Review Detail

Ronan Truelove always knew his mother was a little strange. She did enroll him in extracurricular activities ranging from fencing to karate to dance lessons. He had no idea she was part of the Blood Guard, a secret society dedicated to watching over the 36 Pure, or noble souls, in the world. When his father is kidnapped and dangerous people come after Ronan and his mother, he finds out the truth and begins a journey full of good and evil with a high probability of epic danger.

What I Loved:

The action in The Blood Guard is nonstop. Page after page, Ronan and his friends, Greta and Jack, are running from evil, attempting to locate parents, and frequently confused as to what’s happening. This is a perfect book for reluctant readers because there is little chance they will ever get bored in this lively plot.

The humor makes a lovely addition to the action. There are countless laugh-out-loud moments which provide some occasional much needed comic relief since the story certainly has dark times. The author definitely nails the balance between the darker story arcs and the lighter moments, equating this to a fun and exciting read.

What Left Me Wanting More:

Though the action is wonderful, so much action is happening that character growth is often sacrificed. The reader can easily sense that Ronan on track to discovery more about himself and develop, but he rarely does in this first book. Greta and Jack, both fascinating and engaging secondary characters, also have solid hints of development, but again, little is actualized. However, as with many series, character development sometimes holds off a larger effect until later books as the worlds and conflicts develop.

Final Verdict:

Though I did yearn for more character development, the action, mystery, and adventure make The Blood Guard an excellent pick for readers searching for something new and exciting. I will definitely be continuing the series.