Friday, September 7, 2012

Book Review: Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

Title: Blackwood
Author: Gwenda Bond
Links: Website | Twitter
Publisher: Strange Chemistry (Angry Robot)
Publication Date: September 4th 2012 
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Summary from Goodreads:
On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.
Miranda, a misfit girl from the island’s most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can’t dodge is each other.
Thoughts:
Look at that cover, isn't it creepy but it grabs your attention right? Correct, that is, for me. Blackwood's cover grabbed my attention the moment I layed eyes on it. Unfortunately, it didn't capture my attention as I hoped it would. The legend is told throughout the story so in the beginning I was a tad lost and confused as to what was going on. Fortunately, the writing was what made it bearable for me to continue reading the story. I thought this book was quite interesting but I recommend searching up the info it was based on before reading it.
Characters:
Blackwood is told from the perspective of two characters which I didn't realize at first until the third or so chapter in the novel. Fortunately, the switching has a pattern to it so I soon felt in sync with the point of views. I didn't really connect to the characters but I really enjoyed reading from their perspectives and I really enjoyed the chemistry between them even though it might have been a tad fast for my taste. I felt really bad for some of the things that occur to the main female character, Miranda and was really sympathetic towards Phillips and what happens to him.
Romance:
The romance.. I don't think the novel revolves around the romance. I mean, yes, it's there but it doesn't seem to be the main point of it. The attraction between the main characters was a tad too fast for my taste but I really enjoyed seeing them figure out and experience things together.
Ending:
The ending felt a bit rushed but I really liked the things they decide to do in the end. It feels like a movie ending. There but up to your imagination to finish and I really enjoyed that.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in the legend.
First Sentence:
"The first time Miranda Blackwood checked the back of her closet for a portal to another world, she was eleven."
Quotes:
"He touched it. He danced with her. He wanted her." -Page 161
"His face was still near hers. Frak. She was blushing. She knew it." -Page 163


1 comment:

  1. Wow this looks really interesting, adding it to my TBR. Great review :D

    ReplyDelete