Nina Blazon
Author of Faunblut
About the Author
Series
Works by Nina Blazon
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Nina Blazon
- Birthdate
- 1969
- Gender
- female
- Awards and honors
- Preise: 2004: Deutscher Phantastik-Preis für "Im Bann des Fluchträgers" (Kategorie: Roman-Debüt, deutschsprachig). 2004: 1. Platz für die Geschichte "Donaukinder" beim Literaturwettbewerb der Wiener Zeitschrift "die melange", Thema: "Alles im Fluss". 2003: Wolfgang Hohlbein Preis für "Im Bann des Fluchträgers" Auszeichnungen: 2011: Polinas Geheimnis wird in die Empfehlungsliste der Internationalen Jugendbibliothek "White Ravens" aufgenommen. 2010: Der Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Landesverband Bayern) nimmt "Polinas Geheimnis" in die Liste der "100 besten Kinder- und Jugendbücher" auf. 2010: "Das Amulett des Dschingis Khan" wird in die Auswahlliste des Rattenfänger-Literaturpreises aufgenommen. 2009: Der Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Landesverband Bayern) nimmt "Totenbraut" in die Liste der "100 besten Kinder- und Jugendbücher" auf. 2009: Die Fantasy-Gruppe der "Jury der jungen Leser" nimmt "Faunblut" in die Liste der "10 besten Bücher aus 2008/2009" auf. 2008: Der Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Landesverband Bayern) nimmt "Die Königsmalerin" in die Liste der "100 besten Kinder- und Jugendbücher" auf. Juli 2008: 2. Platz der Kinder- und Jugendbuchbestenliste der hr2-Jury (www.hoerjuwel.de) für die Hörbuchfassung von "Das Amulett des Dschingis Khan" (gelesen von Torsten Michaelis). 2007: Der Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Landesverband Bayern) nimmt "Katharina" in die Liste der "100 besten Kinder- und Jugendbücher" auf. 2007: Die Jury der Deutschen Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur in Volkach wählt "Katharina" zum Jugendbuch des Monats Juli. In der Begründung der Jury unter dem Vorsitz von Prof. Dr. Kurt Franz heißt es unter anderem: "Der gelungene Versuch, aus mehreren Blickwinkeln ein spannendes Porträt der russischen Zarin Katharina zu zeichnen". 2005: Der Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Landesverband Bayern) nimmt "Die Rückkehr der Zehnten" in die Liste der "100 besten Kinder- und Jugendbücher" auf. 2003: Literaturwettbewerb der Zeitschrift Allegra: Aufnahme der Kurzgeschichte "Der Wörterverkäufer" in die Anthologie "Briefgeheimnis".
- Nationality
- Deutschland
- Birthplace
- Koper, Slowenien
- Places of residence
- Neu-Ulm, Bayern, Deutschland
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland
Members
Reviews
Forensic data-specialist Fleur Martin spends her days rooting for secrets in damaged hard drives, and removing defunct social media accounts.Her nights are mostly dedicated to fighting wind mills online bullies, though she does occasionally brave a Tinder-date or two. Long-term commitment however, is nigh impossible with her refusal to reveal even the most innocuous of personal information about herself.
The death of her biological father sends a curious Fleur rooting through her long-buried show more past, as she tries to make sense of her mysterious grandmother. Unlike her usual gigs though, she can't just peek at things from behind a digital firewall, and is instead forced to handle the affairs in person.
I have a somewhat problematic relationship with Internet privacy. On the one hand, I'm all for hiding everything from the Interwebs, but I'm also a sucker for any tiny bit of e-popularity I stumble on. Which is why I rather enjoyed contemplating Fleur's many privacy-related concerns, along with her vigilante shennanigans on the dark web.
The mystery however, was hella annoying to get through. The whole plot is permeated by this constant feeling of secrecy, that never seems to get revealed, regardless of how hard and deep the protagonist may dig. The weirdly frustrating thing is, that Fleur does actually stumble on a number of variously shocking family secrets, yet keeps hinting at even deeper and darker ones.
Granted, all this may have been part of a convoluted misdirection strategy, but I felt like I wasn't given a real chance at formulating my own theories. Yet for all my frustrations, I never actually found it in me to outright dislike the story, thanks to the writing style.
In the end, I can't say I was disappointed with either the resolution, the character development, nor even with the romantic subplot. But I also felt these 449 pages really intensely, wondering if I'd ever get through them all.
Score: 3.65/5 stars
If you like atmospheric reads, give this story a chance.
If you like slow-burning storytelling, grab this novel ASAP.
If, however, you're more plot-oriented and don't care too much about the writing style, this might not be the best book for you.
===============
ARC provided by Verlagsgruppe HarperCollins via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. show less
The death of her biological father sends a curious Fleur rooting through her long-buried show more past, as she tries to make sense of her mysterious grandmother. Unlike her usual gigs though, she can't just peek at things from behind a digital firewall, and is instead forced to handle the affairs in person.
I have a somewhat problematic relationship with Internet privacy. On the one hand, I'm all for hiding everything from the Interwebs, but I'm also a sucker for any tiny bit of e-popularity I stumble on. Which is why I rather enjoyed contemplating Fleur's many privacy-related concerns, along with her vigilante shennanigans on the dark web.
The mystery however, was hella annoying to get through. The whole plot is permeated by this constant feeling of secrecy, that never seems to get revealed, regardless of how hard and deep the protagonist may dig. The weirdly frustrating thing is, that Fleur does actually stumble on a number of variously shocking family secrets, yet keeps hinting at even deeper and darker ones.
Granted, all this may have been part of a convoluted misdirection strategy, but I felt like I wasn't given a real chance at formulating my own theories. Yet for all my frustrations, I never actually found it in me to outright dislike the story, thanks to the writing style.
That's the crazy thing about getting close to someone: you can love a smell, a mouth or a laugh despite not knowing them personally at all.
"Fleur is my actual name, but... I never use it online."
"Why? Are you an undercover cop?" he laughs contemptuously. That's another thing I didn't know about Simon.
"For various reasons," I reply. "Among others, professional ones, yes. It's frowned upon when employees have a personal social media presence."
Which was technically the exact opposite of the truth.
In the end, I can't say I was disappointed with either the resolution, the character development, nor even with the romantic subplot. But I also felt these 449 pages really intensely, wondering if I'd ever get through them all.
Score: 3.65/5 stars
If you like atmospheric reads, give this story a chance.
If you like slow-burning storytelling, grab this novel ASAP.
If, however, you're more plot-oriented and don't care too much about the writing style, this might not be the best book for you.
===============
ARC provided by Verlagsgruppe HarperCollins via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. show less
Bianca, a troubled, intelligent sixteen year old girl, has a feeling that somebody doesn't want her to continue her studies at the Europa International School. On her first night, the school's mysterious society of the Wolves abandon her in the dark grounds of the school. She finally makes her way back to the main building when she stumbles on a dead body.
In the days that follow she is haunted by the image of the dead woman. As well, she is being singled out by the Wolves as persona non show more grata. Convinced that the Wolves have something to do with the murder, she is determined to find the killer before he or she finds her.
Set in Germany on the edge of the dark forest and enhanced by the gruesome images of a medieval witch trial, Blazon has all the elements of a good gothic mystery. However, the substance is not there. Bianca's surly attitude and inability to trust anyone is explained in a peremptory and unsatisfactory fashion. Jan, the other charity student, is fertile ground that is never cultivated. He is a thief that ends up in a prestigious boarding school, yet this is never explained properly. Johan, the mysterious blond boy on a motorcycle is also never given enough history, although his story is integral to the unravelling of the plot. And Caitlin, the nice roomate, remains just that- nice despite Bianca's unreasonable suspicions.
To put it in a nutshell, Blazon's got the bones of a good gothic mystery but but no flesh.
An additional purchase. show less
In the days that follow she is haunted by the image of the dead woman. As well, she is being singled out by the Wolves as persona non show more grata. Convinced that the Wolves have something to do with the murder, she is determined to find the killer before he or she finds her.
Set in Germany on the edge of the dark forest and enhanced by the gruesome images of a medieval witch trial, Blazon has all the elements of a good gothic mystery. However, the substance is not there. Bianca's surly attitude and inability to trust anyone is explained in a peremptory and unsatisfactory fashion. Jan, the other charity student, is fertile ground that is never cultivated. He is a thief that ends up in a prestigious boarding school, yet this is never explained properly. Johan, the mysterious blond boy on a motorcycle is also never given enough history, although his story is integral to the unravelling of the plot. And Caitlin, the nice roomate, remains just that- nice despite Bianca's unreasonable suspicions.
To put it in a nutshell, Blazon's got the bones of a good gothic mystery but but no flesh.
An additional purchase. show less
Readers Annotation:
Bianca receives a scholarship to a boarding school that was built on the site of a convent and orphanage where a famous witch trial was conducted in the 17th century. The wolves a student club are planning on hazing her so she hides from them only to run across a dead body at the bottom of the school’s stairs.
Plot Summary:
Bianca receives a scholarship to an exclusive school built in the 17th century. When she discovers a body at the bottom of the school’s stairs she show more is determined to solve the murder because the police did not seem to be working hard on the case. Bianca makes two friends that help her with her research into the schools mysterious background by viewing the museum section of the library and locating a woman who has missing documents from the past. After talking to the woman, they hear about her death later and know that their lives are at risk too. The clues lead them to a dark secret chamber under the school where they discover a secret society of “wolves” that make up most of the local townspeople from doctors to police officers. The story ends with the shocking truth to what is hidden beneath the school and what the wolves are trying so hard to protect.
Evaluation:
This book was a very good murder mystery. It had lots of action and intrigue. The original book was written and German and translated to English. It really has a Grimm’s fairytale feel, but without the gore. Some of the elements in the story were hard to follow, like the ghost outside of Bianca’s window. It is a murder mystery with a loosely tied link to witchcraft.
Reason Included: I found this book on a new books display in the Young Adult section at my library.
Ages: 14-18/Interests: Witchcraft, Fairytales, Murder, Mystery
Authors Website: http://www.ninablazon.de/ Note: this book was originally written in German and translated to English. So the website is not helpful unless you happen to be fluent in German. show less
Bianca receives a scholarship to a boarding school that was built on the site of a convent and orphanage where a famous witch trial was conducted in the 17th century. The wolves a student club are planning on hazing her so she hides from them only to run across a dead body at the bottom of the school’s stairs.
Plot Summary:
Bianca receives a scholarship to an exclusive school built in the 17th century. When she discovers a body at the bottom of the school’s stairs she show more is determined to solve the murder because the police did not seem to be working hard on the case. Bianca makes two friends that help her with her research into the schools mysterious background by viewing the museum section of the library and locating a woman who has missing documents from the past. After talking to the woman, they hear about her death later and know that their lives are at risk too. The clues lead them to a dark secret chamber under the school where they discover a secret society of “wolves” that make up most of the local townspeople from doctors to police officers. The story ends with the shocking truth to what is hidden beneath the school and what the wolves are trying so hard to protect.
Evaluation:
This book was a very good murder mystery. It had lots of action and intrigue. The original book was written and German and translated to English. It really has a Grimm’s fairytale feel, but without the gore. Some of the elements in the story were hard to follow, like the ghost outside of Bianca’s window. It is a murder mystery with a loosely tied link to witchcraft.
Reason Included: I found this book on a new books display in the Young Adult section at my library.
Ages: 14-18/Interests: Witchcraft, Fairytales, Murder, Mystery
Authors Website: http://www.ninablazon.de/ Note: this book was originally written in German and translated to English. So the website is not helpful unless you happen to be fluent in German. show less
Ascheherz: Romantische Dark Fantasy über eine Liebe stärker als der Tod (German Edition) by Nina Blazon
Canda erwacht ohne Herz und ohne Erinnerung. Um ihr wahres Leben zurückzuerlangen, begibt sie sich auf eine gefährliche Reise durch ein Reich voller Intrigen und Magie
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 47
- Members
- 707
- Popularity
- #35,839
- Rating
- 3.6
- Reviews
- 17
- ISBNs
- 132
- Languages
- 4