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Angel Blood
The nurses call this place the Bin. We have to get out. We have to run away before they hurt us for good. But there's no escaping Dr Dearly and his brutality - is there? Four extraordinary children face a terrifying ordeal. Their only hope is local hard-case Nail, but has he got what it takes to save them? Brutal, tender and unforgettable, Angel Blood creates its own extraordinary and brilliant world.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
311 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2006
143 people want to read
About the author
John Singleton
55 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database. This is undisambiguated "catch-all" profile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 13, 2011
If you have read my other reviews, you will know that I usually start with the blurb of the book. but, seeing as the blurb of this book gives the whole plot away, I'll write my own blurb. Here goes.
The nurses call this place the Bin. They call us spooks even though they're not supposed to. Cough Cough says this is because we spooked them. Doctor Dearly calls us Geminis because we came in twos. There's only four of us left now. Cough Cough says we have to leave before we go takeaway like Mrs Murdoe. Doctor Dearly says that it's for our own welfare.
...hmmmmm, not the best i've ever done, but I think it describes it pretty well. One of the reasons I love this book is because it's told (for the most part) in very child-like language, even though the children are around twelve. It's this dream-like language that makes this book both fantastic and chilling. It's hard to describe, so just read it. Please?
The nurses call this place the Bin. They call us spooks even though they're not supposed to. Cough Cough says this is because we spooked them. Doctor Dearly calls us Geminis because we came in twos. There's only four of us left now. Cough Cough says we have to leave before we go takeaway like Mrs Murdoe. Doctor Dearly says that it's for our own welfare.
...hmmmmm, not the best i've ever done, but I think it describes it pretty well. One of the reasons I love this book is because it's told (for the most part) in very child-like language, even though the children are around twelve. It's this dream-like language that makes this book both fantastic and chilling. It's hard to describe, so just read it. Please?
January 27, 2018
I read this a while ago, and it stuck with me for a long time. But I forgot the title. Thanks to Goodreads I found it again!
I am usually more of a happily ever after person. And with this book you know from the beginning that it will not turn out happy. But while the ending made me sad, I could accept it. They got to enjoy life, even if for a short while, they probably changed the way some of the people who met them would go on living, and the end was of their own choosing.
I was impressed by the world building at the beginning. All was told from the POV of one of the children living in „the bin“, and since their experience is so different to that of children raised in the outside world, it reads like a foreign place.
This book has some deeply cruel moments, and yet it is also full of kindness and hope. It may not be for everyone, and if I’d known more about the content I might not have read it. But I am glad I did. One of the books that I would describe as life altering. Because of the way it let me enter into the world of those wonderful children.
I am usually more of a happily ever after person. And with this book you know from the beginning that it will not turn out happy. But while the ending made me sad, I could accept it. They got to enjoy life, even if for a short while, they probably changed the way some of the people who met them would go on living, and the end was of their own choosing.
I was impressed by the world building at the beginning. All was told from the POV of one of the children living in „the bin“, and since their experience is so different to that of children raised in the outside world, it reads like a foreign place.
This book has some deeply cruel moments, and yet it is also full of kindness and hope. It may not be for everyone, and if I’d known more about the content I might not have read it. But I am glad I did. One of the books that I would describe as life altering. Because of the way it let me enter into the world of those wonderful children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2012
Totally harrowing but somehow really sweet too.
Four kids (of unspecified age - they don't know how old they are) are the only children left in a home (the Bin) for, well, unusual children. It's reminiscent of the sort of place they used to throw anyone who wasn't totally able-bodied but the fact that it's set in the present makes it very disturbing. X-Ray has paper thin skin that splits and bleeds easily, Chicken Angel has little wings like fingers on her back, Lights Out has no eyes and Cough Cough has some sort of lung disorder. It's hard to describe the story without giving too much away but basically the staff in the Bin aren't really trying to make them better and for their own safety they need to escape which is very difficult given their ailments and the fact that they are totally institutionalised.
The book is very well written, the children have their own particular very childlike way of speaking and thinking that makes it all the more touching and poignant. The story flows well, I got so attached to the characters that I didn't want to put it down. The side story of teenager Nail and his attempts to impress Natalie slots in well and the two stories come together beautifully.
Initially I only gave this 4 stars because for someone who cries ridiculously easily over sad things in books, this one just didn't make me blub and I'm not sure why. That's harsh though because I love the story! It's a 4.5.
Four kids (of unspecified age - they don't know how old they are) are the only children left in a home (the Bin) for, well, unusual children. It's reminiscent of the sort of place they used to throw anyone who wasn't totally able-bodied but the fact that it's set in the present makes it very disturbing. X-Ray has paper thin skin that splits and bleeds easily, Chicken Angel has little wings like fingers on her back, Lights Out has no eyes and Cough Cough has some sort of lung disorder. It's hard to describe the story without giving too much away but basically the staff in the Bin aren't really trying to make them better and for their own safety they need to escape which is very difficult given their ailments and the fact that they are totally institutionalised.
The book is very well written, the children have their own particular very childlike way of speaking and thinking that makes it all the more touching and poignant. The story flows well, I got so attached to the characters that I didn't want to put it down. The side story of teenager Nail and his attempts to impress Natalie slots in well and the two stories come together beautifully.
Initially I only gave this 4 stars because for someone who cries ridiculously easily over sad things in books, this one just didn't make me blub and I'm not sure why. That's harsh though because I love the story! It's a 4.5.
February 18, 2009
I liked the way you had to dive straight into the world of the children created by Singleton. There were no explanations offered from a distance. You had to adjust to their language and their understanding, and accept what you were shown.
I found this book quite shocking and saddening, but what inspired to think that this was aimed at younger readers. It's thrilling to think that people write challenging novels for them. I wonder how a younger readers reaction might differ from mine. If they might focus on the escape theme rather than wondering about the whys and hows?
A confirmation that young adult fiction has something to offer adult readers.
I found this book quite shocking and saddening, but what inspired to think that this was aimed at younger readers. It's thrilling to think that people write challenging novels for them. I wonder how a younger readers reaction might differ from mine. If they might focus on the escape theme rather than wondering about the whys and hows?
A confirmation that young adult fiction has something to offer adult readers.
August 11, 2023
This is a fascinating and basically unheard-of young adult novel that straddles the realms of the speculative and the contemporary (contemporary to the early aughts, that is). The speculativity of this work is two-pronged, the first and clearest being its dalliance with the more-than-human (never fully laid out but overtly implied, especially toward the end of the story). The second, and more interesting, aspect is the relationship between what abled, sane, non-incarcerated people think of as im/possible in relation to institutional abuse and confinement: as the primary protagonists of the novel, excluded from the discourse and material world of human-personhood, struggle to make sense of an abject environment of medical violence, teenagers in the outside world with tenuous, yet increasingly apparent connections to the former group first refuse, then struggle to manage, the horrors that have become routine to their institutionalized counterparts.
Ableism, violent ableism, abounds, both in the language used by the outside teens (this amount of r-word usage was probably uncalled for, but then again, it seems accurate to the time, place, and demographic) and in the lived (and unlived) experiences of the incarcerated children. At the same time, Singleton's narrative is in many ways deeply progressive, looking at suicide, self-harm, and militant resistance to jailers, doctors, and other cops in ways that deeply challenge the status quo. Rather than serve readers and characters with a happy ending, Angel Blood is as fucked up, ambivalent, and melancholy as the poor, crip, Mad lives it follows. I'm truly impressed by the genuine transgressiveness of this book, especially as someone with a longstanding interest in works for young readers that think critically about Madness and (anti)psychiatry/medical movements.
Pair with Bird-Eyes, Good Kings Bad Kings, Unwind, and Dr. Franklin's Island.
Ableism, violent ableism, abounds, both in the language used by the outside teens (this amount of r-word usage was probably uncalled for, but then again, it seems accurate to the time, place, and demographic) and in the lived (and unlived) experiences of the incarcerated children. At the same time, Singleton's narrative is in many ways deeply progressive, looking at suicide, self-harm, and militant resistance to jailers, doctors, and other cops in ways that deeply challenge the status quo. Rather than serve readers and characters with a happy ending, Angel Blood is as fucked up, ambivalent, and melancholy as the poor, crip, Mad lives it follows. I'm truly impressed by the genuine transgressiveness of this book, especially as someone with a longstanding interest in works for young readers that think critically about Madness and (anti)psychiatry/medical movements.
Pair with Bird-Eyes, Good Kings Bad Kings, Unwind, and Dr. Franklin's Island.
July 17, 2012
at first I found it very hard to get into it because of the language. But after I understood what they were saying I found myself really enjoying the book. it has just the right amount of sadness to pull on your heart strings without it seeming that the kids are always after sympathy. For kids that don't know any better I think they came across as very strong minded.
Really good book :).
Really good book :).
August 30, 2012
Really enjoyed this even though I'm older than the target age group. It's nice to find a book that allows you to use your imagination instead of spelling everything out. Very moving snd thought provoking story, and I liked the different language the children used; it worked well mixed with normal English.
March 12, 2012
Singleton manages to pull you into the crazy world of the bin just by his strange use of language. This is a touching book and should not only be appriciated by teens but adults also. There are some saddening scenes however overall I loved this book.
March 1, 2011
Sad, funny in places and suprisingly quite good.
Despite the depressing situation and odd launguage that takes some adjusting too, Angel Blood was inspiring and very touching.
It does take some time getting used too, but when you dive into the story, you can really feel it. You'll find yourself crying, laughing alond with the characters.
I'd recommened this to anyone who enjoys reading books such as city of bones or twilight to give this a try, its quite different but you'd find yourself suprised.
Despite the depressing situation and odd launguage that takes some adjusting too, Angel Blood was inspiring and very touching.
It does take some time getting used too, but when you dive into the story, you can really feel it. You'll find yourself crying, laughing alond with the characters.
I'd recommened this to anyone who enjoys reading books such as city of bones or twilight to give this a try, its quite different but you'd find yourself suprised.
February 13, 2016
This is one of my favourite books of all time. The way the author describes everything from the children's point of view is amazing also the alternating with the chapter etc. one chapter is in the point of view of like a 'normal' person and the next is on from the children. This book messes with perspectives. At first this book might not be the best but as you dive more into it you will see how amazing it is. Also the ending to this book is so amazing and so cleverly written. AMAZING BOOK! READ IT!
June 2, 2012
Rated: (3½*)
Singelton manages to pull you into a challenging, shockingly realistic book; I started the year with a book which is different from what I normally read & was satisfied with the novel as it left me with conclusions. The front cover was amazing & caught my eye. Among parts were extremely heart-wrenchingly realistic is a though-out plot & touching language. You can really empathize with the characters at various points.
Singelton manages to pull you into a challenging, shockingly realistic book; I started the year with a book which is different from what I normally read & was satisfied with the novel as it left me with conclusions. The front cover was amazing & caught my eye. Among parts were extremely heart-wrenchingly realistic is a though-out plot & touching language. You can really empathize with the characters at various points.
August 6, 2021
The blurb doesn’t give this story justice and I don’t think it captures the book very well. This book was gripping and emotional- I wanted to cry and laugh and smile at different aspects of their character and their language- for instance they call physiotherapy (physio) fizzio. The ending made me a little confused as to what was drawn and what was not - you will understand if you read it- but overall it was great. I would rate this a 4.5 but you can’t do half stars so I rounded it.
June 3, 2010
A fantastic, heartbreaking book. This is about the lives of children with bizarre illnesses and the lengths they go to to get out of their hospital.
July 26, 2013
I love this book to the moon and back! Broke my heart but a 7/5 star book!
August 18, 2025
I remember reading this as a teenager and loving it so wanted to give it another go as an adult. I really wish I could say that it held up, but i was incredibly disappointed by the second half of the book.
I really enjoyed the first 150 pages of the book. it was intriguing and really made you feel for the kids in the book. But I think the drop in prospectives from the children really affected my enjoyment of that second half. Although I do like the teenagers prospectives, the kids were the heart of the story and the lack of seeing this brand new world from their prospective wasn’t only disappointing but also a missed opportunity.
The second half of the book was very rushed, trying to fit 100 pages of story into 50 pages.
Ultimately, the book was enjoyable, but towards the end i was just itching for something more.
I really enjoyed the first 150 pages of the book. it was intriguing and really made you feel for the kids in the book. But I think the drop in prospectives from the children really affected my enjoyment of that second half. Although I do like the teenagers prospectives, the kids were the heart of the story and the lack of seeing this brand new world from their prospective wasn’t only disappointing but also a missed opportunity.
The second half of the book was very rushed, trying to fit 100 pages of story into 50 pages.
Ultimately, the book was enjoyable, but towards the end i was just itching for something more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2020
3.5/5
Angel Blood was a bit slow to grab my interest but the characters did eventually engage me enough to care about their story. At times, it gets simplistic but there are some moments of profundity where the writer really pulls at your heartstrings. Overall, it's not a bad book but it's not great either - an okay read if you don't have something better.
Also, I don't think the title is a great fit for this book.
Angel Blood was a bit slow to grab my interest but the characters did eventually engage me enough to care about their story. At times, it gets simplistic but there are some moments of profundity where the writer really pulls at your heartstrings. Overall, it's not a bad book but it's not great either - an okay read if you don't have something better.
Also, I don't think the title is a great fit for this book.
June 23, 2024
This story revolves around 4 kids who were isolated from the world and kept in a place called bin surrounded by doctors, nurses and security. All of them have only one dream which is to travel in sky boat which is a concept introduced to them by nurse murdoe . Whether they travel in the sky boat are not forms the rest of the story . This story contains a lot of unexpected emotional twist and turns..
August 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book although a little doubtful about the ending, it was pacey and drew you in right from the start. The characters were sad and real at the same time. The action was written well, gripping and full of tension.
Well worth a read....
Well worth a read....
February 16, 2020
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, it was definitely intriguing. Unfortunately it also answered absolutely none of my questions, which is kind of unsatisfying.
August 20, 2025
heart = broken
October 25, 2016
They live inside the Bin. Looneys, crazies, freaks. They have no choice. They want to get out. But how can they, when no one has ever escaped the Bin before?
This is a really good book; an adventure that differs to the norm, that still gets your heart pumping.
December 16, 2011
I recieved this book as a proof copy a year or so ago and it took me a while to get round to reading it. it was well written in my opinion though I found it a bit hard to connect with the main characters, and it doesn't have the same power as the maximum ride series which is quite similar.
August 28, 2014
Cough Cough, Chicken Angel, X-Ray? What kind of stupid names are these? And don't get my started on general grammar 'fizzio'... Ugh it makes my brain hurt. And the chapters within chapters are odd too. Lets just say I couldn't even finish one whole 'regular' chapter.
April 18, 2016
I thought they would escape at the beginning, but nooo, they just had to sit around and wonder about Dr Dearly! I liked what happened leading to the end, and that girl Nats...but I didnt get the ending :S
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August 12, 2011Don't be put off by this being aimed at teenagers - it is very good and very thought provoking.
April 15, 2012
Very original book. Difficult to read until you learn the "language". The story was awesome but didn't reach it's potential... With a weak and unsatisfying ending.
June 25, 2012
A little confusing to read, but overall not too bad.
Read
January 10, 2013I cryed when Cough Cough died and the end omg the end omg the end omg, Absuliutly loved this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 27, 2013it sucked
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews