Bloodmagic

Blood Destiny, Book 2

By: Helen Harper

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren. Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.

©2013 Helen Harper (P)2014 Tantor

It had so much potential.

The plot doesn't have any real direction. Main characters have unprovoked mood swings from page to page. Secondary characters return as completely different people. Compared to the previous book in this series, NOTHING is explained. Yet not non-key information is repeated and repeated.

Better than the traumatic first one

Why is Mac so stupid? I hate how she's not bright enough to figure out the most obvious truths (uh hello, Corrugan likes you and oh yeah - everyone has told you just how unlikely it is that he would kill the Cornish pack for harboring a supposed human). Eek the development of her awareness is sloooww. This narrator is what keeps me from giving up on Mac. Lovely voice! I only hope that in the next book Mac wisens up.

Still not bad

Book 2 is still keeping my interest. It is not off the charts Awesome, but still has potential. It really is a good story. Although it does keep my interest I am not sitting on the edge of my seat with excitement about what might happen next. I can put the book on pause and not think about it until I am bored again. But there is progress in the storyline and she received some nice new powers, I just want her to kick more butt!!! :)

So far not bad, I will buy the third book.

Not sure what the 4 out of 5 stars is for.....

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It could have been much better written. I have listened to a lot of sci-fi and fantasy genre books and this one does not even come close to any of them.

What was most disappointing about Helen Harper’s story?

I am not sure why the reviews of this book are so good. I bought it based on them. I even went so far as to buy the 2nd one in the series based on the reviews, hoping it would get better. I suppose I shouldn't have expected that much given it was the same author. I have listened to books where I did not want to stop until the last word and then it would leave me longing to find out what happens to the characters. I would be thrilled to find out that the next book in the series was already available and would start listening to it immediately. I became invested in them. In this book, the main character just isn't believable. I think the author wants the reader to believe the main character is so "badass" but the writing just doesn't convince me of that. And after finishing the book, I really don't care what happens next. It was overkill and rather slow. As another reviewer stated, "non-key information is repeated and repeated." Such as, even when it is clear from every other characters;s point of view that Mack's conviction that the Lord Alpha will annihilate her "pack" if he finds out she is "human" is wrong, she still keeps beating it to death. Definitely not a page turner.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Saskia Maarleveld?

If it had better content.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story line could have been really good had it been written differently.

Just okay

starting to get irritating, dragging out the Corrigan attraction, and sick of “being human” could get the pack killed.

Poor character development

Terrible characters with poor development, super predicament story line. Missed the mark for a “strong female lead”
Narrator amazing

Typical Daft hero

What did you like best about Bloodmagic? What did you like least?

Best? Narration. Saskia does a pretty good job of telling the story. I'd like to listen to her that has a story with a real female lead. Least? Portraying the female lead as an idiot who miraculously finds the solution to save all. Many times I wanted to reach in and bitch slap her for her stupidity. Sadly, this is apparently how Helen Harper likes her lead characters. Highland Magics is the same way. I was hoping this would be different, but alas, it's not.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Have Mac a bit let stupid/idiotic/daft/etc. She's in the middle of saving her life and yet she day dreams enough to trip on holes in the rug (really), rocks and other stuff. Less arguing since that seems like it's all she does.

What does Saskia Maarleveld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Saskia is good with voicing the characters. I need to find another author so I can feel good about listening to her with a great character.

Was Bloodmagic worth the listening time?

Yes and no. Yes because Saskia is a great narrator. No because you want to scream at the lead character for being an idiot. You know what's coming waaaayyyy before she does.

Any additional comments?

I like the story line (some) and wouldn't mind listenening further, but unless I see the review that Mac has grown up, I may pass.

Bummer, I had higher hopes for this series.

I was disappointed with this story, the story line was so ho-hum. Not that I hated this story it was just a bit boring and the story line didn't really go anywhere. I knew Mac was a bit immature in the last book, but you would think she would have grown somewhat from her experiences from the last book. She started to annoy me because she didn't have rational feelings. I also didn't always understand the motivations that had Mac doing some of the things she did. I would have like the relationship with Corrigan to have progressed some too, but it really didn't. I don't know if I will continue on with this series. Narrator does a good job.

It's a page turner

I've had this on my wish-list for some time, but hesitated, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to understand the accent; I'm glad I tried it though because it is a great story, and my concerns were unfounded, as I had no problems understanding the narrator, in fact she's quite talented. I have enjoyed the series immensely, I've just finished the 3rd book and all of them have been fantastic page turners, unpredictable, and thrilling. The female lead has been strongly developed, and I found myself routing for her to beat the odds. Give it a shot; you wont regret it; I've got to go; book 4 is calling to me. 5 starts Helen Harper.

Wonderful new series!

Where does Bloodmagic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am a bookaholic, written and Audible, and I rank Helen Harper's Blood Destiny series up there with some of my all time favorite listens. I originally purchased Bloodfire (book #1) because it was on sale and oh my gosh I was looking for book 2 (Blood Destiny) Audible availability before I was even done with book 1.I can not recommend this series any more highly. If you like C.E Murphy, Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, Ann Aguirre, Diana Rowland, Kate Locke, etc... You will love he Blood Destiny series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mack Smith is an awesome kicka** h that is fun to read about and of course Coorigan is an excellent alpha H.

Which character – as performed by Saskia Maarleveld – was your favorite?

The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, is fabulous! Please don't change her in the upcoming audio releases for books 3+.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I am not much of a reviewer because I would rather be reading and I tend to like a wide variety of authors. But I do read reviews to find new authors,so I hope this helps someone else find a new great author.

Any additional comments?

Too bad they do not have the whole series available at Audible but it appears (based on Amazon.com info) the audio version of books 3 through 5 will become available throughout the summer: Bloodrage (#3) a July 7, 2014, Blood Politics(#4) a July 7, 2014, and Boodlust(#5) - Aug. 5, 2014. And yet I still am too impatient so I will probably read them now and listen later...

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely be getting the next in the series.
Saskia Maarleveld does a good job of narrating, although she does occasionally have a tendency to slip into American, and often pronounces words in the American which is a little annoying considering that all the characters are British and the book is set in Britain. However while it is a little irritating, it doesn't detract too much from the story, and her narration is still good overall.

Great story that sucks you in

Would you consider the audio edition of Bloodmagic to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the books so can't comment on this.

What other book might you compare Bloodmagic to, and why?

The central character Mack reminds me of Elena from the Kelley Armstrong Women of the otherworldly series. Strong, feisty and loyal, but needing to find her own way in the world.

Which character – as performed by Saskia Maarleveld – was your favourite?

Toss up between Mack and Corrigan

Any additional comments?

Great beginning to a nice series.

Good new Characters added

Would you listen to Bloodmagic again? Why?

Probably not - its a good story but not one I think I will be going back to again and again

Who was your favorite character and why?

In this book probably Solus(spelling) the Fae. Has a real mischeivous streak
Mack is a bit disappointing so determined that the Bretheren will kill her old pack if they find she isnt a shifter

Which scene did you most enjoy?

when Solus transports her to Corrigans bedroom - its hilarious

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really

Any additional comments?

good follow up but not as good as the first book in the series.