In the Ravenous Dark

An interestingly dark take on YA. In this world there are two main types of magic, blood magic and death magic. Both obviously focused on the grim and the macabre. It helps give a gritty veneer of darkness to this YA tale. Add in to that an oppressive city state, a tyrannical ruler and a mysterious secret and you get an entertaining tale - I do appreciate YA when the darkness is upped.

In this city, spirits (‘Guardians') are used to control the users of Blood Magic. Our heroine, Rovan, has managed to hide her magic and avoided being bonded with one of these spirits, but when she is eventually captured and forced to bond, she begins to uncover the secrets of these spirits and the regime which uses them to control the city.

The basic story with its underlying darker themes I can definitely fully appreciate. This being YA though the author has levered in some awkward teenage love story. It kind of works ok, but is my least favourite part of the story. This is definitely some of the better YA I have read though, and if you appreciate a touch of the macabre to your fantasy this is definitely worth a read.

I haven't struggled this much to finish a book in a very long time. It started off interesting however I dislike the worldbuilding, both because there is no real foundation and many plot holes. It just feels like it makes no sense. Near the middle, it all started going off the rails. 

Not only did the romance make no sense, there was far too much sex or kissing at moments when it made no sense. Honestly, I just disliked the whole thing. Many parts especially at the end were contradicting earlier parts in the book, and it all took too long. It was on my list for so long and it was very disappointing. I am also not a fan of constant veiled rape threats, no thanks.