In a world where magic and science sit side by side, and powerful witches are considered necessary aides for all governments, Lizzie Grace is something of an outlier. Though born into one of the most powerful blue-blood witch families, she wants nothing to do with either her past or her magic.
But when she and Belle, her human familiar and best friend, open a small cafe in the Faelan werewolf reservation, she quickly finds herself enmeshed in the hunt for a vampire intent on wreaking bloody havoc.
It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive–that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.

‘Blood Kissed‘ was an entertaining Australian Urban Fantasy novel that kicks off a series that I think will become a comfort read of mine. comfort read Urban Fantasy.

The story is a satisfying mix of magical thriller accented with sassy humour and a dash of romance. It has everything you’d expect in an Urban Fantasy: witches, werewolves, vampires and even a zombie but with enough trope twisting to keep everything fresh. The plot was good thriller material with lots of action: abduction, murders, attacks on the good guys and a few surprises along the way. It was also crafted to introduce the main characters who are likely to form the ensemble cast in a series and to speed up the world-building.

The thing I liked most about the book was the relationship between Lizzie Grace and her human witch Familiar, Belle Kent. The idea of a witch having a lesser witch as a Familiar was fresh and fun, especially as the chemistry between the two of them worked so well. I loved that they could speak into each other’s minds, that they had complementary strengths and that they respected one another. They’re both heterosexual so the partnership is not sexual but it is a lifelong commitment.

I liked the magic system used by the witches and I loved the addition of possibly sentient Wild Magic. The concept of werewolves in modern Australia living on semi-autonomous reservations in the bush and then encouraging tourism to generate revenue amused me. They share a secret past which I’m sure will fuel their future adventures and their banter lifted the book.

I’d been worried that ‘Blood Kiss‘ might be an early example of Romantasy, a genre that doesn’t appeal to me but it turned out to be a fantasy with eye-candy romance on the side. I liked that romance parts weren’t too eye-rollingly gushy and that they helped move the plot forward. Even so, the romance was still the most trope-heavy part of the plot. Thankfully, the relationship between Lizzie and Belle stayed centre stage, making the romance a relish rather than a main course.

I recommend the audiobook version of ‘Blood Kissed’. Katherine Littrell kept the text moving and provided distinct and appropriate voices for the characters.

‘Blood Kissed’ works as a standalone novel but the set-up offers enough promise that I’ll know I’ll be back for more.