Thank you to the Raincoast Books team for an ARC of Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith in exchange for an honest review!
RATING: 4.5/5 stars
REVIEW:Princess Aurelia is a strong character, who strives for justice across the kingdom, despite being hunted for her blood magic abilities. After fleeing to safety, she discovers a happiness she never had in the castle. But she is not safe for long as a terrible plot is unfolding, and she must choose between saving herself, and the kingdom. This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2019, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. With royalty, secrets, and a revolution, it encompassed some of my favourite fantasy tropes and created a brilliant twisting tale.
The grim fantasy world was well-written, and with a fast paced plot it will hook readers from the beginning. The twist and turns throughout are surprising, offering suspense and mystery. With betrayals, murders, and more, it can be a touch gruesome, but it was bold and added to the uniqueness of this novel. The strong characters I loved, adding to the plot with genuine personalities and dangerous secrets.
The conclusion was my favourite part - a mixture between heartwarming, heartbreaking, and haunting. Absolutely adored this one, and cannot wait for other readers to enjoy it!