 | 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. |
Genre: YA Steampunk Fantasy
Release date: August 9, 2022
Release date: August 9, 2022
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
Her choice will determine the fate of the world...
Up until last year I would have told you that one of the last things I would ever read would be a zombie story, but, now I've read two of them! Yes, with the completion of Blood Secrets I have finished the Skyworld duology and I don't regret it one little iota... But, then again, regret is the last word anyone could attribute to reading any Morgan L. Busse novel.
Just like the first book, Blood Secrets is the perfect blend of fantasy, Steampunk, and, yes, zombies, or rather the Turned. While it may have been a YA book, there was still plenty there to intrigue and entertain this adult as well.
Much of that stemmed from Cass's struggle with saving the Skyworld. Morgan L. Busse's portrayal of her heroine facing the realization that if she chooses to save the world that world also includes the people who killed her parents and hunted her down, the very same people who knew of a cure to the Mist but kept it hidden from generations of people that they ultimately murdered. Yeah, tough stuff to deal with for a person so young. I really appreciated that story arc in this book, as it brought a slap of reality to a genre that is often missing characters who are relatable BECAUSE they are less than perfect. It brought up the excellent question, what would I do in Cass's shoes? In Theo's?
Morgan L. Busse did a good tying up the various threads from the first Skyworld novel in this second and final installment. While, I probably liked the first book the best, Blood Secrets answered the questions I was most curious about and was itself full of danger and drama that kept me itching to turn the next page. And turn those pages I certainly did!
So, if you can handle a little bit different take on Steampunk and zombies I would definitely recommend both of these books whether you are a YA or like myself, an adult reader...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Blood Secrets by Morgan L. Busse a 4 Bark rating.
Up until last year I would have told you that one of the last things I would ever read would be a zombie story, but, now I've read two of them! Yes, with the completion of Blood Secrets I have finished the Skyworld duology and I don't regret it one little iota... But, then again, regret is the last word anyone could attribute to reading any Morgan L. Busse novel.
Just like the first book, Blood Secrets is the perfect blend of fantasy, Steampunk, and, yes, zombies, or rather the Turned. While it may have been a YA book, there was still plenty there to intrigue and entertain this adult as well.
Much of that stemmed from Cass's struggle with saving the Skyworld. Morgan L. Busse's portrayal of her heroine facing the realization that if she chooses to save the world that world also includes the people who killed her parents and hunted her down, the very same people who knew of a cure to the Mist but kept it hidden from generations of people that they ultimately murdered. Yeah, tough stuff to deal with for a person so young. I really appreciated that story arc in this book, as it brought a slap of reality to a genre that is often missing characters who are relatable BECAUSE they are less than perfect. It brought up the excellent question, what would I do in Cass's shoes? In Theo's?
Morgan L. Busse did a good tying up the various threads from the first Skyworld novel in this second and final installment. While, I probably liked the first book the best, Blood Secrets answered the questions I was most curious about and was itself full of danger and drama that kept me itching to turn the next page. And turn those pages I certainly did!
So, if you can handle a little bit different take on Steampunk and zombies I would definitely recommend both of these books whether you are a YA or like myself, an adult reader...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Blood Secrets by Morgan L. Busse a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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.
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.
 Morgan L. Busse | 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. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize package
of a $25 Amazon and signed book!!
of a $25 Amazon and signed book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Rebecca Tews, September 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12
Simple Harvest Reads, September 13 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
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)