So Blood for Blood is one of those series that I completely underestimated. I stumbled over it while watching Casey Ann books youtube channel, she went though a period where she managed to mention Vendetta in every other video so I thought I would give it a go.
I picked this book up when I heard it was a modern Romeo and Juliet.
Vendetta (Blood for Blood #1) by Catherine Doyle
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What's is it about?
Vendetta follows Sophie as she works away her summer at the family diner. Her resent past hasn't been easy and it's just about to get harder. When five mysterious boys move into the local mansion they catch Sophie's attention. She slowly begins to notice strange things about them and her growing feelings for Nic cause secrets to emerge, shattering all of Sophie's norms and thrusting her straight into the path of danger.
Summary of my Thoughts
This book is an exciting start to the Blood for Blood series, it's a great story of how five boys - armed with switchblade's and guns - turn one girls life on it's head. Full of romance, secrets and danger this book in a thrilling read up until the very last chapter.
I loved this book and the 'This book in three words' on the back of the book, couldn't describe it better:
Thrilling, Dangerous, Romance.
My Thoughts
This book starts by giving us a few chapters to get to know at bit about Sophie, her friends and her families situation before the boys arrived. Something which I was grateful for, as it helped to show that Sophie was just living a normal(ish) teenage life and highlights the impact that the boys arrival has on her world (a contrast that continues to grow).
Each of the boys are individuals, I was worried when we were first introduced to them, that we were only going to get to know about one or two of them in depth. However as we read through the book the personality of each individual brother shows though. I also enjoyed that as Sophie gets to know the brothers more and more we get to see certain characteristics that weren't obvious in the beginning. I think that this helped to make them more realistic and 'filled out' characters, because - in real life - as we get to know people more we realise new things about them.
I enjoyed the romance between Sophie and Nic but as we get further though the book he just doesn't seem to be able to understand Sophie as well as his brother Luca. Nic and Sophie obviously care for each other but I - like most of the people who have read the Blood for Blood series - am drawn to the slightly mysterious and moody Luca.
"Blood will spill and hearts will break..."
After about page 200, Sophie (as well as the reader) is given surprise after surprise, which made for a thrilling read that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. This book leaves so many thing unresolved and the need for book two will be a very strong indeed.
Favourite Quote:
"This life is complex that we rarely get to be the people we are truly meant to be. Instead, we wear masks and put up walls to keep from dealing with the fear of rejection, the feeling of regret, the very idea that someone may not love us for who we are deep in our core, that they might not understand the things that drive us."
- Page 108
Inferno (Blood for Blood #2) by Catherine Doyle
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What is it about?
After the events in Vendetta Sophie's life has been turned upside down. However, no matter how hard Sophie tries to get back to normal, normal is still far away. The Falcone boys no longer live in the mansion but the arrival of a Mafia clan thrusts the Falcone boys and Sophie back together.
"If you play with fire you'll get burnt..."
My Thoughts
Basically to keep this mini review spoiler free for both books it's going to have to be quite short and vague.
This book is more explosive, more heart-breaking, more romantic than the first book. It's full of yet more secrets and lies. It has more great banter between Sophie and the Falcone boys which gives the warm happy feels, it also has moments when you want to cry but leaves you pumped for the next book.
"You shouldn't have to be in the darkness with me."
"I think the point of being a good friend is being in the darkness. I'll be your light, until you can be it yourself again."
-Page 355
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