Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Blog Tour/Review: Blood Crown by Ali Cross



About BLOOD CROWN: Androids have claimed power over what remains of the human race. They rule without remorse. They are the Mind and humans exist only to serve them.

But it wasn't always so.

Before the android uprising, select droids, called Servants, were pivotal in engineering a new human race with nanotechnology enhanced DNA. The Blood Crown theorum was to be humanity's crowning glory and the key to their survival in deep space.

But Serantha, Daughter of the West, was the last female to receive Gifts from her Servant and when the Mind mutinied, she was hidden away, and presumed dead.

Without Serantha there is no hope of the Blood Crown being realized so Nicolai, Son of the East, abandons his crown to join the rebel forces. He might not provide the future for his people he had once dreamed of, but he will not go down without a fight.

When Nicolai discovers Sera among a small compliment of kitchen staff, everything changes--but Sera's Gifts were never completed and she is ill-equipped to face a legion of androids determined to wipe her, and every other human, out of existence.

Their only hope is the Blood Crown--but even if Serantha and Nicolai can realize their potential it may be too late to save mankind.

Release date: February 28, 2014



This story is told from three points of view: Archibald, Nicolai and Serantha. Archibald is Serantha's Servant, created to serve her until she dies. He wasn't part of the android uprising, but when it happened, he saved her and shut off his connection to her, leading others to believe she was dead. The story begins nine years later and Archibald is starting to receive information from Sera again. Galen, his one-time friend and traitor, believes that Sera is alive and is using Archibald to get the information he needs.

Nicolai abandoned his crown to join the rebels and tries to convince his father to join as well. He and Sera were close once but since he believes her to be dead, he doesn't see any reason to stick around. 

Sera works in the kitchen of a ship. She has no memory of who she really is. She fights off advances of the guards when she's not scrubbing dishes. She is tired of the life she's living and when she's had enough, she makes a decision which will change everything.

I enjoyed this book! Sera's chapters were the longest so we hear the most from her. I was lost somewhat in the beginning but as Sera started piecing her past together, my interest was piqued. When Nicolai appears, she has no idea who he is at first. As her memory returns, they grow closer but they have trust issues to work through. The romance is sudden, but as the Blood Crown is explained, it makes sense and works. There are villains to dislike and good, likable side characters that add to the story. If you enjoy fast-paced science fiction (in space!) with romance and fairy tale elements, then this is a book you will enjoy!

Content: Unwanted groping, intense kissing (neither of them are graphic)

My Rating=4 Stars


About Ali Cross: Ali Cross is the sensei of Novel Ninjutsu where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, one sumo dog and four zen turtles.

Ali is the award-winning author of young and new adult fiction and moonlights as Alex Cross when she can write wild middle grade adventures set in the faraway places of her imagination.


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2 comments:

Ali Cross said...

Thank you so much for the review, Mel!

Melanie said...

You're welcome! I'm looking forward to reading more of your books!

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