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Family By Choice #1
Blood Relations
alternate cover edition of ISBN: 9780992042004
Who cares if they’re not normal? Neither am I.
Life has not been easy for Alex Winters since he used his Pyrokinetic powers to take control of the Russian district. Violence and betrayal have become a way of life, but he's somehow managed to keep the gangsters in line. At barely sixteen, he thinks he's seen it all. He hasn't. Things spiral out of control when the latest double cross takes a turn for the supernatural. The new group muscling in on his territory turn out to be a brutal gang of vampires. Can Alex defeat an enemy even more powerful than himself? Can he keep his people safe and his boss happy? Can Alex survive in a world that just keeps getting more dangerous?
Who cares if they’re not normal? Neither am I.
Life has not been easy for Alex Winters since he used his Pyrokinetic powers to take control of the Russian district. Violence and betrayal have become a way of life, but he's somehow managed to keep the gangsters in line. At barely sixteen, he thinks he's seen it all. He hasn't. Things spiral out of control when the latest double cross takes a turn for the supernatural. The new group muscling in on his territory turn out to be a brutal gang of vampires. Can Alex defeat an enemy even more powerful than himself? Can he keep his people safe and his boss happy? Can Alex survive in a world that just keeps getting more dangerous?
Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
144 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Caro Frechette
11 books32 followersNathan Caro Fréchette is originally from Montréal but has been living in the Ottawa/Gatineau region since 2004. He is a sequential artist and author. He has published several short stories, both sequential and traditional, as well as two graphic novels, five novels, and one non-fiction book on writing. He was the editor and director for the French Canadian literary magazine Histoires à boire debout, and works at the Ottawa Public Library. He has been teaching creative writing since 2005, and GMing various table-top RPGs since 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 29, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Despite having the feeling I was thrown in the middle of a sequel instead of the first book in a series, I found myself enjoying Blood Relations more than I thought I would. Main character Alex Winters can control fire. At least, he can control it half of the time. He took over the Russian district, and tries to survive in the middle of gangsters, prostitutes, and heck, even vampires. When we meet Alex at the start of this book, he’s already the leader of the district, but he has trouble keeping control of the different pawns in the game. When he runs into a vampire gang, things start to get serious.
Alex is a complex character. He’s an anti-hero. He was abused during his childhood, as are most of the main characters in this book. But despite all this, he put out his neck to save a bunch of children who went through the same things he did. Even though he’s barely sixteen, he acts at least ten years older, probably due to what he went through as a kid. I loved how Alex looks out for the others, even though obviously being very damaged himself.
But when the vampires turn against Mr. Lupino, one of Alex’s associates, and a man who he respects and likes, and they threaten the kids he swore to protect, Alex is willing to do whatever it takes to win this fight, without anyone else getting hurt.
The writing was great, and the characterization, especially of Alex, was spot on. It’s been a long time since I encountered a character who I liked so much. The plot could be a bit more complex, but apart from that, I loved this.
Despite having the feeling I was thrown in the middle of a sequel instead of the first book in a series, I found myself enjoying Blood Relations more than I thought I would. Main character Alex Winters can control fire. At least, he can control it half of the time. He took over the Russian district, and tries to survive in the middle of gangsters, prostitutes, and heck, even vampires. When we meet Alex at the start of this book, he’s already the leader of the district, but he has trouble keeping control of the different pawns in the game. When he runs into a vampire gang, things start to get serious.
Alex is a complex character. He’s an anti-hero. He was abused during his childhood, as are most of the main characters in this book. But despite all this, he put out his neck to save a bunch of children who went through the same things he did. Even though he’s barely sixteen, he acts at least ten years older, probably due to what he went through as a kid. I loved how Alex looks out for the others, even though obviously being very damaged himself.
But when the vampires turn against Mr. Lupino, one of Alex’s associates, and a man who he respects and likes, and they threaten the kids he swore to protect, Alex is willing to do whatever it takes to win this fight, without anyone else getting hurt.
The writing was great, and the characterization, especially of Alex, was spot on. It’s been a long time since I encountered a character who I liked so much. The plot could be a bit more complex, but apart from that, I loved this.
October 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It went down like a bowl of ice cream, well, Mayan chocolate flavored ice cream, maybe. You can't really call it sweet, but it does go down smoothly, and it is so good.
October 28, 2013
The protagonist, Alex Winters, is the narrator of the novel. The readers get to live the story as it unfolds through the eyes of a 16 years old man, and that, in itself, is a tour de force. Simply put, Alex, who controls fire, is an important member of the local mafia, and in order to keep the control of his section, he has to fight badass vampires. But the story is so much more than that. It is about engaging and complex characters; a unusual plot, a great first person narration; and a page turner full of cliff hangers. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
I particularly enjoyed the audiobook that is read by the author herself. She is a natural.
Thank you Ms. Frechette for the hours of entertainment, the winces of pain, the chuckles, and the outright laughter you have provided.
I particularly enjoyed the audiobook that is read by the author herself. She is a natural.
Thank you Ms. Frechette for the hours of entertainment, the winces of pain, the chuckles, and the outright laughter you have provided.
February 3, 2015
Blood Relations is an action packed and emotional ride through a Supernatural, Horror, and film noir style story. It challenges and bends the tropes of all three styles into something completely unique and compelling. The author has a command of style and language which is rare in a first novel.
If you enjoy Horror, Urban-Fantasy, or Supernatural stories, you’re going to want to pick up this book.
If you enjoy Horror, Urban-Fantasy, or Supernatural stories, you’re going to want to pick up this book.
July 15, 2016
Blood Relations is a young adult and young-at-heart adult paranormal story with a cool factor.
I found myself curious about young Alex Winters, who carries the burdens and responsibilities of an old soul, while having a pyrokinetic gift that enables him to be a gang "boss" at 15. He's a complex character who keeps his cards close to his chest to project the toughness he needs, and yet has a heart that wants to protect the kids under his care.
When regular activities stop being regular at the strip clubs that owe him payment, Alex discovers the people he once knew have become vampires. Thinking he's crazy, he tries to handle things on his own. Then discovers despite his ability to make fire, he needs help.
Now, I've admitted before I'm not a vampirey-book person, but I got into the story and am curious to continue on in the series to learn more about this mysterious protagonist. For me to want to keep going in a genre that I don't normally relate to is a big compliment!
I found myself curious about young Alex Winters, who carries the burdens and responsibilities of an old soul, while having a pyrokinetic gift that enables him to be a gang "boss" at 15. He's a complex character who keeps his cards close to his chest to project the toughness he needs, and yet has a heart that wants to protect the kids under his care.
When regular activities stop being regular at the strip clubs that owe him payment, Alex discovers the people he once knew have become vampires. Thinking he's crazy, he tries to handle things on his own. Then discovers despite his ability to make fire, he needs help.
Now, I've admitted before I'm not a vampirey-book person, but I got into the story and am curious to continue on in the series to learn more about this mysterious protagonist. For me to want to keep going in a genre that I don't normally relate to is a big compliment!
February 15, 2014
Alex Winters is new to the whole mob thing, But when he saved the children from the brothel he made a choice to protect them. His businesses have suddenly started going awry. He's not sure why but he must try and find out. When he goes to a local strip club the answer to his question is not at all what he expected.
I really enjoyed this book. I did not expect a lot of what happened. Very fast paced. could not put it down. Def a must read.
I really enjoyed this book. I did not expect a lot of what happened. Very fast paced. could not put it down. Def a must read.
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August 31, 2017Hello everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed the book!
You can find some more online reviews of the book here: http://carolinefrechette.com/family-b...
I always love to hear from readers. Please feel free to contact me: http://carolinefrechette.com/about/em...
You can find some more online reviews of the book here: http://carolinefrechette.com/family-b...
I always love to hear from readers. Please feel free to contact me: http://carolinefrechette.com/about/em...
March 20, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Starts strong on page 1 and doesn't let up. Definitely going to read more of Nathan's work
February 6, 2014
My full Blood Relations: A Family By Choice Novel review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Blood Relations: A Family By Choice Novel was a look into the life of a young man, Alex, that has a special gift, some would call it a power or super power. The problem is that this young man has such a low self esteem and cares way too much about what other people are thinking about him and spends too much time scheming so people will like or accept him. I would think if I was so unique that I would be very outgoing and potentially fearless. Having been exposed to so many syndicate organizations via movies and television the organization that Alex is involved with seems pretty tame. Struggling to keep control of the clubs they have while a rouge group of vampires come to town and try to get to the head boss. The driving force behind the whole story is Alex coming evolving out of a young man to an adult and encountering new situations and trying to make the best of it. I struggled to stay engaged while listening as I am more used to more action, more deceit, just more.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
Blood Relations: A Family By Choice Novel was a look into the life of a young man, Alex, that has a special gift, some would call it a power or super power. The problem is that this young man has such a low self esteem and cares way too much about what other people are thinking about him and spends too much time scheming so people will like or accept him. I would think if I was so unique that I would be very outgoing and potentially fearless. Having been exposed to so many syndicate organizations via movies and television the organization that Alex is involved with seems pretty tame. Struggling to keep control of the clubs they have while a rouge group of vampires come to town and try to get to the head boss. The driving force behind the whole story is Alex coming evolving out of a young man to an adult and encountering new situations and trying to make the best of it. I struggled to stay engaged while listening as I am more used to more action, more deceit, just more.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews