June 8, 2011

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1) Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Published May 24, 2011 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Hardcover: 405 pages

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...

Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.


Blood Magic was just one of those books that hooked you right from the start and didn't let go until the very end.

I loved how the story was told from three, or four rather, different point of views that were all connected. The format just definitely added to the intertwining secrets. I also really enjoyed how the past played such a big role in what happened to Silla and everyone. Me, I love the past so it was really cool how (as I said before) that the diary entries from the past eventually caught up with the characters in the present.

Nick and Silla are adorable, and the fact that what happens in their relationship is horrifying makes it all the more enjoyable. I mean, who doesn't like to see the characters squirm a little? Nick (F.Y.I. I wouldn't consider this spoilery because it's obvious and happens right away but..) is completely in love with Silla. Whenever the story was told from his point of view, I just smiled because his thoughts about her just make it so completely clear how in love this boy is. Silla was tough yet fragile and I liked her haircut. She was a little scary at times because sometimes -in a very minuscule way- she had those moments where you're like, "Wow, this girl is crazy." But don't get me wrong, I really liked her!

The villain was exactly that: a villain. The magic was deep and creepy and beautiful all wrapped up in one. Love was love because, after all, what more could love be? The setting was perfect for the book. Blood Magic was a book about awesome stuff, plain and simple.

Four Stars

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