Wildblood wasn't a good fit for me, unfortunately. I thought the concept and setting was very cool -- loved the jungle -- but I had trouble getting into the writing style and found the worldbuilding a bit awkward. I didn't wind up finishing it, but I think it could have an audience with readers who enjoy the writing more than I did.

I had some trouble getting through this, but I am so grateful that I read it. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this.

If you are looking for a beautiful fantasy that grips you until the end, please don’t miss out on this.

Lauren Blackwood writes young adult fantasy with creativity and inventiveness while carefully blending in issues that are pertinent and sometimes troubling.

Victoria is an eighteen year-old Wildblood who was kidnapped as a young girl and forced to work as a tour guide in the Jamaican jungle. Wildbloods have special blood magic or "science" as they often refer to it. Each of them may be able to master the gift in a different way and some are more powerful than others.

Victoria strives to gain a promotion within the corrupt tour company in an attempt to protect herself and others that she cares about. But she finds that every time she thinks she may make progress, it seems her ex, Dean is a step ahead of her. When they are both assigned to a tour group with a treasure hunter and his entourage seeking to find gold in the jungle, this could be the opportunity she's been looking for to make a name for herself. Or it could be a death sentence. The jungle is full of threats - - both seen and unseen.

As they continue on their trek, Victoria finds herself increasingly drawn to the treasure hunter/goldminer, Thorn. He advocates for her and sees that she is a more gifted leader than Dean. As time goes forward, it is apparent that they share a mutual attraction for one another. But Victoria is unsure if Thorn really cares for her or if she's a passing fancy.

I thought the author did a wonderful job with this book. The fantasy storyline is strong and blends in realistic concerns of social status, patriarchy, forced employment, abuse, and more.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book had so much potential for me but ultimately fell flat because it stopped focusing on the most compelling elements, like the setting, unique magic, and commentary on topics like colonialism (including eco-colonialism). There needed to be more worldbuilding with the magic and setting up the characters (why are Dean and Victoria pitted against each other? Why/how is Victoria the most powerful wildblood? Why do people so intensely dislike or avoid her?
A lot of the plot ends up being the romance, which I also wasn’t a big fan of. There’s several moments that should be heartfelt, emotional, or sweet, but in general I got big icks. Thorn is overbearing in his pursuit of Victoria even when it’s clear she’s worried about it’s appropriateness (he’s a client) or how it will affect her dynamics with the rest of the crew. He declares his love within 2 days of knowing her, yet he constantly dismissed her concerns. He says he will do anything to protect her, will kill for her, etc. but puts her in situations that endanger her. He constantly praises her, calls her beloved, sweet girl, and goddess among women, but it just comes off as overdone and false to me. So thankful that Victoria stays behind rather than leave with him.

Also HUGE CW for abuse. MC is abused in a variety of ways, and her past sexual assault by her boss is a critical point in the book. Dean also enables the abuse and has abusive and threatening tendencies himself (abused becoming the abuser). Throughout the tour, he uses his knowledge of the assault, Victoria’s weaknesses, etc. to get his way and push her into uncomfortable sotuations, intentionally breaking protocols.

Other CW: kidnapping/human trafficking, gore, racism, colorism, child death

Victoria has magic in her blood but it’s brought her nothing but pain. Ever since being found in the jungle as a child, her Wildblood has led to her employment at the Exotic Lands Touring Company- if you can call it employment when she’s not allowed to leave on threat of death. Despite the cruelty of the boss and the betrayal of her ex-lover, Victoria keeps going out of love for the jungle and her adopted brother, Bunny. But with Bunny getting sicker and Victoria missing out on a promised promotion, she’s ready to do something rash. Something like co-leading a tour group into the heart of the jungle with her ex despite the near certain doom. Because if the jungle doesn’t get her, the frustratingly handsome client certainly will.

A really promising set up with cool mythology and an amazing location let down by a disappointing romance. The living jungle and Victoria’s connection to it- along with the ending- are what made this story still fun to read. Unfortunately, much of the book is taken up with a far too fast romance that unfortunately had me rolling my eyes alongside one of the villains (and I hated having to agree with him because he was SO HORRIBLE). I’m a romantic, but the red flags were waving SOO hard and the focus that the romance pulled took time from the interesting magical and thematic elements. The ending saved some of this for me, but was too rushed to make a compelling theme around using romance to hide from trauma.

So- a soft 3/5 that could have been so much better! My issue isn’t that the romance became the focus, it’s that the romance took focus from the more interesting parts of the world while being simultaneously dull and icky.

Victoria was born from the jungle. She appeared at the edge of the jungle at age 6 and was captured to work as a Rare Beauty for the local tour company. Like so many of her peers, Victoria longs to be free and in the jungle, but the tour company keeps her on a short leash. On the day of her 18th birthday, she expects to be promoted as a Tour Leader, but finds a unexpected job instead... One that will change her whole life.

This book was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the magical realism to the haunting dangers of the jungle were beautifully described and written. I loved how the reader gets a new piece of Victoria's puzzle throughout the novel. Thorn helped Victoria learn that there is love and kindness in the world, but his character fell a little flat for me.

While the ending was bittersweet for me, it made me realize that freedom looks different for everyone.

I was eager to pick this one up after thoroughly enjoying Within These Wicked Walls and while I didn't like this one quite as much, I still found plenty to enjoy. The sentient jungle was amazing and I appreciated the book tackling heavy topics like colonialism and racism. I would have liked to know more about the magic system and I didn't love the insta-love between Thorne and Victoria, although I did like the choice she made in the end.

I struggled with this one. I wanted more magic, monsters, and actual treasure hunting. Instead I got insta-love and not very likeable characters all around.

Wildblood, a novel by Lauren Blackwood, left me with mixed feelings. Initially, the synopsis drew me in with the promise of a unique and intriguing fantasy story. While the main character, Victoria, captured my interest with her depth, intelligence, and strength, I struggled to connect with the other characters. Though I understand that the author intended to create an air of mystery and distrust among the supporting cast, their one-dimensional personalities did not make for an enjoyable read.

Furthermore, the romantic aspect of the story did not quite hit the mark for me. While I sympathized with Victoria's traumatic past and her need for love and respect, the instantaneous love between her and Thorn felt forced and lacking in depth. As a result, I did not feel invested in their relationship, and the story's outcome did not significantly impact me.

The magical system in the novel, while intriguing, lacked sufficient explanation. I would have preferred to receive more information earlier on in the book, rather than waiting until halfway through the story to get a clearer understanding of it. I also found myself wanting to know more about the origins of Wildblood and why only certain people possessed it.

Despite my reservations, I did enjoy the book's unique setting and diverse animal life. The concept was promising, and the unexpected yet logical ending was satisfying. However, it left me with more questions than answers.

Overall, while Wildblood had its flaws, I appreciated the main character's complexity and the author's creative world-building.

I enjoyed a lot of the world building present in this, and I think I could like an exploration of more within this universe. That being said, Victoria and Thorn both were not for me, and I found that the difficulty connecting with them was barricading me from a real connection with the story. Finished it, so I know who I can recommend it to, but I find that it wasn't YA Acceptance the way I hoped.

This was a beautiful, immersive novel! I struggled to get into the story at the beginning, but I really enjoyed it as the story picked up!

I wish more had been explained about the wildbloods and I really wish this hadn't been so repetitive. I struggled to get immersed in the plot and found my mind wandering. The characters come off as just there, not quite fully formed but with enough of a hint of their personalities that I wanted to know more. Just not the read for me.

This is the best first Netgalley book I could have started the year off with and partially why I stalled finished reading it a week after the pub date. I mean there's a lot going on in Wildblood that emotionally wrecked me which is the other reason it took me some time to finish this ebook ARC. It's taking everything I have in me not to go buy this one until I finish a certain amount of the books I own.

Anyways the main character Victoria is a total brave soul at eighteen with the way she uses her Wildblood skills to protect and improve those conditions for those who've become her family. Samson her friend who loves and is protective of her. And Bunny a thirteen year old that both want to keep safe. He can't control his ability of the science to control blood so instead causes harm to himself.She goes on this expedition into the dangerous jungle in Jamaica where she was stolen from at just six with the company she was forced to work, for him. More prepared , not to mention smarter than everyone. Which includes her ex best friend Dean who is supposed to lead this tour, now who she distrusts for good reason, and bunch of privileged rich from America. Including Thorn, a Black Christian ,miner and her love interest who shes conflicted to be with. Because of what he's
on the island for and taking from her only home.But he's necessary to the contrast in this book about Christianity and belief in God and morals because Victoria struggles with how he believes in his religion but is doing something immoral.

Her enemies surround her on this journey the major one being Dean, the white bosses of the tourists guide company's menntee to run it and her ex best friend. Then of course the rich tourist there with Thorn and the other Wildbloods besides Sam and Bunny who perceive her as more a threat. Bcause of her control with her ability to control her ability they all have and comfort and familiarity with the dangerous jungle. With the risks of losing becoming a leading tour guide herself she tries reason with him. To make him look good and that is the foundation of the conflict that moves fast considering the location. Victoria is trying to be reasonable in a group who lacks it. By the end I was a emotional wreck because nothing goes like expected in a place that doesn't like humans. For Victoria though it was rough and I kept going to she get her freedom after everything done and forced on her to do. It was so great to read to the end to see what she chooses to for herself after a long adventure. Definitely glad I read on until the very end because it had me curious and invested given the options she had.

I loved this story! It was super unique and enjoyable. The action was strong, The magic was unique and complex which kept me interested throughout the entire read. There were a few twists and turns that I did not see coming and I was here for it!

3.5 stars. I'm torn on this one. Yes I enjoyed it for the most part. It's beautifully written the imagery is done so well and Victoria is a great character. Then there were some aspects that weren't as good, not bad just not as enjoyable for me. I didn't like Thorn all that much, aside from his good looks I didn't find anything about him appealing. With the conflict you have man vs jungle with Victoria the only thing standing between the two. The jungle is this amazing place but so so deadly. The wildblood's abilities are so cool it's almost like water bending with blood.

First, the reader should be aware that this book contains themes that may be difficult for some people to read about. The author deals with these themes well -- displaying the horror and trauma without sensationalizing it or being unnecessarily graphic but also without shying away from the profound impact physically, mentally and emotionally of the incidents described.

The concept of wildbloods and "blood science" was an interesting one. Victoria makes a great main character. I liked her respect and reverence for the jungle, its inhabitants, and River Mumma. She also is fiercely protective of those who are most important to her, sometimes to her own detriment. The author does a great job with the tension Victoria feels towards Dean -- this guy who was her closest friend and ally for so many years but who betrayed her in one of the most brutal ways possible and has continued to engage in behavior to her detriment, yet whom she needs if she wants to make life safer for her and the other wildbloods. The author does a good job of portraying the fear and distaste of "others" that is imposed on the wildbloods by "normal" humans and how this is used to subjugate them.

My only significant criticism of the story is that Victoria's relationship with Thorn progresses too quickly, and for all her admonitions about the dangers of going into the jungle and the risks that entails (which are displayed through the steadily diminishing size of the expedition party), she is too forgiving of Thorn for ignoring her warnings and for the resulting great personal toll.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me this e-arc in return for an honest review.

I really wanted to get into the story, but I found the pacing of the story and writing a bit slow for me. The premise of the story I found enthralling, it was just the writing of the story I could not bring myself to keep reading.

Lauren Blackwood’s first book, Within These Wicked Walls, was my favorite book of 2021, and so I knew this one would end up on my TBR list. Though the two books are unrelated, both of them have a similar voice. With complex heroines, interesting love interests, and a touch of magic, I’m beginning to understand what to expect from a Lauren Blackwood book—and that only makes me more excited to pick up the next one. If you enjoyed her debut, I’m sure you’ll find something to love about this one, too.

There are slew of triggers to be aware of (see the author's website for a full list), and I did find some of the sexual trauma difficult to read, though it was handled well and depicted the complexity of recovery and how it is often non-linear. Enslavement and colorism also play an important part in this book, and though it is tough to witness everything Victoria goes through on a daily basis, I appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from the realities of the time. On the flipside, there are moments of community and genuine love that give both the reader and the main character hope for the future.

I love reading stories about enchanted forests. There is something inherently magical about nature, and Wildblood takes it still further, forcing us to question whether we find the jungle terrifying or mesmerizing. With Victoria leading the way, it’s hard not to see its beauty, though this book is not without tragedy. The jungle cannot be tamed, and even though the River Mumma favors the main character, she cannot always convince the jungle to spare her charges. Though I enjoyed the romance and Victoria’s inner monologue, the setting was what initially drew me to the story, and it’s what kept my attention the whole way through. With spine-tingling twists, high stakes, crushing blows, and euphoric peaks, I had no trouble devouring this book from start to finish. My only wish is that we might visit the jungle again to uncover more of its secrets.

So I went into this story expecting a fast paced adventure full of magic and suspense but that was not what this was. Maybe if I had not been expecting something else Wildblood would have been great, but that was not how this played out. Instead this was a very slow angsty read, with lots of hard topics like sexual and physical assault, human trafficking, death, repression, betrayal, and all kinds of violence in general... Overall it was a pretty dark read that should definitely come with warnings.

I was also not a fan of the insta-love relationship, which was legit based on nothing but basic physical attraction (which is called lust, not love, but anyway). The main character and her love interest basically become devoted to each other within 2 days with no depth and spend the rest of the story professing their love and using pet names. It was a lot, but I am sure others will enjoy the over the top-ness of the two.

There were also lots of occasions where things were assumed as if the reader was aware of the situation, backstory or supernatural creatures (and heck maybe other readers are but I was not) so I felt confused and disconnected a lot. I will admit that I am still not 100% certain what exactly a Wildblood is or what they can do even after reading the book.
This is a standalone novel with a very bittersweet ending that on one hand I was glad for and on the other I wanted to rage that this was how everything wrapped up?!

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. There were times that I found it fast paced and peaking my interest. There were other times that it felt repetitive and monotonous. I am never a fan of instant love and unfortunately that seem to be prevalent in this book. I also found the ending to be somewhat anti-climactic. At the end of the day, I felt myself wanting more from the story.