Review - We Are Blood and Thunder by Kesia Lupo

Title: We Are Blood And Thunder

Author: Kesia Lupo

Pages: 448

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Release Date: 4th April 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

In a sealed-off city, a young woman, Lena, is running for her life. She has been sentenced to death and her only way to survive is to trust those she has been brought up to fear – those with magic. 

On the other side of the locked gates is a masked lady, Constance, determined to find a way back in. Years ago she escaped before her own powers were discovered. But now she won't hide who she is any longer. 

A powerful and terrifying storm cloud engulfs the city. But this is more than a thunderstorm. This is a spell, and the truth behind why it has been cast is more sinister than anyone can imagine ... But what neither Lena and Constance realise is that the stormcloud binds them – without it, without each other, neither can get what they desire…

 

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My Review:

 

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK) and NetGalley*

Lena lives in a city that has been sealed off in quarantine for several years. This is because of a strange, magical storm cloud and the Pestilence which has killed many.

Sentenced to death by the Justice, who believes that Lena is a mage, she manages to escape, but finds herself surrounded by magic, something she has been taught to fear.

Constance left the city years ago but has returned to stop the spell that caused the strange cloud.

Can Lena control her new magic?

Will Constance be able to stop the storm from destroying the city and everyone inside?

I really liked the premise for We Are Blood and Thunder, but for me it fell flat.

I didn't particularly connect with Lena or Constance, and there weren't any characters that stood out for me.

I found the plot to be very predictable. There were only one of two things that I didn't see coming, and given that the book is over 400 pages, this made it feel even longer.

The setting was interesting, as well as the magic and the concept of pledging yourself to the Gods. I would be intrigued to find out more about how the Gods were able to control people's magic and about Chaos.

The writing style was okay. It was easy enough to follow but I wasn't gripped and at times I found myself skimming the pages.

I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more.

Overall this was an okay but disappointing read.