Out for Blood: A Tale of the Rougarou

Systema Paradoxa #14

by Jorie Rao, Jason Whitley (Illustrator)

There are creatures lurking in our world. Obscure creatures long relegated to myth and legend. They have been sighted by a lucky-or unlucky-few, some have even been photographed, but their existence remains unproven and unrecognized by the scientific community.These creatures, long thought gone, have somehow survived; creatures from our nightmares haunting the dark places. They swim in our lakes and bays, they soar the night skies, they hunt in the woods. Some are from our past, and some from other worlds, and others have always been with us-watching us, fearing us, hunting us.These are the cryptids, and Systema Paradoxa tells their tales.***Prudence Ann Wells grew up believing the things that went bump in the night were just fairy tales. Until the night a slathering beast with all-to-intelligent eyes breaks down their door. She freezes as the creature rushes her and her mother, convinced it can't be real, as she and her sister, Justice, had always been told. Only they had been raised on lies. Prue survives the attack; her mother does not. Driven by guilt and revenge, she and Justice set out to stop the beast, but can Prue end the nightmare without becoming a monster herself?

106 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Jorie Rao is a Professor of English at SCC and obtained an MA in creative writing from Rowan University, and was the recipient of the Toni Libro Excellence in Writing award. Her obsession with cryptids and all things that go bump in the night inspired Out for Blood—and if she can ever stop reading other amazing novels, she might write another one!

Reviews

[Tyler Slape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really fun to read. If you are a supernatural fan this is right up your alley. This is a great story written really well. Give it a shot! You won’t be disappointed.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Systema Paradoxa series (volume 14). These books are so enjoyable, introducing many new (to me) cryptids. The characters are great, pacing is great, and story is great. Hard to put down and not finish in one sitting. Can't wait for the next in this great series. #OutforBlood #NetGalley

[Educator · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

I have not read any of the previous but am happy to have read this one. The book will pull you in and you'll want to read the rest. I loved the characters and world building as well as the illustrations. Would make a wonderful animated series.

[Dalton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the rest of the books I've read in this series the only interesting part it the monster/ cryptid they decide to go with. At least it's not a long book.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been reading these Systema Paradoxa series on and off owning to my interest in cryptozoology. They are usually fun. Not great literature, mind you, but plain mindless one-sit-read kind of fun. This one is much in the same vein, this time dealing with Rougarou or however you want to spell that one.
The writing quality here is slightly above average for the series. Other than that, you got your quick wham-bam road-trip-to-kill-a-creature adventure and then a pseudoscientific article in the end explaining this cryptid to the public.
All in all, mildly diverting and forgettably entertaining. As always the cryptid steals the show. Thanks Netgalley.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like a genderbent version of Supernatural if John Winchester had kept his "hunting" a secret from his boys. The pop culture references were entertaining but also seemed slightly out of place at times. I enjoyed learning about the Rougarou lore in this book. I enjoy learning about cryptids and would be interested in reading other books in this series.

I received a free copy of this book. My review is honest and freely given.