Book title: Of the Blood (Heir of Blood and Fire #1)
Author: Cameo Renae
Publisher: Self-published
Number of pages: 432
Genre: fantasy, vampires, romance, young adult, paranormal romance
Release Date: May 14th 2020
Favorite Quotes:
”I’d witnessed the amount of effort that went into relationships—via Brynna—and I wasn’t ready to tie any part of my life to someone else. I preferred to live on my own terms.”
“But as usual, I found it awkward associating with others my age. I never felt like I fit in, and they never really cared to include me.”
“Those who recognized me were stunned to see the bashful girl—who usually had her face buried in a book—all made up.”
“It never ceased to amaze me how glorious and infinite the sky was, and how insignificant I felt standing beneath it.”
“A string attached to—I froze in place as my gaze settled across the pool on a pair of azure eyes affixed to the most gorgeous guy I’d ever seen.”
“But every time he glanced over to where I stood, I found myself slipping further, tangling into whatever mysterious, enchanted web he was weaving.”
“Moonlight spilled through the window, gilding his sharpened features and statuesque frame.”
“There was an undeniable physical attraction and having him so close caused every cell in my body to hum.”
“From this moment on, I was going to determine what became of my life, whether right or wrong. Alive or dead. It was my decision and mine alone. Right now, I wasn’t going to be bound to anyone. Let alone someone I didn’t even know.”
“Eyes that looked like the sea on a bright summer’s day. Jet-black hair was clean cut and drawn back…”
““Goddess, no. I’m just a witch, employed for my awesome magical skills to keep you alive.” “Witch?” I gasped. First, vampires. Now a witch?””
“It’s in how one regards his or her own journey. To see beyond the gilded masks man has created . . . the commodities and frills which devalue the raw beauty of life and nature and everything it has to offer. Things that truly matter.””
“I would move out from the shadowy corner I’d been standing in for too long. I was ready to fight for them. Even if it meant dying.”
“With a snap, a glowing light in his right palm illuminated a heart-shaped, golden locket with a swan engraved on top. A swan with a diamond eye. Gods damned. It was Brynna’s.”
“And to you, I will bestow the power of Incendia and the Fire Goddess.”
“When a wicked heart remains in the darkness too long, it begins to crave that darkness, until there is no light that can drive it out.””
“And Leora had given me something to hope for . . . to fight with. A gift I could use to defend myself.”
““You are made of fire and magic. The light of day cannot harm you.””
““But there were good qualities about water. Comforting things, like hearing the waves crash against a rocky coast, watching the light dance across its mirrored surface, or lapping against a sandy shore or even a pirate ship. Not only that, it’s where I met Kai and Sebastian . . . who both found comfort living on and under the water.”
““I think there are greater things at play here, love. Life is an adventure, full of ups and downs and twists and turns. Quite like being on the sea. But it’s molding and developing you into the woman you are destined to become. Like it or not, you are at its mercy, and you can only hold on until you arrive at your destination.””
Goodreads Synopsis:
One malicious prince. Two rival kingdoms. And an innocent girl caught in the crossfire.
Raised in a war-ravaged continent, temptation comes to Calla Caldwell in the form of a charming and mysterious stranger. Giving in to his intimate seduction, her world is forever changed by a single bite.
Calla quickly learns the handsome stranger is vampire prince, Trystan Vladu. His bite was an attempt to claim and save her from a plot of vengeance generations in the making. However, the claws of that ancient vendetta are scraping ever closer.
Thrust into a new nightmare by the Prince of the corrupt kingdom of Morbeth, Calla is captured, tortured, and starved in the dank confines of his dungeon. While in captivity, she takes part in a séance with a witch of light where she contacts a departed relative—a Princess of Incendia—who bequeaths a gift to Calla that will tip the scales of good and evil . . . if she can learn to harness it.
With a dark tapestry of secrets, lies, and murder unraveling around her, Calla must learn to embrace the power roiling through her veins, or be snuffed out by the strangling fist of a malevolent darkness.
My Review:
3.5/5 stars
I of course enjoy Cameo Renae’s writing but for some reason I was a little disappointed by this book. The plot in the beginning seemed very sudden and rushed. There didn’t seem like there was anytime for the reader to get a some semblance for who Calla is.
It may be due to my lack of interest in vampire novels, but it was seriously driving me NUTS how cliche her falling for Tristan was. The scenes where Calla finds out about her family history to me was very confusing.
The middle and end of the book, however, caught my attention. I liked the scenes when with Markus, Calla and Sabine. The middle and end of the book felt like a completely different book than the beginning. The pace and plot during these points in the book flowed better than it did in the beginning.
I do want to read the next book in the series, because I am curious about how Calla’s character develops… and of COURSE I would am hoping to see if the character Kai will be in the next book.
Even if I wasn’t too keen about the beginning of this book, I do recommend this book to those that do enjoy vampire and paranormal romance novels.
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