We are coming to you Friday night for another Fantasy Friday to talk about a book that has been on my mind since reading it last weekend. Blood and Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo.

This is a book that has been on my TBR for quite a while, I am talking I got an arc copy and completely spaced about reading it. (Shame on me!!) But, when I saw that Hoopla carried it on audiobook, I added it to my reading to the renfaire playlist. What I listened to and experienced, was something amazing.

Synopsis

From the moment Dayanara could wield a blade, she's been used as a weapon for Caldera, a kingdom of fierce brujas. Whenever her mother, the all-powerful Acna, points her in the direction to kill, Dayanara follows.

After centuries of war against the vampire kingdom at their border, her mother offers their king Dayanara's hand in marriage as a truce. Their agreement is bound by magic, and Dayanara must decide if she wants to kill the king, seduce the king, or embrace the union.

On the bright side, the marriage is set to make her the next Acna, granting her all the power that comes with the role. Depending on how much the Goddess Naom gifts her, it could be enough to regain control of her life. Or maybe everything will crumble beyond repair.

This book starts off in battle, with a bang we know exactly who Dayanara is and her personality. She is a take charge woman in all facets, raised to be the sword and ruthless by her mother. It is only when she is attacked and fading out, is she then arranged by her mother to marry Prince Kaizer, the head of one of the vampire kingdoms. This alliance was brought out to stop the war, one that Dayanara is not particularly fond of, especially with the kingdoms views on witches and tradition that contradict everything that she wanted for herself. It is interesting, as the reader, to explore the divers world alongside Daya, watching as she grows and adapts to her new environment and amongst the differing clans and kingdoms.

Identity and Self-Reflection

• One of the things that Daya often struggles with is her identity. While we know, as well as those in Caldera, she is a proud bisexual who never truly had to hide her identity, due to Caldera being a very open place. I feel as if that also makes sense with being a witch, there is a fluidity within the elements as well as the magic that rolls through witches, and Caldera being portrayed as a very free place.
  This is contradictory to Prince Kaizer's, which is very traditional and rigid. He tries to play devil's advocate with Daya, but ultimately creates choices and actions that have her questioning herself and what she truly wants for her life.

• Her mother also plays a huge role within the creation of the weapon that Daya becomes. One moment, a more doting mother and the next cold and cruel, forcing Daya to also become cold and detached within the ways of love and relationships. So this assertion of power through abuse and control is what further adds to the identity conflict that Daya has within the narrative.

Final Thoughts

A why choose with a chaotic bisexual witch that is mean to everyone but those she loves, who has to balance a world that abhors her but also needs her to save it? If I had a nickel! No, I absolutely adored this book, gobbled it up.

Hornedo weaves fantasy with cultural and historical elements, creating a beautiful world that is, in turn, narrated wonderfully by Ruthie Bowles. Captivating and engaging, this book had me on the edge of my seat, delivering book crushes, heartbreak, and joy. I cannot wait to start the next one.