Title: Blood Weaver
Series: Blood Weaver Trilogy
Author: Karina Espinosa
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Suspense
Release Date: 26th January 2024
BLURB
As the last female blood mage, many would kill to claim the power surging through her veins.
For years Leila has hidden.
Who she is.
Where she came from.
What she can do.
But the long-lost Princess refuses to run forever. Those she loves lied to her. Betrayed her for a greater good. Even in her absence, she's being used as a pawn in political power plays.
Now, Leila is determined to discover why.
As luck would have it, she has an unlikely ally on her side. Ronan, the audacious heir of a rival clan, feels the need to protect the beautiful, hidden royal any way he can. Despite the strife of their opposing lineages, theirs is a dance of passion and peril, where every stolen glance and forbidden touch sends ripples through their world.
Yet even his loyalty is tested when Leila’s fated calling is exposed.
Thrust into a world she no longer remembers, Leila must fight to discover who she can trust as malicious threats close in from all sides. In a world where the past casts long shadows, Leila will discover that the threads of fate can be rewoven … but not without a cost.
REVIEW
First of all, I love the dramatic, atmospheric cover, it introduces the themes of the book well and it piques your interest just enough to get you wanting to read the book description to learn more.
The main, strongly independent, kick butt character of the book is the last female blood mage who uses the name Leila, rather than her title Princess Lyanna of Valorian and has been in hiding for years. There are many people who would be prepared to kill to get their hands on her unique power. When a plot to kidnap her is discovered she was forced to flee her home in Valorian with her guardian Sir Eric. Over their years avoiding capture, Sir Eric taught Leila how to fight and how to use her gifts to the best of his ability. They were awaiting word that they could safely return to Valorian but Sir Eric died before that happened prior to him revealing everything about a prophecy regarding her future. Leila has been living alone as a healer with her own small successful clinic in Lomewood in the Central Plains. Apart from work she tends to keep to herself with the exception of close friend, Selene. Selene has mer-folk heritage which makes her a prized possession at the Rose Petal Lounge, a pleasure house (bar & brothel) owned and run by Madam Rose. Despite Leila offering to buy Selene's freedom, Madam Rose continues to decline as Selene is very popular and her singing voice draws the crowds in at the Rose Petal Lounge, which is great for business.
Suddenly theres a rumour that the Crimson Clan have captured Princess Lyanna and a Crimson Clan envoy are in the central plains to meet the Valorian envoy to discuss agreement terms. The Chief of the Crimson Clan has declared that if no agreement is made Princess Lyanna will be married to his son!! At first Leila is going to ignore the rumour as there have been nany over the years but when she discovers the Valorian envoy is led by her brother Prince Marcellus and her childhood best friend, half fae Prince Caelan of Eldwain she knows she somehow has to warn them.
It's not long before Leila finds herself getting into scrapes with both sides whilst trying to keep her true identity and special female blood mage powers hidden. Leila actual ends up befriending Ronan, the leader of the Crimson Clan envoy, after defeating three if his men who were intent on attacking Selene. Leila begins to see a different side to the legendary, big, tough, barbaric fighting clan. Then when the Valorian envoy arrives she see's that her brother Marcellus and once best friend Caelan have also changed during years apart. Unfortunately Leila doesn't like what she discovers and soon finds herself stuck between the warring sides not knowing who she should be siding with. One thing Leila dies know is she really doesn't want anyone she cares about to be hurt or worse killed. When Leila treats a young boy named Henry in her clinic he soon becomes the reliable source of inside information about what's going on with both sides. As neither of the envoy groups consider the boy Henry any threat they often talk freely when he is around, giving away vital information. Leila finds herself on the receiving end of poor treatment from both envoys and in one case even torture! Leila also puts herself in the midst of fights, in harm's way saving people on both sides of the looming war on more than one occasion. Just when it seems like Leila has decided where her heart lays, theres a twist, some information about the future prophecy of the last female blood weaver and Leila is faced by a heart breakingly tough decision.
The descriptions within the book set the imagery into your mind easily and really well. This means after a reading session when you are thinking over what has happened it kind of feels like you have been watching a movie too! I loved the description of Rose Petal Lounge as a 'pleasure house'. The society is well thought ought and even the currency of glints & gleams is detailed well.
I adored the friendships Leila had with Selene and Henry. I enjoyed the verbal sparring Leila has going on with Ronan, Caelan, Mykal, Orion and Madam Rose. I also enjoyed discovering more about the prophecy though I think there is so much more to come.
Favourite characters are difficult to choose as there are so many great ones, but I loved Leila, Selene, Henry and Ronan. I liked but was still super wary of Marcellus, and Orion and I enjoyed disliking Caelan though by the end of the book I would probably add him to my 'wary of'list. On the other hand firmly on the 'enjoyed disliking' list is Governor Otto. I felt a whole range of liking, being wary and disliking of Madam Rose as I guess we don't know how she ended up at the Rose Petal
Lounge and there were times she was kind and even helped Leila.
I think this series could be really popular with those that like the Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo and Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud Books/TV shows.
My immediate reaction after reading the book were, Wow! Just wow! This book has it all!! Kick butt, fiercely independent female Leila whose best friend Selene has been sold and is tied to service at the Rose Petal Lounge, though Leila is determined to free her. Then the cutest little friend ever Henry who knows everything about anything going on and sells his information, though has a soft spot for Leila. Then theres the 'book boyfriend' quota which is definitely erm over flowing! Ronan, Caelan, Marcellus, Orion, Mykal, Silas ....wow. I have to say my favourite is Ronan though!! Though I am firmly #TeamRonan we still don't really know whether he is a good or bad guy regarding his intentions towards Leila.
Summing up, I honestly think this is another fantastic start to what I reckon will be a brilliant Trilogy! I can't wait to read more!!
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