I’ve been living with this burden for years, but my secret has finally been revealed and I feel like I can breathe again. I’ve wanted to ask—to beg—for help, but the spell that’s held me captive wouldn’t allow it. With it out in the open, I’m more determined than ever to break the seal from my chest so I can truly be free. But what if my seal has something to do with one of the most feared … most feared prophecies of the millennium?
“A broken seal breaks the fragile hold…”
What does that mean? How am I connected? And why do I find myself so deeply drawn to Julius when I know my viramore, my soulmate, is out there somewhere? It’s not fair to either of us for me to lead Jules on, but it seems that my vampire companion is fierce in his determination to help me.
The Witch’s Blood is the third book in The Ellwood Chronicles and is a continuation of the overall story as we follow Emrys, Julius, Sebastian, and Ailin on their journey. It contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 years of age and older.
Recommended Reading Order:
The Enchanter’s Flame
The Witch’s Seal
The Enchanter’s Soul
The Witch’s Blood
more
First things first, you absolutely need to read, or better yet, listen to the first two books in the series before starting with The Witch’s Blood. Not only is there a continuing storyline, but most of the characters show up in all the books and you will be very lost otherwise.
I am not fond of multiple POVs in books (as in more than 2), I’ve mentioned this before in my reviews—and, frankly, unless it’s in books like The Metahuman Files by Hailey Turner, I have little patience for it—I will admit that I have a new book to add to my exceptions, because I absolutely loved having Emerys and Julius’s perspective, additionally to Seb and Ailin’s. It worked great and in a complex story like this one, it was absolutely needed to get all the nuances in what was happening with the main plot.
I adored Julius and I think after listening to The Witch’s Blood, he has become my favorite character in the series. I still love Ailin to bits, but Julius and how selfless and loving and caring and willing to do whatever he needed for Emerys, even when he felt he had no chance with him, just won me over, and then when I listened to all he went through? I fell head over heels in love for him, at the same time that my heart was breaking. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Emerys, mostly because he could be so headstrong and it annoyed me that he was resolved to keeping Julius at arm’s length. Once he started thawing his attitude toward Julius and not only accepting his gestures of love, but reciprocating and even starting them on his own, my opinion of him changed drastically. The chemistry between Emerys and Julius was exceptional and I adored them together.
I loved Ailin and Seb, too. Their relationship has progressed so much in the course of the series and it was great to see them so well attuned to each other now that Seb has come into his own powers.
It was great catching up with Alex and the kids, although I still want to strangle Basil every single time he’s in a scene. Grrrr! I have a theory about him and I can’t wait to see what Michele has in store for him in the next and last installment. Oooh, and I adore Toby, he sounded like such a sweet gentle giant of a vamp.
Kenneth Obi did a fabulous job with all the voices, but his Julius just about made me melt in a puddle of Mari-goo, LOL. And I loved the special effects he’s adding in certain parts of the books, they really add up to the overall experience.
Overall, this was my favorite book in the series so far. It was engaging, fast-paced, action-packed, chockful with romance, fantasy and a fantastic, well thought out, captivating plot that just keeps getting better with each new book. I already have the last one in my Kindle, and while you can be sure I’ll pick up the last book when it comes out in audio, I don’t think I have the fortitude to wait until then to read the thrilling conclusion to this amazing series.
Bloody fantastic! Things keep heating up in this series so much suspense and action I can’t wait to see what happens! This book offered a peek into some of the other characters’ minds enhancing the story and continued the main storyline which really picked up.
Take one ancient prophecy yet to be fulfilled, a seal that must be broken, and soulmates, throw in some vampires and witches, and just for fun, toss in some frightened humans, an interesting Hag, cruel Centaurs, and demonic Bezerkers, and what do you have? You have one fantastic book!
In this book, we are gifted with the continuing saga of Julius, Emrys, Sebastian, and Ailin, and introduced to new characters, including Julius’ fledgling, Tobias. I rejoiced with the characters and felt their pain. And when the seal was broken, tears ran down my face at the pain they all endured.
Michele Notaro’s writing was superb. I was immediately sucked into the book and kept on the edge of my seat.
And if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of listening to the audio book, I encourage you to do so. Kenneth Obi’s narration was, as always, perfect. His voice resonated with such a deep sense of foreboding during the pre-prologue, as he spoke of the ancient prophecy and the events that would transpire with the breaking of the seal. He brought each character to life, and I found myself deeply entrenched in each character’s joy, sadness, fear, and pain.
Best book hangover ever!
My Magical Seal of Approval…
Let me just start off by saying that Kenneth Obi and his wonderful wife, Breha, gave me a free audiobook copy of The Witch’s Blood by Michele Notaro. They were more than happy to give a few available copies away to interested people in return for honest opinions of not only the novel but also the narration. I’d like to point out because I was given the audiobook version of this story, I am unaware of any problems with the text of the book such as punctuation errors, misspellings, etc. With that said, the following review is my honest opinion of my listening experience.
Before I jump into my thoughts about the author’s side of things, I’d like to talk about the narrator, Kenneth Obi. I’ve loved Ken’s work from the first time that I listened to one of his books. I’m not just praising this man’s work because he gave me a free copy of the book. I’m actually really picky when it comes to narrators. He’s just great at what he does and I’ve not been disappointed yet. He’s amazing at distinguishing between the characters with different accents and voices so that you have an idea of who is talk or thinking about something. Ken is also great at bringing scenes to life with the passion he puts into his voice acting. If a scene or character is emotional, you’re going to feel it! It’s not uncommon for Kenneth to bring you to tears, make you laugh, or feel the snark of the characters. He brings that energy to this narration, making you really feel for the characters and experience the scenes. One comment I do have is that there were a few times when the audio didn’t match up perfectly. I should have made notes of it, but I forgot. It’s almost as if he did another take on something he wasn’t quite happy with and the two pieces didn’t match up exactly. It’s not really a big deal for me, but I guess some people might momentarily be bothered by it. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about Ken’s narration of The Witch’s Blood. He did a wonderful job throughout the whole series!
Now…onto the story!
The Witch’s Blood is an enjoyable addition to the Ellwood Chronicles. It’s the third installment that picks up where The Enchanter’s Soul leaves off, only this time focusing on Emrys’ seal and his part in the prophecy. The overall development of the plot thus far has been done fairly well, giving the novels an intriguing appeal that draws the reader/listener in. Michele Notaro, in my opinion, has done a good job of creating this alternate reality where magic, myth, and folklore come together within the human world. I’ve found the author’s take on many of the creatures, beasts, and beings very interesting throughout all three books. She’s given everything in this series her own unique spin and I can definitely appreciate that.
One thing I do have to point out is that sometimes certain characters come across as petulant. They aren’t so childish that I’m completely put off of them, but they do test my patience. For example, let’s take a look at Sebastian. Throughout this entire series, he’s been bothered, scared, annoyed, or disgusted by multiple little creatures despite Ailin assuring him they’re safe. I will admit that Sebastian wasn’t as bad in this book as he was in the first two. I’m sure some people find Seb’s antics cute, but I just found them annoying after a while. Another example is Basil’s behavior. Oh good Goddess above, there were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into the boy. He was quickly becoming just another name on my shitlist until the scene with the gremlins where he sort of redeemed himself. Then, at the end of the book after earning back some of my love, he has to act out again with not only Thayer but impressionable young Jorah as well. It left me shaking my damn head and agreeing with Ailin about locking them up in separate rooms.
It was great seeing the relationship development between Emrys and Julius in this book. I already knew there was something there between them, but it was good to find out just what their relationship was and what they meant to one another. The author did a great job of creating a pull to, not only Emrys and Jules but also Zrak due to all of their troubled pasts. Julius suffered for years as a bloodslave to his sire. He lost people and saw those he cared about tortured at the hands of a truly evil being. Emrys and Zrak, on the other hand, endured torment from the Berserkers to protect their coven. They both experienced so much pain, loss, and loneliness thanks to the Berserkers. In my opinion, they deserve to find some joy in life and the author was good enough to let them all have a little happiness.
We get to know quite a few previously known characters a little better as well as meet some new ones. Tobias, one of the troubled fledglings of Julius is the most prominent new character to me. We hear mentions of Julius’ other two fledglings, Cassara and Nessa, which we will probably see in the series soon. We get a better feeling of Zrak’s personality which I was super happy about. Zrak, as Emrys’ bonded Hellhound interested me from the start but felt a bit flat until this book. We discover that Zammerra is a stonecold killer when it comes to protecting Seb. Ailin also lets us see how much he loves his kids even when they are driving him mental. I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the other younger coven members weren’t mentioned very much. I felt like they could have played a bigger part as well but were brushed aside in favor of more prominent characters. Yes, I supposed this book was mostly focused on Em and Jules, but they still could have been mentioned considering how much Em loves those kids.
Overall this was a good book. There was m/m romance, drama, affection, sadness, action, smexy times, love and everything in between! The next novel is sure to be a great continuation of the series, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for that in the future. I’ll sum up this review by saying if you’re into magical and/or mythical beings, give this series a go. You might just find it as intriguing as I did once you start reading/listening.
Warning This is a book three in the Ellwood Chronicles series and you must read in order I also suggest if it’s been a while since you read to the last book you freshen up as this takes off immediately and also mentions things that are in Emrys’s past.
Emrys and Julius have been lovers for a while, though Emrys is searching for his viramoure (soulmate). He wants his seal broken and he and Julius go searching for a hag that can help, though that means seeking out one of Julius, made vampires.
In this book, we also get Julius backstory which is so good on its own. It is like getting several stories in one book, Their quest, the overlying storyline of the war and protecting the world, Julius’s backstory, the romance between the two and more of Seb and Ailin.
The story is funny, sad, terrifying in parts and just a great emotional rollercoaster. Lots of feels of all kinds.
I highly recommend it if you can get them to get the narrations. Kenneth obi adds so more action and emotion with his voice that it adds another element to the book as well. Something I feel reading alone just doesn’t do. When it began, he scared the bejeezus out of me with the dark scary voice of the opening passage, I am so glad I wasn’t sitting in the dark! Then, in the end, I was listening away for the action and boom… there comes that creepy scary voice!
If you like supernatural, witches, monsters, soul-mates and a fabulous romance this is for you… warning it does end on cliffhangers.
OMG!! I absolutely LOVED this book! I have enjoyed the whole series, but this one is my favorite! Jules, Em, Seb, and A are a force to be reckoned with. This story has a little bit of everything! What a wonderful roller coaster!
As I huge fan of Michele Notaro’s Ellwood Chronicles, I find these stories interesting, full of magic, action and intrigue, in between amazing MCs and their vitmea viramores finding their HEA. Along with The witch’s seal, this book is a must read to understand more of the amazing world that Ms Notaro developed and helped you to answer questions about Emrys and Jules relationship and how their lives and Ailin and Sebastian’s are part of something bigger and how their destinies are entwined with each other. Emrys and Jules’ love story is full of struggles and doubts but as always, love conquers all, even dead. I can’t wait to learn more about this world, their characters and how Ms Notaro plans to continue this wonderful story. From my point of view, this book cannot be read as a standalone, but if you want to try I’m sure you’ll enjoy it anyway, but reading the whole series is more fun.
I was so lucky to received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion, somehow biased for my eagerness and excitement to read the book.
This was a very enjoyable tale about another Ellwood family member Emrys and his quest to lift the seal and find love. Told from multiple POV it’s full of magical creatures, loyal friends, intense emotions and humorous moments. This is not a standalone.
I enjoyed the hate relationship between Ailin, the Sage and head of Ellwood family, and Julius, vampire and Emrys’s lover. They were at times hilarious with their barbs thrown at each other. I liked Julius himself, especially after I found out what he endured before meeting Emrys. Considering everything he turned out honorable and kind vampire, and he was so sweet and protective where Emrys was concerned. The mystery of Emrys seal was revealed, and what he suffered made me want to hug the stuffing out if him. Poor baby. I enjoyed them as a couple. There were some heartfelt and gut-wrenching moments that made me want to cry.
The book had a steady pace introducing new characters and giving a chance to reconnect with old ones. There were intense bloody battles, sweet sexy moments and a bit of teenage drama. I loved reading about the Bonded all the witches had and the connection they all shared. Ailin was fierce but mellowed slightly toward Julius in the end. The plot twists made the book a very entertaining read. I liked it.
https://optimumm.blog/2019/10/05/review-of-the-witchs-blood-by-michelle-notaro/
Julius is a vampire, and Emrys is a witch. Their species aren’t friends; they normally have nothing in common, but Julius and Emrys met when they both needed someone in their life. They didn’t expect to discover that they are more to each other than what they thought.
The Witch’s blood is book 3 in the Ellwood Chronicles. This series gets better and better with each book.
Emrys is a witch, a death witch. He’s one of the most powerful witches just behind Ailin. Emrys was part of the Ellwood coven until Ailin kicks him out when he thought that Em betrayed them.
Emrys wasn’t a traitor. He was captured, tortured and bounded by a seal never to be able to explain the truth, and no one believed him when he claims his innocence, no one except Julius.
Julius is a vampire, the leader of his coven. He also helps the police to control human memories when they’ve witnessed a supernatural attack.
Julius is a tortured man with a painful and traumatic past. He’s used to being alone until he met Em who fulfills a void in his life that Julius ignored.
I adored these two men. They are beautiful with a powerful love and faith between them. They’re both traumatized by their past, and they’re both scared to be abandoned, alone without no one to love or to be loved, but together, they’re invincible. They never doubt each other. They never give up on each other. Julius trusted Emrys with his life, and he believed him from the beginning, even if he couldn’t know the depth of what Emrys has been through.
Em trusted Julius with his life, mind, and will. He refuses to see Julius as just a vampire or a monster. He only sees a man, his man. Their love is powerful and breathtaking.
I adored this book, and it’s probably my favorite in the series. The plot was captivating and interesting. It was well-written, funny, dynamic with some dark moments. The characters were awesome, the story was well-built, and the feelings were well-described. I felt them; I felt their fears and love. It was brilliant.
I was happy to have the Ellwood Clan in the background with some chapters from Ailin or Sebastian’s POV. I loved them too.
I’m torn right now. In one hand, I want to read the next book like now, on another hand, I don’t want to read it because I know it will be the last in this series. That’s a cruel dilemma. This series is soooo good and brilliantly written that I want to know the end without ending it.
It’s 5 stars (and mooooore) for the Vampire and his Witch
The Prophecy Continues
Michele Notaro has done it again! I don’t know how but each book in this series gets better and better. Everyone is recovering, or at least trying to, from the horrific events that happened in The Enchanter’s Soul and figure out a way to break Emrys’ seal. Lucky for us, we get to hear from the viewpoints of Ailin, Sebastian, Emrys and Julius in this book. I forgot how much I enjoy the scenes with Sebastian and snakes, lots of laughs.
I really love the kids in this series as they add a magic all their own to it. I loved how everyone, and Ailin knows many people, banded together to try and help Emrys and they were very clever about it. I got a little frustrated with A and his attitude toward Jules; however, I do like A’s fury when someone he loves is threatened, and his capacity to love is boundless. So glad that Sebastian has a cooler head and was around to temper A’s anger. I have a feeling they’ll all find their way together. By the way, my heart swooned during the touching scene at the inn.
While it broke my heart to hear about what Emrys and Julius went through and to feel their pain, I did appreciate learning more about their histories. Ailin and Emrys’ convo was a long time in the making but well worth the wait. I simply adore Jules and Emrys. They stole my heart and I love how protective and possessive they are of each other. When Emrys gets angry, wow, things sure do get hot, hot, hot! May I just what bada$$es Jules and Emrys are when fighting.
Oh my gosh, Basil and his “incidents” he finds himself in are both hilarious and head shaking, but I will admit I do feel for Bas as he has lots of heart and I think feels things very deeply. This book was full of so many twists and turns, some expected and more not (no spoilers), but combined they create a amazing story that I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait to see what happens next and want the next book now.
Em and Jules ruled the show for me and make my heart so happy. A sexy vampire and witch combined with spectacular world-building, need I say more?
Witches, Enchanters, and Vampires…yes please!
The world that Michele Notaro has created with the Ellwood Chronicles is one of my favorites to lose myself in. The characters in this book feel like friends and loved ones! The relationships they share have a depth of feeling that becomes something that you can feel.
Julius:
I have seen that he was capable of kindness in the previous books and it was easy to see that he feels deeply for Emrys. None of those things could have prepared me for the amazing soul that is Julius Hargrave! He is so kind, caring, nurturing, and loving. Emrys is so very lucky to have someone so devoted to him.
Emrys:
I was a bit skeptical at first. I had my judgements from his appearance in the previous books. As usual when I think I know how I feel about a character I am wrong! Emrys is also kind and loving but the thing that I immediately think of is protective! He has given up so much to take care of those he loves.
With the pairing of Julius and Emrys, the action that this book contains, and the addition of some chapters in Ailin and Sebastian’s POV… wow this book was fantastic!
The story continues in this book and we get to know Emrys, his vampire Jules and Jules fledgling Toby a bit better.
The seal on Emrys and how it got there are finally revealed and Emrys and Jules have to work together with Ailin and Seb to find a way out.
I love how protective Emrys and Jules are about each other. They’re a great addi6to the family and to their side on the war that’s brewing.
And it’s both sweet and funny how Ailin hides behind his temper and hard words when he really is a person who cares almost to much about others and just keeps adding people to his family.
The Witch’s Blood is the third book in The Ellwood Chronicles series by Michele Notaro. This book is a paranormal Urban Fantasy that continues the story of Emrys, Julius, Sebastian, and Ailin and is told from their point of views, which means we get to hear the story from various perspectives.
The characters are interesting… I am drawn to them and love reading about their struggles and successes. their story intrigues, captivates and entertains. I just want more and more. There is action, suspense, drama, steam… this book offers a fantastic adventure.