Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Publisher: Random House Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 416


Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: I wanted to love this book with all my heart. I had gotten a few recommendations from friends to read it, although it had already been in my sights.

I finally had the chance to read it and I was slightly surprised how long it took me to get through it. It was a thicker book, over 400 pages.

The first half of the book dragged a bit for me. By by the middle, I was getting more into it and am glad I gave the story a chance.

We are introduced to Silla who has a older brother and whose parents are dead. In was quite the tragedy, her father shot her mother then shot himself. Small town, a lot of talk.

Silla meets the new boy down the road. His name is Nicholas. He hates his stepmother and lives with her and his father.  Silla finds an old book of her dad and starts diving into it. It's full of magic and spells. Silla doesn't understand any of it at first. Magic is real?

Silla realizes that she and Nick have more in common than what one would think. They began to explore the Blood Magic together. People get hurt, people die, she doesn't know who she can really trust.

I really enjoyed Blood Magic once it gone going. At first I thought this might end up being a 2 cupcake book but by the time I finished, I changed my mind. Definitely more like 3.5 cupcakes. While it wasn't my favorite book in the world, I did enjoy it.

Overall: I liked how brave Silla was even though she didn't always know it. I also liked her brother a lot. He made the story a bit more funny and gave it some character. Nick was just ok for me. I liked him enough but I didn't fall head over heals in love with him.  I really want everyone to be ok and things to work out for Silla and her family. I want more answers.

Cover: Like it a lot. I love how the red stands out on the cover.

What I'd Give It: