Hi friends, I’m so excited to share my thoughts on Blood Price as part of the blog tour hosted by the author, Nicole Evans! I’m so lucky to be part of the group that got to read this book early and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it!

Before I dive into my review though, I wanted to take a moment to say how proud I am of Nicole and that she’s publishing her debut! 🎉 I can’t remember when I first discovered Nicole’s blog, Thoughts Stained in Ink, but it is always a pleasure to visit her blog, and I quickly grew to love her writing. Let’s just say that the wonderful quality of her writing is evident in this story. Congratulations, Nicole! This is a banger of a debut. 😍

TL;DR: If you’re looking for a fantasy with a uniquely developed matriarchal societal system, a world based on Nordic mythology, and a tough-as-nails FMC warrior who is relentless and has a huge bone to pick with her Gods, then look no further than Blood Price. This was a well-written debut set in a richly developed fantasy world with characters, both human and non-human alike, that will grow on you. I’m so curious to see where this story leads and how Ashilde will triumph.

As I mentioned earlier, I truly enjoy Nicole’s writing. Her prose is crisp, her descriptions vivid without being overwhelming, and there’s something about her storytelling that reels me in and keeps me there. There were times when I felt the pacing could have been quicker, but for the most part, I was absorbed by Ashilde’s journey. Now, while the plot is solid, this is very much a character-driven story as, in addition to the physical journey Ashilde makes, we also follow along her emotional and mental journey. Being focused so much on Ash’s internal thoughts and journey, I can see this not being for readers who don’t particularly enjoy character-driven fantasy or ones that involve lengthy journeys.

That said, the world-building was fascinating and I think what made this debut so unique to me is how this matriarchal societal culture is formed around menstruation. I’ve never read anything like it before and I loved how Nicole tackles it through this fantasy world. Menstruation plays a big role in society and dictates what characters can and cannot do, and how they are viewed and accepted by their community. It’s also tied in with their gods and belief system. Sangrild, those who pay a monthly blood price, have power by being either a hunter or warrior in the clan and they are most revered. In addition to this monthly sacrifice for the clan, they are also expected to have children and support the growth of their community. I love how Nicole took this “taboo” topic and created a strong culture around it! Through Ashilde, we explore what it means for someone to “go against the grain” by choosing to not have children despite it being the “duty” of a person who menstruates, and how her society scorns and rejects her as a result. I also appreciated how the author gives recognition to people who don’t menstruate for various reasons and how it doesn’t make a person less than for it.

The story is told solely through Ashilde’s pov and we follow her as she really goes through it. Like, I can’t even begin to stress just how much this warrior is put through her paces. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I read about an MC who is continuously tested without even necessarily triumphing (in the traditional sense) in the end. It was a lot and if I’m being honest, at times, this story wasn’t always the easiest to read because of it. She was a complex character who I empathised with, rooted for and also wanted to give a giant hug to; yet, I also wanted to give her a good hard shake most of the time too! 😂 Ashilde carries a heavy burden and what truly feels like the weight of the world’s guilt on her shoulders. In most situations where things go wrong, she puts the burden of blame on herself even when situations are outside of her control. She repeatedly allows herself to be the scapegoat and punching bag, and does a fantastic job of convincing herself that she’s the villain in her own story.

Her struggle with her faith was another interesting aspect of Ashilde’s character. She is committed to her sacrifice each month for her community, she believes in and adheres to the cultural norms that dictate what you are/aren’t meant to do based on what the gods say. However, she consistently scorns the Ravenmother and Wolffather and their “laws”, and questions so much about the faith her clan strongly abides by. The contrast between what she believes and how she adheres to the rules was engaging to read about. I also love the things that Ashilde experiences throughout her journey—I’m particularly fond of the characters she meets along the way and who worm their way into her heart, whether she wants them to or not.

I think what would have made the world-building even more interesting, is if we got to learn more about each of the clans. While they weren’t the focus of the story, I was keen to learn more about the different abilities they were blessed with and how they lived. Who knows though, maybe this is something we will learn more of in the next book (fingers crossed)!

Overall, this was a really solid and strong debut. Ashilde was a well-crafted and complex character who made this story engaging to follow. I can’t wait to see what happens next and how Ashilde will adapt and grow with the changes that are introduced in this intense ending!

Does Blood Price sound like a fantasy you’d enjoy?

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