Blood Like Magic

Last updated
Blood Like Magic
Blood Like Magic.jpeg
First edition
Author Liselle Sambury
LanguageEnglish
Genres Young adult, science fiction
Publisher Simon and Schuster
Publication date
15 June 2021
Publication placeCanada

Blood Like Magic is a 2021 young adult science fantasy novel by Trinidadian Canadian writer Liselle Sambury. [1] [2] [3] [4] Sambury's debut novel, it was published on 15 June 2021 by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster and follows Voya, a teenager who is asked to kill her first love in order to save her family's magic. [5] [6]

Contents

Plot

Set in the year 2049 in Toronto, Voya Thomas is called by her ancestors and given a challenge in order to receive her magic. Afraid of being banished and humiliated because she refused her calling, her ancestor Mama Jova force her to witness her execution as a slave and she commands her to kill her first love or else magic will be taken away from her family. Voya is given 30 days to finish the plan and as she forms a bond with a boy named Luc, whom she plans to kill but soon she learns more secrets about her family and she begins to question the original intention of the act.

Reception

The book received several positive receptions from reviewers and readers. It was one of the most anticipated books of 2021. [7] [8] [9] A review from Locus Magazine stated that it is a "novel that embraces technological advances while wholly immersing the text with magic." [10] Another review by Culturess praised it contents by saying "It’s a story that effortlessly weaves together different cultures, sexualities, and gender identities to create something that feels fresh and necessary". [9]

Kirkus Reviews called it "A breath of fresh air for the genre; readers will be spellbound." [11]

The novel was a shortlisted finalist for the Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature at the 2021 Governor General's Awards, [12] and for the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award at the 2022 Canadian Children's Book Centre awards. [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "Can't-Miss Books to Read for Black History Month". Riveted. 2022-02-03. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  2. ↑ "Timmins author's debut book a finalist for national award". TimminsToday.com. 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  3. ↑ "Queen's Creative Writing alum Liselle Sambury talks debut novel 'Blood Like Magic'". The Journal. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  4. ↑ Price, Tirzah (2021-10-20). "New Dark Witchy YA Books". BOOK RIOT. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  5. ↑ "Blood Like Magic". Quill and Quire. 2021-06-03. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  6. ↑ "Liselle Sambury gives us an in-depth look at the world of Blood Like Magic". Culturess. 2021-06-09. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  7. ↑ Martin, Kalea (2021-03-22). "Black Girl Magic Comes to Life in These 15 Mystical YA Books". POPSUGAR Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  8. ↑ Rowl, Rey (2022-01-06). "15 YA Books Like From Blood and Ash". BOOK RIOT. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  9. 1 2 "3 reasons Blood Like Magic feels like a game changer in contemporary YA fantasy". Culturess. 2021-06-15. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  10. ↑ "Colleen Mondor reviews Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury". Locus Online. 2021-12-03. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  11. ↑ BLOOD LIKE MAGIC | Kirkus Reviews.
  12. ↑ "Ivan Coyote, David A. Robertson & Julie Flett among finalists for $25K Governor General's Literary Awards". CBC Books, October 14, 2021.
  13. ↑ "David A. Robertson, Xiran Jay Zhao & Christian Allaire among finalists for top Canadian children's book awards". CBC Books, September 12, 2022.
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