By Kelly Bridgewater
About the Book
Book: Blood Secrets
Author: Morgan L. Busse
Genre: YA Steampunk Fantasy
Release date: August 9, 2022
Not everyone wants to see the world saved
. . .
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on
the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from
Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or
if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the
world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something
more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the
Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let
those who only care about themselves perish.
My
Thoughts:
Blood
Secrets by Morgan Busse was a wonderful end to a
duology. I enjoy returning to this steampunk world with flying ships, divers,
money, and the strange things below the Mist. The characters are brave, daring,
and wonderful to hang out with. I have heard that this is the last book in this
two book series, which I wish it was not. About ninety percent into the novel,
there was still a lot left in the plot that needed to be covered in order to
make a happy ending. Busse rushed to the ending. I wanted more. A whole another
book would not be a bad thing. Maybe some more danger with the actual ruling
families. Not everything told to the readers that the story tied into a nice
little bow. I wanted more for the ending of this series. There is a touch of
romance. Nothing over the top. Thank goodness. The cover, again, was beautiful
, and I will be purchasing a hardbound copy to have on my shelf next to the
other one. I loved the world that Busse crafted and wanted to spend more time
in it. I needed more of a conflict toward the end of this book. There is plenty
of conflict up to that 90%. I believe there was plenty more to the story that
could have been told in another installment. Overall, Blood Secrets by Morgan Busse should have had a third novel to
complete the story. It felt rushed toward the end. I loved the characters and
the plot and wanted to see more and stay in this story a lot longer.
I received a complimentary copy of Blood Secrets by Morgan Busse published
by Enclave Publishing through Celebrate Lit. tour, but the opinions stated are
all my own.
My
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase Blood Secrets
About the Author
Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, The Soul Chronicles, and The Ravenwood Saga. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and winner of both the INSPY and the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.
More from Morgan
A lot of stories involve the hero saving the world. But is that realistic if you consider what the hero has been through? What if saving the world means saving the villain? Or that bully who made the hero’s life terrible back in high school? Or the person who lied and it cost the hero his or her job, home, or even their first love?
When I started writing Blood Secrets, it hit me (and therefore Cass as I was writing her story), that if she saved her world—all the people who were forced to live on mountaintops, airships, and sky islands because of the deadly Mist that covered everything else—she would be saving the people who saw her as lesser than. The people who forced everyone else off the mountains to die in the Mist, including her parents. The same people who would never think of saving someone like her.
As I wrote her story, I felt Cass’s resentment and anger towards the “echelons”—those at the top of society and literally the world. She was fine with saving others like her. But the thought of saving the people who ordered the purges that killed so many made her feel sick. In her mind, they didn’t deserve her sacrifice.
Honestly, I had never thought about it before. The hero saves the world. It’s what a hero does. But this was the first time I really thought about what that meant, and who it meant saving. It made me look at myself. Would I be willing to save everyone? Even those who have hurt me? Who have cost me so much in my life? Ugh. That’s a hard thought.
People love heroes, and sometimes even want to be one themselves. But the reality is being a hero is really hard. It’s not just saving the world; it’s saving those who live in the world. The good and the bad. Those deserving and those not so much. That’s what a real hero does.
I won’t share what decision Cass made because that is part of her story. But I am glad I was able to write her story because it made me think more about how I would react in her situation. And about God, who ultimately gave all to save a world that did not want Him.
Blog Stops
Where Faith and Books Meet, August 31
Remembrancy, August 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 1
Texas Book-aholic, September 2
Blogging With Carol, September 2
Inklings and notions, September 3
Christina’s Corner, September 3
The Christian Fiction Girl, September 4
For Him and My Family, September 5
Labor Not in Vain, September 5
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 6
Aryn the Libraryan, September 7
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 7
deb’s Book Review, September 8
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 9
Daysong Reflections, September 9
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 10
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 11
Rebecca Tews, September 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12
Simple Harvest Reads, September 13 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
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