Book Blurb
Natividad is Pure, one of the rare girls born able to wield magic. Pure magic can protect humans against the supernatural evils they only half-acknowledge - the blood kin or the black dogs. In rare cases - like for Natividad's father and older brother - Pure magic can help black dogs find the strength to control their dark powers.
But before Natividad's mother can finish teaching her magic their enemies find them. Their entire village in the remote hills of Mexico is slaughtered by black dogs. Their parents die protecting them. Natividad and her brothers must flee across a strange country to the only possible shelter: the infamous black dogs of Dimilioc, who have sworn to protect the Pure.
In the snowy forests of Vermont they are discovered by Ezekiel Korte, despite his youth the strongest black dog at Dimilioc and the appointed pack executioner. Intrigued by Natividad he takes them to Dimilioc instead of killing them.
Now they must pass the tests of the Dimilioc Master. Alejandro must prove he can learn loyalty and control even without his sister's Pure magic. Natividad's twin Miguel must prove that an ordinary human can be more than a burden to be protected. And even at Dimilioc a Pure girl like Natividad cannot remain unclaimed to cause fighting and distraction. If she is to stay she must choose a black dog mate.
But, first, they must all survive the looming battle.
BLACK DOG was one of my favorite YA reads of 2013. (I thank Strange Chemistry for providing an ARC *kiss-kiss*)
WHAT WORKED for me was the world building. The werewolves, vampires and pure were incorporated seamlessly with contemporary times. And the struggles within the packs of werewolves, and between packs was well done and interesting.
I also loved the tender affection between the siblings. Too often in YA books all the affection is directed to parents --usually deceased. But in this book the teens are looking out after each other.
The secondary characters, with the exception of the villains, were exceedingly well done. Loved them. Loved their politics. There's hardly a one I didn't/don't want to know more about.
On the DOWNside, what didn't work for me was the main villain. A little too flat. Plus, Natividad was given the role of the 'girl who makes stupid decisions' in order to move the plot along. And I really hope we don't see more of this in the second book.
But all together, these issues were far outweighed by the shear fun of the story. And I'll probably re-read this book in 2014 --something I just don't do on a regular basis.
I also loved the tender affection between the siblings. Too often in YA books all the affection is directed to parents --usually deceased. But in this book the teens are looking out after each other.
The secondary characters, with the exception of the villains, were exceedingly well done. Loved them. Loved their politics. There's hardly a one I didn't/don't want to know more about.
On the DOWNside, what didn't work for me was the main villain. A little too flat. Plus, Natividad was given the role of the 'girl who makes stupid decisions' in order to move the plot along. And I really hope we don't see more of this in the second book.
But all together, these issues were far outweighed by the shear fun of the story. And I'll probably re-read this book in 2014 --something I just don't do on a regular basis.
~
If you'd like a fun urban-fantasy and you enjoyed Written in Red, think about reading BLACK DOG. It's a good solid read.
It's a smart, interesting book with good world-building and an interesting premise. It's not perfect, but I thought the writing and storyline more than make up for any flaws.
One of the best YA books I've read in 2013. I can't wait for #2.
Pam~
BLACK DOG
by Rachel Neumeier
Reading Information:
no reading information currently available
--Read Chapter One
No comments :
Post a Comment