Blood Influence

In Blood Influence by I.C. Lawrance, people in the Bowl lived in fear and were aware of the rumors that the Tower took away those with Influence and that they were never seen again. The Influence was inherited by blood, and the Tower needed girls with Influence to use their power of Influence. Girls with great ability were selected, collected without warning, and brought to the Tower for training and use. Shan, Molly, and Moira had used their Influence, attracted the attention of the Tower, and were taken away. Shan, Molly, and Moira meet for the first time at the Tower, but they need to escape before they become an integral part of the Tower and cease to exist as individuals.

Blood Influence by I.C. Lawrance is set in the Bowl, a place where people do not talk about the others who were taken away from them. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could. Several fascinating subplots featured numerous characters who came together in a setting rich in psychological, emotional, and mysterious elements. The characters were introduced without any confusion. Each character's experiences gave the story life, and the surroundings were related from their point of view. The chapters alternated between Shan's, Molly's, and Moira's stories, and it was an easy read. Blood Influence was beautifully written and was an interesting read. I was hooked from the start, and the author exceeded my expectations. - Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Blood Influence is a work of fiction in the fantasy, adventure, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience but could also be enjoyed by mature teen readers who enjoy some dark themes and horror-esque moments. Penned by author I C Lawrance, the storyline introduces the mysterious Tower overlooking the Bowl, a place of lush landscapes and seemingly ordinary lives. Shan, Molly, and Moira, unbeknownst to each other, possess a unique power: the Influence that the Tower seeks. As they turn 13, their lives become intertwined with the enigmatic force that has observed their world for generations.

Author I C Lawrance has crafted a tale that combines wonder and fear, unraveling the mysteries of its plot with strong narrative confidence and a huge amount of chilling atmosphere. The narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning the true nature of the Tower's intentions and the consequences of possessing such a power, and I found it to be a truly immersive experience. Delving into a world where the supernatural collides with the mundane, there was a great sense of balance in making credible, emotive moments that still ground the rest of the fantastical plot firmly in reality. Lawrance's writing style captures the essence of mystery and suspense with great pacing and a keen sense of how to shift from one scene to the next in a cinematic fashion, making the reader eager to unravel the secrets that lie within the Tower. The characters, each with a unique attitude and personality alongside their inner power, create a compelling mixture of influences and people that readers will come to adore. Overall, I would certainly recommend Blood Influence as a highly enjoyable fantasy read for fans of the genre everywhere. - K.C. Finn

Blood Influence is a young adult fantasy novel by I.C. Lawrance. Gifted since birth with extraordinary "Influence" abilities, thirteen-year-old Shan was raised by their grandmother to escape the radar of the Dark Ones from the Tower - an enormous monolith in the middle of the land of the Bowl. Moira, born into privilege and somewhat spoiled, believes the Tower is where her destiny lies. Meanwhile, against her wishes, a cheerful teen named Molly is taken to the Tower. When fate brings these three teenagers into the Tower, they realize nothing is what it seems. After suffering a terrible loss, Moira helps thwart her deceased mother's attempts to take over Molly's body. The three unlikely friends must now unite to escape the Tower's clutches. But not everyone will be able to do so.

I.C. Lawrance dives into a mix of genres to offer fantasy fans an engaging yarn full of magic, mystery, and a tinge of horror. Blood Influence is tailor-made for readers who love stories featuring supernatural entities and imaginative fantastical worlds. The narrative is unhurried as the author takes time to build the world and set up the characters, all of whom have compelling backstories that give them agency and shape their distinct personalities. The Tower is a mysterious and fascinating place, which makes you want to learn more about its lore and history. Lawrance's descriptions of the place, at times, feel almost surreal. This is the first installment of a planned trilogy, and as the book ends on a cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to reading the sequels. All in all, a stellar start to a promising fantasy saga. - Pikasho Deka