Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl

Title: Golden Blood

Author: Melissa Pearl

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 3.9 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS!

Summary from Goodreads:

Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. 

Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.

Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.

My Opinion:

Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl is the first novel in the Time Spirit Trilogy. Golden Blood was the first 'time travel' novel I have ever read and I can happily state that this novel certainly won't be the last I read in this genre. This novel was a captivating, interesting and a fun read. I never seemed to be able to put this novel down after I started reading it. Melissa Pearl has written a beautifully structured novel with elegant writing skills which I applaud her for. Golden Blood's main female protagonist, Gemma Hart, is definitely a favourite female character of mine. Gemma can be best described as a shy girl who does anything to please her family even if that means to give up her social life. An introvert who is called the "freak" of the school  falls in love with Harrison Granger who is not a Time Traveler. Harrison Granger was one of the sweetest male protagonists I have read about. He is not judgemental as he never judged Gemma's social life and even though she is named as the "freak of the school" he still falls in love with her. The relationship is not pushed in any way and is paced quite well so both characters have a chance to learn more about each other. Gemma's family background is quite unique and different, an aspect of this novel which I enjoyed reading about. I loved learning more about Gemma and why her family does time travel. Of course I will not right the reasoning here as that is one of the mysteries to uncover while reading this novel. While reading the novel, look out for foreshadowing which I found Pearl added into this novel quite well. I would always read a paragraph and have many possibilities rushing to mind about why her family does time-traveling and why she is so unique but the truth was never revealed until the end of the novel. The setting of this novel is not only in the present day but also in different time periods hence the reason why this novel is based on time traveling. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel and am looking forward to seeing more "time-traveling" scenes in the next few novels. The overall plot and issue of this novel was played out quite well and interesting scenes took place which I would have never imagined! This novel has gained my interest to start reading more novels based on time traveling. I can't wait to see how events unfold in the following novel.  I recommend teenagers and young adults to read this book- you will not regret it! Thank you so much Melissa Pearl for allowing me to review your phenomenal novel.

- Erisha <4