Blood Ransom by Sophie McKenzie

Series: Blood Ties, Book Two

Publisher: Simon & Schuester Children’s Books

Format: Paperback

Published: 1^st October 2011

Number of Pages: 432

Book: Bought

Genre: Realistic-Ficion, Science-Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death

No Alcohol, Drug References

Author's Blog: Sophie McKenzie

WARNING: May Contains Spoilers From Previous Book

Clones Rachel and Theo now live thousands of miles apart.  They keep in touch regularly via the internet, but things just aren’t the same.

When Rachel discovers that evil scientist Elijah is still working in secret for a section of the government and about to murder Daniel, she sets out to rescue the little boy, but her plans backfire with disastrous consequences.

Across the Atlantic, Theo becomes suspicious when Rachel misses their weekly internet chat.  He discovers a report online saying she’s killed herself and travels to Scotland to find her, certain that she’s been kidnapped.  A clue leads him to Elijah’s mysterious clinic, where the sinister Aphrodite Experiment is underway.  But why does Elijah need to track Rachel down so badly?  And what is the ultimate ransom that he demands for her?

Review:

Nine months have passed since Blood Ties, and Theo and Rachel now live across the Atlantic from one another.  They’ve been given new identities to protect them.  Why?  Because they are clones.  They were created by the evil genius Elijah, and are hunted by both him and a group known as RAGE (the Righteous Army against Genetic Engineering), who view clones as “unnatural”.  But when Rachel finds out that Elijah is about to kill Daniel, a five-year-old clone of the scientist, to take the child’s healthy heart for himself, Rachel just knows that she has to do something.  Even if that means giving up her new identity… or maybe even more…  With a little help, she smuggles herself onto the island Elijah is working on.  That’s when it goes downhill for her...  Meanwhile, Theo becomes worried when Rachel misses their weekly chat, and when he finds an article saying that she has committed suicide, he knows something has happened to her.  Something bad.  With the help of Lewis, who helped the two escape Elijah’s clutches the first time, Theo travels to Scotland.  Both he and Rachel have no idea what Elijah is planning.  But, knowing Elijah, it’ll terrible.  They just had no idea how terrible…

I love Sophie McKenzie’s books.  She has a way of creating brilliant characters that feel so real and worlds that both scare the life out of me and absolutely thrill me.  I had no idea how Blood Ransom was going to beat Blood Ties (which is one of my favourite books) and was almost scared to read the sequel, worried I’d be let down.  I should have known I had nothing to worry about.  With non-stop action, dual narratives and evil scientists, Blood Ransom never let me go from start to finish. 

Rachel: love her!  She was an overweight, shy girl in the first book, but it this one… well, what a transformation!  Now Rachel is strong, brave, stubborn and confident: a girl who can hold her own.  (Those of you who have read a few more of my reviews have probably picked up on the fact that I loathe weak girls who go running to the strong boy in bad situations.  I am pleased to say Rachel was the complete opposite, though she was a little gullible at times.)  As for Theo, I always liked him.  However, now I love him.  I really got to see what was going on inside his head, and how much he loved Rachel.  He’d do anything for her.  Yes, it’s probably odd, seeing as they’re both teenagers for the two to be so… committed.  But it’s sweet and believable; and nothing like foolish-first-love. 

Lewis is another character I feel I have to mention: passionate, strong and out for revenge of Elijah, I was so glad to have him back!  He’s the kind of person I’d love to have as a big brother – just… without the revengeful side.  Although you could understand why: Elijah is cruel and heartless and evil.  He thinks because he “created” Theo and Rachel, he can just do anything with them, something I hated.  Elijah’s the classic evil-genius villain who is just designed to be loathed.  The ultimate bad-guy.

Now, whilst this is a definite thriller, it also has a moral aspect.  How far should we allow science to go?  Now, I’m not saying I’m going to go all murderous like RAGE, but should we let people create life just because they can?  And then do anything with that ‘creation’ (for lack of a better word), including killing them?  Yes, Sophie McKenzie’s books often have me thinking…

Back to Blood Ransom: I loved the twists and turns and suspense of this book.  I was never bored, I loved every single second and I was left longing for more.  So, to fill the hole, I am going to read The Medusa Project!  Honestly?  I recommend this series: it’s thrilling, exciting and it grips you from the first to the very last word.  Sophie McKenzie is just the most amazing author, and I can’t wait to see what Sister, Missing brings us!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:
Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie

Cherub by Robert Muchamore

The Darkness Series by Leonard D. Hilley II (For Older Readers)

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

British Book Challenge (Hosted by The Bookette)

Happy Reading

Megan