I was so excited by this book when I read the description. Blood magic, set in Jamaica? Yes, please! I loved the workings of the magic, but wish there was more in the story. I liked the relationship the main character had with her friend and brother. I was a bit annoyed at the love story and wanted more of the magic. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would read more about this world.

I picked this book up hoping for a fantasy adventure. However, it turned out to be more of romance with the fantasy in the background. I generally enjoy romances but this insta-love wasn’t very enjoyable for me especially since she loved her love interest for all the things she was annoyed by with her “brother”.

Pros: the writing was enjoyable + descriptive. It was dark and brutal but not unbearable. The setting was cool. I liked that it took place in most of the jungle and all the creatures that were created. I liked that the female MC chose her own happiness in the end.

Cons: I didn’t care for any of the characters. I found the female mc to be annoying. She was naive but confident, also the strongest Wildblood but also couldn’t stand up for herself. I also feel like the timeline wasn’t very clear. I think it would’ve helped if the chapter titles had denoted the days.

Neutrals: All of the connections seemed fluid. I almost felt like she could’ve had 3 different love interests. The pacing was okay.

Victoria is a Wildblood, kidnapped by the Exotic Lands Touring Company when she was 6 years old. Now, 18, she dreams of escaping. The only way to do this would be to earn a promotion over Dean, her ex-bestfriend and lover who betrayed her. When the opportunity to impress the boss' newest conquest, a goldminer named Thorn arises, Victoria must use her magic to secure her freedom.

I enjoyed this a lot more than others it would seem. I listened to it on audio, so I'm not sure if that was where my enjoyment came from, but I thought the narrator did a great job telling the story! I thought the pacing of the book was well done, and I was curious with where it was going to end up. I for one, loved the jungle setting. I thought the creatures that lived there were terrifying, and I loved learning about their protection methods. I loved the concept of the Wildbloods, the River Mumma, and the shadow creatures (BIGGS!) and wish there was more focus on that rather than the romance aspect. I also wish there was more explanation on what exactly a Wildblood is, and what their powers truly consist of. I think the conversations on eco-tourism, human trafficking and power dynamics could have been dived deeper into, but I see where the author was going. I really enjoyed Victoria's character. I thought she was extremely strong for what she had been through and never giving up hope. I'm a sucker for found family, and I loved how fiercely protective Victoria was of her two boys. I wasn't the biggest fan of the insta-love in this, and wish that more focus was put on the actual mission, rather than just their love affair. Honestly, I was more interested in her toxic relationship with Dean then I was Thorn.

Overall, I gave it a 4/5 based off of vibes and my enjoyment.

A throughly creepy read. The mysticism and magic of the book were really good. I was completely frustrated with the characters in this book; the entitled outsider, the strong woman who wouldn't stand and fight, the glamorous woman who was sneaky, more entitled outsiders, and all the wrong love interests. Frustrating. Decent story, frustrating characters, amazing world building and magic.

I have been highly anticipating this release since I read Lauren Blackwood's gorgeous debut, Within These Wicked Walls! Her debut was unexpected, absolutely incredible, and well-written. I was expecting something similar with Wildblood.

Wildblood is a fantasy that follows Victoria in the employ of the Exotic Lands Touring Company. When she is tasked to accompany her slimy ex-boyfriend, Dean, into the jungle with Thorne and his tour group, she is less than excited about the journey. Especially when the jungle itself begins to warn them against traveling farther. Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood is a slow trek of a book. With its weak romance plot, repetitive scenes, and my wildly high expectations, Wildblood just wasn't the book for me.

This book, unfortunately, did not meet my expectations. Initially reading the synopsis, I was expecting a bit more adventure in the jungle with a defined magic system. The magic or the science of the Wildbloods left me with more questions than answers. I suppose I wanted more background to these powers and, instead, readers were thrown into the world without much explanation.

The setting of the book takes place primarily in the jungle. I don't think I've read too many books with the jungle as a backdrop--a fantastical jungle, at that. While I wished to know more about the Wildbloods and what they could do, I found that knowing little of the jungle heightened the reading experience as I didn't know what to expect next. The jungle was filled with unknown creatures that even the tour leader had never come across. The setting was as much a character as Victoria or Dean was.

While I didn't connect with Victoria as well as I could, especially when it came to the romance of the book, Wildblood still was able to rise a reaction from me. If you are looking for a fantasy romance set in the jungle, this is not that book. The lack of chemistry between the two characters coupled with the overused trope of insta-love makes the romance disappointing. Despite the romance, the various themes explored throughout the novel were important. The discussions ranged from gender roles in the workplace, racism, human trafficking, and colonialism. The poignant conversations of Wildblood were done really well.

The best way to consume this book, I must say, is via its audiobook. When I was reading, I switched back and forth between print and audio. There are certain moments of Victoria's journey where the tour group sing and the audiobook makes these moments come to life. The book truly immerses the reader into the story, and it feels like the reader is a part of the tour group too.

Overall, Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood is filled with poignant conversations and a backdrop that is as much a character as Victoria. Unfortunately, my expectations were a bit too high going into this one. However, I fully intend to pick up more from Lauren Blackwood in the future.

Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I liked Blackwood’s first book, but I just didn’t connect with this one. I didn’t reply care what was going on even though the story was moving and unique.

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and Wednesday Books for review. Thank you! All thoughts are my own*

I read and really enjoyed this author’s previous novel, Within These Wicked Walls. I went into Wildblood thinking that perhaps it was a spinoff of that book and would be a fast-paced adventure full of treasure hunting, magic, and a girl fighting a corrupt company. The premise sounded really good, there were some interesting characters, etc. I felt that this book moved at a much slower pace, and there were many difficult topics that should have come with trigger warnings. There was human trafficking, physical and sexual assault, and violence among other things. I just was not expecting the amount that is in this novel, and it caught me off guard.

I am not a big fan of the insta-love trope, but I felt that it was very unbelievable in this story especially. It really ruined the story for me, and I felt like I would have liked it more without the romance. The main character “falls in love” with another character in the story after only a couple of days and they begin calling each other “my love” and other such nicknames and telling each other that they love one another. The start to this “relationship” was also based on their mutual attraction and not really anything of substance.

I felt very confused at times, as the magic system was never fully explained. I don’t think I could explain to you exactly what a Wildblood is. I was initially intrigued by the Wildbloods, but we never really fully understand them.

I think I loved the sentient jungle and all of its’s creatures the most, and I wish that had been explored more. There was so much potential there.

I would somewhat recommend this story. There were some good ideas, but I felt that they were just not executed well.

i really am so sad i didn’t end up liking this. it had so much potential but it fell so flat for me. i really don’t like being so negative but i truly don’t think there was anything about this book that i liked/enjoyed. i tried to read this using the e-arc but i got 10% and i couldn’t do it anymore, and i had to request the audiobook as soon as it was available at my library. i had many more questions than answers regarding the wildbloods. we never learn where their powers come from or what makes our mc victoria stronger than all the rest. the way it was also referred to as ‘science’ all the time got very repetitive. there was a faux brother/son relationship with a character who had no significance other than literally sleeping all the time. i truly had no idea what was going on with any of the characters. and don’t get me started on the romance. it was the epitome of insta-love. the two characters were saying i love you and calling each other beloved within knowing each other for 2 days. that alone took off one whole star from my rating. i will still be picking up this authors debut as i enjoy a gothic setting, but i sadly would not recommend this one.

Despite having the same name as the main character, I found it hard to really enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the previous book by this author so I had high hopes.

Victoria is a Wildblood. She is a tour guide in a Jamaican jungle with magic in her blood. She has to use her magic to guide visitors through this jungle...tourists who have no idea what is really in this jungle. She has few friends in the company but intends to get her promised promotion but is thwarted by the Boss and Dean, her ex. She manages to get them to agree to let her go on the next tour and if she makes Dean look good, she'll get her promotion. That's all fine and good but one of the tour, Thorn, turns out to be a big distraction for her. He's too pretty for his own good and all his flirting is working. As the journey progresses the jungle starts giving out warnings...only Victoria is willing to listen but gets overruled by Dean.

Overall...I'm not sure what to say. I think it could have been better for me if...maybe it was too fast-paced, maybe a little more explanation of the blood magic before it starts being used. I ended up listening to the audiobook and the narrator had a great Jamaican accent but there were a few times I said "what did she say?".

So I adored Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls, so as soon as I heard about this one I was excited to read it!

The story follows Victoria, who is a Wildbllood, someone who can essentially use their blood science like magic. They are both feared and shunned by others. And Victoria is the most powerful of her kind. At 6, she's kidnapped from her home and forced to work in as a tour guide in the jungle for this company. Now at 18, she wants to receive a promotion and devises a plan to take this gold miner on this dangerous mission in the jungle for her boss. Like her first book, this one sweeps you up into this world of fantasy and the lush forests of Jamaica. I loved Victoria as a character and the story was gripping.

Wildblood wasn't a good fit for me, unfortunately. I thought the concept and setting was very cool -- loved the jungle -- but I had trouble getting into the writing style and found the worldbuilding a bit awkward. I didn't wind up finishing it, but I think it could have an audience with readers who enjoy the writing more than I did.

I had some trouble getting through this, but I am so grateful that I read it. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this.

If you are looking for a beautiful fantasy that grips you until the end, please don’t miss out on this.

Lauren Blackwood writes young adult fantasy with creativity and inventiveness while carefully blending in issues that are pertinent and sometimes troubling.

Victoria is an eighteen year-old Wildblood who was kidnapped as a young girl and forced to work as a tour guide in the Jamaican jungle. Wildbloods have special blood magic or "science" as they often refer to it. Each of them may be able to master the gift in a different way and some are more powerful than others.

Victoria strives to gain a promotion within the corrupt tour company in an attempt to protect herself and others that she cares about. But she finds that every time she thinks she may make progress, it seems her ex, Dean is a step ahead of her. When they are both assigned to a tour group with a treasure hunter and his entourage seeking to find gold in the jungle, this could be the opportunity she's been looking for to make a name for herself. Or it could be a death sentence. The jungle is full of threats - - both seen and unseen.

As they continue on their trek, Victoria finds herself increasingly drawn to the treasure hunter/goldminer, Thorn. He advocates for her and sees that she is a more gifted leader than Dean. As time goes forward, it is apparent that they share a mutual attraction for one another. But Victoria is unsure if Thorn really cares for her or if she's a passing fancy.

I thought the author did a wonderful job with this book. The fantasy storyline is strong and blends in realistic concerns of social status, patriarchy, forced employment, abuse, and more.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book had so much potential for me but ultimately fell flat because it stopped focusing on the most compelling elements, like the setting, unique magic, and commentary on topics like colonialism (including eco-colonialism). There needed to be more worldbuilding with the magic and setting up the characters (why are Dean and Victoria pitted against each other? Why/how is Victoria the most powerful wildblood? Why do people so intensely dislike or avoid her?
A lot of the plot ends up being the romance, which I also wasn’t a big fan of. There’s several moments that should be heartfelt, emotional, or sweet, but in general I got big icks. Thorn is overbearing in his pursuit of Victoria even when it’s clear she’s worried about it’s appropriateness (he’s a client) or how it will affect her dynamics with the rest of the crew. He declares his love within 2 days of knowing her, yet he constantly dismissed her concerns. He says he will do anything to protect her, will kill for her, etc. but puts her in situations that endanger her. He constantly praises her, calls her beloved, sweet girl, and goddess among women, but it just comes off as overdone and false to me. So thankful that Victoria stays behind rather than leave with him.

Also HUGE CW for abuse. MC is abused in a variety of ways, and her past sexual assault by her boss is a critical point in the book. Dean also enables the abuse and has abusive and threatening tendencies himself (abused becoming the abuser). Throughout the tour, he uses his knowledge of the assault, Victoria’s weaknesses, etc. to get his way and push her into uncomfortable sotuations, intentionally breaking protocols.

Other CW: kidnapping/human trafficking, gore, racism, colorism, child death

Victoria has magic in her blood but it’s brought her nothing but pain. Ever since being found in the jungle as a child, her Wildblood has led to her employment at the Exotic Lands Touring Company- if you can call it employment when she’s not allowed to leave on threat of death. Despite the cruelty of the boss and the betrayal of her ex-lover, Victoria keeps going out of love for the jungle and her adopted brother, Bunny. But with Bunny getting sicker and Victoria missing out on a promised promotion, she’s ready to do something rash. Something like co-leading a tour group into the heart of the jungle with her ex despite the near certain doom. Because if the jungle doesn’t get her, the frustratingly handsome client certainly will.

A really promising set up with cool mythology and an amazing location let down by a disappointing romance. The living jungle and Victoria’s connection to it- along with the ending- are what made this story still fun to read. Unfortunately, much of the book is taken up with a far too fast romance that unfortunately had me rolling my eyes alongside one of the villains (and I hated having to agree with him because he was SO HORRIBLE). I’m a romantic, but the red flags were waving SOO hard and the focus that the romance pulled took time from the interesting magical and thematic elements. The ending saved some of this for me, but was too rushed to make a compelling theme around using romance to hide from trauma.

So- a soft 3/5 that could have been so much better! My issue isn’t that the romance became the focus, it’s that the romance took focus from the more interesting parts of the world while being simultaneously dull and icky.

Victoria was born from the jungle. She appeared at the edge of the jungle at age 6 and was captured to work as a Rare Beauty for the local tour company. Like so many of her peers, Victoria longs to be free and in the jungle, but the tour company keeps her on a short leash. On the day of her 18th birthday, she expects to be promoted as a Tour Leader, but finds a unexpected job instead... One that will change her whole life.

This book was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the magical realism to the haunting dangers of the jungle were beautifully described and written. I loved how the reader gets a new piece of Victoria's puzzle throughout the novel. Thorn helped Victoria learn that there is love and kindness in the world, but his character fell a little flat for me.

While the ending was bittersweet for me, it made me realize that freedom looks different for everyone.

I was eager to pick this one up after thoroughly enjoying Within These Wicked Walls and while I didn't like this one quite as much, I still found plenty to enjoy. The sentient jungle was amazing and I appreciated the book tackling heavy topics like colonialism and racism. I would have liked to know more about the magic system and I didn't love the insta-love between Thorne and Victoria, although I did like the choice she made in the end.

I struggled with this one. I wanted more magic, monsters, and actual treasure hunting. Instead I got insta-love and not very likeable characters all around.

Wildblood, a novel by Lauren Blackwood, left me with mixed feelings. Initially, the synopsis drew me in with the promise of a unique and intriguing fantasy story. While the main character, Victoria, captured my interest with her depth, intelligence, and strength, I struggled to connect with the other characters. Though I understand that the author intended to create an air of mystery and distrust among the supporting cast, their one-dimensional personalities did not make for an enjoyable read.

Furthermore, the romantic aspect of the story did not quite hit the mark for me. While I sympathized with Victoria's traumatic past and her need for love and respect, the instantaneous love between her and Thorn felt forced and lacking in depth. As a result, I did not feel invested in their relationship, and the story's outcome did not significantly impact me.

The magical system in the novel, while intriguing, lacked sufficient explanation. I would have preferred to receive more information earlier on in the book, rather than waiting until halfway through the story to get a clearer understanding of it. I also found myself wanting to know more about the origins of Wildblood and why only certain people possessed it.

Despite my reservations, I did enjoy the book's unique setting and diverse animal life. The concept was promising, and the unexpected yet logical ending was satisfying. However, it left me with more questions than answers.

Overall, while Wildblood had its flaws, I appreciated the main character's complexity and the author's creative world-building.

I enjoyed a lot of the world building present in this, and I think I could like an exploration of more within this universe. That being said, Victoria and Thorn both were not for me, and I found that the difficulty connecting with them was barricading me from a real connection with the story. Finished it, so I know who I can recommend it to, but I find that it wasn't YA Acceptance the way I hoped.