I quite possibly found a new book to add to my FAVORITES book shelf. Gahh, you can’t pick up on my fangirling, so you’ll just have to trust my word.
About the Book:
Of Wicked Blood follows two characters, Cadence and Slate, who are both members of the founding families of a highly unusual French town. They must work together under a restrictive time constraint to bring all four leaves of the quatrifoil together while dealing with the chemistry between themselves. AND, if they fail, they may never get the chance to live their lives, let alone together.
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Four stars. I really liked them but would have liked to learn more about Slate’s past. The book skims the surface, saying a little about his childhood in rough foster homes and that it was generally all around bad, but not much more. So...maybe next book? Moving on. There was great chemistry between the characters, and they were easy to empathize with.
Plot/Word-building:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gawd, the author created such an intricate world woven from strings of the brightest of colors and finest of quality. The world was original and the plot grasped your attention but didn’t take away from the world building.
Writing:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It played out like a movie in my head, so I say it’s good.

Other things:
- The ending. Ahhh, why! I need more.

Absolutely fantastic audiobook, I recently read this and thought I would give this a go to see if I enjoyed it as much. I was pleasantly surprised as at times audiobooks can change the way I see characters, but not this, the narrator’s voice was spot on and I found I still saw the characters the same. A wonderful story, the audiobook felt a touch slower than the book, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the tale. Just a fantastic listen.

Thanks to netgalley and the (audio) publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I read the book first a few months ago and it was amazing. So, I decided to reread with audiobook and it was perfect. The narrators gave the exact amount of voice to the characters without shattering the image I already had of them and I cannot wait for book 2 to come out so I can binge read it.

Slate Ardoin is an orphan who grew up in the foster care system. His name was given to him by the system and his birthday is a guess at best. He has had to fight to not only survive but also build a life for himself and his foster brother Bastian. His life is turned upside down when a mysterious letter arrives claiming that Slate is the missing heir to one of the founding families in Brume, a town steeped in magical lore.

Cadence de Morel grew up in Brume and as a member of one of the founding families has known luxury her whole life. Everything she thinks she knows and loves is about to be tested when on one fateful day she bumps into Slate and their fates intertwine.

Cadence, Slate, and two other descendants from founding families begin a treasure-hunt of sorts but they must defeat 4 curses and find the pieces of the quatrefoil before time runs out.

I really enjoyed this book! It is well written and the narrators did a fabulous job bringing life to the characters. I cannot wait to see where the journey leads in book two!

Of Wicked Blood is one of the best books I have read in a long time! It keeps you interest from the start as well as giving you a lot to think about throughout.

"Don't do anything I would do."

Of Wicked Blood begins, as with most books about magic, with a letter. We meet Slate first- a young man who's grown up an orphan in the foster care system, confident and cocky, our generic bad boy, who's currently doing pretty well for himself. He's been summoned to the small town of Broom (or Broome? I listened to the audiobook) to claim his inheritance.

We meet Candace next, our purest pure female MC, who up until now has not had a plethora of male attention, even though she is exceptionally attractive. She's grown up as the daughter of the head of the university, lived and breathed the origin story of magic and myths, but they're all just stories, right?

The two meet on New Years Eve, right after Slate spends a little time grave-robbing, and they are instantly attracted to each other. Honestly, their chemistry works, although it does feel like it side-tracks the plot constantly. This would generally not have been an issue except for the fact that I was invested in the plot, really appreciated the magic system and just wanted to know more about it.

Of Wicked Blood has a gorgeously dark academia atmospheric vibe to it, and a fun cast of characters. I genuinely enjoyed listening to the audiobook (hilariously, the male narrator sounds like he's trying to impersonate Batman in the beginning, but it levels off and I wasn't mad about it).

My biggest peeve with this was just that all the characters were constantly horny. This just means they spent so much time on-page checking each other out, and considering making out with each other, there was almost more of that than there was plot- and I was really liking the plot!

My second biggest peeve was that for most of the book, the female characters only thought about or talked about the male characters and very little else. It'd be nice to see more personality beyond who they'd like to climb.

As a fist book in a series, it was fun, it was kinda steamy, the plot was interesting, and I'm interested to see where the series goes! It definitely has promise, and I'd recommend it for a good time.

A note on the audiobook: the narration was great- I loved both voice actors for their characters and thought they did a brilliant job of bringing them all to life (Batman aside).

To the Author and Netgalley thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. It is my first audiobook I have done as I am more used to reading words but since I have to drive in to work I found it easy to listen to in the car. Warning for people who do the same I found I had to sit in the car park to finish the chapter because it was so engrossing and I couldn't stop halfway through. I LOVED this book. Being of Fantasy Genre it was right up my alley and I have been looking for a new series to get into. The descriptions of the locations and characters brought the book to life and I find myself when reading skipping some of the describing sections and going straight to the action but the audiobook kept me on track and I'm so glad it did. The bodily descriptions of the characters physical responses to situations and their inner thoughts were so well described I found myself getting lost in the two main characters immediately. The book had a good sense of humour throughout and the action was split up nicely with moments of calm. The romantic storyline kept the mood from getting too dark and was very easy to listen to. There is a bit of cursing so keep in mind for younger audiences. I initially didn't like the French phrases and words interspersed with the narrative however it grew on me and became as much a part of the story as the rest of the storyline and wasn't distracting.
I can't wait for Book number 2 to come out and I have already pre ordered it on my Kindle.
Thankyou!

Of Wicked Blood is a seriously fun new young adult fantasy series.

Slate Ardoin grew up in the foster system and is no stranger to the darker sides of life. One day he receives a missive from someone claiming to know his darkest wish, his origins. They claim to have not only his history but also his inheritance AND are offering to give him a free ride at the local Brume college. Angry and hurt, Slate decides to meet with his sudden illustrious benefactor and tell him where he can shove his goodwill. Upon arriving in Brume, nothing is as he expected. The town is overrun with witches. Real, Harry Potter witches with hats and everything. So his only solution is to get drunk and cause mayhem. Only, that gets him in a sticky situation and before he knows it, the pretty girl he met is the daughter of the smarmy bastard who let him rot in the foster system. Oh, and now he's cursed and he has 2 weeks to solve the mystery.

Overall, the mystery aspect of the story was fun. The pacing was alternately fast and then slow, which is not necessarily a good or bad thing. Cadence felt alternately very young and wise beyond her years, which can be fairly typical for a 17-year-old. However, sometimes the young and the old weren't as you would typically expect. Her language and mindset were sometimes very mature but you might expect that from the daughter of a man who ran a school. Sometimes I got a little creeped out by her continued calling her father Papa, it felt very young and childish. I don't know, maybe it's an American thing, but once you reach a certain age calling your father "Daddy" is a little creepy. *shrug*

I am super intrigued about the little love triangle aspect between Cadence and Adrian and Slate. Yay. I know, things kind of end with a certain leaning but I feel there may be more to tell. Yay! This novel is a clean one so no worries on the younger set reading it or if that's just really not your bag.

The narrators, Holly Fielding and Thomas Locklear, did a wonderful job. Each character had distinct voices and intonations and I really enjoyed it. That being said, as this is a book set in Great Britain and one of the main characters grew up in Paris, I would have expected more French and UK accents of the characters instead of typical American accents. That really is my only possibly not gleaming comment. I seriously enjoyed them.

I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in The Quatrefoil Chronicles.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I love the dual narration, a bit funny at times. Great story completely different with a great thief attempting to use his skills for not good but not completely the wrong reasons

Slate Ardoin is mysteriously called to Broom, the birthplace of magic in France. Unfortunately while he’s there his stealing habit brings a lot more than he bargained for. He is stuck in Broom, and will die there, if he and three others don’t successfully defeat four curses.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Audiobook of Of Wicked Blood. It’s an exciting storyline, with a unique plot to it. The chapters alternate between Slate and Cadence, with two different narrators for the audio version.
Hearing their different thoughts and feelings throughout the story is interesting, as most novels follow just one character around.
I loved learning about Brooms history, following the four as they complete their challenges and seeing Slate & Candences relationship change and develop.
The narrators really help the storyline along, both have voices that are easy to listen to and that keep your interest.
I will definitely be looking out for the next in this series.

I had zero expectations going into this book, as I was not familiar with either author. I was pleasantly surprised to find the book was fabulous! The main character starts with some intense language but eventually it tones down a bit. The book is overwhelming science fiction but has a romantic overtone. The book was very well-written, not overly verbose or graphic while providing just the right amount of information. I do like there was a conclusion of sorts, especially since this is planned to be a series. I do see some of the loose threads that will need to be addressed in the next book. I can't wait to read the second one!

3.75 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The magic and the mystery were amazingly done. I personally think audiobook is the best way to go with this because the narrators make you dive in the story and it traps you there. I found myself just sitting listening completely wrapped up in the mystery that was unveiling.
I really like Slate and Candace but for me Bastian stole the show. I adored him!! His witty banter with Slate were very fun to read.
Now, I'm eagerly waiting for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This really was not for me. Could not get into the storyline, the audio bored me and I couldn’t concentrate on it.

Thanks for the opportunity

Whoa this book took me by surprise in the best possible way.

It starts with a broken boy getting a letter from someone who knew his real parents were and that he had an inheritance he needed to come collect and a rich girl who was crushing on a family friend who thought of her as a sister. I won't lie.. the beginning was a little off putting. I was afraid Cadence was going to be a snobby rich kid but she wasn't at all. Also Slate was amazing from the beginning. One of his first acts was to steal from a tomb and get stuck in the town. He was brash and funny and completely comfortable with himself and I love him. Cadence turned out to be such a strong character. Her little school girl crush annoyed me at first but I feel like she completely grew into her own person in this story. She stood up to her dad and learned some pretty difficult truths about her life.

I loved this story. I loved each character so so much. I can not wait for the next book!

I got an early copy of the audiobook from net galley and the narration was fantastic! Thank you!

I enjoy a good magical story. This one didn't disappoint. We fallow Slate on a adventure like nothing you have read before. If you haven't learned the lesson about not touching what isn't yours then this book might have you think twice before taking something ever again. There is so much Mystery and lies in this book. But, there's a building romance and maybe a mystery you are going to want to fallow. Oh, and a few bad guys show up to make you think about how the story is going to play out. All this AND MAGIC how could you not want to read it This book started a little slow but once it got going it was not easy to put down. The audible is also good with good narration. I listened to some of the book with my 12 year old in the room and he seemed to enjoy it also.

I'd give this a solid 3.5 stars. The story gripped me for a good 3/4 of the book. I enjoyed Slate's character, the author's vivid descriptions of the magical town of Brume, and the French words sprinkled throughout. The plot was interesting and had been executed well for most of the book. My only issue was the final part of the story, which seemed a bit confusing. The ending felt rushed and didn't make any sense. It was almost as if the author needed to get the manuscript in ASAP and created an abrupt ending with no real explanation or closure. It's a shame because most of the book was really interesting and well written. Overall I enjoyed the story - I just wish the final portion was different.

This YA Fantasy romance is a perfect addition to the genre.

We are first introduced to our hero, Slate, a self-made man with a difficult past in foster care. He has clearly made his money through dubious means and initially I thought that that was the route that the book was going to follow. The only clues we see to a softer side are his attachment to his younger ‘brother’, Bastion and his cactus, Spike.

Unexpectedly, Slate receives a letter informing him that he has an inheritance awaiting him and information about his biological parents, in a small town which his family helped found.

The rest of the novel takes place in the town of his birth and we are introduced to our heroine, Cadence de Morel, with POV then switching between them in alternating chapters.

Before long Slate, Cadence and their friends are pulled into a centuries old quest, with both the future of magic and Slate’s life, hanging in the balance.

It made for a fun and engaging light read with a sinister baddie and a satisfying romance. The quest for the pieces of the quatrefoil did feel a little rushed but I respect that the authors didn’t want to leave readers hanging.

I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of the audiobook version of this book and my only issue is with the male reader., Thomas Locklear. To me he sounded much too old for the part when it is first person narrative, so I would hear a female voice that I could believe was 17, paired with a male voice that sounded like it could be her father rather than an 18 year old. Also, he really struggled with anything vaguely French and it was set in France, so not ideal casting for me, sorry. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I actually did a combo read on this one (ebook and audiobook where I switched between the two) and I think that made me like the book even more.

This urban fantasy is set in "Bumblefuck Brume" as our male protagonist Slate refers to to the small European town. There are families with deep histories, drama, and the best part, hidden magic!

The story switches between two protagonist POVs and the story is told by Slate and Cadence. Cadence was born and raised in Brume and is completely engrossed in the rich history of Brume. Slate is brought to Brume on one promises of a hefty inheritance and details about his past. The two are thrown together in some unfortunate circumstances. Slate, Cadence, and two other Brume natives must work together to complete four magical tasks and combine the four pieces of the Quatrefoil to restore magic to Brume and to save one of their lives.

It did not have the fastest start to a book that I have ever read but not the slowest either. I was hooked from the start and finished this one pretty quickly. This is one that you really need to pay attention to while reading to get the full effect of the story and the world. There is a helpful guide at the front of the book to help you understand some of the local dialect!

I'm really glad I did a combo read of this because the audiobook helped me pronounce all of the names and places correctly.

Overall I really enjoyed this read and think that it is a wonderful start to this series. I can't wait for the sequel!

I really enjoyed this book,

The narration was really well done, and the voices were calming.

An urban fantasy, the story offers plot twists, secrets, high stakes, and a swoon-worthy romance that I wanted more of.

In the beginning, I was a little skeptical because I worried the plot would be the familiar “boy who steals magical objects and dooms everyone”. While some elements were similar to that storyline, this book was so much more!

The story begins in a small village in France where magic has been dormant for the past century. Soon, Slate Ardion comes to Brume in seek of answers he can’t get anywhere else. He makes the drastic mistake of stealing a magical item, which sets the whole book in motion. The book involves old/dark magic that was created and used by the Diwallers. The Diwallers are the founding families of Brume, and each family is tied to certain elements of magic. There are four deadly challenges, one for each one of the Diwallers heirs. Each challenge is increasingly dangerous. There are sirens, ghosts, demons, and deadly objects.

Of Wicked Blood introduced me to an unusual fantasy world, to which I cannot wait to return. The characters are well-drawn and developed and they all work well together. Their banter had me laughing out loud. The authors did a terrific job and I am looking forward to Book Two. I hope you all give it a read.

I received an eARC from Netgalley, that doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, all my thoughts are my own and honest.

No rest for the wicked... or the cursed.

Slate is a very successful con man but when he steals the bloodstone from De Morel’s crypt, he gets more than he bargained for. Unless he can lift the curse that is placed on him, he will die. Painfully.

Cadence was raised in a small town that is said to be the birthplace of French witchcraft. When Slate walks into her life, wearing a ring he stole from her mothers grave, she burns with hate, but as she gets to know him, something else starts to burn inside her.

The book was intriguing, it was set in modern time but the town it was based in didn’t feel modern. The atmosphere made me appreciate the cold and the town sometimes felt a bit creepy walking through the night. The plot was different, refreshing and the book was easy to fly through once I got into it.

Slate is cocky, arrogant, sly and a con artist. He’s the type of person that hides his true self beneath a different persona but when he meets Cadence she starts pulling back the layers without Slate even realising. Throughout the book you discover that Slate isn’t as he first seemed, he just needed the right person to bring out himself.

Cadence worries about her Dad, works at a library and has an unrequited crush. At first glance, you would almost say she is pure and innocent. But again like Slate as you read on you peel back her layers and see that what we thought isn’t true.

The side characters were also well done and fleshed out, there were characters that made you question whether they were good or not.

One of the things I liked the most about the book was the romance between the two main characters. I felt like it was very well done. It was developed at the right pace for my liking.

Overall I really enjoyed my time reading this book, but the ending let it down for me a lot. Hence the rating. I felt like the ending was rushed and ended abruptly and I was left wondering what happened. It just didn’t feel like there was a build-up to the ending it just ended. I would recommend to fantasy romance with slow-burn.

3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Katie Hayoz and Olivia Wildenstein and the publishers for approving me a copy.