Book Review: Blood Groove
Hello all... I just finished reading Blood Groove by Alex Bledsoe. I actually set aside Bone Shaker for this one b/c I just can't seem to get into it. I was stuck at the hair dressers for 6 hours a few weeks ago and trudged through the first hundred pages plus of Bone Shaker, and practically nothing's happened so I moved on to greener pastures. (I'll force myself to finish it as soon as I've read Changeless.... mmmmmmm.)
But back to Blood Groove. Now I am a HUGE fan of Mr. Bledsoe's. If you keep track of my book reviews, I have nothing but raving loving reviews of his Eddie LaCrosse novels, a fantasy series. ( The Sword-Edged Blonde) ( Burn Me Deadly) Mr. Bledsoe is also a very classy and sweet guy. You should buy his books.
Yet again, back to Blood Groove... this book has a larger cast than his other writings. At least, a larger cast that you get to know more in-depth. I admit to struggling to identify the true 'villain' and 'hero' of the tale. There was definitely change and growth for some of the more prominant characters but I don't know if they moved from antagonist to protagonist or vice versa. And a character I felt much sympathy for had a very... thought-provoking ending.
It brings to mind Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. Mr. Sanderson had a depth of character that made me have more sympathy for even the blatant antagonist than I ever had before. Yet I never lost sight of him as the villain. In Blood Groove I definitely feel sympathy for some obvious characters and some unexpected, but Mr. Bledsoe is excellent at twisting the expected into something more and something different. Though this time the changes were not as clear. Perhaps this is comes from the fact that I cannot always see beyond the actions of a character through my own personal beliefs (killing = bad, mind control = immoral, etc.), I do not know.
This is the most sensual of Mr. Bledsoe's books. Not many male writers take on the complexities of intercourse from the female perspective. I think he did a good job invoking the various feelings the scenes call for - not all pleasure, not all pain, not all clear (in the good way that sex always confuses things).
But don't let this make you think I did not enjoy reading Blood Groove! I read through it TODAY. All of it. Couldn't put it down. I was intrigued, curious, mentally stimulated, and wanted to know how it ended. I can see some of what Mr. Bledsoe did but in all honestly, I don't know if I've absorbed it all. But his ending, as usual, is a twist that I did not see coming. (You can tell this book made me think... my reviews aren't usually this long!!)
I recommened Blood Groove for the hardcore vampire fans out there most definitely. And anyone who wants something with more substance than some of the UF romps out there. (Trust me - there are plenty with good substance [check my other reviews!!] this one just has a little less 'action' and more 'think' time but not in a bad way. It has a quick pace.)
But back to Blood Groove. Now I am a HUGE fan of Mr. Bledsoe's. If you keep track of my book reviews, I have nothing but raving loving reviews of his Eddie LaCrosse novels, a fantasy series. ( The Sword-Edged Blonde) ( Burn Me Deadly) Mr. Bledsoe is also a very classy and sweet guy. You should buy his books.
Yet again, back to Blood Groove... this book has a larger cast than his other writings. At least, a larger cast that you get to know more in-depth. I admit to struggling to identify the true 'villain' and 'hero' of the tale. There was definitely change and growth for some of the more prominant characters but I don't know if they moved from antagonist to protagonist or vice versa. And a character I felt much sympathy for had a very... thought-provoking ending.
It brings to mind Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. Mr. Sanderson had a depth of character that made me have more sympathy for even the blatant antagonist than I ever had before. Yet I never lost sight of him as the villain. In Blood Groove I definitely feel sympathy for some obvious characters and some unexpected, but Mr. Bledsoe is excellent at twisting the expected into something more and something different. Though this time the changes were not as clear. Perhaps this is comes from the fact that I cannot always see beyond the actions of a character through my own personal beliefs (killing = bad, mind control = immoral, etc.), I do not know.
This is the most sensual of Mr. Bledsoe's books. Not many male writers take on the complexities of intercourse from the female perspective. I think he did a good job invoking the various feelings the scenes call for - not all pleasure, not all pain, not all clear (in the good way that sex always confuses things).
But don't let this make you think I did not enjoy reading Blood Groove! I read through it TODAY. All of it. Couldn't put it down. I was intrigued, curious, mentally stimulated, and wanted to know how it ended. I can see some of what Mr. Bledsoe did but in all honestly, I don't know if I've absorbed it all. But his ending, as usual, is a twist that I did not see coming. (You can tell this book made me think... my reviews aren't usually this long!!)
I recommened Blood Groove for the hardcore vampire fans out there most definitely. And anyone who wants something with more substance than some of the UF romps out there. (Trust me - there are plenty with good substance [check my other reviews!!] this one just has a little less 'action' and more 'think' time but not in a bad way. It has a quick pace.)