Veins of Magic by Emma Hamm Book Review

Ratings

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Content Warnings: Toxic Relationships, Gory Descriptions, Death

Introduction

Veins of Magic is the predecessor to Heart of the Fae. The story picks up where the first one left off: Sorcha in the human world caring for her family and Eamonn fighting his way to the throne. 

In a book where actions don’t have consequences, you can rest assured that all with work out for the beloved pair as they fight their way to a more peaceful world. Eamonn makes sketchy decisions without Sorcha to guide him and Sorcha turns into a “woe is me” and an unreasonably stupid character.

Have you figured out that I’m not a fan of this book yet?

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

I’m doing things a bit differently for this review. A lot of the things I have to say fall into both the plot and writing, so I figured I’d combine them instead of repeating myself.

I hoped that this sequel would hold up to the first book and answer some questions, but noooo. That is far from what we got in this sequel. 

From the odd writing to the disjointed plot to the inconsistent characters, Veins of Magic was a train wreck from beginning to end. And to be honest, I stopped reading at 55% and just skimmed until the end.

It was rather…disappointing. But could have been so much better. 

Many of Sorcha’s actions didn’t have consequences, like breaking 2 fae deals (though Macha was lenient on hers). Then events just didn’t make sense or were randomly thrown in there. 

Here’s a list:

• Sorcha’s grandfather
• The whole Druid lineage
• The quest for the cure was pointless if the grandfather had it the whole time
• Passage of time in the fae world vs the human world
  • In the first book, the fae world moved slower (3-5 fae months = 1 human year)
  • In the second book, the fae world moved faster (1 human year = 5 fae years)
  • Sorcha impulsively turns against Eamonn after his “hunting” trip
  • No one considers Sorcha a witch anymore even though she openly talks about the shrine and magically has a cure for the plague. 

There was just no build-up or come-down from any of the events in the book. So some of that list could have been explained in either of those segments if they had just been included.

Here is how I wish the book would have gone:

• Sorcha returns to the fae lands and finds Eamonn. 
• Eamonn and his people are taking refuge in an abandoned place and trying to rebuild.
• Instead of attacking his brother, Eamonn could have built a safe haven for all of those who are banished, unwanted, lost, and running from Fionn. 
• Fionn attacks regardless, and Sorcha and Eamonn stick together, but Eamonn is killed by his brother in battle (like in the book).
• Sorcha exacts her revenge, but maybe utilizing the Unseelie or Bran a bit more instead of an all-out war. 
• Sorcha kills Fionn, revives Eamonn, and reclaims the throne. 

This is similar to the book, but the lead-up is different and it would have healthier elements in leadership and relationships. 

Characters

I was on board with Sorcha and Eamonn’s relationship in the first book. They were sweet and kept each other in check, but that all fell apart in the sequel. They became a toxic relationship that left me cringing and shaking my head. 

There was a tone of possessiveness and blatant disregard for each other. This can be seen when Eamonn lies to Sorcha when going out on his “hunting” trip. Then when Sorcha slaps him for sending her away. You can be mad that he sent you away, but to physically abuse him because of it? No ma’am.

By the end, I hated them. They reminded me of toxic high school relationships that ended up with a kid, so they’re forced to stay together and cover their abuse with honey.

Sorcha

Where was the smart, quick-witted, healer we saw in the first book? Sorcha spirals into a bitter and spoiled woman who no longer wants to help others. She even said it herself! She is tired of helping her sisters and she didn’t want to get to know her patients once she started traveling with the cure. 

Then, she made stupid and rash decisions. For example: when Eamonn told her not to go across the bridge into Nuada’s castle. She blatantly ignored him, did it anyways, and almost got both herself and Eamonn killed. Why? Because she didn’t like to be told what to do. Childish. 

I miss the Sorcha from the first book. The healer and the kind woman who was curious and charming.

Eamonn

Eamonn is not a good guy, no matter how Hamm tries to portray him. He is toxic and would make a bad king. 

His whole character is based off a prince who had his throne ripped from him because he was ugly and wanted to help the Lesser Fae. But throughout the entire book, he berates and forces the Lesser Fae to do his dirty work.

He lies to Sorcha and doesn’t listen to any of the people he claims to protect and lead. Eamonn goes on this tirade for himself and it is so easily seen that no one else wants to go along with him. 

Final Thoughts

Emma Hamm has officially joined the ranks of Scarlett St. Clair and Holly Black in my books. I will not be reading any more of her work.

Veins of Magic could have been so much better than what it ended up being, and I think that is what makes this such a bad read. And honestly, if edited right, the entire second book could have been tacked onto the end of the first book.

There was so much unnecessary drama and events that just didn’t add up to anything. 

So, read Heart of the Fae if you want to, but I don’t recommend this one. 

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What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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