Review: Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ... 

Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

Blood Magic is just about everything I look for in a YA novel. The characters are strong, the plot has depth, and the writing style, despite a few awkward phrasings, is brilliant for a debut author.

It is very rare that I adore stories containing magic/witchcraft, simply because there are other books with similar content and very high ratings (namely the Harry Potter books). However, Tessa Gratton infused magic in quite an original manner. The idea of ancient magical beliefs in stones and runes combined with blood made for an intriguing tale.

Drusilla, Silla for short, grows beautifully as the story progressed. She starts off as a quiet, reserved girl, trying so hard to come to terms with her parents' death. She faces grueling decisions in the process of finding her true self. Luckily, she has Nicholas, or Nick, to help her through it all. Nick seems to be a typical guy, stuck in a small town after being forced to move by his father and stepmother. However, his true past is not as it appears.

Blood Magic is worth a read from any fan of YA fantasy, romance, and/or action/adventure books.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars