The Living Blood
*From the author of The Reformatory—A New York Times Notable Book of 2023*
The bestselling author of Joplin's Ghost delivers a riveting novel of supernatural suspense—a gripping tale that showcases a writer at the pinnacle of her astounding storytelling abilities.
“Due has become a modern-day Octavia Butler, a talented storyteller who stands tall among her horror cohorts Anne Rice and Stephen King.” —The Boston Globe
Jessica Jacobs-Wolde has somehow survived the worst that any mother or wife could ever endure: the deaths of her husband and first daughter. But now, four years later, not only is the nightmare continuing— it may have only just begun. Jessica has discovered the terrifying truth behind the legacy that her husband left to their second daughter, Fana...a legacy preordained a thousand years before her time and drenched in the powerful lifeblood that now courses through her veins. As young Fana begins to display unearthly abilities that are quickly spiraling out of control, she becomes the target of those who will stop at nothing to exploit her power—and the unwitting touchstone in an ancient supernatural battle whose outcome may decide the fate of all humanity.
The bestselling author of Joplin's Ghost delivers a riveting novel of supernatural suspense—a gripping tale that showcases a writer at the pinnacle of her astounding storytelling abilities.
“Due has become a modern-day Octavia Butler, a talented storyteller who stands tall among her horror cohorts Anne Rice and Stephen King.” —The Boston Globe
Jessica Jacobs-Wolde has somehow survived the worst that any mother or wife could ever endure: the deaths of her husband and first daughter. But now, four years later, not only is the nightmare continuing— it may have only just begun. Jessica has discovered the terrifying truth behind the legacy that her husband left to their second daughter, Fana...a legacy preordained a thousand years before her time and drenched in the powerful lifeblood that now courses through her veins. As young Fana begins to display unearthly abilities that are quickly spiraling out of control, she becomes the target of those who will stop at nothing to exploit her power—and the unwitting touchstone in an ancient supernatural battle whose outcome may decide the fate of all humanity.
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Community Reviews
I just finished The Living Blood by Tananarive Due, and what an experience it was! This is a hefty, long read—it took me about four or five days to power through—but I was completely hooked from the very first page to the last.
As a direct sequel to My Soul to Keep, this book picks up exactly where the story left off, immediately pulling you back into the complex world of Jessica and David. The exploration of their daughter Fana’s evolving gifts is fascinating, as is the deeper look at the heavy moral weight and the struggle between good and evil that comes with their immortality.
What truly stands out, though, is Tananarive Due’s masterful character development. Every character is explained with such depth and nuance that the entire story felt like a movie playing out in my mind. She has an incredible ability to navigate between complex scenes and different perspectives, managing to wrap everything up in a perfect bow by the end.
If you are looking for a story that is as character-driven as it is immersive, I highly recommend this. It was a really great read and a solid 8 for me.
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