Sunday 7 August 2011

Bloodstone (Rebel Angel Series #2) - Gillian Philip


Book details:
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Strident Publishing Limited; 1st edition (16 Aug 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1905537239
ISBN-13: 978-1905537235

Summary:
For centuries, Sithe warriors Seth and Conal MacGregor have hunted for the Bloodstone demanded by their Queen. Homesick, and determined to protect their clann, they have also made secret forays across the Veil. One of these illicit crossings has violent consequences that will devastate both their close family, and their entire clann. In the Otherworld, Jed Cameron a feral, full-mortal young thief becomes entangled with the strange and dangerous Finn MacAngus and her shadowy uncles. When he is dragged into the world of the Sithe, it s nothing he can t handle until time warps around him, and menacing forces reach out to threaten his infant brother In the collision of two worlds, war and tragedy are inevitable especially when treachery comes from the most shocking of quarters...

Links to buy:



 Rating:


My review:
Having pretty much swallowed the first book in the Rebel Angel series, Firebrand, (the review link for which can be found here) I was hooked and ready to get my claws into the next one and the lovely people over at Strident publishing provided me with the 2nd book. I jumped for joy when it came through my post and started reading, and steadily falling back into the world Gillian Philip so amazingly creates and feeling slightly empty once it finished.

Analysis of plot:
Warning – not for the light hearted. There were moments in this second book where I literally had to pause, put the book down, breathe, and pick it up back up, such as the emotional pull that Gillian Philip beautifully creates; letting readers know she’s going to make them work hard to enjoy this book and it’s well worth it.

In this book we continue to follow the two amazing brothers, Conal and Seth (Seth, oh Seth who stole your heart in the first book with his passion and loyalty, yes, that Seth.)
Yet their new adventure isn’t all fun and games (without spoiling it for you) for this book has a slightly darker underbelly which I loved as it shows us another world, inhibited by all manner of creatures accompanied with brooding skies that casts a shadow over the Sithe world as they face new dangers, and this is all done with crisp writing that makes you want to reach out and fall into the book itself.

There is plenty of tension and action not to mention some heartache which you can almost expect as Philip loves to tug on your emotions and it’s all worth it! Treachery, lies, fighting, bad plans and paid prices, it’s all a concoction of dark features that pulls us into this fantasy world and when we turn the last page and leave it, we are left reeling with the journey Philip has taken us on. She’s amazing and that’s only the tip of the iceberg!

Analysis of characters:
I’m so glad we got to keep the old Seth from the first book yet we see a new side to him as he has changed after the journey he’s been on and alongside him his amazing brother. Yet we are joined by new characters, such as that of Finn who adds humour to the book as her hot-headed manner reminds us of Seth in his earlier years. Despite gaining new experience and ageing (although not physically) Seth in this novel still managed to retain his child-like manner at times which I still find endearing. I like that Philip hasn’t let him grow up completely and perfectly and instead still shows us the flaws in his character which leads us to love him even more, ‘cause at the end of the day, it’s not always the goody-two-shoes we fall for! Love and loyalty go hand in hand for Seth and that just makes him more amazing than he already was.

Overall:
I have nothing but praise for this amazing series and I hope to read more of Philip’s brilliant writing which leaves you entranced even after the stories finished. Both books were created with fire which leaves a tingling touch once you finish reading it, I think everyone should get these books and be willing to burn. 

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