The Living Blood

This book is so phenomenal. Due does an excellent job weaving together the storylines of all the different characters. Every moment had me gripped, desperately wanting to know what happened next. This is the first book where I actually started to try to skip a few pages not because I was bored, but because I needed to know what happened next. Each different character has such a clear and distinct voice that simply works for them. Unlike many stories, I had no idea what was going to happen next and no way of guessing. I actually felt fear and desperation along with the characters, as well as joy. I am hooked on Due's writing style, and I hope to read the rest of her works soon.

I liked this sequel fairly well. It delved more deeply into issues of good and evil, power and responsibility. I've been having trouble getting into stories lately so I'm not sure I gave this one as much attention as it deserves. I kept noticing whenever the narrator breathed or took a drink, which I'm not sure I've noticed on other audiobooks. Not a complaint---I actually kind of liked it, in a strange way---just an observation.

This book is the sequel to My Soul to Keep, Due's riveting fantasy/thriller novel about Jessica and David Wolde. Their second child, Bee-Bee, was born with unusual gifts, and Jessica is too new to her powers to teach her daughter. Her only option seems to be a reunion with David, and the people who he calls "Life Brothers." However, Jessica's only previous experience with the Life Brothers has been terrifying. How can they welcome her now, when they were determined to destroy her before? Furthermore, seeing David will reawaken all the painful memories surrounding their parting. Can Jessica contend with her own unresolved past in time to save Bee-Bee's future?

Part of this book were slow, and I had a hard time relating to the main character at times. On the other hand, the characters were well-drawn and the plot was unpredictable and pretty interesting outside the occasional slow parts. There was enough here to keep my interest, but I didn't think it quite "gelled." Part of the problem may have been that the prime foundation of the plot is the supposition that there is a society of immortals who live in a certain location on earth and have mostly isolated themselves from the rest of humanity for centuries (millenia?). I think the world is far too populated for any such group of immortals to remain isolated, and that makes the book seem too unbelievable to me. It quite prevented me from show more becoming involved and limited my enjoyment of the book. If that wouldn't bother you, then I'd encourage you to give it a try. It does have a lot else going for it. show less

The Living Blood is a masterful sequal to the first novel I ever read by Tananarive Due, titled 'My Soul To Keep'.

In the living blood you follow Jessica Jacobs Wolde as she discovers that her daughter has supernatural powers. Her daughter, you see, was conceived by an Immortal father, then while pregnant Jessica went through the ritual.

The book follows both Jessica and her daughter as the discover the power she posseses, and the horror that comes with it.

The plot is intricate, interlaced with several smaller plots that are highly entertaining. The story is suspenseful and original. Very good book.

Wow this was SO much better than I remembered. I read this when it was released, if memory serves.
This really surpasses the first book.

Really Good.