Of Wicked Blood was book with a really slow and confusing beginning. I was hard for me to concentrate on reading, because all the action was so sudden that I was completely lost in characters and their names. Fortunately, soon after first 50 pages, the confusion was gone and I could finally enjoy the story to its fullest.

The main characters, Slade and Cadence have both so unique personalities that I was actually pleasantly surprised how much I started to like them. Sadly I cannot say this about any other character, because they seemed just flat to me.

The writing style wasn't bad, thought sometimes I felt like there was a problem in the pacing of story. Especially because of a lot of boring scenes that weren't really necessary to the main plot.

The main plot itself was another thing I didn't like much about this book. I was excited to read this book after I fell in love with the synopsis, but the story was a really different from what I expected. It was predictable, too long, and the only thing that I actually enjoyed was the relationship between Slade and Cadance. If you love enemies to lovers romances as much as I do, you'll love this one too.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this book, but it's still worth reading. I still plan to read the sequel once it'll be released, and I truly hope that it'll be better in everything than this one.

3,5/5*

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for proving me with an ARC of ‘Of Wicked Blood’ in exchange for an honest review.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I wont lie. Of Wicked Blood did start off pretty slowly for me.. but it picked up a couple of chapters in. Of course, this is when all the sassy and sarcastic comments come into play between Slate and Cadence. At first, they sort of despised one another because of all kinds of miscommunication.

Seriously, there's so many secrets, lies, and miscommunication throughout the entire book. Besides that, there's romance, mystery, and possibly a villain or two. I definitely fell in love with Slate and Cadence. He's a thief and he stole my heart and hers pretty quickly on. Even though they tried to be like.. I just met the guy/girl.. why am I jealous already? Blah blah blah - when you know you know. At least nothing was really insta-anything.

In the end, I'm hoping there's another book coming out soon because I just want more from this group. I want to know what's going to happen in this small town now after everything that has happened. Also, where's that sleazy mayor at? Ugh, so many questions!

Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz is an excellent fiction/fantasy novel that is the first in a new series (I hope!): The Quatrefoil Chronicles.

This book has it all:

Location: mystical, eerie, and ancient Brume, France. Check.

Plot: a group of people brought together as they are the last in their respective lineages of the founding 4 families on a quest to fight their own battles: seperate and together to bring the 4 missing pieces to the clover in hopes of bringing back magic and also to survive said tasks. Check.

Suspense: high stakes. Life or death challenges. Check

Atmosphere: dark, bitter cold, gloomy, misty, and spooky isolated town where curses, witches, magical beings, lore, and tales abound. Check.

Excellent character cast with complex pasts, personalities, and relationships. Check

Witty prose and banter with sass and excellent one-liners. Check

And oh yeh, a bit of romance to seal the deal. Check.

I love the alternating chapters between Cadence and Slate. I love how the ending leaves open-ended questions, while also giving us some answers. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I must read it!!!!

5/5 stars. Highly recommended

Thank you NetGalley and Twig Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub (as of 10/21/20 no BB listing has been created), and Instagram accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/2/21.

I suppose, after reading the blurb, I was expecting more magic, and it was a story more about short battles with different spirits/demons to obtain the objects needed to unlock the magic. Written in a "Gone Girl" alternating voice style, we do get a view point from the two main protagonists, Slate and Cadence, which lets you get to know each more indepthly. However the romance between the two is uncomfortable as she is only 17 yet appears to have the emotional age of twelve (asking to sleep in her fathers bed after fighting one of the demon/spirits, for example?). Hopefully she matures a bit before the next installment - I do want to know what happens when magic is restored after all.

⭐⭐⭐ Of Wicked Blood review by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz.

I suppose, after reading the blurb, I was expecting more magic, and it was a story more about short battles with different spirits/demons to obtain the objects needed to unlock the magic. Written in a "Gone Girl" alternating voice style, we do get a view point from the two main protagonists, Slate and Cadence, which lets you get to know each more indepthly. However the romance between the two is uncomfortable as she is only 17 yet appears to have the emotional age of twelve (asking to sleep in her fathers bed after fighting one of the demon/spirits, for example?). Hopefully she matures a bit before the next installment - I do want to know what happens when magic is restored after all.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It’s been over a month and I’m still not over this book. I will read it twice in less than 3 months, I never do that. I was waiting for my brain to settle to write a better review, but again, it’s been almost a month, and for the first two weeks all my brain could think of was Slate, now it’s every other day. I. Am. Obsessed. Gonna do a re-read to see if I can move on (doubtful) since it’s starting to mess with my other readings cause y’know...Slate. I will update this review after, probably with more Slate, but at least you’ve been warned.

Beautifully done!!

I’m utterly speechless!! I absolutely loved this book. I must admit that I really loved Slate. His character is amazing and so relatable and easy to connect with. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and all the details that come along with it. The curse and what the Quatrefoil crew needs to do before it’s too late!! Gah, I absolutely loved it. Slow burn, and the book will suck you in before you know it. Also check out the bonus section of the making of the next book. It was great to read those!!

I was not prepared for this book. It started out okay and then bam, sucked me right in! The magical realism is done in a cool way and I liked that there are four characters that all have a challenge to complete. The romance was also fun and I definitely have a new ship.

Slate is a great character, he's a thief who's clawed his way out of poverty to a life of luxury. He does some morally gray things, but he clearly loves his little brother Bastien and would do anything for him. He falls for Cadence pretty quickly, though she doesn't give in right away. Slate has to atone for something he did and works hard to get Cadence to see who he really is.

The quatrefoil quest was interesting and the challenges the characters faced were pretty cool. The action kept the story moving and the romance filled the in between spaces. I'm really excited for the sequel to see what happens next!

I received this advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I really enjoyed going on this journey.

This book is about a group of people fighting to complete and overcome obstacles (in the form of monsters) in order to save Slate, the male protagonist. Slate is a thief and his anger-fueled taking of a magic ring from a crypt is what launches the plot, since he has 15 days to return magic to Brume (the main setting) before the ring drains his life. He gets help from Cadence, female protagonist and Brume native, as well as various supporting characters. I initially did not particularly like the main characters, as Slate was mainly arrogant and aggressive while Cadence seemed somewhat naive and underdeveloped. Over the course of the book, however, I grew to like them both much more, as they became more nuanced and their pasts, motivations, and true personalities became more clear and nuanced. That being said, the relationship that developed between them could have been much healthier. Overall, I enjoyed the plot and character growth and thought the sequel was set up well, with the authors leaving unanswered questions without ending on a cliffhanger, which I appreciated.

I absolutely loved the general premise of a curse and having to find 4 parts of an artifact. Magical treasure hunt? Yes please! The sections of the book that dealt with retrieving these pieces were by far the best parts of the book. They were very fast paced and interesting! However, the parts in between were full of a lot of angst and romance that I didn't particularly enjoy as much.

In terms of the characters, I don't think I really connected with anyone in particular. I felt like Slate and Cadence were both rather possessive and get jealous easily. I didn't really believe in the romance here (mostly in that the feelings were as intense as they were portrayed. This seemed like an exaggeration). There was some witty banter that I definitely enjoyed though! I also liked how protective Slate is of his brother. This felt like the best relationship of the book to me. I did also enjoy seeing Slate become a hero (somewhat reluctantly).

I liked this small town setting and that it takes place around New Year's. It seems like a good book to read in the winter!

One thing I will note is that this actually specifically mentions coronavirus, so do be aware if this is something that would make you uncomfortable.

I received a copy of this for review from the publisher via NetGalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.

My video review can be seen on my channel (around minutes 11:04-13:39 of this video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0fJwOSAKYo

This book is so good I’m kinda mad I’ve finished it.
Do you think illumicrate will put it in a box as I’d love me a signed copy!
Where to start, this book gave me a mc that was not perfect, he’s a bad boy and he’s got a past. Sign me up right there. I love his relationship with his “brother”. It’s so sweet I want to hug them both. There is some swearing but for me that doesn’t detract from the weighting it enhances it with a realistic feeling.
The plot is well paced and the word building has a nice flow, is understandable and pulls from lore whilst being unique! I can not wait to see where we go in the next book and will gladly review that too when it’s time comes. I’m not in to giving 5*’s for arcs but this one does, it earned it by being the most enthralling read I’ve had in a long while.
Engage book hang over in three......two........one...............

Of Wicked Blood is a beautiful magical story about a quest to reintroduce magic into the world, but also about friendships and family relationships.
The main characters are Cadence and Slate, and we read the book from both of their perspectives. Cadence is a sweet and naive girl, that believes everything that is said to her without any doubts. Slate is hard edged man with a bad attitude and ever worse history.
Their story starts when Slate steals something that shouldn't be touched and which starts to clock to either magic being brought back to the world, or Slate's death.
Cadence, Slate and two other members of their rag tag team have limited time to fullfill their quests and save Slate. Each of them have to stand up and conquer their own worst fears.

I really enjoyed this book. It was really fast paced, entertaining and kept me interested until a certain point. Last couple of chapters felt like the authors run out of time, or patience and just wanted to be rid of this book. If the book ended in a different way, maybe a little earlier than it actually does, it would be better and I would be so much more interested in the sequel.
The writing is gorgeous, you really get sucked in the story straight away.
I didn't really care much for some of the French words, it was rather disruptive on occasions.
All in all, I really liked it!

Brilliant writing by these ladies!! This book moves fast but in a wall to wall action versus being rushed. I loved the characters and thought the connections built through the story was amazing. I found myself actually caring about each of the people in this book. The backdrop of France and schools made the setting and world building magical. All I know is that I am already itching for the next book!

Of Wicked Blood is a fantastic YA fantasy type adventure. It has it all, strong characters, an eerie setting, and magic. Heck, there is even a dragon! I loved the main characters and their bickering relationship. The setting was just awesome, it's a winter village in France, and is a perfect setting for a magical quest. I loved the way it switched back and forth between the two main characters. That seems to be a new trend with writers and I really like it. Anway, I do not want to give to much away, so I will just end by saying that it is truly a great book and you will not be disappoined.

**4.5 stars**

A mysterious, fun and a bit spooky journey from a group of people trying to break a curse in a quite peculiar French town. I loved how the design of the town merges with its legends and on the other hand, how some loyalties are questionable (everybody looked suspicious to me, I never knew who I could trust).
Somehow I missed a bit more clear motivation from the characters before jumping to this risky adventure, but I love a group of people working together in unexpected ways. It was definitely a journey that grabbed me from the beginning to end (oh, how I enjoyed reading Slate! So irreverent and at the same time so unapologetically demonstrating his love for his brother!)...

Read this book in record time and definitely going for the second book when it comes out...!


**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book through Netgalley. Thank you to the authors. All views are my own.

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

Slate looks after himself. He always has. Him and his younger brother whom he met in foster care. It's always been the two of them. He is good at what he does, pocketing the pricey baubles of the wealthy and turning a nice profit. When he receives a strange letter stating that he is the lost son from a family that once lived in out of the way Brume, he is skeptical. When the letter invites him to Brume to learn more, a free ride at their university and an inheritance, he almost says no, but with little brother's insistence, he goes along. What he finds is something more than he bargained for when he pilfers the ring off a dead woman. It will change his life forever, and not necessarily for the better...
Cadence has lived in Brume her whole life, dreaming of the legends that surround the town, and what would be different in her life if the tales of magic were true. Her father is wheelchair bound, and her mother passed away, that wouldn't have happened if magic were real, right? When Slate wanders into her life wearing her dead mother's ring, Cadence thinks the worst of him, until she learns things about her world that she never thought possible. Through trials and torments, Slate and Cadence are thrown together to battle out something they never thought possible, their bond deepening along the way. Will they be able to defeat the monsters and explore these new found feelings? Or are they destined for another tragic love story?

I absolutely adored Wildenstein's other series that follows the Boulder Wolves, so when I saw this one available for request, I jumped on it as quick as I could. While I feel like I enjoyed the wolf series more, this one didn't disappoint and really put a nice new spin on the whole magic thing, which was great.

The story is told from alternating points of view between Cadence and Slate. As this is a co-written book between two authors, this makes total sense. I would assume that each author writes for one of the main characters. I find that this also worked great because it meant that both characters had such distinct voices and personalities, really helping to separate them from each other.

I found the characters to be likeable and I didn't really want to punch any of them which is always a bonus, annoying characters are the pits. The supporting characters were also well written and stayed very linear even though two different authors were writing together.

The story line was well thought out and executed. I loved that there is an overarching mystery that will obviously be solved as the series progresses, and that this mystery didn't actually come to light until over halfway through. I was thoroughly played by a certain character and surprised when I realised they might not be as kind and genuine as I first thought them to be. So much emphasis was placed on the shadiness of another character from the word go, which I think helped this plot line a lot.

The race against the clock thing is always a winner and that this one includes local lore and it all happens in one town worked well for it. It gave the authors a chance to really flesh out the surrounding scenery and create vivid imagery that made me feel like I was standing on the cobblestones of Brume in the freezing cold. I don't want to go into the main crux of the story too much because I think it was fun finding out about it along with the characters.

So while this one was a short and sweet review, I'll leave you with this. This was a lovely, fresh take on the urban fantasy/magic genre of Young/New Adult that keeps you wondering what will befall the characters next and who is really the good guy.

This book was received as an ARC from Twig Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book could not be more exciting. I saw so many references to Indiana Jones but these were young teens on the move and I could not stop smiling ear to ear. I loved the concept of this story from beginning to end. The book was action packed filled with thrilling storylines. This was like a treasure hunt on steroids filled with magic and curses of so many kinds that at first I was nervous that it would jump around a lot but it didn't and I was really happy about that. I know our teen book club will enjoy this book very much and I can't wait to share it with everyone.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Twig Publishing, Olivia Wildenstein, and Katie Hayoz for proving me with an ARC of ‘Of Wicked Blood’ in exchange for an honest review.

When I say I was hooked from the very beginning of this book, I mean HOOKED. This was a two day read for me. I'm a huge YA fantasy fan, and recently have been trying my hand at contemporary romances/mysteries (best when combined IMO). This book has all of the above! I loved the dual POVs between Slate and Cadence, especially because the authors never retold a previous chapter through the other narrator. The story was constantly moving forward.

Slate and Cadence narrate the book in first-person, present tense, which normally is not my favorite. Here, I forgot that I don't normally like this style. It felt so natural and I wasn't distracted by live-action dialogue. The chapters were split evenly between the two protagonists, so it was easy to keep track of who was speaking.

Both main characters have very distinctive voices, and I was rooting for both of them, while they also drove me crazy because, oh if only you knew what's going on in the other's head! I was excited for the pair's romance, but even more so, I really really just wanted them to be friends. I won't give anything away, but the setup for even greater character development is tantalizing! The supporting characters were also entertaining, but I'm hoping they get even more fleshed out in the future books.

This series, so far, announced as a trilogy and I'm so excited for the future installments. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for their next YA contemporary, magical, or romance fix!

Wow! This book was a wonderful read! Between the romance, uncovering mysteries, solving clues, and so much more this was quite the adventure.

While I liked the relationship between Slqte amd Cadence, it was definitely basic and a the outcome was expected, it was still cute and lovable. I was definitely rooting for him, haha.

The ending...this was my biggest frustration as there was a solid conclusion but it was so open to questions of who did it, what happened, and did HE do what I think he did to save so and so to make up for the crap he pulled before... only the authors know and that definktely irks me a bit. I am very excited for the next book and will definitely be watching for it!

I loved this book! Can not wait for the next one and the first has not even been published yet.
The main characters, Cadence and Slate, were amazing, and their development throughout the book was so well-written with the plot.
Cadence is what we call a daddy’s girl, but she surprises us with a mind of her. She is smart, kind, and loves her city along with the magic she doesn’t know is real. When Slate comes and puts everything in motion, she is the rock that helps keep him grounded.
Slate is the opposite of Cadence. His “profession” is moral questioning, but he cares for the people around him even if he doesn’t admit. He just wanted to get his inheritance but so much more change in his life, and he changes too. It was great to see him grow up and start to discover where he came from.
The romance in the book is slow burn, but worth every second. The flirtation and the bickering are great, and only made me want them together more.
Along with their personal problems, we have the Quatrefoil. I think the authors did a great job introducing the characters and us to the magic system, it was not info-dumpy as many books are.
I have so many questions that need answers. And I just want 2021 to come so I can read it.