Published November 2019 ♥ Independently Published by Casey L. Bond

Thoughts I had while reading When Wishes Bleed

So here’s the thing, Casey L Bond has written a lot of books. I was wanting to read her latest duology, but it turns out that’s not actually the one I wanted to read. When Wishes Bleed and Where Oceans Burn were literally the same series in my brain. And that’s the story of why I said I was going to read Where Oceans Burn but actually read When Wishes Bleed. 

This will be the fifth book of Bond’s I have read. I fucking loved Gravebriar. Valor was okay. And The House of Eclipses duology was fucking fantastic. As usual, these chaotic thoughts probably contain some spoilers. You can skip on down to My Final Thoughts if you would like to avoid them.

Part One : When Wishes Bleed

1. If I call my house a cabin, will it be more cozy? 
2. Why doesn’t the Daughter of Fate live in the House of Fate? 
3. Alright grams. Don’t like you. 
4. Ohhh I see, House of Fate we are coming for you. 
5. Sable. Finally a name. Bay seems alright. 
6. This House of Fate has a bad rep.  
7. I mean, you can still use the cabin. Idk why you’re moving into the House of Fate to be honest. 
8. I might be confused on this whole sector thing. 
9. By the goddess, indeed. Who are you golden eyes?
10. Note to self: Don’t murder any witches from The Gallows. Wow. 
11. A fuss indeed. Can’t wait to find out the repercussions for this. 
12. Mmm Blackberry wine. 
13. Shitty fortune dude. Destined to be murdered. 
14. Ngl The Bachelor was never my thing. 
15. These Priestesses are big mad. Ruffle those feathers Sable. 
16. Weird to be pushy on a handfast. 
17. What is Bay up to? 
18. I shouldn’t be surprised there’s cameras. 
19. I like Mira, even if she is only escorting Sable for the experience. Perhaps she will become a friend. 
20. Aw Prince Tauren. 
21. Friend! Yay Mira. 
22. Idk how I feel about the television thing. It’s clever and creative, kinda, but I personally loathe reality tv. 
23. Ugh Brecan, give it up there bud. 
24. Alright, I’m liking Prince Tauren more and more. 
25. Pfft. Tauren definitely has feelings developing towards Sable. 
26. I wonder what the King’s reading has to do with our current timeline. 
27. Mira is just freaking adorable with her little glass spiders. 
28. I concur, dresses over jeans. Although, leggings and sweats all the way. 
29. The only name Tauren is interested in is Sable. 
30. When’s the boy from the beginning coming back?
31. Who is the liar?

Part Two : When Wishes are Buried

1. I’m wondering about all those destined deaths. Were they past lives, or possible scenarios? 
2. Perhaps they can’t make up their mind, perhaps they know the Daughter of Fate is on the case. 
3. Bitches be trippin’ – Brecan. Probably. 
4. Wth happened to end the House of Fate. 
5. Why does this witch want Tauren dead and who is he working for?
6. For Goddess sake Sable look at your damn schedule already. 
7. I’m still not so sure Tauren was kissing another girl. 
8. Brecan is making some solid points. 
9. Do I know how Sable’s mom died? I can’t remember.. 
10. Even the spiders are on edge. 
11. Fate could oh idk help instead of turning Sable into a dragon. 
12. Well hello there twist. 
13. There’s something off still with this history lesson. 
14. Get over it already Brecan. 

Part Three : When Wishes Burn

1. Oh Arron, Son of Night, who are you really? 
2. Cough up some answers already Fate. 
3. I’m confused. Witches were trying to kill Tauren before Mommy Dearest woke from her dirt nap.
4. I don’t think Fate was cast out at all. I think he chose to go to Sable. 
5. Well I wasn’t expecting Bay as the answer to that question. Honestly I thought perhaps it was Arron. 
6. These witches have shit rules. 
7. I’m here for Arron and Mira. 

My Final Thoughts on When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond

I prefer House of Eclipses. That’s all I really got. When Wishes Bleed is just okay, and perhaps that’s my fault. I had high expectations and this just didn’t live up to them, unfortunately. There is nothing overtly bad about When Wishes Bleed. Bond writes good stories, that’s a fact. This particular story just wasn’t my cup of tea. 

If it wasn’t for the mystery afoot, I would have tossed this into the dnf pile. Maybe that’s a stretch, but it’s what kept me reading. I needed to know who wanted to kill Prince Tauren and why. I wasn’t a fan of the whole Bachelor TV show aspect. I could have gotten behind the idea, but it didn’t add any value to the story in my opinion. Thankfully, it just kinda hung out in the background and wasn’t a huge plot point. 

Mis-communication and Non-communication are two of my least favorite tropes.

In small amounts it’s fine, and I’ll take miscommunication over non-communication any day of the week. There are a lot of both in When Wishes Bleed. I spent a lot of time angry with Sable’s grandmother and the rest of The Circle. For the life of me, I could not understand their decision to literally not tell Sable anything. Ela’s hatred was one thing. Keeping Sable secluded and away from the rest of the witches was another. Not telling her the why of it, particularly when Sable came of age, was outrageous. Don’t even get me started on Fate not opening his damn mouth. 

The only character I actually liked was Mira and it just isn’t enough to keep me reading. Especially when one of my other and probably least favorite tropes snuck up at the end. Honestly, I think perhaps it was Where Oceans Burn that I wanted to read.

I want to make this clear, just in case it wasn’t. There is nothing wrong with When Wishes Bleed – it’s just not for me.

…forbidden fruit was a temptation some couldn’t force themselves to turn away from.

Most of the witches believed Fate was Death and that I was his hands, but Fate was exactly what his name implied.

I didn’t ask for this curse; I had no choice but to fulfill his will.

Fate’s hands never weaken, never falter, and they never fail.

His lingering last breath settled into the coarse fibers, darkening the length of cord, and then Fate’s victim fell to the ground in an empty heap, naught but flesh and bone.

I had no idea until tonight that beautiful women hanged fully-grown men.

I would become a fire-breathing dragon before letting the Prince order me to stand at his side.

Heavy was the head that wore the crown, though many coveted the weighty circlet.

She was beautiful at first glance, but at second, I could see the hatred she harbored, clinging to her like a parasite.

Casey L. Bond is an independent author. Her full collection of books is available through Amazon. Some of her books can be found through other distributors. Bond also has her own Etsy shop, where signed books can be purchased.

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