I really enjoyed this book. I thought the world building was spot on, and I enjoyed the way the book was set up. I also really liked the main characters, and I completely identified with the female Mc’s desire to protect her family. I thought the plot was well established and thought out, and I enjoyed the science fiction aspects of the story. I did think the pacing could have moved a little faster, though, and at times I found the family dynamic of the book a bit annoying. The plot evens out about halfway through the story, though, and the pacing picks up too. I think the world was just very complex and detailed, and that required a heavy setup. Overall, this book was so much fun, and I really enjoyed it!

The main reason I requested this book, other than that beautiful cover, is the high stakes/high pressure situation Voya is put in and the mention of witches and genetics.

I didn’t realize this was a futuristic Toronto setting (why aren’t more books set in Canada?), but that made me like it even more. I’m pretty sure I’ve never read about futuristic witches. The mixture of urban fantasy and sci-fi was also surprising, and now I’m wondering why there aren’t more novels with this blend of genres.

The first several pages are an introduction to Voya’s family – and it’s a large one. Honestly, a family tree might have helped with this dysfunction bunch. They argue, insult, and mess with one another, but it’s clear the love runs deeply, and family is a priority. In Voya’s case, she puts everyone ahead of her own interests and desires and suffers from a severe case of low self esteem. She’s been anxious for her Calling, but fears she’ll be the first of her family in decades not to come into her powers. Flawed and full of self-doubt, you can’t help rooting for her. Voya is also a talented cook, using some of her own original recipes as well as her ancestors (yes, I totally drooled – but maybe not over the goat dishes), and I enjoyed learning about the Trinidadian culture.

Luc (thrilled he’s a trans character) is a tough nut to crack. He initially comes across as an arrogant genius, but with Voya’s prodding his walls gradually disintegrate. As a complex character I still think there are several layers left undiscovered, and I’m not sure how I felt about him at the end of the novel. It’s an ending I couldn’t have predicted.

Voya’s Calling is a seemingly impossible task with terrible consequences no matter which decision she makes. I had no idea how this would play out and almost dreaded seeing what she’d do. The magic system is well thought out and, although complicated, is explained well. One of my favorite things about this world is how accepting it is of all genders, identities, and sexualities, and the characters are diverse. At nearly five hundred pages, this is a long one for YA, but it’s the first of a series and contains the initial world-building.

Impossible stakes, magic, a dysfunctional, loving family, first love, and killings, Blood Like Magic contains a multi-layered plot and a MC asked to make an impossible choice. I’m axious to see where this series goes next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I recieved a free copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a bit slow at first and I was afraid it would end up being a stereotypical YA romance, but the twists at the end just kept coming. More importantly, the ending isn't a neat one (and that's a good thing). It adds more depth to the characters, to their story, and makes me excited to read a sequel.

Rep: ownvoices Black (Trinidadian-Canadian) mc and scs, Mexican-Canadian trans boy li, Black trans girl sc, Black demiromantic lesbian sc, Black gay sc, Chinese scs, Sri Lankan sc

CW (listed in front of book): whipping scene (within the context of slavery), gun/police violence, eating disorder, blood/gore/violence, death, substance abuse/addiction, mentions of child neglect

Wow. I went into this book with high expectations, and they were definitely met. BLOOD LIKE MAGIC is an urban fantasy/sci-fi novel that follows Voya, a girl tasked to kill her first love to save her famliy's magic. The problem is: she's never been in love. A genetic matchmaking program leads her to Luc Rodriguez, who she's not the biggest fan of. As time runs out, Voya must make a decision between her morals and her family.

The world of this book is super interesting because it not only includes witches and magic, but it also takes place in 2049 and features sci-fi elements. One of the major conflicts revolves around the genetic modification that is prevalent in this futuristic world. Also, for my Canadian friends - this book takes place in Toronto! I really enjoyed exploring this world and found the world-building very easy to understand.

I also thought the plot was really interesting and really kept you on your toes asking questions and wondering what was going to happen next. There were a lot of plot twists that came in that surprised me, and I think the pacing was done relatively well (there were some slow points, but more dynamic plot points made up for that). I enjoyed the discussion of morality and purity vs impurity, and that will definitely be a conflict that continues in the sequel.

When it comes to characters, I felt really attached to all of them and enjoyed getting to know them. I think the side characters were well-developed, and Voya was a great protagonist that I loved following the journey of. The events of the book tested Voya quite a bit, and she grew a lot as the story went on. AND LUC. RODRIGUEZ. I need a moment to talk about him because he is quite literally "I hate everyone but you" excellence. I loved seeing his walls come down and learning about his background - he's such an interesting and complex character that I'm so excited to see more of. Him and Voya's dynamic was also very well-crafted, their relationship made me swoon, and their witty banter made me so happy. This is enemies to lovers at its peak (also hurt/comfort hehe).

This book also has a super diverse cast, as it centers a community of Trinidadian-Canadian witches with other POC side characters (Chinese and Sri Lankan). There are also many LGBTQ+ characters within Voya's family (including demiromantic rep, which was great to see) and Luc, the love interest is a Mexican-Canadian trans boy, There were also many aspects of Trinidadian culture incorporated into the novel (especially food, as Voya is an excellent chef) that I enjoyed reading about.

Above all, this is a story about family. The ties within Voya's family are so strong, and despite cracks and arguments, they still see each other as home. All of the family members had something different to offer, and I loved watching Voya's family history unravel.

Overall, a wonderful debut by Liselle Sambury that I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If Blood Like Magic is the future of what YA can be, I'm here for it. Truly. Blending history and culture and bringing it into the future, while never losing a part of what the other can offer, it's brilliant. I know YA is heading to this place, where something isn't just one thing or the other, but rather just a novel, successfully mixed together to where it represents the sum of it all, something wholly different.

Blood Like Magic does this. Voya is just beginning her journey to becoming a witch, being the last of her main family to come of age. Though no one has failed in a century, she can't help this feeling that she's going to be the one who does. Within the core of her being, she feels she will fail, thus never getting to see her family again. When the time comes for her to become a witch, an ancestor offers a challenge that has the potential to ruin everything her family has been fighting for since her grandmother became the matriarch: she has to destroy her first love. Having fought so hard to become a pure family after years of sacrifices, Voya doesn't want to be the one to ruin the streak for her whole family. And, once the challenge is made more difficult with the vague threat of the entire family losing their magic, just future witches losing their magic, or she actually passes her challenge, Voya knows it's going to be bad.

It's this fear that drives her to take a chance, discovering her first love in an unlikely match. But the deeper she falls in love with him and the more her family begins to succeed, the fear digs in deep and she finds herself unable to make the decision, or any decision. And, as the gracious month Mama Jova gave her comes to an end, the choice becomes even more difficult to make and she doesn't know how she's going to make it, thus saving the life of her younger half-sister.

Blood Like Magic covers a lot, but in doing so it often repeats things the reader no longer needs to be repeated. Very often. More frequently than any reader needs to have things repeated. The ending was chaotic , but seems to resolve everything, even if there are a few open plot points left. Knowing there is a sequel, the reader is left wondering just what it could possibly cover. There are vague hints of some danger lying in the background, but not nearly enough for the reader to remember that a sequel is planned.

In no way does any of this ruin its importance or ruin what Sambury offers to the YA world through Blood Like Magic. If anything it can be chalked to just a debut. Despite not knowing what the sequel could cover, I can't deny I'm curious about where it will go and what it will be about.

Blood like magic is an interesting mix between fantasy and science fiction. You have cool witches and scientific society.
Voya is 16, she lives with her entire family in a big house, finally, the moment had come, and her magic will be revealed. But oh no! Just what Voya most feared, she feels like failing, her ancestor gives her a difficult task, murder her first love of her or her entire family will suffer the consequences.
She can't believe it, it's almost an impossible task, starting because she still doesn't know her true love ... or does she? Just the other day, she tried a new app, to find her genetic match; he is gorgeous, a brilliant young scientist, also very arrogant and they had a bad start.

World-building: So cool, it's set in Toronto, it feels almost like today, but with more technology, interesting apps, robots, and maybe I need a tattoo, like the ones described here. The story feels a little more sci-fi than fantasy (more than I thought) but it wasn't bad, they talk about scientific projects, and how magic can help.
The magic descriptions are unique, decades ago Voya´s family migrated from Trinidad (There is mention about her family history, like slavery).
Each magic and power is unique, not only among her family, but also in the different clans (they are mentioned a few like Chinese and Latin witches).

Characters: They were great, Voya´s feelings are so relatable, she cares for her family, is afraid of falling and hurting her family. Luc, once you get to know him you understand him better, I love her passion for what he does. The family was messy and very real. This is how many families behave.

Love: Yes, Voya is trying to know more Luc and falling in love, there is romance, but also is about family love and self-love.

In conclusion, great debut, if you want to read about witches and cool magic systems, more diverse characters, and rep, then this is your story.

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a fun sci-fi/urban fantasy novel with such a diverse cast! While the story was a little slow at times, the climax at the end of the novel was definitely worth it and I believe that this was a great debut from Liselle Sambury! Please be aware that this book got a little graphic with its descriptions of the witches’ rituals and violence in the context of slavery. You can find a full list of content warnings on Liselle Sambury’s website. Overall, I’d give this book 4 stars!

Set in 2049, Blood Like Magic follows Voya Thomas, a 16-year-old Trinidadian-Canadian living in Toronto. She and her family come from a long line of witches. When Voya receives her Calling, a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers, Voya is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. Failure to complete this task means that every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic. The only problem is that Voya has never been in love….until a genetic matchmaking program pairs her up with the infuriating Luc Rodriguez, who seemingly wants nothing to do with her. With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline.

The first thing that really caught my eye about Blood Like Magic was the unique setting! This novel is set over 20 years in the future when technology has become much more ingrained into our society, especially with the foundation of companies like NuGen. I really liked the combination of the futuristic/sci-fi/dystopian vibes with the more fantasy/magic vibes. It was cool seeing Voya and the other witches use a combination of futuristic technology and magic to complete their day-to-day tasks and also to help Voya complete her Calling.

The best aspect of this book was the amazing diverse cast! This book primarily includes Trinidadian-Canadian rep, with a Mexican-Canadian trans love interest, a Trinidadian-Canadian trans character, and Trinidadian-Canadian demiromantic lesbian character. There was also a smidge of South Asian (Sri Lankan!) representation, which was really cool to see. I didn’t realize that there was such an overlap in cultures, food, and traditions between South Asians and Caribbeans, so that was super interesting to learn! This book also dived a little into the history of Trinidadians in Canada, as well.

The biggest theme of this story is the strength and love of family. Seeing Voya have such unique relationships with each of her family members in such a huge family was really cool. Even though there was an ensemble of characters, each character still had a differentiable personality and relationship with Voya. It was also interesting to see the intergenerational conflicts between Voya’s grandmother, parents, aunts & uncles, and cousins.

The only small thing that I didn’t like about this book was that the story got a little slow multiple times throughout the book. I felt like sometimes there were a few unnecessary scenes between Voya and other characters that could have been shortened to make the story go along more naturally. However, I don’t think this fully detracted from the story and the impact of Voya’s journey still hit from start to finish. Definitely pick this book up when it comes out in a few weeks on June 15th!

Rating: 4.75/5 Stars

TW: Whipping scene with context to slavery, gun/police violence, eating disroder, blood/gore/violence, death, substance abuse/addiction, child neglect

I received this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley and Margaret K McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review. Any and all thoughts are my own.

Voya Thomas comes from a long and powerful lineage of Trinidad witches who use blood as their main power source. As she comes to age enough to be called by her ancestors to determine if she earns her right to magic, she discovers that in order to get this magic, she has to destroy her first love. Will Voya have the guts to go through with this task, or will she destroy her family in the process?

One of the first things I immediately loved about this book was the fact it takes place in the mid 2000s in a futuristic Toronto, but still manages to mix in this fantasy element with the magic and ancestors which ALSO has some science behind it. As a sci-fi lover, I was immediately hooked on this concept. Although at times it was a little bit hard to comprehend with how much was going on, it's enough to give you the general gist of "Oh this is why this happened." It wasn't to the point where I was completely clueless to the science or the magic aspects. And the set-up for this world was done pretty well.

Now jumping from world-building to characters, because oh my god there is so much to unpack here, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Let's start with the representation. A majority of the characters are people of color and from there we have a giant spectrum of backgrounds. We had vegans. We had trans characters. We had queer characters. There was also a point where one of the relatives of Voya came out as demiromantic (meaning that it takes a strong emotional bond in order for an individual to date someone romantically) and it immediately made me cry. As a bisexual and a demisexual, I never thought I would see this sexuality/romantic representation in books. I've only read one book where demi was even mentioned/discussed, and it was the book that made me realize I was demisexual. But Sambury doesn't just throw it in with no explanation. There's actual build-up and it meant the world to me.

The main love interest, Luc, is also a trans man, and the discussion of being trans in this futuristic world still applies to the modern day, which I really felt was a good connection. I also really connected to Luc in his goals and motives that he was probably my favorite character. In this futuristic world, pronouns are often used and referred to, and trans people feel more accepted, but they still face their own struggles, which is important to note. I honestly felt so represented and honored in this book, and that made all the difference to me while reading.

There was also such a huge emphasis on family, both the good and the bad of it. Voya loves her extended family deeply. You get introduced to a majority of them right away, and it was a bit overwhelming at first. But you get enough individual moments with almost each family member that it helps with distinguishing them. We see the dark sides to family (lies, secrets, drug abuse and child neglect). But we also see the good moments and the memories that stay with you forever. Sambury proves that not every family is perfect, and it was extremely impactful.

Near the very end there is a character death, which I will not get into much cause spoilers. However, it very much reflected a current situation in my own life where my grandmother is on the verge of dying and made me sob with how much of what Voya said was stuff I would say to my grandmother. As a result, I was sobbing at 12:30 at night for half an hour. But the grief and dealing with death was handled well based off my own experiences with it.

Sambury also goes out of her way to include several reflective moments from Voya as well as scenes within the story that reflect Black experience. These include slavery, differing types of hair care, and police brutality. It goes to show that even in this futuristic Toronto, people of color still aren't seen as equals and still have to fight for rights as much as those of any minority.

I will say that the use of blood was a bit overwhelming for me at points because I'm not usually the best with blood/gore. But I know others don't mind it. Just be aware of this going into this if you are squeamish to that kind of imagery.

Blood Like Magic is a story of family, love, grief, and identity. Sambury makes every character powerful in their own right, and lets readers know that everyone can have their own magic, regardless if it comes from family, friends, or identity. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a new twist on urban fantasy or a deep story that covers many different bases.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for a copy of “Blood Like Magic” by Liselle Samburg in exchange for an honest review!


What’s better than witches in Canada with rivalries, deep-rooted history/culture, and the journey of self-discovery? “Blood Like Magic” by Liselle Samburg promises all of that, and it does not disappoint! Not only was it an incredible story that had unexpectedly intricate sci-fi elements, but it also touches upon racial injustices in a well thought out way. I loved the magical world and getting to know what exactly bonded such a strong family of witches- the Thomas’.

The main character, Voya Thomas, is at an age in which magic will be bestowed upon her, all while in the midst of finding her purpose in life. All she has to do is complete one simple task. Except that task isn’t simple at all. To obtain her power, the price could very well mean life or the death of someone she truly loves.

The plot seemed a little predictable at certain points, but some of the twists were a pleasant surprise. Characters weren’t as well developed as our main Voya, primarily Luc, who I found a little one-dimensional and morally ambiguous, which left me unsure whether to root for him or not. It wasn’t the epic romance that I was expecting it to be. That being said, one of the strongest parts about this book was the emphasis on family and how complicated, messy, and ultimately unbreakable those bonds can be when the stakes are raised. Liselle Samburg integrated LGBTQ+ representation and diversity seamlessly into her story, making it an excellent example for other authors to take note of. It felt as if I was a part of a great cultural experience that you couldn’t find as easily in other YA books. The ending promises for another worthwhile sequel that I cannot wait to read!

CW- blood, death. slavery, child death, racism, kidnapping, murder, drug abuse, eating disorder, transphobia, police brutality, medical trauma, medical content
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Blood Like Magic follows a girl who has to destroy her first love in order to save her family’s magic that they have had for centuries.
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I enjoyed this book quite a bit. From the very first page, I was sucked into the story. It was a great mix of humor, romance, and heavier topics.
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The characters were so incredible. All of them had great personalities and quirks, and we really learned about them all. They all were distinct, and I connected with almost all of them. This would have to be one of my favorite book families to date.
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I also loved how developed the magic system was. It was logical, and there were no inconsistencies. I was able to understand it within the first hundred pages, and that really aided my love of the book. I am so excited to see how the story continues in the next book!
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I would recommend this to fans of the Shadowhunter Chronicles and Legendborn.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.75 stars

The world in which this book is set is riveting, and so are all of the characters, including but not limited to the m.c., Voya.

Voya experiences a coming-of-age moment that is extremely memorable for its play on a typical rite of passage for those with a uterus. But Voya isn't just giving a new meaning to the term "blood bath"; she is now also in preparations for her "Calling," which is another pivotal moment in...her life as a witch. The novel centers on Voya's attempt to complete her task and her immediate and extended family's role in this process, and there is - from a YA perspective - so much to like about Voya's education in making tough decisions, sacrificing, and having to take responsibility. All of the major issues are here but in a more creative package than is typically offered. On top of the creative portrayal, the ancillary characters must be mentioned. Voya's grandmother, Mama Jova, and Keis are standouts, and so are Luc and Alex. As far as the latter two are concerned, I need at least one book featuring each of them. They do not get enough personal attention here, and it is owed. I also really appreciate the trans rep here along with the brief but meaningful interjections about pronouns, first names, and privacy. These are just a few of the areas I particularly appreciate about the work overall.

While I love so much in this package - from the stunning cover to the exciting ending - and cannot wait for future installments, this book is too long: like 200 pages too long. I don't mind a meaty YA novel, but for me, there was a lot of unnecessary repetition and processing happening, and I could have done without that. Some amount of this would - I expect - provide the needed sense of emotional duress in relation to Voya's deliberations. I get the structure-highlights-the-themes concept, but these sentiments can be relayed with greater impact and efficiency. I'll very much hope for that in future reads from Sambury.

I do recommend this book generally and will absolutely pitch it to my students, but (1) be prepared for the investment and (2) get over any feelings you have about everything relating to menstruating. A magical read, indeed!

From the beginning to the end, I loved everything about this book! Liselle Sambury has such a gift of storytelling. Voya Thomas is a young witch living in Toronto who loves cooking and her family. When she is given her Calling, she discovers being a witch isn't exactly what she expected. She has been given thirty days to fulfill her task, destroy her first love to save her family's magic. Voya interprets this to mean she must kill her first love. This leads to a tiny complication, she hasn't fallen in love yet. She finds herself helping her best friend and cousin, Keis, get a coveted internship and in the process meets Luc. When Voya and Luc are genetically matched as potential romantic partners, Voya is willing to at least try to get to know Luc, given that she is supposed to kill her first love. Voya and Luc start a friendship, and eventually Voya realizes that she may have stronger feelings for Luc. As the deadline for her task draws closer, Voya begins to discover that there are more layers to her task than what she originally thought. She starts to make connections to past events in her family and how those events impact how she carries out her task. Not only is this a love letter to magic in all its forms, this novel is also a love letter to Toronto and to all the people who sometimes feel the heavy weight of their families on their shoulders.

3 stars.
I am very conflicted about this book. There were aspects that I loved and aspects that I didn’t. Ultimately, this book wasn’t for me, even though the description would suggest that I would love it.
On a positive note, there was TONS of diverse representation in here with brief discussions of microaggressions that the Black and LGBTQ+ communities face. I felt like this was really well handled. I also thought the world— about 30 years into our future— was well-imagined.

Unfortunately, this book had a lot of downsides. The main character, Voya, is defined by her indecisiveness. She brings up how she doesn’t like to make decisions, and how her family judges her for it, about fifty bajillion times. However, it doesn’t ring true because the choice she’s faced with is literally impossible. Like, it will shatter her life either way. It felt like the only things she had going for her to add depth to her character were 1: likes to cook and 2: can’t decide... which, like, yeah, duh. So she bored me. As a consequence, this book felt REALLY LONG. Nearly 500 pages is a lot to dedicate to the voice of a character you aren’t attached to.

Also... the ending. No spoilers, but I think the goal was for the ending to be realistic yet satisfying in an unexpected way. Instead, I felt cheated.

I’m sad that I didn’t like this more because it had some awesome things going for it. I will definitely read from this author again though, I think she has talent.

“There aren’t always good or bad decisions. Only options, and the ability to choose them.”

Sixteen-year-old Voya Thomas has been waiting for her Calling for years. In order to come into her full power as a witch, she must pass her magical trial by making a choice. Voya’s never been good at making decisions, but the one thing her family didn’t expect was for Voya to fail her Calling. When her ancestor allows her one more chance to complete the trial, Voya agrees…and is thrust into the horrifying position of having to choose between lives. Voya’s task is to destroy her first love, and if she fails, her entire family will lose their magic. Desperate to save her family’s magic, Voya signs up for a genetic matchmaking program to discover who her first love is—and finds herself paired with the infuriating Luc. But as secrets that connect them begin to emerge and the stakes climb even higher, Voya must decide between killing the guy she’s maybe falling for or being responsible for the ruination of her bloodline. With everything on the line, can she make the right choice?

Liselle Sambury’s debut is both beautiful and haunting, intricately weaving themes of choice, family, and love into the very fiber of the book. As one of my most anticipated reads of the year, it definitely did not disappoint! Voya is a wonderful protagonist: so sincere and real that you can’t help but connect to and root for her. The rest of the characters also come alive in their own unique ways, especially Voya’s large and chaotic family. I’d love to spend time in their hectic household! One of my absolute favorite elements of the novel, though, was the setting. The story takes place in 2049, and Sambury does an excellent job of creating viable technological and social advancements. I could really see the tech she designed being invented in our near future! Full of Black Girl Magic, Blood Like Magic is perfect for those who love combining the mystical with the typical and mixing it all up with a dash of romance and a pinch of adventure.

Content Warnings: Whipping scene within the context of slavery, gun/police violence, discussion of and character with an eating disorder, blood/gore/violence, death of a loved one, substance abuse/addiction, mentions of child neglect, non-sexual nudity, murder, emotional manipulation, kidnapping

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

What I loved about Blood Like Magic was the way Sambury is able to interweave fantasy and science fiction. Set in 2049, Sambury not only asks important questions about the ethics of technology, and experimentation, but also a fantasy story of magical families. At the heart of Blood Like Magic is also a story about difficult decisions and examining our future and family's past. Just for the setting alone, I was entranced by Blood Like Magic. It's a world with both magic and darkness. With gifts that come at a cost, and sacrifices we may not understand.

Blood Like Magic revolves strongly around family. What mistakes are in our past and how we can move towards the future. It's a story that grew as I kept reading. At the beginning, I was entranced by the setting - this mixture of magic and technology. But as I kept reading, the themes of family - both the good and the bad - emerges and takes center stage. The crescendo of the plot, the suspense, and the tension only increases as our choices fall around us. Blood Like Magic tells Voya's story of family and legacy, history and destiny.

This book was beautifully intense. Being in first-person, the book puts you directly into the thoughts and reflections of Voya, which creates a realistic understanding of the world around her. Although it can be a bit tedious towards the very beginning when she hesitates on how to handle the problems presented to her. But it starts to pick up ¼ of the way through the book, making it easier to learn and discover the world around her. It’s set in the future, but the struggles she faces are highly applicable. I enjoyed the commentary on the diversity in the book, whether it be trans individuals, being Black, being Mexican, or even merely being Canadian. Everything was subtle, honest, and even reflective on how current changes might still limit success for these groups in the future. It allows the reader to consider how long it takes for change to affect those who deserve and need it.
I really hope that future books in the series expand more details on secondary characters in this book. And, I can’t wait to see how Voya continues to grow as a young woman. The magic in the book was incredible, and I can’t wait to see it further explored. It also does a beautiful job of straddling the line of being both science fiction and urban fantasy.

Excellent YA fantasy that will engage a wide variety of readers. Very glad this is a planned series as I know readers will be clamoring for more from Sambury. Strongly recommended.

Voya is selfless, kind, and always puts her family first. She struggles and grows throughout the book, trying to find the balance between magic and love and family. I am so looking forward to the sequel.

“We decide who we are, not the magic we practice.”

Blood Like Magic is a futuristic (sci-fi), dark urban fantasy about a family of witches. The magic in this book is summed up as being about blood and intent. Blood is required to cast the spell and intent is the spell. Voya lives with her family that consists of Granny the Matriarch, her mom, her uncle, and her cousins. Her family plays a huge role in this book. When she bleeds her first time, she starts her rite of passage called the Calling where she receives a task from an ancestor. Her task comes from Mama Jova and her task is to destroy her first love. Voya interprets this as meaning she’ll need to murder her first love—the problem is she’s never been in love. She does however have a genetic romantic match, Luc, who she feels she is called to woo and destroy. Luc is an intern at Nugene (the genetic matching tech company) and his Sponsor dad, Justin, is the owner of Nugene.

Voya’s task and her connection with Luc opens up mystery after mystery about Justin and Voya’s Aunt Elaine. Somehow the two are tied together and while trying to complete her task she’s also trying to discover secrets long since buried.

I’ve never experienced a setting like this one. It has a beautiful blend of science fiction and dark urban fantasy. Voya’s family was so well developed that you’ll see the complexity of each character and how each family member plays a role in shaping the family and how being a Matriarch can become a test of morality. I wanted way more Luc scenes. The way he resists and then is drawn and changed by Voya’s warmth is so irresistible. Voya also loves to cook which I thought gave the story, and her character, even more depth because she is more than a witch and a part of her family.

I had some issues with the breakdown of magic between pure and impure and how that tied into the story. Also, Voya is such a beautiful person and struggles with decisions (which I get) but the one decision that she makes and is almost proud of herself for I just can’t understand or stand behind. One other thing is that we spent SO much time getting to know Keis and then she just falls into the background at around the halfway point which I get because that happens when love interests come into play but I really enjoyed her character and wanted her around more.

Overall I’m so happy to have read this book and I absolutely loved Voya. Sambury has written a game-changer that I know will inspire more books like it. We need more black heroes and more women of color who are in the spotlight as the main character. Voya is unapologetic about her curves, her hair, her family, her magic, and I’m 100% here for it.

Blood Like Magic is a fantasy and sci-fi driven novel focusing on magic and technology and how these two may clash or work together in the future. It also concentrates on family dynamics and the lengths people will go to in order for their loved ones. This is definitely a must read for fantasy lovers looking for something new and binge-worthy, plus fact that this is part of a series makes me only more curious as you can read it as a standalone!

Blood Like Magic follows the story of Voya, who is meant to receive her Calling to become an official witch. Every witch must complete a task given to them from an ancestor and if successful, they’ll receive their gift that will or will not benefit the family. Voya has been dreaming of this moment and is prepared for whatever task will be given to her, that is, until Mama Jova shows up and says she has a month to destroy her first love.

The worldbuilding is fascinating to read and follow throughout the novel. Readers get a sense of the magic system and how gifts are given throughout the family. Gifts benefit the witches not only spiritually, but financially as well, so it’s imperative to receive a useful gift. Everyone is hanging on by a thread, wondering what gift Voya will receive since Mama Jova has drawn her task out so long. It might seem the novel is somewhat dragging given the deadline, but time surely goes fast.

Keis, Voya’s best friend and cousin, has the gift of reading minds but she doesn’t want to rely on it all the time and that’s why she wants to get an internship at NuGene, the biggest tech company citizens rely on nowadays, especially when they release a beta version of matching people up using genetics. Voya is one of the beta testers and is paired with Luc, a sponsored intern.

Voya’s task becomes one step easier as she has found a love interest, but the trouble is falling in love with him and then killing him. Luc isn’t your outgoing, arrogant guy, so it’s up to Voya to break down his walls and get close to him.

Voya is such a caring character who puts her family first. She’s known as the chef in the family and loves to spoil them with treats. It’s very contrasting to see the type of task she receives. According to her Granny, who’s the matriarch of the family, no one has received such a vivid task before. The longer Voya drags out the task, the less hope the rest of the family has in her. They also wonder how she’s actually going to complete the task and get away with murder. The stakes are high because if Voya fails then her baby sister will die and the magic will soon run out in the family.

Ha, no pressure Voya! When she goes to find help from distant relatives, she only finds out more of her family, including how a certain ancestor was wiped from memory and how the family fears the CEO of NuGene. Voya feels the tug at all the connections to her task, but can she achieve everything before time runs out?

This review remains spoiler free, that’s why it isn’t a thorough. Yet I gave enough information to persuade you to add this book to your TBR and read it when it comes out. Hopefully, it will receive the hype it deserves! I enjoyed this book so much. I can picture it as a miniseries or movie franchise one day!