Book Review: Blood of Beasts by Rebecca Lemke

This one was truly powerful. Dangerously perfect.

Humanity has fallen, decimated by biological warfare. Survival is only afforded to the elite. Super soldiers were created to protect the vulnerable remains of the United States.

Titania has been in hiding since she escaped the program. For years, she has kept her origin secret, even from her best friend, James.

When she is forced to manifest her power, she and James must flee from her creator. As forces work to tear them apart, they must find a way to stay together and answer the question: Can you love someone who isn’t human anymore?

GENRE: Young Adult Dystopian / Science Fantasy

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oklahoma native Rebecca Lemke is a hybrid, multi-genre author. She spends her days writing clean young adult, dystopian, and science fantasy books. She also enjoys hand-knitting blankets, traveling, painting, and spending time with her family.

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Review

This is a fast, clean read perfect for young adults. The premise might not be entirely unique by now, but Rebecca still manages to spin something interesting from it — particularly Titania and [REDACTED]'s transformations. I also thought it was interesting to have chapters in Silen's POV; I just don't see it a lot in YA, as they're usually either first person with the main character, or, in the case of a romance, the pair of leads.

I love childhood friends to romance stories so this one was my cup of tea. Throw in found family and I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next installment!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Indie August Reading Challenge

Why not diversify your reading this month and read along with many others using this bingo card? If you're not sure where to start, you can check out these recommendations on Twitter, my list of recommendations during Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week, this Pinterest board of all the entrants to the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award, this Pinterest board of indie releases for the first half of 2024 — or my books, as I'm a BIPOC woman author with a book published in 2021, a completed trilogy, and an anthology 😉

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Hi! I'm Marie, a Filipino SFFH author and book reviewer currently based in the UK. I’m the co-author of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse myth new adult urban fantasy trilogy, and I also have several short stories published in anthologies and literary journals.

You can find more info about me and my books, and also subscribe to my newsletter for more content, here. And if you like what I do, please also consider supporting me on Ko-fi! 🩷 https://ko-fi.com/mariesinadjan

If you fancy a short read, I have a cozy reimagining of the Norse myths about Hel, but it's just under 70 pages and can be read in one sitting. ✨ Plus there's a swag kit coming soon! Includes a "membership card," a bookmark, a sticker, an origami dog, and an exclusive 500-word story 🫶🏼

All things end, and all must die.

But death is not always the end.

When Geiravor Lokisdottir was stripped of her name and cast out of Asgard, torn from her family and the life she had known, she thought she’d lost it all. But in the shadows of Niflheim she discovers the path to her destiny, and what it truly means to be queen.

This is a prequel short story to THE PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK trilogy by Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan, and a retelling of the myths involving Hel, the Norse goddess of death and the queen of the underworld.