimes being able to just go with it is necessary). But then I found her frustrating. She just blindly blunders along, not asking questions, and makes some huge life decisions out of the blue. Naïve or not, it felt a little forced. I also didn't like Lachlan's character building. From the beginning you know he's shady, but a lot more could have been done to develop him in to what he becomes.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it hadn't been YA. Nothing against YA books, I enjoy them on a regular basis. But I feel like this story would have been richer if it were in the adult category. Still, I think there are plenty of people who will love it as it and I would recommend trying it for yourself.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, but my opinions are give freely.
The biggest thing I struggled with was the first of the book because it seemed really choppy. There were very important things going on, but they were kind of glazed over. For example, the MC goes from trying to find her mom to falling in love in what felt like just a few pages. I wish there had been more character and world building at the beginning, and less glossing over.
I think the way the first part of the book is done is why I had a hard time connecting to the character for the first part of the book, so I struggled care about them for the second half.
At first, I liked how innocent Neave was. She had a freshness and determination that I admired, which made her more accepting of the craziness she encounters (not my favorite trope, but if you are plunging unsuspecting characters in to a hidden, dangerous world, sometimes being able to just go with it is necessary). But then I found her frustrating. She just blindly blunders along, not asking questions, and makes some huge life decisions out of the blue. Naïve or not, it felt a little forced. I also didn't like Lachlan's character building. From the beginning you know he's shady, but a lot more could have been done to develop him in to what he becomes.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it hadn't been YA. Nothing against YA books, I enjoy them on a regular basis. But I feel like this story would have been richer if it were in the adult category. Still, I think there are plenty of people who will love it as it and I would recommend trying it for yourself.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, but my opinions are give freely.
September 12, 2022
Dark, twisted and delightful!
By: Edith Ryder
Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 09-12-22
Lachlan wants Magic, he needs Magic, he craves magic! Unfortunately for him, only Witches have magic and it’s a their mates place to be their life force. But crafty Lachlan thinks he’s found a way around that! When he meets Neave, a Witchling, he’s determined to make her magic HIS, no matter the cost! Then there’s Jack, Lachlan’s twin brother, a bit of a ne’er do well, determined to save them both! Anointed by Blood is a dark, twisted love story with a plot so well thought out, so enthralling it instantly captivated me! I loved the unique, beautifully developed characters and Jack, oh my Jack! No spoilers but he really captured my heart! Just listen and you’ll see why I say that! The dialogue was beautifully done! It not only rang true but it was emotionally and convincing brought to life by fabulous narration! I really appreciated that the different accents and character voicing were so consistent throughout! That really adds so much to the listener’s pleasure! I really loved everything about this one. Five stars! I can’t wait for the next book!
By: Edith Ryder
Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 09-12-22
Lachlan wants Magic, he needs Magic, he craves magic! Unfortunately for him, only Witches have magic and it’s a their mates place to be their life force. But crafty Lachlan thinks he’s found a way around that! When he meets Neave, a Witchling, he’s determined to make her magic HIS, no matter the cost! Then there’s Jack, Lachlan’s twin brother, a bit of a ne’er do well, determined to save them both! Anointed by Blood is a dark, twisted love story with a plot so well thought out, so enthralling it instantly captivated me! I loved the unique, beautifully developed characters and Jack, oh my Jack! No spoilers but he really captured my heart! Just listen and you’ll see why I say that! The dialogue was beautifully done! It not only rang true but it was emotionally and convincing brought to life by fabulous narration! I really appreciated that the different accents and character voicing were so consistent throughout! That really adds so much to the listener’s pleasure! I really loved everything about this one. Five stars! I can’t wait for the next book!
July 16, 2022
Anointed by Blood is the story of Neave, a teenager struggling with the disappearance of her mother. She is desperate for answers and refuses to believe her mother simply abandoned her like the police think. As Neave starts to dig further, she meets Lachlan and discovers a hidden world of magic, witches, goblins and evil she never could have dreamed of.
I was rapt the whole time I read this book! So many twists and turns, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I aches for Neave as she navigated the strange world she discovered and hoped to find her mother. The author did a great job creating a world to fall into and the writing is descriptive and beautiful. I was left with a lot of questions at the end, which I'm sure was intentional as this is book 1, but was also quite frustrating. I cannot wait to read more and find out what happens next!
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I was rapt the whole time I read this book! So many twists and turns, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I aches for Neave as she navigated the strange world she discovered and hoped to find her mother. The author did a great job creating a world to fall into and the writing is descriptive and beautiful. I was left with a lot of questions at the end, which I'm sure was intentional as this is book 1, but was also quite frustrating. I cannot wait to read more and find out what happens next!
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
June 22, 2022
This was what I consider a very fast paced easy read. It was attention grabbing and well written. At some point it kept me up allnight and I was simply not able to put it down. But unfortunately some where towards the end it felt like the story startef to lag and I felt like just skipping through some of the hum-drum of it all to get tp the point of it all. At the end it felt like the author ran out of time to get to the point and tried to say everything to tie up loose ends in a matter of a few pages. Yet I do not give 4 stars lightly. It is a really great read and I am looking forward to the sequel. A wildly unique concept. Well done!
July 28, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was good but it fell flat in a lot of areas and got very boring at time. I definitely liked it enough to read a book 2 when it comes out but I did not love this book it was just okay but I liked Neave enough to continue reading. I also don’t love third person books so that also took away a little bit but it was good overall. It was also quite confusing who’s perspective you were in I hope for maybe character names above each chapter or prospective change would have been helpful and made this book a lot easier to read.
January 3, 2023
Overall i enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next one. I wasn't in love with the writing style, it jumped scenes a little too quickly for me. It didnt really draw me in until towards the end, i was aware i was reading a book for the first half and by the end i was able to feel like i was in it. I wished the main character had a little more depth or something with her personality or personal growth. I feel like two of the other characters were more multifaceted than her. If i could give this 3.5-3.9 stars i would, but i can’t so its a 3 for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2022
This book was good but it fell flat in a lot of areas and got very boring at time. I definitely liked it enough to read a book 2 when it comes out but I did not love this book it was just okay but I liked Neave enough to continue reading. I also don’t love third person books so that also took away a little bit but it was good overall. It was also quite confusing who’s perspective you were in I hope for maybe character names above each chapter or prospective change would have been helpful and made this book a lot easier to read.
August 28, 2022
Anointed by Blood, the first book in the Unbinding is a well-written YA fantasy with a great premise. The storyline is entertaining, with excellent world-building and fascinating elements that draw the reader/listeners in. The start of the book was somewhat slow-moving; however, it did pick up the pace, becoming more engaging. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an outstanding job with the narration. Through her performance, the story and the characters came to life. Overall, Anointed by Blood was an enjoyable YA paranormal listen, one I'll recommend.
May 25, 2022
Naeve is looking for her missing mum and seeks the help of Lachlan. She says a private sector found her mum, or they think they did, but she is still looking for her??
I was 5 chapters in (15%) when I stopped reading this. I don't normally give a book this long to grab my attention. There was no character building or world building. When I stopped reading they were only just getting to mentioning awakening a witchling. The story was all over the place and made very little sense.
I was 5 chapters in (15%) when I stopped reading this. I don't normally give a book this long to grab my attention. There was no character building or world building. When I stopped reading they were only just getting to mentioning awakening a witchling. The story was all over the place and made very little sense.
July 9, 2022
I’m not entirely sure what I expected, but this book took me on an unexpectedly good ride. I never quite knew exactly what was going to happen. The plot and characters felt solid, though it was almost frustrating how much more I wanted - especially at the end. There were brief times where the pacing felt a little off, but it was marginal, and there was plenty of story to distract me. Please note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 23, 2022
This book is about the MC Neave trying to find her mother and where she went. Never accidentally stumbles on to Lachlan who is a charlatan at a fortune telling place. Lachlan the proceeds to help assist Neave tofind her mother. This is a world where Only Woman with the bloodline become powerful witch's and men can't. Narrator does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
August 31, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this story but it didn't entirely sit well with me. I will admit I am someone who values love and relationships a lot and some of the very purposeful toxic aspects of the main relationship just didn't sit well with me. However, the magic system was cool, the characters were enjoyable and I enjoyed the setting.
I enjoyed this story but it didn't entirely sit well with me. I will admit I am someone who values love and relationships a lot and some of the very purposeful toxic aspects of the main relationship just didn't sit well with me. However, the magic system was cool, the characters were enjoyable and I enjoyed the setting.
November 1, 2022
I did struggle a little bit with reading this book. I think there was a bit too much happening and it was hard to understand until the end. I did enjoy it though and I definitely would read the next one. There were very few editing errors, which makes it more enjoyable. Like the storyline and cannot wait to see where it leads. Just wished it didn't have so much going on.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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July 7, 2022This is a nice story with an urban fantasy feel. I enjoyed the conception of how the magic worked--I've seen stories where one person's lifeforce is used for another's magic before, but here the concept was explored very thoroughly and had an intriguing gendered dynamic. The writing does feel a little "young", but it's an easy, enjoyable read.
August 1, 2022
wow!
Im so pleased with this book ! It has everything from missing people , witches , betrayal , and loads of magic. I do have to say that Lachlan could have been a better person in general . Poor Neave and her journey of awakening her magic, it was nothing but heartache.I can’t wait to see what’s in-store fit neave in the next book of this awesome series.
Im so pleased with this book ! It has everything from missing people , witches , betrayal , and loads of magic. I do have to say that Lachlan could have been a better person in general . Poor Neave and her journey of awakening her magic, it was nothing but heartache.I can’t wait to see what’s in-store fit neave in the next book of this awesome series.
June 6, 2022
I received this book as a free ARC so my review is voluntary. It was easy to be consumed by this book, even though I didn't grasp what was happening at the beginning. Neave grew into such a powerful, willful woman and I am excited to see how she continues to prove everyone wrong, especially Jack.
May 19, 2023
audible:Excellent book! I totally enjoyed listening to it. Narration by Mia Hutchinson Shaw was terrific! I was given this book free for an honest review.
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