Review: Bloodrealms by Aurora Whittet with Giveaway

BLOODREALMS

Bloodmark Saga, Book Two

by Aurora Wittet

YA Paranormal

400 pages

Werewolf princess Ashling Boru's eighteenth birthday is only a year away, which means that she only has twelve months before she is claimed and fulfills her prophecy to unite the packs and lead her people. Her father decrees that her four suitors must fight in the Bloodrealms, the werewolves' ancient underground fighting world, and the winner will have King Boru's choice to win Ashling's hand. The wolf laws are rigid and barbaric, and Ashling's illicit love for Grey, if discovered, will mean his death. But when Ashling and Grey get trapped in the blood-soaked depths of the Bloodrealms, they find ancient horrors far greater than Ashling's father's rule.

With betrayal around every corner and old nemeses set to destroy Ashling, she is more divided than ever between the destiny she didn't choose and the love that she did. To make matters worse, her deci!!sion will not only set the course of her future, but the future of her entire race.

Bloodrealms is the second novel in Whittet’s Bloodmark saga.

MY TIDBITS

Packed with non-stop action, this book brings the wonders and horrors of the world of werewolves to life.

After escaping near death and killing her largest enemy, Ashling finds herself the object of four suitors affections. Her father insists she choose one, but whatever choice she makes brings risks she's not really willing to take with it. To make matters more difficult, the pressure of fulfilling a prophecy hangs over her like a dark shadow. Some want to control her, some want to possess her and others simply want her dead.

This book takes off where the first one in the series leaves off, and I wouldn't recommend it as a stand-alone.

Action, multi-layered agendas and hidden dangers guarantee that this isn't a book easily put down. Ashling has began to accept who the prophecy says she is, but that doesn't mean she has a clue what she should do about it. Her desire to do her best and protect everyone makes her easy to root for, especially since she's put in the awkward situation of having to choose between suitors, which her father has picked out for her. The inner struggle to make her father happy, while remaining true to herself makes her easy to sympathize with and presents a lovely inner struggle to her somewhat rebellious personality.

Each character is given their own history, personality and depth. Although it's clear which one of the suitors Ashling prefers, the author does an excellent job of making each one (mostly) seem worthy. By the end when her choice happens, it's hard not to feel a little sorry for the ones she didn't chose.

There's quite a bit of romance thrown in with the action. At times, it was sweet. Other times, the sways toward a somewhat love triangle bothered a bit.

There are so many aspects to this werewolf culture and life, and the details made it interesting. The multi-layers and possibilities give the traditional myths an entirely new depth and background. Some of these were grabbing and intriguing. Others could have been better founded. At times, solutions or new problems seem to pop up for the sake of simply adding more tension and action. But in general, the world makes sense and grabs so much that it's easy to get lost in.

This book was even better than the first and promises an exciting read until the very last page. There's lots of romance but tons of action and adventure as well. I'll definitely be grabbing book three to see how all of this comes together at the end.

GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway