Review of Royal Blood (Royal Blood, #1) by K.M. Hodge
When I first stumbled upon Royal Blood, I was immediately drawn in by the intrigue of royal drama intertwined with murder mystery. The intriguing cover and the promise of scandalous secrets felt like an invitation to a world I couldn’t resist. However, my reading experience turned out to be much more complex than I anticipated.
The novel follows Evangeline “Evan” Bright, a heroine navigating the tumultuous waters of royal family dynamics and societal scrutiny. As a character, Evan captivates with her resilience and depth. Her bond with Christopher “Kit” Abbott-Montgomery, along with the colorful cast of characters like the fiercely loyal Lady Tabitha “Tibby” and the complicated King Alexander II, is where the book shines. However, the brutal verbal assaults and suffocating family drama remind me why I initially DNF’d this book. It’s hard to enjoy when every chapter is peppered with venomous insults and toxic relationships, a reality that becomes exhausting by the halfway mark.
Hodge’s writing style is fresh and engaging, but I found the pacing uneven, particularly with the heavy reliance on transcribed text messages and gossip articles to set the tone. While some of these snippets added depth, they often irritated me, pulling me out of the narrative flow. The dialogue is sharp, with memorable quotes like Christopher’s moving promise: “Feel whatever it is you need to feel right now…” resonating deeply, yet the harsh exchanges often overshadowed these heartfelt moments. It’s a rollercoaster, for sure.
One cannot ignore the darker themes Hodge tackles, from family betrayal to mental health challenges like schizophrenia, which play a subtle but significant role. While I acknowledge the bravery in addressing such heavy topics, the depictions of online harassment and the mention of sexual assault added weight that felt at odds with the more romantic elements. This dichotomy left me torn, as I wanted to love the book for its ambitions but struggled under the weight of its darker moments.
Ultimately, Royal Blood may appeal to readers who revel in royal scandals and can stomach the chaos that emerges from family conflicts. If you thrive on plotting revenge against over-the-top characters and appreciate the rise of an underdog like Evan, you might find a lot to enjoy. Personally, I’m left in a liminal space, both eager for book two and wary of how the story will progress. Perhaps it’s the promise of unfolding mysteries and character growth that keeps me hanging on.
In all honesty, while my reading journey through Royal Blood was tumultuous, I can’t dismiss its potential. The raw emotions and packed plot points might very well captivate other readers in a way I couldn’t fully embrace. Here’s to hoping book two will be a little lighter on the drama and a bit more focused on resolution. Happy reading!
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