4.5 STARS

I read and reviewed this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser for having me on the tour and thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warnings: Violence, cult-like society, murder, suicide (mentioned and sort of depicted on page), abandonment, blood, injury, war, abuse/child abuse, fire/burning, death, imprisonment, lying/betrayal, immolation.

With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte is a brand-new YA fantasy debut that captured me within the first page and didn't let me go until the very last one. If you know anything about me, you'll know that blurb was enough for me to sign up in a flash to this tour and I'm glad I did.

This book is set in the small Italian town of Castello. This is an intriguing town because it is split in two: on one side the Paradisos and on the other the Marconis, which is very similar to Romeo and Juliet with the Montagues and the Capulets. This town is also enclosed by a wall and it is basically a prison for all its inhabitants. There is also a strict ruling of this town by a man named "the General" who through a cult of fear and power has reduced the citizens to a truce in which there is no longer any rivalry between the two sides as they are forbidden to cross the boundary line. Or so there shouldn't be... This semblance of peace is really just smoke and mirrors and the whole feeling of the town is so oppressive and dark. Kat Delacorte did an incredible job with this town, I could almost feel it jumping off the page and it felt like an actual character in the story, and it kind of was! Castello was such an omnipresent force and the world-building was done exceptionally well, I could picture it all vividly!

Lilliana Deluca (a.k.a Lily) is the main character of this book and she is such an intriguing one. I didn't exactly like her much from the start because she felt a bit tantrum-y towards her father, but she quickly grew on me. Her mother died 6 years previously and she didn't even have a very good relationship with her to start with, on top of that, her father kind of forgot about her when his wife died. So she is fairly abandoned by her family, chucked into this foreign town (thank goodness she spoke Italian faiy well already), and she is just expected to get on with life in this very, very bizarre place with these very, very bizarre people. I feel like Lily adapted really quickly to life in Castello but she also didn't have a choice. This is a very politically-charged and scary town in which the General holds everyone down through a cultish system of fear of the divine, namely the "Saints" and Lily is literally propelled into this world at a speed of knots. I quickly really liked her as a character, she became a lot more three-dimensional and interesting as the book went along and by the end, I was totally rooting for her and the other characters. Her life is ruled by darkness though, and from the last page of this book, I'm pretty sure the second instalment will be even darker ... BRING IT ON!

All of the characters in this book, or a majority of them, seem intrinsically wounded by life and the society in which they live, even Lily who doesn't even come from Castello. I really liked this about them because it made the whole atmosphere and setting even more palpable and I like seeing flawed protagonists with real emotions, even if a bit dramatic at times. That sounds like I enjoy reading about characters suffering, but what I mean to say is that I prefer this darker side to some cutesy Care Bear vibes that we all know are totally untrue and unrealistic. Give me the raw, dark and scary any day over Insta Love! The characters, the city, the world-building with the political intrigue and the cult system imposed by the General all just gelled into this really oppressive and dark atmosphere with so much at stake and I just loved how the characters evolved throughout the book, even though a few profoundly shocked me and just turned out so different to what I had expected. Cue the very loud gasp that woke my two puppies up, lol!

You all know I'm a big fan of unique magic systems and this one was just mind-blowing. I don't think I've ever read a book with magic quite like this, it was so elemental and personal but also such a massive presence in the town and in the minds of people because of how forbidden and terrifying it was made out to be. You know what I mean if you've read this book, if not pick it up because that last sentence was confusing, lol! Kind of a tiny spoiler: magic is bad, magic means you're something more than human, at least, that's what the General is telling everyone. I loved how forbidden it was because the people who possessed it were truly scared of the outcome, the presence of magic, and their future and because of what they had always been told about "power". I hope that we will get a bigger look at how this magic system works in the second book, but I'm already a massive fan of it and just need to know more!!

Atmosphere is most definitely my number one criterion when reading a book, especially in fantasy and the author went all out in this section. I honestly couldn't have asked for more or better. I just loved, loved, loved the dark, gloomy, oppressive, dangerous vibes and atmosphere I was getting from this book. I'm in love with the atmosphere of this book and I hope that the second instalment will be just as perfect.

So, as you can tell from my previous rambling, I really loved this book and was captivated by it from the first page. I quickly fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them the whole away. It's also been a long time since I read a YA fantasy that was both predictable on some fronts and utterly hooking and plot-twisty on others. I did guess a big part of the massive reveal but I have read like 200 different YA fantasies where there is always some kind of big secret revealed in the middle. I kind of knew where it was going about who the "princelings" really were, but the rest of the book completely surprised me and I have to say the last 3 or 4 chapters were plot twist upon plot twist and I didn't see much of it coming, so it was refreshing. I really liked how it ended even though it chilled me to the bone and it just made me want the second book so badly.

The setting, the atmopshere, the characters with their raw and flawed personalities and the overall plot of this book were just so GOOD and it all came together really well. The author has a real talent for writing, she drew me in and didn't let me go and I honestly can't believe this is a debut!!

I gave With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte 4.5 stars, and I thoroughly enjoyed it an highly recommend it! I'm so glad I got to read this bok and I think I'll be raving about it for a while, it's definitely up there in my favourite books of the year!

YOU’LL LIKE THIS IF YOU LOVE:
- Found family
- Magic and witches
- Mafia style societies
- Romantic Italian settings
- Dark academia style vibes

MY THOUGHTS:
This book carries with it some proper early 2000s dark romance vibes, but in the best way. Our main character Lilly is, for all intents and purposes, a normal girl. She is dragged into a new situation through her dad accepting a job in a strange remote town in the hills of Italy. It is a town divided with a strange history, an unusual leader and a weirdness that can’t be described.

I honestly can’t say I loved Lilly, the protagonist, but I’m not sure you’re meant to. She’s a bit of an enigma. The ordinary girl, but not. The newcomer, but not. The outsider, but not. She doesn’t fit in Castello at all, but she also isn’t completely out of place. She’s a strange main character because who she is and what we learn of her is so driven and intertwined with other characters and the setting itself.

The rest of the cast of characters come from either of the two families that rule Castello. Lilly is very much saturated with one of the families (or sides) in particular because that is the side of the city that she is living in and attending school in. This means that we get quite a one-sided view of the city. The family Lilly is associated with are the good guys, while the other side are the bad guys. It’s very Romeo and Juliet esque. However, the characters that circulate around Lilly very much stick out of this pattern.

Liza was one of my favourite characters at the start of the book. She’s full on and opinionated and obsessed with the history of the city (to an unhealthy degree later on in the book). I liked her instantaneous friendship with Lilly. Christian and Alex are a really interesting duo and even now, after finishing the book, I’m not really sure I have a full picture of them yet. Alex in particular is quite a spikey and sparky individual. Nico was probably both my favourite and least favourite character (if that’s even possible). He’s standoffish at first for no reason, but then a reason is revealed which explains a lot and makes me kind of like him, but also at the same time not like him. (I think this is just a theme of this whole book).

I think for me, my favourite character was the city itself. There’s so much history in this book that it feels as if the city is alive. Little titbits of the history are drip fed throughout the book to us as readers and it builds a picture of a current Castello that is stepped in a history that the present cannot be separated from. I especially loved the lore around the two families and the Saints.

Really, while the main story revolves around Lilly, I found myself more interested in the ‘true story’ of the novel: what happened to the Saints. Lilly, to me, was more of a vehicle for us to learn about Castello’s dark past, darker present and ambiguous future. This was a dark and interesting read that I’m still turning over in my head.

WHY IT WAS A 4-STAR READ FOR ME:
The romance (or obsession) between the characters. I wasn’t really sure if there was meant to be any at first. The main character at first seemed to be interested in one character but then there was another character that Lilly had a kind of insta-love supernatural connection with and I wasn’t really sure if she was meant to be romantically interested in them as well. Then there was the fact that every other character that Lilly didn’t seem to be romantically interested in was weirdly obsessed with her in a slightly creepy way. It was just confusing. It wasn’t until the end that the romance part was really revealed, but it was something that perplexed me so much I was re-reading parts to check I hadn’t missed anything. For a book that promised to be a “simmering supernatural romance”, filled with “bisexual and queer representation” I felt it was lacking.

The good thing about this book though is that it can do without the romance (or at least I could be confused about the romance and still really like this book). There’s so much world and character building that the romance really takes a backseat anyways. The main focus is on Lilly’s position within this world of mafia and saints that she has been dropped into. I’m really interested to see where this series goes in the next book.

With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte is a captivating, thrilling book in The Skeleton Keepers duology.

Set in an isolated, hidden Italian town that seems to not quite be in the present. For goodness sakes, they are still hunting witches. This tale is a classic mix of rival mafia families, a divided town, the mysterious General who is pulling all the strings, and the new girl in town that is about to shake everything up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story even though I am decades past the targeted audience age. Quality fiction has no age boundaries as far as I’m concerned. And Delacorte’s writing is magical in and of itself. From the descriptions of the town, the decrepit conditions, and the twists, and turns, to the character development and intriguing plotlines, this book is a winner.

I can not wait to read the next in this unique duology.

I received a digital copy of the book for the tour from The Write Reads, Penguin, and NetGalley. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

I ended up really enjoying this book- it started out feeling like a Romeo and Juliet retelling but it grew into a great story with its own plot. The action was fast pasted with several unexpected turns- the ending leaves a lot of things open for the next book. I’m looking forward to the stroy continuing . I received an Advanced copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This wasn't fully for me. The main reason for that was the main character. I found her bland and mainstream, and it was really hard for me to connect with her at all. The story was a bit slow, and because of the lack of information I found it hard to plow through, but I'm glad I did because the story picked up pace after that, as more and more was revealed. All in all it was a decent book, but it wasn't wholly the right one for me.

This spellbinding novel has everything I wanted and so much more! I eagerly devoured the dazzling prose, the inventive and immersive world fantastically crafted, and the complex and captivating characters penned.

Lilly’s voice instantly drew me into this addictive read; she’s lonely, endearing, stubborn and strong. She has already been through so much, and is now the new girl trying to navigate this ominous, other-worldly City she finds herself in. It’s as though a spell has been cast over Castello forever encasing it in its tragic past, in its outdated views and traditions. The gothic, creepy vibe of the City is perfectly captured.

I enjoyed how the history unravels through the chapters to build up the bigger picture and how we learn it all alongside Lilly. The ancient rivalry between the Marconis v the Paradisos is firmly entrenched and the City’s still very much divided and disparate.

Under The General’s tyrannical rule peace and harmony should prevail. He is looked upon as a saviour for how he dealt with the Saints. We see how he harnesses everyones’ fear of that which is different as a weapon to control them. Evil comes in many guises and hidden under the stunning facade of some of the characters is their duplicitous, menacing and cunning nature which makes for an exciting read! It’s a tale of the forbidden and there’s plotting and rebellion aplenty. I was completely invested in the main characters and their outcomes!

Lilly finds it hard processing the Saints and what happened to them – she’s subjected to blood purity tests, curfews, and makes the most alarming discovery – it’s all extremely surreal, scary and shocking. She doesn’t know what or who to believe. I loved the eclectic and intriguing mix of characters she meets – Lilly makes an instant connection with Liza who’s a force to be reckoned with and intent on escape; Nico’s dark and mysterious and something in him calls out to her; and she feels connected to Christian in the deepest way as though their meeting is kismet. All are dealing with their tangled feelings, alliances are formed and broken, secrets are concealed and sacrifices are made.

We are taken on a twisty journey with many competing wants, we see the defining nature of choices, the ramifications of the past, and how power becomes corrupted. The characters must look inside themselves and ask the question who am I? It is ultimately a tale of acceptance and fighting for who and what you believe in.

It’s an enthralling world steeped in cruelty, danger, and redemption which completely takes a hold of the reader – it feels as though you are living and breathing it all right next to the characters who pull on your heart strings throughout. Any YA/ fantasy/ dystopian fans need this alluring debut in their life! I’m excited this is only part one of the Skeleton Keepers duology and I cannot wait to be back in this mesmerising world again!

With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @penguinplatform and @katdelacorte for my gifted copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts on this book as part of the Ultimate Blog Tour.

The hidden, crumbling Italian city of Castello was at war with itself. Two families were involved ed in a brutal clan war, spanning generations, till a mysterious leader survived a church fire, killing all but him, determined unity against a common, hidden enemy.

When Lilly moves to town from the US due to her father's new job, she finds herself drawn to the rebellious Liza, the brooding Nico and sensitive Christian. But with her emotions pulling her in different directions with this strange love square, she finds that Castello is a city that will lead everyone to ruin because no one can be trusted. Not even herself.

Because sins of the past are close to destroying and consuming the present and future. Because Lilly, unknowingly, has broken Castello's most sacred rule: when your blood is tested, you better be damn sure you not anything more than human...

Well, this was a surprisingly addictive read. I knew I would like this, but I was surprised how into it I got! So much so, I kept going "How am I going to write a review for this for the tour?"

I kept comparing this in my head to Romeo and Juliet, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Amy Plum's Die For Me. Just imagine these stories coming together and having a queer, gothic lovechild and you have the basic idea of With Fire In Their Blood. But with a plot that has more twists and turns than a corkscrew.

I mean it, there were twists that even I went "Whoo!" as they came so out-of-left-field and yet, worked brilliantly with the story and the city where witch hunts, mafia families, religion being used as a weapon and a tool for fear, all the while having the rule "Trust is a weapon" thrown at the readers because, in Castello, trust and kindness are weakness.

I did get a little muddled at the start with all the characters names, especially with Lilly's parents. She kept flipping between "Mom/Dad" and then their real names "Carly/Jack" and I kept wishing Lilly would make up her mind.

But there was something addictive about this book which was a great thing to get out of a reading slump with. I can't wait for the sequel!

I gave 3 out of 5 stars. How many people does Lilly want? ‘Oh Alex, Nico, Christian etc. hates me’ – eye roll. ‘I want them to look at me and like me’ can we stop please? – I was just paraphrasing. When Chrissy called Lilly a whiny little girl, she was accurate and I don’t like Chrissy’s character, am just saying her description of Lilly was accurate. I loved the plot and the character building. I loved that most of the characters were morally grey; there were a slew of betrayals. Everyone was out for themselves and to trust was to be at the mercy of another’s whim. It was a great read.

Ever since I first heard about With Fire in their Blood I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and dive straight in. This book just sounded so perfect and just like the sort of book that I would love. I was not disappointed. This book was filled with mystery, magic and a dash of romance. I really, really enjoyed this book.

With Fire in their Blood follows the story of Lilly, who is forced to move to a secretive city in Italy where everything seems to be in the past. The city officials test everyone’s blood to see if there are any witches, and if witches are found… they are burnt at the stake! Lilly feels like this is absolute nonsense, because witches aren’t real… or so she thinks.

I personally found the start of With Fire in their Blood a little bit slow. I was intrigued right from the start but until the magic element started I did find it slow to get into. Once we hit the introduction of the magic I was hooked and couldn’t put this down. It’s no surprise to anyone that fantasy and paranormal books are my favourite, so this book was just amazing for me. It was creepy, and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. I did end up guessing the vast majority of the twists long before they were announced but I still enjoyed the journey of finding out if I was correct.

I really loved that the characters were very morally gray. Every single one of them. There is no black or white character, they all do questionable things and those sorts of characters are my favourites. This is a bit of a love square… and I definitely have a favourite. I can’t wait to read more in this series to see these relationships develop further, and see what happens.

If you’re looking for an intriguing, magical adventure then look no further. You need to pick up this amazing book. I am officially a Kat Delacorte fan and I cannot wait for more witchy goings on in the next book. If you love paranormal books set in beautiful places with fantastic character and plot development, then you do not want to miss out on this one. Go buy it now!

I was hoping to get a copy of this at YALC but didn’t, so I was so happy to be able to get on this tour. It was a book I didn’t know what to expect, but if you’re looking for a book with 2000’s YA paranormal vibes but queer? You’ve got that here.

With Fire In Their Blood is set in the Italian city of Castello, where rival mafia clans divide the city and only come together to fight the Saints. People with magic. When Lilly arrives, she’s drawn to Liza, Nico and Christian in equal measure. But Lilly isn’t sure she can trust anyone. Especially not sure when she shows signs of being more than human.

I said pretty early on that this book has all the vibes from those 2000s paranormal romances for teens. And it very much does, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. I was a teenager when I was reading those sorts of books, and I enjoyed them. This gives me a good reason to believe that teenagers today will enjoy this one too. It is maybe a little predictable in places, but once you’re pulled in for the ride you don’t really care about that. However, it did feel like a more updated version of the books from my teens and I’ll go into that now.

If you couldn’t guess from the summary, our heroine Lilly is either bi or pan. I can’t remember seeing a specific term used, but she’s clearly into guys and girls. Out of her three possible love interests, I liked her best with Liza. Their dynamic is interesting and not always good, but it did fascinate me. It wasn’t a relationship that I could necessarily see a happy ending for, even if the ending hadn’t happened, ahem. But I would’ve liked to see them try.

Speaking of characters, my favourite was probably Alex. Again, he wasn’t the nicest of characters. Honestly…I’m not sure anyone in this book truly is. But his protective nature and snappishness appealed to me. Plus. I kinda liked his helping out. It was fun. I also would’ve preferred if he’d been the one to end the book with Lilly’s final love interest. I hope that book 2 will kind of lead them back together as there clearly was something, and there’s still another person that Lilly could get with…I just doubt it. I don’t think that Lilly should get with the guy she does. Still, I’ll acknowledge that’s just personal preference. I know a lot of people will love them together. It’s just not for me.

I think part of the reason I struggled with the romance was that there were so many options, and everything was so well-written. You wanted to see more from these characters and work out what was going on, even when you didn’t like them. This book was dark, and that’s what made it work so well. I really loved this setting, the worldbuilding and everything related to all that. It feels rare that teen paranormal romance is actually dark, and this one is. I really appreciated that.

This book isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s difficult to trust any of the characters, and pretty much all the relationships are messed up in some way. But I know there are also a lot of people who are going to eat this up.

This just fell really flat for me sadly. I didn't engage with any of the characters and the instalove the main character kept having really started to annoy me. The writing wasn't bad it just wasn't for me. I was anticipating and enjoyable gothic fantasy but that wasn't what I got I'm afraid. A miss.

'Climb the wall, Lilly,’ Nico Carenza said. ‘Please. I’m tired of losing things.’ I did what he asked, then. Because I never thought I’d hear this boy beg me for anything.

I’ve been having a hard time remembering character names these days, but with a glorious book like this one, I think it’ll be a while before I forget them!
 
Thank you to Dave from The Write Reads for the chance to read and review With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte! And thank you NetGalley for providing the arc!
  
Let me make it clear from the start that I absolutely love this book! Yes, I need to pretend that a girl moves to Italy and has no trouble communicating with everyone. Yes, I’ll believe that all Italians from the mountains are beautiful. I’m okay with that and you will too!
 
Kat Delacorte might be a debut novelist, but she writes like a pro, and I genuinely thought I’d go to her goodreads and see more things she’s published. I can’t, so dropping the hint Kat that you need to write more.
 
Each character is fantastic. I loved Lilly’s resentment and anger, and how she called her mother by her name, which was a good touch by the author. I loved the way her abilities started to spark and how she just didn’t realize that it was her and not someone else. There was excellent world-building by the author; like perfect gothic story, but with a small town where everyone lies vibes. Liza was my favorite by far though. You need to read the book to know. Kat Delacorte built up some excellent chemistry between the two of them, subtle but powerful. I am mad that Nico didn’t get more time in the book because how do you write a book for a generation of people raised on Percy Jackson and not make Nico your main from the get go? It’s just not acceptable!
 
I loved the General and what he really wanted. I was also a huge fan of Professor Marconi! Basically I have no complaints about this book and I just want the next part!

“Luckily, we aren’t all believers.”

I really struggled to rate this book. I didn't dislike it - the plot was engaging and well paced, with plenty of twists to keep me going - but there was something about the writing style that really put me off. I really couldn't connect to the book and so probably won't be picking up the sequel. Others have loved it though so don't let that stop you giving it a go!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wow just wow! Words cannot express how amazing this book was! I started it last night and read it within 24 hours I was fully immersed in the story. The love triangle between Lilly, Liza and Cristian. The tension, the drama, the mystery, the magic this book just had it all. I already want book 2 so I can keep reading the story and falling more in love with the characters.

An action packed story that kept me on the edge of my seat!

A dark and gothic read set in an isolated Italian city that is split in two. The sides are at war with each other even under the General’s rule. When Lilly moves to the city, it’s not what she expected and it turns out she breaks all the rules that have kept the peace!

This is book 1 and I cannot wait for the second book!

With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte is the first book in a gothic, fantasy world set in the backdrop of the picturesque town of Castello. But like any picturesque town, it holds secrets and mysteries just waiting to be uncovered. This book was everything I could ever ask for in a young adult fantasy that is unlike anything I have ever read before– a beautiful mix of romance, witchcraft, Gothic fantasy and dynasties at war.

The world-building is fantastic. The vivid imagery and scenic descriptions instantly transport readers to a whole new world within these pages, and it was so easy to get lost in this book. There is nothing overly complicated in this world's architecture but the imagery is enough to remind readers that this a world of it's own.

The characters were all pretty much complex, morally grey teenagers that held plenty of secrets of their own, and it was such a rollercoaster trying to unravel the truth behind each other the characters. I really enjoyed Lily as our main protagonist, she's strong-willed, independent but she also has a vulnerable side that is the result of her past. The other characters were all really enjoyable to read about as well, and I liked the added layer of romance and love triangles (although not my favourite trope) between the characters. If you enjoy tortured love stories that will have you rooting for every single love interest, then this book is for you. Just make sure to check on your own heart once in a while!

The plot was so unexpected. This book is one of those books that don't over-explain the synopsis, so readers still have so much more to look forward to. The chapters are reasonably short, which I prefer because it makes it perfect for readers who like to read a chapter or two before bookmarking it for later. The short chapters also aid in keeping me completely enthralled chapter after chapter, with some chapters ending on a mini cliffhanger. Not to mention the fact that there were so many unpredictable moments and twists that had me turning the page quickly to see what happens next. The conflict is pretty self explanatory, but I loved how there is no "clear" villain at first. There are subtle moments laid out where it is unclear who is "good" and who is "bad", which I really enjoyed– I love complexities and uncertainties like this in fantasy novels because it always leads to plot twists and shocking revelations. I love how there were moments where I was volleying between which characters I can and should not trust.

I've seen a couple of reviewers mention the bi representation in this book, and while it is always a good thing to see more representation in books, I cannot really comment on how good the bisexual representation is simply because I don't have any experience or knowledge about what constitutes as "good" bi representation. That being said, I did mention that a lot of other book reviewers have speak highly the representation so I would be inclined to think that it's praise-worthy.

I cannot wait to read more of Kat Delacorte's work in the future. She is definitely an author that is an uncovered gem in the genre, and I would highly recommend picking up this book by her. I will be counting down the days until we get another whirlwind adventure into this world.

5 stars.

This book is very atmospheric and I love it! There are lots of Gothic-y elements and one scene actually reminded me of Miss Havishim’s dining room in Great Expectations. There were so many lush descriptions, the setting really came alive for me. Being set in another country, especially in an isolated setting, also added to the intrigue of the story.

The characters were compelling and diverse. Lilly was relatable and likable. She had a strong voice that pulled me into the story and kept me there. I liked how she discovered things from the past that were affecting her present. Liza, Nico, and Christian are all complex characters that gave depth to the book.

I think this will appeal to any reader who enjoys dark or Gothic books, especially fans of Chloe Gong, The Darkest Minds series, and Lakesedge.

When sixteen-year-old Lilly and her dad move from the US to Castello, Italy she's expecting boredom and poor Wifi. Instead, she finds a town split in two by a deadly feud, monthly blood tests in school and hysteria over supposedly magical beings called Saints.

Her new classmates would rather set off explosions and graffiti on the walls than learn, and many are hostile towards Lilly from their first meeting. Nico and Alex glare at her from across the room, and Christian recoils from her presence. Only Liza seems to want her there, certain that Lilly shares the same internal darkness as she does.

Lilly's strained relationship with her father gets worse as he spends long hours at work and becomes the newest acolyte of the town ruler, the General, who inspires a cult-like reverence among the townspeople.

When Lilly starts experiencing strange bursts of power she has no idea what to do, or who in Castello she can trust.

With Fire in Their Blood has love triangles, a bisexual protagonist and lots of morally grey teenagers with plenty of secrets. This is a complex and exciting YA novel with plenty of twists and turns. It also has a really interesting magic system and world which I'm looking forward to finding more about in book two.

I could definitely see this working well as a film and the descriptions are so strong I could see everything clearly as I was reading.

Plus, there are plenty of brilliant villains! Some are obvious from their first sentence, others masquerade as friends for much of the novel, while characters who seem antagonistic at the beginning may actually prove to be Lilly's greatest allies. With so many secrets still to be revealed, it's really hard to predict where this series is going to go next.

Thank you The Write Reads and Penguin Platform for sending me a copy to review for the tour.

Great story and character building throughout. You're able to build a clear picture in your mind as the story develops. This is the kind of book you can read all in one go, until the early hours of the morning as you think to yourself "just one more chapter".

With Fire in Their Blood, dark and gothic is a dystopian fantasy infused with paranormal and magical elements.

The eerie and isolated town of Castello in Italy is a great location for this story. It is atmospheric and creepy. There's a general sense of doom and oppression right from the moment Lily enters the town. The fact that the town is divided between two warring factions and heavily policed by armed guards felt very real and reminded me of Northern Ireland during the Troubles. I could really feel the animosity and underlying current of hostility and mistrust the residents of Castello had for each other.

I found myself heavily immersed in this magical world of Castello and hooked from the very beginning. The story is quite quick paced but the tension and suspense really ratchet up a notch in the final quarter of the book. It's exciting and nail-biting and I had my heart in my mouth all the way to the end.

I loved the character development. Lily's peers were antagonistic towards her at the beginning but a friendship of sorts developed between them as the story progressed. The twists and turns in their relationships added a sense of heart and camaraderie and it pulled at my heartstrings when they were presented with conflicting and unbearable choices.

The adults in the book were less easily understood as their motivations and agendas were more hidden. I was left wondering about Lily's father. What had he been trying to tell her and what happened to him in the end? I was getting the sense that he went to Castello with a hidden agenda and that he was trying to protect her somehow but none of this is revealed. I'm hoping he will redeem himself in the next book and that said book isn't too far away.