Review: The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date:August 28, 2012
Preorder: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Paranormal romance fans who are looking to up the ante will be drawn to this tale of horror, fantasy, and romance. For Mab Prowd, the practice of blood magic is as natural as breathing. It's all she's ever known. Growing up on an isolated farm in Kansas with other practitioners may have kept her from making friends her own age, but it has also given her a sense of purpose—she's connected to the land and protective of the magic. And she is able to practice it proudly and happily out in the open with only the crows as her companions. Mab will do anything to keep the ancient practice alive and guard its secrets. But one morning while she is working out a particularly tricky spell she encounters Will, a local boy who is trying to exorcise some mundane personal demons. He experiences Mab's magic in a way his mind cannot comprehend and is all too happy to end their chance meeting. But secrets that were kept from Mab by the earlier generations of blood magicians have come home to roost. And she and Will are drawn back together, time again by this dangerous force looking to break free from the earth and reclaim its own dark power

My thoughts:

BEST.BOOK.EVER!  I am not kidding or exaggerating one bit either.  Most books I usually say that I loved them but I wish this was different or this annoyed me, but this one is PERFECT.  There is not one single thing I would want changed, slowed down, altered, or deleted.  The Blood Keeper is pure perfection!

In this one we have Mab who is now the Deacon. She protects her land and helps others like herself in need with her magic.  Mab is very curious by nature which makes her an awesome at what she does.  When her curiosity drags her to find out why Author, her old mentor, wanted her to get rid of the rose bushes in their yard she unknowingly opens up a whole can of worms that changes her life forever.  Will, having lost his brother only a few months ago, is just trying to figure out what he wants to do. Every man in his family has joined the service and he isn't so sure that is the path that he wants to take anymore.  Also added to that he is having nightmares about being dragged underwater and all kinds of non pleasant things.  Thinking gt has something to do with the day he saved one of his friends lives, he goes back to where it all happened.  There is where he meets Mab for the first time and their introduction is nothing short of hilarious and terrifying.   This story is filled with action, adventure, romance, passion, magic, and I can't forget blood.  I loved how the author chose to describe the magic in this book and show how Mab balanced everything out. Even the simple connection between Mab and Will was described and explained so perfectly.  Their romance was beautiful.  There was nothing forced and yes they had an instant connection but there is a really good reason why that I can't explain but just trust me it definitely works.  Their romance is my top favorite one of all time. Yes I know that is a huge statement and I mean every word.

Mab proves to be one of the toughest characters I have ever read about.  She does what needs to be done and doesn't make excuses or whine about it.  I was so shocked at her decision at the end and I know that the author never takes the easy way out so I was on pins and needles at the end.  I actually was on pins and needles throughout but that ending was killer!  Also I have to say that I loved that even though Mab was the outcast girl she didn't get treated like a weirdo.  The girls at Will's school didn't make fun of her, they didn't break out in a song and dance about being besties forever upon their first introduction, they welcomed her nicely and opened up the idea of being friends.  That is reality. Most new girls don't have besties within the first day and they don't all get teased by the head cheerleader. I loved that the author added that part.  Will was the perfect balance to Mab.  They complimented each other nicely and like I said above I loved their romance.  Will was just your typical guy, he loves his dogs, plays soccer, and is just trying to keep his life together.  Mab proves to be the glue he needs and in my eyes they are the perfect couple.  Don't think for a second that this  book is all romance, there is an enormous storyline here that is told in two different times alternating chapters.  The story was just as captivating as the romance and even more so at times.

If you have read my previous review of the first book you already know that I am a huge fan of this world that Tessa Gratton has created.  There is just something about it that is intriguing and just captivates me. It is so different from any other magic book I have read.  I don't think there is another book planned set in this world but if there ever is one I will definitely be that crazy girl waiting at the door of my book store the day it releases.  Tessa Gratton is a brilliant author and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

By the way if anyone knows where I can find Crow Memory Please let me know!

5 Snowflakes

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