Silver & Blood, Jessie Mihalik (Review by Sara D’Onofrio)

This book was a double stuffed Oreo for me. The beginning was interesting right off the bat. The middle was too thick. The ending brought it all together and saved the day. I was excited to be pulled in right away, and I think I could have stayed more into it if things would have been explained a little bit better. Fantasy is notoriously confusing until you really get to know the characters and understand the stage that the author sets, but I feel like there was a lack of explanation in many areas. I found myself having to reread paragraphs and sections, and still not knowing what the author was referring to. Unfortunately, when I have to do that, it takes me out of the story, and I typically close the book and walk away. It took me a solid two weeks to finish this book, and when I’m immersed in a storyline, I usually finish within 2-3 days. It took me a while to get through the middle. I think maybe if the author had included more intimate moments and built the tension up between the main characters, it would help keep the readers more engaged. An insecure female main character is also not my favorite to read. It’s not just when they lack a little confidence, it’s when they are literally so blind about how a male lead sees them and treats them. There were so many comments from the main male character AND the supporting characters, and the female lead still acted like she couldn’t possibly be good enough. Girl, you have magical powers, have a SMIDGEN of self-worth! There were small glimpses of her taking control when she sassed back to some of the people in the magical world, and I’m hoping we see so much more of her owning her power in the second book! The ending picked up just enough for me that I do think I will read book two, and I am looking forward to how the characters grow individually and also as a couple!