Review: I liked it, but it didn't give me what I expected.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
NOTE: I received the book from the author, as a part of a blog tour promotion.The moment I laid eyes on this cover, I just wanted to read BLOOD CROWN. Somehow it reminded me of books that were too good to put down.I was a little disappointed that I didn't get the 100% satisfaction from reading BLOOD CROWN. I guess I had too high expectations and not having them met just didn't work out for me.Don't get me wrong, the book is a good read, fast paced, packed with action, cute romance and intrigue. But for some reason I couldn't enjoy it as much as anticipated.Also, there were questions that were never answered, and I felt irritated by it. I'm not going to say what exactly those questions were, because it'll spoil the book, but it did annoy me a little.Writing style:I think this is where the problem was. I didn't feel comfortable with the writing style and I can't pinpoint exactly why. What I do know that I was bothered that some scenes, where anticipation should've been built up to a climax, were wasted on descriptions that could've been postponed or cut out altogether. I wasn't exactly keen to know what each character was wearing at any given time. But I did want to have tension working in my mind.Story line:I am not such a great lover of series. In fact I prefer standalone books. Yet, BLOOD CROWN cried with the need to be a trilogy. Why? Everything was packed into such a short time, it felt unrealistic and impossible. I did like the story line - it had good reasoning behind it - but the shortness of it made me think that it was just not enough.After all we're talking about humans defeating a super advanced android population. It should've taken a bit longer than a week, don't you think?Themes:- There's always hope.- Humans are always meant to win.- Sometimes, androids can love.- Prophesies always come to pass.- Love lasts forever.Characters:Archibald was the Servant android to the Royal Family of the West. He was the person who raised the little princess, Serantha, until her 10th year of age. He was supposed to teach her everything she should know about the world, about herself, about her future as a queen, wife and mother. But the Mind (a group of Elite androids) had different plans. Yet, even in their hands, Archibald still remains loyal to his little charge. He never abandons her, always protects her and is ever ready to sacrifice himself for her well-being.Nicolai is the prince of the East. He's got his heart in the right place. He knows what the Mind is capable of, and he wants to protect the human race from the android's plans of destruction. Unfortunately, his father doesn't share his opinions, so Nicolai is banished/leaves his kingdom and joins the rebel force.Now, let me tell you, I liked Nicolai's character. He was bold and brave and didn't hesitate to help those who needed rescuing. Sometimes he was even rash and stupid, acting without really thinking, but he always did it for the best of the human race.Serantha always described him as proud and serious and scowling. I never really saw him like that, so I'm sort of confused. Sera's supposed to know this guy because of their bond and stuff. But it seems that she has no idea who Nicolai really is as a person.Serantha is the little princess, Archibald's charge. She went missing after her parents' murder and was assumed dead. Thus, no one hoped that the prophesy of the Blood Crown would ever be fulfilled. Yet, Sera lived. A lowly life, full of scorn, brutality, distrust and no hope. But it was life nonetheless. I guess she was brave, since she always stood up to the guards and protected her roommates from assaults and such.Now she's 19 years old. She's hated by the humans around her, and the guards just want a piece of her because she's different. But no one knows who she is. She doesn't either.When she realizes she's a ruler of an Empire, I think it's too much for her and she makes a bunch of stupid crazy decisions. I'm not sure she knows how to be wise or how to analyze events and consequences. It's weird that she should need technology help to do it too. It sort of feels like ordinary people aren't able to make wise decisions, which is untrue.Galen was the evil Elite android who wanted to destroy mankind and rule the Universe. I understand his reasoning. He's selfish and degraded and has no honor. I'm not sure I know how he got there, since he's, you know, artificial intelligence, and could've been controlled, mind-wiped etc. etc.He wasn't a good villain, to be honest. Sure, he had a bunch of people killed, ships destroyed, and so on, but he lacked in some aspects.In conclusion, BLOOD CROWN was an interesting read with a lot of potential. It was crammed in a single volume, but I think it would've been done better as at least a duology.